ROAD TRIP!!

We're goin on a road trip starting at 4:00 am tomorrow morning. I'm going to Canada with my parents to see the grands, my mom's sister, and cousins. Today is my grandfather's birthday so we're going to party with them this weekend. We're coming back on Tuesday but I'll be updating from up there.

Michael had his final test yesterday for Jumpmaster. Previously on all the other tests he had done great. Well for the final test, they had to check over 3 jumper's equipment. When he did it yesterday he did it in 5 minutes and 14 seconds. They have to be under 5 minutes. He was able to retest and did it in 4 minutes and 40 seconds. So Michael is now a Jumpmaster!! He's really happy and excited. I'm very proud of my husband!!! They had a graduation ceremony and everything this afternoon. This is another military event of his that I've missed. I'm not doing all that great. I owe him big time.

Andrew and Patti are all moved in. I'm sure they are completely exhausted. I'll keep you posted on what's going on with them.

That's about it. I'm all packed. My aunt called tonight and said it was cold and supposed to rain all weekend. I went shopping tonight looking for jeans at the Gap and came out empty handed. But I did get some cute tops in Old Navy!! Hope you're all doing well. Until tomorrow!!

Moving Day!!

This is a pic of Michael in Slovenia from July.

Today is moving day for Andrew and Patti. Mom and I are off to help them with some stuff. They are moving to Manchester, Connecticut. Please keep them in your prayers as they are moving and both needing employment.

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at THQ, and then Mhairi and I went to the mall for dinner. I can't tell you how much I miss American malls. They are completely different.

Michael's course is going very well. He scored to 97s yesterday and was able to jump. Today he had another test checking jumpers packs, harnesses, and all other manner of stuff. He's ready for a break this weekend, except he has 24 hour duty on Saturday - poor guy gets no sleep.

Not much else going on. The Visa paperwork was sent to the consulate yesterday, so I'm hoping to get it by next week. I don't have a flight home, but we're working on it.

Back in the USA

Well I've been up since about 6am this morning. The flight was somewhat uneventful. Boarding in Amsterdam was quite interesting though. They go through everything and then some. But I made it on the plane, landed safely, and now I'm ready to tackle Ft. Dix on Monday morning. Hope they're ready for me!!! :)

Anyway, I'm uploading pics onto Flickr. Unfortunately the link isn't showing anymore, so I've emailed Mhairi to see if she can fix it for me. Not much planned for this week. I'm going to Ft. Dix on Monday, Tuesday doing a few errands and hoping to head up to THQ, Wednesday I'm going with my mom to help Andrew & Patti clean their apartment on their way out (can't believe they're moving!), and then Friday we leave for Canada to go to the grands.

I'm hoping to head back to Italy sometime next week. Michael's doing well. I think jumpmaster school may get the better of him. He has a jump on Tuesday and has to be at post at 2am. So this is the best time for me to be away - he won't even be around. So keep him in your prayers as he is mentally and physically exhausted.

For those of you that i'll see on this trip - I can't wait to see you. For those of you that I'll miss - I'm so sorry. I'm not sure when I will be coming back again, but please know that you can come see us whenever!!!!

Boys & Their Toys

I'm not sure if I'll ever get used to the fact of guns everywhere. I just left Davis Hall where I volunteer and there were a whole bunch of soldiers carrying 2-4 weapons each. Guess they're going off somewhere to practice shooting - who the heck knows.

Anyway, Michael started Jumpmaster school yesterday. He left at 3:30 am and didn't get home until 7:45 pm. By the time he got home I was ready for bed. I made him a quick dinner and then he had to repack his pack that is lovingly named "Alice" for today. We saw each other for about 2 hours and then we both passed out. At least I was able to have lunch with him today but we're not leaving post probably until 7pm again - it's 3:45 right now.

I'm leaving here on Saturday, the 26th, to hopefully get my Visa. Well I really don't have a choice - I need to get it this time. I haven't heard anything about the job yet, which is completely frustrating me. They haven't hired anyone, but I've been making myself more noticable around the office. Tomorrow we have Arts & Crafts and we're making pinatas, and then Thursday is our Community Booth which I've got everything done for it. So we'll see what's going on with the job.

We love and miss you all. Michael does send his love and I'm not just saying that. Steve if you see this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Uncle Jim & Aunt Carolyn - just wanted to say hi! Hope all is well down under! :)

Good Morning!!!

Well for you guys at home it's 4 am, except for the Knaggs's it's the middle of the afternoon. It's 10 am here and I have an appointment at 11 am for grad school. Yes, I'm applying for Grad School to get my MBA. I still haven't heard about the job yet. I had to send a 22 page document today stating that I'm not a corporation - it was very strange. I'm hoping to hear something before I leave next weekend.

Verona was absolutely beautiful!!! The weather was perfect until we got on the train to come home and then the thunder started. We saw Juliette's house and the arena, walked around a garden that had a child-size maze that Michael had to do of course ( I so took pics of that), had an awesome lunch and tried a new flavor of gelatto - peanut butter YUM YUM!! We did a ton of walking and saw some great stuff. I'll post pics when I get home next weekend. Caryn I'll definitely take you there if and when you come here!!!!

We are getting internet at home and a phone line hopefully next week. It will be easier to post pics from there.

That's about all the excitement for now. Michael is doing well. He took his Jumpmaster test this week and missed the written by one question so they're letting him retake it today. He passed the oral portion - not sure if everyone completely understood him, but he passed it. I have now learned all there is to know about parachutes and the equipment with it. It's actually very interesting. I've learned how to properly land, and what to do if I get stuck in a tree, wires, or water.

Hope you all have a great day. Will see you soon!!! KT:)

Sorry for the wait!!!

It's been a week since I've posted. I wasn't on post all week because the lady I'm volunteering for was out on vacation. So I spent the week at home "resting", or as I like to call it being completely and utterly bored!!! Michael had off today, but brought me in this afternoon so that I could do a few things. I haven't heard about the job yet, but they did receive my resume. I'm trying my hardest to be really really patient.

Not much else is happening here. We're off to Verona tomorrow and then Michael's studying all day Sunday for Jumpmaster stuff. I'm really excited to see Verona!! I'll take pics for you Caryn and post them when I come home. We don't have internet in the house yet and I can't do it here at the library, so you'll have to wait. Sorry!!

Hope all is well with each and every one of you. We miss you and are praying for you. Until next time!!!

Sorry David!!!

Sorry David Baker for not posting for the past few days.

Well, I'm back in Italy - well I got back on Monday night. It was so nice to finally be back home. The flight over was uneventful - our plane took off an hour and a half late from Newark, which meant I had to book it to my connecting flight to Venice in Amsterdam. I've never gone through 4 terminals so fast in my life. At least I had my own TV on the flight to Amsterdam.

I'm back to the volunteering gig. I now have 3 projects on my plate, 2 are for the 24th and 1 is for the 23rd. I sent in my resume and bid for the position that's open this morning. Hopefully I'll hear something next week. Michael starts jumpmaster school on the 21st. It's here on post so at least he'll come home every night. We thought he would be gone for 3 weeks. I booked my return flight home for the 26th. Hopefully then all the visa junk will get straightened out and we can stop spending money on flights. Not that I didn't love seeing family and friends - it just got to be a little expensive.

So that's about it here. It's been raining the past 2 days which has helped with the heat. Don't worry I'm trying to blow it home to you guys!!!! I know you need the rain and cool weather. We love and miss you all. See you all again soon!!!!!