Monday Monday

After a thrilling three-day weekend full of lots of relaxing on the couch, homework and a no-getting-out-of-it trip to the commissary (seriously there was NO meat left in my freezer) Monday is here.

Today is actually my big sister’s birthday, mine is tomorrow. Happy Birthday, Steph! We are six years and one day apart. My daughter teased her relentlessly about getting a senior discount now. Wishing I was back home with her to help celebrate but I just have to send my birthday wishes via Skype instead! I honestly can’t imagine living here and doing this overseas thing WITHOUT the internet! How did people do it?!

I’m also a little sad because the last of my group of close friends is moving away tomorrow.  We had the BEST group of girlfriends and they have all moved away one by one! I have never lived on a military base before and even though I did move a lot as a kid this is just different! I never really thought I was going to make friends here, I have a terrible military wife stereotype.  Was I wrong! We had such a wonderful time celebrating birthdays, babies, holidays and just hanging out together drinking coffee while the kids play.  We really got lucky with our group of friends, we all clicked so well and so did our kids.  I’ve made more friends but haven’t gotten those close ones again, when you are a ‘short-timer’ its hard to put the effort into new friendships! Terrible I know!

After almost 3 1/2 years here I do love the fact that I can go to the commissary or soccer practice or the school and run into people I know.  This is a small base and you end up knowing most people by face if not by name!

Should be a slow week, no big plans so far… three-day week for the kids this week AND next week due to parent/teacher conferences and then Thanksgiving. They don’t know how good they have it!

Hola from Rota, Spain!

Hey there! I am a Navy spouse living on Naval Station Rota, Spain. We’ve lived here for over 3 years and we’ve loved pretty much every minute of it. Living overseas has been an adventure and we’ve travelled all over Europe with our two kids.
We recently found out that we will be making the LONG journey from our Spanish casa to a new Hawaiian home! I’m really excited to experience living in Hawaii and I am looking forward to travelling in the Pacific.

Many people may not be cut out for island life but I am not one of them! I am a beach bum and my kids are both water babies and year ’round summertime sounds just right to me!

Living overseas isn’t for everyone, I know many, many people who complain about the lack of Target, Starbucks or American restaurants. And yes, it does suck not having the conveniences of home at my fingertips but I wouldn’t trade it for evenings spent at my favorite pizza place on the bay, watching the sun set. Or meeting so many wonderful Spanish friends who have shown me just how much a feria can be.

I am excited but sad about my upcoming move and now feel the need to cram in as much as I can before I leave this insanely wonderful country!