Times they are a changin'

This week has been interesting here at the Mongold house. Many of you know that Steve interviewed recently for a job working with an admiral in norfolk, VA. Getting this job would not only be a great career move for Steve, but also a large personal accomplishment. (no...their is no pay raise...I guess status is all you get in the military so you learn to strive for it despite that fact!) The other side of the coin is...if Steve got this job, then we would be - for certain - headed back to Chesapeake to live this coming June. Hmmmm....no pressure or anything daddy???

IN addition to waiting on the news of Steve's job possibilities this week, daddy is also deploying for a while.

Anxiety, anticipation, dread, excitement, sadness....who the heck knows how we are all feeling around her. Everyone with a different mindset, yet all in a place of turmoil. Somehow...we all lived through this crazy week and now we have the following to report:

Steve was offered the job in Norfolk, and he accepted. We will head out of beautiful Fernandina in June and head back to our home in Chesapeake in mid July! And well...daddy still deployed? But with such closure on what the future holds for us, I think that makes it all seem just a little bit better.

I swear that I can handle anything as long as I have information. This lack of info and our undecided future is not easy for my personality. And I will rest easier knowing that we have a plan. And truly - a good one!! :)

We will miss our life here on Amelia Island. So many wonderful friends, the beauty of the surroundings, the easy of this little town, the schools that we have grown to love.....we will miss it all and tears will flow as we pull away.

Kyle is the saddest...well...maybe Ben? Who knows...they have made so many good friends and they have such full lives. They feel torn about the future. Glad to be going home...but a fear of leaving a life that has been so good to them!

I have promised them...and myself...that it is not goodbye to Amelia Island...just - see you soon - as we will visit and keep in touch with our dear friends! And well...Chesapeake - Hampton Rhodes - was home to the Mongolds for so very long. Over 15 years! And so there is something so welcoming about knowing we will be back home! I feel very peaceful knowing that we will be back on Larkspur lane with our awesome neighbors....and able to easily drive to see the best part of our lives - our FAMILY!! :)

It's a sad week in a short term kind of way, as we never like to say goodbye to daddy! But we are darn proud of him for landing this job, and so very in awe of his constant ability to provide for his family and to move us in such great directions! He is amazing! We will miss you babe, but we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do for us.

Let the planning begin? Movers? Packers? Cleaning crews? Logistics? Va Medical forms, school enfollment.....ha ha ha...didn't we just do this! :) Yeah..well...I won't complain because Hawaii was next on the slate for us and a very possible second option. And let's face it. Beautiful place...NOT close to our family!

So that's the news! It is official. Orders are written. Could it change? Well...always a chance when you are in the military. But most likely...NO...we are set and on our way to the next phase of life! :)

This move for me: This move for me is kind of strange? We moved to CT and I was 8 months pregnant, so I knew that Kyle would be born there. When we moved to Chesapeake I bought a business and a house, had a baby and started an adoption process. When we left Chesapeake, I sold a business, and prepared for Mongold number 4. While living here on Amelia Island we welcomed our new baby into our lives. And now...WHAT? Easy street I guess (shell...I am knocking on wood right now!). NO house to buy, so house to sell, so kids to have, no business owned, just packing and unpacking? I already feel a little BORED? What should we do next? Need suggestions!!! ha ha ha

Third time is a charm...but three's a crowd?

When I found out I was pregnant with Will, Steve and I joked that we were now committed to Mongold number 4! Because three is not a charm in kid world...it is lethal! Odd numbers...someone left out...someone to pick on! Even number groups where kids can find a pair seemed the way we needed to go! (please take no offense if you have three kids...truly...we were mostly joking!!...but the conversation took place none the less)

A joke at first...and after my pregnancy with Will was so terrible...it seemed that the joke was all the further that conversation would take us!

And then....in the time surrounding Will's arrival...we of course found another way to bring our 4th MOngold to our world!



An even number....FINALLY! One year ago, we were the family that Steve and I had talked about so many years ago!


But wait? Something was wrong? Ben and Kyle could not stand Will and Will could not stand Josh and everyone wanted Mommy to play with them...because that was easier than working out the ever so present differences in age and personality within the family? NOT THE PLAN!! I silently cried for help most days by 8:30am?




A year went by...and Still...there were small glimpses of union and comradery...but as a general rule...it seemed two and on and one...was our makeup. Maybe it was Will and Kyle...and then Ben and Josh individually begging for my attention. Or maybe Ben and Kyle together and Will and Josh following me around asking me to entertain them one on one. Sometimes it was even Ben and Josh....or Kyle and Josh together. But none the less....the combinations of playmates...never assisted my two by two philosophy! And let's be honest...I truly believed my theory! And after a year...It seemed like I was just dead wrong!



Now with this said...I would not trade a one of them! Love them all more than life itself and beyond. And with 365 days of this routine...I had actually started to get used to it. Dreams of my perfect brotherly match had faded and we took on a new normal around here...apart from what I had hoped. I was now starting to live with and to appreciate what was in front of me...what I HAD.


And then.....around Christmas time...I started to see life changing once again. I saw my children become one. Two by two...but any combination of such would do! Never an outsider.....never a lone sailor. Always with company, and always playing. The fighting seemed to be only once in a while, and one day I realized that I had been cleaning the bathroom for two hours...and NO ONE...I MEAN...NO ONE...came to me to be played with? (kind of sad in a whole other way right?!!)

When I got worried and assumed that the house was burning down around me and certainly must be unaware....I headed from the bathroom and find the crew. And this is what I saw:

Room One (laughter and talking)

room two (creativity and focus)

Yep...let it be said that time heals all things. Friendship takes time. And love is something that you work on and develop!

There is a new peace in my house....and it truly only started in December! And it feels REALLY GOOD.

So the long and short...never give up on your dreams...on what you envision for yourself or your family. Go with the flow and don't worry too much about the end result. Rather - immerse yourself in the process and great things will come. Will they be exactly what you planned? Maybe not....but good...no...GREAT things will come to you!

So much to learn...and so smart all at the same time :)

Watching Josh....WATCH....Diego...is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time! It proves to me how much he is learning as he lives his life in the good old USA...but it also proves how much he does NOT understand just yet! :)

For example: (and this kind of thing happens every time he watches Blues Clues, Dora or Diego!!)

Today he was sitting right in front of the TV with Diego on the big screen! Josh is so close to the TV that he will certainly need glasses because of it...but you can't be close enough to Diego when he is asking questions!! And it goes....Diego calls out the questions:

"What animal do you see in the camera?" And josh yells "Occopuss" And Diego yells, "Octopus....that's right!" ....Josh gets a big smile!

Then the next question is yelled out....and Josh gets it right again. And when he gets an answer right...he kind of toddles back and forth like a wind up doll...the Josh way of showing contentment! :)

And then the final questions was something like, "And where do we find the Octopus.....(he gives 4 choices) in a tree....in a house....in a garden...or in the ocean?" And Josh yells out, "TREE!"

So Diego finishes by saying, "That's right....in the ocean!" Josh starts to toddle back and forth...then realizes that he has gotten it wrong? He stops motion...and gets this perplexed look on his face with eyebrows scrunched up and a scowl across this whole face...and he whispers (not yells like the other answers) "In the ocean".

Poor guy!! :) To know so much..and yet so little! Fully potty trained at 2....can dress himself and recognize at least half of his letters.....more away of his surroundings than most 4 year olds: but thinks sea creatures live in trees? hee hee...Still a long way to go...both because he is two and because of his sheltered start to life!! But darn it...he is getting it! Don't worry about that Diego little guy....He may have all the right answers....but his head is too big for his body and his voice is annoying...you are way better than him ! :)

What will this new year bring....

I was on the phone with a friend this morning and she told me about how she is helping with summer camp at the Amelia Arts Academy. She mentioned that they have a need for another art teacher and suggested that I talk to the director about filling this spot? Great idea....it sounds like a dream to teach kids about art again!! But alas....what will this summer bring?

I can think ahead... only to May. At that point - one of so many things could/will happen. We will probably move, we don't know exactly where....I am excited about most of the possibilities, but anxious about the unknown. The reality is....that no matter what the detailers are speculating for us.....At some point I was to live in Florida....yet ended up back in Norfolk two months before the scheduled move. And at another point I was to live in Washington State...only to find out a month or so before the date...that the Mongolds would reside in Florida?

All great moves, and we have made wonderful friends everywhere that we have gone. We seized opportunities, lived a good life and have stayed very active and happy no matter where! My point...wherever we go...I'll find happiness there! :) I know I can.....

But where? When I think of the SUMMER BREAK this time around I see myself unpacking boxes....driving long distances....hotels.....etc. etc. No summer camps for my kids, no work for mommy....just adjusting - once again - to wherever we go! :)

And on the flip side...I see an adventure...a chance to be closer to the ones we love...new experiences and new friends? Crazy life this is. And most days I don't think much of it.
But when a move is on the horizon...that is all I think about! :)

I'll keep you posted on our news! Just sharing the thoughts that are swimming around in my head this morning! We will know more in February! Inquiring minds want to know....MY MIND!!

Pictures of an awesome trip!! :)

We started out on the Sunday before Christmas. All looked good for an easy drive as we drove through Florida and Georgia....and even South Carolina...but wait....WEST VIRGINIA? We heard from the people in the mountains that this was the most snowfall that they had in one storm in over 80 years!! :) Two full feet of snow and it was all happening just as we wanted to get through! ha ha ha ha

But it was gorgeous and it made the kids SOOOO darn excited for the north! :)

So we did what any storm travelers would do....found a cracker barrel! :) Played Checkers, Ate biscuits, and sat by the fire! :)


With so much snow to see on the way, and yet no ability to do ANYTHING but look...you can imagine how bright and early the kids were up to go sledding when we finally reached grandma's house!

Daddy gave it a try....on a kid sled....yep...I swear there is a sled under him!

Josh didn't complain once about being cold! And it was COLD! 18 degrees was the high most days!

Our little dare devil loves sledding. You can go down the big old hills just as fast as humanly possible....he will sit quietly till the ride is over...and then scream...AGAIN!!!

This long old hill leads from my mom's house....all the way down the small mountain....to an armory. This is where it all happened for sledding when we were kids! I was so happy that my kids found the same love of the woods and thrill of the hills!

Christmas eve at the Carr house!! It was a COLD COLD Night! :) We stayed bundled up...even in the house! And no one minded a bit....together at last! :)

almost time......

The boys all got Mario hat in their stocking! Big hit!:)

Will checking out Josh's loot...wondering if he was going to get MORE! ha h aha

Thanks Pop Pop...it was a huge hit!

Josh and his favorite guy of the week!

Addyand Josh were baptised the day after Christmas! A wonderful day!

My God daughter and me!!

Some carriage house hockey to pass the time on a cold night! :)

Another day of sledding! I think this was day 5!

This time we hit the ski lodge sledding hill!! Very fast and much fun! :)

Will has no fear? In a good way...and in a bad way! Scared me to death! This was his last trip up before his little body just said - enough! :) He had the best time of all! :)

Then off to washington DC for a celebration with the Hunters!

Thanks Hunters for an awesome New Years!

AFter DC, we headed home. Day one of travel was just fine and by the end of day two we were swearing we would NEVER do this again! :) ha ha ha...but all in all...we'll do it again! It was worth every mile! :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Excitement...but with a heavy heart...

As we leave for this holiday vacation....heading to the north country for fun and festivities with my family....I am so excited that I could burst. But this year, there is a special little man here in Fernandina Beach that I have come to know just a bit. And while we are eating and drinking and being Merry....he will be spending his Christmas this year - on Amelia Island...In a homeless shelter.

He will spend his Christmas with a homeless grandmother that has been dealt some bad cards. She is angry and struggling and doing her best to make the next day happen for she and her grandson. But alas...her efforts merely afford them a roof over their head and a meal that will suffice, but not fill.

When I asked this little man (age 6) what he wanted from Santa....he promptly told me that "There ain't no such thing as a darn SANTA!" And he looked so sad and so angry when he said it. I shared with him that Santa was a belief and that each person had to choose weather or not they believed in Santa. And that I - personally - believed that there Was a Santa and each year I receive a gift from him. He assured me that his Grandmother had told him there was no such thing. And so I left him with a thought.

Let's do something this Christmas, that is just in your own head. Let's believe this one time. Believe that the magic of Santa and of Christmas is real. And it just may bring some goodies your way. And if it does, then you will know that Santa is real. And if it does not bring goodies your way, then you will know Santa is not real. But I assured him of my true belief and that I felt very positive that he would be proven wrong.

I asked him, "If there is a Santa, what would you wish that he brought you?" And without hesitation, he said, "I ain't never had no remote control cars?" (said with a question in his eyes...like....if I wish for that, could I possibly get it?)

And so we went, that day after school, to Walmart with Ben and Kyle. I explained, without using names, what we were there to do. We searched high and low and I allowed Ben and Kyle to decide what was the best one to buy. Ben decided that a homeless person would not have their own floor, so this car needed to be able to go on the grass. The boys were gracious and understanding that this present was not about them, and they didn't even ask for something for themselves.

When we finally picked out the R/C Hum V, Kyle said...we better get lots of batteries because this kid may not be able to get any more when they run out? Good thought...and so that we did.

And we came home, wrapped, and took the gift to the right place...the best place...to assure that it would get to this dear boy on Christmas. And with it was a card from Santa, telling this boy what a good guy he had been this year and how much Santa loves him. And there were other parents in this childs class that also sent in gifts from Santa! He will have Christmas, and can't help but really think that he will BELIEVE in some magic on Christmas day!

It felt good to help just a bit to make holiday magic happen, and I was happy that we could add just a moment of joy to his day. But the long and the short of it is....what we did is just so small. So small in the big picture for a life that sees such a bleak future, that lacks stability and support, and safety, and warmth? I almost don't feel right having a good time in PA when I know that someone that we love suffers so.

Of course this scenario is EVERY DAY, with so MANY MANY people and so MANY MANY Children. And I know that it will never end. But for whatever reason, as I get older, the plight of underprivileged children is weighing more and more heavy on my heart. And when you mix that with the joy of the holiday season and the lack of joy that so many experience, I feel very committed to somehow making a difference in it all. Not sure how, or when - because my own family needs to come first - especially when they are so young and needy themselves. But somehow and someday.

Not even sure why I write this, except to try and get it out in the open and to share it with all of you so that your prayers and your love can help to lift this little boy up in some way. Enjoy your families and all that we have in them! Celebrate the love that is all around you. And take a moment each day to think of the people who have so much less. Who have a life that we can't imagine. And pray for a their future. It will help.

Merry Christmas to you all!!

Holiday Cookies.....mmmm.....mmmmm...GOOD!

The Mongold Boys made some very festive cookies to take with us to several parties and to give to friends this holiday season! And if you ate any of the Mongold special Holiday cookies.......

I AM SO SORRY!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

(Disclaimer: The children in these photos are NOT actors...but...the cookies we gave away - I iced by myself and I DID NOT LICK my fingers or the knife!)