Konichiwa, The Dean's are in Japan!

We said our good-byes to friends, loved ones in 29 Palms and embarked on a new journey to MCAS Iwakuni Japan. We made a pit stop for a month to see our family in Portland and had such an amazing summer doing so. It was great for once just to be by family, it was amazing to see Chloe and Ethan really get to spend some quality time with their grandparents.

So here we are, WOW Japan! After we were mentally set to fly out of Seattle we get to the airport only to see that our plane had been delayed. To make a long story short this happened a few times. We finally landed on Japan soil from what seemed to be like a never ending plane ride I mean imagine keeping a toddler and a baby busy for 12 hours seated. Well it went better than I had thought. So we land, at that point Gordon and myself had been up for 24 hours. When we landed it was 12 a.m. Pacific Time we were so ready for bed, however it was morning in Japan. We get off the plane and are greeted with the worst humidity I have ever encountered, it was a slap in the face.

We were so ready to take on Japan and very motivated, then it hit us...we were like kids stripped of everything. We don't understand the language, we don't have cell phones, we don't have a car, license, or a home. I sat down with our over exhausted children and said to myself "what did we get ourselves into". Our sponsor then met us at the airport to pick us up. He was great with the limited time he had, however he was taking the next plane out so that left us with one morning to get a tour and basically everything we wanted/needed to know quick.

This is a small town life folks, people will go out of their way to help you. Our first week here we had a lot of questions and needed help with quite a few things, everyone was willing and ready to help. Japan is an incredibly safe country, the locals are so nice and even though there is a language barrier we still somehow communicate, and they love the kids!

A few things I still need to get used to: -Driving on the other side of the road, I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the passenger seat ready to drive and had to get out, embarrassing yes. -Honking when you back out (which is required on base) and even though this is a regular occurrence, here I still look when someone honks. -Getting lost, there are no addresses here just coordinates so that combined with the language can be very frustrating at times. I will tell you one thing, you use your brain here. I will know how to read maps, I will know how to back into a parking space 1/2 the size of that in the States like a champ. -I learned fast after losing money how to have/count yen currency.

We have been here a little over 3 weeks now, and what I have taken in that amount of time is astounding. Not everyone comes here by choice, except us we actually had Iwakuni as our first choice. Not everyone actually enjoys traveling or living in a foreign country, but we love it. It can be challenging at times, but there is so much to see and do here. I am sure every weekend for the next 3 years will be exciting.

So far the kids seem to love it. It's a tough transition when we had to explain to our three year old why she had to leave her friends in 29 Palms, and why we had to leave our home. For awhile she mentioned she wanted to go back home, but after explaining to her that home is where daddy and mommy are, and that we move around with daddy's job she seems to get it. I think they really like their new home. I'm excited for our adventures as a family here in Japan. Chloe is starting at a Yochian soon, it's a Japanese preschool, I want her to take in as much culture learning as she can while we are here. It's really going to be a great experience.

Yikes, stop growing Chloe!

I really like having a schedule, because it gives structure to my day. My first few months as a stay-at-home mother we

e incredibly frustrating, because I was accustomed to working in an office, with a structured routine and defined expectations. I’m a person who needs order and routine, and a stay at home mom offers neither. I have taken to wonderful playdates and friends to get me through these tough months as we transition from baby to toddler. I have realized there will be days (heck, even weeks) when your schedule will completely go out the window, and that’s OK! I just have to do the best I can, and remember that time management requires flexibility too. It's been a long time since I have sat down and decided to write. I have been so busy raising Chloe to the best of my abilities I don't even have time for myself anymore. Coffee, playdates & time with these 3 amazing girls everyday is usually a must! There is not much of anything to do here in the desert so have to make the best out of nothing. Chloe is now 15 Months, yea seriously I can't believe it either. She is learning new things every single day. It seems here lately I have been dealing daily with tantrums, teething, & more tantrums, wait did I sign up for this? So far she has mastered saying Dada, Dog, shakes her head no when you ask her something, she points to where her ears and lips are and have you seen this girl dance she must have got those skills from her daddy they sure didn't come from me : ) She also know's how to bring me things when asked, she's pretty amazing! So in other news: I still coupon, yes I love saving my family so much money every month. Our average grocery bill is only $190 a month. I have a stock room in my house that has everything you could think of. A lot of my time is spent doing that. We are going on our annual Dean Family Vacation in July, really excited to see Family and nephews! Can't wait to get Niko, Noah & Chloe together. Gordon is commissioning in Aug to a CW02 also has a 10 year coming up in July in the Marine Corps. We have worked hard paid off all bills, have one car payment that is below $180 so that's pretty awesome. We have done good by pretending to live a few ranks under all these years, we will keep it up. If I could offer advice to military that's what it would be. Always live under your means. Our next tour will most likely be overseas then we will have one more duty station there after and hope to buy a home on the East Coast and retire where we finish our last duty station. In the mean time I'm still figuring out what I would like to do. Still change my mind all the time however, I do know one thing I am raising my daughter right, being a stay at home Mom, at times can be very challenging and stressful but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Nana's Eulogy I wrote and read at her funeral. I miss you Nana.

I know we are all grieving here today for we lost a mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all of us. I’m sure every one of you here today has something to share on how my Nana has touched your life.

She has been the one who has inspired me to be a strong woman. I have always admired my Nan’s strength and courage. Joann probably had 100 ways to say no positively.
One thing Nan loved to do was play cards. Boy did she have a sharp mind that would beat us all! It would be so humorous to play with her and my mom, because my mom would always beg to differ that Nan was the winner of the game.

When I was little I would always look forward to spending the night with Nana. We would play cards; again I always got my ass kicked. I will always remember getting into her bed, sheets tucked so tight, and them being freezing because she loved to have her bedroom window open. Nana taught me how to make the best baked chicken hands down. Not too long ago, we took a girls trip to Reno. I have amazing memories of that trip and happy we got to share that time together. We got to do a few of her favorite things, play slot machines and drink Diet Pepsi.

Nana also enjoyed traveling, as a Military Spouse we move around quite a bit. Nana always made it to every base we have been stationed at.

So Joann, Nana, life was one of faith, of hope, and of love. And the greatest gift she has given us is her love. Now she can finally be in peace catching up on missed time with my Papa.
We love you Nana, We will miss you. And we will always remember you.

Money Saving Mom!

Couponing, ahh my new past time! I have never couponed a day in my life before moving here to 29 Palms, I meet a great girl that introduced me to it. I seen her pictures and all that she got for free or extremely cheap and I thought why can't I do that? I have learned some common sense with money!

So I asked around, joined coupon groups, and started to learn the "coupon lingo" that is a whole other world! There are so many rules and regulations one does not think about using just one or two coupons! Every store has there own rules, sure you can read the store's coupon policy but ultimately it comes to the Manager's discretion of that particular store, and some know me all to well : }

I have learned just how far I can stretch a dollar. I have started a little "stockpile" if you will of everything from Laundry Detergent, Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Deodorant, Body Wash, Shavers, Mouthwash and so on. A fellow couponer told me "Amie, you should never pay for that stuff" so I don't. I typically get it for free or very, very cheap! -So Thanks Laura!

One thing about couponing I follow is the rules! Some people play dirty around here, I have seen it firsthand.

I'd like to thank a good friend of mine Melissa, who is always looking out for me! She always finds a way to get me Similac coupons. Formula is no joke, it's expensive! Since I have stopped breast feeding Chloe drink's Similac. With couponing I pay little to nothing for her to eat : } It's been awesome.

My husband loves my past time! He can't believe the thing's I bring home with a total for him.

9 Months Old

Sweetest Chloe you are 9 month's old already, you have been growing so fast. Your personality is so much fun and it's really starting to show.

These last few months:

*You are on the move, you started crawling at around 6 months. One day you decided to and it never ended! You are getting so fast with it. You love following mommy and daddy around.

*I have been having fun making you new foods and seeing your face when you try them.

*You are ready to go to bed at 7:30 every night. I think we have done great with a good routine for you.

*You love to go in your big girl car seat in the car BUT only if daddy or mommy is sitting back there with you. You like to look out the window and observe everything. You have become so aware of your surroundings.

*You are pulling yourself up on everything! You have great strength.

*Your newest trick is standing up all by yourself. It's so much fun to watch you grow and learn.

Time Goes Way to Fast.

Chloe is now 6 months old, and we are not sure where the time went. People always tell you it goes fast so enjoy it while it lasts is surely a true statement. What a whirlwind these last few months have been, Gordon graduated from TBS and finished another school and we recently pcs'ed across the country!

So here we are Twentynine Palms, CA in the middle of the Mojave Desert. People say you cry when you get here and cry when you leave. It was definitely a culture shock when we got here. Yes I admit, there I was in the back seat of the car crying along with Chloe when I seen how far we are away from any form of what most people would call civilization. I'm going to make the best of it out here- getting involved, making friends, and volunteering shall be a few. Of course raising our daughter will be the major event.
We tried to get base housing, that was not available for a month, we had already been in a hotel for 10 days at this point so we were not going to wait. We got a house out in town, it's 2 miles away from Joshua Tree National Park and I love it! It's a nice place for now that we can call home.


Today I found out from a Dr. that Chloe is a "high needs baby" and before you start saying anything look it up, there really is such thing and all babies are not "high needs" Chloe has been going through some huge anxiety issues. During the day she will not let me put her down. Just a few things that qualifies her that we went over are as follows: Hyperactive, Frequently wakes up throughout the night, Intense, Demanding, Unsatisfied, and Unpredictable. So these last couple of weeks have been hard trying to cope and deal, but we are in for the ride. We take care of her every need. She will grow out of it, but in the meantime it makes our jobs as parents pretty rough. We have not had any time to ourselves in a very long time!

She is just the joy in our lives, she means the world to us and is definitely a daddy's girl : ) She is already trying to crawl she has been scooting everywhere for the past couple of weeks, she is sitting up fairly well all by herself. It's way past due already to baby proof this house!

Until next time~

♥Wonderfully Made♥

Our baby girl is two months already and I can't believe it. She is growing every day, learning new things that just makes my heart melt! Chloe is very, very alert and attentive for her age. She is focusing on anything in her line of vision and moves her head with it. She makes great eye contact with people. It's very special at night when we go to sleep together she stares me in the eyes as if to make sure everything is okay before she drifts to sleep. She has great head control and moves it from side to side. She loves to smile, and coo at her daddy and I. Chloe has a strong personality and will let you know when she is not happy lol. As her Grandpa calls her, she is a thinker!

We flew over 2,500 miles last week to Oregon to visit all of our family. It was a wonderful trip. We got to see Chloe's great Nana, (my Nan) she was in high spirits for just going through Chemotherapy and Radiation for her Cancer. I was so happy she got to meet Chloe. We stayed just about two weeks and got to see all of our family on both sides of the family so that was nice!

We got home a few days ago, and really wanted to go see daddy so, we drove up to Virginia. He has been in Quantico since she was born doing his Warrant Officer Training. We try and see each other whenever we can, but his training is very demanding so it's not very often. He graduates May 19th and we can't wait for him to be home!!!

Grandma & Grandpa are flying here for his graduation and then we are going to drive up to Washington D.C and sneak in a little vacation as well : ) After, he has another school for three weeks but it's here so we will see him everyday then, we start our long move to California. I'm excited for that, except a little weary of living in the desert lol. Can't complain though it's only a short drive to Palm Springs and 2 hrs from Disneyland and everything else : )

I'm doing much better, I had a rough time postnatal at getting better after almost bleeding to death, but I'm on the right track to recovering fully, my blood count is just about back to normal and I'm feeling so much better and have not suffered anymore kidney stones since delivering!