Saturday, December 5, 2009

Lots of excitement and fears

There has just been so much going on that if I wrote a new blog each time my computer would be on overload.
Tyler took his preplacement physical the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and we got the word on Tuesday that he did in fact pass!!! WOO HOO. So Thursday night he put in his 2 week notice to Falcon Jet. I think we really made the right decision. The company was going to lay off 31% of the company yesterday and frankly I am not one to leave things like this to chance. So many people were surprised that Tyler was leaving but at the same time very happy for him.
He will become effective to the post as of Dec 20th, have his orientation on the 21st, and his first work day is the 22nd. I never thought we would go back to being a full-time military family, but here we are.
Tyler flew out yesterday morning to go to LA for his Warrior Leadership Course. He will get back on the 19th and from the sounds of it, it will be a serious hard core course, no breaks. I guess they were greeted by snow in LA, something that was just mind blowing. LOL
Charlie is doing well with school. He has a lot of things to keep him busy while Tyler is gone. The usual homework, and excitement of school. But he also has a special craft day on the 11th. He also will be going on a field trip on the 15th to the nursing home to sing carols to the residents there. Plus the school Christmas Program- "Christmas Around the World" is the night of the 15th. So, between all of that, plus the excitement of Christmas I think the next two weeks will go well for us. ***KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED***
Well that was all of the excitement, now for the fear.
Back in March I was diagnosed with Lupus. It took some time for me to process it and in turn even longer for me to tell my family. In the end I certainly did not get the support I was looking for.
I had to get the tests ran again and it showed that I am getting worse. Plus some other tests came up with some serious concerns and I have now been working with a specialist since before Thanksgiving. Both of the conditions are life threatening and the only person outside of my doctors who knows is Tyler. (And then whoever reads this) I haven't even told my best friend. There are reasons I haven't confided in her... 1 she has been very busy lately and 2 part of me feels like I should tell my family or at least my mom before I tell anyone else. But 1 I don't like delivering bad news around the holidays and 2 I truely don't think I will get any form of support. Afterall this is the family that knew I had cancer and said it was no big deal. I don't know what to do. I would love support while going through this hard and difficult situation but I don't think I will get it, so now I just keep it bottled up inside and that is a painful and hurtful thing to deal with.
Anywho... I will write more probably when Tyler gets home

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Happy Holidays!

Well this holiday season has been a whirlwind and we haven't even hit Thanksgiving yet.
But that doesn't change the fact that the Lutz Family has SO much to be thankful this year.
I wrote 2 weeks ago about Tyler getting a surprise promotion. Well last Wednesday he got offered a new job going back to the Post full time. Tyler was so excited that he got this job. He has been very nervous about FJ future since there is a HUGE lay off coming on December 4th. We are talking about 31% of the employees being laid off. Not too promising if you ask me.
So, he has to do a pre-placement physical tomorrow and then he will be putting in his 2 week notice to FJ on December 3rd. He then heads out to LA for WLC (Warrior Leadship School) on December 4th. His last official day at FJ will be December 18th. He returns from LA on December 19th and starts his new job at the Post on December 21st. I never thought I would be so happy to know we were going back to the military life. Given if it were the Air Force I don't think I would be as happy. But we have a WONDERFUL Army family and that made this decision all the more easy.
Charlie has been on Thanksgiving break all this week. His last day was last Friday and he goes back on November 30th. He loves having the extra time with Tyler before he leaves next week. He is doing so well in school. Reading so much and writing up a storm. I am so incredibly proud of the work he does.
On Veteran's Day Tyler went to Charlie's class to talk to them about Veteran's Day and a picture of him with the class was in the local paper last week, and being in a small town like we are, the two of them are like little celebraties now. LOL
As for me, I have been busy getting back on track after having the family here earlier this month. Plus, school alone has been keeping me on my toes. But I love it. I have gained so much knowledge and I am anxious to see what the rest will bring.
Overall we are all doing well. Lots of events will be coming our way in the next few months.
So, from our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 12, 2009

So Happy for Tyler!!!

Tyler got the news of a promotion at work today!! He had been a candidate for a position (his dream job within the company actually) and they interviewed him for it back in September. Well the way the company works is if you get the job the lead over the department will let you know and if you don't get the position you will get a letter from the HR department letter you know you have an exit interview. The exit interview is where they will tell you why you weren't picked for the position.
Last week Tyler saw another guy who worked in his department but on the day shift working the new position. Its a Flight Test position. So, Tyler figured he was going to be getting his letter.
Today, Joey, the lead over Flight Test told Tyler that he was picked for he Flight Test position but for the night shift. Apparently they needed someone on both day and night shift and since the other guy was already on day shift they gave the day shift position to him and since Tyler works the night shift they left him on night shift.
Tyler is so excited. He has put in almost 4 years with this company and he finally got the job he has always wanted. The job he thought he had gotten hired to do. The pay increase isn't too shabby either, about $2 more per hour. Go Tyler!!!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Such a busy time

Things are so busy in the Lutz house these days. Given I really don't think they have slowed down any since Tyler left in May. Its been one thing right after another after another.
School is still going well for me. I recently finished my second course and did VERY well on my final. I was working really hard to get it done before my family arrives next week.
Charlie got his first report card last week and got very high marks. He is advanced in 6 out of 7 of his classes. I was so proud to hear how well he has been doing. He seems to really love school.
My mom and stepdad arrive Monday afternoon and will be here through the week. We are having Charlie's party the day after his birthday since the place he wants to go is not opened for very long on his actual birthday. He is so excited!!!
The boys will be going trick-or-treating on Saturday. Charlie asked if they could have some boy time together since Tyler leaves again the week after Thanksgiving. He is excited to be dressing up as BumbleBee from the Transformers this year. I was just happy he picked something OTHER than Spiderman! LOL
Tyler had an interview at the Post this morning for his dream job. Hopefully he can get this position. It would mean more time with Charlie and with Tyler's pending deployment they sure could use all the time together they can get.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Deployment plans are changing

Ok so earlier this year we got word that Tyler was going to be deploying to Kosovo in Sept 2010, it then got moved to April 2010. Since we got word that it was going to be April and not Sept we have been making the most of our family time. We all knew that yes there was a chance it could get pushed back, but we also knew it could get pushed up again. In July we got the word that the Kosovo deployment was pushed back to Dec 2010, but it was subject to change depending on the list. This list would let us know which MOS's they needed and how many and the mission plan. It was a lot to wrap my mind around. I mean Charlie is finally old enough to know that Tyler is home and understand what that means. He knows that this is Tyler's job and he respects that and loves him for it.
Well this weekend was our big ARMS inspection and yesterday we got the word that deployment plans were changing. That those who DO NOT get picked for the Kosovo deployment will be going to Afghanistan instead. WOW. Tyler then got pulled aside and was told that due to his time of service and amount of experience he has that he is a prime candidate for the Afghanistan deployment and that it was possible that he will be taken off of the list for Kosovo so he can be utilized better somewhere else.
You want to talk about a hard pill to swallow, well there it is. I have been preparing for Kosovo for 10 months, a peace mission, a year. Now I have to sit on pins and needles to find out if they will truely send him to Afghanistan for 18 months!
I won't dare tell Charlie of this change until they come down and tell Tyler, DO NOT plan on going to Kosovo because you are going to Afghanistan. Charlie understands to the best of his ability what it would mean for Tyler to go to war. We always talk to him about these things because of the chance that Tyler had to leave with short or no notice. He understands that there will be times where we won't be able to talk to him for days or weeks.
I just remember that at least he is lucky to be in school now because that will help keep his mind busy and help with the time passing a little faster.
Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers

Saturday, October 10, 2009

40 pounds!!!!

I have lost 40 pounds since the beginning of summer!! I am so proud of myself. I have dropped 3 pant sizes and 2 shirt sizes!
It felt good when I went to the doctor the other day and my nurse said she noticed. Its always nice when someone notices your hard work.
I didn't diet, or do any weight loss programs. I am sure part of it was my diet needed for my TMJ therapy. Which includes, no caffine of any kind, no dairy, no red meat. Between that and eating healthy and staying busy the weight just has been coming off!
I can't believe it!
I just wanted to share my excitement

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

School School School

Well between Charlie & I things have been interesting in the school department. LOL
I finished my first course today. I had to learn and memorize over 500 combining form words, prefixes, and suffixes... my brain is about to blow lol. But I took my final today and did very well. I can't believe how many medical terms I really have soaked in. Absolutely crazy.

As for Charlie, we had a meeting with the school yesterday about whether or not they will consider continuing his therapy there at the school. So far things are looking promising. They do have some concerns (the ones I have been noticing) and sometime later this week they will be formally evaluating him to see where he stands. Afterwards we will have another meeting and go from there.
Other than that things have been alright. We are all getting ready for my mom to visit in November for Charlie's birthday and then for Tyler to head out in December for more training. He leaves right after Thanksgiving and will be home right before Christmas! Thank goodness for that Christmas miracle.