Almost time to say Sayōnara!

Sigh, yes it's true...it is really almost time to say goodbye to this beautiful island we have called home since Feb 16, 2007!

Okinawa has been a very special place to Matt and I. We started our lives together here. Anniversaries 1-5 were celebrated here, Maddison was born here,

baby number two almost born here, I have gotten to be a stay at home momma :) just so much has happened here for us that this little island will always have a special place in our hearts! I hope it's in God's plan for us to come back here! Koza Baptist Church has been amazing and it was neat to be here when it was the old building, temp site, and now the new beautiful church :) I discovered CrossFit here and what a life changer that has been!

Forever friends I know I'll have (found a CrossFit in Georgia) I have discovered my love for the game of Bunco and I will really miss my Bunco Babes!!! That group of ladies is just something amazing! I have also just made some life long friends that really understand what it is like to be in my shoes...a military wife! It's not easy and not forever and only those that have been or are going through it know what you are talking about, know how you feel, know what you mean! Others try but they just don't fully get it or understand and that is ok :) you can't expect them too! I have just really loved living in Okinawa, Japan! Taking Maddison to Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea was just such a neat experience! Even though she wasn't quite 2 and a half she still STILL talks about it!

We also added 2 amazing pugs to our family! Daisy we got in 2007 when she was about 6 weeks old

and our Duke we adopted in Feb 2010 he was four at the time :)

We love our pugs so much! Maddie has never known life with out them so we can't wait to see them again! They are our other children! Our house is on it's way to Georgia and now we are just sitting in TLF waiting for Saturday so we can start our long day of flying! We are super excited to be going to Moody AFB in Valdosta Georgia but we are really gonna miss it here!

31...

‎31 lost, 31 unwanted visits, 31 doors receive that dreaded knock, 31 families with shattered hearts, 31 pairs of boots lined up with rifles and dog tags and helmets, 31 comrades remembered and grieved for, 31 funeral services, 31 names on newly made grave markers, 31 empty places at the table, 31… souls who gave all, whose lives leave a void, pause to reflect on such a sacrifice as 31 gone forever! I'm sure we have all heard about the 31 US troops (http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/08/ap-seals-killed-in-crash-were-on-rescue-mission-080711/) I just feel so sad for the loved ones left behind. I couldn't imagine getting that knock at my door to tell me my hero made the ultimate sacrafice and won't be coming home to us. But in the back of my mind I do know and understand as a military wife that is a realization for me. My heart is very heavy for the spouses and their children. I pray for comfort for this at this time and I know only time will make them feel ok I don't want to say better I don't if you ever feel better.

We survived Typhoon Muifa!

Can you say longest tyhpoon EVER!!! Well it all started on Wednesday...we went all the way into TCCOR-1 by Thursday morning. Matt didn't have to go to work so I went and did my 3 hour glucose test (praying to the good Lord TCCOR-1C was not declared while I was sitting there) and about an hour after I got home is when the fun began...we went to 1C at around 12:30-12:45 pm and then at 8:50 we went into 1E meaning we were on lockdown or locked in our house until storm watch/all clear was declared! So from Thursday at 8:50 pm until today Saturday at around 5 pm or so we were finally allowed to leave...Muifa had left after 41 inches of rain that fell in a 24 hour period...lot's of flooding on Kadena, lot's of houses leaking, people without power both on and off base...that silly typhoon didn't want to leave I tell ya! But it was our 3rd one we made it through since getting here in 2007. The video posted is from the front of our house when the really bad winds finally reached us. Maddison did great sleeping through the loud wind and rain, I actually think all three of us got some of the best sleep we have had in awhile. We didn't loose power this time however we had some water leak in, in our living room. Wasn't the first time so we are taking care of that! We went out for dinner tonight and did some walking around! It was nice to get out stretch our legs!!! The pressure from the storm made baby girl go crazy, she moved a lot more than normal. It's like they know...I believe 7 or 8 babies were born during this typhoon...glad I wasn't 37 weeks at this point! Let's see what tomorrow holds for us!

Yay! I'm a blogger!

Well just thought about giving this a try since we are always going to be moving/going on new adventures...Plus I figured it may be good for my soul! We shall see how this goes! Most everyone knows we are the Blevins...however let me introduce us as I see us! Matt (aka Daddy) is in the USAF and takes very good care of all of his girls! We are very lucky to have such an amazing man in our lives! He has been my main guy since June 06, 2002 and we are about to celebrate 5 years of being married!!! Me (aka Mommy) I have been so very blessed to currently be a stay at home mom (have been since we made it here to Okinawa) however I know when we get back stateside that is going to change...and I'm ok with that. Maddison is our crazy 3 year old who keeps us on our toes but is such a bundle of joy and full of excitment. She is such a big girl and wants to do everything herself which I love. Then we have baby sister whom is still baking. She is due to make her appearance Oct 25. Nervous about how she will be arriving since they are having me do a trial of labor (feels like I'm pregnant for the first time all over again) but I know I'll do all that I can and whatever happens happens! It's always in God's hands! We also have two of the most amazing dogs ever! Our pugs, Duke and Daisy are just the best ever and such a huge part of our family! They are currently in Kentucky waiting on us to pick them up since we were supposed to have moved awhile ago (but that is another story) and there you have it! The Blevins...Matt, Jessica, Maddison, sister, and pugs!