Thoughts for the new year...

Happy New Year... A little late, but here nonetheless! :)

Two thousand and ten should bring lots of great things for the Rutledge family! Brandon is due to go to the Orthopedic doctor on Jan. 11 for his 6 month post-op check up! It's just shy of 6 months, but close enough :) We are very excited for this day! It's very hard to believe it's already been 6 months. I don't think Brandon agrees that it's flown by! He struggles everyday with his decision to have surgery. The impact it could have on our family is monumental. It could ultimately help his career or end it. I don't think Brandon will let it come to that. It's a little late to try and do better, though. He absolutely refuses to get out because there is no security. No one really gets it. Well, I can't say no one. Really it's just my dad. He doesn't want us to move any farther away than we already are. But what does it really matter to him when he had the money to come visit us for Christmas (this would have been his first visit to us EVER!) and didn't. So what does it really matter to him where we live if he's never going to have to make the car/place ride to see us? It's not going to affect him at all except to know that I could possibly be farther away in mileage. It just really bothers me that people don't see it from our point of view. What job starting out gives you 30 days of PAID vacation; health insurance COMPLETELY paid for for the active duty member, his spouse and children (not even a co-pay for us); a guaranteed paycheck for at least 4 years with raises every year on Jan. 15 and at your anniversary date; discounted EVERYTHING. Chloe plays soccer during the fall for only $20. Nowhere else can you get it that cheap! The commissary and exchange are a blessing. No sales tax and discounted prices!! I mean, yes there are headaches. Brandon is definitely not doing what he wants but he sticks with it because it's best for all of us! There is no telling where we would be had he not joined the Marine Corps. I'm so thankful for that everyday! Anyway, I totally got off subject! lol! The point in telling you that was because once Brandon goes to see Dr. Hernandez, he will determine if Brandon is able to go back to full duty! Hopefully so. I have a feeling that even if Brandon isn't able to go back to full duty, Brandon will lie just so he can get back to full duty! Why is this so important you ask. Because Brandon can't re-enlist unless he's back to full duty! Then once he's in the system as full duty, he can get orders and we will be moving!!!!!! At this point I don't care where we go. I know that Parris Island has been hell for Brandon so anywhere has to be better than this! Even Japan! Yes, that's an option. The places we can go are: Okinawa, Japan; Camp Pendleton (San Diego), California; Quantico, Virginia, back to Camp Lejeune (Jacksonville), North Carolina or Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii! Brandon said he's going to give them an ultimatum: Either California or Hawaii or he won't re-enlist! I am happy with either! I have always wanted to go to the west coast. I don't think we would even have the opportunity to go to the west coast without the Marine Corps. I want Chloe to swim in the Pacific Ocean :) And who wouldn't want to live in Hawaii?! Both places give Brandon a chance to deploy and that's the only thing that sucks about going there. But I would rather him deploy with me in the US rather than Japan! I will keep you all posted! Hopefully he can re-enlist by the end of February!

We are also trying to plan a trip to Gatlinburg with our bestest friends: Maria, Brandon and Ella!!! So excited! Hopefully at the end of February or sometime in March. After we get our taxes back and can look at Chloe's school schedule!

I have also been going to the gym with Brandon! I hope it pays off! I want to see some results! My high school reunion is next year and Brandon said we should use that as motivation! That's what I plan on doing! And just to set an example for Chloe. Speaking of Chloe, she was with us at the gym and walked on the treadmill for 13 minutes and ran for one minute! We were so proud of her! She didn't seem to mind too much! She also starts basketball next week, Monday, the 11th. It will just be for five weeks, but it's something with some physical activity and that's the main reason we sign her up for these sports! And to make her more well-rounded :) Not that she needs help in that department!

Well I hope 2010 brings everyone blessings! I know I have been blessed to see another year of life and am so in love with my family! We are all in love with each other! It's amazing! :)

Until next time...