"The Springs"

So.. we are here. Okay, we were all here. David flew up to Utah on Monday to get our stuff out of storage. Malia and I are here at Fort Carson. Here is what we have been up to:

*We are in our townhouse. The townhouse isn't too bad. It's an older building, but they completely remodeled the inside. Not too bad for being at the bottom of the totem pole. In military housing, they house you according to rank, and being as David just started, we are at the very bottom!

*There is a playground right next to our house, so that's fun.

*Malia and I have been checking out the post all this week. We made it to the library and checked out some DVDs to watch on the laptop.

*It has been quite the challenge trying to keep both of us entertained. We have an air mattress, the lap top, and a few of Malia's toys. Good times!

*Also interesting trying to cook out of a kitchen without anything. I finally broke down and bought a cheap frying pan and a cookie sheet. I didn't want to buy anything because I have a very well stocked kitchen (Thanks Pampered Chef!) coming out of storage soon. However, I can only take so much fast food!

*I finally got to see the OB today. I am measuring exactly 36 weeks and the baby sounds good. I had to take Malia with me since David is still gone and I haven't met anyone yet. Always fun trying to explain to a toddler why the doctor is looking at mommy's you-know-what!

*My next challenge is to meet someone soon that I can leave Malia with when this little one decides to join us. The Relief Society stopped by today, so that's good. Well, not the entire RS, just the second counselor. She seems real nice and said she could help out. Yippee!

*I am still adjusting to the higher altitude. I can't breathe and I'm constantly dizzy. Probably complicated by the fact that this little one is taking all the oxygen I am managing to get in! Hopefully it'll pass soon.

*Malia thoroughly enjoys having our own house. I can't wait to get our stuff here. Although I am sure I will be quite overwhelmed when it comes time to unpack!

*I had no idea it would be so windy! As annoying as the wind can be at times, it is more irksome that it blows peoples trash all over! Today when I checked the mail, the wind whipped a handful of ads out of my hand! Quite the site to see- a very pregnant woman waddling and a toddler chasing the ads. I refuse to add to the trash!

So that's that. It seems Colorado Springs, aka "The Springs", will be a nice enough place to live. Just need a little time to adjust. I miss our families though. This is our first time not living by ANY family. Although Mom and Britt should be out as soon as the baby is born and David's family says they'll visit too. I hope so! Anyone else??? COME VISIT ME!!!

American Idols

I got to spend a few days last week with Toni and her family in Oklahoma City. We mostly just hung out and chatted. Good times! It was great to have some relaxing time after Malia and I's 14 hour journey there. Her little boy, Derek, is 18 months and Malia had great fun playing with him. She did get a bit bossy at times and I believe I caught a glimpse of her future demeanor concerning the baby! It was great to see Toni and meet her husband and son. We had American Idol on the TV and the kids decided to do an impromptu version of their own!

Happy Birthday David!

David turned 27 on the 5th. I didn't get to spend his birthday with him, but his graduation was the next day. Pretty good birthday present, huh? Yesterday his family got him a cake to celebrate his birthday. I actually got a picture of him smiling! I love my husband more than words can say and I am so grateful to have this time with him. Malia picked out a Shrek card for him and plastered it with princess stickers. Just what every papa wants! Too bad I am now in my "30's" and David still has three more years of being in his "20's"!

AIT Graduation

On Friday the 6th David graduated from AIT (Advanced Individual Training). Malia and I were able to make it to the ceremony...barely! I was running late in my customary fashion, missed the exit, got sent to the wrong side of the base by the lady at the gate, and had to park a million miles away once I did find the spot!! Once we got into the ceremony Malia fell backwards in her chair and a whole row of soldiers stood up in front of me just as I was going to take the picture of David receiving his diploma! Oh, well. I got the picture of him getting his cross cannons pinned on him. He tells me that moment was more important than getting the certificate. We had to wait around for what seemed like forever as they finished up. Finally, I got my husband back. I am so proud of him and all of the hard work that he has done. We then drove to Phoenix to spend this week with his family. Next week it's off to Fort Carson, CO!

Army Update

So here is the plan for the little Mata family. Today is my last day in good old Iowa. I am leaving early tomorrow morning, heading for Oklahoma City. Malia and I are going to spend a few days with my old roommate and friend Toni. Yippee! I finally get to meet her little boy and she gets to meet Malia! Toni and I were friends in the good old Sparks days, she was actually Britt's roommate. Then Toni and I were roommates when I moved to Arizona after graduating from BYU. It will be great to spend some time with her. Then on Friday, Malia and I will attend David's AIT graduation at Fort Sill. It's just an hour SW of Oklahoma City. I am so proud of David and how hard he works. I can't wait to get my husband back! After that our little family will head west. I know... nothing more fun than cross country traveling when you are 8 months pregnant! David has to report to Ft. Carson on March 2nd. It will be great to have time to get set up in our new home. So I will get to have David all to myself for a few weeks before he has to start working again. We opted for on-base housing. I toyed with the idea of living off base and trying to save some money. However, we decided it would be best to stick to base living and see how we like it. We have heard lots of positive things about Ft. Carson and Colorado Springs. One of the best things I have heard is that David won't be deploying any time in the near near future. They are replacing the guys that are getting deployed. I'm not sure how long that means I will get to have him, but at least he will be here for the baby's birth. We didn't find out what we are having. Malia keeps telling me it is a boy. I'm not so sure. I keep thinking it could be a girl. But what do I know, I thought Malia was a boy?! I'm sad to be leaving my family in Iowa. It's been great to spend so much time with them. Fortunately, CO isn't too far from IA. Fort Carson is pretty much smack-dab-in-the-middle of both of our families. Hopefully both our AZ and IA families will come visit us! So that's what's up with the Mata family for the next few weeks.

Per Request...

My in-laws wanted a glimpse of me in all my pregnant splendor. So here you go...Only 7 weeks to go!

New News

David found out yesterday where we are going to be stationed. We weren't expecting to find out until the end of the month. I was so excited and nervous! Once David finishes his training at Ft. Sill and graduates on Feb. 6th, we are assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado. It is near Colorado Springs. I've only done a little research so far, but am super excited. A huge highlight is that is a great place for those who suffer from allergies and asthma! Both have been kicking my butt while living here in Iowa. It seems like a great place to be stationed, right between both of our families. On the downside, there is a rumor that he may be deployed immediately- at the end of February! You know, three weeks before my baby comes! I really hope that it is just a rumor. As David points out, there is no use worrying about it until we know for sure. Guess we will just see. Nonetheless, isn't Colorado beautiful?