It has been a very draining week, mentally anyway. The rumor mill got spinning so fast that the local media became involved. There was the initial disbelief that we were going to be part of a major story. Then the back and forth struggle on whether to participate directly in some way, or simply not comment. Where there is a very lock step process on what we have to do in every State we reside in, it is not the case over here. I can understand the need to develop a policy, but did not think that the newspaper was where this discussion needed to start. What we ended up doing, after much discussion with the command, was send in a family statement. It was quite detailed, due to the fact that incorrect information was being spread around. We have talked with quite a few neighbors and those we deal with casually. For the most part, the initial response has been supportive. The kids have not been impacted, but the day the paper came out happened on a day off of school. I think initial problems will show up this week, if they happen at all. I personally feel a little bit like I am in a fishbowl. Not having a last name of Smith or Jones, I am quite recognizeable now. I guess being the only Discavage in the Army will do that. I know the Lord gives me the strength to deal with what I am given. Sometimes, I wonder why He made me so strong - :) Ultimately, it will play out how He wants, so that's a good thing to remember. No matter what happens, it is His will. Thank you for your prayers! We love y'all!

Here is our modeling pro! Notice how they aren't showing his feet? He carries on the proud tradition of big feet in our family! (None of the kids could wear infant socks.) When the agency stopped by to scout out his sizes, prior to the shoot, they never thought about footwear. The clothes fit fine, but they ended up having to hide his feet in a number of the pictures!

Granted, this picture is from the cottage, but I am hoping to pull it to put on the board.

Anyway, it's been a bit since our last blog. Here is the latest...

Nate is doing well in school. He enjoys being old enough to go out on his own. There are Yugi-Oh tournaments every Saturday on post, so he travels on the bus and is responsible for ensuring he catches the right bus back. He is also learning the ups and downs of being responsible with his money. He is hoping to save enough to buy a cell phone, something his friends use quite frequently.

Teri is also doing well in school. I don't know if I mentioned that she had her hair cut to a bob. She also wishes to model like her brothers, so is now intent on growing it back out. The girls who model here all have longer hairstyles. We finally found the contact for Girl Scouts, so she will start her last year of Brownies in a couple of weeks.

Chris is enjoying pre-school. The mess mentioned in an earlier blog is over his head, so he enjoys the time he has with his friend. Chris doesn't seem to stop growing and is catching up to Teri's height and weight! He still comments on how he loves the jet ski and wants to learn how to swim.

Joe is making his way to the terrible twos. He is learning how to make his desires known and is not too happy if things don't go his way. We recently learned that he has a hernia. Apparently it is serious enough to require surgery. Unfortunately, they do not do that on post with kids under the age of two, so we will end up at a Korean pediatric hospital for the surgery. We have been told that the doctor will be able to speak at least some English.

Chip and I are hanging in there. We have recently found out that a concerned, yet uninformed (at least by us), parent has brought the issue up to the local press. So now, it is not simply a matter of gossipy spouses, but has to be addressed by the military establishment. God gives us the strength we need, so I am trying not to let this keep me down. I am almost done with Nate's sweater - though I don't think he believes me! I also received my Graduate degree in the mail.

We did get a Vonage phone, so we now have a Rochester phone number. I don't have it memorized, so if you don't have it, send a message to us and we will mail it to you. We are thirteen hours ahead of the East Coast. That will change to fourteen, once y'alls clocks fall back!

We love you all. God bless!

"See, these are the type of wheels you can get when you are a highly talented model, like me..."

"... and you get the best meals..."

"...with my big brother Chris directing me, I can't go wrong!"