Dean...

Well, I realized I was due for a post. Things have been interesting to say the least since Gerry returned home. We are in our final transition as a military family, unless he changes his mind, but I doubt it. Gerry will be retiring next year in March with 20 years under his belt in the Army. He has led a very proud, if you ask me anyway, military career. He has no article 15's, is all about taking care of his soldiers and be the best NCO that he can be. He wears his uniform with pride, and loves serving his country. During this transition he will be putting in paperwork for Arizona's Troops To Teachers, and work on becoming an Elementary School Teacher. From one proud career to another, he will do great. I am not really sure how I feel about his retirement, a little uncertain, I know this, but if it is what he wants, then I support him.

I have started school again, have many many deadlines ahead of me, hopefully I meet them without another leave of absence, but we shall see. The Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education is not an easy task, there is so much to be done, but with only one class, it makes my time easier to spread around for all those things. I am doing well, getting good grades, and look forward to the end, but it is far from site, for right now.

Now, on to our Littleman, who is not so little anymore. After long discussions and a difficult month or so after Gerry's homecoming, we prayed and prayed and prayed, we decided to admit Dean into a Rehabilitation Center to receive better help and treatment for his Bipolar disorder. He has been so angry, and just cannot cope with those upsetting feelings well. He took his admittance very well, which surprised and relieved us greatly. He is doing well, but has only had a few melt downs and not what we need. For him to cope and learn to recognize those feelings he needs to really melt down. After a tumultuous family session yesterday I was left drained and Dean left worried about mom. He knew I was upset, but we do our sessions over the phone due to the distance of this facility he is in. My family and Gerry's mom and step-dad have been wonderfully supportive. I do not know about his other siblings, but I do know that Dean's biological father found out sooner than we wanted him to, I wanted to wait until Dean was settled before they began to push him into going to live with them in Wyoming. Dean, however (again surprising us), took the news in stride that they were trying to reach him and put his foot down and said he would not talk to his dad. He is becoming very strong, and despite their rudeness to me and their placing blame on me, he is firm so far that he needs help and wants to stay with mom and daddy. Our visits are once a month due to the distance, but they are enjoyable and the facility allows so much. We get to take board games, food and drink in with us to visit and it helps pass the time away to be extremely enjoyable. Therapy is slow going, but hopefully after yesterday, they will push a bit harder for the desired results, a child that can cope and is much healthier. Our prayers a fervent in this direction.