I PASSED!!!

So two days ago I went and checked my online status with Home Land Security to see if anything has changed. It now states; "You have been referred to the scheduling unit. Generally an applicant can expect to be contacted to schedule their entrance on duty and/or training in 30 - 60 days. Depending on an applicant's selected locations scheduling calls could be extended an additional 30 days or more. " So I have passed all of the background check and now I get to wait for a phone call. Location wise I put "anywhere, willing to move." So I might hear from them sooner than later. I was told that once I do receive the call they will tell me what station they want me at. Then I have to show up at the station a few days later to do paper work which is said to take three to four days. After that I get a week off to get everything in order to go to the academy which is five months long in the middle of nowhere New Mexico. The academy is said to be like boot camp and I will not be able to leave nor have family show up. So that means I can't see Lani for five months, that is going to be the hardest part of all. Thank you all for keeping us in your prayers, We love you all. Mark

A great camp out!!!

Over this last weekend I went with My buddy Kip out to Joshua Tree to teach a Boy Scout troop how to go repelling. Friday night at eight we set up camp and started on dinner. Man!!! did we eat like Kings!!! Kip and I had steaks topped with sauteed mushrooms, fresh bread and even BBQ frog legs!!! After a great dinner we had a Park Ranger come in to our camp and to check how we were doing. I guess there was a 5.6 earthquake that we did not feel. It was centered only ten miles away. The Scouts had can soup for dinner... Kip and I laughed and remember when we were in their shoes. Next morning we packed up camp and fixed a great breakfast. Kip and I took off to find a spot to repel off of, while the scouts did scout stuff. We found some cliffs that were so crazy that Kip and I could only laugh and smile as we said "wow". After a little while we found a good cliff to teach the scouts how to repel. it was maybe a sixty to seventy foot cliff. Those boys were all brave and went as many time as they could. Kip and Jared went over face first. I tried to go down in three jumps and on the second I rolled my ankle. I was ticked at myself for rolling my ankle because I left my boot loose and not tied tight. This was after I told all of the boys to make sure that their shoes were on tight. So next time my boots will be tied tight. All in all it was a great trip. It was great to get out and do what you enjoy doing. I enjoy showing others the hobbies I am into. I love seeing that spark they get and how they get hooked on it. One the way home Kip and I started talking on a plan on taking our wives out camping to the same spot and see if they like rock climbing and repelling.

The last item being faxed off today!!!

Many have been asking what’s going on with the progress of The U.S. Customs job for me. I have been calling a company twice a week for the last four months almost trying to have them send a bill for something that the government wants paid off to finish the background check. This last Friday being the second time calling for that week, the lady told me the same as every time before… “Sure we will mail one out today”. I became so mad and told her that she has told me that twice a week for almost four months. So I asked her if she could look at my info on this matter and she said yes. I then asked if she could tell me the dollar amount and she did. Then I asked if there is a reference number to my bill, she then gave me that info. Finally I said if I come in on Tuesday with a money order to pay it off, can I, she said of course, that would be fine. This took me to the boiling point. I then asked why she never told me this, four months ago. She said because I never asked about that option. I said fine I will be in on Tuesday to pay this. MAN!!! So today after work I am heading down there to pay this dumb bill which was due to a dumb roommate that I had way back when. Then tonight I will be faxing off the last document for my background check and with fingers crossed as I say this, I am guessing I should hear something on where I will be stationed before Christmas. So we shall see. Mark

First trip to the Infertility

Well last night was our first appointment with the infertility Doctor. I was a bit worried on what I thought was going to have to happen in this appointment. Lani on the other hand was in the “bring it on, let’s go for it!” mode. This appointment was pretty much giving them our families’ history of health and what if any prescriptions we are taking. Lani had to take a pregnancy test to make sure she was not pregnant, which she was not. I had to give four vials of blood for testing, just to make sure my health is good for making babies. Lani has a few tests she is having done this week, she is very lucky to be able to work in the hospital, it is now so easy for her to go pick up a prescription or go do a blood test. The prescription Lani is thinking she will end up using is the same one the Kate off of the show “John and Kate plus eight” used. So I think there is a good chance we will have our whole family in one shot. So for kicks we should take a poll to see how many kids we will have in one shot. So let us know how many you are thinking, I am going for triplets!!! So we will keep all of you up-to-date on how things are going. We love you all and keep us in your prayers!!! Mark

Halloween Party at Kip and Sarah's

Lani and I, Evil Nurse and Creepy Doctor from the Dead.

Sarah and Kip Robinson Jr. as Nacho Libre and Encarnacion his Nun woman

Roger and Lyndzee as Punk Rockers!

Ryan and Cindel Houston as a Bro. and a Bro. Ho

Karl and Erin Dellenbach as Fierro and Alfaba from Wicked

Laurie and Gregg Hardy as Jim Dangle (Reno 911) and his most recent arrest!

Jessica and Josh Fisher as Cowboy and Indian!

10/25/08

Well, I just want to thank you all for your prayers!! I just learned this week that since I switched jobs my health insurance has changed a little and now we are covered 100% for infertility! So, we are going to make an appointment soon to start treatments!! The scary thing is that this means we could end up with multiples!! But, we'll take whatever God sends our way! Thanks again for all of the prayers and we will keep you all updated! All of our love, Lani & Mark

What's New

Well, I guess that I will add an update since Mark started the blog.
I just started a new job last week. I am still with Kaiser but I am now working for the hospital side of the company. I am at the Riverside Medical Center working as Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Facilities Development dept. It is so far a lot less stress so hopefully that will be beneficial since we are trying to get pregnant. I really love it so far!
Mark is still waiting to hear back from the Border Patrol. We have been told that it is in the final stages so we are hoping to hear from them soon! This has been a long frustrating process!

So yes, if you haven't heard already, we are trying to get pregnant. We have actually been trying for a little while but we are having some problems. I was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) about 3 months ago. The doctor started me on Metformin but it makes me pretty sick. The only good part of it is that I have lost some weight being on it so I don't really mind it too much! :) If this doesn't work then the next step will be to go to the Infertility Clinic. Unfortunately Kaiser only covers 50% so we are hoping that we don't have to go that route! So please, keep us in your prayers! We are trying not to worry too much about getting pregnant and instead just enjoy this time that we have together. We know that once children come along we won't get this special time with just the two of us ever again.

Well, we hope that you all are doing well. Please leave us a comment and let us know what's new in your life! We love being able to keep in touch with all of our friends and family! We love you all, The Braithwaites

The Opening Day

Well today is the first day, that our blog is up and running. We are still learning how to use this site, so any advice is more than welcome on how to set everything up. We are grateful to be able to stay in touch with all of you. Please keep coming by to see what’s new with us. We love you all!!! The Braithwaite Klan