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Air Force Homeschoolers
Mar. 22, 2008 - Notes on moving
Well, here we are. We made it safely from CA to Germany, all a little worse for the wear. We are excited to be here, but I think we need some more sleep before we can show it. I could tell you how hard the 11 hr plane trip was for me physically because of my recent surgeries, or how we had to pay for a new dog kennel ($75) at the airport because they didn't accept the one we had just bought the week before, or how my girls cried on the transatlantic flight because the stewardesses (oops I mean flight attendants) couldn't tell us whether or not our pet had made the connection, or how much my boys have missed their friends, or how c-c-c-cold it is here. Or how my hubby hit the ground running with work on Day 1 and we have barely seen him and how I've been feeling a little sorry for myself in a new place with no wheels (our van hasn't arrived yet). But I don't want to spend Easter weekend complaining. Really.
I was thinking about things this morning, and it suddenly hit me that this is our 4th move since '02, 3 of them being overseas moves or coming back from overseas. Wow. No wonder I'm tired. Hubby was also deployed to the Middle East twice during that time frame. So I'm giving all of us a little bit of grace for the time being.
Not to feel sorry for ourselves, but it's a reminder of what we deal with as part of our 'normal', and how much we need to be patient with each other. Most military wives I know living this life don't have time to blog about it too. I am starting to understand that, which is why my entries have been sparse of late.
I would say two necessary ingredients for the nomad lifestyle we enjoy would be flexibility and sense of humor. Which is funny to me that I even just typed that, because I grew up my whole life in the same town and definitely had a fear of new situations and people. God has a sense of humor! To think I would ever be encouraging others to 'go with the flow' is laughable if you knew the old me. I'm thankful He chooses to stretch us beyond what we think we're capable of.
Which reminds me--I need to go to the Post office this a.m. and hubby needs to draw me a map since I've never been there before. catch ya later.
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Feb. 26, 2008 - Off we go!
Tomorrow our packers come to start getting us ready for our Germany move! We are exhausted, excited, and hopeful. (not necessarily in that order!) DS#2 sprained his ankle last week and is on crutches--just to add to the excitement of trying to move a family of 6, a dog, a mom still recovering from major surgery in January.....and the fun begins! We've been overseas just a few years ago, but I have truly forgotten how much work is involved.
I should be sorting or cleaning something, so I need to get back at it. It will be a blast to share photos and stories from Europe--soon!
God bless and thanks for the prayers! |
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Jan. 29, 2008 - whoops
Because of the nature of my hubby's upcoming new job in the military, I have been asked not to have photos or personal info 'out there' for just anyone to google. To that end, I will soon be deleting this blog, and my blogspot blog will be by invitation only. I have had a couple of emails from folks asking for access. I am so flattered! I nearly invited all my 'friends' on HSB, but then wondered if anyone really cared enough to go to the trouble of reading our new blog.
If you would like access to my other blog, please leave a comment here and I will add you. The whole privacy thing has been an issue this year anyway with some strange comments and odd links to my writing. It's probably counterproductive to the whole idea of blogging to have it be private. I think I would keep writing whether anyone was reading it or not, though, so I will carry on. I really do appreciate the sweet comments and emails!
God bless,
Jen |
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Sep. 11, 2007 - Wow..
Jul. 22, 2007 - You know you're a military wife..
A little 'shout-out' to my military wife buddies out there! Hat tip to the Air Warriors spouses' corner (I do NOT vouch for all the content on that site!)
. . . your kids point to any airplane or military vehicle and say 'Daddy'!
. . . you remember milestones by duty stations.
. . . you refer to friends by where they live (ex: Cindy from TX, Ann in CA, etc.)
. . . all of your kids, including your two year old, stop what they're doing, and put their hands on their hearts whenever they hear the National Anthem
. . . you have a whole wash load of just camouflage.
. . . half the closet is nothing but military stuff.
. . . you can sleep through the sound of fighter planes and bombers on their morning practice.
. . . you can look at a base vehicle sticker and tell what base those people are from.(and whether they're officer or enlisted!)
. . . you can tell what is wrong with flight suits or BDU's before the member does.
. . . you know more about re-enlistments and assignments than the personnel office does.
. . . you reach for your ID card upon entering a civilian store.
. . . you pay $35 to have a baby.
. . . your kids point at anyone regardless of race or gender in BDUs and say 'DADDY!'
. . . your little kids walk around in a diaper and huge combat boots
. . . your son looks at an MP and says 'that's a military policeman!'
. . . you feel less-well-protected when you leave the base.
. . . people say, 'I don't know how you stand that military lifestyle' and your response is 'I couldn't imagine my life any other way!'
. . . you can hold down the fort while your spouse is deployed or in the field, not because you want to but because you just have to do it.
. . . you somehow manage to pick a group of friends that are more like your extended family than your own.
. . . you realize you're a much stronger person than you ever thought you'd be.
. . . your kids are asking 'Where's Daddy?' because they haven't seen daddy in days, months or a year.
. . . you sometimes wonder if the family sacrifice is worth it but realize you wouldn't have it any other way since your husband loves what he does and you're proud of him.
. . . you find that you talk military talk (using acronyms) with your family and friends back home and they think you're speaking a foreign language.
. . . hearing 'I'm proud to be an American' makes you cry because you realize first hand, that freedom is not free and the sacrifices it entails.
. . . you're living in parts of the world that you dreamed about visiting and never imagined you'd see, or those you never dreamed of visiting and didn't want to imagine seeing.
. . . you become an expert at PCS moves.
. . . you can handle anything!
. . . your kitchen is full of Pampered Chef, Tupperware, PartyLite candles, etc. that you buy because that's the only way you see other wives when the hubby's away.
. . . you start noticing when Hollywood makes mistakes in movies & TV portraying the military.
. . . you dread going to the commissary on payday weekend.
. . . you know exactly when you're supposed to be up for new orders.
. . . every time something dealing w/the military (i.e. the war in Afghanistan) shows up on the news, your Mother and Mother-in-law call you up & you have to gently calm them down.
. . . military homecomings on TV bring a tear to your eye because you can relate so well.
. . . you plan your garage sales for the payday weekends.
. . . you have more curtains than JC Penney's (you never know how many windows the next house will have or what size they will be.)
. . . you know that 'dependent' means anything but.
.....you know your husband's Social Security Number better than you know your own
AND a personal favorite!
. . . you can tell how many times you have PCS'd by the little colored tags on the back of all of your furniture!!
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May. 28, 2007 - Vets for Victory
We had the opportunity to hear Lt Col Russell speak yesterday about his unit's role in capturing Saddam Hussein. What an incredible story!! He has started this organization, Vets for Victory Some good information there about supporting our troops and finishing what we've started. My husband has gone on two Middle East deployments (one to Baghdad) and I truly do believe the worst thing that could happen at this juncture is to pull out of Iraq. My dh was there during the first free elections and truly felt it an honor to be there. You rarely see positive news coverage of what we're doing over there. Go to the above website to get a different take on it, and to see what we can all do to support our forces. God bless America this Memorial Day! |
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May. 24, 2007 - Memorial Day
Seems like I just blogged about Memorial Day, yet it's already been a year. Since last year's Memorial Day, hubby has deployed to the Middle East again and returned. It was a long year. But we got through it.
So much so, that I've already gotten used to having him home again. It's easy for me to let myself forget.
This past weekend, he and I went again to the opening cermonies for the Memorial Day ceremony that a local church puts on. The memorial wall is bigger than it was last year--another couple of panels have been added at least, with the names inscribed of those who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's a sobering reminder of the real human cost that has been paid, and continues to be paid.
The general from our base was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. The music was lovely, the honor guard sharp, and the thoughts touching. Yet what caught my attention was a group of motorcycle riders off to the side of the "official" seating area. Through the ceremony, they sat, relaxed, on the grass. I figured they were war veterans from their insignia. I didn't pay much attention to them until the ceremonial taps was played at the end. To a man, they all stood up and saluted. That's when the tears filled my eyes. Because it reminds me that everyday, all around the world, it's the ordinary men and women from our country that are serving in our armed forces.
If you are blessed to be with your own family, cooking out with friends....pause a moment to say a prayer for them and their families. They may be at war, they may be far from home, but I can assure you they are just going about their jobs and business without thought of being thanked. They do it because they are free to do so, and better yet, they protect yours and my precious freedoms in the process. They are why this is the greatest country on earth!! |
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Feb. 1, 2007 - Sleepy time, she come....
I can't even remember what movie that title is quoted from. Master of Disguise? Some juvenile flick my teen boys forced me to watch, I'm sure.
We have been apart from Steve many times. One thing that has surprised all of us since his return from this deployment though, is how much we are all SLEEPING. And how tired and draggy we all still are with all that extra sleep! I'm not sure why. For him, at least he has jetlag, and working 12 hours a day, nearly every day for the past 5 months as an excuse. For me, I'm not so sure. Being a 'single mom' to 4 kids is exhausting, I will admit. I have respect and sympathy for those single moms with no break in sight.
I think perhaps it is like one major sigh of relief and finally relaxing. I'm not responsible for everything anymore, and can let go a bit. There is another responsible adult in the house again. We still have 'reintegration time' to go through yet, as the military calls it, and I'm sure there will be fits and starts as we all get adjusted to being with each other again. (I have to remind myself it's not just MY bathroom) In the meantime, we nap! |
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Jan. 28, 2007 - Some photos say it all
Jan. 21, 2007 - Delays.....or...'it doesn't have to be pretty, quick or easy, it just has to be DONE'
We were expecting dh home sometime this midweek from his latest deployment, and all of us were getting cautiously excited. Knowing the ways of the US military, emphasis on the cautious part of the excitement. We just got word it is likely he will be delayed--his replacement didn't arrive 3 days ago when he was supposed to, they will still need several days of overlap, blahblahblah. It's now become sort of like the end of pregnancy...we know he is coming home, just not sure yet what day or time. Maybe it will work out , but we need to prepared for any circumstance.
I find that so few things in my life end in a neat, tidy fashion. Usually I just manage to get there. Like going on a jog with my 15 yo son. It's not pretty at the end, let's just say--me red-faced, huffing, puffing and hobbling. Or finishing a read-aloud book with my girls. ONE book in 4 months. Not much ground covered, literature-wise, but I just bet you they really know Anne of Green Gables now!!
For me, it's not about getting there as fast as I can anymore. My goals have changed since the early days of homeschooling, in fact, even the early days of parenting. I promise you I won't win a race. But I am getting fitter and stronger and can go longer distances before collapsing into a heap. We don't plow through as many books as I did with my older two, but the key word there would be plow. Doesn't THAT sound like fun? Instead, we read when we can, savor, discuss...take our time. In the words of one my favorite homeschoolers, Steve Lambert of Five in a Row, I think we have learned to 'enjoy the journey'.
In that spirit, I am not completely dismayed over the travel changes for dh. Maybe now I will get that shower stall really clean before he gets home! And it's not completely out of the question to lose 10 lbs in the coming week, is it? |
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Dec. 11, 2006 - A season of waiting
Advent is a season of waiting by its very definition. We celebrate the anticipated arrival of our Messiah, Jesus. The girls and I are making an advent wreath this morning (a little late, but that's par for the course around here!) with my hope to keep this season focused on Christ.
We military wives are pros at waiting.
Most of us are far from home--the friendly comfort of where we grew up, and we would much rather spend the holidays among the familiar, with family. But for many of us, it's not an option.
So we wait.
Some of us are overseas, many in countries actually hostile to Christianity. There are no Merry Christmas signs, lights, trees, manger scenes, candles or anything else signifying there is anything special to this season. What we wouldn't give to hear a good old fashioned "Merry Christmas!" from a store clerk or the sound of a Salvation Army bell ringing. But for this year....it's not to be.
So we wait.
For still others, it's close to moving time again. We celebrate Christmas with a partially packed or unpacked house, do the best we can to help the children have a good Christmas and think to ourselves "It'll be better next year".
And we wait.
For many of us, we will celebrate Christmas--whether for the first time or one of many years- without our beloved spouses. They may be on an extended remote tour, or deployed in harm's way every single day. There is nothing we can do but pray. We hope and cling to faith.
And we wait.
For those who wait along with me, please let me offer a simple Merry Christmas to you. My prayers are with you every single day. You're not forgotten.
Perhaps having all the comforts and things we loved stripped from us reminds us Who is truly our hope--Jesus.
Know that He will not let you down as you continue to wait.
God bless you, my sisters.
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Nov. 19, 2006 - Thanksgiving thoughts
I'll be honest....I'm just not that excited about the holidays this year. We all miss Steve a lot and it's not the same. Tonight Anna (our littlest) and I sat together and cried while listening to a sad song. I notice that she is signing all her letters to Daddy in tiny letters saying "love your teeny tiny Anna who could get squished since you're not here". I'm sure it says something about her insecurity with life with Dad gone.
At any rate, rather than making this a depressing entry, let me direct you to a beautiful Thanksgiving card on the Military Support Group blog. Please remember those who are apart this holiday season.
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Nov. 10, 2006 - Veteran's Day hero
Please take a moment to check out this story on our friend John--it's incredible!
He recently returned from an Iraq deployment. Mindy sent us several photos while he was gone--one is the famous one shown here with the little Iraqi girl. Apparently he is also going to be on CNN this weekend. I'll post a link when we get it. You rock, John!!! We're proud to know you! |
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Sep. 11, 2006 - Carrying on..

It's been a hard couple of days for us beyond being the 5th anniversary of 9/11, though that has surely been in our thoughts this day.
We said goodbye to Steve yesterday as he left for another deployment, knowing the next time we see him, birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will have passed without him. Beyond the 'big' events, we'll have missed the little things together--laughter,conversation, family time, shared memories. Part of me wonders how can we keep doing this? I won't lie--it's so very very difficult. As my new online friend Diane wrote in an entry when her dh deployed:
In my life, however, there is a drought. Inside I am drowning and dry as a bone all at the same time. Figure that one out.
Maybe that is normal for a military spouse left to her own while the hero goes out to take care of the bad guys.
Who knows.
If I dont write for a while, its because I dont know how to do this job. Stay home and keep the fires burning?
With rain and brittle tinder at war within me, how can any fire stay lit?
I'm not sure if one ever learns to do this job. Yet...somehow we do it, and in the words of Diane, "do the next thing". I'm thankful there is a 'next thing' for me to focus on. I am thankful for our children who keep me living and moving forward. That 'next thing', whether it is a bandaid, soccer game or school paper needing grading keep me from dwelling on the fact that we just did this last year. That we've only moved here 6 months ago, our nearest family is a thousand miles away, and it seems unfair we have to be alone again already. That I miss my husband and best friend so terribly much more than I could express in words, ever. That I am proud of him and support what he's doing, yet am scared and lonely and not nearly as brave as he seems to think I am. That I haven't even cried yet because I am trying to hold things together for my children, yet knowing it's a quite fragile grip. That I need to keep going for their sake.
And most importantly, it's all right for me to feel all of the above, yet:
Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
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Sep. 7, 2006 - For those of us with deployed loved ones...
Diane Simmler posted this wonderful idea as a way to keep our deployed daddies in our minds, in a most practical way. I'm thinking I will use scrapbook stickers for the words, since I don't imagine I'll ever get it done if it's up to me to do some sort of graphic art! For these little ones who have a hard time grasping where Daddy's deployed to, it will hopefully help give them something concrete. Thanks, Diane, for sharing this great idea! |
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