I think it's safe to say that my life with Chris has been an absolute whirlwind, from meeting him, to marrying him, to following him across the country again, and again, and yes, again.
That's right, we are headed to Texas!
Chris' selection for flight school was today. I had switched days at work so I could work Monday and have today off to support him. My plan was to get him up early and go for a long run to kill some serious time. WELL, Christopher didn't get up too early, but we did go for a 5.5 mile run this morning. We hurried back so I could shower because I had someone coming over to buy an office chair; I was originally going to sell it at the garage sale I am a part of this weekend, but this lady wanted to buy it early! I was very happy about that-it's just one less thing to lug over.
I wasn't sure that it would be the best timing, but it turns out it is perfect-if we sell this stuff this weekend, then we have that much less to pack up in a couple of weeks.
Yes, a couple of weeks. We didn't get any definite answers about what the next few weeks would be like, but his report date in Kingsville, TX, is likely August 18. So, I will set up another move and get us out of here before the end of July so we can settle in Texas. Housing in Kingsville is scarce, so I have been all over Facebook spouses' groups asking for advice and what to do next! I have some "gouge" as Chris would call it, and at least know what direction to go from here.
It's a 12-hour drive from here, meaning we will make it in a day. Chris is allotted ten days of house-hunting leave, so if we don't find a place right away, we will figure it out. I like to plan, I usually sign a lease the day we get into town, or sign one before we even get there. We have been so lucky to have amazing landlords along the way.
I hate that I am leaving my good friend, Sarah, and her baby Addie across the street. Having one of my best friends as my neighbor is unbelievable. I have been so blessed having her for when I need her or need to talk.
It is amazing that Chris selected this week. He had a lot of help along the way from staff and instructors, but I can't remember the last time I prayed so hard. I prayed on Friday because Chris was supposed to go on a cross-country, but something was wrong with his plane, so they had to turn around. He was supposed to complete three flights that day, rest on Saturday in St. Louis, and then fly back home in three flights on Sunday. Our brother-in-law was having his birthday party in St. Louis that weekend, so it was amazing that Chris would be able to go and see some of his family there. I find it hard to believe that my praying didn't have a hand in that, especially when Chris got another plane that Friday and made it.
Or how about on Monday? When he had two flights to do but was barely able? Or Tuesday when he got into a plane twice for his last flight, but had to get out due to lightning, had an instructor give up on him, and somehow at the end of the day he managed to snag another plane, instructor, and window of decent weather to finish? Or how about that he was the only Marine to select this week in Pensacola, which could have also increased his chances?
Like I said, I don't know that I have ever prayed so hard. Once we found out he was selecting today, I had a new subject to pray about. This time it was, "God, I don't know what your plan is. I just pray that Chris is happy."
We went to base today around noon so Chris could show me around Whiting Field. I had never seen the simulators, nor had I seen any of the buildings he has been talking about for the last five months. He had a few things to show me and then it was just a matter of killing time before we found out what Chris is going to fly for the rest of his career as a Marine. We were supposed to meet with the Commanding Officer of his squadron around 1:30, but we were called into his office a little before that, which took us both by surprise. Since Chris was the only one selecting, he just had us come into our office. I have a lot of respect for his CO, because he was open and honest and gave us some things to really think about.
He told Chris that Marines care about him being an officer more than him being an aviator, because you can teach a monkey to fly but you can't instill what it means to be an officer in just anyone. He reminded Chris that he could have an amazing career, but there are three things that are more important, because without those three things that career means nothing. He said that "Faith, Family, and Honor" come first. He told me that my support was going to be a deciding factor in how Chris did in further schooling. I really appreciated the time and thought he put into what he had to say.
Then he said, "Well, I know you are still waiting for what you really want to hear. I know you really wanted C-130s, but the Marine Corps just doesn't have any spots for those right now...but they do have jets." Chris said, "Shit", in disbelief. I flung my hands toward my face in disbelief. I started crying. Chris might have, too. I don't even know. The CO asked me if I was disappointed, and I feverously shook my head, "Not at all!" Chris had gone back and forth between jets and C-130s every day for nearly six months, and he got one of his top two picks. It's really unbelievable. We are blessed beyond belief to have each other, and now this, and an amazing group of friends that came out to support us and cheer us on tonight. Our friends are really selfless and wonderful people.
I keep catching his eye across the room and he gives me that look like, "We're really doing this."
And so our Most Excellent Marine Corps Adventure continues. :)
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
In The Wake of Another Possible Move
In the wake of another possible move, it's probably time to blog or it won't happen again for a very, very long time.
Yes, another move. I think I have told most everyone about this possible move, but the realization of it coming right around the corner is about enough to make my hair fall out. Chris managed to snag himself a cross-country flight, meaning he will be flying with an instructor to St. Louis this weekend, which will cover 6 of the remaining flights he has in flight school. He has struggled quite a bit for the past few weeks, between deciding what it is he would really like to fly and trying to decide if he wants to keep pushing through the last couple of weeks or take it easy.
He managed to get this cross country flight scheduled so weather-willing and plane availability willing, he will do that this weekend, fly again Monday, finish Tuesday, and select his aircraft on Thursday. Selection is based mostly on the needs of the Marine Corps at that time, so no matter how good Chris' grades are or what he truly wants, it is really want the Marine Corps wants that will happen. I have been asking some more senior wives recently about their experiences following this portion of flight school, called "primary", to see what we are in store for. There have been quite a few that shared their experiences, but all of their responses highlighted on a couple of things; no matter what aircraft Chris selects, he will end up loving it, and these are some of the best years of his career. It will only get steadily more busy and stressful from here.
I feel like he and I have hashed this out so many times. Multiple pros-and-cons lists, asking what would be best for a family, listing reasons to leave, listing reasons to stay. It just goes on and on. Some days he really wants to talk about it; some days I don't. Some days he can't talk about it anymore and I am just dying to ask a question. I can understand now what our friends went through at TBS when they were waiting to find out what MOS they would be selected for. I did not show them near the empathy that I should have at that point in time; I just did not understand. Now we are in the emotional turmoil with Chris' future (and mine) weighing on what the Marine Corps decides. Once again, we are clay in the Marine Corps' hands. They shape our future.
I had to tell work that I may or may not be leaving. I could not give an exact time frame but asked them to hire someone else and let me go PRN (as needed for you non-medical folk), so that if I did leave it would not leave my co-workers in a mess. Unfortunately, that has yet to happen so if we do leave before the end of this month, I hope they can muddle through. I really enjoy my co-workers and will miss them if we leave, but be happy to spend more time with them if we stay.
It looks like if Chris got helicopters, we would stay here for some odd months, Ospreys would mean stay here for a short time before moving to Texas, C-130s will be in Texas, and jet training could be in Texas or Meridian, MS. We drove by Meridian on our way home for Christmas. I have no interest in living there. I have grown accustomed to having a Target down the street.
The hardest thing about this possible move is knowing that there is not a whole lot I can do in preparation-yet-because we don't know when and if we are going anywhere. I have taken everything out of the attic and am preparing for a garage sale. Those are small steps but I won't regret doing those things later!
Yesterday, Bart began his individual, advanced classes at Petsmart. He just wasn't ready to move onto advanced group classes because he lacks very basic social skills. Our instructor, Tiffany, brings her golden retriever to the lessons and yesterday we worked on making Bart walk by her without freaking out and being able to walk up toward each other without him freaking out. Like I said, very basic skills, but it needs to be fixed because he is not fun to take in public. The "Gentle Leader" harness has been an absolute godsend. Bart hates it when he is not the first person or dog to go out the door, so he loses it when he isn't. The other day I had him in the Gentle Leader at the front door and because Ruby and Chris had gone out first, he went berserk. I just stood there and let him freak out; he ended up doing a flip over himself. When he got up, he kind of looked around expecting to see something that caused him to fall, but then he realized he had done it to himself. Chris and I just laughed as we watched him realize that he doesn't need to act like that.
Ruby spends more and more time sleeping every day. She has a favorite bush in the backyard she will hide and sleep in all day long. Nalli and I finally started running again. I hurt my knee back in January and since then really haven't run, but last week we got up to 7 miles. :) I only have Nalli go for 5 1/2 because the road is so tough here as well as the unbearable heat, I just don't know how she would handle it. Even though she looks like she could pass out, she still watches me leave to finish the run wondering why she can't go. I ran 17 miles last week, which I feel pretty good about. This week, I've run 7 so far.
Well, I suppose I should get ready for work.
Yes, another move. I think I have told most everyone about this possible move, but the realization of it coming right around the corner is about enough to make my hair fall out. Chris managed to snag himself a cross-country flight, meaning he will be flying with an instructor to St. Louis this weekend, which will cover 6 of the remaining flights he has in flight school. He has struggled quite a bit for the past few weeks, between deciding what it is he would really like to fly and trying to decide if he wants to keep pushing through the last couple of weeks or take it easy.
He managed to get this cross country flight scheduled so weather-willing and plane availability willing, he will do that this weekend, fly again Monday, finish Tuesday, and select his aircraft on Thursday. Selection is based mostly on the needs of the Marine Corps at that time, so no matter how good Chris' grades are or what he truly wants, it is really want the Marine Corps wants that will happen. I have been asking some more senior wives recently about their experiences following this portion of flight school, called "primary", to see what we are in store for. There have been quite a few that shared their experiences, but all of their responses highlighted on a couple of things; no matter what aircraft Chris selects, he will end up loving it, and these are some of the best years of his career. It will only get steadily more busy and stressful from here.
I feel like he and I have hashed this out so many times. Multiple pros-and-cons lists, asking what would be best for a family, listing reasons to leave, listing reasons to stay. It just goes on and on. Some days he really wants to talk about it; some days I don't. Some days he can't talk about it anymore and I am just dying to ask a question. I can understand now what our friends went through at TBS when they were waiting to find out what MOS they would be selected for. I did not show them near the empathy that I should have at that point in time; I just did not understand. Now we are in the emotional turmoil with Chris' future (and mine) weighing on what the Marine Corps decides. Once again, we are clay in the Marine Corps' hands. They shape our future.
I had to tell work that I may or may not be leaving. I could not give an exact time frame but asked them to hire someone else and let me go PRN (as needed for you non-medical folk), so that if I did leave it would not leave my co-workers in a mess. Unfortunately, that has yet to happen so if we do leave before the end of this month, I hope they can muddle through. I really enjoy my co-workers and will miss them if we leave, but be happy to spend more time with them if we stay.
It looks like if Chris got helicopters, we would stay here for some odd months, Ospreys would mean stay here for a short time before moving to Texas, C-130s will be in Texas, and jet training could be in Texas or Meridian, MS. We drove by Meridian on our way home for Christmas. I have no interest in living there. I have grown accustomed to having a Target down the street.
The hardest thing about this possible move is knowing that there is not a whole lot I can do in preparation-yet-because we don't know when and if we are going anywhere. I have taken everything out of the attic and am preparing for a garage sale. Those are small steps but I won't regret doing those things later!
Yesterday, Bart began his individual, advanced classes at Petsmart. He just wasn't ready to move onto advanced group classes because he lacks very basic social skills. Our instructor, Tiffany, brings her golden retriever to the lessons and yesterday we worked on making Bart walk by her without freaking out and being able to walk up toward each other without him freaking out. Like I said, very basic skills, but it needs to be fixed because he is not fun to take in public. The "Gentle Leader" harness has been an absolute godsend. Bart hates it when he is not the first person or dog to go out the door, so he loses it when he isn't. The other day I had him in the Gentle Leader at the front door and because Ruby and Chris had gone out first, he went berserk. I just stood there and let him freak out; he ended up doing a flip over himself. When he got up, he kind of looked around expecting to see something that caused him to fall, but then he realized he had done it to himself. Chris and I just laughed as we watched him realize that he doesn't need to act like that.
Ruby spends more and more time sleeping every day. She has a favorite bush in the backyard she will hide and sleep in all day long. Nalli and I finally started running again. I hurt my knee back in January and since then really haven't run, but last week we got up to 7 miles. :) I only have Nalli go for 5 1/2 because the road is so tough here as well as the unbearable heat, I just don't know how she would handle it. Even though she looks like she could pass out, she still watches me leave to finish the run wondering why she can't go. I ran 17 miles last week, which I feel pretty good about. This week, I've run 7 so far.
Well, I suppose I should get ready for work.
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