We made the hard call that there wasn’t much sense in relocating to Kansas if he was just going to leave us a few months later followed by another move this summer. Our daughter is also in high school and that would have definitely put her in different schools for freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Plus we would have had to drive to Kansas City (two hours each way!) to find the same level of ballet training that she receives in North Carolina. It was a really tough choice but we think it was the right one for us.
So, we’ve made it work for coming up on two years. There were definitely challenges–single parents, my hat is off to you because even when you have great kids, it’s really hard to do it solo! I’m sure my husband would say that he faced his own difficulties while navigating a big job with lots of responsibilities without his family there to support him. Also, even though we downsized to a much smaller house, the cost of running two separate households plus airfare is a killer. Add one kid in college and it’s a wonder we’re not eating ramen 24/7!
My husband finally has orders for his next assignment and he’ll be returning from deployment and moving this summer…right back here! It’s kind of anticlimactic because we were definitely expecting a “real” move and all kinds of locations have been on the list of possibilities (even Bucharest, Romania, believe it or not!), but we’re also happy to get to call this home for at least one more year because we love it here.
My current plan is to move us from the MCC House into a slightly larger house this summer. We’ll still rent since, as I mentioned above, this is only a one-year assignment. We’ll try to stretch it to two since otherwise we’ll be moving right before our daughter’s senior year, but of course we thought we’d be able to do the same two years ago before our son’s senior year and you know how well that worked out!! If you’re counting, that will be five+ years in one location and of course we would have bought a house at the beginning if only we had known…but they like to keep us guessing in the military!
I do have a house in mind and of course will share details and photos once it’s finalized since there will be quite a few projects to keep me busy. I’ve also learned a lot about what we need and don’t need while living in a smaller house, so we’re not looking for another 4000sf mini-mansion like we had previously, but one that’s the right size for three-sometimes-four of us. The next few months will definitely be busy ones!
I wanted to close with a thank you to those of you who have supported our family over the past two years because it has been a hard grind at times and we couldn’t have done it without lots of help on both ends. My husband has had friends and co-workers who fed him dinner and included him in holiday events when he couldn’t get home, and I would have been lost without a great group of friends and neighbors on this end who helped me literally be in two places at once at times. We’ve also had lots of reader friends who have supported us through encouraging comments and faithful prayers. Thanks to each and every one of you!
Stay tuned for the next chapter–never a dull moment around here!
Oh I am so happy he is coming home and you don’t have to make another long distance move. Can’t wait to see where you settle in. I know it will be a lot of work, but how fabulous to be back as a family together for the next year. Good Luck
Thank you, Marty–we’re so excited!
WOW….you are one strong lady!!! good for you for keeping it all together…like you said – some struggles – but you have obviously done a great job with your kids. BTW….you look fabulous in that first photo….that dress!!!!! Gorgeous.
Thank you so much! We’ve had such a wonderful support system on both ends, but are so ready to be back together again. Can you believe I found that dress at my favorite local thrift shop for about $3? It was brand new with tags and clearly meant to be mine! 😉
Oh Christy, I am so happy for you!! It’s wonderful that you can stay in the same area for another year. Good luck with all the settling in to a new house and routine!
Thanks so much, Heidi! We are so excited!
Thank you, thank you (and your husband and children) so very much for the life you live and the sacrifices you make every day for our benefit. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for all of you. I hope this next assignment is a great one for your family and that you can eke out an additional year for your daughter to finish high school. So happy that you will all be together again!
Thank you so much, Sue! Honestly, it’s second nature to us so it’s only rarely that envy our friends with more stationary lifestyles. We are so thankful that we’ll be together again soon, though!
So happy for Chris and you and the kids. You are wonderful mom, I enjoy reading the blog and the great ideas you give us. Hope too see you soon.
Thank you, Mara! I know you’ve noticed that it’s been a busy couple of years and I haven’t had as much time for fun. Hopefully that will change once Chris is back and we can get together more often–I sure hope so!
I love that picture of you and your husband at the top. Absolutely gorgeous.
Thanks, Cindy! It’s one of my favorites, too!
I’m so happy for you and your family! Finally you’re going to be together again. We’ll have to pray that you get to stay that extra year for your daughter. I’m so thankful for military families and what they go through being separated. It takes strength for both of you. So thank him from your followers for his service to our country!
Nita–
Thank you; I will be sure to do that! And yes, we’re already praying for senior year here and a job for my husband that doesn’t require that he move away or deploy so we can do it. Thanks for joining with me!
XO
A huge thank you to your husband and you and your kids. Few realize the difficulties and sacrifices that military families make. What a gift to your kids to have a loving, stable family ….knowing they are loved truly has a major impact (i speak from experience, having grown up in a military family). God Bless!
Thank you, Carol. It’s been quite a ride over the years and sometimes they’ve been less than thrilled with all the moves, but you are right that in the end it comes down to having a close, loving family. I appreciate your kind words!
Christy
Thank you for all you and your family do for our country. I will continue to lift you up in prayer!
Thank you so much, Jill! There’s a lot of coming, going, and doing scheduled for July and I’ll take all the prayers I can get. XO
Sounds exciting!!! I “get” it about wanting/thinking you are going to move to a different location and then. . .no. Sigh. At least you *love* where you are!!
Several years ago we had to rent a 1600 sq ft apt for the 6 of us (2 adults, 2 middle schoolers, 2 high schoolers) and it was truly the best living arrangement we think we’ve had. Sure, there were a lot of things we didn’t have in that smaller space (and yes, i’m very, very grateful for our home now) but I would go back to “less” in a heartbeat. I don’t think we are in that stage of life right now with 5 adult bodies living together plus the college kid needing to have space when he is home. . .
looking forward to seeing you put your “touch” on another property soon. And I know it will be WONDERFUL to all be back together. . .
Yes–you get it exactly! We might be at a stage where we want/need more space in the future (I think about my kids and their future families coming to visit, for instance), but for right now small is sweeter for us. It also keeps the dog hair in a more contained area for vacuuming! 😉