done

We have done a cross country move once again. I forgot how stressful it was to move yourself, as opposed to the Army doing it for you. It took an entire day to move all of our things out, pack them into the uhaul, then pack them into storage, and clean out the apartment. If I didn't have friends to help I would have lost it. Seriously.

We had a family host us for two nights and one day as we cleared out of our apartment. They are the sweetest family ever, such a good example for a young family like ours. They took days off work to help us, to accommodate us, and to make sure we were comfortable. Who does that? It makes me wonder how many of my friends back home would do it. Not that I'd expect it or deserve it, but it astounds me- their level of love and selflessness. It felt like we we're already on vacation, we hung out and got things done but it felt so much better than staying at a hotel.

During the first week of our vacation we had our car towed and basement flooded. It was a little stressful but we moved past it fairly quickly. We need to enjoy our time as best as possible without outside stress ruining our time. It feels like a ticking time bomb now, just counting down the days until Joel leaves. I want to cherish every moment that he is still around. It's been a lot of fun and we've actually been taking advantage of the fact that Sophia is in bed by 7:30 and my mom is home so we can go out. We've gone to dinner, to the movies, and shopping. I just hope things continue to run smoothly.

Until, he's gone...

life as an "army wife"

I've been thinking about what this means. I don't like to call myself an "army wife", like I belong to some sort of elite part of society, or a special club. There aren't any other women going around calling themselves "doctors wives or policemen wives". I just feel a little weird about the label, this is his career not mine. I know we have a special set of circumstances, but I don't like to pride myself on those, or anything really.

We have endured some hardship, and it will get harder as he gets ready to leave. Being married to someone in the military has it's perks and it's downsides, but it all depends on how thankful you are for life daily. I like to look at the bright side. I thank God that we have been able to move across the U.S. without it costing us anything. We have lived in Chicago, Texas, Washington, and Georgia in three short years. Those experiences I will cherish and take with me forever. I was able to witness a beautiful sunrise over Mt. Rainier which is something that I suspect, had I not been married to Joel, would have never happened. 

I met some of the most loving and selfless people, people that I love with every bit of my heart. I received some of the wisest advice from wives and mothers that will stick with me as I raise my own children. I learned how different a culture can be across the nation (yes, I'm talking about you my PNW's).

I am a wife, a mother, but most importantly I am defined by Christ. Everything else is meaningless in the grand scheme of things. I hope to raise my children (if God gives me more) in the fear of the Lord. I hope to establish my home, whether it's in the cloudiness of Seattle or the dry heat of Texas, with love towards my Husband and the Hope that Christ will soon return for His bride.