Senior Chief

 

Justin's pining ceremony this morning was short and sweet, without a lot of hoopla. Just the way he likes things.  He was only surprised by two things... the kids giving him a new Senior Chief coin for his collection and the command's decision to make me an honorary Master Chief. Yes, I can be the boss of him. Listening is still optional though. Thanks to all who have helped him on his way and given him the inspiration to work hard and achieve high. It's been a happy day.

Wordless Wednesday

I love the Navy

I love the Navy... it teaches me flexibility.
-- Sorry, Ma'am. There's been a delay. We don't have firm plans yet, but we will let you know (at the last possible second) as soon as we can.

It teaches me patience.
---Yes, kids, there's the boat. All tied up to the pier. I just got word that it will be another 6 hours before your daddy gets off of it though. Sit tight. He wants off as badly as we want him off.

It teaches me to make fast friends.
---If you get that promotion, you will receive orders to San Diego, leaving in 30 days or less. If you don't, you will be here another year. Make the best of it. Further, it may be that you have orders to San Diego, and your household goods have orders to Guam. Good luck with that too.

It teaches me responsibility.
---Keep that cell phone charged. You never know when there is a surprise call coming.

It teaches me Independence.
---I get to keep the household running, the kids happy and healthy and not go insane on my own. I can change a tire, do yard work, operate a table saw, pay the bills and still keep going.

It teaches me frugality.
---While a steady paycheck is wonderful and I am so grateful for it, everyone has to be careful with their money. It's good to shop at the Commissary and NEX. Even better when they are open when I get there. It's how I afford to keep the short kid in bubbles.

It teaches me to expand my skills.
---From SCUBA in Guam, to kayaking in Hawaii, to hiking in WA. There is always something new to try, fun to learn, and a fear to face.

It teaches me community.
---It's hard to leave friends in far off places and amazing when you bump into them again, half a world away. No matter where you go, there is probably someone you know and always someone willing to lend a hand. I remember the Chaplain in Kadeena, who gave me a place to sleep when I was stranded, the Master Sargent in Elmendorf who helped me to the hotel, Dana in Hawaii who escorted me around after my car left and I didn't, and Dawn in WA, who has been a sure friend for over 15 years and there when I needed her from any corner of the globe.

It teaches me to stand True to my beliefs. In one word, Faith.
--- You have to have Faith you will be cared for while he is gone, faith he will be cared for while he is gone, faith in yourself that you can do it, faith in the Lord to carry you through and faith in your friends to lift and love you. No matter where I go in the world, my church is there and it is true. Different cultures have different values, but I have been able to keep consistency in my life and the lives of my kids because of the Gospel.

Hurry and Wait-- UPDATE

UPDATED AT THE BOTTOM!

One of the strangest things about being a Navy Family is that you never really know where you are going to live 6 months from now. Sometimes you can be reasonably sure, but a lot of times things can change in an instant. I learned a long time ago to live my life anyway, make plans, make friends and roll with the punches. It's too hard to live on pins and needles not knowing what the future holds.

This week we are waiting for promotion results. And waiting, and waiting.... They are taking their sweet time posting them, when we know the board dismissed 2 weeks ago. I am compulsively checking two different websites that will have results posted about 5 times a day. What does a promotion mean to us? Besides the little pay grade increase, it may mean another move. Not a move next year sometime, a move this summer. Who knows where to or what his new job will entail. What does the future hold? Who knows, but I have to put my faith in my loving Heavenly Father who will take care of us from any corner of the world. Ah, the life of a Navy Family. Will keep you posted.

UPDATE: the list is out. His name isn't on it this time around. Not that he's not qualified, just that other people were too. There are only so many spaces for lots of people. Maybe next year. The good news is, we are in WA for another year. Yeah!

Counting Down again

We are counting days again until Justin leaves. Very soon. We are getting little things done. Gathering cards, writing letters (the mail man doesn't seem to find subs very well so everything has to be sent in advance). I am in charge of loading the MP3 player. I am not sure why, we have different tastes in music and he gets what I put on there. Maybe I can use that to my benefit somewhow... Get him to like something out of his box that I do like. The kids are getting ready too. Meg is throwing more and more tantrums, although I don't know if it's the change in circumstance or her rapidly approaching 2nd birthday. I know I get cranky around my birthdays. Adam is finishing up his pinewood derby car with dad's help so that it's done before the big race, after dad leaves. The house is in shambles because I am trying to finish up projects for him to take with him and when he's home we want to spend time together, not clean up. We are having discussions about cars, the yard plans, spring coming and all of the things that would be nice to do when he gets home. He's still got a list of things to do before he goes, but he's working on it. Somehow knowing he's leaving doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye. The life of a Navy family...