Summer in the South

You'd think after being in the Air Force for 6 years, we would know better than to make plans months in advance. Unfortunately, that's a lesson we are still being taught, even now. We are still learning that our plans can change in an instant. We have to try to release any control we think we have over our lives and go with the AF flow! Harder than it sounds! I'm a big BIG planner, always have been and probably always will be. I guess its no surprise that this particular lesson has to be beaten into my head over and over.

No less than 24 hours after we had gotten leave approved for a family trip to Florida in July did we receive news that my husband is due for SOS (squadron officer school, I believe!) June 2 - July 25. SOS is in Montgomery, AL, so we can still manage the family trip. It will have to be shortened though since we cannot take leave during SOS.

That's just the beginning of adjusting our summer schedule and finances (boooo!). Technically, Elise and I are not supposed to be going with my husband on this TDY. Therefore, families with children/dogs aren't allowed to live on base with the Active Duty service members. That being said, pretty much everyone we know goes with their spouse because its 8 weeks apart otherwise. My husband's only been home for a month and neither of us is ready to be separated again if we can help it. We vowed a long time ago never to voluntarily separate. The Air Force gives us plenty of opportunities to be apart without us adding to it. It's rarely convenient but totally worth it to both of us to be together.

So we will have to pay out of pocket to live in an extended stay hotel. We've had some trustworthy friends recommend a couple places. One of theses places even allows big German Shepherds, thank god. Macy is ALWAYS a huge speed bump in finding temporary places to live, so this was a huge relief. BUT it's a hotel...Macy isn't exactly a hotel/apartment kind of dog. She spends most of her days out in the sun at home. I'm worried about her anxiety issues and praying that we don't drive each other crazy while we are there. We will test it out and see, I suppose. Worse comes to worse, it's still only 8 weeks, so hopefully we can just suck it up. The hotel has hot breakfast served during the week and a pool we can swim in. It's also close to some places we can take Macy to get exercise, go shopping, the park and the zoo. I also hear the spouse group there is very family friendly and we have a couple of really good friends going the same time we are. One is even a couple that we haven't seen in about 4 years! So we have some things to look forward to.

There's also the issue of my friends' wedding. It's right smack in the middle of June and Elise and I are IN the wedding. Right now it looks as if Elise and I will have to fly back to OK for the event, while Josh stays behind. Again, not the cheapest option, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

We've known this TDY was coming, but of course we didn't know when. We used to talk about Josh going alone and Elise and I staying home. Funny how being separated for 6 months will make you change your mind and want to hold on tight to your family.

On a more positive note, Montgomery is close to several places and people we are really looking forward to visiting. We haven't traveled much as a family of three yet and we are anxious to get back to the beach for awhile. Maybe catch a baseball game or two, add it to our MLB Stadium bucket list. We want to go to the World's Largest Aquarium in Atlanta, visit Pensacola, Destin and Seaside. We also have friends/family in the Navarre/PC area. So I bet our weekends will be busy!

So though it will be more expensive and inconvenient, we go together. Home is where the heart is and ours is going to Alabama, so we will go as well. Here's to new experiences and being together for them!