We knew this day would come, but we never knew that it would come this soon. My husband has come down on orders. In Army speak, that means his paperwork has been updated. One area in particular that’s been updated is our date to PCS (or move) again. So when are we moving? May.
Sigh. Big heavy sigh. Stephen’s orders originally said that we’d be here until the summer of 2014. Earlier this year we learned that our unit would be deactivating. There is a sister post of just up the road. When I found out that I was getting moved here, I figured that once the unit deactivated, we’d get joined with that other unit. Guess not! Instead, we will be headed back Stateside.
How do I feel about all this? Am I happy? Am I sad? I really don’t have too many opinions on it. When Stephen enlisted, I accepted that many aspects of our lives would be forever out of our control. When and where we move falls into that category, and (for the most part), I am able to let it go.
My main thoughts:
It stinks that our time here is short. We had so many places we hoped to visit! (We were already talking about a Mediterranean cruise this summer.) And we have a big house with a huge yard. I don’t expect that we’ll have such a large place where we end up next. Too bad we can’t enjoy this place a little bit longer. I feel bad that Geronimo has to go on a transatlantic flight again so soon.
I’m kind of glad Stephen didn’t get assigned to the unit up the road. If he did, we would have made the best of it. (We could have stayed in our house!) But that unit is due to deploy next year. If I can keep my husband with me and out of a war zone for a little longer, I’m more than happy to do it!
Winter marathons aren’t that huge here. The two marathons I really wanted to run will both take place after we move. I looked at February or March marathons, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to make any of those happen. More research is necessary at this point.
I’m looking forward to the comforts of home. Running clubs, hummus, being able to call my family members, watching big cultural events in real time (instead of the next day). None of these things are make or break, but if I’m going to be in the States, then I’m looking forward to all the pros of living there (big and small).
Moving is stressful. But this move has two big advantages over the last one: (1) Stephen will be with me instead of me doing it alone and (2) I’ve already survived one military PCS so I have some vague idea of what to expect and how to handle it.
The big remaining question is: where are we going. That’s what I’d like to know! We have no idea. And (like everything else) we don’t know when we’ll know.*
Holy crap! I should not be surprised I guess. Perhaps you forgot to mention “this could all change 15 times before May!” ugh, I hate to even say that. You’re handling this very well. I just hope May is enough time for you guys to get lots of fun trips in around Europe!
How does Stephen feel about this?
True, nothing is ever really official in the Army, so it could change.
Stephen is pretty disappointed. He will have technically had 2 years in Germany, but one of those was spent deployed. We would have liked to have been here a while longer. There’s just so much to see, and now not enough time to see it all!*
I know. It sucks. Something good will come out of it though! (like uh, you still get 7-ish months in Germany! That’s more than most can say!)
Well sorry to hear the move back to the states will be so soon, but it would be nice to have you back in the states and know stephen will be safe. Anxious to hear where u will be headed, I’m sure it won’t be ft. Hood cuz that’s just too close.
This is wild! Saying anywhere state-side gives you plenty of options.You and Stephen are constantly in my thoughts.
Aw, Thanks, Robin! I miss everyone back home and think of y’all often. I have been having lots of school-related dreams. I think my brain wants me to be back at FMS teaching. Ha! It’s nice to have a break, but I’ll be happy when I’m back in a classroom again.*
Wow! I’m glad you’re trying to look at it so positively. Hopefully you can get in as many trips and adventures as possible before you are due to move back.
Thanks. I’m trying to be positive. Since we have zero control over the situation, I feel like the best bet is to focus on the good things.*
You have time to see some places. Maybe prioritize your list. What places are on you list?
France and Belgium are the top two must-see places. We figure we can probably swing two other big trips. Stephen wants to go to Poland, but he doesn’t have his heart set on it. I wanted to go to London, but with the exchange rate being what it is, that probably won’t happen. So we might end up going somewhere southern (Greece, Croatia, Italy).
Whoa!!! Crazy!! Where are you moving to? Colorado Springs?
I’d love to live there! Stephen listed Fort Collins as one of his top choices, but you know how that goes.*
Oh no!! You’re finally there and now you have to pick up and move again. Ugh. I hope you can squeeze in as many trips as possible….you have seven months, right? It’s such a shame that you’re finally beginning to feel settled and now everything is all up in the air again. God Bless Uncle Sam.
I hope you guys get a great new duty station to make up for this hassle!
Unpacking just in time to discover this was pretty painful. I definitely let out some very loud groans. I’m bummed that Germany will be such a small blip in my life. But what can you do!*
Holy Craziness! Move overseas to then move back a few months later! Sounds like Military life is never dull
Hope you can squeeze in a few races just to say you did them! Have a good weekend!
You got that right. Just enough time here to get settled and then get unsettled. It sure does keep us on our toes.*
Ugh, what a pain! Well at least you had the opportunity to visit lots of cool places! Now you just have to make the best of your last few months… and yeah, it could definitely change 10 times before then. Ha.
The guys in the company have all been talking about PCS dates and apparently a bunch of them have changed. So far, ours hasn’t, but there’s lots of time between now and then for it to change!*
Oh, Amy! Yeah you’re coming “home,” but boo that you don’t get more time there, after you just settled in! And a Mediterranean cruise? That’s the only kind of cruise I would ever go on, and it would be soon fun! Venice, Dubrovnik, Greece, and Istanbul…I would be soooo jealous!!!
We planned to do the cruise in the summer (May or June-ish), but now that’s off the table. Maybe I can find a Mediterranean cruise for March. Crossing my fingers!*
Oh wow, that was quick. I imagine having to move again so soon sucks. And even more that you don’t know where you’re going to.
It sucks big time! It has helped me to wallow a bit and try to move on. Now I’m focusing on visiting as many places as I can asap!*
Wow. Just wow. It feels like you were just starting to get settled out there, and you literally just got all of your boxes of belongings… and now you’re preparing for another move? That is so unsettling (literally and figuratively)! But it’ll be great to have you back stateside, and I am sure your family will be thrilled to have you closer, too!