"Home is Where the Navy Sends Us"

There's a saying I've grown to love "Home is where the Navy sends us." This week, that saying definitely rings true for us.

In just a few days we will leave the home we made here in Corpus Christi: where Everett first slept through the night, where he learned to hold that big ol' head by himself, where he learned to roll, speak, laugh, and love. I will be saying goodbye (for now) to the incredible women I have met here, fellow P-3 wives who will forever be a huge part of my heart. This week, Andrew and I will leave our little place on the Gulf of Mexico for the home we will make on the Atlantic coast. I know it will be a happy home filled with love, laughter, and lots of elbow grease. It will be the place where Everett learns to crawl and walk, where he will play in the yard with Lucy, chase lizards, learn to ride his bike, and grow from momma's sweet baby into an independent boy.

As full of hope as I am for the future, I just can't help but get overwhelmed with emotion as we are about to make our way to Jacksonville. It hit me this morning as I was wading through the mountains of boxes and the piles of clothing to be donated, just why we're putting ourselves through this again. After all, we did just move here six months ago. But we aren't relocating six months later out of choice: we are going through this all over again because of my husband's service to our country. And for that, I'm proud to have to bob and weave through the disaster that is our living room.

My heart is full of pride when I think of the sacrifices my husband has made, and will continue to make. I'm proud of the thousands of hours he has prepared to become a pilot and the missions he will be assigned in years to come. I'm so happy that he will soon be able to apply his training to defend our freedom. It's because of the oath he has taken and the dedication he has to our country that I'm committed to stand behind him, to uproot our life once more, and to follow the orders he has been given.

It's not always easy to see the big picture. The Navy is not always kind to us. It's easy to feel robbed of the small pleasures of civilian life and to want the luxuries we are not allowed. There have been many lonely days and nights. There have been plenty of instances where leave has been denied and I've had to travel cross country alone with a newborn baby.  He's already had to miss out on too many weddings and funerals. One day he may even have to miss out on pregnancies and births. There will continue to be special occasions and milestones that pass, things Everett will wish he had a daddy for and times I will need my husband. It's easy to hate the Navy and hate this life when you're left alone for life's big moments. But out of love, I am choosing to also be dedicated to the Navy and to share in his sacrifices willingly. Everett and I, we do not wear a uniform. We do not carry rank. But each time Andrew has to stand watch, each time he each time he deploys, Everett and I share in his sacrifice.We will do it proudly and out of love for Andrew instead of begrudgingly out of hate for the Navy.

As we are about to leave the last place we will ever live where Andrew is not deployable, I'm humbled and hopeful. I feel blessed that this is the life the Lord has chosen for us. Even though I hate packing tape as much as the next girl, I have a happy heart knowing that each obstacle we face will bring us closer to each other as a family. So with this I am saying goodbye to Corpus Christi and hello to the adventure waiting for us in Jacksonville.

Please be patient with me as we load up that truck, drive 18 hours, and sort through the chaos. I have lots of ideas to share and I promise regular posts are in the near future for Winkler Avenue! As soon as I can find the keyboard again...