The Navy, a house and me

I've started this post about 4 times now. Nothing seems to be good enough to explain the choices I've been making about my attitude and frustrations with the Navy right now.

I bad talk, I have beef, I'm losing a battle I can't believe I'm even trying to fight.

It's not a battle of freedom....the military has given me that.

It's not a battle of money, we get that...every two weeks, consistently.

It's a battle of space. I want to move my family to RI in 2 weeks and have space for them to put out their toys, run around and play, and move without being all over each other.

But, the Navy doesn't pay us enough to afford what we really want. The Navy also doesn't allow us to get a bigger house in military housing because we don't have enough rank. We don't even have enough time to look further for the perfect house, because our orders got moved up by 3 months.

So, I had to settle. I got the phone call from housing that I was dreading saying they had a house for us, but we were not eligible for anything bigger because of my husband's rank. Even with 4 kids and a dog and 2000 pounds of drum equipment.

I'm grumbling. The Navy..a house...grrrrrrr.

I should be better about it. I should have the desire to "make do". And I will. But I've had to learn a lesson first.

Not everyone has a house to live in. I don't think I would do well in a tent or wigwam. Not everyone has a paycheck...much less a consistent one. I don't know if I'm good enough to budget every penny.

Not everyone has a family that is healthy and thriving.

I have had to come to conclusion that it doesn't matter what size my house is, or where I have to put all my stuff. What matters is that I have enough. I will make do with the space and I'll organize everything like I always do...to make it fit.

What I really need to do is be thankful.

I'm thankful to be me. I have a kick-butt life. I have a husband who loves and serves me. I have healthy, amazing children, I've lived in some pretty cool houses, all with different personality.

And I have the Navy...Yes, I just said that.

I have had an amazing adventure being a Navy wife. No, there are things that aren't easy and things I'd love to change, but I can't imagine for one second, not having the opportunity to make the friends I have made in the 5 cities (and one other country) that I have lived in. Some of the most cherished friendships I have are because the Navy has moved us to a new place. So, here is my tribute to the Navy, having a new house to organize, and me, for feeling blessed to have so many friends in so many places.

"HOME IS WHERE THE NAVY SENDS US"

 

IN every HOME, I have been given MUCH.

 

Me and Andi (San Diego)

 

Me and Melodee (Japan)

 Japanese Friends (Yokohama, Japan)

 T, Shelle, Chantal, Me, & Renee (Japan)

 

Me and Theresa (Japan)

 

Diane, Karen, Christine, Carmen (Rhode Island)

 

My Youth (Chesapeake, Virginia)

Kathleen, me, & Susan (Virginia)

 



Jolyn, my Mom & me (Richmond, VA)