Before The Boxes Are Packed

As my time at Ft. Jackson comes to an end I'm sad. I have learned so much here. I have grown so much here. And most importantly I meant some of the most amazing Army wives here. Most people write off Jackson from the beginning. A lot of gals fall into the "Fort Jackson Funk". I'm not sure why but this place just clicked with me. Maybe is was because my husband wasn't a drill Sgt or that I had good friends- I don't know but I just felt at home here.

We got to Jackson back in January 2009. I didn't even make friends until that following year. Our time in Germany ruined other wives for me. I have found this rings true with a lot of women. One bitter wife can ruin the way you feel about all military spouses, I found that I had a very flawed perception.

As soon as I moved onto my new block within hours my neighbor was at my door saying hello. The other was soon to follow. Through the two of them I started attending AT EASE (our spouses group) and joined the advisory board. I started getting involved in my community and that was a huge deal for me. From there the amazing friendships multiplied. I meet these women, who like me had this crazy life- but instead of hating it they embraced it. Even though it could sometimes be sucktacular-that's from the dictionary of a friend :)- we still loved it. We loved our man in uniform and were willing to cope with anything. We were all so different but still so much the same. We all brought so much to the group and I know I personally was able to take so much away from it. As each one left I took a little bit of their personality and kept it for my own.

The packers are coming tomorrow. As I look around at MY home I know that in a matter of weeks the walls will be painted, damages fixed and furniture already in CO- it will not longer be MY home. It will be an empty government quaters for another family to move into and make memories. I hope happy ones. I'll never forget all the Friday FSC nights, Madd Platter Wednesdays, Hanging out in my living room talking, letting the kids take over the court on a cool summer afternoon or just making hair bows with friends. I have loved this place and am so sad that my time here is over.

I know that with Colorado will come many new adventure. I already have so many different things in my head that I want to do while I'm in CO and I have already meant some really nice girls out there. But I can't help but to feel a bit broken hearted that I can't have my friends with me. They made me who I am. They helped me shape myself a little and I know that because of them I will only continue to grow. I love you all!

It's only a year.....it's only a year...

I haven't been on in a while. To much to take in in such a short period of time. In the past 2 months we have went from trying to reclass to orders to Fort Carson to a deployment to Afghanistan. When we got those orders to Carson I about died. We have been at Ft. Jackson for a little over 2 years. I have loved my time here. That's another blog another day though...right now I need to get these feelings out of my head. Everyone kept telling us how lucky we were- CARSON!! This is like everyone's number one...its the cream of the crop..the top of a wish list. This is like the holg grail of army posts :) So we were feeling very fortunate to have been blessed with such an amazing post. After 4 years in Germany and 2 at Jackson- it's time for us to finally see what the "real" army is about I guess. Not even 72 hours after having those orders Ty called to try to find out some information. Guy on phone: "You got family" Ty: "yea" Guy: "Kids?" Ty: "Yea" Guy: "Well I feel bad for you cause your deploying to Afghanistan as soon as you get here" Me: "WTF!!!!" As soon as Ty called and told me I broke down. I literally lost my breathe. I should metion that we have never experienced a deployment. We went from basic->AIT->Support unit -> TRADOC....now a deployment. I have been with Ty since I was 16. We are high school sweethearts. We became parents right out of high school and have managed to beat the statistic. I love him...he drives me out of my mind...but I love him. He is my best friend, my everything and I can not imagine how I am even going to exist for the next year without him. I'm terrified, all the what ifs hit me about 200 times a day. I know he'll be okay, I know he'll make it back and I know that we'll have the next 70 years to hang out and annoy each other. But a YEAR...a FREAKIN YEAR? How do I do that? I have been told I'm lucky this is my first deployment...but I don't think any of us are lucky. This isn't a competition of whose life sucks the most. We are suppose to be a sisterhood that stands beside each other and helps to hold our families together while our "other half's" are away. I just want to make it through this year..I just want to hold my husband again....I wish I could just sleep the year away... But the fact is that a year is going to pass. That's all of our birthdays, an anniversary, Christmas, Thanksgiving, July fourth, Halloween, a New Years kiss.....everything. But I know I'm strong and I know I'll get through this. It's only a year...it's only a year..it's only a year.............