Just received my call....:(

[Jodie]

I just received the call from my husband that he is at basic. It was so scripted and cold. I was thrown off and just told him that I was glad he was safe, I knew I couldn't say it back but I loved him and to have fun.....I felt award about it all. Then I cried. A complete mess. I made it the whole day without breaking down and then bam, it's like it all became a reality. I wrote him a letter the moment I hung up and found that it actually helped me. I know he can't receive letters yet, but I can always send him any letters I write before then all at once or in multiple envelopes. One day down....63 more to go. I can't wait to receive his P.I.R date so I have an exact date to look forward too.
Any other ideas to keep occupied?

[Jodie]

I have completed a schedule of dinner and evening activities for the next three weeks to stay busy. (: I'll print off pictures during the weekends to include in letters. That's a good idea for the shirt! Might have to steal that :p I'm pretty much going with the floor of things. Not planning to far ahead because there is no guarantee. Ugh lol

[Sailorswife2716]

That's great! Your on top of it mama! My son and I spent a lot of time at the mall, target, and the park so your way more advanced than I was hahaha. But I did brave Disneyland alone for the first time with our son for his 2nd birthday and it wasn't bad at all. This has definitely taught me independence that's for sure lol. And I used to be a total planner and get anxiety over the unknown, but you learn how to adjust and not stress out as much. We'll be moving at the end of May but we have no idea where we're going to be stationed yet and we won't find out till a few weeks before... Gotta love the element of surprise lol.

[Jodie]

You're tougher than me. I don't think I would even think to attempt Disneyland. I wasn't made to be a single parent :( and that's what this feels like. I am working with my anxiety but my kids make it harder to handle because they want their daddy and I can't give him to them. All I want is an idea of when I'll be able to join him. I just know at this point it will be a long time...ugh.

[Sailorswife2716]

I guess it may be a little less difficult since I only have one little one, some days will be harder than others though and it'll feel like time is dragging :(. What is his rate? Do you know where he'll be going to a school?

[lemonelephant]

I'm sure you are asking about his contracted rating (job), not his rate (rank).

[Sailorswife2716]

Oh yes that is what I mean. I called his job his rate because that's what the admins on our a school facebook page use lol

[Sailorswife2716]

I've always heard rate(job) and rank so thanks for the clarification

[lemonelephant]

After the Sailor completes "A" School, rate and rating go together to make the rate badge and then many simply refer to that as the rate, ATAR, ATAA, ATAN, and so on, for example.

[lemonelephant]

Yep, it is a common mistake.

[Jodie]

He joined AECF. His schooling starts in Illinois and could continue there but there ate several other locations that could move him to complete his school. Such as Virginia or Maryland.

We have a four year old and a two year old. I am seven months pregnant and we have a great Dane......I work full time...so I am constantly busy. Haha my husband was a lot of help when he was here now I'm learning to handle it on my own. But I also have a heart condition so it makes things that much more difficult.

I will make it work. We wrote daddy letters today. I sent pictures to Walgreen's to have them printed :p so that we are all prepared to send some things off the moment we get his address.

I also made a count down for my girls today. It's an anchor that says "days until we see daddy" with links on it, so they can take a link off each day, and each link we take off means one day closer. Its to help our oldest daughter grasp the concept of time. (:

[Sailorswife2716]

Will you guys be able to move with him if his a school is over 6 months? Yeah it's a pretty big adjustment not having them home to help, our son is attached to my husband so it was pretty hard not having him here, thank god for facetime now because we have some sense of normalcy while he's away.

It does sound like you have your hands full, I'm sure your doing an amazing job holding down the fort though :) everything your doing sounds great especially with helping the girls understand as much as they can about this new lifestyle. It's just something you get into the groove of and you find how to make it work for your family. :)

[Jodie]

Supposedly, but they don't know the location of his C school. I can't wait for face time. My girls are going crazy already looking for their daddy. I told our four year old he is on an adventure for his new job. It's the easiest way to explain it to her.
Tonight I am feeling it a lot. I miss him and I don't really have friends. Sadly. So it just sucks lol