The two month checkup and countdown

Chad had his two month well baby checkup yesterday! He weighed in at 12 pounds, 1.5 ounces and measured almost 24 inches long. He also got his first round of vaccines (poor little guy! He did really well, considering.) 

Our little guy has been smiling and cooing more and building up leg strength. He is working on rolling over (and gets especiallly close when he's mad!)

As Chad turns two months old, Joe and I are counting down! Two months left until Joe's five year Navy enlistment ends. His official last day is September 7, but we are hoping he may be able to take leave before that so we can have time to move. Our prayer, hope, and plan is that Joe will be able to find a job in Oklahoma so we can be near family.

Navy Life: He Signed Me Up, Too

September 2004 was an important month for me, though I was completely unaware of what was going on at the time. A young and handsome twenty year old was signing five years of his life over to the Navy. Though he didn't know it, he signed me up too.

Before I say anything else, I don't want anyone to think that I see my role, being at home, as being the same or more difficult than Joe's. I've seen bumper stickers around base that say "Navy Wife- Toughest Job in the Navy" and while I respect that thought, I personally don't agree with it. Joe leaves practically everything behind- save what he can pack in a large duffel bag, and leaves to go out on the sub- for as long as they tell him he's going to be gone. He's stuck in a closed environment with the same people all the time-some people who he is very close to, some people who probably drive him crazy. No personal space, very few comforts, long work hours, intense pressure, and leaving "real life" behind to honor his commitment. Country before family is a reality to him. Not because he wants it to be, because it has to be.

Anyway, the past three plus years I've learned that my life is the Navy life too. Sometimes I feel like I'm better cut out for it than other wives and girlfriends. I've always had an independent streak that likes to do my own thing and have time to myself.

Other times I feel the sting, the loneliness, the frustration at having no control over Joe's schedule (including whether he'll be home for the birth of our baby), and all of a sudden realizing that it's been a really long time since someone gave me a hug.

God has taught me a lot through this season of Navy life... I've learned what a sacrifice it really is for those who serve in the military. I appreciate Joe more and get a true sense of joy when I am reunited with him after a long separation. God has helped me to not stress over when I don't have control of my circumstances, I never really do anyway!

Even though he signed me up for the Navy too, I wouldn't give him up for anything.

the good things... of Navy life

Just thinking today about how many things there are that I am thankful for about Joe's job in the Navy. I know that these are things I'll miss when his enlistment is done.

Some of the great benefits...

- Spacious housing with utilities included

- Living 5 minutes away from the gym, post office, and commissary (military grocery store)

- The gym- it's free (including all the exercise classes)

- The commissary- I love shopping here to save money!

- The opportunity to live in beautiful Washington state.

- FREE health care (including doctor visits and all prescriptions)

- The chance to go to Japan, my first trip out of the country. (Maybe my next trip will be Hawaii! There's a sub base there too...)

- Our fully paid move to the West Coast. I got to sit around and watch the movers pack and then unpack our stuff.

- Military discounts for all sorts of stuff (entertainment, cell phone, hotels, food, clothes, you name it.)

And the more intangible things...

- Being thankful for all the time I get to spend with Joe.

- Learning how to handle the unexpected- we never really know for sure what Joe's schedule is going to be.

- Through deployment I learned a lot about unconditional love and patience.

- Being proud of Joe because he works a lot and has learned so much over the past 3+ years.