Fort Crap!!

Well I have many unhealthy horrible things to say about Fort Campbell. But ill try to keep it as simple as possible.

We are here. Living off base in Clarksville TN. Its ghetto and scary. Even if its all military. It doesn't mean they are all good. The ones in my area are annoying, loud and ghetto. We lost alot of housing allowance by moving here. We paid alot out of pocket by moving here. way more than we should have and more then we will get reimbursed.

The electric, gas and water require a 200 deposit. which is horrible. along with rent and rental deposit. Our home is about half the size of our last place. Very tiny. Ive also heard horrible things about the schools around here.

I hope that we will be on base by the time Taylor starts school.

The locals are very mean and the drivers are the worse. "king of the road" jerks that drive like idiots. There are no sidewalks. so its impossible to go on walks here. Its very cold. Very different then VA.

Greg's work isn't far. but traffic to get on base is crazy. it takes him a half hour to get 4 miles. so we spend more on gas. We tried to apply for a substance allowance but don't qualify. we need one more person or 100 dollars less on pay check. even though the GI bill takes that 100 a month. lame. Things are tight. We are the lowest financially we have been in a while. Hopefully when we move on base things will get back.

Since Money is a problem. We cant go visit Nashville (hr away) or do anything fun yet. We don't have anything at our house yet. Not until Jan 7. long time. So we are staying on an air mattress at our friends house across the street. We are lucky to have them. But because of  all this stress. Things have been tense. With Greg going from not living with us and only worrying about himself to. Living with us and 3 other people and working and sharing a car 24/7. Has been very hard.  Challenging on our relationship. I hope things get better. Right now things are stressfull.

Riley's hormone levels came back and are very low. So again more testing for her. Good news!!! YES. finally 1 thing good! Riley is being seen ON BASE HOSPITAL!!! Meaning better care and no out of pocket expenses for me. Thank God!!! Riley will be sent to Nashville children's hospital for testing at the endrocioloy once a month. and etc. Same as in VA.

I miss my friends in VA. I don't feel like myself here. I'm trying hard to get out of the negative zone. But everyday I'm throw into it. Things here just suck. Over time they will get better. but right now. They suck. lol

Pt sucks. They have it so early in the morning. Then Greg has to drive back home and drive back to the base for work. Wasting more gas. Irritating. Greg said on base he wants to get a bike so it will help us so much saving gas in the warmer seasons. There will be alot of good things once we get over this living off base crap over with. Only 6 months to go!!!!!!!

Christmas went well. We just hung out here at our friends house. First year I didn't have a tree. sad. but its done with. Next year will be better and bigger!!! At least I did the best I could for my girls and they had a good time.

New Years 2012! You Better Be Awesome.

Boxes and Boxes

One week left here in VA.Greg's last day of school was today. He doesn't get to leave his barracks but he is done with classes. He's beginning the prep for graduation. Taylor's last day of school is tomorrow. and Riley's last appt for here is tomorrow as well.

Movers come on Wednesday, Grad Thursday and leave Friday.

We are very nervous to see where we will be living for the next 3 years and to find out when Greg deploys. But Excited to start another chapter somewhere new.

I Hate Virgina. But I love the people I have met here on Base.I hope to remain friends. I will miss them all. Being alone for the last 5 months has been hard with 2 kids in a new place. Seeing Greg once or twice a week was rough and I'm so glad i had my friends here to help me make it through.

Here we come FT CAMPBELL!!!

Where do i begin??? ok lets keep this to the point or this thing could drag out forever.

Riley is in the middle of a long week of tests. 1 Result came back and she has "Constitutional Growth Delay" Which was horrible to hear that she has a disease. But after hearing what it is and how it will effect her life. I'm not ok with it. But it could be worse.  I myself had a delay of puberty so I'm not worried about that. and as long as she stays healthy she is fine. The doctors are worried that because she is so tiny. She doesn't have any fat storage. So if she gets sick. Its going to really affect her body. Causing her to shut down. Now untill she turns 4 its going to be the hardest to keep her healthy. As she is more interactive. Hopefully the rest of the tests come back good. And her other appts keep going fine. She still has severe Asthma. and will continue to be on the machine and medication for a while.

Taylor's last day of school is Dec 9th. She is very sad about it. There are no programs at Ft Campbell and since we will be living off post for the next year she will attend the local public Kindergarden next fall. Upsetting. but at least she got alot out of this last school.

We do not have a place in KY yet to live, so for the first week we will be staying with our friends the Mueller's, I hope it only takes us a week to find a home. At least they have offered us there couch. We are on a wait list for housing on post. 8 months out.

On Friday Greg will be done with his classes. and begin his out processing.
Dec 14- Movers will come take our stuff and store it in storage for 180 days
Dec 15- Greg graduates, Final Housing Inspection, and leave VA at 7pm.
12 hr drive to Campbell
Dec 16- Check in to Campbell and begin our search for a home.

Well That's what has been going on. Please keep your fingers crossed for us. From Riley's tests-to safe drive-to finding a home for Christmas.

Campbell???? Riley you have to stay.

Surprise!! Riley is Not doing well again

EKG results came back. Lungs are in severe distress. Doctors say its mostly because of her asthma, weather and allergies. That initially came from her being induce while lungs were still devopling.  so Riley is put now on a nebulizer along with steroids and others twice a day, if not more. She is going to be having this asthma the rest of her life most likely.

I have all the equipment at home. so i only have to take her in 1 time a week to the hospital. bad news on that is that because of her health Campbell might not be where we are headed to anymore.

No housing for us. and the Army wont send us there unless we are on base within 5 miles of the hospital. The EFMP is suppose to guarantee that we get housing. The main office in Washington is so backed up with applications and requests, that with us leaving in 20 days. its not enough time to approve us So Greg must go to his head command here before Wednesday and request a letter to the Army Washington office demanding a house for us. or Greg's job in Campbell is gone.

Options if this doesn't happen. Branch office says that Greg will either deploy for a year while we stay here in VA. and wait for Campbell housing (no shorter deploy, all aviation is a year) or we might be going to a new base that has housing. But they said moving base isn't likely. Campbell on orders, Campbell it will be. But who really knows. I really don't know what is all going to happen. all i know is that we have to be out of this house by Dec 15th. and where we go is who knows????

Pretty crazy all just because Riley. Poor baby.

Tough times

Well we found out where we are moving to. I'm not too happy. This means lower chance of us visiting family. And possibly not going home for Christmas.

I'm stuck alone doing 100 things. looking for places to live.etc. If you have ever done a military pcs. They are the hardest things in the world. I have no support from my husband. Being 1 he is being a total know it all jerk and 2 he is still in school and cant help. Again face to do it all.

He is so excited to go becuase he wanted KY. That I cant even be upset. I'm so upset. Im sooo stressed. and just like last time oh well. Christy must do it. I really want to just say. "nope you do it. I'm flying the girls home for Christmas. you figure it all out. you do all this." I'm soooo tempted.

Riley isn't doing well again. what a surprise. She is put on EFMP so that no matter where we are she will get the help and treatment she needs. It seems people have forgotten and lost care that Riley has and is still struggling. That sometimes i could use the support.

Taylor got her report card. All greats except science. I'm very proud of her. She is going to be devastated when i pull her from school. And she wont be able to return till the new school yr.

I really wish the Army moved people to places that have houses. 8 months living in a hotel. Isn't going to be fun.

Boxes Again !?!?

Well here we go again, its been only 3 months and as i knew this time would come. It is here. Time to pack up and move. Just as the previous move damages were fixed. Ready to do it all again? Hell no. But I am ready to have a home. Still waiting on finding out where we are going. Maybe its a good thing. Saving the best for last? i sure hope so.

I don't know where ill be living, how long ill be in a hotel. when Greg will start work. Where Christmas will be. When we can buy our girls Christmas presents. But I'm sure with each passing day it will get easier. But first as many know. It has to get to the worst.

Up dates on the girls:

Taylor Can now write her name without looking. a little scribble but she gets it done. she knows over half the alphabet in sign language. Tell you who illustrates, what an author is. She can tell you sooo much with only being 4 yrs old. Conversations with her run for hrs. She has sooo many friends. Every weekend a new birthday party. She has become the little socialite.

Riley is doing so much better in health. she had a huge growth spurt. she weighs at 17 lbs now. Is wearing 12 month old clothes. (9 month pants) Her vocab is amazing. "Elephant, apple, squirrel, etc." She loves to sing and is always singing "The Hot Dog song" even when its not on. She is crazy smart.

Greg: Has started FTX last Sunday. Which is 2 weeks of training. EOC test (final PT) and much more. These 2 weeks he can not talk or see us. He does though get the 4 day off. which his group is lucky. He is 3rd in his class and his GPA is 95.5. He does weekend combatives. And of course you all know he is 1st place in that. He has a competition on Dec 3rd. I'm so proud of him. He spends little time with us. But when he is here its all about the girls. Greg is very happy. He loves what he is doing.

Halloween was great. The best we have ever had. A whole week of fun. We attended so many things. And got a crazy large amount of candy. The girls had so many events they wore multiple costumes. lol. Riley was a pro at the trick or treating. and of course Taylor was 2 houses ahead of us. Great part was a last min surprise which was Greg got to go with us.

As for me. I have been off and on sick. Which Black mold has been found to be the cause. Housing is coming to "clean" but I'm just ready to leave. My doctor has me detoxing off my meds. which sucks. because i am having bad head aches. but good for my body. I hate to say it but Ive gotten so great at being a single mom. I can do anything and everything now. but sadly i miss my husband all the time.
I hide it well. but at night i cry. and I'm sure once he is overseas i wont hide it so well. but this is the life we made and we are doing it the best we can.

The girls are so happy and my husband is happy. So i guess i can be too. Just not today..... Thank god for my busy life. It makes me forget how alone and neglecting to myself i am.

Still crossing my fingers for COLORADO or WASHINGTON or TEXAS!!!

Weekends- we'll take it!

We had a great weekend in Washington DC. Definitely one of the best trips ever. We stayed in Waldorf Maryland and took the Metro train in everyday. we saw everything! Its still amazes me that a few months ago. I never could have thought that this would be my new life.

The trip had alot of funny moments. Greg and I have had very little time together this year. and when we are together its all miss yous and goodbyes. Its been hard. Going from seeing each other everyday to not seeing each other. To seeing each other only on the weekends. And pretty soon back to not seeing each other. But because of this we have both become very self-efficient. Greg, in school and at work. acing all his tests and trying hard to get up the rank. Me, busy being "mom" doing everything for the girls 24/7. And maintaining the house and etc. Well this weekend, we found it very awkward to combine our talents. But after a few speed bumps we recovered into a steady pace. We kicked ass. lol

Now of course its back to the reg routine. I miss him already. The girls are great at this now. Sad, but they know daddy works and he'll be home when he can. They don't ask when he's coming anymore. They just get surprised when we pick him up. He always spoils them rotten on the weekends. It will be good, because when he deploys. It wont be so hard on them.

Hopefully in a few weeks we find out our next Duty Station!!!

Halloween here sucks on base. its on Monday the 31st at 300pm-430pm. THAT'S IT!!! lame. very sucky for us. Considering most people will be at work still. And going trick or treating off base isn't going to happen. Lets just say "ghetto" is best described as the area surrounding.

There is a major breakout of pneumonia at Taylor's school. 2 kids from her bus stop are in the hospital for it. My kids too are already coughing. I'm praying hard they don't get it again. Without Greg this time. It will be very hard for us. I went and stocked up on Medicine and juice for them. The weather here of course isn't in my favor as well.

Taylor had her school Pictures, which you all will be receiving the soon!!!

We are very excited to be going to NC for Michael's 2nd Bday in Nov. It will be nice to see some family. we sure have missed everyone alot!!!!

Mixed Emotions

Its been a few weeks, Hectic and fast. Taylor is loving school. Greg is 1/2 way done with school. Ive gotten really used to this military life style now. i think its growing on me. threre's so many benefit's that out weigh the negative right now.

I have gotten sick. started with migraines that progressed into a something more. I am on antibiotics and pain meds right now. I am getting a CT scan in the middle of Oct. so we'll find out more then. of course Riley had her first check up and even though i brought all her medical records showing that even with her size she is healthy and OK, its not enough. she has blood work and another Hormone growth test and a IGF-1. in Oct as well.

So sick of the weather here. seems like every time I'm watching a good show on TV  a tornado alert warning is flashing. the rain the thunder lightening 100 degree heat with humidity is the worse ever. I swear i never want to come back here again. this weather so so unpridictable.

Greg's graduation date went up a month, instead of Jan 24th its now Dec 16th. as most of you know that means we will be moving during the Christmas week. not so great with the roads, weather and unavailable hotel options. but we will figure it out. I'm happy to get of of VA. we will find out where we will be living for the next 2 years and when Greg will be deploying in a few weeks. That's right Greg will definitely be deploying. I'm getting OK with the idea right now, but when its time who knows what ill be going through then.

For everyone who doesn't know, Sunday night my cousin Garrett Fant. born in Napa. grew up in Lake Tahoe. was killed in Afghanistan by an enemy IED. (land mine) his body is back here in the states and his mom is in the process of funeral arrangements. He was a 3 year infantry US Army soldier. Stationed out of Ft Riley KS. He was only 21 years old.  Due to the recent change for me. i feel that its best for me and my girls to not attend his funeral in Tahoe. But this has definitely done some emotional damage for me and Greg.

Greg starting this last weekend now officially has gold pass. which if you don't know allows him to stay the night on Friday and Sat. which if you don't know i see him only for 4 usually. We are very happy to have him around more. it sure gets lonely all week without him.

I have luckily stayed busy with my new friends here. I have met many wives that are helpful, kind and funny. And fun to be around. It will be sad when i move, but on the bright side ill meet new ones.

Mixed, tossed, and trown into what they call the ARMY

Well its been a while. Its now been a whole month since I've been here in Virgina. And a crazy month it has been. When i first got here the house the army put me in was a disaster. Everything was broken, cockroaches, and the ceiling came through with a busted pipe into the kitchen. I was mentally unprepared for that. But i quickly gained control. I within the first week moved to the other side of the base to the more "retirement" area. I love my house. and so do my kids. Its newly remodeled 3 bedroom home. Perfect for my family.

Not being able to live with Greg is hard. and barley seeing him is worse. Theres been a few days when i get no contact at all. and those days are hard to get through. So far Virgina is not the place i wanna live. Its extremely expensive, take every item you buy and add .50 cents. it doesn't sound like much. but when you add it all up. Your shopping bill is a lot larger. and right now we are living pay check to pay check, and to think we are moving again in 4 1/2 months sucks. considering we pay all up front for moving costs.

Another part that was horrible was not having anything when i got here. I had to go buy towels, a blanket and the little things you don't realize you need until your in an empty house for a month without anything. Nothing.... we slept on the floor for 22 days. The worse part was cooking with nothing and when Taylor or Riley would have a pee accident and I would have to go to the laundry mat. Entertaining the girls with nothing wasn't easy. We hung out at the library everyday. But the next move we are driving together and i have made a list of all the items i have needed when i first got here. so i will be packing these the car with us.

Finally the week that my stuff got here, i was so excited. but of course that changed quickly when i saw how my stuff arrived. My couch lining on the back was totally ripped off. staples and all. Riley's new crib that she used was warped. and Taylor's bed well it never came. I am missing 4 kitchen boxes, which contains my blender, pans, cups, baking sheets. Rugs are missing, All the outside stuff is missing. The cups i did get were broken. my washer is broken. and some other small issues. Hopefully i get some of these replaced soon.  In this week i also got to experience my first Earthquake. it was actually pretty intense. i was in the bathroom upstairs and when the shaking started knocking my perfume bottle to the ground, i then realized what it was and ran to my girls. It lasted a good 15 seconds. A few days later hurricane Irene hit. The worse thing that has ever happened. I was prepare for anything. but at the same time. not even knowing what to expect or even seen a hurricane before was scary. A little flooding occurred in the house. damage to the side of the house outside and trees down in the front was all that happened to me. Power was back on the next day. Thank god i live on a base!!!!! and 2 days later Greg was able to see us.

Finally Greg got a 4 day weekend and was able to spend the night! The weekend was crazy packed with activities. We went to Busch Gardens, Yorktown, Williamsburg. & The zoo.  It was so nice to have him all to myself with no time limit, no rules. Just us again.  After a month it was so great and relaxing. i slept the best i have in 6 months. just knowing in my head that he was there, That i didn't have to do it all alone for 4 days. god it was amazing. But it ended and I'm alone again.

Now we are in a routine. We see Greg on some weekends for a couple hrs and an hr or so on some weekdays after hes out of school.

Taylor started school today, it was a long process to get her accepted. But it was well worth it. She started 2 days after the rest of the school. not bad! she will attend till we move. Its a very different thing for her. its all day which is new. 730-300. Theres 900 kids that attend her school. Its a very large school. very different from her 20 kids old school in Tahoe. She has a desk and a cafeteria. which she didn't have before. She gets to ride the school bus. She is so happy about that. The school is 1 mile away, which is so awesome. In Tahoe it was all the way at the Y, which if you know Tahoe you know there are alot of stop lights to get there. and if it was a Holiday weekend or snowing, it sucked. and alot of gas. The bus stop is also wonderful, its right outside my front door. Its hard to leave anywhere in the morning. And its very loud with all the kids outside. But its great for me on these raining fall days. Taylor and Riley went to their first dentist appt. Riley did freaking awesome,  They will go to their first pediatrician here tomorrow at the on base medical center.

Goodbye Cali

Well tomorrow is my last day in California. I'm totally freaking out! My house items, basically everything i own is a week out and on its way to VA. My car left on a truck, on its journey Sunday. All that's left is me, my girls and 2 suitcases. To know that i will not potentially never live in California again, is scary. 11 hr flight is next. who knows after that.

7 years ago i met a family. a big family. a terrific, awesome family. who welcomed  with loving arms to a broken girl struggling to find love for herself. Not ever believing she could love others too.  i have never felt so comfortable with a group of people. not even my own family. not even my own mother. for 7 years I have called  a women my mom. my friend. and it was so hard to say goodbye to her. way harder then i have ever thought it would be. Sandra is this women. she has made such an impact in my life. and i will always love her and 3800 miles away ill still need her. I will need these people forever. and i hope they stay in my life.

I don't have many Tahoe friends. so saying goodbye is a little easy there. I don't like the snow, the construction, the tourists, the ski bums, the casinos, the gambling. or the cold lake. Yet i will miss Tahoe sooo much. I have been so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. i met my husband at this romantic place. I married my best friend at this place. I gave birth to 2 beautiful girls at this place. i will never forget this place.

As for Virgina, I admit i have absolutely no idea what the heck I'm doing. I'm going day by day. All i know is, ill be with my husband, at least close. And I'm in a whole new crazy adventure. i don't know where ill be 6 months from now. and its scary. but this is it. this is my life. i will embrace it.

The world is spinning and so am I

So the plans are set, and the bags are packed. July 27th the movers come to my storage and pick up my stuff. 3 weeks then it will arrive at my new place in VA. My car then gets shipped out soon following. My flight leaves Aug 3rd at 7am. I have a rental car ready for me at the airport to go to Fort Eustis. I will stay at General Smalls inn on base for the night and in the morning. I will see my love and see my new house. it will take weeks to get everything together but i will. and then we will be ready to move again. love the Army life. Nothing is ever set in stone and my life will always be flip flopped around but i have my babies and i have my husband and a roof over our heads!!!!

Distance + Alone = Sad

So the last few days have been harder than Greg being at BCT. I'm not sure why. but its more hurtful knowing i could be there but cant. knowing he's able to hang out, chill. and i am so far away. raising the girls alone is driving me nuts. I don't want to be a single mom and yet for the last 3 1/2 months i have been. Some where down this road its suppose to get easier, get more stable and normal. When? I love my family and its hurting so have such separate lives so far apart. I just cant wait to have a home again. together......

3800 miles but getting closer

Hello Family and Friends,

This is my first post of our family blog. As many of you know my husband joined the Army. Which has been a roller coaster of rules, letters, 5 min phone calls, i miss yous and tears.

BCT was fast. 10 weeks of hell for Greg. But he made it through in the top 10 of his class. Goodbye Fort Jackson. And hello to AIT in Virgina. 28 weeks of school and work for Greg. Good news! I'm going along for the ride. We are in the process of moving there. Its a lot of work. Housing, transportation, movers, storage, and 10 hr plane rides. Its a long road but hopefully we get there soon.

AVIATION- As most know Greg's job title (MOS) is helicopter weapons repairer (15J) he was so happy to get this job. His end goal is to get into flight school. Another long process but hopefully he gets there. and he is on the right path, starting with getting into Warrant Officer School. fingers crossed.

Virgina, what can i say the weather sucks, rude people and am 3800 miles away from you all. Its a change. and we are going to  have to get used to it. 7 months and we are off to another place. so really its ok for now.

Taylor and Riley, surprisingly they are doing great with all the changes. They did so well on the plane rides and the 6 hr drive from SC to VA. They amaze me! Daddy saw Riley Bear walk for the first time on June 29th. He cried with happiness. It was the best moment ever. Its been so great to have my best friend back. 10 weeks was far to long.