Changes

Life is always a big change. Nothing ever stays the same. In the life style we live that couldn't be more true. We don't only have the ever changing Navy work schedule to adopt to, or the changed return of an underway, or the lengthened deployment. These are can be especially difficult. Not just because it interrupts the flow of your daily routine or your plans, but because sometimes you need to drop everything to accommodate the changes. We recently dealt with it, but it was a nice surprise for the girls. They did not have a clue their dad was unexpectedly home again. We were not expecting him for another two weeks when I went and picked him up. It was difficult to manage only because everything had to pushed aside to make sure he wasn't left with no ride. Anyhow, we got him home and things have found a flow again. It seems no matter how hard you try to keep the same flow from when they were gone it just doesn't work. It always seems to change.

It didn't keep us from getting things done. We just had to move them around to different times to accommodate the abrupt change. I will say it is definitely nice that he came home early and we get a few extra days with him before he has to head back out. Not sure how many extra days it gives us, but it is more then we thought it was going to be in the first place. Living this life you get used to the unknown and the flexible schedules. Everything is subject to change even when you think it might be to late in the game for it to change. You learn to take it all at face value and remember it could change at any time. 

Every now and then we might get angry with how things are or how they effect our lives, but at the end of the day living this life has been such a blessing. The things it has allowed us to do, the countries we have been able to live in and visit have brought a better sense of culture for the girls. They have seen history in life and touched things from the past people only hear or see in a book. Mostly, because of the Navy making it possible....and maybe some bingo playing, too!! 

It brings on a lot of learning. Learning about yourself, your kids, family and friends. You learn to lean on yourself and you realize how strong and independent you really are. Although, there maybe times when you really don't feel that way. I know this is true for me a lot in the past. I think during his deployment when he first got here and deployed out with the ship. But it made me open my eyes are realize I am that strong person and I am independent. I can do life with him away. It isn't easy and man can it be lonely and stressful, but I can do it. We are quickly approaching another time where we will be living apart for several months. I am ready, to a point, if you can be ready for it. It will be different then the deployment.

You find a support system to put in place and surround yourself with friends who will help get through the tough days and weeks. You find enjoyment in the places where you may not have found it before. We like to celebrate all the things we don't really celebrate when we are all together. It gives us something fun to look forward to, but it also helps us to make it feel less hard. Being apart and far away from most of our family will always be hard, but we will forever be thankful for our life and the opportunities it has given us. 

We are stronger for it.......even apart!!