5 Weeks to Wheels Up

We are 5 weeks away from heading off on the adventure of our lives - PCS to Naples, Italy.  And every day is accounted for!

Currently my husband is at the War College in Newport, RI until just two weeks prior to our departure.  Because of the Navy's infinite wisdom, we must fly him home on our own dime during those two weeks and then back to Newport, so he can then meet us in Dulles and fly together overseas...yes, that means I get to shlep the excess baggage for four of us and coral my kiddos to fly across the country.  No, they won't just change his ticket to fly from home.  "That's not what the orders read."  Oh well...luckily I have mad travel skills :)

This week will be a bittersweet one.  I am leaving a company I have worked for for nearly 15 years.  I have a highly successful career in project management for a leading defense contractor.  I met my husband here, I have great friends here and it is difficult to believe I will no longer be employed.  I've worked since I was 16 years old for crying tears!

But I tell everyone I'm getting a promotion.  Stay at home, military wife!  I'm not done working, I'm just done getting paid!

So the next few weeks look like this:

Week 1:

• Last days of work, lots of parties, lunches and lots of work!  Much needs to be handled before I leave
• Birthday/Bon Voyage party for our daughter whose birthday is in August, but won't be able to celebrate with her friends

Week 2:

• Unaccompanied Baggage move
• 2nd Long Term Storage move
• Funeral for my husband's grandma
• Survey for our HHG (HouseHold Goods Overseas) move
• Going away brunch with my bible study gals
• Going away lunch with the fellow growth group wives

Week 3:

• Travel to see my mom with the kids (Grandma's house!) and my break :)

Week 4:

• Husband comes home! 
• HHG Move!
• Beg friends for towels and some sleeping bags so we can camp out in our own home :)

Week 5:

• Camp out in our empty home
• School parties for my kids
• Husband goes back to Newport
• Have house cleaned and prepped for renters
• Travel to Italy!

I have to just take one step at a time every day to keep sane.  I have so many little things to do to prepare for the big things, and so many big things that affect the little things.  I have lists everywhere - most are in my head.

It's a difficult time now, but I can't wait to see what our new life holds.  I feel like everything is going to change in my life.  My career, my roles as mom and wife, my hobbies (maybe I'll have some now) my time, my schedule, what I wear from day to day, everything will be different, new and reinvented.  

As I launch this new blog, I pray you might be encouraged by a fellow wife, mommy and woman that is navigating through a new life with faith and courage.  Godspeed!