Hello all - I guess I'll jump in here. My DH is a Lt (navy) in the Canadian Forces and we've been living the life for 5 years now. He joined late, after he had worked in the private sector for 10+ years and we are still relatively new to the military culture. Still, we are learning, all the time. DH has been away a LOT since joining. Probably about 2+ years of training away and a 7 month deployment in Afghanistan. He was away 11 months during our DD's 2nd year of life - so, I guess I've BTDT with solo parenting. Also, as you mention Leanna Doula, it's the constant uncertainty that really wears you down.
We are currently in limbo waiting for our posting which we expect to come any day now and which will probably move us to another province. Like Leanne, I am expecting in August, so not totally thrilled to be moving and starting a whole new life with a new babe, but trying to look on the exciting, adventurous side of it. I just want to know what is in store so I can start making plans, doing the work, feeling somewhat in control. But, the sad thing is, in this life we are never in control because things can always change unexpectedly. I am trying to learn how to live with that.
I haven't had much luck finding friendship in our military community. I do have a great group of (non-military) friends, but they don't always relate to why we are doing this. In fact, a lot of my friends are kind of anti-military and I understand that to a certain extent. It would be nice to know some people who understand the paradoxical life of the crunchy military wife. I reached out a lot while DH was overseas, and found I had very little in common with most of the military wives. Also, I found the family deployment services seriously lacking. For example, they offer some respite childcare for the parent at home, but they engage a company of babysitters with the most poorly-trained, frankly awful sitters you could imagine. Some of the difference boils down to education and background, but some of it is just a different set of expectations in relationships. I don't know, I'm still trying to figure it out.
Okay, I guess that's about it for now. Nice to have found you all.
You guys were hard to find. I've posted on the discussion threads previously, but it's been a while. Anyway, my dh is in the Army and we are currently stationed at Fort Bliss, TX. We have 3 kiddos, ages 7.5, almost 4, and 15 months. Fort Bliss/El Paso isn't the greatest place to live, but so far I like it. The schools in our area are terrible though, so we homeschool. I'm finding more and more that their is a "crunchy" scene, but you have to look for it.
My best friend wants to be there, but lives in Mpls, MN, so the timing might get tricky. I'm also thinking of having my Mom there but we'll see. It would be nice to have some alone time w my DH and LO at the beginning, too. I guess I have no idea who I want to be there at this point!
