For those of you who have not seen this on facebook, here is Hunter's brick he had painted in honor of Chad. Granbery Elementary, Hunter and Courtney's school, encourages the students to participate in Accelerated Reader. There are various steps and incentives along the way to earning 150+ points and getting a brick painted anyway they like in the school's library. Hunter and Courtney have both earned free books this year. Additionally, Hunter has been to a pizza party and recently, was awarded his "brick" along with an invitation to the "AR Bash".
Earlier this school year, Hunter was convinced he would have the brick painted with the "Ghostbuster" symbol and a karate gi to represent two things he really loves. When he earned his 150 points, however, he changed his mind and came up with a design of an aircraft carrier and the America flag. This is his tribute to Chad and his time on the USS Eisenhower; what a legacy for Hunter to leave at Granbery as we prepare to move to North Carolina. Chad and I are very proud of Hunter's hard work and touched by his thoughtfulness towards Chad's service.
Earlier this school year, Hunter was convinced he would have the brick painted with the "Ghostbuster" symbol and a karate gi to represent two things he really loves. When he earned his 150 points, however, he changed his mind and came up with a design of an aircraft carrier and the America flag. This is his tribute to Chad and his time on the USS Eisenhower; what a legacy for Hunter to leave at Granbery as we prepare to move to North Carolina. Chad and I are very proud of Hunter's hard work and touched by his thoughtfulness towards Chad's service.
Hi Angie. I found your blog through Wives of Faith. Just irionically it was the one that stood out to me. I also am a mom to 3(2 boys ages 4 and 6 and a daughter, 8) and we live in NC. My husband was Navy for 8 years in Gulf War 1. He has been out for 12 years and last year was approved to go back in as an officer candidate for the Army(Navy was not taking candidates). He leaves in 8 weeks for officers school. We are starting on this journey and I enjoyed reading through a bit of your blog. Here is my blog address and maybe we can connect once you are here in NC. www.momentsfromthemadness.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Laurie
Angie,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you left me a message. I told my husband about your family this morning on our way to church. I have been very hesitant to reach out and meet people becuase this has been such an unpredictable road. It took a year before he was granted his officer's candidacy and I hear and have experienced, so far, that Army life is quite unpredictable.
We are getting much closer now to his leaving but I still find that if I think about it too much I just panic. I read about "that" day for you guys and just cried for you. Hearing you say how much stronger you all are since has really helped me stay positive.
I am sure once he actually leaves survival mode kicks in. With three small children it isnt hard to stay busy, but I am sure the lonliness and worry are so tough.
We live just outside of Charlotte. You are moving very close to the capital of NC, Raleigh. We lived in that area for about 3 years. If you are used to Nashville you will probably be happy in the Raleigh/Cary area. It isn't as fast-paced or as big as Nashville, but it is beautiful, friendly and great for families. They have lots and lots of fun things to do.
Our daughter was born at Rex Hospital(about 10 miles from you) and we loved living in that area.
Charlotte is about 2 hours from you and we often will take our train-loving 4-year-old and hop on the AMTRAK train and ride your way.
I get the feeling from reading your blog that your husband may be coming home soon. Was his deploy for 6 months? You're right about it being hard not being around people who are going through what you are. Even though it hasn't started for us yet I still find that in our preperations for our children(they go to year round school so will start school one week after he leaves) at school and activities that it is a foreign type of life for people away from a base.
I get a lot of questions and comments that are hard to answer that I doubt you get when you are around others going through the same things.
Why the move to NC? Is he getting out or going reserve?
Your family is also beautiful and thank you to your husband for his service and thank you to you and your family for your sacrifice.
Knowing that my hubbie was on a ship for so many years before we met I am so grateful to your husband and doctors like him who are able to use their training and knowledge to be there for them should they need a doctor or surgeon. I know you must be so proud of him and he proud of you.
In the Navy Scott worked in the nuclear area. Since leaving and going to college he has a degree in construction engineering and an MBA so while he really wants to work for the Army Corps of Engineer he doesnt know if they will have any openings once he gets to OCS.
Part of me really wants to live near a base and then part of me really doesnt. I guess there are positives and negs about both.
I really appreciate your blog as it was nice to see someone else starting this journey around the same season of life. I find a lot of women go through this but most are newly married or have one very young child when they go through their first deploy. It is very different, as you know, when you have three children who were not born into the military way of life and don't quite understand what is happening to their life.
I am 32 and have been married 11 years. While there might be some similarities in our expereince it will be hard for me to relate to a newly married woman with no children.
Did you feel that way? I think that is the main reason I havent reached out yet.
I would be so grateful to hear anything you have found to be helpful for the children coping.
Please email me and let me know more about when you are moving. I have family close by where you are moving and some friends who know the in's and out's of the Raleigh area. I think you will be very happy there. :)
DudleyFamily@Carolina.rr.com
Hope to talk again soon. :)
Blessings,
Laurie