Prepare for Chaos and Stress

...otherwise known as PCS. ;)

I thought it would be fun as a Coastie Wife that's fairly new to the game (only 3 years) to document the fun surrounding a PCS or Permanent Change of Station. Moving with 2 kids and a dog is sure to be entertaining, right?

To get you up to speed, we found out in November where we're going. Many Coasties that are transferring haven't found out yet, and they'll report in the summertime. The time surrounding the call from the detailer can be insanely stressful. The AD member is anxious to hear their fate, and the spouse is anxious to start (or continue) research. Of course during this time, you're enduring countless calls from friends and family members asking, "Do you know anything yet?" "Have you guys heard where you're going?" Or, my personal favorite, "Are you guys going to be closer?"

You now join this PCS all ready in progress...

We were so lucky to know early in the game where we're going. Well, I thought so, anyway. Turns out, in our situation, finding out early means reporting EARLY. The unfortunate thing about this whole PCS process is that it turns into the removal of the biggest, most painful Band-Aid ever. Instead of one quick rip and you're all done, we've been dealing with the torture of slow removal. Hair by hair being painfully pulled, eyes stinging with tears, the anxiety that there's more to come, knowing that sometime in the future it'll all be over and you can get on with things...

Here's where we currently stand:

I've been looking at homes and schools since November. At that point we thought we were going to be leaving in April. I allowed myself to get drawn in by available rental homes that were snatched up. It was unrealistic of me to even be looking. Then we heard that there was a possibility of early departure from our current location. Now we're about a month out from leaving. Military housing isn't currently placing families where we're headed, leaving me to shop around online for a rental home. Oh, and we're over 2500 miles away from our destination.

My husband is SO excited about reporting. He's ready to get underway and experience the sea-going side of the CG. He's been working at an Airstation since he finished boot camp and A-school. His dedication and excitement is infectious. (Not to mention really attractive.)

My excitement is brewing, but so is my anxiety. I haven't been a boat wife yet. I'm codependent. Don't laugh. I'm one of those wives that cannot imagine getting through the day without her husband. My kids and I will be learning coping skills, how to stick to a routine, and most importantly, how to celebrate homecomings in the next couple years.

Be looking for my next installment, hopefully documenting successfully finding a home... Hopefully...