Life Lately

My blog this month has become like  my relationship with my grandmother.  I mean to call once a week or at least once a month but life gets crazy and time just seems to disappear.  I really do love her and want to talk to her and update her on my life but the longer I put off the phone call, the more guilt I have for that call taking so long.  So here I am, shamefully dialing her number, feeling bad but knowing she loves me anyways :) Right?  Sorry blog, I promise to do better.

Life lately has been hectic but a little monotonous for the most part.  I feel like my family is in a "grind" season.  Every week we are working towards being on a better schedule, getting more accomplished and when Will and I do get a little bit of time on Friday night for a movie, we are both usually catching flies fifteen minutes into the new James Bond movie for the fifth time because we cant seem to get through that stinkin movie.

In our short time of being South Carolina residents, I have been reminded of how much I LOVE the south.  While I am a Jersey girl at heart, nothing warms my soul like some sweet tea and smocked children's outfits.  It just feels friendly everywhere you go down here.  We have moved about 30 minutes away from one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the country.  However, fun fact, not all of the surrounding areas of Charleston have the pastel colored beach houses and waterfront views.  There are actually some parts right around this amazing city that are just a little on the plain and not so fancy side, but are a very convenient distance from the Navy base.  While I knew we were moving into a very cookie cutter, suburban house, a good distance from downtown; for some reason I expected to see palm trees and cobblestone leading up to our neighborhood and was even hoping to get a whiff of the ocean from my driveway.  Yes, I was a little unrealistically disappointed on moving day.  Fortunately that feeling didn't last long knowing we weren't too far from that magical place everyone raves about.

Most days feel like the epitome of the early years of motherhood.  The race of meals, naps, toys and bath time.  The abrupt transition from catching a nap while my parents play with the kids, to praying that naps are in sync so I can catch a shower was a rude awakening for me.  Big Will has been way busier with school than any of us anticipated.  He ends up just being home a couple hours for dinner most evenings and then heads back to study till late.   This part of training has been a really big challenge for him and it has really made me feel the need to help him in any way I can.  School is more important than me getting help with the kids right now so I try my hardest to just greet him with a warm meal, some encouragement and a swift kick back out the door to go study more.

Even though we really don't eat out much in trying to save money and since two years old and seven months old is not really a prime age to be frequenting restaurants, we have been able to check out downtown a few times.  We took on King St while Wills parents were in town and let me tell you, the reviews were spot on.  Not only do you have all of the best shopping you could ever ask for but they are all nestled between the most beautiful old buildings.  The food, the shopping, the ocean, the houses; it is seriously the most breathtaking town I have ever encountered!! I am so excited to experience more of Charleston during our time here.  One of the few restaurants we checked out downtown was an upscale barbecue place and I am quite convinced that it was designed by Chip and Joanna Gaines.  I mean, what is better than shiplap and pulled pork??

After a recommendation from Wills speech therapist, I knew as soon as we moved here I wanted to get Will in some sort of mothers day out program.  For some reason the north has not caught onto the whole idea of MDO.  It seems to be that it is daycare or nothing.  A real travesty if you ask me.  My Mama heart was not ready for this but I knew the socialization and structure would help his speech.  Frankly, I also knew he was getting a little bored with Brother and I, and was dying for some play time with other kids.  Fortunately after a little searching we found a fantastic Mothers Morning Out program at a local church that was just the perfect fit for us.  We were able to ease into it with just two days a week.  I was not sure how he would handle this new environment for four hours a day but he tries to ditch me as soon as we get in the building and dart off to his class.  He also insists on going back and blowing kisses to his teachers as we are leaving.  It is just the best feeling seeing someone else love on your baby so well!!

The past two months have been all about finding our new "normal", not only being in a new area but also getting used to living as a family of four.  Its been all about trying to get back to the gym, getting a little more frugal, meal planning, cleaning and all that fun stuff.  Some might call it boring, but Im not going to lie, I love a good to-do list and a little cleaning.  However, laundry, I could do without.  While it is exciting to have new adventures to plan, it still has us a bit out of our comfort zone.  God has really tugged at my heart to trust in His timing when it comes to the getting plugged in and the overwhelming parts of being in a new area. I know this is a season and with that is just more challenges that make me realize I need to stay hungry for God and His word.  He is the only one who NEVER lets me down.  On the tough days I can remember that He is molding me and shaping me.  This transition has not been super easy but I really do think the Lord has just been comforting me and coming in exactly when I need it.  It also helps that I have a mom and three sisters that I can call and talk their ear off when I need someone to drink my nap time coffee with!

This update was little all over the place, but I guess you could say I am a little all over the place.  Thanks for being patient with me and my little blog! Stay tuned for our next update or crazy adventure!

10 Things

I have collaborated with some of my fellow Navy OCS loved ones and come up with this little list of things we really wish someone had told me before sending our sailors off to OCS.  I know that there are going to be many parts of Navy life harder that Wills time spent in Rhode Island but I would like to think of this first obstacle a special little challenge!  Am I pro at this? Absolutely not! But had I known some of these tid bits, OCS would have been much less full of surprises!  So here is, 

10 Things I Wish Someone had Told me Before OCS

1. Expect Zero Contact in Week One

I wish there was someone that could have grabbed my face and said "Chelsea, he has not forgotten about you, he simply doesn't have a phone and can't send mail yet" during the first week. Mail is very slow for them and it feels like that first letter is never going to come, but when it does it is GLORIOUS.   Their first week is a blur and while SOME people end up getting a phone call or some how send mail right away, for the sake of everyones sanity, just assume that week one will be a communication cleanse for you and your LO.

2. Facebook Groups are Lifesaving

Just at the end of week one when I had spent two hours googling any information I could get my hands on about OCS and had just about given up; I found a OCS Friends and Family Group.  This network of people was probably my most valuable resource the entire 15 weeks Will was away.  It was moms, dads, wives, girlfriends and anyone wanting to keep up with their sailors along the way.  Not only did it give me updates, but there were files and instructions for Candio Boxes, graduation and even the proper way to send letters.  An added bonus to this group was when I showed up to Newport for graduation I felt like I already knew so many people!  The sense of community within the Navy is amazing!

3.  OCS Aint Cheap

While OCS is part of their job and our LOs do get paid while they are there does not mean that it doesnt cost money to be there and graduate.  This was something that I never gave an ounce of thought to until Will wrote or called saying "Oh money for food comes out of my paycheck and we have to pay for uniforms before we leave".  Trips to the NEX every other week and travel expenses for graduation also added up very quickly and fortunately we were able to drive.  However, the big monster at the end was the uniform bill.  The excitement at the thought of seeing them in their dress whites at graduation eases the blow as you dish out what feels like a down payment on a car.  It is all very worth it but definitely something to think about beforehand.  

4. RLP is from the pits of Hell
While there are many many evolutions that are rollable, I think there is one that stands out to most as the worst.  This would be the Room, Locker, and Personnel Inspection.  It is tough for everyone, the Indocs and their loved ones.  The wait for an email from your sailor on the day of RLP was the most stressful day for me by far.  This was one part that took me out at the knees, and I wish that I would have been more aware of its suckiness(is that a word?) before hand!

5. Hurry Up and Wait

I had always thought since the military seems to be such a well-oiled and structured machine that there would be many absolutes and everything would happen in a timely manner.  I have since come off of that little cloud and realized that many aspects of Navy life include waiting and many times till the very last minute.  Will, along with many others, didnt recieve his orders until the day of gradution.  Also, the training and schools that these officers attend after OCS does not always have spots open which can result in longer OHARP(which I dont hate). However, waiting seems even worse when graduates have to stay after graduation to wait for orders or the dreaded NAMI letters(for pilots).  

6. 12ish Weeks

I think most LOs go into OCS thinking "its just twelve weeks, its just 12 weeks" and then at some point in those twelve weeks someone decides that 15 weeks sounds much better.  The word ROLL will never be the same to me as long as I live.  The sound of it makes my blood turn cold!  After Will rolled, I spent the rest of his time there in fear that every event could be the one that pushes him back another three weeks. 

7. Rolling isn't always Fair
I assumed the only reason someone would roll into H Class at OCS was because they clearly didn't reach a goal or pass a test.  I didn't realize how subjective all of these tests and inspections were!  While Will rolled into H Class for very obviously not passing an evolution, there were many that rolled at inspections or tests over one point or because the DI was grumpy and had a personal vendetta. I know so many LOs(including myself) left scratching their heads as to why their sailor was rolled back a class for something so "stupid".  However, there are many that don't ever have to experience this and make it through in just 12 weeks!

8. The Opportunity of H Class
Initially I thought nothing could possibly ever come from H Class, and was very set in my ways about that idea until the end of week two.  I had realized that Will was able to take a step back and take time to learn and perfect things for his inspections.  He was also able to start a devotional and have time to share his testimony with some of the other guys in H Class and was able to write me a lot more.  While it is definitely three weeks of sitting on your hands and not moving forward, it goes by quicker than you think and I am certain that it gives most a chance to grow their knowledge and most importantly their confidence.

9. Write Write Write
I can't stress enough how much those at OCS look forward to getting mail.  Will said it was like christmas every time the mail carrier came and it was an even bigger deal when he would have a stack of letters.  I did great on the front end but really dropped he ball after email and phone privileges were in play.  I wish I would have stuck with it the whole time, writing him was like a journal just from updating him on our days. It was nice because I could put all of long things I needed to talk about on the letters and the short and important things were saved for the phone.  Also, having envelopes addressed and stamped on hand made it so easy to write a letter real quick and pop it in the mail.  I can't wait to go back and read our letters to each other in 10 years!

10.  The best way to get through OCS is with a little determination and a whole lot of JESUS!
I could give you a list of 50 things that may help this process be a little easier and less confusing but the ONLY thing that got me through those 15 weeks with my sanity is giving every day to Christ.  Trusting in God alone and knowing that His timing and His plan were best is what made us stronger.  He was the one that opened the door for Will to become an officer and he is the one who got him to graduation.  I wish I could say that is was my own doings that gave me comfort on bad days but it was most certainly Jesus and his sovereignty and grace!  It is so sweet to look back and see where God shapes and molds us in times that are tough and overwhelming, he is begging us to cling to Him for joy and encouragement!

I hope this list didn't just shine negative light on OCS, because that was not my intention at all!  Will and I are both so happy we walked into this opportunity and really think t has forever changed our family for the better and further grounded us in our faith!  Also, thank you to everyone who gave their input to help make this list!  I hope that someone who is completely new to Navy life can find this and know a little more than I did when I began this journey!  

Graduation Part 1

I have decided to break this post into two parts for the sake of keeping things short and sweet.  I also don't want to skip out on any sweet details!

Last Tuesday was easily the most my heart has pounded in a very long time… I was almost 37 weeks pregnant packing the car to make the 5 hour trip to Newport with my Mom, Sister and favorite two year old.  Every hour we got closer to Rhode Island the butterflies in my stomach grew and I was faced with the reality that the almost four months that kept Will and I apart were quickly coming to an end.

I remember the pit I had in my stomach driving over the Newport bridge last time in March wanting to burst into tears knowing I would be leaving alone.  This time it was so beautiful with the water full of sailboats, and I couldn't believe Will would be not only coming back with us, but coming back an Officer!  Lets just say the arrival to Newport was a much more joyous event in July and it wasn't because of the warmer weather(although it didn't hurt).

Will told me that day he would have graduation practice around the time we would be getting to Newport so he wouldn't be able to see us until after they were finished.  I wanted to drive on base and see if we could see them on the field practicing from a distance.  As we were trying to be incognito driving around base we were faced with three men in uniform crossing the street, and they were staring right at us.  I panicked thinking we were somewhere we weren't supposed to be and tried to instantly turn the car around.  My sister then shouts "Its Will!", and since they all looked the same with hats on I ignored her and continued trying to leave.  Just as I am thinking we were going to be kicked off base, I realize one of those serious looking guys staring at us was in fact my husband!  This was not the romantical reunion I had envisioned but all of a sudden I was face to face with my sailor; stunned would have been an understatement.  We knew he was on his way to practice so he just had enough time to stick his head in the window and give Wilbur and I a kiss.  I thought little man might be a little weary of this guy he hasn't seen in four months but low and behold he was cheesing from ear to ear and didn't quite know how to contain his excitement to see "DA"

After parting ways and checking into the hotel, we were able to go back on base and visit with Will for a little while.  We went down to a little jetty just as the sun was setting, and it was absolutely picture perfect for a proper reunion.  We watched planes fly by, said "DA" about 200 times, and little Will even got to open a present from Dad(I brought this as a buffer in case Wilbur was a little forgetful of Dad at first).  Luckily the gift just added to little mans elation to be back together with his best buddy.  It was just surreal to be standing and talking with Will after what felt like years apart.  Since Will didn't get liberty that night we dropped him off right after it got dark and headed back to the hotel.  Everyone was exhausted.

Wednesday was a whirlwind.  We woke up to crazy thunderstorms and I snuck out to attend a class for Navy spouses, leaving the girls and little man to sleep in.  The seminar was intended to inform us on anything from deployment to moving to proper etiquette for different Naval events.  I could not recommend this class enough for any spouses able to go to something like this.  I learned so much!  This was followed up with some down time at the hotel before the "Hi Moms" Reception at the Officers Club.

 We picked up Will and headed over for some hors d'oeuvres and a chance to celebrate Will and his classmates on their accomplishments.  It was so special to see all of the class in their "Whites"; you could feel the pride beaming from all of the LO's.  They gave different awards, recognized the class team, and went through different Navy traditions and toasts.  It was a much more moving reception than I was expecting.  I may or may not have had to fight off some tears attempting to ruin my makeup.

Just in case anyone was thinking everything went according to plan…..Will and all of his class were so nervous to be wearing their whites.  They did not want to be the one that spilled anything on their crisp looking uniforms, and you could tell none of them were really kicking back and enjoying themselves completely because of it.  While Will was able to dodge little Wills shoes, his flying drinks and snacks, don't you know as he goes to pick him up his belt buckle catches little mans knees and scratches him.  Of course my husband ends up being the one with blood streaked across his perfect uniform just as the reception was getting started.  I don't know which one of my boys I felt worse for.  Luckily only a couple people noticed the stain as we were leaving and we were able to crop it out of pictures.  Just another silly story for the books.

The night was wrapped up with dinner at the same restaurant Will and I went to when I dropped him off.  I am happy to report that I did not have to choke back tears between bites this time, however I was pretty distracted by a certain man in uniform dining next to me.  Everything seemed a little brighter and the lobster fritters definitely tasted better knowing tomorrow was the day we had long been waiting for. Stay tuned for Graduation part 2!!