Being in Kansas with just E and the animals these last few days has really given me a chance to reflect. We have been doing this Army life for the last 9 years (well 10 for Kyle) and to be honest it really doesn't feel like it has been that long.
As I was staring at a very daunting stack of boxes yesterday, I thought to myself, "Why do we do this?" "Why do we willingly uproot our lives every few years and move to a new place?".
Here are the reasons I came up with.
1. Kyle loves his job! You may be thinking, "well what does that have to do with you?". Kyle thrives with being in the military. It is something that he enjoys and seeing him so passionate about mentoring and leading soldiers inspires me. He is serving his country and it is something he takes very seriously. Yes deployments are inevitable but I can't dwell on that because it would make me crazy. His job has taken him away for long periods of time but I'm resilient and we are a strong team.
2. We get to live in places we would have never dreamed of! Are the locations always ideal, absolutely not but you have to find the good. I'll be the first to say that Fort Polk was nowhere on our radar but we embraced and we fell in love with that gem in Central Louisiana. Of course, it also means that we won't always be close to family but that's okay because we can still visit. They can visit us and see somewhere new as well. We are thrilled that we get to include E in these adventures and provide her the tools that she needs to be a resilient and thriving individual.
3. I have benefited from this life is more ways than I could have ever imagined. Yes of course I could have done some of the same things without the involvement of the military but I wouldn't have had the same experiences. I've been able to volunteer with different organizations, families, and units, which have shaped me into a better person. Giving back to a community that has given us so much means everything. The military also provided me with my education and for that I am forever grateful.
4. The biggest one is we love this life. It's not perfect and it isn't for everyone. Of course there are politics involved, that happens with any job. Kyle and I have always agreed that the moment we stop having fun and enjoying it then we will re-evaluate and make changes. We haven't come to that point yet. The friendships and experiences make it worth it and there is certainly never a dull moment.
Life is always what you make of it and it can be an amazing adventure if you just embrace it. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
Yes!! I love this!! So positive!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sam! :)
DeleteI think number one does make it the make or break kind of thing. I would certainly accept the craziness of moving all over the place if I loved what I did and that job required me to jump around all over the place
ReplyDeleteExactly! :)
DeleteI love this! I love how y'all embrace it! I know so many military souses who complain all the time about it when they should just enjoy the ride!
ReplyDeleteI really love your attitude. I've been too many milspos who are just so negative about moves, long hours, duty stations, etc. We agree with you - we'll stay in until D isn't enjoying it anymore. But so far, he's been super blessed with jobs that he genuinely enjoys1
ReplyDeleteI agree!!! I wish more focused on the positives.
DeleteI can't even imagine how stressful it must be to move every couple of years, but the fact that Kyle loves his job and that you embrace the change makes everything all worth it in my book! I hope that the unpacking is going well for you!
ReplyDeleteYES! I need to send this post to everyone who says, "I don't know how you do it."
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post, Jen! I definitely needed it today <3
ReplyDeleteI was so curious when I read the title what your reasons would be for doing this life. I agree that this life as given us opportunities that we not have had otherwise. We've also gotten to live in and see really neat places, even though they're not considered touristy. It's cool to experience all of this while we're semi young! Ha. If it weren't for deployments and field time, I would only have positives to say about military life.
ReplyDeleteVery true, home is where you make it and anyplace can be home as long as you embrace it.
ReplyDeleteThe military is an exciting life like you said there are places you would have never seen and opportunities never realized, your life is an adventure and it appears that you are loving it.
I agree. It's always important to find and embrace the good. 'grats on your new move!
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts you shared with photos. Sometimes I wished we'd stayed in as well but Phil didn't want to as the career field he was in was boring and couldn't cross train....oh well. It was a good time for four years and good memories, especially 2 years in England. A place I always dreamed of visiting and I did, for longer than I expected and loved it. Glad you are enjoying the military journey with the Army. Life anywhere is never perfect. We just have to be bold and brave and help others as we go through life!
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's good to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Especially when in the middle of something stressful like a house move! Thanks for sharing your reasons, always interesting to find out why other people make the choices they do. Yours seem to be working very well for you all :)
ReplyDeleteI love your list and I agree with it! While moving can be difficult, I really don't mind checking out new places.
ReplyDeleteYes!!!! That's the fun of it. You get to explore new places.
DeleteI love this outlook! Are there some bad Army days, sure, but for the most part, it is fun and like you said when it's not fun anymore, we can always do something new.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! The good far outweighs the bad!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteI've loved being a military brat and a military wife. I can't imagine any other life!
ReplyDelete