International Travel with a Toddler

    During the months of May and June, the little one and I made a long trip back to the States to visit family and friends while my husband was at the beginning of his deployment. To say it was an adventure would be an understatement! She's 2 now and she's good at it. She's been on planes since she was three months old, so she's pretty comfortable with flying but we've never done a long-haul just her and I. The trip itself included stops in Texas, Arizona, Illinois, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and then back to Japan. That was a grand total of 8 plane rides, two were 12+ hours long, and one road trip up the east coast. The lead up to the trip was so full of anxiety, not only because I would have to do all of this on my own, but because I am not a good flier to begin with. I know, the sweet irony of being married to a pilot. Apparently its super common. lol. That anxiety lead me to do a ton of research online in mommy blogs, travel blogs, and advice from local parents who have made the trip back to America with kids multiple times. This list is full of the tips that I tried and loved on our trip, as well as items and links to purchase them, that I cannot image traveling without! Everything on this list helped me keep my sanity at 30,000 feet! Enjoy!

1. Prep your kiddo

   

    The few weeks leading up to the trip were the most anxious for me and I was determined not to let that rub off on the little one. So, I would remind her that we were going on a plane, that we were going to fly and have tons of fun on the planes and with the family that we were going to see at the end of the plane rides. I always topped it off with a reminder for her to be good and to listen to mama. I also read the book, Good Night Planes, to her a lot. I picked it up in the Phoenix airport the last time we were visiting. I think the mantras and the prep helped both of us so that when we left the house and made our way to the airport, she was excited about the plane ride and family, and not questioning where we were going. Positivity for both of us!

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2. Dress Yourself Day

    Take another look at the picture up top. Lizzie is wearing a sparkly tutu, her favorite converse, one sock is rolled up over her pants, and her hair is in a pony that did not last long when she was trying to get comfy in her seat. But that is what she wanted to wear that morning, so its what she left the house in! She was so happy. It definitely started the travel day on a good foot and with an even tempered toddler, which as you parents know is worth its weight in gold.  

3. Favorite Snacks and Drinks

    Both international and domestic flights have drinks and food for purchase or gratis, but they are geared towards the adult customers. And if you have a picky eater, there is nothing worse then a hungry kid not eating their food because it is something they don't like. Don't take the chance, and simply pack your own snacks and maybe a small, portable meal from home or the airport. I packed jerky, raisins, chewy bars, trail mix, Nutella snack kits, gold fish, skinny pop in the lunch bags, some Japanese snacks, and a little bit of candy for treats. Basically everything you would find in the average elementary-aged kid's lunch box. Our JAL flight offered kids meals when I called to arrange our seats and I jumped on that. The kid's meal was a more American style meal with pasta, while my adult meal was more Japanese with soba noodles and small, Japanese salads. Both meals came with this delicious Ben & Jerry's treat for desert though. yum. I always buy a few bottles of apple juice in the terminal so I don't have to ask the flight attendant over and over again for refills. And don't forget a reliable sippy cup or water bottle to stop any spills before they get the chance to happen. We got lucky that JAL had their own version of kid's cups when ours ran off under the seats for a bit.

4. In-flight Entertainment

     The iPad is your best friend on international flights. The inflight entertainment can be hit or miss on non-American-based airlines. They will have international blockbusters, both adult and kid friendly. I was finally able to watch La La Land and Lizzie helped herself to her 1,000th viewing of Moana. But they will also be catering to their home country's tastes and viewing preferences with a larger selection of their popular television shows and movies. I highly, highly recommend loading your devices with all of your child's favorites, both movies and television. I had her iPad, my iPad, and both my American and Japanese iPhones filled with whatever she could want. I did everything in my power to avoid a breakdown because I didn't have a Doc McStuffins episode or a certain princess movie. Don't forget kid-sized headphones! I did bring a few small books and toys to entertain the monster in-between screen times. Good Night Planes of course, triangular Crayola crayons (they stay on the tray table!) and coloring books are always a hit and compact in size, Disney stickers were a huge hit, as were star-shaped Post Its and window stickies. Nothing that made noise, rolled, or bounced was allowed, just for the simple fact that I didn't want to chase them down the aisle or disrupt other passengers. 

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5. Good mid-flight Surprises!

     

    Small, wrapped gifts were one of the best pieces of advice I got from a mom here in Japan. Now I am not saying to run out to Target and spend $300 on toys. Oh no. I am saying to go down to the dollar store and raid their toy section. Daiso here in Japan is similar, and I got her all kinds of goodies for the grand total of around 20 bucks. I originally bought enough to have one present, every hour for the 12 hour flight. It was a sort of countdown to when we would land. They ended up being my bargaining chips! I would give her one when she was getting fussy or bored. The excitement and happiness from unwrapping a gift was enough to entertain her for a good chunk of time. I ended up with about half still wrapped when we landed back in America. That crown was a real winner in her book. 

 

6. Your Power Supply 

    This little device has the possibility of saving not only your sanity but your kiddo's too. It is a godsend on domestic flights that do not have any power supplies for the cabin. Almost all international flights have in-seat power sources (check your carrier), but what they don't tell you is that some of them are poorly placed in the seat design. One of our flights had the outlet under the tv so it was dangling in front of the munchkin and she was constantly catching her foot on it. It started to really aggravate her, so I used this little baby instead and tucked away the charging iPad in my bag. If you have several connecting flights, or a short layover with no time to charge in the terminal, this will save you too! They are not a tremendous investment, this one is about $25 on Amazon right now and they also have tons for less then $10. Versions like these are my favorite because they light up to let you know how much juice is left in the battery pack for your charging needs.  

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7. Lovies and Comforters 

    DO NOT forget the one thing that makes your child fall asleep! I repeat, DO NOT FORGET the blankie or animal or book that is a comfort to your kid! I did! Oh my god, I was half way to Narita International on the 2 hour train ride when I realized her beloved Pup Pup blankie was on her bed. I seriously, almost cried. Thankfully the airplane blanket supplied the cover she needed to relax and sleep, but I just about had a heart attack when I realized my mistake. It could have been a very long, cranky flight.

8. Over Pack That Bag

    But only overpack a few key essentials. Diapers, wipes, pacifiers, formula & bottles for babies, a few changes of clothing for both you and the littles, and it seems random but: Gallon Sized Ziplock Bags. They can be used for anything! Sopping wet clothes due to a spill? Throw them in a ziplock. Got a ton of dirty bottles? Put em in there. Do not wash out or clean anything in the airplane bathroom sinks that would then be given back to your kiddo. The water is not drinkable and should not be used to clean anything other then your hands. Don't forget to pack plenty of medicines, even if your little one isn't sick. You can take liquid medication over 3oz. beyond security. We learned the hard way that allergic reactions can happen anywhere and children's medication, especially for babies and toddlers, is hard to find in an airport. Don't forget to include anything you would normally have in your diaper bag, along with some random things for ease like kids cutlery, and for emergencies like bandaids, a thermometer, and Neosporine. 

9. Travel-Hack Supplies 

    Don't forget the things that make traveling with kids easier for you. These are my top four. 1) I swear by the CARES harness. The harness provides just enough of a 'hold' on her that she associates with her carseat, which she always falls asleep in. I do use a little piece of shelf liner to stop her from slipping too much since it is not a 5-point system. I have used it on JAL, Korean Air, United and American Airlines without issues. In fact, it was the first time a JAL flight attendant had seen one and checked to make sure it was on the FAA list of approved harnesses and carseats. 2) The carseat luggage strap will save you when you are bogged down with luggage and a babe.  You just strap your carseat to any piece of rolling luggage, carryon or check sized, and you suddenly have a free hand. 3) My Mountain Buggy Nano is a super close 3rd on my favorite travel necessities. It folds up so small, it fit in the overhead bins of my flights, but it still has a full sunshade and can be used with an infant carseat. A wonderful investment piece that will last from birth until they weigh 50 lbs. I loved the look on the gate check agent's face when it told her I didn't need a gate check ticket and folded it right down to smaller then a wheeled carryon. 4) I also last minute purchased a Munchkin Booster Seat car protector to act as a crumb & toy catcher and a non-slipping mat. And bonus for those potty training: It will stop any potty training mishaps from getting really, really messy on cloth airplane seats!

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10. Your Relaxers

    Mommy and Daddy need a break too. I usually buy a few magazines before takeoff, some snacks, and a large bottle of water so I don't have to keep on asking for refills on the plane. A dual-air chambered inflatable pillow is my favorite for a quick cat nap or just neck support. They are compact and can be adjusted unlike those stiff donut ones you can't manipulate. For $10, totally worth it. My iPad was half kiddie-half mine. I put all of my favorite relaxing movies on it, romantic comedies :) and reloaded my Relaxation playlist that I like to listen to during turbulence. I also started a new trick during turbulence, I start my stopwatch on my phone and then turn on my music, when the bumps are done, I pause the stopwatch. It's usually a surprisingly short amount of time that the turbulence actually was. It always feels so much longer. I still hate it, but that helps me get through it a little bit better. I always have a good pair of noise canceling headphone to use when the babe's asleep or content and entertained, so I don't have to worry about not hearing her. The Bose earbuds are my absolute favorite!  Now, these are another investment. To be honest, I don't know if I ever would have bought them for myself, they were a gift from my father. But, you only need to use them once to realize their worth. They are amazing! The battery lasted the entire 12 hour flight time and then some. I bought a pair for my husband to take on deployment to drown out the boat noise. Remember, when mama and daddy are happy and calm, everyone else will be about 85% normal, because lets be honest, no toddler is 100% calm!

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11. Sleep is Possible 

    One of the tricks I kept on hearing was to try to keep your normal routine leading up to sleep so that sleep was encouraged and natural, and not just a happy accident. Easier said then done people! But we were able to attempt our nighttime ritual on one of our overnight flights. If you have an overnight flight where the lights will be off and everyone is encouraged to sleep, this is the best and easiest time to attempt your normal bedtime routine, since it will be dark and mostly quiet. Have everyone put on pajamas, brush their teeth and read a book or just snuggle until sleep comes. When we were able to change into some comfy clothes, brush teeth and relax, Lizzie slept for a good 5 hours and even I caught a wink or two. 

12. Necessary Paperwork 

    Beyond your passports, drivers license and tickets, there are a few more pieces of paperwork that are great to have and may be a necessity. Especially if you are traveling solo with your child like I was. A copy of your child's birth certificate is always good to have on hand when they are young, especially domestically if they are traveling as a lap child and close to the 2 year-old cut off. It acts as proof that they are below 2 and do not require their own seat if you don't have a passport for them. When you are traveling alone with children internationally, it is important to check and see if you need a birth certificate and a notarized letter from the absent parent so that you can enter another country solo with your child. This is one that I never heard of before, but it was a nice piece of paper to have just incase. Go to the US State Department International Travel Site, click on the country you're traveling to, then click the 'Entry, Exit &Visa Requirements' tab. Scroll to the 'Travel with Minors' section if there is one noted and check their requirements for traveling alone with minors. The letter should state that the absent parent is aware that the child is traveling internationally with only one parent present. Some countries have printouts available on their respective websites. If a letter is needed, you can get documents notarized at select banks, court houses, shipping stores like UPS, law offices, real estate offices, and mobile notary services. 

    And there you have it! Now that I've written it all down, it sounds like a lot. It also sounds like I was loaded down like a pack mule during our travels. In actuality, I traveled pretty light considering what I could have packed for a month away from home. We had one checked bag, the checked car seat, and our carry ons. Do not forget a travel bag/cover for your carseat and stroller if you're checking it through or gate checking. You don't want a dirty or broken carseat greeting you at your destination. This is a pic of lizzie and our carry on load in Boston before our flight from Logan back to Narita. 

She had her own backpack that was loaded with her little toys, colors, water bottle, blankie, iPad, headphones, and her own neck pillow. I love that little pink bag. It allowed her a little bit of independence and a super convenient way to get to her things. They no longer sell her exact bag, but Amazon has a similar model available. I had the North Face duffle backpack and my favorite stroller all tucked away in its own little bag there. The duffle is a size small, but that bag can carry a lot of stuff and get heavy, so be careful with that, but it is damn durable. I could rely on that thing to hold whatever I wanted to put in it, from diapers to a laptop. It is another investment piece, but it is on sale on Amazon right now, and it will last for years. 

Click to Purchase

Click to Purchase

As far as parental hacks, I cannot recommend TSA pre-check enough! It saved us time by allowing us to skip some long lines, no shoe or jacket removal, and you keep your liquids and electronics tucked away. Basically, you don't have to get naked and shoeless, while spilling all of your carryon items on the line just to get to your laptop that is at the bottom of your bag. Not that that happened to me or anything. lol! The Global Entry Program is next on my list of adult-life-travel hacks to complete. I love the idea of not having to deal with the wait and frustration that is customs. I will have to wait until we get back to the States again to begin that process, but I can't wait to simplify international travel even more. I hope that these tips and goodies are some that will help you in your future travels. Let me know which ones worked best for you, and which ones you discovered on your own that you couldn't imagine traveling without knowing! 

Fair Winds, Following Seas, and Safe Travels!

Samantha 

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Military Move Hacks #2

Hey y'all! We have been in Japan for almost 5 months now and it has been a dream. I had no idea what it would be like to move to another country, with a toddler in tow no less, but it has been so good! Homesickness does strike at times, but the memories we are making here are priceless. If you follow my Instagram, amodernnavywife, you have been getting peeks into our adventures since we've been here. I have only learned a few key Japanese words and phrases, but getting around using the train system is pretty simple once you get the hang of things. But that's another story, right now I am going to give y'all the next installment of Tips and Tricks. These 6 are geared more towards overseas moves, but a few of them would definitely work for cross-country moves too!  

5. Get your passport(s)

     The earlier you get your passport, and passports for your kiddos, the better. You will need two different passports, a regular travel one and a capital "O"fficial one. Both passports take time and money, for pictures and processing fees. It is better to get them as early as you can. Expedited fees are an additional $60 on top of $135 regular processing time fees for adults 16 & over and $105 regular fees for kids 15 & under.  *To save a little money on the photo side, be sure to pull your hair off your face and do not smile with teeth. One of my applications got rejected because I had my hair down. Boo.

6. POAs for everyone!

     Power of Attorney are essential for deployments and super handy for moves. If your spouse leaves for workups or any last minute trips to gear up for their deployment and you have to cancel any services or utilities and everything is in their name, things can get a little sticky sometimes. If at any point you deal with a customer service agent who seems to not only hate their job, but life in general, as well as you for trying to cancel something that is not in your name, you can flash that piece of paper in their face! I highly recommend getting a POA to cover all of your bases. 

7. Sell, sell, sell!

     Get rid of anything that you know you will not use again and still has life in it. It will just be taking up precious space in your weight allowance. Large furniture is heavy and highly sought after on resale pages, as well as bicycles, baby items, kids toys and clothes, sporting equipment, and lawn care goodies. Craigslist is a good place to start and I also highly recommend downloading Varagesale if it is available in your area.  

8. Make your reservations early

     I have seen, and heard, of horror stories of people desperate to find a place to stay following their move overseas because they didn't know they had to book their own rooms at a hotel (military hotel or civilian) because housing was not immediately available. I am talking, days before their flights in some cases. Or worse, they did not know that their room was not pet friendly and they needed to find someone to watch their fur babies in a new town where they knew no one. Military hotels and lodges book up just like civilian hotels, especially in highly desirable tourist destinations. Book early and be sure to ask for pet friendly rooms if you are bringing your little fuzzies.   

9. Lots-o-copies

     Print out at least 6 copies of your spouse's orders and family entry letter! I am not kidding! If you are flying Space-A /MAC, they will need copies for their records that you do not get back. You will need a copy to get your tickets for the flights, a copy for customs on the other side, and if you need a bus ride to get to your new Base/Post they will need a copy too. You will also need copies for everything from enrolling in the region's Tricare, to getting a driver's license. We made the mistake of only having 3 copies for the trip. Yeah, I thought we were prepared with more than one, but that was a mistake. I have heard of people printing out 10 copies just to be safe. The more, the merrier in this case. 

10. Bring the necessities with you

     Beyond clean undies and pjs, there are a few things you will need to get through your first few days or weeks in a hotel or new home, before your HHG or express shipment arrives. One of my checked bags was just home goods for that very reason. I included things like a set of sheets, a few towels, some bigger toys for the babe to play with, and a crock pot. Yes. A whole crockpot. And that thing saved us when we were living in a hotel room with one stove top burner and no oven for a few weeks. Don't be shy about packing things in your checked bag that you use all the time at home. If you love one specific pot or pan, and you cook all of your favorite meals in it, pack it! It will make your time in "PCS limbo" a little bit better.  

*Kiddo Air-Travel Bonus*

     If you are going to be traveling on a plane to your new duty station, invest in one or both of these two travel necessities: a carseat travel strap and the CARES airplane safety harness. I love these two contraptions so much! The strap lets you connect a carseat to a bag and roll that baby around. So much nicer than slinging it over your shoulder and lugging it around. The CARES harness is amazing if you want to check the carseat but still want a secure seatbelt for your child on the plane. I swear by this thing. It is not a five point since it does not go under their bums, but it held Lizzie in place so well that she fell asleep for the duration of the flight the first time she used it.  

          

-Safe travels, fair winds and following seas!

     Sam 

Move Hacks, Baby!

Let's start this entry off with some little bitty life hacks for you military gals out there. Lesson one from my trial and errors: 

1. Stay on top of your medical appointments: 

Seriously. This one is super important if you know an OCONUS move is coming! Dental cleanings, ladybit appointments (a forgotten pap smear held up our med. screening a week, not good when you only have 30 days to get everything sorted), check ups for kidos, post-baby check ups for new mamas and all of the vaccinations for everyone in the family; yes even you! Booster shoots are still a thing past your teens. Trust me. I could not raise my arms for a few days after my hepatitis updates, yellow fever and Japanese Encephalitis Immunizations. Ouch. But I would rather have sore arms for a few days then have my brain swell. I'll take a hard pass on that one. Thanks. 

2. Keep receipts of big purchases, start taking pictures and cataloging of all your stuff you think you might want to keep: 

The worst thing that can happen on an overseas move is the stuff that you think is living safely in a storage facility in America while you are overseas is actually floating around god knows where and no one can find it when you move back. I have seen people lose things from family heirloom jewelry to couches. How can you lose a couch? Or a king sized bed!? But it has happened. The best thing that can happen is the moving company finds your stuff and delivers it to you after you move to your next duty station, and the worst is that your stuff is gone-girl-gone. Having receipts is the best thing for claims against the moving company, and pictures are the next priceless things you can have if you get your stuff back it is in a very different condition then when it left you. When your dining room table gets delivered with unfixable scratches or a chipped corner, it is nice to have a picture that backs you up when you say "It did not look like that when it left my possession." Check your bank and emails for records of your purchases if you no longer have paper copies. I loose my paper ones all the time, but they can be found in e-form. 

3. Start going through your crap.

You know what I am talking about. The junk drawers. That forgotten closet of winter coats and stray kids' shoes. Those bins in your attic that you see once a year when you pull down christmas decorations and say to yourself, "Is that mine or the person who lived here before me?" Start now. Open one box or drawer a week, two if you're feeling feisty and start tossing the things you absolutely will not miss. There is nothing worse then trying to organize a pack and dealing with one thousand pens, two year old papers, and 20 lightbulbs that fit light fixtures in your home from two moves ago. This just happened to me in the junk drawer in my laundry room. I found 6 light bulbs to the track lighting that was in our Norfolk home. We have been on Florida for three years now. We don't have track lighting. Its time to toss those little suckers. I'd rather deal with them now, then during the stress of the pack. 

Clothing: You know the old closet trick of 'if you haven't worn it in a year, throw it out or if it still has life, donate it,' do a soft run-through now. The obvious clean out. You know what I'm talking about, the things that you know don't fit or are so old they are starting to look a little dated. Keep up with the occasional run throughs and soon you will only have pieces you love and use. It makes the packing process so much easier when you don't have to debate keeping or tossing something when everything in your closet is stuff that fits, that you use, and know you want to take with you. 

4. Take the good stuff to Mom and Dad's house: 

Anything that would absolutely devastate you if it got lost and you know you will not use overseas: Grandma's antique teacup collection, your wedding dress, things like that. Im not saying leave all of the mementoes behind, take a few teacups, just not all 30. I am making my first goody run back to Texas in the next couple of weeks so that the family can love on the babe and I can drop off things to stay in safe keeping for the next few years. My wedding dress will stay, the bulk of my record collection (the weight adds up quickly), my great-grandmother's antique crystal and silver that I will not use overseas but would kill a mover for for if they broke or lost it. See if your parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, grandparents, etc. would be the custodians of your most prized possessions that you will not be taking with you. Better with them then in a storage container. 

Phew, that was more then I thought it would be. Let know if you have some other tips to include in the next update. What are the moving hacks that you swear by? What has saved you the most time and sanity during a move? Happy Wednesday Everyone! 

-Samantha 

I should be studying for my finals but...

I'm here instead! Hey y'all, I'm back! 

It has been over a year since I wrote a post, and A LOT has changed since that last Disney World trip. First of all, the finals reference in the title. I am finally finishing up my Bachelors degree in History (UWF, go Argos!) and I cannot be more excited to finally have that piece of paper hanging on my wall. When I decided to go back to school, I decided to change my major to History from my original choice. I figured, if I am doing this, I am doing it in something that I actually like for a change. My original major was decided for me by my very first advisor when I was 18. Since I had no clue what I wanted to study, he chose something that I would be able to get a job with later. It had nothing to do with my interests, so this time I am doing what I want! I only have two semesters left: 20 hours in the summer & 18 in the fall. Needless to say, I am going to be super stressed and incredibly busy for the rest of the year. I know I am nuts, but there is a method to my madness.

This is my nightlife now: Books, Turabian, writing papers, and lots-o-wine!

Lizzie Girl has changed so much this past year. She is a toddler now, so big, and she has the personality to match. She loves broccoli, daycare, avocado sushi, mommy and daddy (of course), Luna Puppy, and books. She is a babbling fool and loves talking into anything that can used as a play phone. Lately it has been my checkbook cover and she will go off on talking tangents with it. Her favorite book is tie between Hippos Go Berserk and Hello America and watching her play with her little kitchen can melt your heart. 

My Easter Babe

Told you she likes sushi

Hubby is doing awesome. He's teaching students how to fly everyday and is super, crazy busy. Anyone that says they have tons of "home time" during a teaching shore tour is a big, fat liar! 12 to 14 hour days nearly every day! I honestly saw him more when he was in the fleet then now, on the flip side, no deployments here mean he doesn't take off for months at a time. I still miss the 9-5 days in Virginia. But we will be back in that pace of life coming up here at the end of the year because we got his verbal orders a few weeks back and we are going to....

   

I am so excited! It is still so surreal that we got orders to anywhere other than San Diego or Norfolk. I am not yet in the freaking out "holy shit we're moving overseas" stage of it all, but I know its coming. Already, we are deciding what is staying in the states and what is going with us. And it is very little.

I'll be updating as the move progresses and I'll share little tips and factoids along the way too. First Tip: Moves to some overseas locations are super weight restricted. Like 25% of your usual moving-weight allowance. Yeah, 25 percent. Let that sink in for a minute. So essentially, 75% of our house is staying here. A massive garage sale is in order and lots of Goodwill runs are in our near future.

The big move is a big reason why I decided to come back to blogland. I want a place that my family can go to and see what we have been up to. The adventures and the daily life both will be totally different from anything we have experienced before. Ahh, I am so excited, and Lizzie ready for all the sushi she can eat!  

We are in!

We got all of our household goods yesterday and it has been a tornado of cardboard and packing paper ever since. Besides finding new places for old things in our house, it has been nice to slow down a little and really absorb everything that has happened recently. 

This past week has been a complete blur! When we were packing up the Norfolk house I was feeling fantastic about the move. Everything was going really smooth, even the movers that came to pack and take away all of our stuff were excellent. But the moment we were taking our last walk around the house I suddenly felt this heaviness in my chest. I was sad. It kind of took me by surprise but I was deeply saddened; not just to move but to leave the home we had made, the friends we love as well as the town we had began our married life in. Norfolk will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Moving is without a doubt one of the hardest parts of this lifestyle. I came to the conclusion a few years ago that in the outside world, it takes about a year to get comfortable in a new city, another year to make friends and another year to really cultivate your relationships. But for us military folk that is just in time to pick up and move again. We have to speed up the process and find our footing a lot sooner then the average person. While it may seem like a sad lifestyle it actually is quite the opposite. In these past 3 years I have made some great friends that I know I will have for years to come, I got to experience a new state and city that I never would have lived in otherwise and finally I got to know myself better too. When you only have a few years in a place, you have to knock down your guard walls and really put yourself out there sometimes. When Hubby was working or deployed and I didn't know anyone yet, I forced myself to get out of the house and go to a dinner with other wives or a meeting or squadron party. I worked some odd jobs, took some interesting classes and even cooked meals for people that I didn't really know yet. How else are you going to meet people?

With one more move under our belt, it is time to start the three year cycle all over again. But the beauty of the Navy is that it is a small, small world. We already know a good group of people that moved down here before us and we get to catch up with all of them! 

So wish us luck on our newest adventure. The Emerald Coast: We are here! 

Why snow why?

 

I realized today that I don't like snow. I take that back, I don't dislike all snow. In fact I like a little snow. The kind that doesn't stick and disappears in a day. Only a few inches is my ideal. But trying to move and get all of the Navy boxes checked off along the way is a huge pain in the backside. Oh who am I kidding, ass. A huge pain in the huge JLo/Kim K./Me sized Ass. 

Boo on snow. Boo. 

I can't wait to move to Florida where frost is a huge deal. Here in Virginia, there are currently 10 in of snow on the ground. 10 inches! And Norfolk is not equipped to deal with it. Sure the highways, 64 and 264, are nice and cleared, but all of the side streets are going to be solid ice by tomorrow morning and never be cleared. That makes getting paper work finished, organizing our movers, and getting cars weighed a lot harder. I hope this is the last time we have to move during a snow storm. The odds are definitely not in out favor right now, but I hope we can at least hit the road by Friday. 

Did I mention we are getting more snow tonight? I might blow a gasket.  Good thing I have wine to dull my snow induced anger right now. Wish me luck! I am going to need it. Grrr. Drink, drink, drunk. I think I feel better now :) 

And it's on!

I am writing this post on my phone because it is time. The movers are here! No more internet, cable, beds, or dishes for this family. We are ready to pack up this place. Let's hope everything we have in this house right now, makes it to Florida! Wish us luck! 

I LV DC

Hubby and I both love Washington DC. It was one of the first cities I ever left Texas to visit as a teenager and I was completely in awe of the monuments, museums, memorials, and traditions associated with DC. Hubby went to college at G.W. right in the heart of the city. He spent some of the best years of his life there and made some of the most amazing friends. His friends are honestly one of the reasons I fell in love with him. You can always tell a person by the company they keep, and he keeps some fantastic company. Even at our wedding, the best man, Tim, gave his speech and called up all the guys to help. You can't beat that kind of friendship and loyalty.

Oh memories 

So naturally, this past weekend was definitely the most bitter sweet time that we have spent in DC. We were saying bye to honestly some of the best people I have ever met. Especially now that the guys have wives, fiances, girlfriends, and babies that I absolutely adore. It makes saying good bye even harder.

We started with a Birthday/Homecoming/Bon Voyage brunch at Old Ebbitt Grill that was fantastic. If you are ever in DC and hungry for not only delicious food, go there. You will not be disappointed! The gentleman sitting on my right was our 'welcome home' guy Tom. He has been stationed overseas in Japan for the last three years and everyone was so glad to have him back stateside.

Almost the whole gang at brunch 

Hubby and Tim, the Birthday Boy

Sweet victory!

After day drinking...I mean brunch...we moved on down memory lane and headed to the guys' college hang outs: Froggy Bottom Pub and Buffalo Billiards. 

They moved to a new fancy location. No more basement dive bar.

Look! Actual glass cups!  

Not everyone was thrilled about the changes. Sorry Bob. 

I found out I am terrible at shuffle board

I will miss that crazy bunch, but it won't be long until we are all going to meet up again. We have two weddings in the books so far for this year and everyone has invitations. I just can't wait until someone gets sick of  the cold weather and decides they want a beach vacation. I've already starting bribing them with free room & board and a DD if they come to Pensacola! lol. I hope someone takes us up on the offer sooner rather then later. Yall know you're sick of the snow! Come on down to the beach! 

You know you wanna!