Family
I’ve spent quite a bit of time living thousands of miles away from my family. Eight years, in fact. And after this weekend, I really need to take a moment to express how grateful I am to MarvMan for taking the orders he did so we could be closer to my family.
Allow me to explain, because by no means was this a simple, “Me man, you woman, I choose, you sit be happy” situation. When we have the option to choose orders, it is most definitely a “we” effort. MarvMan knows that I offer a valuable side to our discussions – the perspective of the kids and myself and what’s best for us. And between the two of us, we talk and figure out how he can choose orders that would be best for his career and will still provide the best options for myself and the girls. It’s not easy. The military is a life in which we may only either get what’s best for him or what’s best for us.
And at the risk of sounding completely not-feminist? I will always default to what’s best for MarvMan’s career. My career is portable to wherever we may go. I am still in school, and I have the ability to put things on hold while we adjust and learn a new area. MarvMan? Does not. If he picks (or is given) craptastic orders, that’s 3-4 years of his career where he’d have to struggle to advance and improve our quality of life.
So when we discussed our options, I had to acknowledge that the East Coast was a long shot. Because we were already a West Coast based family. Moving families in general is expensive; coast to coast? Fuggeddaboudit. But MarvMan still put VA on his list of options, and for that? I’m so grateful. He could’ve just not included it at all, but he did and he was selected for East Coast orders.
And now we can visit family more often. This past weekend, we decided to make a quick trip up to PA and spent some time with family.
Watching the girls get to know their Great Grandmother was so amazing. We are so blessed that they have both their Great Grandmothers and they’ll remember them. It’s such a blessing and I’m so glad MarvMan suggested this quick trip.
A Quick Recap
Yeppers, I’ve skipped out for a bit. Things have been crazy and the brain has been fuzzy.
I’ve been going to counseling. I have anxiety issues and with MarvMan’s ever changing schedule, things have been kicking into high gear. Panic attacks, freak outs, meltdowns… and the anger issues.
Whenever my anger/rage starts bubbling up to where I start shaking and my heart is racing? I take it to the mat. My yoga mat and, subsequently my dining-room-turned-studio has become my rescue med, sweat catcher and confession place.
And it helps bring me and the girls together. We do yoga together and it’s a great way for us to get the energy out without running around like mad. But mostly? It’s for me. I spend anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours a day practicing yoga, playing with poses, seeing what I can and cannot do. And it helps. I’m not sure if it’s clearing my mind or if it’s helping me work out that rage, but… it helps. So you stick with what works, right?
And at some point, maybe next week, I’ll write up a post explaining what caused all these anxiety issues. And I’ll write up an update about the health issues. But for right now? I’m overwhelmed, exhausted, and tired.
And did I mention Mr. Washburn has been super helpful? I love my furball. It’s like he knows when I’m upset and if I’m standing up, he’ll nudge a little closer to my leg, just let me know he’s there. Or he’ll stick his head in my lap and look at me. Just like that.
So, there you have it. Dog + yoga = calm.
Wordless Wednesday: February Photo a Day
Today, being the first of February, kicks off the February Photo a Day Challenge that Chantelle over at Fat Mum Slim has put together. I participated in January – through Instagram (linlori) – and am definitely planning to participate this month. Today’s subject was “your view today.” So here it is!
Every week I’ll post my favorite photo from the past 7 days.
