We are flying out in 2 weeks!
This moving process hasn't been easy. It's been a bit of a nightmare handling things without Trent here. I feel like I've been running around like a crazy woman! I've become an uncool mom, my poor kids think I'm a grumpy troll, poor things. I've been busy trying to gather all the correct paperwork, get us doctor's appointments, extra shots for everyone, dental exams, did I mention the paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork. I think I've spend a full 48 hours on the telephone...on hold!
Thanks to Ali watching my kids, I drove my car down to St. Louis so that it could be shipped overseas the beginning of July, and since then have been sharing my mom's van with her...thank you Mom!!
This last week the movers came to pick up our household goods. We have 3 different shipments happening. One is our household goods in storage in California. After faxing all the correct information, it's on its way. The second is an air shipment that will beat us to Spain that we can have immediately upon arrival. The third shipment is the remainder of our household goods here in Wisconsin and they will go by land and sea, we should see them again sometime the middle of September. They were supposed to come on separate days so it's less complicated, but they ended up coming on the same day. So I had all our clothes and toiletries packed into our luggage. Everything that needed to go in the air shipment was stashed on and around the couch. And everything else was just clean and put away so it could be packed. My friend Audra took the kids for the day, what a life saver that was! It was really nice to have them out of the way so I could think straight and concentrate on what was being moved with what company. Why the military doesn't use the same company is beyond me, I think they just want to make my life as complicated as possible while Trent is away! Let me tell you, if this was their goal, they have achieved it.
I was so relieved when the paperwork was all signed and the movers drove off. The upstairs of my parents place was empty and my footsteps echoed. i took a deep breath and smiled thinking I'd made it. I was done with everything. I hadn't forgotten anything. I was actually going to sleep. I was free to enjoy the remainder of my summer in WI...BUT no, forgetaboutit!
Trent sends me an email that says we need to get government no fee passports???!!! WHAT!!! Last year, before Trent left, we got passports for the kids (fyi, if you ever get passports for your kids, both parents have to be present) we were told to get regular tourist passports b/c the no fee govt ones were not necessary. Well that has been the story of this year of my life. So I was running again. Trent was calling me and emailing me the necessary paperwork. I was filing on this end and as of Friday I am once again...done!!
I promptly took the kids to the pool! They deserved it. I think I got a few cool mom points back in the process too. Slowly as I begin to relax my grumpy troll facade is disappearing....
So to recap...my summer has been insane.
My sister got married in Chicago.
2 sibling's families followed us home for a visit.
My sister and her kids stayed for 3 weeks that we packed with as much fun stuff as possible.
I drove down to St Louis to send my car overseas (currently it is somewhere in the Atlantic, Luke and I just checked the website last night)
We have all gotten more shots than seem necessary.
Our personal effects are currently on land, on the sea and in the air.
We all are in possession of 2 different passports.
And finally, after the longest year of my life, in 2 weeks time we will all be reunited in Spain celebrating Carley's birthday!!!
This moving process hasn't been easy. It's been a bit of a nightmare handling things without Trent here. I feel like I've been running around like a crazy woman! I've become an uncool mom, my poor kids think I'm a grumpy troll, poor things. I've been busy trying to gather all the correct paperwork, get us doctor's appointments, extra shots for everyone, dental exams, did I mention the paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork. I think I've spend a full 48 hours on the telephone...on hold!
Thanks to Ali watching my kids, I drove my car down to St. Louis so that it could be shipped overseas the beginning of July, and since then have been sharing my mom's van with her...thank you Mom!!
This last week the movers came to pick up our household goods. We have 3 different shipments happening. One is our household goods in storage in California. After faxing all the correct information, it's on its way. The second is an air shipment that will beat us to Spain that we can have immediately upon arrival. The third shipment is the remainder of our household goods here in Wisconsin and they will go by land and sea, we should see them again sometime the middle of September. They were supposed to come on separate days so it's less complicated, but they ended up coming on the same day. So I had all our clothes and toiletries packed into our luggage. Everything that needed to go in the air shipment was stashed on and around the couch. And everything else was just clean and put away so it could be packed. My friend Audra took the kids for the day, what a life saver that was! It was really nice to have them out of the way so I could think straight and concentrate on what was being moved with what company. Why the military doesn't use the same company is beyond me, I think they just want to make my life as complicated as possible while Trent is away! Let me tell you, if this was their goal, they have achieved it.
I was so relieved when the paperwork was all signed and the movers drove off. The upstairs of my parents place was empty and my footsteps echoed. i took a deep breath and smiled thinking I'd made it. I was done with everything. I hadn't forgotten anything. I was actually going to sleep. I was free to enjoy the remainder of my summer in WI...BUT no, forgetaboutit!
Trent sends me an email that says we need to get government no fee passports???!!! WHAT!!! Last year, before Trent left, we got passports for the kids (fyi, if you ever get passports for your kids, both parents have to be present) we were told to get regular tourist passports b/c the no fee govt ones were not necessary. Well that has been the story of this year of my life. So I was running again. Trent was calling me and emailing me the necessary paperwork. I was filing on this end and as of Friday I am once again...done!!
I promptly took the kids to the pool! They deserved it. I think I got a few cool mom points back in the process too. Slowly as I begin to relax my grumpy troll facade is disappearing....
So to recap...my summer has been insane.
My sister got married in Chicago.
2 sibling's families followed us home for a visit.
My sister and her kids stayed for 3 weeks that we packed with as much fun stuff as possible.
I drove down to St Louis to send my car overseas (currently it is somewhere in the Atlantic, Luke and I just checked the website last night)
We have all gotten more shots than seem necessary.
Our personal effects are currently on land, on the sea and in the air.
We all are in possession of 2 different passports.
And finally, after the longest year of my life, in 2 weeks time we will all be reunited in Spain celebrating Carley's birthday!!!
3 comments:
Awesome job Millie! Give yourself credit... you're a supermom! Congrats on getting through the year and best of luck to you and the family as you start a new chapter in Spain. I enjoy checking in on your blog and will continue to do so while you're away!
Best of luck.
Shanon
This post is bittersweet. I know the hoops you have been jumping through, and how long and in limbo you have been this past year. I am SO excited to hear about your next adventures in Spain all together as a family. I am also sad because I will really miss you. I have really enjoyed our girly "chit-chats" while our kids play, and our kids are great playmates. We love and will miss you all! :)
I am simply amazed by all that you have accomplished-and all on your own I must say! You are Wonder-woman! Hang in there and keep a smile on! You will all be together soon-which we are so happy for you guys but it sure seems far away! I love your blog and all that you do! I love your pictures-you are very talented! Keep us posted while you are away! Tell Trent hi for us also after you and the kids run out of things to tell each other! :)
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