I'm moving to Florida so I can be closer to Disney_A PTR

[Pyrate_Pryncess]

Wow, just yesterday! It's gorgeous and SOOO different from the weather up here. I hope you get that house close to the beach!

We want to be within a few miles from the beach! Walking distance would be perfect

I am so happy for you to get to move to FL. Now get that FL annual pass baby . I hope the move goes smoothly and you get to go to WDW when you want to.

We have actually been talking about annual passes....well, "I" have been anyways

YOu can run, but you can't hide.... I found ya!!

Awwwww Man.........I can't believe you found me! I guess i'm not a ninja like I thought I was.

Hey Girl, I'm here and following along....
From one ginger midget to another....
My kids are 19, 17, 13, and 10
My boys 17 and 13 have both been taller than me since they were 10. and my 10 year old daughter almost looks me in the eye.

but they also still call me mommy, even in front of their friends.

Will be exciting to spend time with you during the move.
Good luck!! and please thank your husband for all that he does, and thank you for being a military wife and all that you do!!

Hi Ging!!!!! lol, My 4 year old calls me Gingy sometimes My daughter is about 3 inches shorter than me right now It is horrible!! haha. Thank you so much for your support!!! That means a TON to hubby and myself! I always knew that this was the life I wanted. My Dad was Navy so I am used to moving! Thanks for joining in and I hope I don't bore you to death!!! HA!!!

 

[Pyrate_Pryncess]

This is going to be a pretty slow moving PTR for now! We have so much to do before we move in 130 days to be exact! This isn't your average move. Trying to get these orders was a tough decision for us. Having gone through everything that we have gone through with AJ so far has really given us perspective. While we want to do this for us it was a hard choice to want to leave our families behind.

We always knew there was a chance....I mean, we are military for gosh sake! We went through a lot for the first few years of AJs life and now we want to really live. If you are familiar with AJs story please skip ahead!

A.J.s story

Aj was born in 2006. It was a rough pregnancy for me. I was admitted to the hospital with him 4 times for trying to miscarry him. Lucky for us, he wasn't leaving us that easy! Both AJ and I almost died in childbirth. I won't go into the details but it was a scary time.

When went to his 2 week check-up out pediatrician noticed that his head was shaped funny and that his "soft-spot" wasn't there. They ordered many many tests. We met with doctors and we unhappy with what they were saying so we got a 2nd opinion at our local children's hospital.

We met with our Neurosurgeon who said that AJ was the most severe case of Craniosynostosis that he had ever seen. He said that AJ needed surgery ASAP. That was October 30th 2006. 4 days later AJ was admitted into the hospital to have a procedure called a Cranial Vault Reconstruction. He was only 3 months old. A small detail of the surgery that I will write in white because of it's graphic nature: A cranial vault reconstruction or CVR is a procedure where they remove the skull and replace it back onto the head with certain pieces being left out. The purpose of the surgery is to allow room for the brain to grow as normal. The surgery was a success and the bone was supposed to remain gone for a few years. AJs cranial bone grew back 3 months later causing complications.

Aj was released after his surgery and was thriving! We had regular CT Scans and other small procedures. In June 2009 He was scheduled for 2 more surgeries. 1 was a bolt implant to test his intra cranial pressure and the other was another CVR. The bolt implant lasted a few days longer than what it was supposed to so we decided to postpone the CVR. Once the results of the bolt test and EEG were in we learned that he did infact have pressure spikes and seizures.

Since then we have gone through more CTs and more tests! AJ is such a trooper! He loves his doctors and he loves the staff at his hospital. We went in last week for what we thought was our final visit to CHKD. Dr. Magee (of Operation Smile) is our Plastic surgeon and he cleared AJ with the exception of cosmetic issues. We were supposed to see our Neurosurgeon but he was called away to another surgery so we have to reschedule with him.

We dealt with A LOT with him. Our family suffered and our marriage was a train wreck. We overcame everything and have survived. We had so much help from our families and friends that we can never repay them for everything they have done. I personally have spent hours crying on about 100 different shoulders.

The decision to move away was ours and ours alone. We need to grow as a family and we thought that a move to somewhere that we can start fresh would be the first step in that growth. We love our people here but we need to leave so we applied for the orders. There were many bummed people and even a few angry people with our decision but we are going somewhere we think we can be happy! Florida is where I want to be. I want the beaches and I want the mouse I want to meet new people who don't know me as AJs mom or that poor lady who has that poor child. AJ is thriving and with the exception of his speech, noone can tell that anything was ever wrong with him! Our new life in Florida is going to be an adventure for us and a great way for us to grow as a family unit! 130 days to go!!!

This is a picture of AJ taken during the bolt surgery! Such a happy kid!

 

[burly]

Wow that is a lot to have to deal with as parents!
I will say i have to agree with you about the reasons behind the decision to move. I think a fresh start will do you a world of good. isn't is funny that us gingers always desire the sun!
I am also in the very begining stages of DECIDING where to move. I have some health issues that are forcing me to look for a more "inviting" temperate environment.

Take your time gingy, we will be here, to listen read and support!!


KIM

 

[All7OfUs]

130 days is going to go by so fast!! I hope this thread will help keep you light-hearted and connected to all of us here! We'll hang, as long as you post

 

[Pyrate_Pryncess]

Wow that is a lot to have to deal with as parents!
I will say i have to agree with you about the reasons behind the decision to move. I think a fresh start will do you a world of good. isn't is funny that us gingers always desire the sun!
I am also in the very begining stages of DECIDING where to move. I have some health issues that are forcing me to look for a more "inviting" temperate environment.

Take your time gingy, we will be here, to listen read and support!!


KIM

Thank you! It has been hard but as they say, God never gives us more than we can handle......I didn't believe that for a long time. I thought God was playing a joke on us and that we would fall because of it. I am shocked that we have survived and are pretty normal!

It IS funny that we desure the sun....since NONE if us gingers have any business taking our pastey white skin outside in it! Sunburns are horrible but oh well! Such is life! hehehehehe. You should totally decide to move to Navarre Florida! I say that because that is where I have decided to go.....HA!

130 days is going to go by so fast!! I hope this thread will help keep you light-hearted and connected to all of us here! We'll hang, as long as you post

I know! It is crazy when I think about it. In terms of days, 130 doesn't seem too long......not like saying almost 5 more months! That seems like a world away!

 

[burly]

Navarre Florida huh? My 19 yr old daughter is a ginger also, we could take over!!!


sunburns are horrible. I also hate hate hate sunscreen, but have learned to live with it. My hubby and i take a leave of absence from our children every other year to Mexico, Playa del Carmen to be exact, and i am a sunscreen goddess there!


KIM

 

[oregonmommyof2]

I'm late!! But I am here!!

My brother works on the F15 I think... He deals with the computer components of it I guess.. He is stationed at Seymour Johnson...

Anywho, now that I am here, you may continue...

 

[Pyrate_Pryncess]

Navarre Florida huh? My 19 yr old daughter is a ginger also, we could take over!!!


sunburns are horrible. I also hate hate hate sunscreen, but have learned to live with it. My hubby and i take a leave of absence from our children every other year to Mexico, Playa del Carmen to be exact, and i am a sunscreen goddess there!


KIM

I burn SOOO BAD! I hate sunscreen too, I started using the spray though so its easier to deal with! I wish we could leave the kids every other year......That would be heaven with the past few days i've had!

I'm late!! But I am here!!

My brother works on the F15 I think... He deals with the computer components of it I guess.. He is stationed at Seymour Johnson...

Anywho, now that I am here, you may continue...

Your brother is YUMMY! That's all I have to say about that!

Ask him if he is Weapons, Maintenance, back-shop or LO. If he works with the jets he might do something similar to what Eric does! If so, thats pretty frickin cool!

I am so glad that you came, I have been holding my breath whilst waiting for you..... Sorry, I tried to say that without laughing!

 

[loveysbydesign]

sounds like a great report is coming..and I am so jealous that you are miving to Florida1 We hope to move there in the summer of 2013!

 

[Pyrate_Pryncess]

sounds like a great report is coming..and I am so jealous that you are miving to Florida1 We hope to move there in the summer of 2013!

We are beyond excited for this! 5 1/2 hours away from Orlando makes it a TON easier to go to WDW!

Where are you thinking of moving to?

 

[loveysbydesign]

We are beyond excited for this! 5 1/2 hours away from Orlando makes it a TON easier to go to WDW!

Where are you thinking of moving to?

Not sure but hopefully within an hour of WDW, but if not anywhere in Florida will do! It all depends on where my dh finds a new job.

 

[oregonmommyof2]

Your brother is YUMMY! That's all I have to say about that!

Ask him if he is Weapons, Maintenance, back-shop or LO. If he works with the jets he might do something similar to what Eric does! If so, thats pretty frickin cool!

I am so glad that you came, I have been holding my breath whilst waiting for you..... Sorry, I tried to say that without laughing!

Between you and Reese both think my brother is yummy...

I will ask him... I can never remember what it is exactly he does... And anytime I ask him he says he does EVERYTHING!!

 

[Pyrate_Pryncess]

Not sure but hopefully within an hour of WDW, but if not anywhere in Florida will do! It all depends on where my dh finds a new job.

Amen to that!!! I can't wait!!! 5 1/2 hours is better than 12 plus!!!

Between you and Reese both think my brother is yummy...

I will ask him... I can never remember what it is exactly he does... And anytime I ask him he says he does EVERYTHING!!

Eric says the same thing! He is pretty certain that the USAF would fall if not for him! Cracks me up

 

[mom3sonstt]

I'm here!

My oldest stepson and his family live in Virginia Beach. He is career Navy and has been stationed in the Norfolk area for the past 15 years. He joined in '91 and other than bootcamp (Orlando), Training (Great Lakes) and less than a year in California (that posting was cut short because the ship he was stationed to was brought back to Virginia to be retired and he had the option of returning to California or staying in Virginia...they stayed in Virginia) he has spent all of his time in that area. Now he is retiring and planning to move back to Illinois.

I get what you mean about going somewhere and starting fresh. Their kids are looking forward to that here. Well, mostly the boy. He is a freshman in high school this year, but looks like he's about 10 years old. Last summer when they were back visiting and we went out for lunch, the waitress gave him a childs menu.....he was not happy . Now that he's in high school - at such a large high school, he gets teased alot so he just doesn't go. They also just went through a very rough patch in their marriage for a couple years and Nathan (the son) took that very badly, made himself sick, had stomach and digestion problems, - that couldn't have helped his growth either. They now seem to be back together and planning a future together, so hopefully a change of scenery will get Nathan back on track. It won't hurt that we live in such a small community, and the high school they are planning to send him to is the one his dad, and all of my boys went to, so even though people won't know Nathan, they know his family.

Moving to Florida is a dream of mine. Both of our families have lived in this area for generations - so I don't know how realistic that dream is. My brother managed to move away for a few years when he was in his 20s, but eventually he came back home too.


I look forward to following your adventure!

 

[ericamcl]

AJ is adorable - and I admire you and your family for overcoming things when they got rough.

I can't wait to hear about the move - AND about your first trip to see the mouse as a FL resident!

 

[Pyrate_Pryncess]

I'm here!

My oldest stepson and his family live in Virginia Beach. He is career Navy and has been stationed in the Norfolk area for the past 15 years. He joined in '91 and other than bootcamp (Orlando), Training (Great Lakes) and less than a year in California (that posting was cut short because the ship he was stationed to was brought back to Virginia to be retired and he had the option of returning to California or staying in Virginia...they stayed in Virginia) he has spent all of his time in that area. Now he is retiring and planning to move back to Illinois.

I get what you mean about going somewhere and starting fresh. Their kids are looking forward to that here. Well, mostly the boy. He is a freshman in high school this year, but looks like he's about 10 years old. Last summer when they were back visiting and we went out for lunch, the waitress gave him a childs menu.....he was not happy . Now that he's in high school - at such a large high school, he gets teased alot so he just doesn't go. They also just went through a very rough patch in their marriage for a couple years and Nathan (the son) took that very badly, made himself sick, had stomach and digestion problems, - that couldn't have helped his growth either. They now seem to be back together and planning a future together, so hopefully a change of scenery will get Nathan back on track. It won't hurt that we live in such a small community, and the high school they are planning to send him to is the one his dad, and all of my boys went to, so even though people won't know Nathan, they know his family.

Moving to Florida is a dream of mine. Both of our families have lived in this area for generations - so I don't know how realistic that dream is. My brother managed to move away for a few years when he was in his 20s, but eventually he came back home too.


I look forward to following your adventure!

My dad was stationed in VA a few times over his career....Norfolk each time! Living in VA Bch was great when we were younger but it is soooo touristy now! I know about everyone moving back home! My sister stayed in NC when we moved to VA but after a few years she came up too! So now I am leaving EVERYONE. Its gonna be hard but we are ready!

AJ is adorable - and I admire you and your family for overcoming things when they got rough.

I can't wait to hear about the move - AND about your first trip to see the mouse as a FL resident!

Thank you so much! He is a firecracker! Trust me, we didn't make it through everything in one piece. We will be fixing things for the rest of our lives!


Its been a crazy few weeks but I will have an update coming tomorrow! Just wait, we got some really really really good news to share! LIFE CHANGING good news! Just wait!

 

[Pyrate_Pryncess]

As I said yesterday I have an update for you today! So what is the big news you ask? Well.....................AJ GOT CLEARED FROM OUR SURGICAL TEAM! That means no surgeries in our near future and no more CTS for right now!!!!!!! This is HUGE for us! We have spent 4 1/2 years going through this and it finally feels like its almost over! We are still going to get a Cranio Team in Florida...just to keep watch!

As excited as we are about AJ we are also dealing with something new. Kat has been complaining about back pain so we took her to her pediatrician. She sent us in for Xrays and then to Ortho after that. Well, her CTS show an extra bone in her back and Ortho believes that it is causing her pain. Kat goes in tomorrow for a 4 hour long MRI. She is nervous and so am I. Doc said that if the MRI shows that the extra bone is in fact causing the problems that he will have to go in to remove it. AAAAHHHHHHH, Why do my kids have bone issues???? Its driving me crazy! Kat is excited about the possibility of surgery though because she asked if she could keep the bone that is removed and the Dr said she could She is a weirdo! HA! I am going to nap today and attempt to keep her awake all night so she will sleep in the tube **fingers crossed**.

About the move: We are at 92 days right now. Time to get our butts in gear! We still don't have "paper" orders yet so we can't schedule the movers. We are buying boxes online so we can start pre-packing the things that we dont need.

We are still looking into trying to buy a house before we get to Fl. We have a dog and we want to bring him with us but are running into problems with that. The temp housing that they have on base down there is NASTY! Flea and tick INFESTED! YUCK! We will NOT be staying there so we looked into Boarding him.......WOW, that is EXPENSIVE! The sad reality is that we might be living in a hotel for a few months and boarding him for that long is unrealistic. We have asked everyone we know to watch him until we get a place and we would fly him down to us but noone can take him. Either we get a house before we get there or we have to get rid of the dog.

We are still looking into Disney Annual passes!!!! Wooohooo! The only problem is that we have Passes for Busch Gardens/Sea World. We don't want to give the passes up because we locked into them 8 years ago! We only pay 8.00 per month per pass! We know we will still use them, especially when we come back to VA to visit but our passes also include the FL parks too! If I can convince hubby to do it, we will be WDW passholders by August!


Thats it for now, my sanity is slowly leaving me today!

 

[mrsksomeday]

YAY for AJ, that had to be great to hear. So sorry about Kat's pain, I hope they can take care of it asap.

Oh I hope you get a house, I couldn't imagine not having Ace with us, I would be heartbroken.

There should not have to be any convincing. You will be living in FL you NEED WDW annual passes. It will be way cheaper in the end.... end of story .

 

[YukiPhnx]

I hope you're able to find a house! I wouldn't want you to lose your dog!!

I'm so glad for AJ, but I hope there isn't any major problems with Kat!

I'm sure it won't be hard to convince hubby of APs, I mean, you'll be there so much it makes no sense NOT to get them!