Iraq vs. Disney

[remyandhollandsmommy]

WELL... the military has done it AGAIN!!! Just found out our annual trip home to FL in July will be missing one member. DH is heading back to Iraq. He just got home in Nov. for the birth of our second DD. While I am annoyed (is this a polite way to term it???) that he will miss going to WDW with me,DD(5),DD(5mo),my parents, and DNiece(4), I have to put on a HAPPY face and shower him with support. DH, on the other hand, is 95% ready to go (I will give him a unhappy rate of 5% because I hope he is a little sad to be leaving me and the girls).
DH is loving Bush, who as he puts it, keeps him "employed and deployed" (anyone else have a DH like this?!?) I, on the other hand, now have to DRIVE from northern NY to FL with DDs by myself (why do I see horrid adventures on the horizon).
While I had brief thoughts of canceling our trip, I think it would be unfair to my oldest DD(who will be turning 6 on 7/4/04), and my family, who wil be meeting my new DD(will be 8mos in July) for the first time. While Holland (DD5mo) will not be fazed by Daddy being gone, Remy (DD5) knows whats going on. She just had him gone last year and is still mad that he missed the first day of Kindergarden. DH is leaving for Iraq in June and we will be going to WDW 7/5 to 7/8. Does anyone have any suggestions on making her birthday trip to WDW extra special so she doesn't dwell on her DD not being there?? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[MosMom]

You should fly down on the money you would have budgeted for him to go. At least that would take a little bit of stress off of you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Well, first, remyandhollandsmommy, welcome to the DIS!!

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Now, with those formalities over, LOL, it sure is nice to see you found the DIS, a nice little Disney place here on the Net. I think you'll like it here. Lot of folks here in your shoes, lots of family deployed overseas, helping others. If you look above here on this board, there also is a United We Stand board. If you ever have the need or desire to vent a bit, share a bit, please do stop by here or there to always find family, a caring family.

Also, plaes extend a big thankyou to your hubby from our family for his dedication and sacrifice, and also to you and the kids for yours. Much appreciated.

As for Remy's birthday happenings, here is a search link from the Theme park board that should have a lot of posts regarding birthdays. For sure, she needs a Guest Of Honor Birthday pin from City Hall in Magic Kingdom. Stop by there to get it, or any guest services in any park, she will be a hit for the day with all the CM's. Maybe a special meal at one of the sitdowns. Make sure any reservations or Priority Seating you make that they know it Remy's day. Sometimes you never know what might happen.

Above all, enjoy, you deserve it, you have eraned it, ALL of you.

Dan

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

I decided to use the extra money to upgrade to an annual pass for DD and I. My parents live an hour away from WDW and since school up here doesn't start until September, I figured we would stay for the months of July and August. It will help keep everyone's mind off DH being gone and let my family spend time with the girls.
I thought about flying, but I don't want to be carless for that length of time. I like to take off on "day trips" when my DM bugs me about being stationed so far away and how I should move home while DH is gone. While this makes perfect sense to DM, I have to think 'bout DD getting too far behind in school (I am now convinced Northern schools really are more advanced than the schools I went to down South). Plus I hate uprooting the girls when I don't have to (military does that enough).

 

[Disneycrazymom]

First Welcome to the Dis. Second a hugh Thank-you for everything your family is doing to protect the rest of us!

Is it possible for someone to fly to you and then help you with the drive to Florida. It will be such a long drive to do alone with a baby in the car. Southwest has some pretty good fares right now for one way flights.

 

[Sleepy]

Sorry you are missing a family vacation and especially sorry your hubby has to go back to Iraq again. We have not had a family vacation to Disney in 3 years. Those darn deployments always manage to happen during the summer months, but this year we have lucked out. Well, lucked out mostly because hubby is being transfered 3/4 way through a deployment (less than a month to go...woo hoo) so we can move to Italy. Should more than make up for the lost family time last 3 years. Will keep your family in my thoughts. BTW....at least try to do something special with hubby before he leaves....even if it can't be Disney.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Thanks for all the support!
This was going to be our first trip to WDW since my DD(5) was 3yrs. We lived an hour away from WDW (where we grew up) before we were transfered to FT Drum. I have to tell ya'll that I HATE snow, expecially the below 0 snow. It is fine for a week or two, but after that it has to go!
I am trying to get my DH to take some leave to spend with us before he deploys, but it is dependant on the Air Force. Hopefully he can. My DD(5) has a ballet recital (her first) right before he goes. I am glad he can go to this since he takes her to all her classes. He's the only man there, and stands out as he is usually in BDUs.
I feel bad for him because he knows our youngest DD(5mos) will more than likely not remember him when he gets home. This happened with DD(5) when he did some schooling a few yrs ago. She would scream if she caught sight of him, let alone if he came too close to her! But, what can you do, the military calls and you gotta go. Hopefully when he gets back they will keep him stateside for a while and we can go on vacation then as a family.

 

[Otto's Doll]

Just an FYI, there is a Navy Commissary about 25 minutes from Disney. If you check with Shades of Green (you can call them from home if you want) they will give you directions. We did this when we were there in August, and saved a ton of money on snacks and stuff.
Welcome to the DIS from this Air Force family! PM if you have any questions...

 

[Kallison]

Hats off to you for driving -- I could never do it. Have a safe trip. It's nice your DH loves serving his country so much, we all appreciate his efforts.

 

[Belle1962]

Do military family members still get "hops"? I'm not sure if that's the right term--but flying on a space avaiable basis on military planes----we're talking WAAAAAAY back when here so I don't know if I got it right.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

I had to drive from FL to TX with my DD(5) who was 2 at the time to visit my DH when he graduated Basic at Lackland. It is still fresh in my mind to this day. The most memorable moment was rushing into a rest stop bathroom with my DD (who was potty trained) to find out that it had somehow missed the memo that we now had indoor plumbing. I thought my grandparents were the last generation to deal with outhouses, but I was wrong. It was nothing more than a hole in a slab of wood. My DD peed her panties as she screamed at me that there was no toilet in there. I pray to God I have clean, REAL restrooms the whole trip down.

 

[Otto's Doll]

Originally posted by Belle1962
Do military family members still get "hops"? I'm not sure if that's the right term--but flying on a space avaiable basis on military planes----we're talking WAAAAAAY back when here so I don't know if I got it right.

We are entitled to Space A travel, but you have to be able to adapt to their schedule, and with kids it may not work out.

 

[Keli]

Wow, your dh has a great attitude towards his deployment, especially since he's already been once. How long was his first deployment and how long is this one expected to be? I just can't get over his attitude. That is wonderful. Many thanks to your dh for the job he is doing.

 

[lindajo]

I would like to add my name to the list of folks thanking your DH, you, and your family for the sacrifices you are making on a daily basis to keep our country safe and free. I hope you have a wonderful vacation, that your DM doesn't bug you too much,(if she didn't bug you some, you guys just wouldn't be normal!) and that DH is safely back in your familiy's arms soon.
Thank you, and God Bless you and your family.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

DH was gone 5 mos last year. We have been married 7 yrs (we are both 25 this yr) and have known each other a total of 10 yrs. I tell you this to prove how well I know this man. DH is living his dream. He has wanted to serve his country as long as I have known him. The other men in his unit (I am not being sexist, but DH career field doesn't ALLOW women) are considered his true family (we have generously been included due to fierce protesting). He actually got PO'd when he "had" to come home for the baby's birth. I have actually apologized several times for this "tragedy". I sometimes have feelings that the Air Force is the other woman in my life, the gym follows at a close second. But, I love to BRAG about him and am VERY proud of him.
This time all I know is that he will be gone a minimum of 6 mos., so we are without him for the upcoming holidays. I will probably go home and spend them with family in FL to keep our minds off it. I just hope he keeps safe and doesn't get shot in the butt.

 

[Sleepy]

Originally posted by Otto's Doll
We are entitled to Space A travel, but you have to be able to adapt to their schedule, and with kids it may not work out.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the military member had to be on PERMENANT UNACCOMPANIED orders before the spouse qualified for Space A....note the key word is permenant and a war is not permenant orders. Space A is tough for a spouse to fly when the military member is not with them. I know because we are moving to Italy in July. My husband is currently deployed on a ship and I need to fly to Italy BEFORE we move there and BEFORE my husband comes back from deployment so that I can take care of a personal matter that is very important. It is taking an act of congress to allow me to fly over alone. They do not allow Navy spouses to use Space A to visit their sailors when the ship is overseas in port so I doubt they would allow other branch spouses to fly Space A when they would be using it for a reunion as well. Space A is tough to use when the military member is not with the spouse. The guidelines are pretty strict. Good luck.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Originally posted by remyandhollandsmommy
DH is loving Bush, who as he puts it, keeps him "employed and deployed" (anyone else have a DH like this?!?)

He actually got PO'd when he "had" to come home for the baby's birth. I have actually apologized several times for this "tragedy". I sometimes have feelings that the Air Force is the other woman in my life, the gym follows at a close second.

As an AF member and AF wife (DH is a pilot; I fly a desk!), I can answer question 1 with a YES!! My DH is the same way. I am one of those people in the military that they don't like to talk about: I don't always vote straight Republican!! I actually look at the candidates, and vote for the one I feel will do the best job regardless of party affiliation.

As to your comment about the AF being the "other woman," when DH and I were dating and people would ask him for a picture of his girlfriend, he showed them a picture of his F-15, not me . At least he does not do that anymore!!

 

[Otto's Doll]

Originally posted by Sleepy
Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the military member had to be on PERMENANT UNACCOMPANIED orders before the spouse qualified for Space A....note the key word is permenant and a war is not permenant orders. Space A is tough for a spouse to fly when the military member is not with them. I know because we are moving to Italy in July. My husband is currently deployed on a ship and I need to fly to Italy BEFORE we move there and BEFORE my husband comes back from deployment so that I can take care of a personal matter that is very important. It is taking an act of congress to allow me to fly over alone. They do not allow Navy spouses to use Space A to visit their sailors when the ship is overseas in port so I doubt they would allow other branch spouses to fly Space A when they would be using it for a reunion as well. Space A is tough to use when the military member is not with the spouse. The guidelines are pretty strict. Good luck.

I was just answering the previous question, I wasn't suggesting that she try to use this. I checked out our unit newsletter, and it does clearly state that you must be accompanied by the military member to use Space A travel.

 

[classicpooh4]

I am with you on your husbands comment "he's loving Bush" right now. My dh is just like your husband he's ready to go back. He's been home a year now, and is trying to find every way possible to go back. Although; he is profiled right now because he just had surgery on his knee, but I'm sure in about 2wks he'll be off profile.
On the other hand, can you move your trip up before dh leaves again?

 

[weregoingtodw]

For those dependents who are CONUS with a spouse on an unaccompanied remote, we can't use space-A at all, other than (with command sponsorship) one trip not to exceed thirty days to Korea. Even with that, you have to get yourself to Seattle (the only place to catch that hop) and then wait for the space-A from there. It kinda stinks :-S.

You might be thinking of the recent exception they made for USEUCOM families with deployed spouses - it just upgraded their categories (http://public.scott.amc.af.mil/375aw/375msg/375lrs/spacea/family_info.htm).

But hey, at least we get SoG, right?