[CRS]

As some of you know, dh is a civilian working for the Army Reserve and is also a reservist. Well, starting September 29th, he will be an AGR (Active Guard and Reserve). So, it's back to the active duty life and the possibility of moving 3-4 more times before retirement in 14-16 years. It's less stress, more money and less responsibility. It's also an hour commute for the next 3+ years for dh, but he's ok with that (it's all thruway and expressway).

Today was his last drill weekend with his current section. He's going to be in the same division, but just at a different level. They planned a surprise party for dh and another guy who are leaving on the same day and invited the families to come. Dh was surprised to see us! But the surprise was on the families! The section presented me with roses and a plaque, thanking me for supporting dh and allowing him to do all that he has done for the division! I've never gotten a plaque from the military before! DH also got a beautiful plaque.

I just wanted to share how excited I am. Pictures were taken with my camera, but I haven't looked at them yet. Hopefully the person taking the pictures did a good job, lol!

Thanks for letting me share!

[Shelbi]

Carla that is so cool!!!!

It's great that they recognized the wives. Happy for you for the good changes.

Oh and BTW I can get my charter email now. LOL.
I still need to do some transfering so I can start scrapping again.

[ArizonaAngel]

Carla, You have a wonderful adventure ahead! I remember our days of active duty with fondness. So many experiences and so many firends! I know there will be more celebrations and even a few more plaques! Thanks for sharing your news.

[kimmybutton]

Congratulations to both of you!

[sprinklz]

Sounds like a better deal for you guys all around. Congrats!

Can't wait to see the pictures!

[pennynoel]

Sounds like a great surprise for all of you! It's very good that they recognize the military is a family affair!!

[angdrumm]

Great news Carla, sounds like an adventure waiting to happen

[goodqueenbee]

Wow, Carla... WTG! Congrats on the award... who knew? Those are exciting events!

[sunnie2004]

Aww how exciting Carla!! Congrats!! I am happy to here or should I say read good things happen to good people!!

[Sara Arell]

Congratulations Carla -
Oh, I miss the military life! We spent 26 plus years in the AF and they were the best days of my life. The one thing I loved about the military is that they do support the families and they involve them in almost everything so it was no surprise to me that you received a plaque. I have many that I cherish. I have one that was signed by the NATO commander in Turkey - it is my treasure. Good luck to you in all of your moves - and hey - SG can go with you wherever you go!

[debilou]

Congrats Carla... Military Wives should be honored as much as their Husbands... as I know you do a bunch to support him and his unit..

Can't wait to see those photos...

Hope they turned out ok..

And, good luck to Tim in his new assignment...

[CRS]

Thank you everyone! I'm nervous about the moves; I love it here in our hometown. And I hate the thought of moving the girls from school to school. But I have at least 3 years before I have to worry about that! And, Sara is right...SG will always be where ever I go!

[cyndisa]

That is awesome, Carla! I'm so glad you were honored alongside your DH! Military spouses are overlooked far too often. I hope things continue to go well for you guys!

[Sara Arell]

CRS, on Sep 13 2008, 06:48 PM, said:

Thank you everyone! I'm nervous about the moves; I love it here in our hometown. And I hate the thought of moving the girls from school to school. But I have at least 3 years before I have to worry about that! And, Sara is right...SG will always be where ever I go!

Carla -
Military wives are very much like the girls on SG - they are loyal friends and they are always there for you. You will always have someone that is in the same boat you're in - and military brats adapt very well to changing schools, etc. My daughter had to change first grade 4 times - and that was just the beginning of many changes. You will do fine and your dh is fortunate to have such a supporting wife.........you will be happy and he will be a happier soldier for that! Now, about ironing all those uniforms! That's another story! Aaargh! Actually, I think most of them send them to the cleaners now - but I ironed all of my dhs uniforms.
Good luck to you.

[Yvonne53]

Congratulations Carla! Its really nice that they showed how very important military spouses are and rewarded you for putting up with some very hard things in that lifestyle. I will put your family and especially your dh on my prayer list as he will need extra prayers going into an active duty station. God Bless!

[Sara Arell]

I have got to post some of my military life layouts - they were done before I really started digi scrapping but I took photos of them so I can use them and at least show some of the good times we had. I am very proud of my life as a military spouse and I am extremely proud of ny hubby's loyalty to country, God, and now, his community. He is so well thought of here by all who know him and my heart is full of pride just to be married to such an honorable man.

I don't like repeating myself, but we can't walk down Main Street without someone stopping him to compliment him on what he has done. That makes me very proud and his humbleness is just amazing. He just figures it's all a part of his job. He is a Field Training Officer which means that he trains the newbies to become full fledged officers and he does an amazing job with them. They all tell me what a great teacher he is and how much they learned from him. He is tough, like a drill sergeant, but he expects the best out of them and if they don't do their best then he does not recommend then for full time police officers. He speaks at community functions - his best speech is on identify theft - he knows so much about it. It is amazing how many people just don't follow simple rules to keep their identify a secret from others. He refuses to pay bills online - touting the number of cases he had worked because someone got a ssn from something a person filled out and then trashed it. People go through the trash all the time to get things like that.

Oh, and the biggest advice he gives is (and I hope this will help someone in SG) is, you know those blank checks that we sometime receive from our credit card people? The ones where you can fill in a amount and they will give you funds immediately to help pay off bills, etc. Well, unless you just have to use them, don't! And if yo don't use them, shred the blank ones you have not used. Thieves love to raid mailboxes and get these checks - it's a big deal right now and many people have lost a lot of money that way.

Just a bit of advice - didn't mean to get carried away, but I generally do Hope some of this info helps someone.

[Smiles]

I retired from the AGR program myself.
I always felt the Divisions were the best units to be in - I'm glad yours is taking good care of you both.
By the way, the PCS policy in the AGR program used to change almost each time the Director of the AGR Management Directorate changed - it had a lot to do with money too.
I'm sure it's on a more even keel these days, but 4-5 years on station was often a possibility.
And they were getting better about considering things like not moving a family in a child's Senior year in HS.
Please give your DH my congratulations and best wishes, and welcome to the AGR program!

Gayle

[Jo Corne]

Carla so happy for you and proud for your dh, even, to be honest, when i don't understand all of this as our army situation is very different down here. But it sounds great and a big step forward for your dh and if you don't have to move for another 3 years that's great too. a lot can happen between now and then so enjoy the now and go for it.
congrats to your dh and hugs to you

[regulargal]

How nice to be appreciated that way! Congrats to you and your dh!

[podiumchick]

I'm happy for you and your family, Carla!

[CRS]

Thank you everyone! I hope dh is transferred back to our hometown for his next duty, where he currently works, but you never know. A lot can happen between now and then! Thank you all for your support. It's going to take a long time for me to adjust to this!

[Glorie]

I'm glad this is a positive position for you and you DH, although, not perfect. How great for the military to acknowledge you as an important part of DH life!! Moving is not always something to look forward to but these words come to mind..."Grow where you are Planted". You have such a wonderful spirit about you so you should do well and hook up with some wonderful new people and you and your girls will experience new places as well.

May God be with you and bless you and your family wherever He may lead you!

[DesertScrapper]

Good luck in the adventure ahead. It sounds like it will be a good one for you. That was nice of them to acknowledge you!

[Sara Arell]

Good luck to you in this new adventure and it will definitely be an adventure. I know that from doing it 26 years with my dh. You will find wonderful new friends and you will fit right in with the spirit you seem to have. The military is a good life - I would go back in a minute if I could. I will be thinking about you as you make this transition.
Just don't forget us because we will certainly not forget you. Let us know when you get where you are going and tell us all about it. We will be anxious to hear from you.

[larsonmom]

Congrats on the possibilities ahead of you!

It is so nice when a company or batallion recognizes that the
military member wouldn't be where they are without
that spouse behind them.