Chronicles of a Kappes PCS: Day 9

We are still in South Dakota. Apparently SD is a huge state. And has a lot of cows. So. Many. Cows.

We had an early start today and everyone was in good spirits.

I found a cool donut place so we went there for breakfast before getting on the freeway.

The donuts were HUGE. Most were normal size, but some were about 6-7 donuts combined into one. It fit in a box that a dozen donuts fit in. By itself. So crazy. And no we didn't get one. We asked Nate if he wanted one and this was his response, "No. I can't handle that. I don't even think a huge monster could handle that".

Quick donut trip and on to the next destination. 1880 Town with a train turned into a restaurant. You actually get to eat in the train. Food was very limited and pricey, but really cool place.

We walked around a little bit, then guess what next!?...

Back on the road.

Morgan fell asleep right away. Nate did some tracing, some playing, and then took about an hour nap.

Our next stop is STILL in South Dakota. Why is this state so big!? We checked into our hotel and then went to dinner.

Barbacoa's. It is similar to Chipotle, but the burritos are even bigger. And delish.

My burrito that was as big as my head.

After dinner, Jason took Nate swimming at the hotel and my mom and I got the hotel room situated a little bit and got Morgan ready for bed.

Everyone had a good day! We ate at some fun places today and there was minimal to zero whining. Success!

Chronicles of a Kappes PCS: Day 8

Day 8 is the day we find out the outcome of the car situation. Dun Dun Dunnnn....

Day 8 is also the day Jason had to finish up stuff on base, we had our housing inspection, and start our drive.

The car dealership didn't open until 9 so Jason did what he needed to do and had the housing inspection at 8:45am. We passed with flying colors. I expected to because we lived in one of the worst housing sub divisions. Even after deep cleaning it still looked dirty and ugly. So yeah, that stuff was done.

When the dealership opened, they said they could get the part we needed, but not until around noon. Our original depart time was 10...so that wasn't happening. They said my engine was ok and I stopped before any serious damage. It cost us around $600 to get the car fixed, but it was going to be fixed that day, on a Monday no less, and in a few hours. Not expecting that. Good news.

The kids, my mom, and I packed up our stuff and needed to check out of the hotel that morning. We have a lot of stuff.

We checked out and tried to figure out how to fit all this stuff in Jason's car. He has a Toyota Matrix. Somehow I got it all in. Us included! Score!

We had time to kill so we went to McDonald's so the kids could play inside. And my mom and I wanted an iced coffee.

The kids played for almost 2 hours. It was lunch so we got some food for Jason and went to the dealership thinking it wouldn't be that long until the car was done. Nope.

We got there and the part hadn't shown up yet. We just hung out outside the dealership then this nice lady came up to us. She was a receptionist at the dentist in the same shopping center and asked us if we wanted to come inside their lobby so we didn't have to wait in the heat. We must have looked that run down.

We gladly accepted. We were in this random dentist lobby for 2 hours. How sweet were they!? They let Nate have all his toys out and gave us bottled water. It was really nice and we definitely appreciated that.

My car was FINALLY fixed and we were ready to start our road trip. We had to get the moving truck and my car weighed so we headed off to the weigh station to do that.

The road trip began. We drove for a few hours then stopped at Apple Barrel for a break and early dinner. It was the most random store/gas station/restaurant.

After we ate, we were back on the road on our way to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We stayed at a house Jason found through AirBnB. It was a lower level of someone's house that had a living area, 2 rooms, bathroom, kitchenette, and laundry. The bed was horrible, but we were only there to sleep 1 night.

It was another long day, but we made it.

Chronicles of a Kappes PCS: Day 6

This post will be short and sweet. I'm tired. 

Today we woke up, had breakfast at the hotel, and went swimming. All before 9am.

Morgan took a nap after swimming, then we met up with a friend for lunch at the PX. Then we met Jason at the house to finish loading up the truck. My mom took the kids to the park so Jason and I could load without distraction. 

Thanks, Mom for taking the kids!

The truck is now loaded with all our stuff! Yay!! And no craziness today except a VERY tired and grumpy Nate.

I dropped my mom and the kids off at the hotel and Jason and I went to Chili's for dinner. We had a gift card from a friend so it was free! BONUS! It was nice for us to just sit and discuss what the next week is going to be. Because it's going to be...a lot of driving. 

Thankful we had a somewhat normal day. And also...I'm tired. Night everyone!

Chronicles of a Kappes PCS: Day 5

Today was definitely less crazy.

Kids woke up early...surprise, surprise. Even with the amazing hotel blackout curtains. Nope, they still know. 5:00am for Morgan and 6:00am for Nate. oh, my little early risers. Always wanting to start the day before everyone.

We went to the breakfast the hotel offers which wasn't half bad. Fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, bacon, sausage, eggs, french toast, omelets, pastries, etc.

We had some time to kill because Jason didn't have to pick up the moving truck until 11am, then he had to go weigh it. What do you do when you have time to kill!? SHOP! We went to Target, Five Below and TJ Maxx. Nothing to crazy because it all has to fit in the car for our travels.

Shopping in our matching Lularoe shirts.

We came back to let Morgan nap and let Nate play. Then we went back to the house to help.

Before we left, there was 2 slight freak out moments. Because...we needed a little crazy in the day. 

First freak out moment was when the hotel fire alarm went off. Not just in our room, the ENTIRE hotel. An announcement came on saying we needed to evacuate the building and not to use the elevator. WHAT THE FUCK!? OK...freaking out, trying to stay calm in front of Nate, trying to decide what to grab...

Another announcement as we walk out of the hotel room that it was a false alarm. Ok, good. But, holy hell. Scary. 

We get out of the room, start walking out and Nate gets stuck in the revolving door. Seriously. I had to pry it open so him and his backpack could get through. 

The revolving door that almost killed Nate.

Finally we get the kids in the car and off to help Jason.

This is how Jason put the moving truck...

We loaded a few boxes and the couch. We took it very easy because it was 100 degrees and didn't want Jason to over do it. We all went to dinner together then back to the hotel to get the kids in bed. 

I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. 

Chronicles of the Kappes PCS: Day 1

I'm starting our chronicles day 1 today because, well, I'm starting today. Also, the movers came today so it works out well. You're welcome.

We decided on a "Partial PPM"(aka partially procured move aka we move some, packers pack and move some) this PCS(aka permanent change of station aka move to another base). We decided on a partial PPM because it is really hard to move big bulky stuff. Especially big bulky stuff that doesn't weigh a lot. When you move, the Army pays you by weight. For every pound, you get $.80. so, you want heavy stuff. But you also have a maximum weight. Ours is about 18,000 pounds and it is determined by rank. We definitely don't have 18,000 pounds worth of stuff.

 I know, it's kind of confusing. The point is we make money by moving ourselves. It is a lot of work, organization, and planning, but it can be done and we make a pretty little penny. Also, my husband is anal and likes to pack his stuff the way he wants to pack it. He is VERY organized. He is a logistics officer so this is right up his little type A alley.

Nate with the moving company's truck. He is very excited. 

When you do a partial PPM, you have to schedule movers to come pack you up. The movers come to your house, wrap everything is the most crazy ways, put a sticker on the box or object, and put it all on an inventory checklist. Every single thing has a sticker and you will find those stickers for the rest of your military life.

Our movers were scheduled today with a time block between 9-11. They showed up at noon. Not horrible. We figured they were stuck at the gate getting checked in with all the other moving trucks. We were told TWO HUNDRED other families were also getting packed up today so you can imagine the amount of trucks in line trying to get on a military installation. It takes forever if you don't have a military ID. Being an hour late was a success.

Two guys showed up and started right away. We had waters and Powerades for them because moving and packing SUCKS. Especially in 95 degree heat. Usually if they are morning packers, you provide lunch. Ours were here from 12-5 so we just gave them some money to go get dinner themselves.

The crates our stuff gets put in

While they were packing, I took the kids out of the house to get frozen yogurt. You don't want little kids in the middle of them packing. We got home and the packers still had about another hour left to go. After they left, we had dinner, got the kids in the bath, put them to bed, then more moving stuff. In this house we have a basement so we moved what we could up into the living room so we can get ahead of the game on that. We don't have much left to pack, just a few odds and ends.

We get our moving truck in a few days, so now we have time to pack up the last minute stuff, clean, and prepare for hotel living and driving for 5 days.

And that's it for today! It wasn't too bad! I'm pretty sure I hurt my shoulder carrying up a tough box(rolling box that carries all the military things like uniforms). Those tough boxes suck to bring up steep basement stairs.

Hope everyone had a great Monday!

Month One

It's been an entire month since we became a family of 4. And what a month it has been. We have gone from living in our house in Hawaii to hotel living in Hawaii to hotel living in Kansas and just two days away from moving into our house in Kansas. So. Much. Moving. So much moving with Nate and Morgan. And a long flight from Hawaii to Kansas. It has been exhausting. I wish I could say it has been fun, but this PCS has really taken it out of me.

I am a pessimist by nature. I think the worst is going to happen then if it goes better it is a bonus. If it goes by, I am prepared, ready, and expect it. Here are the bonus things that have happened during our crazy month...
1. Morgan came early.
2. We were able to spend and make some last minute memories with great friends in Hawaii.
3. The hotels we have been in have had 1-2 bedrooms so Nate can have more room and a place to sleep (or lack thereof).
4. The weather has been hot and sunny.
5. My car has arrived.
6. Friends have let us borrow things to make our lives way easier.
7. The Kansas hotel has free breakfast and a very good DFAC.
8. I've already been to a babywearing meeting.
9. Met a friend the first day and have friends from a past base here.
10. We found a really good BBQ place.

I've really had to stay focused on the positive because it has been extremely tiring and hard this past month. Sleep is non-existent. A total of 5 hours is a good night for me. The time change. Hotel losing our reservation then getting a pet-friendly room when we don't have pets(pet dander everywhere!). We have to pick up my car in St. Louis...4 hours away. We got the bottom of the barrel housing (slowly becoming a positive). Nate is acting up.

 Just a lot of little things. I have mom guilt. I can't give Nate as much attention and when I do he acts up which makes me mad and frustrated which makes me feel guilty for feeling that way. It's a vicious cycle. I have wife guilt. Jason and I are tag teaming the kids most of the day. All we have to talk about is moving stuff and getting settled. We used to have every night around 7-10 for us. To watch TV, a movie, talk, workout(rare), meal plan, etc. Now it is fighting with Nate to stay in bed, nursing Morgan, searching for a car for Jason, changing our address, getting cable set-up scheduled, stuffing diapers, or sleeping.

I am just ready for normalcy. I want my couch and bed. I want to sleep in the same bed as my husband. Just typing all this makes me feel more guilt and like I am being selfish. Maybe it's all the hormones? Maybe I am...selfish. But that is what I want. I know I will get it back, but everyday just seems like it is dragging.

It's ironic that time seems to be going slow, but Morgan is already a month old! What!? So everything else can go slow, but her growing up is going fast. Not fair. She is just too cute and getting big already. We don't have our scale, but I weighed myself without her then with her in the hotel workout room and she is approximately 10lbs. She is just starting to track and smile. She nurses around the clock. She loves when Nate sings her the ABC's or old MacDonald. She is not a fan of the car seat. She can still wear newborn clothes, but not for long. She has sensitive skin. Seems like she will have red hair and blue eyes.

Does this blog post even make sense? It is just a bunch of rambling. Sorry. Sleep deprivation will do this to a person. I hope this post doesn't make me seem ungrateful or unhappy. I truly have a wonderful family and I know all those frustrations listed above are just small little things. It's an adjustment for me, but I love my family. They are my world and I wouldn't be doing any of this if I didn't love them to the moon and back.