Interpreting Silence

I am so thankful for so many friends and family who care about us. The past few days we have received several texts, emails, messages and etc asking where we were and if we are ok. Let me assure you we are just fine. Chaz's health is exactly where it was at the last update. We're all great. We've just been very busy. You guys all rock and thank you for caring so very much about our well being. We really appreciate it. I thought I'd take a few minutes and clarify what's going on.

Tuesday we took off for our home in TN for a break from the hospital. So my WR peeps, we're in TN, not in MD, so that's why you haven't seen us all week. Chaz has a lot of leave built up (that's what happens when you spend 14 years in the Infantry and get tasked out left and right) and if we don't use some of it by October 1, the Army will take it. So we thought oh heck no, let's go home! Let's let the kids hang out with their friends and have some fun in TN. We needed a true break from the Army and the WW routine.

TN peeps we did not announce our arrival because we have had a jammed packed few weeks in MD. We all four needed some chill time. We needed to come home and not have cars in the driveway waiting on us to arrive. I know you can all understand. I promise I'll make it up to you!

We weren't supposed to be here until yesterday, but my very dear friend, Tanya, told me when she was going to be in TN. I haven't seen her since the day before Chaz was injured. Her hubby got orders and they moved to Germany the same time as Chaz's injury. She has always kept in touch and I was overdue for a Tanya talk and big hug. We moved our arrival back to Tuesday so I could spend Wednesday with her. She left to return to Germany on Thursday. Coming home earlier was a very smart decision. I didn't realize how much I truly missed her. I am so grateful we were able to make that happen.

This will be a very laid back and relaxed trip home. The only thing planned on this visit is Allen girls' checkups (that includes me). We will be visiting doctors and dentists all this next week. Nothing is wrong with any of us, the girls and I are all overdue for dental cleanings and wellness checkups. Daddy Bear is 100% squared away in MD, but his girls are not. So Momma Bear has to get that done when we're home.

The Friday before we left, I accepted a job with the Yellow Ribbon Fund as the Director of Family and Caregiver Services. Our little family is super excited about it. But I have a lot of tax work to do before we leave. So I needed to be able to immediately start on it so I could finish it and leave it here with its owners. I need to go back to MD and start my new job without anything left out there. But for those who are wondering, yes, I do plan to continue my tax business. If I get these few things squared away before we head back, I should be done with taxes until the Federal tax law update rolls out.

Also we are in TN to make a very grown-up decision. Over the next few weeks, we will be determining where we are going to build our new house. We are looking at schools, communities, resources and etc. This is a huge decision and to be honest we are having a very hard time making it. The only decision we all four agree on is that we want to remain in TN. But TN is a very big state!! So that's where most of the silence is coming from. Chaz and I are really talking about what we want for our girls and their future. We have had long talks about how and where we were raised and what we wish for our girls.

I had to laugh when my friend informed me that the chatter from the WTB was Chaz and I were having marital problems. Since I know the WTB reads this blog, let me help you out. First, Chaz and I are as great as we have ever been. Second, if you have questions about our marriage you have all of our contact info, please direct the questions to us. Third, don't ask the other families about us and put them in that awkward position. It's immature and unprofessional. Fourth, Chaz's Nurse Case Manager, Social Worker and AW2 rep are on the same floor as you. They know us way better than any person in an Army uniform on your floor. If you are that concerned about us, then perhaps you should go to them with questions. So please quit interpreting our silence into what you want it to be. Instead pick up the phone or ask the professionals around you. This is not high school, don't plant seeds and spread rumors. Instead be professionals and grown-ups and ask questions to the people involved.