Plan F

That's what we're up to now, I think.

Okay, so that's totally made up, I think we've only truly changed The Big Plans twice.

And really, Plan F, if that's what we're calling it, is still rather up in the air.

Let's review:
Plan A - Yay, we're going to Germany! Michael will go to 3 schools, the kids and I will hang out at Fort Bragg the whole time.

Plan B - This whole "Michael is away at school and alone" thing sucks, so lets go to Missouri with him, and to save money, we'll put all our stuff in storage here in NC and the international movers can just pick it all up from there. Perfect. Look, cake! And we get to eat it!

That's always confused me. What else ARE you going to do with cake, if not eat it? I mean, duh, who doesn't eat cake if someone puts it in front of their face? Come on.

So I guess we're technically just on Plan C. That makes it sound less dramatic. I'd call it Plan F anyway, but I honestly would not be surprised if we really DO wind up with a Plan F, and then things would get confusing. And we still have some hope about Plan B.

Plan C - This plan is needed because the Army says we can't go to Germany at the same time as Michael, and in fact have to wait around 4 or 5 months. So, here it is: We still put everything in storage, and go to Missouri. Then because it would make little sense to return to NC just to find yet another house in yet another neighborhood, and living on post wouldn't be an option anymore (because we wouldn't be assigned there anymore), the kids and I move to Georgia to hang out for a few months, and when the Armys says we can, I got meet the movers in NC and let them take my stuff. The big problem here, other than Michael having to live in Germany alone, is that I get to travel alone with three kids.

Remember when I wrote to the Army about this a while back. A horrifying through went through my mind around 5:30 am when Xander tried to talk me into just getting up for the day and I told him he'd lost his tiny little mind. The weight of the curls was surely making him delirious. That thought was: customs.

When I'd pictured myself flying with 3 kids, I was only thinking of me, 3 children, a few carry-ons, and a carseat going through the airport, and then being stuck in a small area for several hours. Getting help getting luggage into the airport is totally doable, so this was not a concern. But then I remembered customs. Unless things have changed, and gotten easier, this is going to be, quite simply, AWFUL. From what I recall, you get off the plane, wait around a bit, get your luggage - all of it! - and then wait in line to go through customs. Me, in line, with 3 children, a few carryons, a carseat, and our suitcases. The mental picture is terrifying.

Let's keep hoping for Plan B.