We've Moved!

We are unpacked and settled down at Fort Benning, GA. I will spare you the dirty details except to tell you that we moved ourselves. We found out officially we were moving on a Friday, Jeff graduated on a Tuesday, we were in Benning on a Thursday, unloaded the Uhaul by ourselves that night, and on Sunday Jeff left for Ranger School. Whew, are you tired?? Because this move has lovingly become known as the move from Hades. Unfortunately since Jeff was on a waiting list for Ranger school he was placed in the back 100 for the PT test. Since the class is usually overbooked they pretty much find any reason they can to release you. Since Jeff is stationed here at Benning they said he had plenty of opportunities to come back to Ranger. So he came home on Monday. Although he was severely disappointed it really was God's will for him to be home. Both of us felt very unsettled about him leaving on top and I didn't know what I was going to do in a new place, not knowing anyway, and in a new house. It worked out and he plans to attend a class in March 2011. The best news is we have our tickets for Europe in December. We will be spending one week with Jeff's mom where we will be traveling to Brussels, Paris, and Normandy. Then heading to Germany to welcome Dad home from Iraq and celebrate Christmas. Then a week of skiing in the Swiss Alps. YAY

Still Waiting...

Not much to report other than we are still waiting to found out exactly whats happening with Jeff's follow on school. Ranger School is set for August 22nd but no word yet on if that is actually the case. If it is...do we or don't we move?? One good thing is that Jeff completed his final phase of FTX (Gauntlet phase) with excellent marks and will continue on to graduate on the 17th. That being said we have 13 days before Jeff supposedly takes off for 62 days of the most intense training he will ever endure. There are some nervous butterflies floating between the 2 of us but we are certain that he will succeed. Be praying for his safety and peace of mind as, like I said, will be the most intense training he will ever have to endure. Physically, Emotionally, and Mentally. I am so proud of what he has accomplished and ready to support him in his next chapter of training. Us Military kids are always up for an adventure!!

Two Days Off!

Jeff returned from the field on Saturday, had a briefing on Sunday, and has had Monday and today off. My days are so thrown off. I kept thinking yesterday was Saturday. He leaves tomorrow for 10 days for his final phase of field operations. It is times like this that I am glad I am not working because the way his schedule is I would NEVER see him. But we are so, so close to graduation. We will be receiving orders within the next week or so. As of now Jeff's follow on school ( Ranger) has not been added, so until it does we expect to move to Benning in the next month or two. Basically, it could all change tomorrow so no planning yet! Jeff wants to move ourselves and that just seems so daunting of a task its overwhelming. My theory is if the Army wants to pay to pack and move our stuff...why not!! Other factors involved with both choices seem to make this an on going discussion in our house. So I'm off to enjoy my last day with Jeff for the next 2 weeks.

By they way...our big TV has finally run its course and we've moved our 19 inch TV into the living room. It is quite comical seeing this tiny TV sitting on this huge stand. Oh the joys of budgeting.

Off to Georgia

It is amazing to me how quickly our stay here in Kentucky has gone by. Jeff is already preparing for STX 2. This just means he is going into the field for the second time. He'll be doing tank missions which he is very excited about. I am taking the opportunity to go to Georgia and visit with my grandparents and cousins. After that he'll go out into the field two more times then graduation is just around the corner. Then the madness begins! Still no news on what will happen after that. More than likely Jeff will TDY leaving me here until October, unless we figure something else out. The unknown makes it so hard to plan! But God is in total control and like last time it will all work out for the best.

At the moment Jeff has barricaded himself in the office/nook to study for his big tank test he has before he leaves for the field. I am waiting for the laundry to get done so I can busy myself and fold it. Luckily there is a Harry Potter marathon on so I am one happy camper. LOVE IT!!

And So it Begins

Jeff and I at the Horse Race

Jeff has started the final phase of AOBC. He goes into the field every 4 to 5 days and comes home smelling and looking like full Army Man. Unfortunately he came home this last time completely covered in Poison Ivy. I spent the week prior to 4th of July in Vermont and New York with Jeff's family. I absolutely fell in love with that area. We were in upstate NY and Burlington, VT. People were so nice and it was just beautiful. I've decided Jeff and I will have to go back there someday for a vacation.


We spent the fourth of July weekend hanging out with friends and neighbors. On Saturday we went with our friends John and Laura to Churchhill Downs Race Track (where the derby is held) and spent the day losing money. Yay for us!! We had great seats though. We had Millionaire seating, which is where people like Donald Trump sit during the Derby. On the off season the tickets aren't that expensive. They had a buffet included and all day appetizers. Jeff was in heaven. Plus it was air conditioned. During the race we would go on the balcony then head back in to our comfy seats. We had a ball! Sunday was kind of a lazy day. We could barely get out of bed to make it to church so we watched it on TV. Ahh the age of technology. Our neighbors hosted a cook out then we simply stepped out of our front day and watched the fireworks. It is fabulous to live across from the airfield.


Another plus to the weekend is that we found out what courses Jeffrey got after he graduates. He got Armor Reconnaissance Course and Ranger. But since Jeff's sister is getting married in November we've decided not to do ARC and just do Ranger. SO, as of now, he graduates August 17th and starts August 22nd. So the stress begins of "when will we move." Due to the immediate transition from AOBC to Ranger the Army will most likely TDY (temporary duty) him. The Army will not move me or our house. So I'll be here until October. The other option is that we do get moved in between graduation and Ranger. YIKES. Most likely he will TDY. If that happens we'll figure it out from there.

So Sorry

Well Folks I have failed you completely. I have not kept you up to date on the kaftyness of the Krafts. However, there has honestly not been enough excitment happening here to report. Jeff continues to excel and learn all there is to know about tanks and other armored vehicles. He turns into a little boy when he gets to go shoot the big guns at the range. I have certainly enjoyed having the freedom to enjoy every chance I have with Jeff without the responsiblilites of work. I'll admit recently I have found myself twiddling my tumbs trying to figure out exactly what I want to do with my life. All in God's time. I have made a few friends, one in particular I have come to enjoy on a daily bases. Laura's husband is in Jeff's class so their schedules are the same. She is expecting her first baby girl in August. I have had the privilage of experiencing this with her by attending doctor's appointments and looking at baby registries. As much as I enjoy being with her while she experiences these things personally, I am very content in being joyful for her and her future baby girl. At my count I know 12 people expecting or who have had a baby in the past 6 months. At times I feel very overwhelmed by babies and talking about babies. But I know in my heart it is not the time in our lives to be blessed with such a gift. I have kept myself busy by learning to crochet (self taught), scrapbooking, and taking AFTB classes. I recently graduated Level III and hope to continue on to Instructor training. We are looking forward to moving to Ft. Benning sometime in the fall. Please start praying now that housing on post will be available and that I will find a job that will allow me to have an extended visit to Germany. I will do my best to be more consistant in updating you.

In the process

We have been in a whirlwind of a week. Monday the movers came, Tuesday we drove to our new house, Wednesday we did something I can't remember, Thursday our household goods arrived, and today we started unpacking it all. My Goodness! Our new home is very cute. Old but cute. Hardwood floors through out all the rooms with dark beige walls and dark brown molding. Stone tile in the kitchen and bathroom with sage green walls. Basically kind of perfect for my stuff. We have 2 bedrooms, living room, dining room, an office "nook", 1 bathroom, and kitchen. We also have a huge basement with 2 other storage rooms, only problem is I don't do basements. BTW the laundry room is down there. Yikes. I managed to get the kitchen unpacked with the help of my sister who generously devoted her spring break to tagging along with Jeff and I to KY. Today I attempted to start our bedroom, but it isn't done yet. Finding places to put things will be a challenge. We don't have as much closet space as we did in our apartment. Its weird because it seems like we have more space, but at the same time we don't. My sister leaves Sunday and I am preparing myself for the void that will inevitably unfold after she leaves. I've been scoping out my neighbors and so far I've established that the people next door have a husky but are never home. There is a couple who looks like they are expecting their first child and they have a very happy puppy. Plus they have waved at us a few times so I'm seeing some potential there. LOL it has been so long since I've had to make new friends I forgot how to do it! Church hopefully on Sunday and maybe that will put us in the loop of social connections.