Some Support Would Be Nice

So Jason and I are getting used to this whole moving to Alaska thing. In fact, we're actually getting a bit excited over it. We're excited about the fact we're starting a new chapter even though we really didn't WANT to.

As for our families, that's a different story. Jason's parents are sad that we'll be so far away but they are also excited for us. Teri is happy that now she gets to two things that she's always wanted to do: see the Alaskan landscape and also see the Northern Lights. As an added bonus she'll have grandkids to see as well! They are already looking at airfare because they do plan to visit us at least once. They are also trying to help us out by offering to store some stuff for us so we don't go over our weight allowance. So as far as the Middleton side, it's been pretty supportive.

I wish I could say the same for my side. My sister is the only one who had something encouraging to say about it. Robert (my B.I.L.) has always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise and now they have an even better reason to do so: I offered to watch my neices while they were gone! But my mom had nothing positive or supportive to say since we broke the news. She has done nothing but criticize every decision we've made, whether it has to do with Alaska or not. She has turned this whole thing into how it effects her. She complained that she only gets to see the kids once a year as it now. Uh, that's our fault? Maybe if she didn't spend her money on stupid things like cigarettes and slot machines, she would be able to see them more.

I told her that Jason would be getting deployed soon after we got there. If he goes to the unit we think he is, he'll be going to Afghanistan. At this news she says, "Well that's even worse than Iraq!" I can't even get reassurance that my husband will be safe while he's gone.

She demanded that we come live with her when Jason leaves. I refused. What does she expect me to do--uproot the kids only to do it again a few months later? And who's going to pay for the storage of our things? Certainly not me! So that only added fuel to her fire.

Jason and I are under enough stress with everything that needs to be done. I don't need her negativity making things worse. I refuse to talk to her unless she has something positive to say. I don't need her bringing us down at every turn.