You Know You're a Military Family When...

The life of a military family is never dull. We're waiting for orders for our 8th cross country move in 17 years. We have tags on vehicles from states long since left, returned to and left again. As I sit here looking at a property tax bill for the vehile we bought in our last state, I am wondering if I should register it here, or just wait until the new state. That got me thinking...

You know you're a miltiary family when:

Your high schooler's transcript contains info from three different high schools. In three different states.

You've been in your current home for a year, and realize that you don't have a PCS coming up for awhile. And it feels strange to stay in one spot for longer than that year.

You stop buying houseplants because they never survive the PCS anyway.

Your cats have travelled across the United States more than most civilians ever will. And so has your toddler.

You stop buying curtain rods and curtains - they never, ever work in the new house!

You have to explain to family that, no, your service member cannot attend their wedding, bar mitzvah, baby shower (insert your event HERE) because of the ship's schedule. And, sorry but they will not grant leave during an inspection, deployment, INSERV just because you really want the service member to attend.

You spend all of your leave visiting family instead of taking a family vacation.

You load up the kids to go to the mall, and momentarily question what state you are in and which mall you think you're going to.

Your toddlers make "duty" versus "doodie" jokes. Example - Mom: "Your dad has duty today." Kid: "In his pants?! Ewww!" Cue uproarious laughter!

You've heard too many times to count, "Well, that's why he makes the 'big bucks!'" (Thanks, Amanda!)

You know the rate per minute of a cell phone call from Dubai, Bahrain and Rota. And the WiFi hotspots in those nations, too.

I'm sure you can add to this list. I'd love to read your "You Know You're a Military Family When" thoughts!