This is Our Story, or my journey to become The Happy Housewife. I write a new chapter every few weeks, to catch up start at the beginning.
A few years earlier in my life I decided rather foolishly to move out. On the way out the door I attempted to remove the house key from my key ring and return it to my father. He handed it back to me and told me no matter what, I could always come home.
So, I was pregnant, unhappy, and scared. For those of you who have lived on small military bases you are probably familiar with a little thing called gossip. This base excelled at gossip and it wasn’t long after I found out I was pregnant that everyone I met told me a horror story about some lady who just had a baby. It went a little something like this;
Person I hardly knew: Hi UnHappy Housewife, I heard you were pregnant.
Me: Um, yes.
Person I hardly knew: Did you hear about Phil’s wife?
Me: Um, no…
Person I hardly knew: Well she was pregnant too, the doctors let her go four weeks overdue, then when she finally went into labor she got stuck in traffic on the two hour drive to the hospital. When she got to the hospital they told her there was no one there to give her an epidural. She was in labor for 56 hours at the hospital and finally had a c-section, the baby weighed 12 pounds.
After hearing story after story I became petrified to have a baby. Between pregnancy fears and fighting with dh, I was overtaken with depression. I would spend hours on the computer (this was before internet) playing solitaire. When dh would return from work the fighting would begin and only end when he left for his next shift. I felt trapped. I had no friends, my family was an ocean away, I had no where to turn.
Because of the stress, I was losing weight, my doctor didn’t seem concerned. He told me it was normal to lose weight at the beginning of a pregnancy.
I remember sitting in the corner calling my parents, crying hysterically. I begged for them to rescue me. I was miserable, they doctor’s didn’t care about me or the baby, and my marriage to dh was a huge mistake. I wanted to go home. But my parents would remind me I was already home. I had made choices and now I needed to live with them. While I sobbed on the phone, they would calmly remind me that I needed to work things out.
Finally in the heat of an argument with dh I locked myself in the spare room and dialed my parents’ number. I was so hysterical my dad couldn’t understand a word I was saying. I was begging and pleading to move back. My dad started to explain to me why I needed to stay. In my complete hysteria I started screaming over and over, “The key! The key! You told me I could always come home! I still have the key!”
I am sure my parents agonized over their decision. I know they were worried about me and the baby, but they also believed that marriage was a commitment for life. They didn’t want me to run away from my problems, but they didn’t want my situation to get any worse. Finally after much debate and with the agreement of dh we decided it would be best for me to return to the states to have the baby.
108 days after I arrived I boarded a plane to Miami. I was going home, with no intention of ever returning.
Writer’s note: This is the story of how I became The Happy Housewife. I am writing as I have time and try to publish a new chapter every few weeks. If you don’t want to miss the next installment you can subscribe to my blog.
C.W. says
Help! I just discovered this story, and I can’t find any installments after this one. Where do I go next?
Julie says
I just found your blog through Misty’s and sat down and read this whole story (so far). It’s so good! You are a great writer! Something I’m striving for. Great work, I love the blog. I’d like for us to one day be a thriving one-income family!
Keeley says
My good gravy, your parents sound completely awesome.
The only thing keeping me going is knowing that it will all work out in the end. I can’t imagine what it was like for you living through it, not knowing how it would turn out.
I’m so thankful for the blessings and tender mercies of the Lord!
Niki says
Need more!!! Seriously additive stuff. You love leaving us on the edge of our seats I bet!! Thanks for sharing. Loving your story so far & can’t wait for more.
Sherry says
Oh, no! LOL! I remember my parents telling me that I was to work out our problems, too.
Beth@Not a Bow in Sight says
Why do people feel the need to tell you their, or even worse- somebody else’s, nightmare pregnancy and labor stories?
I am really enjoying reading your story. Glad it has a happy ending 🙂
Nancy M. says
I can’t imagine how hard it would be to be pregnant in a foreign country with no friends and family. No wonder you were so distraught. It’s nice to know, that your story wasn’t so happy in the beginning either. Can’t wait to read more next time!
Molly says
I am a new follower and I just read your entire story. I feel like I am reading a juicy novel with the second half missing! I can’t wait to read more!! I am happy knowing that you are now a “Happy Housewife”!
Carrie @ MoneySavingMethods.com says
Oh no…here I go again…wondering what is going to happen next.
Upstatemomof3 says
I just love your story. Although, my heart keeps breaking for you. I have to constantly remind myself that it all works out in the end. Looking forward to hearing(reading) more.
Tricia says
Great post… this story helps me keep things in perspective when I start hating living overseas and away from my country and family. You are a great writer, and I can’t wait for the next installment…
billie says
More! More! More! 🙂
Amanda from Faith, Food and Family says
Wow, I can’t even imagine how hard that had to be for you and your parents. And I can’t tell you how much of the same feelings you had were the same that I felt when we lived about 12 hours from any family or friends. Ours wasn’t on a military base but I had no friends and no family and I am very much a social person so I can relate to wanting to escape.
I can’t wait to read more of your story! You leave me wanting more every time!
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
God bless,
Amanda
Phoebe @ Cents to Get Debt Free says
This installment was too short! 🙂
I cannot even imagine being in your parents shoes. What a hard decision for them to have to make, and an amazing one at that.
Can’t wait to hear more…
elle says
Puh-lease give us more story!!!!!!
Heather @ Domestic Extraordinaire says
The lovely gossipy part of the base is why we only lived in base housing when we absolutely had to and why most of my friends were on the “outside” Not that I didn’t have any military wives as friends, but for the most part I didn’t.
I can’t wait to hear the next installment.
MNKristy says
Hard to believe how difficult it must have been for your parents to listen to you and calmly encourage you to stay. What people of faith they must be, knowing there was a great plan unfolding. No wonder you have become the amazing woman that you are.
Monica says
How scary to be an ocean away from your parents. I love your story… your so good at leaving me begging for me! 🙂 Can’t wait til the next piece.
Courtney @ Sister To Sister says
More, more, more!!! 🙂
Amanda says
OK…that was just way too short 😉
You ARE a good writer 😀 just too short 😀
Heather says
I am on the edge of my seat desperate for more.
Monica says
I am completely intrigued by your story. Living on a small military base, I completely know what you mean about the gossip….it’s terrible. Your parents must have had such faith to stand by their decisions and encourage you to stay in your marriage. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for them at all. I am eagerly awaiting your next installment.
jasmine says
aaaahhh that was tooo short!need more.its like starbucks its addicting!very good
momstheword says
I am behind in my reading so I had to play catch up on your blog. Loved seeing your schedule. It’s always fun to see how someone else does it.
Can’t wait to hear the rest of this story.
Jessica says
Oh this is way too short! 🙂
jen says
I’m breaking the M– chain. I am loving this story. I bet at the time you were living it, you couldn’t forsee telling all of us about it all these years later.
We need another installment SOON!!!
Dana says
Why do people do that to you? And it is only with number one. I heard more stories in which I wondered how the doctors even kept their licenses. But not with any of the others.
Anyway, looking forward to the rest of your riveting story.
Amy @ Finer Things says
I cannot fathom how hard that must have been for your parents to encourage you to stay put and work it out. Such faith!
Megan says
Your Story has me captivated. I can’t wait to read more!
Misty says
Haha, that came off wrong…I meant, you ARE a great writer. You’d be a great TV writer or something…
Misty says
Too Short!! 🙂 You’d be a great writer, you always leave us hanging 🙂