•Moving Day.... Again•⠀ ⠀ We left California exactly 12 weeks ago today, and tomorrow our things from storage are being delivered to our new house! I am way excited and so looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again! It’s been a great summer at the condo, but it feels like real life will start when we’re in our own space and I’m really looking forward to that. 💕 • I’ll be using the one and only @myultimatepcsapp to make the day go smoothly! Make sure you check it out if you’re making PCSing soon. #PCSAcrossAmerica #militarymove
Getting closer! #militaryfamilyonthemove #PCSAcrossAmerica #milfam #FtMeadeBound
Where are we right now??? Smack dab in the middle! #takemehomecountryroad #butfirstmorenationalparks #MilitaryFamilyOnTheMove #PCSAcrossAmerica #MilFams #armyfamilies
Oh Canada! Made it across the border last night. BEAUTIFUL country! #pcsseason #MilFams #PCSAcrossAmerica
Two weeks before the Fazios departed on their #PCSAcrossAmerica adventure, their daughter McKenzie (age 16) was admitted to the hospital for a week. One week into their trip, Joy (mom) got locked in their trailer (with no one around to help!) in 93 degrees Arizona heat. Halfway into their trip, their son Blake (age 11) went to the hospital with severe pain in his leg caused by Toxic Synovitis (inflammation around the hip). They also experienced car problems, parking issues, a lost iPad, staggering emotions, and, of course, throw up. But, outweighing all the bad was good: √ Time together. √ Sightseeing adventures. √ Stops to see family and friends. √ And swimming pools every night! So, yasss, there were struggles, and there were tears. But, the Fazzios made it to Alaska! 🎉🚗 And when asked, “How’d you get through the bumps?” They said, “Laughter, Team Fazio family meetings, faith, forgiveness, and if all else failed… ice cream!” #BlueStarFummer
Halfway through their #PCSAcrossAmerica, the Fazios stopped to see the Grand Canyon for FREE because it’s a Blue Star Park 🙏🏻 And it was AM.AZ.ING! That night at dinner, Michael asked Candace (age 6), “What did we go see today?” at which she yells out, “Candy Land!”🤣 😂 🤣 Time together is the greatest blessing a #MilFam can ask for, and stories like this one will last forever. #BlueStarSummer
Pop the champagne and throw the confetti because this army couple is celebrating 20 years of marriage this week! Pretty cool, right?! LTC Michael Fazio and his wife Joy are a happy couple, indeed. But they’re also the first to admit that marriage + the military hasn’t always been rainbows and sunshine. Ten moves, three deployments, and five kids have posed some significant challenges. Though, they’ve made the best of their #MilLife, crediting communication as the key ingredient to their success. “No matter what,” they tell us, “we always find time to catch up and stay connected through cards, emails, and care packages. And of course, the occasional date night is a real must, too!” Congratulations, Michael and Joy, on your everlasting love! Sending you virtual high-fives and hugs from afar as you #PCSAcrossAmerica. 🤗🙏 #BlueStarSummer
There were only seven days left in his deployment when LTC Michael Fazio learned he'd be extending six more months. He and his wife, Joy, were heartbroken by the news. 😟 However, they had no choice other than to pick up and "soldier on" for the sake of their kids. After all, it wasn't the first time they'd felt disappointment, nor would it be the last. Masters of resilience, Michael and Joy know how to cope with missed birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays because, for years, they've put on happy faces, so their kids are none the wiser. All the while, ensuring they make it to school, swim practice, and scouts without ever missing a beat. Fast forward four years, and the Army's uprooting their family again. This time, relocating them from Washington, D.C., to Alaska, and Michael, Joy, and their five kids are doing the 17-day trek together! 🚗 Ever the optimists, the Fazios are using this #PCS to reconnect and catch up on lost time. And their America the Beautiful Park Pass is helping them do just that. 😀 Thanks to National Park Trust, an awesome #BlueStarNeighbor, the Fazios have explored several Blue Star Parks along their route for FREE; each one gifting them quality time together and memories they won't soon forget. The Fazios know that free park visits don't negate the fact that sometimes #MilLife stinks. But they're making the best of their precious time together. Follow along as the Fazios continue to share what real-life, mil-life really looks like as they #PCSAcrossAmerica. More updates coming soon! Until then, tell us #MilFam, what does your #BlueStarSummer look like this year?
One of the fun parts of being a #militaryspouse for me is needing to bloom where we are planted. I loved San Diego, but am also loving being back in seasonal weather, hot summer nights and driving distance from NY and DC with our current station in Virginia Beach. Going to the local farmers markets and getting some new fave vendors also helps...since I now live in the South, grabbing a random pecan pie from @gateauxvabeach seemed like a good idea. —- But for kids, military moving (PCS-ing in acronym world) is hard. I think this collab between @edys ice cream and @bluestarfamilies is really *sweet* as they’re supporting #militaryfamilies and helping people like YOU learn how to be #bluestarneighbors. I just learned about one army family sharing their military move at #pcsacrossamerica and I encourage all of you fellow citizens to spend a minute thinking about all the #militarykids moving to new towns and new schools and new friends this summer. #militarylife #notjustJuly4thflagwaving
The Fazios, an Army family, have moved 10 times in 19 years. And the move they’re experiencing now from D.C. to Alaska has been especially rough. Why? Because living in the D.C.-area for nearly four years, the Fazios have built a tribe filled with love, making it super hard to say “au revoir!” to friends from their church, school, neighborhood, and sports teams. And, worst of all, their teenage son, Michael, had to say a heart-wrenching goodbye to his longtime girlfriend. 😢 Arg. Goodbyes stink, and the Fazios aren’t immune to the heartache. They’re choosing, however, to look on the bright side and have already started daydreaming about their new life in Alaska. When asked, Hunter (age 7), shared that he’s envisioning a cabin with a big basement, arcade, and hot tub. 😂 And there you have it, folks. This is real-life, mil-life at its finest. Stay tuned for more of the good, the bad, and the funny as the Fazios #PCSAcrossAmerica. #BlueStarSummer
These are the Fazio's. They're an Army family of 26 years. LTC Michael Fazio and Supermom Joy have five kids (YES, 5!). And together, they're PCS-ing from Washington, D.C. to Alaska—a 17-day trek. Whoa! There's bound to be excitement in that, right?! So we're tagging along! While the Fazio's make their way across the country, they'll engage with several #BlueStarNeighbors (people and organizations who support #MilFams). Tune into the hashtag #PCSAcrossAmerica to show your love and to see how their adventure unfolds. #BlueStarSummer
Beautiful Wyoming! #pcsacrossamerica #alaskatoflorida #greatshickmigration2016