In 2016 they were living in Japan as a result of her husband’s current orders as a legal man in the Navy. However, mid tour, one of their children was assigned as an EFM (Exceptional Family Member) and as a result they would be moving back to the states for the remaining year of that tour of duty. Instead of following her husband to the east coast where Holly and her 4 kids would be left behind on while her husband was on deployment for a majority of that year, Holly and her kids instead moved back to Washington where they had family residing. Her husband has been living as a Geo Bachelor on the east coast for about 14 months while Holly tends to the kids and works part-time as a photographer.
Holly explains, “Trying to find our normal as a family without one parent has been hard. I’ve had to be both Mom and Dad, dealing with tantrums and big emotions from all 4. After this last year I know my strength but am so glad to be done with this season of our lives.”
Their typical evening involves dinner at 5:30, play time and homework followed by a little TV for the two youngest. Then baths and bedtime for the little kids at around 7pm. The big kids head off to bed about and hour and a half later.