Wendi Rosado
Age: 28
Family: Husband, Jimmy, daughter, Alissa Lynn, 2, and expecting.

THE ROSADO FAMILY: Jimmy, Alissa Lynn, Wendi

Military Matters:
Jimmy, a student pastor, had been feeling moved to make a change. So the Rosados stopped by a Coast Guard recruiting office. They both knew this was it. At press time, he was based at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Florida, awaiting transfer.

How has your husband’s career path changed you as a woman?
WR: We found out I was pregnant while Jimmy was in Basic Training states away in New Jersey. I feel like God worked a miracle in our lives and rewarded our following his direction … I’ve had to become a lot more independent. Taking out the garbage, walking the dog and taking care of the car, which I consider a man’s job, have all become my responsibility. But I can’t do it all alone. There have been many hard times when I have had to lean on my new friends for help with something around the house and with Alissa Lynn.

How does being a military mom affect your friendships?
WR: I consider myself a people person, but still dread the not-knowing-anyone part of moving every two to three years. It’s so easy for me to lose contact with distant friends I love because of motherhood craziness and life in general. Facebook does help a little with that now.

I’ve found a handful of military wives who simply won’t make friends or build new relationships at all. I look to meet friends both in and out of the military family. I wouldn’t want to be discriminated against for being a military wife, so I would never miss out on a chance to make a life-long friendship by excluding civilian moms.

What changes with Daddy away?
WR: I find myself trying to be extremely patient. I was a preschool teacher. But without my better half here to give me a break when I really need one, I tend to let the little things slide to try to stay extra calm. I also try to pack our schedule full of things to do to stay busy and keep our minds off of the fact that Daddy isn’t home.

Have you had some eye-opening experiences these past two years?
WR: Not knowing details like when, where and how we’re going to move or live is absolutely awful to me, but definitely part of every military wife’s life. I also have learned to make the most of little things … the friendships I make, a weekend off with Daddy home, even a beautiful day. These are things as a civilian I took for granted.

Life Details:
Wendi is involved in Mayport Military MOPS in Florida.