Stay-at-home stories from resilient Fort Leonard Wood military spouses

By Heather KlineApril 10, 2020

Stay-at-home stories from resilient military spouses
Clockwise from top left: Kelly Pabis, Christie McCall, Shannon Strothman, Natalie Schoellhorn, Luigi Biever, and Mely Registe. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Military spouses are known to be experts in flexibility and can change course in an instant. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges as well as opportunities for military spouses to rise to the occasion.

Some spouses are now homeschooling their children, taking their own college classes and working remotely – some are doing two or three of these.

This is new territory, but they are adapting to their new normal, unsure how long it will last.

Kelly Pabis, Army Spouse, 169th Engineer Battalion

Q: Are there any big positives that have come out of this situation for you?

A: Yes, our house is finally organized and the cleanest it has ever been. I also love watching our two daughters really bond during this extraordinary time. It’s great seeing their creativity while we’re all learning to spend so much time at home. I’m using this opportunity to finish up those little projects we have been putting off for years.

Christie McCall, Army Spouse, 2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment

Q: Have you learned any new hobbies or skills while your routine has been upended?

A: I wouldn’t say new hobbies, I’ve just picked up my old ones. I’ve started back reading and writing poetry again, and I’m also trying to finish a drawing I started for my husband before my first child was born. I have also mastered cutting the lawn.

Q: Are there any big positives that have come out of this situation for you?

A: I would say it’s brought my extended family closer. Even though we are a tight-knit family already, we are now checking in with each other almost daily. I am getting the opportunity to see my smaller children achieve different milestones. Also, I think the way this pandemic is being handled in our area is phenomenal. Receiving information and staying ahead is critical. I want to say thanks to all the teachers, bus drivers and everyone else on Fort Leonard Wood who continue to do all they can to ensure our kids are still learning.

Shannon Strothman, Navy Spouse, Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Detachment

Q: Have you learned any new hobbies or skills while your routine has been upended?

A: I have confirmed that teaching at home requires a schedule and the discipline to stick to it. So, setting a new routine and sticking to it has been key.

Q: Are there any big positives that have come out of this situation for you?

A: Honestly, dropping extracurricular activities has been nice. We don’t feel so rushed.

Q: What has been your favorite way to pass the time at home?

A: We have been hiking and trout fishing when the weather is good and playing games inside on cold damp days.

Mely Registe, Army Spouse, U. S. Army Engineer School, 1st Engineer Brigade

Q: Have you learned any new hobbies or skills while your routine has been upended?

A: Along with organizing things that I put to the backburner for many years, I’ve been trying to work on my cooking skills for our kids. I’m trying to master some of my mother’s most popular and family-favorite Filipino dishes.

Q: What has been your favorite way to pass the time at home?

A: My kids have been learning how to cook meals and desserts, and they are enjoying every minute of it.

Retired Col. Luigi Biever, Army Spouse, General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital

Q: Have you learned any new hobbies or skills while your routine has been upended?

A: I have always been a life-long learner and someone who has never been bored. I always am working on some project to improve. I love reading and have started listening to books on tape while working on projects, exercising and riding my bike more, helping my daughter with her schooling and taking courses myself. I am not the type to sit around and get bored, so I love to learn new things. Whether it is another language, creating a new dish or learning more about the world we live in, that’s what I love to do even if we weren’t under these restrictions. I hope everyone is using this time to rediscover themselves and the ones they love most.

Q: Are there any big positives that have come out of this situation for you?

A: My wife is the hospital commander, so you can imagine how busy she is and how many hours she has to work. Still, it is very meaningful to have quality family time and even though it is short we try and maximize the time we do spend together.

Natalie Schoellhorn, Army Spouse, 84th Chemical Battalion

Q: Have you learned any new hobbies or skills while your routine has been upended?

A: While I have not picked up a new hobby, I have gotten watercolors and acrylic paints out and introduced them to my boys for the first time in years. We have planted sunflowers and prepared the rest of our yard for Spring.

Q: Are there any big positives that have come out of this situation for you?

A: In some ways, the blessings I am seeing during this time feel very similar to our last year when we were stationed out of the country. Our active-duty service member is working long hours away from home to implement new COVID-19 procedures daily, and we do not have direct contact with any friends or family here in Missouri. Out of this situation has come a family prayer list and thanksgiving list, more family dinners, coloring and reading out loud. Our boys have been reminded that siblings are first and forever friends. As a mom of four, I was looking forward to that sweet time when everyone would be in elementary school; we hit that stage this school year. I have been given the rare gift of once again having all four of my children home with me during the day. We talk, laugh and really live life together; it has been wonderful.