Moving Help!!!

I am in desperate need of help!
   
My husband is currently in the United States Air Force and we live in Germany. When we first moved here we had a cat constantly digging through our garbage. I felt bad and got tired of cleaning up the mess, so I started to leave food and water out for her. She started eating, drinking, and sleeping on my balcony, but never letting me near her to pet her. In 1.5 years she had 3 litters of kittens that I all had adopted. After that I decided to get her fixed. Slowly but surely she started to let me pet her, then pick her up, and finally coming in to the house for short periods. I have taken her to the vet 3 times to get all her proper shots. Long story short I love this cat and she has become part of the family. This November 1st we are moving back to the States (about a 18 hour travel day). I have two other indoor cats I am taking with us. Two weeks ago she had never stayed in more than 3 or 4 hours, so we decided if we wanted to take her with us we should get her used to being inside. After 2 weeks of sleeping indoors she still has not calmed down. My husband doesn't think we should take her with us because he thinks she has been raised outside in this village and would be happier here. When we move back home we will be living temporarily with my husband's mother, she lives in a house with a lot of property. I just need REAL advice on whether or not to take her. I love this cat (Philly) with all my heart and can't imagine leaving her behind. But, I need to know what's best for her. Please please help me :(

(I've been on vacation, sorry I'm so late on this.)
   
Absolutely, take Philly with you. You're taming a feral cat, you're the only person she trusts, & she needs you. Any cat can adjust to a new home building. Being with you IS best for her.
   
It's natural for her to be upset, as she's not used to being inside so much as yet. I advise you to keep her inside until you leave with her, or she may disappear on you, & then won't get a new home.
   
Is she wandering around the house now, or is she confined in a pen right now?
   
If necessary, at your mother-in-law's, you can keep her in a large cat run inside the house, if she can't be trusted to run loose (available from any pet supply catalog, they're about 5 x 3 x 6 feet & vary in price. When you get your own place, you can get her used to it as is normal for any cat who's been moved to a new location.
   
How are the other cats going home with you? What are your shipping arrangements? (Pretty much all of this advice applies to all the cats.)
   
Contact the airlines & find out what you need to do to ship the cats. Under no circumstances allow the airline to ship the cats in the baggage hold; they should travel in the passenger cabin. If necessary, buy the cats a seat on the plane. You may be able to strap the various carriers into & under one seat.
   
Tranquilize the cat for the trip: you want her groggy enough that she doesn't realize what's happening. She's already nervous & tense, she'll need it. Talk to the vet about the best tranquilizer. The other 2 cats should also be zoned out, for their own nerves.
   
Another reason to keep the cats handy in the plane: you'll need to give multiple doses of the tranquilizer throughout the flight. Also a little water (talk to the vet about how often & how much).
   
You'll also need airline-approved shipping crates: buy the best you can afford, because the cheap ones can break open & the pet can escape at the airport - it happens FAR too much, baggage handlers have actually THROWN a pet carrier, & the airlines almost NEVER take responsibility for their own negligence in this area.
   
Also find out from your military moving office what shots she needs to go to the U.S. Get her any shots necessary.
   
If you travel on a military plane, you should be able to take the cats onboard with you. Find out about that now. The military plane may actually involve less red tape.
   
OPTION: "www.happytailstravel.com". All they do is ship animals. They also have a Military Permanent Change of Station service: "www.happytailstravel.com/
   
pcs-military-pet-relocation.php". Call them IMMEDIATELY. They may be able to help you. They may be able to help you.
   
If there's some delay in getting arrangements made, perhaps you can take a later plane home, with the cat. I think it's worth it.
   
Other information: Make sure:
   
The cats have collars & name tags;
   
the crates are labeled with your name, address in the States & your entire travel itinerary from Germany to the U.S.
   
Hope this helps.