This summer, we will be moving to...
...and we're pretty excited about it!
It's hard to believe how fast the year has gone by, though. This time last year, we were checking things off our to-do list as we prepared for our first Army move to Hawaii. I remember it being completely insane and overwhelming. There were so many things to do, so many unknown variables, and so many big life changes. Within days, I finished teaching, Dan was promoted to Captain and graduated medical school, we sent all of our belongings (Sydney, included) overseas, and we said goodbye to our families and friends.
You would think the second time around would be easier...(I wish, ha!)
Here we are, scheduled to PCS (permanent change of station...military lingo) in a month, and we still do not have our official orders, which means we can't check anything off our to-do list and there are again so many unknown variables surrounding our move.
Backing up, here's what we do know:
In December, on the military "Match Day," we found out that Dan was assigned a GMO (general medical officer) tour for his next assignment. While this wasn't by choice, we knew getting this position was a possibility, and we tried to embrace the change. In January, we were given a list of the possible locations, as well as the two types of GMO positions: field surgeon v. flight surgeon, and we had to rank our choices. At the end of February, we found out we'd been assigned to Fort Carson, CO (near Colorado Springs) where Dan would be working as a flight surgeon (it has nothing to do with surgery, though). It wasn't our first choice, but it was in our top 3, and we were excited. Neither one of us have been to Colorado, but we've heard nothing but wonderful things about it. Plus, it's closer to home! Even though it's still far from our families, after living in Hawaii, just being back on the mainland feels extremely close.
After we found out our assignment, we entered the dreaded wait period...where anything is fair game and changes are anticipated. In the past few months, so many of Dan's peers have had their assignments changed. We've had our report date changed - twice. And some guys have had both their report dates and locations changed. Nothing is "certain" until those official orders come. It's kind of stressful, I'm not going to lie.
As I mentioned, we've gone back and forth with our dates. Knowing our Hawaii assignment was only one year, we assumed we'd be moving sometime in June/July. That was the plan all along. To our surprise, though, our first report date to Colorado was scheduled for the end of November 2013. [Important side note: Since Dan is going to be a flight surgeon, he has to go to flight school for training before he can start his next assignment. Apparently the July training session was full, so Dan was scheduled for the October training, hence the November report date]. At first we were a little bummed. It ruled out me getting a full-time teaching job (since I'd miss the beginning of the school year), and we were nervous about the lack of time we'd have to acclimate to cold weather again. But then we got excited about the idea of staying in Hawaii for a few extra months. Very excited. Though very unlikely, we were secretly hopeful that Dan would have vacation time from July-October! Either way, we started to make appropriate accommodations for staying (contacting our landlord to extend our lease, etc.).
However, just as we were getting used to the idea of staying in Hawaii longer, our report date changed again. Just a few weeks ago, Dan was notified that a July training spot opened up, so he'll be sent to go then. While it's probably better in the long run, we were a little disappointed with the change, mostly because it was unexpected. And now that we're leaving Hawaii so soon, the to-do list is rapidly growing.
We know that Dan leaves Hawaii at the beginning of July and will be in training for most of the summer. Sydney and I will be in limbo during that time, but then we'll all meet up again at the end of August in our new home. Between now and then, though, we have to sort out some major logistics (we hope to sell my car, figure out where/when/how Syd and I will be traveling this summer, etc.) But of course, everything is contingent on our orders. We can't officially book movers or schedule the move or do anything until we have that document.
And we're still waiting...
I will say, however, that even though it doesn't feel like it right now, I know with certainty it will all get done (just like last year) and we will successfully move to Colorado later this summer. It's a lot easier said than done, but I'm trying not to worry about the move. God is in control and He will work out even the smallest details.
A lot of people have been asking if we're sad to leave Hawaii, and it's not an easy answer. We'll definitely be sad to leave - we'll miss the beautiful beaches and weather, as well as the friends we've made. It's truly been amazing living here, and we're so thankful for the opportunity. But at the same time, it's been a very challenging year for us (in many ways), and we're looking forward to the change.
We're ready for a fresh start in Colorado.
Just last week, I ordered this CO state print (from Etsy, highly recommend the shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/mereleemade) to add to our growing collection.
Disclaimer (from Dan): Duty stations in the Army are subject to change without notice. For all we know, we may end up Syria or Korea...
Praying for orders soon!
Keep Smiling...
