Idaho

Idaho you say what a weird title to a blog.  Well that is where we will be calling home this summer.  We got orders...but it wasn't as easy as that.  About a year ago Eric was curious of what kind of oversea options we might have.  I want to overseas really badly and we wouldn't have children to loose if we went. They would be in college.  After making a few phone calls we realize the only option would be Hawaii.  The timing was perfect the person there was leaving at the same time that we were leaving.   So we waited....and hoped...and waited some more.  We passed up our opportunity to have a state side base of preference, but to us the chance at Hawaii was worth it.  Then the time for the assignment to come out was gone.  What went wrong...did we miss something.  Well in the eyes of the Air Force when you have too many people on a base you aren't going to keep adding more people when it cost so much to relocate.  So they are waiting in hopes someone already there can fill the position.  At this point we debated what we should do.  Does Eric call someone...or wait to get the luck of the draw...knowing that a call could make it all worse.  When this all happened we updated our dream sheet based on the bases that had current vacancy for his job.  Washington, Florida, Idaho, and then Arkansas.  Those were the best options.  Time continues to pass and more bases have openings.  Eric's position is 80% manned.  So many bases go unfilled.  Another base opened up in Hollaman, New Mexico.  We decided that if it came to that base...we would quickly look for a job.  January 8 was the day we should have had a base listed for us.  If there was just one it was ours...if there was more than one...we would later find out which one was ours.  The list came out...nothing.  So Eric called the assignment people to figure out how he was missed...no answer...all day.  He debated talking to the Cheif of his career at the pentagon not sure if he should bother him.  He had talked with him once and had a great conversation.  He decided to call...no answer so he left a message.  He received and email that the Cheif emailed the assignment people to ask his assignment.  It was a crazy day at work and he got home late for dinner.  He checked his email on a phone to realize he got an assignment.  My heart and his heart stopped.  After fighting with a stubborn computer he was able to see....IDAHO. (Mountain Home AFB just outside of Boise) We have friends there that are really family.  It is still really close to  other friends and family.  It was one of our choices.

Going to work today he finds out that the Cheif over assignments saw his email and personally looked at his dream sheet and went down the list and gave him an assignment....things like this don't usually happen.  We are very blessed for the little decisions along the way that helped us get to here...and listening to the little impression along the way.  Eric is excited...I know he said he would retire, but he wasn't really ready.   We have already thought of the new adventures that will await or family and the things we get to do.  The girls are excited.  We are excited.