Relief.

I finally came to the conclusion the other day that no matter what happens in my husband's Marine Corps career, we will be okay. With all the cutbacks and the Marine Corps making it harder to stay in I've been worrying in the back of my head about what we will do if Johnathon isn't able to re-enlist. Thankfully he hits his 8 year mark this upcoming January (2013) and he has until January 2015 to be selected for Staff Sergeant. Since the Staff Board only comes around once a year, that means he has the 2013 and 2014 board to be selected for Staff. And here I was thinking he only had 2013 for some reason. Thankfully my husband has a great fit rep with 'retain and promote' across the boards from all of us superiors. All of his superiors truly think that he has great potential and will have no problem being selected for Staff once he's in zone.

So, why should I worry? These same people told him if he didn't lose weight he'd be kicked out of the Marine Corps on his ass without anyone giving him a second glance. They've always given him the least favorable outcome of any situation he's in. So, if they're telling him they are positive he will be promoted and retained for re-enlistment... why am I freaking out?

Not to mention thankfully my husband's job can be done as a civilian contractor so it's not like he has to get out and start all over again if by some chance he doesn't end up picking up like so many other Marines have to.

So, starting today I'm not worrying about it anymore. We are going to hope for the best and work for the best, but plan for the future. By the time January 2015 rolls around we intend to have at least 3-4 months pay in savings to have some cushion to fall back on in case he does end up getting out, and while he's in school this year for his new MOS he plans to talk to some of the people in charge of hiring civilian contractors so he can start working on a back up plan.

I'm honestly relieved. I've always been one that obsessively worries, especially since having my children, but this just really takes a load off my shoulders. Getting out will not be the end of our world IF it happens.

Now, I just need to stop wanting to obsessively look up houses near Lejeune... I'm hoping and praying and crossing my fingers and toes that we end up back there after MOS school. I love North Carolina. Not that I hate California, but it's so far away from home, and in Twentynine Palms there's really not much to do unless you want to drive at least an hour and some change. At least at Lejeune Johnathon's family is 5 hours away and my family is around 12. Totally doable so we both can see our families way more often then once a year. And, as weird as it sounds, I can't wait to [hopefully] make that nice long drive from CA to NC. Johnathon and I had a ton of fun stopping at all the sites along the way and we'd love to share that with our kids too.

Speaking of kids... I can hear my name being called now. Toodles.