Honey, we have orders!

Every military wife has come to both love and hate those words. Or both.

I know we were expecting orders, it seems like we always are. Within the next month we'll be starting on our 3rd enlistment. (I say "we" because even though David signs on the doted line, I'm right there along for the ride.) We spent our first 4 years in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It's one of the largest Marine Corps bases in the world and most Marine families have been there at least once. We LOVED it. Since both of us grew up in the south, it was like being home, just 12 hours away. We're crossing our fingers to go back there next. In fact, before getting these new orders, that's where we thought we were headed. It's crazy to assume you know where you're going next though, as I have recently learned.

The next 3 years were spent in Slidell, Louisiana. This is where we are now, and we jumped on these orders because it puts us only 4 hours from home. We've really enjoyed being close and having the opportunity to visit so often and have family visit us. We know that we likely won't be this close to home again while David's active, so we've made the most of it. But we're at a Navy command here, and while we've met amazing friends, it will be nice to get back to a Marine base.

Which brings me to the new orders. I was having lunch at my favorite place, with some great friends when my phone rings. I answer and David says "Can you step outside?" Great. I knew that wasn't a good thing. Once outside he tells me he got orders to 3rd CAB. Um...OK. I don't know what that means but I assume it's in North Carolina. Then he drops the bomb. "Jodie, that's in Okinawa, Japan." Never my wildest dreams did I imagine a small town girl from a tiny town in the south would to move to Japan. When I came back inside and told my friends they all laughed. They thought I was joking and if the tables had been turned I would have thought the same thing . But no, I wasn't. We were to report to Okinawa by February.

Our saving grace was that our best friends, and the only other Marine stationed here with us has orders to report there a few months before us. We started doing research and slowly got excited about the idea. Now, I can't wait to get there. I realize this will be amazing for us and we'll learn more then we ever could have if we'd gone back to North Carolina. The move will be stressful, as most moves are, but the end result will be worth it. The shock has worn off and has been replaced by plans of traveling, beaches, and learning new things. It's going to be an awesome adventure!