Final Countdown!

So I have had my new car for a little over a week now and I'm in love with it. I haven't found a single thing that I don't like about it. It drives like a dream and gets great gas mileage. I couldn't ask for more.... But that's not really what I logged on to write about tonight. I have big big big news.

Thayer finally got his orders. His official separation date from the Air Force is March 31st. He still needs to go in and talk to a recruiter and see if he really wants to join the Air Force Reserves or not. That is completely up to him. I will support his decision either way because at least I won't have to be the military's bitch anymore. I'm so fed up with them ruling my life and all of my decisions. I didn't think it would be like that. I knew they would have some control... but it is getting ridiculous. Anywho...

We also have our final out day of Minot. Thayer's leave/terminal leave got approved today. TMO is coming on the 17th to pack up all our belongings that we aren't taking in the car with us. Then they are coming back on the 21st to load everything into the truck. We are staying in TLF on the 23rd (luckily we got a pet friendly room!) Thayer goes for his final out appointment on the morning of the 24th. As soon as that is done we will hit the road and head for Sioux Falls, which is about the halfway point between Minot and my parent's house. I guess we will be staying with my parents for a little longer than we had originally anticipated, but it will be okay. I'm just glad I get along so well with my parents.

The only things still up in the air have to do with Thayer's decision to join the Reserves or not. If he does join that means he will have to go to tech school again because his current career field has nothing to do with anything the Reserves have to offer. If he doesn't, then he will start school in May. I hope that I'm able to find a teaching job. If not, then I can at least substitute teach. I only have to get my finger prints done in order to be fully certified.

There is a long list of things about Minot I will not miss and a fairly short list of things I will miss.

I will NOT miss not having a decent mall. I will NOT miss not being able to eat good Chinese or Mexican food. I will NOT miss all the snow (even though this year winter has been kind). I will NOT miss -30 windchills... This list could go on and on.

What I will miss... I will miss my military family. I have met some wonderful people up here and I will truly and sincerely miss each and every one of them. They know who they are (or at least they better!) It really is true that your friends become your family when you're in the military. That's who you spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the 4th of July with. I love my military family... I got to pick each and every special person that is a member of that family. Maybe one day we will meet again... ya know... in Vegas on our 30th birthdays.

It seems so surreal that we are leaving Minot, the military (potentially), and the first years of our marriage behind. It is time to start a new chapter.

I hope the new chapter goes something like this....
- I get a teaching job and finish my Master's degree.
- Thayer joins the Reserves and starts school (and graduates in about 4ish years)
- We are able to get pregnant when we start trying again... hopefully this fall.

Those are my hopes/dreams for the future... now here is to making them come true!!