Got His Orders for His New Duty Station

Last week, when my husband went back to work after the holidays, he finally found out where his next duty station will be.  And I must say, it's going to be a real BIG MOVE this time.  A lot of things definitely need to get done, and we need to start as soon as possible.  We've only got a couple of months left, and we really want to make sure we got everything good to go before we leave.

Hubby's next duty station will take the whole family outside the US for 3 years.  I am feeling anxious, excited, and at the same time, to be honest, I do dread this next big move.  A whole new place, new people, no friends, no family - it's going to be just us again.  But this time, I do hope to meet more military wives and make new friends.  I didn't get to do it here because we decided to stay off base where most of the military families live.

There's already so much going through my head as early as now.  I can't help but feel nervous because it's going to be a big adjustment for the whole family.  I'm thinking about the kids, especially the oldest.  He's 3 now, and by the time we get to the new place, he's already 4.  We need to consider sending him to school, thus, we need to find a good school for him.  And since it's a foreign land, I can only hope it won't be that hard for us to find the best one for him.

We need to find a house for us there before we could move.  I don't know how we're going to do that when we're thousands of miles away?!  Another thing is, transportation.  My husband said, they won't ship the cars there.  I can already imagine having to get around with 3 kids without our own car.  I'm worried because my husband can get deployed for months, so how am I suppose to do stuff without a car, with 3 kids, in a different country?  I wouldn't be worried if we're going back to my homeland, but we're not.  It's definitely going to be a big challenge for both of us.  And inasmuch as I don't want to think about it, but I might stay in the Philippines with the kids while he's in deployment.  It will be a perfect time to visit my family and spend time with them.  And, I also need a break from all this.  With my family back home, I can finally get some rest because I know I will have them to help me out with the kids.  We'll just go back once my hubby's done with the deployment.

Another thing is, the dogs.  My husband wants to take the dogs with us, but since the other one is already old, she might not make it.  It's going to be a long flight, and they need to undergo medical as well.  As far as what I've read on the COF that hubby brought home last night, the process can at least take 7 months from the date of their first rabies vaccination.  (I don't know how many shots they need when it comes to that.  It's going to be our first time outside of the US.)  And, it was stated there that animals which have not met all requirements will have to be quarantined upon arrival until all are met.  There are NO exceptions! 

Hubby doesn't want to take the risk of bringing the dogs, but he's also scared that something might happen to them while we're away.  He's looking at asking his Mom if she can take care of them while we're gone.  Anyway, she lives all by herself.  The dogs can keep her company.  I know it'll break his heart to leave his "girls" behind, but I told him, if you're scared of losing them because of the long flight, then, 3 years without them isn't worth the risk.

So much on our plate right now.  I cannot even begin to think which should come first as far as the things we need to accomplish before leaving, is concerned.  I certainly don't know what to expect, nor do I even want to expect a thing right now.  I am overwhelmed with thoughts and I don't know what to do with them!  I can only pray that God will lead us the way and show us the right things to do, from start to finish.

Well, I guess it's safe to say now that it's official.  We're going overseas!  But, I cannot disclose where we're going.  In due time, I will.