Re-entry Permit or Citizenship?

Due to me not being a US Citizen yet, I am required to apply for a re-entry permit before leaving the US for me to be able to come back without any problems.  The permit costs $445 and is valid for two years only, and then, I'll have to apply again for another one because we'll be living overseas for three years.  If we end up choosing this option, applying twice will cost us $890 in the end.  Whereas, the fee for applying for citizenship will only cost $680.  That's way cheaper!  My only concern now is, I honestly don't think I'm that ready yet to give up my Filipino citizenship.

I have heard that I can apply for dual citizen later on, if I want to.  I really haven't read about that yet, but if in case I can, I probably will give it a shot.  I kind of want to try it now, but because we have limited time, I don't know if we'll be able to get the whole process done before we transfer.   I just don't feel like dealing with a lot of things right now.  I think we pretty much have enough going on already.

I already talked to my husband about this issue.  He also asked me to read more about applying for dual citizen because as far as we know, once I give up my Filipino citizenship, I will lose all my rights to like buy properties back home.  As a matter of fact, I have a land that is under my name, and if I'm no longer a Filipino citizen, I'm afraid I might not be able to do anything with it anymore.  But like said, I really don't know a lot about what I'll lose as far as my rights being a Filipino, if I changed my citizenship to US.  

While others feel so excited about becoming an American citizen, call me a hypocrite, but I am not.  It's not that I don't want to.  I love the US!  It's my second home now and my husband is in the military.  But, I love being a Filipino, first and foremost.  I guess I'm just not that ready yet.  But of course, for my family, I would do anything.

If getting the re-entry permit didn't have to cost that much, I'd probably would go for it.  And, if changing citizenship didn't mean I have to lose my rights being a Filipino, I'd choose that in a heartbeat.

So, you see my dilemma here?  I am confused as well...(sigh)

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.

It CAN Be Tough.. But, I'll Always Be a Proud Navy Wife!

Navy wife, or being a wife of someone who's in the military, is not a very easy job. Unless you're in our shoes, you'll never ever understand what that truly means.  We're the ones who are in constant training as well, day in and day out.  We're always training and working on things to be better spouses, a mother, and at the same time, a father to our children when our husbands are away.  We're the ones who worry a lot about things that not everybody can relate to, thus, making it harder for us to reach out anytime we want.  We go through things that others may find "normal', but behind closed doors, our hearts are crying, praying that for every minute, every second of every day that our love ones are away from us, God will continue to watch over them, and bring them back home to us - safe and sound.  We are the ones whose husbands or wives are away for months, not on a business trip, but to go behind enemy lines, and who knows what else they really go through when they're out there.  We have to deal with that, but at the same time, we need to stay strong for the ones who rely on us the most - our children.  We worry with every beat of our hearts for the ones who might not even make it home and wish they're next to us instead, and yet, some people complain why they're stuck with their partners and wish they could be away from each other for some time.  You'll never know how it's like to be really "away" from the person you love, unless you know the fact that if they leave, you might not see them again.

I've been warned.  I've always known that once I married someone who's in the military, my life will never be the same.  The life I chose will never be like those wives who married a businessman, a Doctor, a Teacher, or those whose jobs don't require them to be away from their families for too long.  Or, at least won't send them to areas where what you carry around you are weapons, vest, and anything that will help you stay alive.  I knew it's never going to be easy even as the years go by.  As long as my husband's in the military, I will never stop being almost like him.  And I will never stop supporting him!

Last night, my husband and I had a talk.  He's already up for new orders and he's been trying to choose where to go next.  He's got a lot on his plate right now, and I could tell by the looks in his eyes how stressed out he is.  I asked him what I could do to help, but in all honesty, he told me that for now, there's really nothing I could do but, be there for him.  And I understood that.  I just wish I can do more than just being there for him.  But we both know that it's something he needs to deal on his own right now.  Once he chose an order and got it, then, that's the only time I can start pitching in.  Right now, I have been constantly praying to God to give him the wisdom he needs in choosing the right orders for him.  An opportunity that will help better his career and our family at the same time.  I strongly believe that with God, nothing is impossible!  And He will grant the desires of our hearts if we just have faith in Him and keep on trusting His mighty plans for us.  Nobody knows best than the One who created us.