Easy Go, Easy Come. It's Officially Official!

So, I feel that this blog is necessary because it seems as though many of our friends and family do not yet know what's going on with our move to England.  This is easy to believe considering, we barely know what's going on with our move to England.  "What move?," you ask.  "I thought you weren't going to England anymore," you say.  Well folks, we're still going to England!  Yes, I know, we told you we weren't going and we believed it ourselves.  The Air Force seems to believe that everyone likes roller coasters.  Well, I don't!  I'm afraid of heights.

My last blog explained everything that was going on that led us to believe Allen's orders were going to be cancelled.  As time went on, though, we learned more and more information.  We finally discovered that not only could Allen still receive his bonus money if he extended rather than re-enlisted (which he wasn't eligible for until May 8th, 2012), but that if he chose not to take these orders (which we were considering so that he could get a "base of preference" closer to home once he re-enlisted) that he wouldn't be eligible for a BOP.  What it boiled down to was....Go to England or Stay in North Dakota.  Well, we want out of here!

As much as we've enjoyed Grand Forks, we are certainly ready to experience something new.  Also, Grand Forks AFB is considered a black hole that military gets stuck in.  We're taking the opportunity to get out while we have it.

Up until today, we haven't been able to do much preparing for this trip because Allen didn't have his orders.  Personnel was sorting all of the issues out in order to write Allen's orders.  Without orders, Allen can't do anything!  He can't schedule our final inspection on our house....He can't schedule the movers to pack our house....We can't apply for our visas!....  Without orders, it's as though you're not even moving.  So, we have been not-so-patiently waiting on them in order to move forward with this move.  I asked Allen, "So when you do finally get orders, is it going to be chaos?".  "Yes!" was all he answered.

Everyday, Allen goes into work and I'm sure the first thing he does is check his email to see if he received those darn orders yet.   And I wait to receive his text telling me.  Before today, nothing.  Half an hour ago I received the text I was waiting for.  "Orders!"  it said.  "Woohoooooo!!  Finally!"  I replied.  So, let the chaos begin.  It's finally official.  We are actually going to England.

Allen's report date to RAF Mildenhall is the same, May 31st.  We are hoping to leave Grand Forks on May 13th to drive to PA and spend two weeks with family before we depart tentatively on May 28th for London.  Hang on everyone!  We're approaching the downhill of the roller coaster.  I hate this part, ahhhhhhhhh.  See you all at the bottom!