Through the Looking Glass

Kevin and I have officially made a HUGE decision...

After 8 years in the Marine Corps, we are gonna make a switch and join the Air Force. It's an idea that's been stewing in our heads for a long time now, and we've weighed the pros and cons very carefully. We've bounced back and forth between staying in the Marines or joining another branch a billion times. But it basically comes down to one thing – living near family. We are very close to my family and I miss them more than words can say. We are trying to have children now, and I can't imagine raising a child away from my mom, dad, and sister.

I understand a lot of people are just fine raising their own families away from their immediate family, especially military. But if there is a way for us to remain in the military (because Kevin loves it) AND live near family, then we need to do all we can do to make that happen. Unfortunately, there are very few Marine bases and I have zero family near any of them. The Air Force on the other hand, has a lot of options that would put us near family. Hill AFB in UT and McChord AFB in WA are two of them. Ty and Emily and their happy little bunch live in WA, and I have a feeling my parents will end up moving there when they retire, so we're hoping for McChord. Plus, I think I was born to live in the Pacific Northwest. I've never actually been there, but I've seen videos and pictures and I think it'll be the perfect place for me.

Another big reason that swayed us was the fact that we will more than likely never be able to afford a house in Southern California. We've worked hard to get ourselves prepared for the big purchase of a home, but even being 100% debt free will not help us afford the cost of a home in Southern California on just Kevin's income. And me working once we have kids is not an option, it's most important to us both that I stay home to raise our future kiddos. McChord WA, on the other hand...I think we can definitely afford a home there!

I am going to miss the Marines though. I feel so torn. Part of me is excited and hopeful about the possibility of living near family, but the other part of me feels like I'm losing another family – the Marines. I'm not even the Marine! I'm just the spouse, but I feel so sad that we'll be leaving the Marine Corps. I am really REALLY going to miss it. I can only hope the Air Force will be just as great as the Marine Corps has been.


I am also going to miss Southern California! Holy crap, I love it here. It's gonna be a big adjustment for me to make a new place my home. A few things I'm going to miss....


Nothing like a sunny day in Southern California...



The Happiest Place on Earth...


San Diego...


The Oceanside Pier...


The Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter and all the amazing staff. This is a picture of Vanilla, the prettiest little cat currently calling the shelter home.


The gym on Camp Pendleton and all of my workout buddies that keep me motivated...


The beach at Del Mar on board Camp Pendleton. It's military-only and never crowded...


Did I mention Disneyland?

And most of all...


...the Marines.

And I gotta say, I'm so proud of Kevin. I know it's not an easy decision for him to leave the Corps. But as always, he will do anything, and sacrifice everything just to take care of us and our future family. I know we will make it through this gigantic change together. We'll come out on the other side with everything we've ever wanted, but couldn't quite get a hold of in the Marine Corps.

Sorry for the length of this blog, but it's kind of a therapeutic venting for me. It feels good to get it out there.