My husband got the job at the Pentagon!  They want him to arrive the first week of March to house hunt and then start work March 16!   We have been through a roller coaster of emotions the last year.  At least I have.  It's quite a story how all this came about.  In the meantime, I've given this a lot of thought and talked to lots of people.  I've learned that people fall into two groups...either they warn all from ever entering DC or they think it's a great opportunity!  Honestly, I understand both sides of the scenario.

     The summer after we got married, we went to Alexandria to visit his sister who managed the restaurant on top of the Kennedy Center.  She taught me a lot of tricks for navigating DC!  That was the trip I first went to Colonial Williamsburg and it was more than I ever dreamed it could be.  Although my husband had wanted to live in Virginia, after that trip we couldn't see how it could ever be possible.  And living in DC...you've got to be kidding!  It's a jungle out there!  LOL  

     Fast forward to April 2008.  My husband went TDY to Maryland, just outside of DC.  "Horrors," I thought!  "He'll make friends and want to live there."  I've spent enough time in the DC area to know that it is a nice place to visit but I'd never want to live there.  My husband had recently put in his papers to retire from the USAF and I could see the writing on the wall.  I e-mailed my friend from Maryland and cried on her shoulder.  She kept reassuring me that God does provide even in and around DC.  I told her the good things about living there would be the friends (like her), the scenery, the seasons, and the historical sites.  But I was well indoctrinated by my parents that the only place to live is Texas.  

     Shortly after that, I ordered curriculum for my kids and I saw my life flash before my eyes.  My daughter was going to be in high school!  gasp  It won't be long before there's an empty nest.  What was I going to do with myself when they left home?  My emotions were getting increasingly heavy.

     Then we took our vacation to Virginia in August.  Our first three days were spent in Colonial Williamsburg (too short).  As I sat under a shade tree while my kids painted at the Geddy House, my husband struck up conversation with the man who worked at the foundry.  It was so relaxing, calm, peaceful, I could live there.  Why not?  Why not move to Williamsburg?  Perhaps I could get a job there, using my teaching skills and engaging with the guests in some way.  What a way to combine my love for teaching and my interest in the American Revolution at the place where "history lives"!  How thrilling!  My son wants to attend Patrick Henry College in Northern Virginia.  That was only a hop, skip and a jump from CW.  I told my family and they laughed about one of my dreams.

     Well, I was consumed with the idea so when we got back to Texas, I teased them about all the nifty events going on at Colonial Williamsburg.  In November, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt were at Kimball Theater with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  Wouldn't that have been too cool?  My husband is a major Theodore Roosevelt fan.  Bit by bit, I reeled my family in and they were hooked on the possibility of living in Williamsburg.

     My husband started sending out resumes in October and did some interviews.  He had done quite a bit of networking around here and we were pretty certain that several jobs here were in the bag.  In the meantime, we thought he could start a job here, then when something opens up in Williamsburg, move there.  In the meantime, the economy crashed and doors were closing.  As I prayed that he'd get a job, this little part of me dared to pray a dream...could he get a job in Williamsburg so we could move to Virginia?

     We started cutting back on our budget to put money in savings for that rainy day that was certain to come.  Christmas we kept simple.  We were all a bit down, instead of festive, to be quite honest.  Then a week before Christmas he was talking to the VP of the company he had been TDY with back in April.  There was a job right up his alley at the Pentagon!  That set the ball in motion.  My husband called me and asked if the Pentagon was close enough to Virginia for me.  I laughed and said of course it was!  I started e-mailing all my friends and I had a wealth of support, emotional and prayer wise, to help us figure out all the aspects of this. 

     We decided we'd rather live away from the DC area and are considering Manassas.  Of course that could change once we get there.  But we like the idea of getting more for our money outside of the DC area.  And I like the idea of being that much closer to Colonial Williamsburg!  We decided being away from the big city was more our style. After all we are coming from the big skies of Texas.  The commute would be a pain, but worth it.  After all, even here he had a 45+ minute commute one way to work every day.  Despite the commute, we'll probably see as much of him as we ever have, because he had a long commute here and often put in overtime.  Living outside of DC will help with the expense and I am rather frugal.  

     Years of Air Force life has taught us how to make the most of where we are at and to focus on the positives.  The positives remain the same as last year: friends, scenery, seasons, historical sites, Colonial Williamsburg!  After spending most of my life in Texas, I am thrilled with the opportunity to experience new things!   

     We have never had enough time to see everything on previous trips to Virginia.  We are excited about all the opportunities.  We will be studying the Civil War about the time we arrive in Virginia.  It's interesting that we recently had our last unit celebration here in Texas, about the Alamo.  Our first unit celebration in Virginia, will be about the Civil War.  The last unit celebration was poignant for my parents. They won't get to come to the next one.  It will be different for us too.  My husband will probably be the only audience and that's not quite the same as a few more people.  Nevertheless we'll make the most of it and make it special, as always. 

     Our long term goal continues to be to find jobs and a home in Williamsburg.  In the meantime, we'll get lots of use from our season passes!  Of course, we'll make the most of the DC area while we are there!  What an educational opportunity! 

     It will be difficult to leave the memories, friends and family behind.   Already as I drive around, I think, "this could be the last time...make the most of it."  I feel a flutter of fear wrapped up in excitement as I try to get this house ready to sell and then to begin a new life in Virginia.