We are moving to Utah!
Matt just received orders to PCS to Hill Air Force Base at the end of the summer. It's something we never really considered at this point in our lives, and we're still trying to wrap our heads around it. When we found out we'd be moving, we had hoped to either relocate in California or go on a grand adventure. But when it came down to it, our options were Ohio, New Mexico, or Utah. Needless to say, we are thrilled with Hill. Living in Utah means we'll save lots of leave (since, if you haven't noticed, we use all of Matt's days off to visit Utah for holidays and weddings), have plenty of fun outdoors, and -- most importantly -- spend lots of time with family and friends. We'll be there for 2-4 years and will then embark on another adventure.
Of course, Matt and I want to live and die in Southern California -- we intend to move here for good when Matt gets out of the military -- and plan to have one big party for the remainder of our time in the happiest place on earth (oh, you thought that was Disneyland? It's this whole half of the state, my friends).
This was originally supposed to be a 4-year assignment, which meant we would move in the summer of 2013. Being the planner that I am, I had all of our major adventures mapped out clear through June of next year. This year, 2012, was going to be especially fun because we had deemed it our "Year of California," in which we would forgo any "big" trip (think flying over oceans) and explore our home state with lots of little trips throughout the year instead. Ah, but I should have known better than to put all my eggs in one military basket. Medium-ish story very short, our "Year of California" has now become our "8 months of California," and a very busy remaining-6 months they will be. Our calendar is packed, as are our bags!
This was originally supposed to be a 4-year assignment, which meant we would move in the summer of 2013. Being the planner that I am, I had all of our major adventures mapped out clear through June of next year. This year, 2012, was going to be especially fun because we had deemed it our "Year of California," in which we would forgo any "big" trip (think flying over oceans) and explore our home state with lots of little trips throughout the year instead. Ah, but I should have known better than to put all my eggs in one military basket. Medium-ish story very short, our "Year of California" has now become our "8 months of California," and a very busy remaining-6 months they will be. Our calendar is packed, as are our bags!
Many happy memories to come.
That will be great you will be near family! I grew up in So. Cal and I love your blog and all your adventures in my home state. I am not sure if we will ever end up back there but I think about it often.
ReplyDeleteyay!!! We are excited to be seeing much more of you in person!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so exciting! I so wish we had the opportunity to be stationed close to home. We have also realized our time is kind of starting to wind down, and have lots planned! Looking forward to reading about all of your adventures this year!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to be back close to family! Number one and two on my list of dream duty stations for my hsuband next are back in my home state! His is not :(
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your time here in sunny SoCal! It truly is the best place to be stationed!
That's so exciting! We plan to settle for good in Utah someday. It'll be so nice for you to be so close to family. Can't wait to see all the fun things you find to do in the beehive state. And all your adventures before you leave California!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could hire you to plan my life for me. You're so good at finding exciting and fun things to do around where you live and planning fun outings. :) There are opportunities for exciting activities all around me but i am too lazy, ignorant or apathetic to take advantage of them. You would take advantage of living here so much more than i do! Maybe you could make a business out of this talent of yours. Seriously, I would pay you to plan and organize a fun life for me.
Yikes!!! That is soo exciting though!!! I am sure that these 8 months you have will be well spent!! As will the next 2-4 in utah!!
ReplyDeleteYeah Utah! I am excited for you to find fun adventures around here and clue us in to them!
ReplyDeleteI'm just grateful it's within decent driving time for me! I still get to see you guys and have fun adventures with you! See you soon!
ReplyDeleteAgh so excited for you! And I love the new layout by the way :) Also totally jealous that you and Carolyn get to hang out more haha!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea Matt was such a California dude at heart. But...Southern California is pretty fantastic so I don't blame you for wanting to "live and die" there. I'm sure your families are just thrilled with the exciting news. Happy remaining 8 months. Can't wait to read/see all about them via blog.
ReplyDeleteAhh I am so excited for you!! Such incredible news :) Kind of jealous that you get 8 months notice on orders though haha ... we had 2!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! We're excited -- and quite relieved it's not New Mexico haha.
ReplyDeleteAng- You're sweet! I feel like maybe I should just come visit you and we can do fun things together. Yes?
Madeline- Seriously, the lead time on these orders is a-mazing. We found out Matt was on the VML in November, got orders last week, and have clear until Aug. 31st to report. So I guess I kind of wrote it wrong since we just have 6.5 months left (I edited it). But still, in the military world, 6 months is forever -- as you well know!
I'm so happy for you and your family. But mostly I'm happy for me because I might actually get to see you once in a while!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I hear Hill is amazing! We're (impatiently!) awaiting assignment news any day!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is crazy! Hill is actually where we want to relocate to at some point. We want to end up in Utah by family, but we don't feel quite done with SoCal yet. We are loving it here! That is so great though! Let us know if you're headed to the beach sometime so we can meet you there! I still want to meet your little guy!
ReplyDeleteYou come to me!!!
ReplyDeletehow awesome you get to be in utah for a few years! i bet your family is so excited :) looking forward to what adventures you have in california the next few months before the move
ReplyDeleteSay goodbye to Disneyland and HELLO TO LAGOON BABY! Welcome home Ash.
ReplyDeleteoh its happy and sad!! I too never hope to leave So Cal!! at least you get to go to familiar land where this is lots of family and friends!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWahoo! Glad you'l be back in Utah. Sorry you are missing out on more adventures, but knowing you, you'll come up with some great ones to replace them!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the great news!!! Closer to the family...always a good thing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! We're excited :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! I live really close to HillAFB, my hubby works down in SLC at the Air National Guard base, but we do everything at Hill, the commissary for groceries, the dr's for the kids and I..I'm always on that BASE!! ;D Will you guys be living on base or just surrounding area? Layton is a great city, kind of the nexus of the universe so to speak. I know it will be great being so close to your extended family, so that will ease the move I'm sure. :) BUT someday my hubby and i WILL settle down in SoCAL, for sure!! Probably once all the kiddos are gone out of the house.
ReplyDeleteHooray for new adventures, waz that quote??--"Life happens when you're making other plans" haha and the military always changes their minds, such is the life of us milspouses, hehehe!
xoxo
hillary