We are still awaiting orders. Several jobs have come available for the specific time frame that we are following. While it is hard to think about moving, it is even harder to think of moving to a foreign country. Some orders to Australia will be available around the time my husband is due to rotate and could be a possibility. While Australia sounds like quite an adventure--it also entails much planning and more flying than I can appreciate!!!

I am sure there are many people wanting these orders because they are overseas, and the folks speak English. I am going to be the devil's advocate and offer valid points for staying on the mainland. Our children are small, and we would be gone essentially for two years of their young life. They would see the families only maybe once a year. Our son just began kindergarten and would have to change schools and live in a foreign country. If there were a family emergency, it would take at least two days to travel back to the states or two days for someone to get to me and my husband. While my husband will still be serving in the US Navy, he would be the token American Navy guy there unless a boat/ship pulls into Australia. There is no American Navy infrastracture there such as hospitals, dr, commissary, base. We would be relying on Australian government. The town is not Sydney--it a small mining town hours from everywhere.

While I appreciate living overseas, and have done it--six years in Hawaii, it is challenging with children of any age. When you are young and have no children--it is quite a fun adventure. When you have others to think of , it becomes a bit more challenging. While the idea of vacationing in Australia is fun--living there is completely different. Australians are wonderful, and some of our biggest allies, but living there makes me fret. Obviously if we are "ordered" somewhere we will go; however, if there is spot here in Norfolk maybe we can stay.