BIG NEWS . . . .

We're joining the Navy! Jeff is enlisting to become a Nuclear Engineer. He will go to Basic Training for 8 weeks, then off to a 18-month Nuclear Training immediately after. That training will give him about 100 college credits, so after a few filler classes, he'll get a Bachelor Degree. From there, he'll probably spend some time doing nuclear kinds of things (I don't really know very much about it) on an aircraft carrier. He'll continue his education, hopefully at the Naval Post-Graduate University in Monterrey, CA. This coming week we'll know more exact dates and specifics. We'll be apart for his Basic Training, then together for his Nuclear Training, then apart for his deployments, of course.

We've been looking into joining the Military for some time, but making the decision to actually join took a little while. Jeff's wanted to "be a soldier" since he was a little boy, but I took more convincing! I am very excited for some aspects--free housing on base and a housing allowance off-base, shopping at the commissary and base shops, job security, and health insurance! But, I'm not especially looking forward to deployment times, but that comes with the territory. I've agreed to it now, so I guess I can't complain now! :) This enlistment will be for 6 years, so if it's horrible, we can get out then. But, in the nuclear program, there are huge re-enlistment bonuses, so that just might entice us to stay longer.

So, that's our big news! We will not be returning to Rexburg in the fall, or probably ever. Jeff finally chose a career! :) It will be a big change for us, but I think it will be a good one. We went to the temple this last Thursday, and both prayed and got a very strong answer that this will be a good thing for us. I have to admit I'm excited for the new adventure! (And it goes without saying that Jeff is excited too! He's already training to get ready for Basic Training.) Wish us luck!