3.09.2009

The *LIST*

Yes, I realize my husband is in the AirForce and I'm fully aware of all the "possibilities" that entails. That knowledge still didn't prepare me for the LIST Cameron brought home on Friday. We were prepared to have a list of choices, yes. But we weren't prepared to have a list of the LAST choices available to dentists. That's how they do it around here folks - the guys with the least seniority get to be the "fill-ins" so to speak.

So, 46 dentists are graduating from the AEGD program and there are 46 slots available for them. That means we rank our choices 1-46 and hope for the best. These maps don't show 46 bases because some of the bases need more than one dentist, for example Japan needs 5 dentists. So, the next few days will find us researching surrounding areas and elementary schools and praying and praying to figure out how the heck we are going to rank this list 1-46.





A friend said to me today, "You're in the Air Force - you knew you'd have to move {I could tell she wanted to add, "duh!" after that}. I did know I'd have to move but I didn't know how much I would love it here in Colorado Springs. It is a wonderful place to live. I feel happy and content and... settled. I got my hopes up on staying, especially because we know that three dentists are leaving Peterson Air Force Base (2o minutes from our house) this year.
Everyone says what great "opportunities" our family has. Well, ya know what? I don't really want them. I want to be comfortable and live in a house I don't have to move out of in 2-4 years. And not have to keep starting over. And be able to buy furniture instead of making our stuff "last through one more move." Uh, I'm sick of that!!

Don't worry I am getting a grip and I know my family will be taken care of and provided for and happy. But this is HARD. I knew it was coming but I had no idea how hard it would be. Oh well, Cest La Vie, or something.
So far, our top three choices are Mountain Home (near Boise Idaho - 3 1/2 hours from Ogden so really that would be great!), Fairchild (near Spokane, WA) and Beale (Northern CA near Chico). Other than those three I have NO idea where else on our list I'd like to live. Nowhere, really. So I'm wrapping my head around this and I'm going to make the best of it.
We'll find out in 3-4 weeks where we will be going in August. It's going to be a LONG month!!

19 comments:

LCFrohm said...

Hey Kendra-
We're here in San Antonio. And we love it! We live out near Sea World and go a lot. Maybe not near family, but our ward feels like family here.
Email if you want to talk more.
Lindsay

Kasey said...

I'm so glad you posted this! I've been thinking about you all weekend and wondering what your choices are. I have heard really great things about pretty much everywhere in Texas (except El Paso!). Chico is pretty close to where I'm from so I'm sure I'd get to come visit you there! Good luck! Can't wait to see where you end up. And I'm sure you'll love it! Just think, who would've thought we'd end up liking Iowa of all places?!

Kasey said...

With that said, I totally hear you on the moving thing...it gets old fast!

runningfan said...

Wow, Kendra! This is huge! Good luck with your decisions and eventual placement. You will really, really be missed!

maynardmoments said...

Hey Kendra,
I am so sad that you guys won't get to stay here. DANG IT!!!! Your family is really cool. I sure hope you get to go somewhere that you will feel good about. We will pray for you guys. Keep us updated!
Becky
p.s. Ben is ticked off at the Air Force.

Jenn S said...

Good luck. I noticed there is an opening in Shreveport. hee, hee. You could live by sweet Hillary! Except...she hates it there...so again...good luck!

My vote is for overseas! What an adventure!

Anonymous said...

Kendra, you trust your instincts and the man upstairs. You have always had that special connection and it will be there again for you. (We can talk later about furniture.)

Anonymous said...

I can't figure this thing out. I didn't want to be annymous.

Hillary said...

Yeah, I have been waiting for this! This is what I think....we would really LOVE you to come to Barksdale in LA, but I understand that it is probably last on your list. Mountain Home would be great, but I have to say Kirtland, in Albuquerque, would be the best! We loved Albuquerque and actually want to end up there someday. Good luck with the decision.

Shambray said...

Oh my gosh! That is big news! I know you will be taken care of, but I can see where you are coming from completely. That is hard to move over and over. I wish you the best.

Colleen said...

Kendra, you already know I am so on the same page as you. It is ok to not be happy about it. I know you know you have to do it, and it will all work out in the end, but that doesn't mean it isn't hard! I think it downright sucks. But I know it really will be a great adventure for you! Even if it sucks right now.

Eyelashes by Brandy said...

what?!!! So, you couldn't have know this, but did you know that we were going to try to come to Springs to look at jobs and houses in April? mostly because of your blog and all the good things you have to say about it, and hey, my fetching bridesmaid lives there... now you're leaving!? aaaahhhh!
But, anyway, good luck on your list, it's hard, but exciting~!

Andrea said...

Oh Kendra! I am so sorry there are no spots in CO- I know that is what you were really hoping for. I know things will work out for you guys no matter where you end up- but I really feel you on how much it sucks to move and feel like you are always making do- especially when you know how hard your hubby has been working. I am going to call you soon so we can chat!

Trinette McCrary said...

Wow!! I'm sad you are leaving, but I know everything will work out for you, it doesn't mean it will be easy though. Change is always hard, even if we want it or not!! Hang in there!

Adri said...

I'm crying.

Kerri said...

Wow so many decisions to make. You'll love it where ever you go! (ANd they'll love you) We'll keep our fingers crossed for you.

[S Rizzle] said...

K- So will be thinking about the places you WANT to go! We will start thinking about those good things!

Mcewen Family said...

What ever you do dont go to North Dakota my sister and her husband have been trying to leave there for year's now!! I think he just put in two places in Arizona and then in New Mexico and I am not sure where else. I hope you guy's can move closer to Utah.

shauntelle said...

Wow, you have lots of friends. I just wanted to add, I'm sorry. Life really isn't fair sometimes.