Back on Orders

So you can probably guess from the title of this entry what this post is about. George is a US Marine Reservist (as most of you already know), and he has been recalled to orders for a one year period of time. His duty station is almost 100 miles away from home, so he stays on base during the week and is only home on the weekends. Besides it being a challenge to run our businesses, it is difficult to raise our six year old son and continue to go to school. I'm also human and I miss my husband when he's gone. I've always said it takes a special woman to be a military spouse, and I'm always up for the challenge. It gives us an opportunity to miss one another. George will have served 20 years in the Marines in February, and in order to further advance his military career he needs a certain amount of time on active duty. There are also certain benefits that come along with being on active duty. Because he has gone back on active duty, our home in Georgia will remain ours. The bank was not willing to do a Deed in Lieu, nor are they willing to modify the loan. We have solicited the assistance of a military attorney (who is free to active duty military persons) to work with the bank so that we can lower the monthly payments. There is a lot of work to be done in 2010, and I'm creating a list now so that I do not become overwhelmed with the big picture.

First we plan to enlarge our family. Yes (for those who personally know me), I did just say we plan to have more children. With the assistance of IVF, we plan to have twins this upcoming year. This will conclude our family. I have scheduled a consultation for next month, which means if we get started in February as we plan, I will spend part of my pregnancy mostly alone while George is away on orders.
Second I plan to continue growing our businesses, mainly Orangeview Family Services and OFS Consulting. There is a major event that I have been wanting to launch with Orangeview that will take place in 2010. I am still attempting to solidify some guests, but as soon as I lock their schedule in, I will give you more information.

Third, I'm still going to school, and will continue until I have acquired my doctorate degree.
Fourth, George and I are looking to purchase 35 acres in Perris, as well as 244 acres in Mississippi. With the 35 acres in Perris we will build our home on 20 acres, and the other 15 acre parcel will be used for commercial purposes.

Finally, but certainly not last, I will continue to grow and work in ministry at Purpose Center International Ministries in Perris, CA, where I am the Chief Administrative Officer. It's enough to make anyone overwhelmed, but now is the time to get it all done. The first thing I've put off in the past in having more children and school, as they seem to be commitments I can get to later, however the older I get kids can no longer be put off, and in order to further our businesses it's important for personal development through higher education.

Our recent vacation to Mississippi was a two fold trip. One we took some time off and away together before he went back on orders, and two we had a meeting with his family regarding the purchase of 244 acres for the development of a family farm. Our personal goal is to work our tails off now, and semi retire early (I say semi because we would both go nuts if we had nothing to do all day). George will be able to pull his military retirement by the end of next year (and he will only be 38 years old), but he will postpone pulling it until a later date, allowing for career advancement and a higher pension.
I'm having to get used to him not being here again, and it's been difficult nights getting to sleep. I'll get back into the swing of things, and I'll be able to refocus on all that we will get done next year. Thank God for his guidance, or how else would we get all this accomplished.