An Attitude of Gratitude-BIG Announcement/Changes ahead

The other day, in the midst of a raging pity party for myself while feeling homesick, it occurred to me that maybe things weren't as horrible as they seemed to be.  Sure things haven't always been easy for us, and we seem to do things in the most difficult way possible, but it's always worked out.

I thought back at all the twists and turns our lives have been taking the last couple years, and although at times I have felt annoyed, upset, sad, scared, frustrated, angry, lonely etc., I realized that we HAVE been blessed.  So I've decided to show a little gratitude for those blessings.

The first blessing - although it didn't seem like one at the time - was that it took us a while to get pregnant with Addison.  We had been trying for a while and had basically decided to stop and wait until Marty had finished basic training.  We found out one month before he left that we were pregnant.  The reason this was a blessing, is because Marty's dates for basic training were changed, and if we had gotten pregnant when we wanted, Addison would have been born while Marty was gone.  Instead he was able to be there for her birth.

Then there was the whole Korea prospect.  We were making plans and were sure Marty would be headed to Korea for 1 year for his first duty station.  But last minute, it changed and we were able to head to Washington together.

Then Marty was set to be deploying with his unit here in the next few months.  But things have fallen into place, and only a small portion of his unit is now deploying, and Marty is not going!

And finally...

The big announcement that I've been keeping from people...

(sorry friends...I REALLY wanted to say something.)  

We are getting out of the Army and will be moving home THIS SUMMER!

I cannot even tell you how excited, thrilled, elated etc. I am.  

And since I know people are going to want to know why/how this is happening, I will give the shortened version (not that short versions are my thing).

Basically Marty's back and hip were injured a while back, and he's been doing this constant cycle of being injured, going through physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments and doctor's appointments, gets just about healed and then gets re-injured during an exercise or something with the Army.  So because of this, he hasn't been able to maintain some of the physical standards to be in the Army.  Marty discussed his problems and frustrations with his first sergeant. He replied that the Army would like to keep him, but if he wants to leave and get himself taken care of, he would make it happen.  

After some prayer, discussion, talking it through with some family members, platoon sergeants, and the chaplain, we decided that this opportunity doesn't present itself....well, ever.  So we told him it's what we felt was best.  Right now we do not have exact dates, we are playing the waiting game - of course.

Marty has a job already lined up at home, although he will be applying for BMET (biomedical equipment technician) jobs as well, so we'll be praying something falls into place with that.  But the good thing is, no matter what, he has a job lined up and we will be just fine.

I cannot help but feel SO blessed and grateful for how things are turning out for us!

And I am SO happy to say that ready or not Utah... 

The Davis family is COMING HOME!