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A Big Day

Today is an exciting day for the Phelps family! Another phase in this military journey is complete, and we are anxiously waiting to hear what the next phase will entail. Tonight, we find out if the Navy will be keeping us in Virginia for 3 more years or if we will be heading to sunny California. 

Whatever happens tonight, I feel very content and at peace with the decision. It took me a while to get to this point, though. I have been pretty open in the fact that Virginia has been an adjustment. Norfolk is not my favorite city, and I didn't love the 6-month winter (Texas girls can't hang!). California was a pretty clear first choice in my book, and Parker felt the same way. He would put California as his first choice and we would see if the Navy would grant us our request. At least, that's how I thought it would all go down. Had this selection happened just 3 weeks ago, this is what would have happened. Now, everything has been flipped.

In an effort to not break OPSEC 15 times over, I'll just say that staying in Norfolk will yield better opportunities for Parker's career at this point in time. This news came about just two weeks ago, and I honestly couldn't believe what I was hearing. The goal from the beginning has been to get to California. Even if Virginia might be better in the long run for the career at this point in time, who cares? We would live in California! That beats any plane-related reason in my book. 

I had to really step back from the situation and look at it from Parker's perspective. To me, the Navy is all about getting to see the world with the occasional dreaded deployment mixed in. To Parker, it's about fulfilling a life-long dream. Flying planes for the Navy is truly a dream come true for him, and he only gets one shot at this. We only get to do this journey once, and I want him to be able to look back and know he went after every opportunity that came his way. He talks about the upcoming opportunities in Norfolk so passionately and with such a smile on his face that I can't help but be completely content with staying to let him pursue those. 

Preferencing Norfolk over California means we are giving up a dream. Yes, there is a chance the Navy will still send us there, but we pretty much shot all chances of that in the foot when we didn't rank it #1. Giving up the California dream means saying hello to a different dream. There are pros to staying here, and I have been focusing on those. We have friends here that we would be sad to leave and we've made a life here. There are also people in California that I would basically give my left toe to be reunited with, but that may not be in the cards for this go around. 

The point of all this rambling is to say this: As the wife, I tend to look at it from my own narcissistic viewpoint, which is essentially "Now I don't get to live in perpetual sun with some of my favorite people and breed California babies". It's about looking at the bigger picture, though. Parker is chasing his dream, and I made a promise to love and support him through thick and thin. If they call out his name and announce Norfolk, VA tonight, I will have nothing short of a huge smile on my face. I get to go through life with my best friend and watch him live his dream. That means more than a location. It's the bigger picture. 

This is a throwback from the dating days. I had no idea what this military life would look like then. No matter the outcome of tonight, I can't wait for more adventures with this guy. 


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16 comments :

Emily Stewart said...

You're a good wife, friend! Whatever happens is meant to be even if that means staying in Norfolk! Your positive attitude is an inspiration to me. Selfishly, I want you to be here so we can have lots of little California babies but this just means lots of visits back and forth and maybe a chance for Sam to actually see those things called seasons *gasp*! Love you!

Emily Stewart said...

You're a good wife, friend! Whatever happens is meant to be even if that means staying in Norfolk! Your positive attitude is an inspiration to me. Selfishly, I want you to be here so we can have lots of little California babies but this just means lots of visits back and forth and maybe a chance for Sam to actually see those things called seasons *gasp*! Love you!

Cayte Brown said...

And that means we can actually hang out instead of saying we will :) can we please make this happen!??

Jen said...

You know this military life is always full of adventures and I love how open you are to them. I wish you guys all the best and i know that no matter what happens you will make the best of it and have an amazing time. :)

Anonymous said...

God knows exactly what he's doing, and wherever you end up is where you are supposed to be! I'm sure your husband feels immensely blessed to have such a supportive wife. Sometimes it can be hard to give up the perfect ideal we hold in our hearts.

Jen @ South in the City said...

I've always been a firm believer in that whatever happens, it does so for a reason. Good luck to you and Parker!! But as someone who has lived in the MidWest with horrific winters to now living in sunny Southern California....it's amazing!!! :-)

Lisa C said...

Good luck!

Bailey Kay said...

I'm SO nervous for you! Wherever you end up, I know it will be exactly where God wants you at that point in time.

TerriS. said...

My husband is a former Air Force pilot so I understand how nervous you may be right now. As a native Californian, you couldn't pay me to move back. But I guess I do understand the appeal. Good luck!

Diane @ DD Kimball Road said...

For selfish reasons, you should come to California!!! But I guess if it's best for Parker's career I could let you stay in VA! But seriously when would the pups meet? Hehe! Can't wait to hear the news!

Lydia @ This Marine Wife said...

I love your perspective! We actually got orders to California (will be blogging on that soon), and I'll admit that I'm struggling with it . . . A LOT! I really did not want to go to the West Coast. This East Coast girl can't handle the thought. lol! Thank you for reminding me about what's more important . . . our husbands' futures. Maybe if you do get Cali, we might get a chance to meet each other!

Happily Ever Parker said...

As a California girl I could see why you want to be here! But look at it this way California is not going anywhere! Love how you support him!!

Victoria said...

Can't wait to hear! I know Emily is crazy about you and would love for you to be here! What a selfless statement you are making tho! I know your husband is so happy to have you as his supporter! I'll be looking for the result!!! :)

Ladonna said...

All the best.

Ashley @ A Cute Angle said...

I'm excited to find out where you guys end up. I agree, winter weather sucks!

~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com

The Jessa Olson Blog said...

I too follow my husbands career. Sometimes I may not be e bigger fan of where we go but I try to be nothing but supportive. It can be struggle sometimes because I am not a huge fan of wv.

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