So we're moving . . . to Hawaii.

I don't know how many times I've said this sentence over the past few weeks.  I usually hear, "I hate you."  Or, "Why?"  Then comes a looong list of questions.  Most of them I don't know the answer to.  For those of you who have enough spare time to read this little blog, I'll answer what I can.


First, can I just say that we are incredibly excited?!  We get to live in paradise!  Also, we are kinda terrified.  We are very much the control-freak, super-planner type of people, and this is not a controlled, super-planned type of move.  I can't believe we're moving to Hawaii!

FAQ's:


1.  Why are you moving to Hawaii?

• Dan is a Social Worker for the U.S. Public Health Service, which has an agreement with the Department of Defense to supply mental health providers to the Warrior Transition Units.  These jobs are incredible.  He got it, despite our best attempt at pessimism.  In a nutshell, he'll be doing mental evaluations on some of the returning soldiers who have major issues as a result of combat (mental or physical) and helping transition them into their new capacity, whatever that may be.  He is not Army.  He is not civilian.  It's kinda weird.

2.  Where exactly will you be living?

• Schofield Army Barracks on the island of Oahu.  About 20 miles north of Honolulu, and about 20 miles south of North Shore.  We're really really really hoping that we'll be able to live on base.  We know we'll be able to . . . . but depending on whether they offer us the "new" or the "historical" housing will determine if we live on base, or have to find a place off-base to rent.  This is also not an immediate thing once we get there.  There's a waiting list (who knows how long), so once we arrive we'll be in temporary housing for up to 60 days.  This is a kinda cruddy hotel room . . . with 2 kids . . . under 3 years old . . . so . . . yeah.

3.  When are you moving?

• If you hear, would you let us know?  Thanks.  We're still waiting on Dan's "official orders" which state when his report date is.  After that we'll talk to his supervisor at Schofield.  Our best guess is middle of December.  However, since Christmas is right there, it's looking like Dan will go first, and then come back for Christmas, and then we'll all go before the new year.  But.  This is all speculation until the orders are here.  

4.  Are you selling your house?

• See, this question really confuses me.  Of course we're selling our house.  We are not going to leave it vacant, and we're not going to rent it when we're . . . . however many thousand miles away we're going to be.  In fact, we already sold it.  Yep.  The Stanleys have been blessed beyond our wildest dreams when it comes to selling homes.  We sold it in 12 days.  The last house we sold in 13, so we broke our record.  We're pretty sure it's another God-thing where He's telling us, "See.  I told you I wanted you in Hawaii.  Would you just stop doubting and go already?"  You wouldn't think it'd take that much coaxing.  

5.  So is this, like, a permanent thing?

• No.  The agreement is for 3 years.  At this point they are not requiring PHS Officers to find a new post at the end of their 3 years, but they might start.  We think we'd really like to get back to the mainland after that long, anyway.  The schools in Hawaii are terrible, and this timing is about right for Axel to start Kindergarten once we move back.  Where will we move back to?  Absolutely no idea.

That's the top 5.  Believe me, I have a million more.  

Hopefully this blog will allow you to keep up with our crazy adventure.  I'm thinking it might save me a few thousand FB Status Updates.