Legos in China

I don't get to brag about Scott very often. Not because I don't have plenty to brag about but because he doesn't like it. But we have big news, so I get to. He was accepted into the Marine Corps FAO (Foreign Area Officer) Program. This program has been on our radar a long time. Two years of training in Monterey, CA followed by one year of training in the country of your expertise. You have to take a language test and get a certain score to even be able to apply. And if you want to apply for one of the hardest languages you have to get an even higher score (like Chinese, Japanese, etc) Not a problem for Scott. Then you put together a whole packet with recommendations and your FIT REPS (grades from your bosses plus your fitness tests) Last year they selected 25 Marines. That is it. This year they only selected 18. And of course Scott was selected. I can say of course bc I am his wife (and that is not snotty Scott) And he was offered our first choice, China. So we get to report to Monterey CA by January 3. I am not stressing yet so don't get me started! Soak up the California fog for two years and then live in China for a year, Beijing maybe, who knows. I don't really care bc we will get to be together. He will get a masters degree in National Security and then learn the language. You can click hear to read all the mind-numming military speak.


I have been hesitant for the program not because of the program but because it commits us to the USMC for nine more years. I have a love-hate relationship with the USMC. Love the people. Love the places it takes us. Hate when they take my husband away. In the end, opportunities like this don't come around more than once. Scott has worked hard to even be accepted. And the kids and I have made great sacrifices as part of that.

Tonight we told the boys the big news. Ollie was just happy he would be living by the iPod house (my brother and his family) Scott used Kung Fu Panda as his example for Calvin of China. Calvin's was worried. But they don't have computers in China?!! I guess they don't get to use computers in that movie? And then going to bed, Calvin asked the most important question in his five-year-old mind. But will they have Legos in China? So we introduced him to words MADE IN CHINA that he will be able to find on most every toy he owns. I think it will be Ollie's new favorite label to read!! Yes, Oliver is three and is obsessed with reading labels. Warnings are his personal favs!! Not that he listens to any of them! Eliza just smiled when we gave her the news. No surprise there. I think she was thinking of all the shopping!

Rumor has it that I may get to have "staff" in our home in China. Sign me up!!!!