More thoughts on El Paso and other news

Having had a few days now to ponder the news of our El Paso assignment, I'm feeling pretty good about it. Everyone we know who has lived in or near El Paso (4 or 5 people) has nice things to say about it. My parents ran in to a couple who had served in the army and spent a year at Fort Bliss and really liked it. And here is another person's perspective on it.

So here are some more of my thoughts at this point:
- If you looked at the link above, you saw that the biggest drawback for that gal was the language barrier. So it sounds like it will be really helpful to have had many a Spanish class.
- It is very significant that Jason and Lindsay are also going to Ft. Bliss. Not only are we going to the same post, but Matt and Jason are even assigned to the same unit. I think it's called the 1st armored division. So it sounds like they'll work closely together and I think it means that when they have to be gone in the field doing training (often they'll have to be gone for a week or two at a time) they'll go at the same time and Lindsay and I can keep each other company.
- I remembered another friend I have who lives in El Paso: Jodi Purcell. I'll try to get in touch with her and with Cat and Jay really soon.
- I am so glad the post is located in a city and in a warm climate. If we were going to Ft. Drum, New York - in the freezing cold woods, I would have a really hard time. Of course, we may still end up there at some point. (Eek!)
- It's interesting to look at the average temperatures and rainfall each month in El Paso.
- I thought the fort was big, but actually it's on the small side. I've heard it described as "small but nice".
- By far the most difficult adjustment will be the distance from family. I adore my parents and my sister, and it rocks to live 2.5 miles from each of them. We will REALLY miss them when we move. And knowing they'll be bummed - suddenly having no nieces/nephews/grandchildren anywhere near them is also hard. That part will stink, no doubt about it.
- We already live far from each of Matt's family members and my sister and her fam, all of whom we also adore. But each of these family members lives in the midwest and we have been able to get together fairly frequently. We will live much farther from all of these wonderful people now, too, which will also be difficult.
- Other than the distance from family, I think it will be a fun experience. 5 minutes from Mexico, 15 minutes from New Mexico, and all kinds of new and different people and places.
- Also, it is really nice to finally know where we're going.

In other news, I refereed district volleyball this past weekend - 5 matches Friday night and 5 matches Saturday. I really enjoyed it. Each time I do it, I start to feel more comfortable and I like it more and more. It's too bad I may have just refed my last match ever - or at least for many years. Matt's schedule won't allow for it anymore, and then Jackson and Annika will have their own extra curricular activities I'll want to see... But who knows, maybe I'll get to do it again some day. I'm thankful for the 3 season I've gotten to do it.

And finally, yesterday was my birthday! The big 30. Annika and I were hanging out bright and early, and I said, "Annika, today is my birthday. Can you say 'happy birthday, mommy'?" And she said, "I want cake!"

Last evening, some friends of ours threw us our second, and I think final, goodbye party. Because they knew it was also my birthday, there was a big birthday cake, too, so Annika was happy. It was such a nice party. Great to see a lot of good friends. Man, we know some of the coolest people!!