Well, the family may become a victim of my success. I was given good and potentially bad news. The good news is that my command thinks highly of me. I can't complain about that. The bad news is that there are two job openings that require units to forward names of interviewees and I was selected to be our interviewee. One is working for the new three star general as his aide. The second is titled Secretary of the General Staff (SGS), kinda the person who ensures the administration and operation of the general's staff runs smooth.The jobs are given only to folks who are doing very well. It is very similar to a job I had at Fort Carson, only at a higher level.

While this may seem like good news, the sticking point is that these jobs are based in Seoul. Four moves in four years is a bit much. Chip and I are debating about asking for a fourth year here, if I am selected. That way the kids are in one school for more than a one year period. I know I am going to either Iraq or Afghanistan after I leave Korea. Regardless of who is President, I firmly believe that we will have some sort of presence in both regions, and I am a primary candidate to go. When others have gone over to the sandbox multiple times, I understand why I am high up on the list. In fact, if I request to go, I have a better chance of choosing the position. While everyone is at risk, some locations are more likely to have a higher risk.

Given what I see of my job future, the potential exists that the kids could be in five schools in five years - Leavenworth, Seoul, Daegu, Seoul, and then someplace in the States while I am deployed. If I am selected for battalion command upon my return, that would mean another move. That is why asking for a fourth year here seems like a reasonable request, although we miss all of you very much.

My initial interview is 19 April. The Lord knows what will happen, and I am leaving it to Him. Please pray for us and our sanity during this time! The rest of the day's blog is on much lighter topics...enjoy! Mona

Couldn't resist adding this picture!

"Elton Joe!"

So little to say, so much time....wait, reverse that!

Let's start out with the birthdays. Joey and I had a wonderful birthday month. We have decided how to celebrate the side by side dates. I will have a large, decorated chocolate chip cookie for my birthday, and Joey will have the traditional cake with candles. At this point, candles for me would be a fire hazard anyway!

Joey attempting "Heavy, heavy, hang over your head..."

Joey blowing out his candles...

All of the kids participating in Joey's big day!

Easter came right after the birthdays, so it was a pretty busy week. As part of the choir, I was at Mass from Holy Thursday through Easter morning. I was not saying much by Sunday morning, trying to save my throat!

Decorating Easter eggs...

More to follow...actually, you will have read it by now, as these update chronologically. We love you all and think of you often! Mona