Change is coming...

So folks, it is pretty much official, we will be moving to Okinawa, Japan for awhile!

I never thought that after leaving the military, I would get the chance to live abroad.

This is all happening so fast and as chaotic as it is right now, I am looking at this as a great adventure! This will also be a chance for us to live a much simpler life for awhile as we can take very little of our things with us! We hear that the houses in Japan are quite a bit smaller than the ones in the United States so we are going to have to leave some of our things behind.

I am sad to have to leave behind my family and friends and it is breaking our hearts to have to find new families for our beloved pets. That is probably one of the hardest parts.

I am trying to stay optimistic and pray that we are making the right decision.

I really think that it will be a great opportunity for the children and cannot wait to see what lessons in life this is going to teach us!

My husband is super excited! He spent two years here while he was in the Marine Corps and he absolutely loved it! He cannot wait to show us some of the things he loved! Here is a look at some of the things we are looking forward to:

We are outdoors people. We love all things outdoors and this is the place to be for water sports and outdoor activities!

Okinawa, Japan has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is known as one of the best diving places in the world. Cannot wait to snorkel and get SCUBA certified here!

Look at that water! This water is amazingly clear and breathtaking! We love all sorts of things outdoors and cannot wait to take advantage of what this place offers!

I cannot wait to immerse myself in another culture! It is so very fascinating to see the way other people live and we plan on learning a lot from this amazing group of people!

I cannot wait to take lots of pictures of these amazing people we see and places we go.

Places like this. How cool is that?

Not to mention the historical significance of this island. As a Marine, I learned about the sacrifices that were made by our fellow Americans on this island many years ago. This island also holds a special place in my heart. My grandfather was a Marine and participated in the initial assault of Okinawa on April 1st 1945 in which he earned a Purple Heart. It will be such an honor to set feet on the same ground almost 65 years later.

How exciting would it be to go diving with these cute guys? I will most definitely have to get a waterproof housing for my camera!

I cannot wait to collect some of these guys! How pretty is that?

So, as I sit here thinking about the one million and a half things that have to be accomplished before we leave, I am excited and looking forward to a change.

If only I could avoid the 20 hour flight (any ideas)? Wow! I rambled on didn't I?

Have a blessed day!

images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8