Re-Enlistment 2010

so charles signed his re-enlistment contract today for another 4 years of service.  he had 2 left, but when you re-up it starts over again, so he has just a straight 4 years left.  at that point, he'll be almost to 10 years total, so he'll re-enlist indefinitely next time. 

i doubt there is anyone who reads this regularly who isnt in the loop, but just in case - up until yesterday afternoon, we were under the impression that he was signing his re-enlistment contract to send us to Germany in August.  well that didnt happen.  apparently uncle sam is quite the practical joker because since finding out that our plans had fallen through, i have talked to many current and former military wives who have had the same experience.  lovely.  but alas, there is a reason for everything and i have accepted the situation with the knowledge that God is keeping us here for a reason and i'm sure it's a really good one.  so i'm ok.  but i sure was excited to go!  so now's not the time, but eventually it will come.  yes mom, it will come.

**

so in a ceremony that was supposed to be much cooler and involving an authentic Storm Trooper costume, my most excellent husband volunteered to serve us for another 4 years this morning.  here he is with LT Tabares.  "The LT", as he's called, joined the Army as an officer so he was pretty "green" (inexperienced) when he first came here.  Charles greatly admires him and we have all gotten to know him.  he's a really nice guy and does well to work for his soldiers and the company.  naturally, it was he who charles wanted to be the officer for his re-enlistment.  now the poor LT has only re-enlisted one other person before charles, so he was pretty nervous.  there is a whole "repeat after me" thing that he has to say and he can't mess it up.  he only flubbed on one part but was able to do it without notes.  afterwards he admitted that he has been practicing at home in front of the mirror for the last week so that he didnt screw up.  :)

LT talking about what an honor it is to be asked to re-enlist Carlitos.

"repeat after me"

i get a certificate too because "the army doesnt just re-enlist soldiers, they re-enlist families".  it has a whole speel on it about how much my service is appreciated and is very nice.  i am wearing heels today, just so you know.

LT had initially forgotten to give me my certificate and he had also forgotten to sign it.  he was flustered and nervous, as previously stated.  so about the time they started snapping pictures he realized that fact and everyone laughed at him - thus my laughing.  still a good picture though.  he offered to pose the picture again with the "signed" certificate, but i declined.  :)
after all the photos and certificates, charles is given the floor to make a speech.  he's a good speech-maker and this was no exception.  he spoke first about me and how much he appreciates me and my support.  it was very nice.  my favorite part, though, was that he publicly acknowledged that he is grateful for my optimism.  (check that out mom!)  "without my wife and her optimism and positive attitude, i would not have anything to look forward to."  which sounds depressing as i type it and read it, perhaps i am remembering it incorrectly, but it was very nice.  and for him to say out loud, even in front of people, that he appreciates that about me is very big.  usually he gives me crap about it because he prefers to be "realistic".  it was just wonderful.  afterwards he went on to thank our friends and his co-workers who were there and speak about how they are all part of our military family and he appreciates them and that we are family for life.  it was very nice.  :)
so there ya go, i had hoped this post would be the WE'RE GOING TO GERMANY! post, but instead it's just another day in our fabulous life together.  it's a beautiful day, the sun is shining, and i am married to my best friend the soldier.  life is good.