Okay, now that everything is official, I might as well let everyone know what’s going on. I know everyone knows about Lissa and her major changes, but I’m about to have one, for at least a year.

I’m going over to Balad, Iraq. I have to go to Houston, Texas first and then if I pass all my medical checks, background check and training, I’ll be going to Iraq for a year. Now, before people completely freak out, I’ll be going for 4 months, coming home for almost 10 days, going for another 4 months, coming home for almost 10 days and then after the last set of 4 months, I’ll be home for good. I’ll be over there for a total of 330 days. I’m making sure to come home, so Crystal won’t have a fit too bad while I’m gone. I want to her know I’m still around and love her, plus, it’ll let her see me, so she’ll know I’m still around.

If I get over there and don’t like it, I have the option of coming home. Only catch is that I have to pay all the taxes on the money I have made when I come back. I’m in an open-ended contract, so I have that option. They also have the option of moving me around. I can be in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan or Djibouti (wherever that is) over the next year. I hope I don’t go bouncing around, but I really don’t have a choice in that matter. I have to be flexible.

I’ll be doing the same work I do now, supply, but just getting paid quite a bit better than I get paid. For those wondering, my aunt, the one down in San Antonio right now, will watch Crystal. So, she will be well taken care of. Out of most of my family, she’s the one I trust the most to actually watch her and take care of her as needed. Plus, she only works Monday thru Friday, so there won’t be a problem. Course, Crystal will be going to pro basketball games (argh, I haven’t been to one yet) and everything, so she’ll have fun.

Yes, my whole family, well, the ones I talk to on a constant basis all know. The only one that blew up, which shouldn’t be a surprise, was my mom. She’s calmed down now, but she called me every name in the book and swore I was trying to pawn Crystal off on someone, plus I never have taken care of her and never will, so she says. So, it was rather eventful Saturday. I told my brother today and he wanted the website so he could apply, also. I don’t think he’ll do it, but we’ll see.

I’m scared, excited and nervous all at the same time. I have to get all the paperwork done, concerning Crystal and my aunt, go to the doctor and dentist before I leave and trying to get stuff in storage before I leave.

Oh, I know I haven’t said much, but I moved back in with my uncle and cousins, cause I needed to take care of my bills and try to save money. Even though I make quite a bit, my bills were getting a little overwhelming. So, a little while after I moved in, I thought about going back overseas and this time, I’m actually going through with it. I hope everything turns out alright and I will be able to go. We’ll see though.

Funny part about all this, is that some of my family is saying that I’ll be going for 2 not one. I’m trying my damnedest to go only 1 year, but we’ll see. I do know this, my goal is only for 1 year.

Now, I will have the internet and phone over there, so I’ll be able to keep in contact with everyone. Once I get an address to where I’ll be, I’ll make sure to give it to everyone in case they want to send cards, pictures, care packages and what have you. I do know that when I finish this year over there, I will be going to Alabama to visit for a little while and try to see a whole bunch of people. I haven’t been able to see some people for a while and it sure would be nice to see everyone. So, plan on a party in November of 2006. *snicker*

Oh, I’m going with KBR and that link also has a list of jobs, in case anyone is crazy enough to go over there, also.

I’ll write more later.