We're Back in the USA!

As usual, we're way behind. Budapest and Istanbul posts will have to wait for Jeff's return from Las Vegas. This is just a quick update on our status. Jeff got an assignment to be an Air Liaison Officer to the Army III Corps at Ft Hood, near Killeen Texas. We moved from Germany last month, picked up our Expedition in Charleston, then travelled cross country to the Hairs in Blackville, SC, followed by a visit to Valdosta, the the Lees in Gulf Breeze, FL, then onto Texas. We have an apartment in Temple, while waiting to move into our house in June. Here's a pic:

For those of you wondering what we're doing at an Army Post (the say Post, not "Base"), I'll explain. Jeff, as an experienced close air support pilot, will be doing a 3 year tour with the 3rd Corps at Ft Hood to be an advisor and advocate for air power with the Army. He'll be in a unit that organizes, equips and trains Air Force personnel attached to Army combat brigades, divisions and corps. They help the Army to properly utilize air power in ground battles. Also, they make every effort to advocate for the Army to the Air Force to get them the support they need. It promises to be both a challenging new learning experience as well as a rewarding job, helping win today's fight overseas.

As for Jena, she has applied to the three local school districts and hopes to be teaching elementary school again this Fall. The kids are excited about their new AAAAA high school with plenty of good kids, resources they haven't dreamed of in their tiny military school. They are even more excited to be able to DRIVE! Andrew got his learner's permit last week. Katie has to complete a driver's ed course and should have her permit within a month. The dogs scoped out the yard and loved it. They'll be happy to get out of the apartment and into their new house with a yard...and birds for Tibby to stalk. Here's the back yard:

Everyone is enjoying the heat we grew to miss in Germany. Jena can put the top down in her car finally and we hope to get a boat to enjoy the huge Lake Belton a mile from the house. So far Texas is great! We got to spend Easter with Jimmy, Dana and the boys since we're just 2.5 hours away.