Education Options

We've been researching school options down in Colombia. Holy cow! The kids are so excited! We have a couple to choose from. But we are going to wait to choose one until we know where we are going to live. That way we can pick one that we are close to rather than busing the kids a zillion miles.
They are both private co-educational day schools which provide students (K4-12)with a U.S. oriented college preparatory education. They are "House based" just like Harry Potter so it's right up our alley. LOL
They both have a large number of Colombian students with lots of other nationalities as well. It's an English speaking school but they would have Spanish lessons 4 times a week. Both are located on a large campuses where all the kids would go (just in different buildings). The grounds are gorgeous with hangy trees and hanging flowers. We are so excited!
We are looking at either the Colegio Nueva Granada (CNG)  http://www.cng.edu/

or the Colegio Gran Bretaña
http://www.cgb.edu.co/

We're NOT crying until July!

We also have started telling our Fargo family about our move. On Wednesday at playgroup, I told my friends about it. They were a little shocked but have known for a while we were leaving this year at some point. There were comments like "Oh Wow! Congrats! So exciting!" I have to admit that it wasn't exactly what I expected. Not that I knew what to expect. I left feeling like "Well looks like they are fine I am leaving". Don't get me wrong- I am glad they are excited for me. I guess I just wasn't sure how people were going to react.
THEN... everyone had some time to process the news.
That night, Katie's hubby, Jared saw me after Mutual and told me that they were NEVER gonna forgive us for our decision! LOL He also was concerned who Katie was going to go to lunch with on Fridays. I laughed and told him there were tons of people- she'd find someone.
On Thursday, KTuck brought the boys by to play. She said after spending last night researching Bogota, she has decided that we CAN'T move. Not because of things she found (she said the buildings down there look amazing!) But for the fact that she would miss us! She even teared up a bit. The Tuckers and us do LOTS of things together- weekly Thursday playdates, Wed playgroup, Babysitting group, date nights, swimming, GNO, craft nights, family fun stuff, etc. It will definitely be a change for both of us without each other. ;(
On Friday, I dropped Glory off at the Brothersons and went to get Katie for our lunch date. We went to the the Quited Ladybug for some fabric and to Weivoda for some furniture and then to Subway for lunch. I love our lunch dates! Yeah! At one point, we talked about the move and she cried. I rubbed her arm and told her "Don't cry, friend!" ;) We tried to joke it off but we are really gonna miss each other. She said she's gonna put out an ad that reads- "Wanna move from the area?- Come be my best friend!" Apparently the best friend she found in ID moved shortly after they became friends and now me! She is so amazing though- she'll find a new Friday lunch friend, I'm sure.
After dropping off Katie, I went back to pick up Glory. I told KBro about the girls crying. She was so funny! (Cuz she is really a funny lady, ya know! I think she gets that from me. LOL) She said, "What? I am way more vested than either of them and we are NOT crying until July!" LOL Dang! I LOVE my Fargo friends!
Today, at the RS activity, I sat by Julie, McKenzie and Becky at lunch. As we talked about the move a bit, they asked if I was going to train someone to do GNOs or at least if I could plan them from Bogota and send out an email. Too funny! We joked that I need to take applications and find my replacement. Their suggestion is that I find two people to do it just so it can for sure get done. They are very kind but a little silly!
One last cute memory- Brett was telling a couple people at Church. Julie & Robbie happened to be there. They both commented on that they need to find another "SHAY" somewhere. Ryan suggested that one could be the SH and the other could be the AY. Guess they do think it's a two woman job! Silly ladies!
One thing is for sure- I am gonna miss these people!

BUT- we are not crying about it until July!

Overwhelming Info

We are getting tons of informational emails about the transfer- a couple a day, at least. It's a little overwhelming!
1.Some of the things we know we have to get done are:
*All of us need to get a medical assessment (physicals). We have to be cleared to be assigned to an overseas post.
*We all need to take a State Department Training class before we report.
* We all need to obtain Diplomatic Passports which will allow the family to be classified as “diplomats” and be provided diplomatic status.
2. We also have heard a bit about the Relocation Package. They will hire a rental management company to rent out our place. We just want to sell it so we'll have to see if there's anything they can do to help with that. We also found out that they will ship 18,000 lbs to our new post. And they will provide us with a climate-controlled storage option as long as it fits within the weight limit. It looks like we really could take most of our stuff but we're still gonna sell a lot and take as little as possible with us. Lots to figure out and de-junk, I guess. Whew!
3. We have to get the kids enrolled in school. The CI will pay for attendance at American Schools. There are a couple of options we are looking at but we want to know where we'll be living first.
4. There's a couple of “perks” associated with the Bogota post: First, A full-time driver– Renee. and Two- The ability to hire household help at a very reasonable rate. Holy Moly! It's a little out of our league. We'll see what happens.
5. We're not sure where we'll end up but just to give you an idea of what we're looking at- We talked to the current attache'. There are 4 in his family and he is living in a 4 bedroom 3,000 square foot apartment that is up against the mountain. So basically his backyard has pathways and mountain trails. The building they are in has a common room for parties (wahoo!), a pool with a jacuzzi, an indoor playground, and a nice gym. Living arrangements are based on your family size so we are a little overwhelmed. We may be living the life down there and never come back! j/k
6. We found out that VOPP is only for the GS-13 positions. Since Brett would be promoted to a GS-14 with a 2-year contract that could potentially be renewed every 2 years, for a total potential 6-year tour- technically we wouldn't qualify for the VOPP Program. After the overseas tour, they actually want you to return to Washington DC HQ to work unless you make other arrangements. Basically that means, we are just gonna take it one step at a time and enjoy the Adventure!

Sure there's tons more but that's all I can process for now. We'll keep you posted.

P.S. Turns out that Brett HAS to attend the State Department Training in Washington, DC. And they recommend that I take it as well but I have to pay my own travel expenses to Washington, DC for the class. Dang! It sounded exciting but I guess I won't go? I have more thing I could spend $700 on right now! :)

Family Reactions

We have started telling our extended family about our new Adventure. There has been mixed reactions. ;) LOL
I want to say that Brett told his parents first. His Mom cried, of course. She worries about her boy! Then on Sunday when Brett's family were all together (most of them), Shauna called to find out our "news". She was way excited but she said there were definitely some shocked expressions among the rest. Too funny!
I also called my Dad. Unfortunately, he had a meeting to go to so I told him to call me later so I could tell him about my move. We ended up doing phone tag for a day. In the meantime, Edette, Tauni and him were guessing where we were going. My Dad thought it had to be Montana because I just seemed "too calm" for an Out of the Country position. Tauni was sure we were going somewhere BIG! ;) Let's just say that my Dad was a bit speechless when I told him. He's excited and thinks it's a great opportunity but he's gonna do some research to make sure it's safe. He's so funny!
Tauni ended up calling after she heard. She's so excited for us!!! She almost jumped through the phone she was so pumped! She said she was even more excited after hearing my confidence about going there. She's gonna save up and come down to visit. Yeah! I also called my Mom. I think she was a bit shocked but she was excited for us as well.
I guess I thought I've called more than that. I'm sure the news has spread but i should probably call everyone. Holy Moly! Add that to the list of stuff to get done. LOL!

We're going to Columbia!!

We told the family about the offer. The kids are so excited! They said they've all prayed about it and think we should go. Cute kids! But we want to take the week to think and pray about it. We are a bit in shock. Are we supposed to go to Colombia??? As Brett and I were discussing how we feel about it- we came to this conclusion. We have done all that we can on our part. We prayed for guidance, spoke Spanish to our kids since they were born, worked 8 years in the current position to get experience, prayed for more guidance, took a chance and then applied for the Attache' position. We have completely turned it over to the Lord. Since we applied, we have been praying that God would direct those making the decision to send us where we need to be. So it basically comes down to this- What are we praying for? He answered. So are we saying, "Are you sure?" OR "Thank you"? Therefore, we have decided to accept the Columbia position.  ¡Ay, caramba!  We're going to Bogota, Colombia!!!!! 

P.S. We decided to pull our VOPP as well. South America here we come!

WHAT???? They made us an Offer!

Brett got a call from International today. They want to offer us the Columbia job. Colombia! What??? That position was filled 3 weeks ago. Apparently- the "problem" they were having was with the Colombia position. The big bosses heard of their decision to give the Colombian position to the Mexico guy and said No way! They said it looked like favoritism. So after much discussion, they have decided to offer it to us. Brett told them that he'd have to come home and discuss it with the family. Holy crap! What do we do now? I guess- Pray! Pray! Pray!

Waiting, waiting, waiting and more waiting...No New News

They said they would post the opening for the Mexico job 3 weeks ago but we still haven't heard or seen anything. That can be pretty typical of these government things but it's still frustrating. They did send a short email to Brett saying "we need to talk- I'll call you" What does that mean?? Also, his boss' boss also got a short one liner email that said they were dealing with a "problem" with another attache' position and then they would deal with Brett. So irritating! Can't they just deal with us and then fix their other stuff? Arggg! I am not very patient- can you tell?
Guess we'll just keep waiting!