As of Spring '09, they will all be in the same place. England!!
Brent was offered a spot in the international rotation program at work and we are moving to London in March. We will only be gone for 2 years so stop freaking out. And think of it this way, now you all have an even better excuse to travel to Europe.
I am SO immensely proud of Brent. I know that sometimes he feels like his work goes unnoticed but I'd have to disagree at this point. I don't know how many spots were offered, I know only 2 in London and they said when they announced the program that probably only 5 or 6 spots worldwide. They had to keep coming up with forms and surveys and things to narrow down the pool of applicants because they had a much bigger response than they had planned on. Do you understand what that means as far as his capabilities? He was chosen by the Chief Actuary at Farmers and the Chief Actuary for the entire Zurich Financial Group (Farmers' parent company). My man is amazing.
Although we were about to start the adoption program here in LA (our first class was going to be on the 22nd), we feel like London is something that we should not pass up. There will be opportunities there for starting our family. It is where invitro was first successful. We don't feel that choosing London means choosing no baby, it just means a different path from the one we would be starting on here.
We've spent a lot of time over the past 4 days making this choice and we know it is the right one. We've been to the temple, we've fasted, we've prayed, we've received some incredible insight at Stake Conference and if you know anything about Brent it shouldn't shock you that we spent an hour or 2 the other night writing a pros and cons list. We've talked to family members and friends and although there will be sacrifices, we could find no deal breaker.
Here are some of our favorite excerpts from the "Pros & Cons" list:
Pros
- exciting and new opportunities (travel Europe)
- no more apartment managing
- perfect timing, for a lot of reasons
- England has Emily's FAVORITE weather (gray & rainy)
- Brent will finally be able to watch Wimbledon, in person
- learn funny British lingo
- we'll be forced to organize all of our stuff
Cons
- miss our family & friends (but we'll be back once a year & if you can, try to come see us!)
- we'll terribly miss watching all of our favorite babies/kids as they grow up
- no longer have certainty (of how to have a baby) that the adoption program provided
- no more free rent
- no more Target :(
As you can see, except for missing you folks, there's nothing big enough to keep us here!
15 comments:
AHHHHHHHHHH!!! Seriously, Em and Brent, I am so THRILLED for you! This is going to be such a neat experience for you. I'm immensely jealous, but so happy. Can't wait to see your photos and everything once you're settled in over there. Only 4 months. Crazy! Congrats and great job making a hard choice. XOXO
Emily, I am so EXCITED for you guys! And jealous! I lived in Holland for 4 years (and I spent another 4 in Southeast Asia) and I never made it to England once. I love the experience of living overseas. I would have made the decision you guys made. I think it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. It will be so fun to follow your adventures through your blog and see all the amazing things you end up doing. I'm always telling Dan he's in the wrong line of work for me to live overseas. Congrats to Brent for working so hard! I'm glad we know you're moving now so we get time to get use to the idea of you guys moving. You'll be greatly missed (even though it's only for 2 years).
So here's my plan so far- Summer '09 = UK+ France. Summer 2010= Southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Greece).
I'm already looking for flights for next July. I also have an *extensive* list of places I MUST go see including but not limited to Stratford Upon Avon, Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Edinburgh Scotland, Loch Ness, Antrim Ireland, and if possible that castle where they have the Blarney Stone and the Giant's causeway, and Paris. Woo! You're going to London, baby!
I have to say I have mixed emotions. Excitement, Jealousy, and Sadness. It is exciting to think about what you will be experiencing soon. Jealousy, I wish it were me! Sadness, I will be so sad not having you guys around so much. I guess we better have lots of fun this Thanksgiving.
Way to go Brent. I've always known that you are great at what you do. Especially after playing Catan with you.
Hey is it possible to keep your apartment in LA so I can still have a great place to stop on the way to Phoenix?
Duh! I forgot to congratulate Brent for a job well done. Way to go! Virtual high five! :)
I don't know, babe...I can tell you right now that a Target-less existence is pretty bleak.
I am SO excited for you guys--as well as bummed that you won't be in CA if we go back there, and that's all mixed in with total jealousy! But mostly I'm just happy for you. And also very impressed with Brent--good job, dude! You the man.
I'm glad that you don't feel like your priorities are mixed up--it's not like you've been "putting off" having children so that you can afford to get your nails done every week or anything. You're doing the right thing, sweetie.
Btw, you should know that we've been planning all along that if we can swing it we're going to spend 2-3 weeks traveling through Europe on our way back to the States next summer, and my plan all along (whether or not Kevan knows it) is to end those travels in England and fly home from London. So party at your place! Late June/early July good for you? Great! See you then. (Cami, you come then, too, ok? Ok!)
Love you so much!
Signed,
Longest Comment Ever
P.S. When do you go?
I have to agree with Tiff. I have all the same feelings for all the same reasons. It'd be awesome if we could for afford to come see you while you're there. Somehow, I think that won't ever become more than just a nice dream, though. Oh well. Two years isn't THAT long. At least, that's what I keep telling Jake. Guess I'll have to get better about posting pictures on my blog so you can keep up with what my kids look like over the next couple years.
Oh, and congrats to Brent! You rock, paper, and scissors, my man.
that's very exciting, congrats! and way to go brent for being AWESOME! you guys are going to have so much fun, i'm jealous.
So, basically I have blog stalked you guys for a little while now :) I am a friend of Brent's from good ol Bennion Fourth! I figured it was time to come forth and fess up- And, Wow, Congrats to both of you! What an exciting opportunity. I do like your cons list though. Life without Target does seem bleak. Good luck!
Wow, that's exciting news! Congratulations!! Job well done! I love it when the path you think you are on changes to a path you didn't really imagine yet! Sure does keep life interesting. You will be missed.
NO WAY, I'm so coming to England next year, a few days at my dads and then down to London to see you guys, if you have room for visitors I think I could convince Eric to come as he wouldn't have to stay at my dads house!! Don't forget all the little trips you have to make whilst in England, Paris, Rome....
We also think you made the right decision, what an opportunity, we are little bit jealous, but so excited for you, you'll have to post lots of pics when you go so we can live it too.
You are living my dream!!!!!!!! What an adventure.
I am so proud of you guys! That is awesome. We'll have to come and visit. Free rent is good but from experience apartment management is not!
I'm excited for you guys! Have fun.
oh, and I'm tagging you! See my blog for details. =P
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