My decision...

So many thoughts, so many concerns, so many choices!

Well, I'm going to cut to the chase, I have made my decision as to what I'm going to do. I, Cara Ann Berg Rainey, am going to be in town for the next couple years. I am going to be a grad student at the U of Minnesota, and be part of the ROTC program!

Why did I make this decision? Well, let me start by saying there were three people I really had to talk to, to feel as if my decision was the right one.

First and foremost the most important person to help, was Colin. When I told him about the ROTC idea, of course he was behind it! It wasn't until I told him what I was going to do that he got really excited, which helped me know I made the right one. Our first conversation was about an hour long and he helped me sort through all my options, and helped me take a look at all my options (see previous post).  I am so lucky that he is supportive as he is.  The next couple years are going to be hard, financially and physically and mentally! So, knowing that we would get to spend the next two years together is an awesome and amazing thought!!

The next person I really needed to talk was Norman. For the last 9 months, I have been working like a mo-fo to get in shape for the Marines!! So, I needed to make sure from him that, in his mind, it wouldn't be giving up. Basically, these are the points I got out of our conversation. First, it wouldn't be giving up, because I will still be going into the military! Next, who is to say, I can't be a bad ass soldier? Why can't I take all the standards of the marines and bring them over to the army? Talk about an awesome leader! To be able to physically challenge the soldiers I will lead, to keep them with Marine physical standards and army mental standards!  Next, he made the point that, the army can give me a marriage, which I would not have as a Marine.  So, there was a lot more to it, but I'm trying to keep it SOMEWHAT short for ya'll!

So, those two are my emotional and physical gurus, who I look to for advice in the matters of life and, well, physical challenges. My last person I looked to was the man who got this ALL started, Ret. Col. Bob Ayotte.  To think, if he and my dad had never run into each other in Cub months ago, who knows what would be going on!  Because of this man, I have a feeling my marriage will be a very successful one, and I will more than flourish as an Army Officer!

Isn't it funny how ONE  day can change an entire lifetime? Never take one for granted folks! You just never know what moment will change your life forever!!