Staying or Going?

I’ve been asked quite a few times these last few weeks whether we have an update on whether or not we are staying.

As most of you know, originally we were ready to retire from the Navy. My husband did the classes for getting out and was going to job fairs. He was ready to call it quits after 20 years. We knew that this may cause us to move as well because we needed to go where their was work available for him. So we prayed, prepared and waited.

But the Navy said no. What? Can they do that? Yes, they can and they did. So our plans changed. We began to look for orders. But my husbands situation was complicated. Because of changes happening within the Navy he is unable to stay in the community he has been with the last 18 years. That means this is a whole new ball game for us and moving was a definite possibility. We wanted to stay here, but we also knew chances were slim. Again, we prayed, prepared and waited.

We’ve been waiting for months. This has been the longest wait ever. Usually its quick, here’s your choices and bam! We’re done! Not this time. Everything being offered was on the East coast. Now, we have nothing against the East coast. But we really didn’t want to move all the way over there and then move all the way back. We knew we wanted to come back to the pacific northwest, we love it here. No thanks to the heat & humidity over there either. Since those were not what we wanted and we had additional time available, we waited.

Every week, we would check on new openings. This has been going on for months. We had a few “maybes” here and there. We had a few squadrons trying to get him to them. But the detailers would not budge. They would not let him stay in his current community. We have had almost a full year of highs and lows, ups and down, hopes and frustrations.

This week we finally got our orders. We are staying here for 3 more years. But with that comes sacrifice. My husband is going to sea duty again. He will deploying before he transfers and again after he transfers. We are bummed, but it’s the price we will pay for being able to stay home, here in the pacific northwest.

What does this mean for Renee Giugliano Photography? Well, the plans to close my doors on March 31, 2015 are still valid. We have lots of things we want to do before these deployments start and so I must be available for all of that. I will not be accepting any sessions on or after April 1, 2015.  My website will still remain open and available with closure information posted.

During my off time, I am hoping to get back into learning, getting some fresh inspiration and new skills in between the family time. I will be doing some personal projects and will be posting on my blog and Facebook page about them. As most of you know, I have begun an journey with Young Living Essential Oils. It has changed our lives and I want to help others the way we have been helped. I am planning to do additional learning and teaching on those too.

I may open back up after that second deployment begins (2016), but at this time there are no guarantees for that. I cannot make any commitments right now. I have to take it all one day at a time.

Thank you to all of you who have chosen me to be their photographer these last 8 years (9 in May). It’s very difficult for me to have to close my doors, but I know this is an important time for my family and they must come first. As always, I am more than happy to send you information for other photographers in the area that are similar to my style and quality. Just let me know.

On behalf of my family, thank you everyone! My photography business will be back, I promise. Please keep in touch and say hi when you see me out and about in our little town!