Flashback Friday and why are we in Missouri?

I realized, at some point weeks ago, that I don't think I've ever said why we're in Missouri (I doubt central Missouri is a place you'd move on purpose).  In case you're interested...we're here for the Captain's Career Course. After Scott was promoted to Captain last July, he went on a waiting list the for the Career Course.  It's the next step after a Lieutenant's first duty station.  Our first duty station lasted 3 1/2 years (it was in Alaska, in case you don't remember...har har), which is a little longer than the norm...deployment delayed him a little.

Anyway, the Career Course for Engineers is what he's doing.  He goes to school 5 days a week on base. This will go on until October-ish.  After that, he will begin a Masters degree program at the Missouri Institute of Science and Technology, which is about 20 minutes from our house.  He'll be a full-time college student until next May....and then we'll be on our way to another duty station.  Missouri is really just a stopover, and we truly have no idea what comes after that.  To continue with the army or to join the civilian world (Scott's a civil engineer) in the long term, we really haven't decided yet.  So.  That's where we are.

It's also important to note that he has been stationed here before.  Ft. Leonard-Wood is the home of the Engineers.  Anyone who is considered an Engineer in the army comes here for training.  He did about 5 months of classes at good ol' Lost-in-the-woods in 2009.

Here's a flashback:

To sum it up: My hair has gotten blonder, we don't wear straight-up American Eagle so much anymore, my forehead is still a five-head, and I didn't take nearly as many pictures then as I wish I would've.

Also, I promise I don't do the pigtails thing anymore.  Why does 2009 seem like it was SO long ago?  Scary.