First Day of School 2011

I need to get dinner started and fill out a million 1st day papers, but I wanted to make sure that I got this post done before time gets away from me.

Today Maya started 4th grade and Luke started 1st grade. I have no idea where this extremely short summer went. Maya was very excited and up at 3 am telling me she couldn't fall back to sleep. I wonder if she'll ever not be excited for the first day of school. I'm not complaining - I'm glad my kids like school. Luke started 1st grade today. This year I do not have to drop off and pick up kids at school 3 times a day, which I'm very excited about. Seth and I have the whole school day together all to ourselves. Handling 1 kid all day seems so easy!

Matt called this afternoon and got to hear from the kids about their first day. Wish you were here, honey. Miss you tons!

Here's some pictures of my kids, who seem to be growing up way too fast.

(Maya)

(Luke)

(Luke's classroom)

(Maya's classroom)

Rock Star for a Week

It's not often during military training that I'm the leader of the pack. There is a reason my sister Becky has always smiled to herself when she thinks of me in the military. Add to that the fact even though I am Air Force, I am deploying with the Army and having to get used to that. In Army lingo, I am more often "ate up" than I am "squared away" when it comes combat, weapons, naming assault vehicles, etc.

For example, during my recent weapons testing with the M9 (pistol), the cops and marksmen in the class rolled their eyes when the instructor pointed out which end is the muzzle, how to insert the magazine, and how to clear a round out of the firing chamber. I was busy making mental notes as this was the second time in my life handling a pistol. The instructor tried to appease the audience tactfully with "I have to teach to the lowest level." Was I upset that she was looking my direction? Nope, just raised my hand high and said, "sorry guys...I'm from med group"

After I shot, another instructor went over my target with me, got a look on his face like he bit into a lemon unexpectedly, and clicking his tongue said,
"tck...tck...tck- uh, what do you do again, sir?"
"I'm a doctor."
"oh, thank G**."

No offense taken, my good man.

Well this week it turned around. We had 40 hours of classroom instruction on how to apply First Aid bandages and perform basic airway maneuvers (this is the Army version of the 3-hour course I had to complete with the Air Force). Sitting next to me was a cop who appeared to be in mental anguish trying to wrap his mind around "pneumothorax," a kind of chest injury. I explained it to him, and we soon agreed that when 'the pigspore hits the windspinner' he shoots the bad guys and I'll treat the wounded.

And you'll happy to know that after four years in a military medical school and another four years in trauma hospitals, I passed my First Aid class on the first try.

Military Appreciation

You have to be in a civilian setting to get the benefits of being in the military. Take getting airplane tickets for example. I get notified that I have to attend some training. To make this happen, there are about 12 people's desks I have to go to for signatures, then I have to fill out a form and cost analyses and justify the expense (umm...because the Air Force says I have to- what other justification do you want!?). I had carry these signatures to the travel agent, who then tells me, "everything looks fine. Now take it over to the travel director, have him sign it, and bring it back." After suppressing the urge to inquire 'why don't you take it?', I ask for directions. Turns out it is ten feet away. By a stroke of fortune, the appropiate person is there and signs my form, which I then hand carry back to the travel agent, who tells me I need three copies. I've been in the military long enough top know this means I get to make them and distribute them myself.

Contrast this with my experience at the airport. Since I am wearing a uniform, I am escorted to the front of the security gate and thanked for my service to the country for the first of no kidding twelve times that day. I walk past my departure gate to check my flight is on time, and without me even initiating an eye gaze towards the flight steward, he asks me to please come forward and give him my boarding pass. Knowing that this means the military has messed up my ticket, I comply "here you go, is there a problem?" Apparently the problem was that they wanted me to be in first class for free.

So next time you see someone in uniform flying first class, recognize that your tax dollars didn't put him there, some agent with a desire to show appreciation did.

Maya's 1st swim meet

Last wednesday, Maya participated in her very first swim meet. She got to choose up to any 4 events she wanted to swim. She chose 25 and 50yd breast stroke and 25 and 50yd freestyle. In practice they had never practiced jump starts so she was nervous about trying to dive in, but she did fine. Here's a video of her swimming the 25 freestyle. If you count from the lane closest to the camera, she is in the 4th lane. So fun to watch her grow as a swimmer! Every practice, the coach has the other swimmers stop and watch Maya's form. So proud!

Hi Daddy!!

Hi Daddy! We miss you! Here we are all ready for church and looking nice!

[Yesterday (on my birthday:(...)we woke up very early in the morning and drove Matt to the airport. He's doing a couple of weeks of combat training before he heads on to Afghanistan. He will also be posting his experience there on this blog.]

Blessings

So, there is a lot going on in our lives right now and most of it is centered around Matt being deployed to Afghanistan. This is something that we've known was coming for a while now, but has become a reality to us in the past few months. He leaves next Saturday. We're trying to enjoy as much time together as we can and get things in order before he leaves.

As much as I'm not looking forward to this, I do feel Heavenly Father's blessings to me so strongly in my life. Everyone knows life isn't smooth and easy. You try to enjoy the nice times while they are there. I'm trying to focus on the blessings I have among the difficult times, and there are many.

There was a quote that I saw in a store a few months ago that I'd really like to get for my home. It says something along the lines of Life isn't about getting past the storm, it's learning to dance in the rain.

Yes I will cry and I will have rough days, but when those days come (I'm always on the verge of tears these days but so far have been successful in holding them back) I hope that I will be able to be thankful for all that I have instead of upset about what I'm missing.

I need to thank my Heavenly Father because he has answered countless prayers, especially over the past 18 months. Just an hour ago we got the news that we have tenants that paid money today to live in our home in Maryland that has been sitting empty for only 2 weeks. A huge blessing and a huge relief. Our tenants in our home in Texas, after not being sure if they could extend their lease, decided to stay another year. These are huge blessings to us because if these homes were empty, that's thousands of dollars a month out of our pocket -that we do not have. All I can say is that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. And - pay your tithing! Not everybody is so fortunate. We feel so blessed. This was a stress to us as Matt is getting ready to leave. It's nice that he won't have to worry about that while he's deployed.

Aside from financial blessings - meaning we can pay our many bills each month (My dad once said during a talk he gave on tithing, when you pay your tithing 2+2 =5. Somehow things work out even when they shouldn't and I've had that testimony reaffirmed to me many times over the years) he's also blessed me with an amzing support system. We moved here to California last summer knowing that Matt would soon be deployed, but we only knew a couple of people in the area and not very well. Heavenly Father blessed us to find a home in an amazing neighborhood (we didn't have a place when we first got out here) and we've met so many wonderful families that I know I can turn to while Matt is gone. They'll keep me company, help me with my kids, and any other needs, like a shoulder to cry on and some much needed girl time. I know I can turn to them. On top of that, some of our closest friends from Texas (where we moved from last summer) moved here this month. Another huge blessing to me because I already have that relationship established with them. I'm also just a 3 hour drive from my oldest brother and his family. Heavenly Father didn't put us here in California to leave me alone. He has blessed me and my family with so many wonderful people. I will miss my husband painfully over these next few months. He is my best friend and I love him. But I am not left alone.

I just need to say I am so greatful for my many many blessings. I know I am watched over and loved.

But - don't think for a second that I don't need visitors! My house is open. Please come keep me company!

I will do my best to learn to dance in the rain.

Couldn't be more proud...?

I'm a very lucky woman. I have an amazing husband who treats me with so much love and respect. Our kids see this everyday and will hopefully grow up to expect, have and do the same. I feel very blessed to have such an amazing marriage and I thank my Heavenly Father for it everyday. I have friends who even tease Matt and I a little with how lovey dovey we are.
But on the same end of all of that, we like to joke and have fun with each other. We have from the very beginning. Back when we first met we'd have ice/water fights and Matt even "Bobby Boushay"ed me in a snowball fight (Waterboy reference).
One thing that takes the cake, pun intended, was at our wedding. The tradition of the bride and groom cutting the cake and feeding each other the first piece. As Matt was preparing to delicately feed me the cake, all the sudden the whole plate was in my face! (Matt credits this to my sister Becky - my whole family was encouraging him, but when Becky said something along the lines of not worrying about the dress, he went for it)
The point of this post??
Matt and Luke and I were sitting down to snuggle on the couch and for some reason this made Luke think and say out loud. "When I grow up and get married, I'm gonna smash the cake like you dad."
Wait....what? Of all the things to learn from dad, that's what you choose? I honestly thought what Matt did to me was hilarious (and luckily the cake had fondant icing so it didn't make a huge mess), but I replied, as long as the girl is like Mommy she won't mind. He and Maya do love to watch that part of our wedding video, so it will not be forgotten. But, I figure we got about 20 years for him to grow and realize this may not be the best idea.

(For your enjoyment - here's our wedding cake memory)