5 posts tagged “air force”

Tomorrow, we're finally (officially) moving to our new base. For real this time.

 Andrew picked up the keys to our new apartment this afternoon. He says it's so nice that I will love being there and forget about a house...I think he's being optimistic, but I hope he's right (that it's nice), I'm still going to hope for a house!

I took Gavin for a final play date with his best friends in Columbus today. He enjoyed a final roll around in Jackson's ball pit and admired all the toys that he had (has- but have disappeared of late), had two minor meltdowns when I went to the bathroom, and finished the day by biting me when I was putting his shoes back on.

It was bittersweet saying goodbye to Elizabeth and Traci...my first "mom" friends!!  I know when Elizabeth moved to Columbus a year ago, it was with her little 5 month old, Jackson and Gavin was only 8 weeks old!! And Traci and I (funnily enough) sort of met through the internet on a military newlyweds chat board...and our babies were turning into toddlers by that point!! We've all been through a lot together, crawling, teething, first words, walking, first birthday parties, and the start of the terrible twos!! I'll really miss the weekly play dates and walks and phone calls to just vent about what our kid(s) have just managed to get into.

It was also really sweet of Paige to drop by the play date (hope all those rambunctious toddlers didn't scare you off!) She's been such a sweet friend and a big inspiration to me too.

We're leaving behind so many great friends, neighbors and memories. I know that it's only a matter of time before I will be blogging about new friends and experiences, or at least sharing my embarrassing moments catching Gromit, hmm?

I did (you know I did!) drive by the house one last time...I was trying to get Gavin to wave bye-bye to his first home...he was sound asleep from the play date. So as I drove out of Capitol one last time, I thought of all the dreams and hopes we had moving there....

I was 8 months pregnant, it was our first house. I had my first opportunity to plant a garden and explore decorating with all the quirks that make a military house home sweet home (i.e. awkward room sizes, more closets than you know what to do with, extremely odd window sizes, ancient hardwood floors, 1950s puke pink tile and the nicest neighbors on Earth!).

My husband was starting the biggest (longest) year of his life, and had high hopes for a career as an Air Force pilot! I sat through many nights of watching him pour his heart into studying T-37 bold face procedures (hand grips raised triggers SQUEEZE anyone?), "chair-flying", and walking/flying through patterns all around the house, I learned all about radio calls and how Mississippi has more catfish ponds than he ever imagined (they're easy to see from the air!)

I worried with him about what downgrades and hooked rides would mean for his future, nervously watched and waited as his dreams become a closer reality after track select came and went and he started training in a new plane (T-38). I sat through many long afternoons and evenings waiting for him to come home, woke up at the crack of dawn for many an early week and spent a few weekends with the girls while he was gone cross-country.

Nearing the end of his UPT career, we all suffered a terrible loss when a beloved IP and student were killed in a T-38 crash, and then just after the planes were cleared to fly again, another T-38 crashed at another base, further rattling the pilot's (and their wives') confidences. After that rough week, the night we'd all been waiting for finally arrived...Our Assignment Night. While it didn't turn out quite as we'd imagined all those months, we've come to be really excited about what God has in store for us in Andrew's new plane and this new base. After such a long, hard and at times heartbreaking year...it was such a relief to pin Andrew's silver wings on his chest in May. He worked so hard, and now he is finally living the dream, he's an Air Force pilot...

As I drove out of Capitol that last time today, I thought about all that's changed...that tiny baby that was kicking inside me, is now an always on the run almost 15 month old! We came into Columbus with two crazy puppies and a mellow cat, and left with two mellow dogs and sadly not with our sweet cat. We're moving on with new hopes and dreams and so with all that anticipation of what's in store...I can only say, We'll miss Columbus and all the great people and friends we met while we were here. It was a long long year, but it really was a great year and definitely an experience we'll never forget!!

There probably won't be any updates for a few days (hopefully no longer than that!) while we get "settled". Hope you'll stick around to see what's coming next.....

It was eventually going to happen, disappointment in the Air Force. Unfortunately I was hoping it wouldn't come in this form. Andrew got his assignment Friday night, B-52. Not what he wanted or expected, but its what we got.
The downsides I suppose, are that it only goes to two bases; Barksdale in Shreveport, Louisiana and Minot in Minot, North Dakota. We thought we were joining the Air Force to see the world....I guess our "world" will just be a bit smaller for awhile.

Andrew's far more disappointed than me. But he's still taking it pretty well. I think once we get to Shreveport this summer he'll be more excited. Everyone says that's a great base, and that once the guys get over the initial disappointment in not getting their "fighter", they love the B-52. It's more family friendly from what we hear...and as my friend Cheryl said, " The B-52 is much safer (than a fighter) --Hooray for safety!"

I've googled Shreveport and think it will be really fun, there's a ton of shopping, museums, exhibits, zoos...they have good schools near the base and good housing, I think we'll really love it. And for the grandparents...you're only 5.5 hours away!! (except when we move to Minot...and then I'll just say, that's going to be a long drive to see us)

Everyone has been really supportive of us, and that's made me feel better about it. We know we got this for a reason, we're not sure what yet- but I think it will be fun to discover what that reason is. :)

Well, it's a start. I hope they find out what's wrong (if anything).

My heart is with all the families and friends of the two pilots lost today. I can't believe we're dealing with this again.
Here's a link to the story about them suspending training. No word on how this affects Andrew's graduation date in 2 weeks...
Air Force suspends T-38 training

Today a T-38 crashed at our base. (This the plane Andrew's currently flying in). I'm so relieved and thankful to God that Andrew is fine.

I can't say much more, but the two pilots, an instructor and student did not survive the crash.

They have families and children that need prayers so badly right now. I am beyond words, and will wait to write something more when I can be coherent.

...till our Assignment Night. (It's 2 May). I'm starting to become more nervous (SARAH! I need someone to be nervous with!!) I wish that we got to know the drop (what planes are available to choose from) but T-38 guys don't get that luxury :( They just rank all the planes available to them, and hope their first choice is available (or second, or third..whatever).

 Andrew can't make his mind up what he wants first, but pretty much it's all the fighters, FAIP (First Assignment Instructor Pilot), bombers, the new AFSOC (Special Ops planes) and then UAV (unmanned planes). He just can't decide which fighter he likes best yet.

There really aren't any bad planes (in my opinion) I know Andrew really really doesn't want to get a UAV since he wouldn't even be "flying" it. He's got his last check ride on Friday (fingers crossed for better weather than is predicted).
But I'm nervous because this maps out your whole future, your future bases,  your career.  Ugh.  I  am ready for it to be over with.

On the Gavin front..I'm so ready for his top teeth to finally be in. He is miserable, he wakes up several times each night, just crying and biting poor Unca's flippers (Unca is his stuffed penguin). Tylenol helps but doesn't last all night unfortunately. He seems to wake up on the dot when it's worn off. He's also got a pretty significant cold and is all congested and at the same time, major runny nose (I attribute that to the teeth). I'm sick too, and took advantage of Mom and Dad being close by yesterday, I took him over to play with them, and I snuck in a nap :)

This weekend is our niece's first birthday (she's 6 weeks older than Gavin- so you know what that means...I need to stock up on kleenex because I know I won't make it through his birthday without crying, I won't even make it through hers probably...I remember me and Allison (my sister-in-law) being pregnant together, our big bellies, and then I remember Lauren being born...and being so tiny! And now she's this crazy cute adorable little ball of energy who runs everywhere and is always in such a happy mood. Sigh! They have grown up so much this year!!