F15 Strike Eagle Picture

I couldn't take pictures of the hangar we were in due to security measures.

I was afraid to take a picture of the entire plane (I thought security forces might come out of somewhere and tackle me.)

As I mentioned earlier, Ryan made the right connections for us to "tag" onto the end of a fighter squadrons individual family photo shoots. We were impostors. We are from the 366th Medical Squadron. Doctors are on shortage in the Air Force- highly overworked and underpaid and statistically not known to re-enlist. But still, as I stood among all the pilots and their families waiting for out last turn, I couldn't help but feel privileged. In awe of the F15 and the Pilots and their families. The skill and training and sacrifice and talent that they have. The combat they have been through. The risks they have to make. How humble they are. I love our Country. I love that because I live here, the greatest place on earth, my children will have a quality of life and access to things that are privileges in other lands.

I had throwing up kids the day before. We weren't at our healthiest. After waiting an hour, restless kids at nap time, and Jackson's repeated questions of when are we, "going to blastoff?", we climbed the steps to the top. They let the kids pile into the pilots seat (the back seat pilot is the Wizzo). Heads are overlapped and interest was more in the buttons and instruments, but I got my picture.

I will forever have a memento of our time here active duty in Mountain Home. I'll always love the 5pm national anthem loudspeaker broadcast that calls all outside to stand and salute. Did you know they play it every day of the week? (That there is a 7:30am Reveille song and a 10pm Taps song too?) I have felt such gratitude for all the servicemen and women that have ever served this country. I am so grateful for just this little bit of time, to be able to have my husband serve with them.

God forever bless this great nation- the USA!

Bifocals

To help give her "reading power" as the doctor said. She says they're making her learn better...

Halloween Costumes 2010-

My Rescue Hero's

Base sent out a memo. Trick-Or-Treating was only permitted on Saturday night. I gave out more candy than we ever have before- we ran out! They have volunteer airman stationed around the neighborhoods. It is so safe. I loved it!

Halloween Party 2010

I "mailed" out invitations to our kids. The night of, we made them go outside and knock on the door. They were greeted to us in black robes and witch hats and spooky music.

At our witch feast

skeletons and skulls, pumpkin treat filled pails at each seat

Mummy dogs and pizzas

the goblins hand

Brain Cupcakes

Witchy games- dance with a broomstick, a mummy relay wrap, and build a skeleton.

In the midst

We've had 3 with strep like symptoms needing antibiotics, a stomach flu for 2, a likely Asthma diagnosis for Ryan, and I sprained my ankle.( But I thought I broke it. And it happened to be at the last and final hooray football game of the season over 2 hours from home. I slipped, the baby was in the pouch and I saved her, but my ankle. I almost passed out. And I thought for how bad it hurt it should have been broke. But it's not. And my husband does a reenactment of the event that he thinks is funny. I took myself in for a xray- even though he said it's not broke, I needed visual affirmation. And it's not. And life goes on. And the gym still calls....)

Charlotte cries. A lot. Putting her down causes her to cry. She sees the car seat and cries. But then you pick her up and she is fine. Should I admit she has not taken one nap in her crib and she is OVER 4 months. Like I said, I hold her a lot.

Emma doesn't like school. It's only barely 3 hours. It's been awful, but she is getting better. She told me her eyes hurt. I passed it off that she was trying to get out of school. Finally I got her in for an eye exam just to prove that she was fine. And she's not fine. Her eyes should hurt. She can't see. She strains. She needs glasses. I call this a fine proud mom moment.

And while I am confessing my proud mom moments. I admit. It was Jackson that set off the fire alarm in church. And no one had a key to turn it off. So it emptied the building, but at least it happened at the end of the 3rd hour. "What kid set it off?" I heard and was even asked. And I didn't really admit it. I didn't deny it- just shrugged my shoulders. But, I confess, it was my busy kid. Oh and he's also the one that colored white chalk on Bishops chair who sat in it. Ryan YM Pres. was teaching in the Bishops office, and I was teaching in RS and had Charlotte, so he kept Jackson. And that's how Bishop got a white bum. (Yes, Jackson should be in nursery. But he's not a fan.) Bishop relocated the "class" a couple weeks ago. I know why.

So, I guess, I'm just in the midst of my life. I've been told, these are the best days. I'm trusting someone knows what they're talking about.

Football Season Ends

Tiger record was 4 and 3. Our defense wasn't scored on in 19 quarters- I think my husbands bribing as the defensive coordinator of candy bars is what motivated the boys to block.

It was a rough start for Tanner. 4 days a week practices and Saturday all day events. He wanted to quit. His helmet hurt.... it was hard. I felt bad for him. Ryan told me he'd figure it out- it would be good for him.

We "encouraged" him to hang in there.

Ryan had to go to all the practices- he was one of the teams 5 coaches.

About mid-season Tanner started to get it. He started on offense and defense. He was reliable.

Coach at the end of year award party said Tanner was "the most improved and one of the nicest kids out there."

I enjoyed watching Ryan coach. During the game a coach is allowed on the field. Ryan would pull the kids around, switch them by arm pulls between plays and always always patted their helmets.

Tanner is number 41.


The sideline. Ryan said it took a force of nature to get us out the door with all our snacks and chairs and umbrellas to get us to games on time. I did little sitting, mostly tried to keep kids off the field!


The game ending tunnel. Tanner's up front.

Discussions at our house

1. When can we get a dog? Or a cat? Me: But whose going to clean up after the poop? How about we get one that doesn't poop?- says Emma. Brilliant idea.

2. When is Emma going to like Kindergarten? Thank you to the Grandmas who put her name in the temple. She now says, "I only have one butterfly in my tummy." and, "I am famous because everyone is praying for me." Tanner stayed home legitimately sick. She wanted to know why his butterflies let him stay home. I told her his aren't butterfly's. She said than they must be sharks.

3. When is Charlotte going to poop? She has gone over 10 days. I took her into the pediatrician. She's fine and not to worry he says. But we do worry! Especially about when and where we are going to have that blowout.

4. When are we going to Disneyland? (at least a couple times a day this is asked). We don't know I say. But really, we bought our airfare and hotel. We've booked our surprise vacation for the end of January!

5. Can I go to football practice? Ryan is the assistant coach. I love that guy. The head catholic coach says he looks at coaching as a ministry of sorts. Lots of fatherless kids. Moms have called Ryan to talk to their sons. I try to keep the little kids home so Ryan can focus on the team. Tanner started the last two games. It's clicking. Can't wait til it's over. :)

6. Where's Jackson? Who has Jackson? JACKSON! He's a stinker right now. Into everything. Way worse than my other kids. But he's funny. He's my best talker and cracks jokes back at us. And he likes the fridge. Butter is like candy or something.

7. I have to excercise. Whose gonna give me some time alone- I say? I'm trying to change my diet. I'm working out everyday. I'm starting to like to run. Almost 8 weeks at it. I ask Ryan all the time, When is it going to drop off? When are my last 100 pounds gonna melt out of me? He's over me. He tells me to keep it up. It is coming off. But he can skip lunch and now weighs what he weighed in High School. Such a crock I say. I serve him big portions. Of pie especially.

8. When you gonna get a ride on a fighter jet? Me to Ryan of course- this is called an Incentive Flight. He rolls his eyes at me. He tells people I wish he was a pilot. Not really ;). But still, I asked if he can make some "connections" so we can take our family Christmas picture on a jet. He came home recently and told me two things. First, he was nominated for some award. He had to go before some interview panel. He didn't know some current events about the military. He said he "bombed it but whatever". But he won. He was recognized. I asked if his award was an Incentive Flight. He didn't know. Maybe if he makes it to DC he said. BUT, the second item, He made those "connections". We get a family picture on a jet. We're imposter's, I know.

Letter from the Principle

Got this sent home with the kids last week.

"...I would like to explain the situation with the Active Shooter exercise held in the old primary school yesterday."

Let me clarify, the old unused school is just a few feet away from the new (but still old) primary school building that is being used. They share the same parking lot. As I was dropping Emma off to the kindergarten line I was crossing the parking lot and heard fire. I thought we were under attack. I stopped, looked around. Grabbed the kids. Wondered if I should run or duck or call 911 or what. But everyone seemed calm. And I figured since I was new to base, and no one was running in fear, it must be an exercise or something. But it was unnerving. (Jackson kept saying, "what's that mamma?what's that?") Especially, in light of Fort Hood last year.

back to the letter.

"we received some concerned calls from parents who were upset that we had not informed them of the exercise. Just to be clear to everyone, the exercise did not take place in our building. And no on was informed, because I was directed not to inform parents. The integrity of the exercise was important and since there was no threat to our students, this direction was followed. If you have concerns, please contact base leadership."

Just my 2 cents, but I think it is pretty scary for kids that have had parents deployed in combat. Which is a huge percentage of our base. And thus, the location of the exercise is insensitive. And second. I think I should kick up my reaction skills. I guess I would know how I would behave if under fire.

Where I've been

At Landon's Birthday Party.

We had a family one for him. I postered the kitchen and set the traditional birthday table for him. His dad took him out to lunch here on base. He's four. But I still get him home for 2 more years.

Where I've been

At school.

Emma goes just 3 hours, from noon to 3. I can see the school from my house. Tanner goes to school in the morning with the Walkie Talkie so I can check in on him when he picks her up and walks home with Emma. (Ryan thinks I'm an overprotective nut. He teases me about this Walkie Talkie thing.)

Emma has had a hard time with school. She was not too fond of it- ie, ripping at my arm and sobbing when I left her. I could hardly bear it. Ryan started swinging home and picking her up to drop her off. Since the hospital is just right around the corner I have been able to count on him to help me. I love the base. So much more convenient for us.

I still feel like I have 4 at home- half day kindergarten doesn't even count! Oh the days are demanding. Everyone needs help. Everyone needs me. I can't imagine not having this mother calling- what did I ever do with my time before them!

After school. Snack time and I get Tanner to help me with Charlotte.

Where I've been

At the Boise State Fair and Boise Hot Air Balloon Festival. (two different events)

Dinosaur Exhibit. Iphone pic.

This kid needs a leash backpack. He tries to "walk" himself with his own leash.