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.