Happy 4TH!!!

     I am writing this as the boys in the house sleep. We have been to the parade. Later on we will go grab some dinner and, watch the fireworks. However, what this day is REALLY about has already been seen. This morning as the parade started a color guard marched past us carrying an American flag. I stood with my Husband and, two candy anxious children with our hands over our hearts in salute of our flag. I am SO very thankful that we are a free country. I am grateful that I and, my family are free worship, work, and have opinions, any way we please. I am even more grateful to all the brave men and, women who helped make our country free. Finally, I am thankful to the strong soldiers who keep our nation all that is today.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! May we ever be a Free nation!

Love 

The Flight Crew

M is Home!!!

     Last Wednesday, the phone call finally came that M was on his way home!!! The boys and, I cleaned the whole house top to bottom. I then proceeded, to make sure I looked as awesome as possible before, we left to go to Devil's basketball game. As we're sitting at the b-ball game, I got a text from M "I missed the connecting flight and won't be home tonight. I'm really sorry." 

    Somehow, the plane from San Antonio to Phoenix had been just barely late enough that, M missed his connecting flight. It was TOTALLY the airports fault and, we were both really mad. He immediately booked a flight for first thing the next morning and, made it home at 10:20 am! It was SO great to see him!!!

Our first photo together at the airport

First time P saw Daddy in Four months

On our way to get some lunch

      M has been up at 6 am everyday since he's been home. He works out then, once the boys are up at 7:30 he makes them breakfast. The rest of the day has been filled with job and, house hunting. By about 7 pm he's ready to crash. I'm really SO impressed by his new sense of leadership and, determination.

Here are just a few souvenirs that he brought home with him.

Photos of him in his blues that we bought in anticipation for graduation

.

His glasses which really look awesome on him!!

another photo he had of him in his camo!

    The boys and I are REALLY happy to have him home. I know that as long as he stays motivated we'll be back at BMT and successfully graduate! Let the PT begin!!! (muahahaha)

Dinosaurs!!

    Today, it was FREE to get into the Dinosaur park! (Are you noticing a theme to our summer activities?) Early this morning we went with my wonderful sister in-law and, her two cute boys to the Dino park. (Her boys are about the same age as P& Q so it works perfectly!)

 There's a Dino fossil inside this old mining cave.

 The boys thought the card board cutouts were pretty funny!

 They were both amazed at how HUGE dinosaur feet are.

 This was P's favorite dinosaur. He called it Sara like the Tricertops from the Land Before Time movies.

    I think they had a pretty great time today. They got to play with cousins and, see some dinosaurs what more could kids ask for?!

Q's Party!!

    On June 7th our little Q turned 2! (So far no terrible twos... fingers crossed.) I had been waiting, waiting and, waiting to find out what was going on with M. I didn't want to throw a huge party if he, was going to be home two days later.  Finally, last Tuesday after talking with handsome Hubby we decided, I just needed to go ahead and throw a party.

 First we opened some presents. 

P thought he needed some help.

Don't worry Q got ALOT more than four ;)

 This is his Monkey made out of cupcakes. (I thought this would be hard to decorate but, it was actually the easiest cake ever!)

Time to blow out the candles! It was a really cool candle until everybody started singing. He didn't like being the center of attention.

      After the party it was time to check out the chalk and his new Dinosaur. Thanks everybody that came to celebrate. This kid sure is loved by alot of people. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Q!!! (next year we'll party sooner I promise!)

First Time Fishing!

      A few weeks ago it was free fishing day in Utah. (I LOVE free!) My awesome uncle volunteered to take P and, Q fishing for their very first time! They were both super excited. We tried for a little bit at a nearby pond about, an hour later we hadn't even had a single bite. It was decided that it was time to kinda cheat (only a little bit... Ya gotta catch a fish the first time you go fishing right?) so, we took the boys to a trout farm not too far away.  

     At the trout farm not only can you catch the fish, you can also feed them. The boys both thought this was the coolest thing ever! They would throw a small handful of fish food and, all the trout would jump, splash and, fight for the food.

Q especially  loved it!!

    After, a short time of feeding the fish it was finally time to start catching some. P and, Aunt Handy stuck the pole in and, caught a fish almost instantly.

    He thought it was AWESOME to see the fish flop around but, wanted nothing to do with touching it.

 


    Next, it was Q's turn to catch a fish. It took him and, Uncle alot longer to catch their fish.

 Ten tries later, they caught one.

   After, a little coaxing Q thought it was kinda neat to touch the fish.

    Then, it was back to feeding the fish again. Over all, it was a pretty great day. Plus, we got to finish it off by eating some yummy grilled fish (we were too busy eating for any pictures).

Ok I think I'm ready...

     A while ago, I wrote a about feeling like I was watching our hopes and, dreams of joining Airforce slip away. I can tell you tonight that dream is still very much alive but, that for time being it's going to be put on hold. M left for BMT March 7th. He was recycled Easter weekend, for failing to complete a PT test. They moved him to another flight and, he was doing great we both really thought he had it in the bag. Then, the Monday before he was set to graduate he failed the PT test again. This time, he was sent to the get fit flight he proceeded to work his butt off and, try to pass the PT test every Tuesday. Every week it was same thing, one failed PT test after another.
     This Tuesday, the conversation was different, ALOT different. We said our hellos as usual, I asked "How are you?" M said "I'm good, I'm coming home." After almost 4 months of BMT, M is finally coming home. He is not graduating, He will not be an Airman, We will not be military. Not right now at least.
     Here's where it gets interesting. I already knew M was coming home.Friday night (the 15th) at almost 1 am, I got a text from my awesome, wonderful, loving friend in Georgia . Her son had just gotten home from BMT as well. She said "My son "Chess" just said that he saw M with an orange armband on Thursday." After, much conversation with both Georgia and Chess; I came to the conclusion that "yes this was the truth M had finally failed BMT and, was coming home."
      I'm SO grateful that she called and told me. I know how much she hesitated but, truthfully I'm grateful that she was strong enough to tell me what I didn't want to hear. Not only to tell me but, to TRULY support me as I grieved. That is a TRUE friend. Because, I had known since Friday I was able to stand strong as my husband told me the bad news. I was able to be excited that we get to see him again.
      I have cried and I am crying as I write this. The emotions of failure are still very raw to both of us. However, we are VERY excited to see each other again. I also know that he is SUPER DUPER excited to see P & Q again. The only news better than the fact that we get to be together again is this.. are you ready I think you're gonna be surprised... in 6 months M can go back and, try BMT again. So Dear Flight Crew that is exactly what we're going to do!
      We are both going to exercise our hearts out and, get in shape. So extremely awesomely in shape that M will be able to pass the PT test on the very first day of BMT. That's right we're giving this our all and, we're going to make this dream a reality. I hope you'll stay with us for the ride. I know it just got a little more crazy but, I think it's going to be a GREAT journey. I'll keep you updated on our exercise progress and, then when M heads back to BMT, I will of course once again keep you posted. It's going to be fun and really hard all at the same time. Any of you exercise gurus out there send me your tips cause, we're gonna need the big guns.Are you ready for our new chapter? "Real PT Starts NOW!"

Happy Father's Day!!!

    I am SO thankful for all the Dad's in my life. Mostly though, I am thankful to MY Dad. He has always been there for me. He has been a great example to me of what a Father and, Priesthood holder should be. My Dad's job has always taken alot of time but, despite it all he has always found time for what is most important: his family. Even at 24 I still continue to learn things from him. Lately, it seems that we've taken to talking almost weekly. Sometimes, it is deep and impacting other times, it's as simple as how was your week? I have come to love these chats with him. He has been a real support to me and, I will always be grateful for everything that he has done for me. I can't wait to spend time with him this summer so, my boys can get to know him better.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

From the Flight Crew