Pause, Breathe, Reflect. Repeat

My mind was as cluttered as my house today. And so this posting maybe too.

(Yep, really. You could barely find a place to walk - er, let your mind wander for a moment.)

So many things are swirling around that make my heart swell and sink in the same second. Like:
The military way of life is a gift. You meet amazing people, and certainly the chance always lurks that you'll meet up with them again at a later waypoint, and enjoy each others company again. But in the meantime, you bid farewell, and that can be so heartbreaking. Especially when you find people that just click with you, people who are your people, who you know that if you introduced them to your best friend and every friend you've met in the last 28 years, everyone would get along swimmingly. (That's how you know you have the right people.)

We had to bid farewell this week. And I'm reminded of it so often because they were our next door neighbours. And Nate still wanders over there, knocks on the door, expecting their son to come out and play. And, they were some of our people.

Also: my sister is moving. Far away - and while I am so stoked to stamp my passport on a trip to see them... it's still heartbreaking to think about how far away it is. And how much math I'll have to do to figure out what time it is when I want/need to talk with her.

I told Greg that living in Enid, America has been the best blessing: living so close to them, enjoying the everyday, and the not-so-everyday moments. Celebrating birthdays and reading contests, and swim and track meets with them. (I feel a bit like Pinocchio, but instead of feeling like a real boy (er, girl...) I feel like I almost know what it's like to grow up in one place with family all around.)  And while I am still elated that we are here and enjoying every minute, being so close has also given me a bigger glimpse at what I will miss so much when we are back to being flung (literally) across the globe.

Those were the heart sinking moments.
I did wander to some heart swelling moments, too. When I think about these things (below), my heart swells with pride, with joy, with curiosity for their adventures:

• My friend up and moved to New York City last fall. No job, no place to live, just up and moved. That's inspiring. And here she is, flourishing. And I really quite enjoy her bloggy updates. But, this link she posted really took my breath away. You should read it, too. (This is not a link to my friend's blog, but one that she linked to from her blog...)
• Also, my other friend moved to Sawaziland. What?!? Yes. And he's doing amazing work. 
• Our nephew is turning 13. And he's totally picking up on sarcasm. And it's so fun to talk with him. 

As I'm mopping up baby spit-up from the floor, and searching (again!!!) for the favourite blanket, washing the dishes for the upteenth time, eyeing the clock - knowing that I should really go to bed, but, oh, there are still so many things to do while the house is quiet and still -  I must remember that I am doing good, amazing things too. (Not to toot my own horn - but why not? Sometimes we all should toot our own horns. (By the way, I like to imagine that my horn should like and old fashioned train whistle. It just sounds official and fun and exciting and decadent all at the same time.) Tooting our own horns is good for the soul, as long as it's done reflection I think.)

I remember this when my baby girl laughs and rolls over and eats a whole bowl of cereal for dinner like a champ. And I remember this when I ask my strong-willed boy "how many are you" and he holds up two fingers, says "Two!" and carries on about his day. I remember my work when I take the little man golfing at the driving range and he is happy to hit the golf ball to the pasture for hours, adoring his cousins doing the same thing, delighting in the airplanes, and the flowers, and just how far he can hit the ball. 

You are doing great things, too, you know.

Our Sweet Girl

For a week or two now, at dinner, Brooke has started lunging toward the bites of food that Greg, Nate and I are about to take (well, some nights, Nate's less involved in the eating of dinner. Hey, he's [almost] two.)

So, today, our sweet girl took a big leap: she ate Rice Cereal.

Actually, she devoured it. 

Really, she put the spoon there. I promise.

Track Select

One more thing. Our favorite pilot around here (that's Greg) also was awarded with an amazing honor from his classmates: tonight he was awarded the Hard Charger of CFlight in Class 12-14.

A summary of the award (I'm still kicking myself: it was a surprise for us, and I didn't have the camera ready on the movie mode... in any case): It's given to the student who shows resiliency amidst challenges and exhibits a positive attitude and is an encouragement to others in the class.

We're big fans of our class-family. And we think pretty highly of you all, too.

Thanks for keeping Enid, America fun, 12-14.

Jayhawks!

We've officially graduated from the T6 Texan - and we (and by we, I really mean Greg - but we're cheering him on (and helping him studying)) are on to flying the T1 Jayhawk! It looks like this:

It's exciting, but nerve wracking: I had grown to really appreciate the support and leadership that we'd gotten to know as part of the squadron we were with while flying with the T6. I mean, truly: most pilot trainees don't have a baby, air sickness, regular sickness (like the super flu - remember how sick we all were in January!?!), a family member passing all during phase 2 of pilot training... Really, it's been a big team effort to get to this point and we are so appreciative of the leadership here. It's been a real blessing.

I know that as part of our new squadron, great leadership awaits, but the ball game begins anew for Greg. He goes back to academics to study the T1, and is at the bottom of the food chain again... Ah, the cycle of a pilot trainee!

As part of "graduating" from the T6 Texan, they host Track Select - it's like a mini graduation. Most people (Greg and other reservists and members of the Air National Guard not included) don't know what airplane they will be flying next. After T6s, you "track" for T1s, T38s, or helicopters.

While we knew that we were destined for the T1s, it was really exciting to be there for our class-family to cheer them on as they found out their next plane.

Plus, there is always good laughter as all the punches are pulled and the funniest (read: embarrassing, silliest, wildest, eye-rolling, etc.) things are recalled about our beloved student pilots.

Here's a photo recap of the events tonight:

Ringing in 28 - and flying an airplane

It's funny how birthday celebratory priorities change. Three years ago, I was so excited about the complete surprise that Greg pulled off for me: three days in the mountains hiking in the snow, hanging out with my best friend (on an impromptu trip to see me for my birthday), eating terrific food... This year, I was so excited  to read a book - uninterrupted - in the sunshine.

And guess what? Birthday wish granted. Hooray - and happy 28th year to me.


Also - today, I flew a plane. As in an airplane. No big deal.

(It was a simulator.) Greg walked my through the steps of landing the plane, doing a loop, and gently flying over the plains of America. I half expected to see amber waves of grain. But alas, I think the closest thing I saw was a grain silo. Still, it was awesome.

And I almost landed the plane safely. Just a touch too hard on the landing. But if it was real life, we would have totally been able to get out alive.

(And yes, I'm thrilled that Greg is the pilot in this family.)
Looks like we have another budding pilot in the family: 

 

 

The Rodeo

We checked off a "bucket list" item for living in Oklahoma: we went to the rodeo. The timed event championship, actualy (and if you please.)

Nate loved it. He shouted "go! There they go!" when the cowboy and steer entered the arena. He cheered and clapped and loved seeing the horses. And cowboys. He even mastered how to say "Yee haw." (It sounds a bit more like "Heee-Haw, but hey, we'll take it.) We dressed him in his Wranglers, had a great time. Brooke did too. =)

Nate's latest tricks

Living down the street...

Living down the street means we can take in Friday afternoon school plays of our nieces and nephews.

Today's feature? Raylie in the school play about Dr. Seuss, in honour of his (108th) birthday!

Here's a clip: