Our New Car

2009 Honda Pilot

A lot bigger then the Element! Seats 8, leather,
sun roof and yeah I have seat warmers again!
My Element was a down grade from all of my other
cars. I am finally moving back up and going BIG!

The only thing we didn't get was the navigation.
We have a TomTom and we didn't get the DVD player.
We just bought a portable DVD before we moved.
Plus it was $5000.00 more.

I love my new car! Happy Anniversary & Happy
Birthday to me!!!!!

Jackson's Hernia

Children's Hospital in Birmingham, AL

Jackson riding the cow before we headed home

10/01/08: Jackson needed to be seen by the doctor again for some swollen testicles. They looked bruised, but didn't know what this all meant. Needless to say that it was more of an emergency and we ended up seeing a flight doctor on base, he then referred us out to the Imaging Center and then they sent us to Birmingham to see a specialist at the Children's Hospital, all in one day. It ended up being 2 Hernias and they are going to do surgery on Tuesday the 7Th. I will keep everyone updated through this process. Just keep Jackson in your thoughts! I am scared for him to go under. He is so small and you never know.

I am thankful Kathy has been here with us and she is going to stay until next Thursday to be with us and Jackson.

It is going to be an in and out procedure. They consider this to be some what of an emergency due to the pressure on his testicle and circulation of things in that area.

My First Strawberry Pie!

This is my very first pie I have ever made! It's from my Cooking Light Cook Book and boy is it good!

Chicken Pox

That is what I said! Jackson was officially diagnosed with the Pox. We have been going back and forth for a month now and questioning if they were bug bites or the pox. If they were bug bites then we would all have them. Jeff and I have both had the pox, so that would probably explain why we don't have any red bumps on our bodies.

The first time I took Jackson to the doctor, I was told that they were just bites. Well, he continued to get more but just a couple at a time and mostly around the leg area. On Sunday a week from last Jackson woke up with these suppose bites all over his body. (My first thought when all this started was Chicken Pox, but you usually trust your doctor.) I wasn't quite sure what to think other then this isn't normal and Jackson and I have been sleeping in the same bed and I don't have them. Well, I called the doctor, again! I pretty much told them the story of our first visit and explained that I wanted to be referred out to a specialist. They told me that I needed to see a doctor and they would determine weather I need to be referred out. I told them I didn't want to see the last doctor we saw cause he didn't know what he was talking about! He even told me he didn't know very much about children. That says a lot.

Off we go to the doctor with Kathy, my mother n law. We see a different doctor and the first thing that comes out of his mouth is Chicken Pox. Yeah! We are finally going some where with this. He couldn't explain why it's gone on for so long, but he was sure it was Chicken pox. He wrote a prescription and told us if Jackson gets a fever to call right away.

Well, Jackson never got a fever this last weekend, but he sure hasn't been himself. It is all making sense now. Needless to say more of the bumps are scabbing over, but he is still getting new ones. Definitely not as bad as last weekend. (Note to self: always go with your first intuition.)

Sorry for the bad picture. I took this with my cell phone and Jackson wouldn't sit still.

Finally started flying!

First day on the flight line. This is our initial beer
offering to the instructors. It is sort of a right of
passage, we spent a $1000 on beer and put it
around the simulated pattern that we fly around the airfield.

Getting strapped in for my first flight.

Missing Home & Why!

I just want to share with you all the news Jeff and I received last week. As for all of you who know James Sweeten and his girlfriend Leah G. they got married! We thought that this event was going to take place in the Summer of 09. We were hoping to be there for James and Leah and to witness this chapter in their lives. Well, that didn't happen and we are so happy for them. If you guys are reading this "Congrats and we wish we could have been there!" We have known James all through High School and when James finally met Leah we were rooting for this event to happen! We are so proud of you guys, especially for never wanting to get married! But, we truly would have been there if we could.

The next thing on my list of things is so many of my friends are pregnant. I am going to say names so everyone knows who I am talking about. Katie Blanton who was my personal trainer and owned Stroller Strides in Fresno. We have become friends and now we email and play phone tag! She is due in October and wish I could see there "little man" after being born.

Another good friend who is pregnant is Ashley Croff Fry! I have known Ashley since the 7th grade. Even though our friendship got off coarse for a couple years, I still consider her one of my good friends. This girl could tell you things about me I don't even know! Ssshhhhhhh, don't tell Ash! But, she is due in April and I will either be on my way home from visiting California or in Mississippi when she delivers. This I would love to see the most! Our friendship sparked right before she got married, so I am thankful that I was there for that chapter in her life.

A long long buddy's sister April, who we will be friends with for a longtime to come is also due. She is due in February and Thank God I will be home for this one. Thanks for planning it so well, April! I can not wait to see your new addition and for Jackson to see his little girlfriend. Tell Mike and Ella we said he.

The very last special thing I want to share, but I am not saying names is: someone very close to me is going to have a baby. This I have dreamt about and it is finally going to happen. I am not sure when the due date is, but no matter when. I am going to be there for it or very soon after. You know who you are and I love you so much and I am so proud of you for the decision you have made. You truly are a man!

These are the things that make me miss home more then ever. It's hard enough to be away and miss the little things like: Birthdays and Birthday dinners, family gatherings and BBQ's, hanging out with our good friends (Chad & Nicole) and with my parents. Sniff, Sniff! I truly, and I know Jeff does miss these things too cause we talk about it all the time. We just stay positive and look forward to hearing from all of you! We love and miss everyone! (James and Leah, you guys have to wait on having a baby!) We can't miss that! (Sorry if this doesn't make sense or the grammar is bad, I am fighting the tears and just wanted to get this off my chest)

Labor Day Weekend (Sunday)

Well, call it what you want, but never go to the Aquarium on a Holiday weekend or when there's a college football game in town.
I do have to admit that we had a lot of fun but boy were there a lot of people. A little to much! Jackson really didn't seem that interested in anything other then the Penguins and the Beluga Whales. He fell asleep way before we even got to the play area! We probably should taken him there first and then that way we could have taken our time and enjoyed looking at all the fish. Oh well, what are you going to do? He still doesn't understand, but we did buy some books about fish. We are doing our homework and reading them every night so when we go back he might know what they are.
Jeff and I really did have a good time and thanks to Robin and Carlie, we did get to enjoy ourselves a little more. They were a big help with Jackson and carrying things for us! LOL After the Aquarium, we drove around and got to see some beautiful homes in Atlanta. Southern homes are so much nicer then any homes back home. We ventured to Peachtree St. and ate at the Cheesecake Factory! YUM!!!!!!
I got to have a Georgia Peach drink, which the whole time I was drinking it I was thinking of Eunique. Thinking back on the good days when we would go to the gym for 2 hours and then drive our skinny butts to have some alcohol! Love you girl!
So back to reality! We then finished and went on our marry way. We didn't get far down the road and everyone but Robin had fallen asleep! So tired! It's hard work chasing a kid around!
Well, to top off the night Robin made us some dinner and a good dinner it was. I always think about my Grandma, but one of the things I miss the most is her cooking. She was the best and Robin made one her best! String beans with onion, bacon & vinegar! Sounds strange but good and the best part was Jeff ate it all and liked it! That is surprising!
We then relaxed and I dyed Carlie's hair and Robin put Jackson down that night! She got loves from the Jackson! Thanks Robin!

It was a goodnight!
Monday morning we just got up and drove home. A better drive and no Vomit!!!!!!

Labor Day Weekend (Saturday)

We didn't do very much on Saturday. We pretty much layed around in PJ's until noon talking and catching up. Jeff and I wanted to run some errands and shop at the stores we miss the most.
Stores we miss:
Costco
A Normal Mall
Gap
Huntington Surf & Sport
Food:
Jamba Juice
Cheesecake Factory
California Pizza Kitchen
Tomo's
Sakanuya
In N Out Burger
I could name more, but I am having a brain fart!
We did our errands and Robin wanted to stop at the pet store to get her bird some food. Needless to say that Jackson had a ball watching the birds fly around the store and seeing all the puppies. We even pulled out a English bulldog for him to play with. She didn't even know he was there! All she wanted to do was eat the ball. After that we continues on our way when we came across a PGA Super Store! We don't have these at home and I'm sure Jeff was just dancing inside. We tried to get him to stop, but he didn't want to. Probably better we didn't. I'm sure he would have found something expensive!
The rest of the day was pretty relaxing, we did walk through a model home that was just beautiful. It was 6,000 sq ft and was $750,000. Something like that in California would easily be over 2 million. It's amazing to see the price differences, but one can only put up with Tornadoes and humidity!
So anywho, we ventured home and BBQ! It is nice being with family and in a normal home and not in base living. It makes you feel normal!

Labor Day Weekend (Friday)

I know I am a little late in posting, but I just haven't had the motivation to post. Well anyway, we went to Atlanta Georgia to visit my cousins Robin and Carlie. I haven't seen my cousin Robin since Jeff and I got married and that will be 4 years on October 2nd. It's been awhile and being that we are a lot closer now, she probably won't be able to get rid of us!
We started out Friday driving which of coarse most trips due! We left a little earlier then planned so that was a plus. The best part was that Jackson passed out as soon as we started driving! For those of you who don't have kids, this makes your trip a little more enjoyable! LOL
We hit some traffic on the way but what do you expect when there's a Alabama & Georgia game. We finally stopped and got some food and gas (for the car!) and continued on our way. At this point Jackson was just about done being in the car. He started to cry and out of no where the kid starts vomiting everywhere. This is when your true parenting skills come in to play. You always cringe at the thought of vomit and let alone the god awful smell! We raced across 4 lanes and yes I was driving! Parked and held my hands out for more puke to poor in, this is the part all bad thought are set aside. You don't even think, you just do it! Jeff was yelling "get him out, get him out" and I'm yelling " I'm trying!" As this is taking place Jackson's got his head back and choking, so I grab his head and pull it forward and here it comes! All over my face, arms, shirt & pants. Oh and in my hair! Do I need to say more........... That's our highlight of the trip. Jeff and I were pretty impressed that we handled it the way we did.

Elvis Presley

Yesterday Jackson and I drove to Tupelo to go

due some shopping and on our way there was a sign that

said Elvis Presley's Birthplace and Park. It wasn't

to far from our destination so I decided to stop.

Jackson was asleep so I didn't get to see very

much, but I managed to get these two pictures!

There was a Welcome Center and an old car

sitting outside, which I assume was their family car.

There was also an old Church that Elvis attended as

a child. I will go back when family visits and

take some better pictures. You are also welcomed

to visit the inside of each building. This would be an

awesome adventure for our parents who loved Elvis

and his Music. He died in Memphis and that isn't to far

from here as well as Nashville.

I hope you all enjoy these pictures! It was and has

been really cool discovering all the history that surrounds

Columbus Mississippi!

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/biography/elvis_presley_biography_1935_1954.shtml

More Pictures

Our home sweet home

T38C follow on Jet after the T6A

T6A

T6A in the air

Just some pictures we wanted to add to our
Blog. We hope you enjoy them......

This one's for Uncle Scotty

Wooky, Wooky! I have my Spider Man swippers on! I was givin Mom a hard twime today because I wanted to put my Vans on and see wouldn't wet me. I know day gwiv me blisters but I like dem. Their a wittle big, but nuting I can't handle. I wuv wu and miss wu! Tank you for da swippers, I will have to have Mom put dem on me more ofter.
Jackson

Before & After

Front (long)

Back (long)

Front (short)

Back (short)
I finally built up the courage to cut my hair. It's
been 2.5 years now that I have been wanting and
liking this hair style. I did attempt this style
when I found out I was pregnant but chickened out
and ended up with shoulder length hair. Well,
I finally talked myself into it! The weather
was major part of my decision. The humidity and
my flat hair don't go well. It's like curly hair and
moisture! My hair was either plastered to my
head or in a pony tail. So really what is the point
of having any hair in Mississippi! So that is why I
cut it! I love it!

Flight Simulator

Checking out the Instruments

Studying hard for that test

Sleep!

Yeah!!!! Jackson slept all night! I forgot how nice it is to not wake up to a crying kid! I did have to lay in his room with him until he fell asleep last night. But if that what it takes for him to relax and get settled, I would have done it along time ago. Now we will see what night time has in store for us!

Big Boy Bed!

Jackson is officially in a Big Boy Bed! The last week has been HELL but we got through it. I have been battling with Jackson and his bad habbit of climbing out of his crib. So in return we missed naptime all this week and have enjoyed midnight escapes. He would actually knock on his bedroom door in the middle of the night, I think he was asking to come out. He never got to come out, but he did get put back in his crib! Sometimes it wouldn't last very long, but he would eventually get the message.
We might be sleep deprived and moody at times, but it will soon pass. Jackson hasn't mastered sleeping through the night with his bed converted, but he's getting the hang of playing and then putting himself to bed when he wants. I don't care, I just want some quiet time.
I also tried to get Jackson in the bed so you can all see how big he is getting, but that didn't happen!
*Jackson's milestone @ 17 months*

4-8 August 2008

This week we went out on the flight line to get
up close and personal with our new airplanes.
We went over the hydraulic system, flight
instruments, and the primary aircraft controls.

T-6A in the overhead pattern at 200kts.

Close up of the T-6's engine bay. 1100 horse
power turboprop.

Our first group PT session. We had to dodge, dip,
duck, dive and dodge.

Snakes

This is what I found on our back patio last night
while Bella was out doing her duty. I just happened
to look down and saw something that looked like
a worm, but what a big worm! The only problem
is that worms don't slither. Boy did it scared the
crap out of me!

This picture has a frog in it as well, just above
the snake.

Side view

I couldn't find a ruler so I had to resort to a
knife. It really wasn't that big. It looks a lot
bigger in the pictures, but it was no more than
12 inches in length.

Thirsty Boy!

One for the money.......

Two for the show.......

three to get ready........

And, four to goooooooo!

Barany Chair

Learning in the Classroom

First training jet (T-6A)

T-6A Cockpit

27-31 July 2008. We had our first week of academics which was mostly aerospace physiology and land survival. We got spun around in a Barany chair that stimulates your inner ear so you know what is happening when you get airsick. I got spun around and felt like I was tumbling when they stopped me. I didn't feel to well after that, but I didn't throw up. We also took a ride in the altitude chamber to simulate what Hypoxia feels like at 25, 000 feet, which is like being drunk then becoming extremely nauseated. If you don't go back on oxygen it will eventually lead to unconciousness, and crashing into the ground. We also got to practice ejecting out of our aircraft, and parachute landing falls.