Re-enlistment Day! Bug Club Day!
August 27, 2010 | Filed Under Air Force Life, Air Force Physician Assistant Program (IPAP), Daniel, Eve, Military Life, New Mexico, Photos | 3 Comments
Daniel has been active duty Air Force for twelve years this past July. Today he signed up for four more years. He wasn’t technically due to re-enlist for another seven months or so but since being accepted into the PA program, he needed the retainability in order to begin and finish IPAP.
Daniel has to agree to stay in the Air Force for ten years beyond his coming commission, so today wasn’t a mile stone or the result of a big decision we had to make on whether or not he would stay in for four more years.
It was an exciting day, nonetheless.
And what was especially exciting was that the kids and I actually made it to the ceremony on time. Quite a feat, I’ll tell you.
There were showers for four (that makes it sound so easy, doesn’t it? It’s not.), blow drying hair for three, styling hair for three, ironing three little outfits, breakfast for four, make-up for one, removing traces of breakfast from three sweet faces, shoes on eight feet, brushing four sets of teeth, all the necessary gear into the truck. And then, finally, the actual driving, which was difficult because I was forced to maintain my good attitude in front of the children even though I got stuck behind two incredibly slow cars. Why must that always happen when one is pressed for time?
Anyway, we are in a (mostly) loving and committed relationship with the United States Air Force for at least… well, a really long time. Like thirteen more years. But more than likely, eighteen years. Let’s not think too long on that because I might cry. Sometimes I just want a home I can call my own.
Moving right along…
Today was also a much anticipated day for Eve. Today was “Bug Club” day with her little girlfriends. My daughter (very much the planner) has had her bag of supplies packed since Wednesday. But she left it in the room that she shares with Eliza. Unluckily, at “bug club” time Eliza was napping and there was no retrieving of the bag. Poor girl was crushed. We made do with another not quite as cute but serviceable bag and all was well. Now, I’m not sure what is exactly involved with the “bug club” but I do know that I think it’s hilarious. My daughter – the one who freaks out over bugs of any shape or size, is in a bug club. Highly amusing. And so very cute.
Do you want to know how my husband made my day end so well? I had mentioned earlier in the evening that I really wanted to drive out – way out – and watch the moon rise. The nights are beautiful here and because it’s unbelievably flat and wide open you can see the whole sky for what seems like a million miles. At eight o’clock tonight Daniel burst through the front door and told me get in the truck; we were headed out to watch the moon rise. He remembered!
God bless my man, he sat in the truck with me for nearly forty-five minutes waiting and watching for the moon. He even fielded highly suspicious questions from want-to-be cowboy cops as to why we were pulled over on the side of a dirt road with our truck lights off. They totally didn’t buy the moon watching thing. Ha!
The moon was gorgeous tonight and the fact that my husband took me out there so I could watch it rise was wonderful.
An exceptionally good Friday, friends. Happy weekend!
Baby, baby…
August 9, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Military Life, New Mexico | 14 Comments
I spent a big chunk of my Sunday evening at the park holding my friend Jamie’s baby, Abigail. Oh…. SO sweet! Soft, soft, baby head. And the sounds she made… those amazing baby sounds! And the way she snuggled right into my chest… Awwww. Love her. I’m so thankful that Jamie shared her daughter with me tonight!
I miss having my own baby. But shhh… don’t tell Daniel!
What I wore.
August 4, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Military Life, New Mexico | 20 Comments
The presentation for winning the photo contest was yesterday. I was nervous, man! There were a whole lot of people in that conference room. And I don’t do this kind of thing, you know? I wipe my kid’s butts and wash laundry and make copious amounts of food and do dishes…etc., etc., etc. (I could keep going with the etc. because we all know a mother’s work is never EVER done.)
I had to buy my outfit in Albuquerque because I didn’t have the time to order anything online. Can I just tell you, I am a terrible shopper! We went to the mall and the outdoor mall… nada. I ended up going to Anthropologie two times and finally made a purchase there.
I bought a white shirt.
See! Told you I’m terrible at the shopping.
Sigh. Don’t hate me. You all gave me awesome advice and… WHITE SHIRT.
What I did was pair it with dark wash jeans (Gap “perfect bootleg”) and a vintage orange chunky bead necklace, leopard print heels, my red hair, and a smile. It also helped that I had a great hair day!
Daniel said I looked great and I felt comfortable.
The presentation was good; I was broken in by meeting a few people at a time which ended up being much less overwhelming than just being thrust into the room packed with men I don’t know, all staring at me. I did have to give a little speech… Surprise! Looking back I should have expected that and been prepared. But I wasn’t. And I ended up saying the same thing three different ways. Ugg. And I didn’t even thank my husband in it. Major faux-pas in the speech-giving world, apparently.
So that’s done. I have one more presentation and this one is BIG. With a lot more people who will be staring at me. I feel myself wilting as I type this.
Geez… Give me a butt to wipe any day over speeches and presentations!
I won!!
July 22, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Military Life, New Mexico, Photos | 44 Comments
I am still in shock!
Daniel wrangled (LIED) me onto base this morning under the guise of a meeting with “Very Important People” that have a lot of brass pinned to their chests, for a meet and greet in honor of “Year of the Air Force Family.”
I had no clue whatsoever what the meeting was really for. I had gotten the children all dressed in nice clothes – girls in their matching Easter dresses, the boy had on the bow tie that matched the girl’s outfits – I was wearing white and make-up. Indeed, we were ready to meet these VIP’s.
When we walked into the room I saw my photo blown up on a board and sitting on an easel. I saw the prize pack and a lot of people smiling.
It slowly dawned on me why I was really in that room!
Stunned wouldn’t really describe how I was feeling.
It was wild! Before I knew it I was shaking people’s hands and hearing about all that I had won and how proud everyone is. About how next they are going to schedule a time to have the Wing Commander present my prizes and certificate to me, and how my picture is going to be on the website and in base paper. The Commander even coined me!
Seriously, I’m just me. Andrea. The redheaded dork who bares her stomach on the World Wide Web. I’m the girl who takes photos for fun and because I love to. I don’t actually win stuff! My photos aren’t nationally recognized. I mean, c’mon!
Truthfully, you guys are the ones who really won the contest for me. I entered my photo on a whim. Without your votes I wouldn’t be in this position today. Apparently over 800 votes were cast for my photo. Wow!
Thank you.
Here’s where I get mushy. But just for a second, I promise…
Thank you for believing in me. And in my photo. Your votes of confidence meant the world to me.
And in the effort for full disclosure, I did indeed do the happy dance. Though I waited until I got home. I restrained my glee while in front of “The Very Important People.”
Daniel was so relieved.
Celebrating 12 years of active duty Air Force. With a cherry on top!
July 19, 2010 | Filed Under Daniel, Military Life, New Mexico, Photos | 9 Comments
Daniel’s twelve year anniversary of being in the Air Force is on the 22nd. Hard to believe it’s been that long!
I remember being seventeen years old, Daniel standing in front of me promising to write while away at boot camp. I told him, half-laughing, “if you write to me, I’ll write to you.” I was scoffing in my head, never believing that he would actually write to me.
But he did. I received three letters in one week. Three!
I was shocked, to say the least.
Hard to believe that within three years we’d be married, living in Alaska. Within five years we’d be parents of a tiny baby girl named Eve, living in North Dakota. Within ten years we’d have three (!) kids, moving from Vermont to New Mexico.
My mind would have been absolutely blown. Because honestly, I didn’t even really like this scrawny half-grown boy-man standing in front of me.
Twelve years from that muggy summer night, not realizing how our futures would collide, here we are… celebrating.
I am a firm believer in celebrating every moment. Little or big. Daniel thought it was silly that I insisted we celebrate this anniversary. But how do we know if this is our last day? Life is far too short not to find joy in the little moments. Don’t you agree?
So, hot fudge sundaes and strawberry daiquiris for a twelve year anniversary. We ate and drank in the park with friends, laughed, and watched all the kids run off the sugar. It was the perfect way to mark this moment in time.
We should all celebrate the even the littlest moments. There will be no regret in taking the time to enjoy life. We only have one go-around, after all. I know I’m making the most of mine.
Bring on the fudge, baby!
Eliza+zucchini=baby
July 16, 2010 | Filed Under Eliza Dove, Eve, Military Life, New Mexico, Photos | 21 Comments
Daniel has been working nights this week so our normal schedule has been a little more interesting. There’s been lots of whispering and walking like “tiny mice” and a few threats thrown in, naturally.
“If you wake your father up…. ”
And the very meaningful usage of entire names, in a very loud whisper, of course.
“Eve Shiphrah!!!”
It’s not been all whispers and tiptoes though. We have had a lot of fun at the library and the pool, playing at the park and chilling with our friends. And lots and lots of one on one time with mama.
That’d be me.
A couple of days ago we picked our first tomato from our little garden. We were so excited!
We chopped it up, added in some basil (also from the garden), along with a little bit of ham and made some delicious scrambled eggs for breakfast this morning.
Tonight the kids picked two zucchini from our monster zucchini plant.
Eliza immediately started mothering her zucchini. Apparently when she was walking around this morning with a ball under her dress saying she was pregnant, it was with a zucchini.
Great news! I’m a grandmother!
Of a zucchini.
We have all been itching to make some zucchini muffins (with chocolate!). So tonight we did! Working together was a lot of fun and everyone walked away with a sense of muffin ownership.
And bonus… They were delicious!
We are looking forward to having Daniel home but we’ve had a really nice week with lots of quality mama and kiddo time!
Anybody else have a garden this year? What are you picking right now?
Vote for me, please!
June 21, 2010 | Filed Under Daniel, Eliza Dove, Eve, Military Life, New Mexico, Photography | 18 Comments
I submitted a photo in the “My Air Force Life” photography contest today!
This one, in fact:
Since this contest is vote-based, would you consider voting for me, please? The contest ends on July 4th so I am a little pressed for time. But, the good news is it takes a little less than 1 minute to vote and there is absolutely no registering or sharing of information. They could not possibly have made it any easier! Just click on “View and Vote!” my number is *673* on page 7 and click “Cast my vote!”
You can actually vote once a day if you are so inclined.
I appreciate you and your vote (and your friend’s and your grandma’s and your neighbor’s vote) very much! I would surely do “the happy dance” if I won!
Oh, the irony.
June 19, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Deployment, Military Life | 9 Comments
I have found a babysitter. Finally. This is big news! I think it was a headline on CNN, actually.
Gosh, it’s hard for me to find a babysitter in a place where I don’t know lots of teenagers. I have issues with letting just anyone watch my kids. I get nervous and jerky about the whole leaving my kids with a (very young) stranger, you know? Anyway, we have a babysitter now. And she’s a jewel.
Daniel and I had a date scheduled for tonight to celebrate that he is home this year on the day I had to leave him last year. Did I lose you with that wordy explanation? Basically, we were celebrating that he’s home and we’re together this summer.
Sweet, huh?
Guess who got a call this morning about deploying? In an extremely short amount of time. You know, on the very day we finally had a date and we were celebrating being together. Oh, the irony. It was an emotionally taxing day to say the least.
We found out at the very end of the day that Daniel’s boss is going to go instead. Daniel is happy to go… wherever, whenever, however his Air Force needs him, he’s there; he is healthy and completely prepared. But this other guy really, really wanted to go. And I am thankful for him.
So, we celebrated tonight, as we had planned but with a little extra. And I will continue to live with a thankful heart for every day that I get to spend with my husband. And for every night that I lay down in our bed and reach my hand out and it bumps into his body. I think that is one of the greatest gifts that as a military spouses we have… extremely thankful, grateful, hearts. We don’t take any of life’s moments for granted. We just never know when it may be the last… for a little while, a long while, or perhaps forever.
Here’s to many more date nights!
My husband’s blood is worth it.
May 25, 2010 | Filed Under Military Life | 32 Comments
I know I haven’t blogged in quite some time so a vent post is not the most graceful way to re-enter but alas, vent I shall.
And anyway, I’ve never been very graceful. My neighbors can attest to this after watching me fall on my face the other day just walking. I tripped on air. Nice, huh?
I’ve heard this statement a whole lot, and I’m sick of it. I most often hear it after someone mentions a “perk” that a military family receives.
“Our tax dollars hard at work!”
Why is it that my family receives something that someone else deems “unnecessary” or “wasteful” and suddenly there is judgment passed? My husband helps to make up the less than 1/2 of 1 percent of the United States population that lays down their lives for the other 99.5 percent of our population to enjoy freedom and so the down-trodden and abused, the tortured and oppressed of other countries can taste the freedom that as human beings they so rightly deserve. I have free flowers given to me from the housing maintenance office to decorate my base housing house and that gets a “Our tax dollars hard at work” statement?!
I don’t think so, my friends.
I also receive free air conditioning and free water. And I don’t have to pay for my electricity or my heat. I do have to mow my lawn though. Oh, the hardship.
What I want is for people to think before they speak. Think what it costs my husband, my family, my military peers, to live this life. Most do it, I know we do it, because there is a fire that burns too hot to ignore. We are passionate about freedom; enough to stand on the front lines as a protector. “They“, the ones who would strive to kill you and destroy everything our country has ever been built on have to go through us first.
We aren’t going to let you down. And that’s a promise that has been signed over and over again in blood. Don’t let us down by degrading our sacrifices and wishing that your tax dollars weren’t wasted on “perks.”
My husband’s blood is worth it.
And the answer is….
April 26, 2010 | Filed Under Air Force Physician Assistant Program (IPAP), Daniel, Military Life, Photos, Texas | 55 Comments
(he has big brains in that handsome head!)
YES!
Daniel has been accepted into IPAP which is the military’s Interservice Physician Assistant School.
Man! They (still not sure who “they” is) really made us SWEAT it out!
We still have a long road ahead of us… about 11 months left here in New Mexico before we head to the school in San Antonio (HURRAY for living in a real CITY) and then a 29 month program (14 months of school in San Antonio- 103 credit hours – and then 15 months of clinicals at another base) after which Daniel will have a masters degree and then commission to a First Lieutenant (he’ll skip 2nd Lt. aka “Butter Bar”). After all of that the Air Force will station us at a base and Daniel will start practicing.
Phew.
It’s going to be a long, intense road but we’re happy. The feeling I get is that we are stepping into the life that we are suppose to be living. This is our future and it’s sure looking bright! Thanks for being so happy for us!
What a bum-mer.
April 22, 2010 | Filed Under Air Force Physician Assistant Program (IPAP), Eliza Dove, Military Life, New Mexico | 12 Comments
Remember how I told you that Daniel applied for the Air Force Physician Assistant program?
Well, he did and we’ve been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Patiently. For the most part.
We thought that the public release announcing the selectees was on April 30th. Then on Tuesday we found out it was to be on Wednesday, which was the next day. Our stress level skyrocketed Tuesday night. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to sleep.
Turns out, I did. Must be it was the chasing three small children thing that did it.
On Wednesday we found out that nope, they weren’t going to release the info that day and that they (whoever “they” is) switched it to today.
Again, thought for sure I wasn’t going to sleep last night. Yet, I slept like a rock.
Today was surely going to be “the” day! Except, PSYCH! They switched the public release date to early next week. You know, Monday or Tuesday.
I would formally like to request that the Air Force stop screwing with us. Thanks ever so much.
Daniel and I have a lot invested in this decision. The road has been long and hard and with a lot of sacrifices. We would really like to know yea or nay, you know?
Anyway, we’re kind of bummin’ tonight…
Jealous.
March 11, 2010 | Filed Under Daniel, Eliza Dove, Eve, Military Life, New Mexico | 10 Comments
Mornings with Daddy rarely happen. Unless it’s the weekend. Early morning is our time; I get up with Daniel at an ungodly hour to make his lunch and feed him a hot breakfast. We have a few quiet moments together before he heads to base with coffee in one hand, food in the other, and a kiss on his lips.
I’m jealous of this time we have together. I don’t share it with the kids even though I know they would love to see Daddy before he leaves for the day. Yesterday was an exception. Daniel was catching a ride into work with his boss who was running a bit late. So, everyone was up together while I made Daniel breakfast and got his lunch packed.
It was special and I mostly enjoyed it. But it’s not going to become a regular event.
I’ve never been very good at sharing.
Decorating advice needed!
February 1, 2010 | Filed Under Decorating Ineptness, Life Stuff, Military Life, New Mexico, Photos | 16 Comments
I have these big white walls. Everywhere… well, almost everywhere. And they bother me.
On this particular wall I have finally decided to use one of my rainbow prints to adorn it. I think… if you approve, that is.
Daniel finally took pity on me and cut out a piece of 20×30 cardboard… after watching me hold up the tape measure 87,000 times.
Can you see it? Does it work? Do I need to add anything else or is the photo enough?
On the opposite side of the hallway there is a loooong stretch of white wall. I’ve decided to do a series of 16×24 prints of these four vineyard photos I took this fall.
Are you feeling it? Help? I don’t know what the crap I’m doing…
MyPay
January 25, 2010 | Filed Under Deployment, Military Life, Photos | 15 Comments
The only part of post-deployment I don’t like… the jacking up of one’s paycheck.
It seems like it happens with every deployment and sometimes with a PCS.
Times like this it pays to anticipate that your money is going to get messed up. It also helps to plan for it and have a proactive approach. Thankfully we were ready.
Annoying though.
Dear Grandma,
January 11, 2010 | Filed Under Lond distance good-byes, Military Life, Perspective | 40 Comments
I’ve always counted myself as blessed. Very, very blessed. For part of my life I had two Great Grandmas and one Great Granddaddy, all of my Grandmas and all of my Grandpas. Over the course of the last probably twenty years, I have lost only one of my Great Grandmas.
Shortly after Eve was born we had a picture taken of my Granddaddy, Grandma, mom, myself, and Eve. Five generations… we were in the paper for goodness sake! I’ve always felt that having this much of my heritage still alive was a really big deal. One that I have been very grateful for.
Thursday around noon my Grandma passed away. Betty was her name; she was my Dad’s mom… But she was my Grandma. Daniel and I were in the middle of driving through Mississippi when my Dad called me with the news. There had been no warning, no sickness, no nothing. Grandma had a heart attack and died in my Grandfather’s arms in an instant.
You just never know it’s your last time to hug someone’s neck until it’s too late.
The funeral is today and I can’t go. We pulled into New Mexico late in the afternoon yesterday and l have been dealing with some sort of very painful issue with my lungs for the last six days that I need to take care of. Flying to New York just couldn’t happen. This is most certainly a part of military life that, though I had read about, I had never experienced. Oh, it hurts to not be able to be with the rest of my family. To be the only one not flying in.
I wrote a letter to my Grandma for my brother to read at her funeral. I didn’t know what else to do. How else to say good-bye. I sure am going to miss that tiny beautiful woman…
Dear Grandma,
I am so sorry that I couldn’t be there in person. I agonized over the decision of whether to come or not. For two days I went back and forth; on Friday I reserved a ticket to fly up but as I sat in the cab of our truck watching Alabama roll by I heard your high pitched beautiful voice voice in my head, “Andrea Leigh, don’t be ridiculous! I am just fine, you stay right where you are.” And so I am.
Oh Gram, this is so tough. I just saw you the other day! I gave you Calla Lilies in a pot and you remarked on how they were the same flowers you carried in your bouquet when you married Grandpa. You were suppose to work your green thumb magic on them and when I visited I was suppose to be blown away by how marvelous they looked.
Grandmas aren’t suppose to die. They are meant to always be around spoiling their only granddaughter, like you did for me.
I’ve had lots of time to think as Daniel drove our family across the country towards New Mexico; and I have remembered so much of you. I remembered how every time you kissed me your one lone whisker would poke me in the cheek. And we would always laugh together about it. I remember how you would tell me that you had to go “Tinkle” when you would use the bathroom. And how you called yourself a fish because you loved being in the water so very much. I loved how as a little girl you always let me go through your make up and play. I would come out of the bathroom and show you my creation and you never laughed at me. Thanks for that. I remembered eating your store bought oatmeal cookies and thinking they were the best thing ever. And the way you made poached eggs was simply amazing.Truly one of my favorite breakfast foods.
Grandma, I loved you so much. You were a fireball underneath a soft layer of love. I still laugh over the time, one summer when David and I were staying at your house, you were driving us into town and you were mad as a hornet. I don’t remember why but you were; and you yelled out “Damnation!” Not “damn” or damn it” but the full and entire word, “Damnation!” And me, never having heard that word before asked, “Grandma, what is “damnation?’ Oh, you were so red and embarrassed. You back peddled yourself into a theological discussion that I still remember and laugh about today.
I have so many memories with you, Gram. Way too many to write about here, and you know what… I couldn’t be more grateful. Simply because it means that you were around for 29 years of my life. And you invested in me; you played with me, you fed me, you bought me presents, you swam with me, you took many summer night walks with me, you laughed with me; the years rolled by and you spent time with my children, laughing over and loving on them too.
Grandma, you loved me so well. And I loved you. I wish more than anything that I wasn’t writing this letter to you. That this was all just a silly made-up story and that I could hear your tinkling bell of a laugh and know that I could stop by your house and everything would be just how it has always been for all my life.
But, it can’t be. And that makes me cry. I can tell you that I am very much looking forward to seeing you in Heaven, with your fiery red hair and your sweet smile. I hope that God lets you keep your one lone whisker ’cause it’s part of what makes you, you… to me anyways.
I love you Gram. I’ll miss you always.
Love your Andie Pandie.
