USS Midway | Sun & Sand Day 5

In the midst of the government shut down this week, this post seems fitting.  Our last day in San Diego graced us with sunny skies and one last attraction to check off our list. Andrew was especially excited to spend a few hours at the USS Midway. It actually might have also been my favorite activity of the trip. Besides the gorgeous beach lounging of course. 

While walking through the halls and decks, we tried to imagine the ship full of young sailors. Small quarters, no windows, strict schedules, and wisps of sea breeze. What these sailors, officers, captains, pilots, etc., do every day is so honorable. I'm not sure I could handle the lack of windows...

We like history, especially military history. We like movies about it, books about it, and apparently, we like museums about it. 

 

 

Andrew particularly loved all of the planes and helicoptors. He took his time looking at each one. I sat back and enjoyed watching his eyes light up. So precious.

 

I still really want to watch Top Gun after our visit. Though Andrew has to work, maybe we can squeeze a movie date night into this weekend. Thank you sunny San Diego for a great 5 days! We needed this little get away.

Let's hope our government can get everything figured out real soon. I didn't realize until yesterday that this shut down means Andrew doesn't get paid... (duh!) and would have to leave any away rotations he is at ASAP as ordered. Thank goodness he's not at an away rotation right now.

Still so thankful to be a part of this great nation.

this summer was an appetizer

He walked in the door late last night and we embraced. I knew my time with him was short as he had a "shelf" exam (test at the end of each rotation) in the morning and needed a major cramming session. Furthermore, I was on-call at work (those darn mandatory over time shifts) and could get called away at any time. A solid ten minute hug turned into big crocodile tears of relief. Andrew is home, home. For reals, home. "Summer" is over. It certainly has not been an easy summer. Besides recovering from our miscarriage and grieving that loss, the mister and I were apart for 2 and a half months. He was first living in Stayton for his rural rotation and then in Salem for his OB/GYN rotation. Ten weeks of little visits here and there; 10 weeks of short phone convos or little texts just to semi keep in touch. Our opposite schedules didn't help either. He mostly worked 7am-7pm while I work the opposite. Thankfully, he was relatively close to Portland and we made little visits as much as possible, but time is precious and certainly limited.

This summer has been a strength-building time. Strength in getting through each day, strength in not being an emotional basket-case (at least about him being gone), strength in sometimes not letting him know just how hard it was to have him gone. Just how much the quiet house made me sad. Because, he's thriving. He's learning. He's doing the work he was called to do. As am I. I'm learning to support him in this career of his. This life of ours. I'm learning to be the best wife I can be.

In the shortest way to possibly describe it, this summer was an appetizer. A small tasting for what our future will continue to look like for many years to come. I can chose to enjoy this appetizer and make the most of it, or have it ruin the rest of the meal. Here I am, peeking through a crack in the wall at what a future deployment(s) or TDY (temporary duty assignment) time will look like. At what busy residency may look like. I know that on the other side of that wall is a vast field of beauty. Hills of knee-high grass, wild flowers, shady trees, a beautiful home of our very own and a family of youngsters. And, we will thrive together as one. We will continue serving, continue living with the same passion and love for each other. These hard times will make us stronger. The hard times will keep coming. The beautiful times too. 

I think the Lord gave me a little extra dose of strength to get through this time apart. He gave me those little bouts of energy to make it for short visits, a little extra emotional-self-control, a little extra braveness. He certainly knows what his children need. His grace is sufficient.

Welcome home babe. Let's have a great weekend together sans work/school! 

US Air Force COT | Day #2

It seems like forever ago now (just last week), but here are some photos from Andrew's COT graduation day#2. This day included a "parade" of sorts with lots of marching, saluting, and standing. There was even singing of the Air Force song-- which I now know by heart and sang obsessively for nearly an entire week. I feel incredibly blessed to have been in attendance (in Montgomery, Alabama) and am even more grateful for a healthy, happy husband now at home. 

I sure didn't mind seeing him in uniform...

 

 

 

We even enjoyed a date night in Montgomery!

 Southern sweet tea + tex mex + my Airman + a few "yes Ma'ams and No Sir's" = 1 smitten Jenna

Though Andrew won't be active duty for a few years, a life of adventure is calling our name and we're so excited!

US Air Force Commissioned Officer Training Graduation | Day 1

 

A picture is worth a thousand words right? You get the picture... my hubby is finished with training & I'm a happy wife.

He spent the last 5 weeks at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama completing Air Force Commissioned Officer Training. I was able to attend his graduation festivities in Alabama and am still catching up from the quick trip myself. Day #1 of his graduation celebrations included a spouse/family orientation, flag ceremony, and an awards ceremony. He worked very hard over the past 5 weeks and is still catching up on sleep & rest (I've never seen him fall asleep so fast). More to come later- but for now, enjoy the photos!

{Special thanks to my travel buddy & photography helper! Thanks for helping capture these sweet moments, Mom!}

 PS- Alabama is so hot. At 7am, my hair was nicely curled into beautiful ringlets & by 8am= instantly flat. I should have known not to even try. So humid! Props to all of these Airmen & women who are working hard every day in that heat. Oh my goodnesssssss.....