Quick Update. Great News.

In case you were on the edge of your seat, I thought I better not leave you hanging.

I am still pregnant. With only 11 days until my due date, this baby is now my "latest" baby aside from Belle (my first) and I'm huge. Ready. Excited. Seriously, I'm huge. Even the casher tells me so.
and
My husband is still home.
Did you hear what I said???
I am in complete awe that my husband is not going to miss the birth of our baby. God saw fit to move some things around and he will be here until... further notice.

I am super elated.  It took me a few days to believe it.  But the squadron is gone, and my husband is sitting right here beside me, ready to catch a baby at any moment.  This is fantastic.

Hopefully, my next post will include a picture of a sweet new baby and a less huge momma.

I'm a Jet Pilot Wife ~ It's Finally Official!

After applying three years in a row, Daddy was accepted in the Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) Program in November of 2004 and had the honor of being pre-selected as a pilot.

What a long road it has been! 4 military transfers (including entirely across the country and then back again), 3 years of college with an Engineering degree and commissioning as a US Naval Officer, 4 different phases of flight school and a winging, the births of 3 new additions to our family, and a myriad of other life changing events led up to a pinnacle graduation last night.

Mr. Pilot is officially an EA-18 Growler Electronic Attack Pilot in the US Navy.

Every step since being accepted has been a ladder rung to this great achievement.  I could not be more proud of my husband, and every effort he has put forth to arrive here.  I also could not be more blessed by the Hand of the Lord that laid the path.

But the celebration was bittersweet.  With the "welcome to your new squadron, welcome back to the fleet" we were informed that Mr. Pilot is headed to a not so nice place (it has lots of sand) on a date that will arrive before our newest blessing is expected to arrive. Talk about diving in head first.

Since deployment as a jet pilot is inevitable, I suppose it is best to get the first one out of the way, right away.  Not having very long to prepare also has the advantage of not having time to dwell on the impending separation.

Future Blog Post Disclaimer: You can expect lots of talking in code for the next several months.  I am not permitted to say where he is going, when he is going, what he will be doing there, or when he will be back.  I am however, allowed to deliver our baby by myself on Deception Pass Bridge, use lots of sarcasm about war and politics, and write gushy blog posts about how much I miss my husband.

Minus the Mustache...

This is the face of a Carrier Qualified Jet Pilot!

It's Show Time: Update

I'm still holding my breath for a phone call from Mr. Pilot.  I'll keep you posted!

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.                                                       ~Isaiah 26:3&4

It's Show Time!

Mr. Pilot walked about 30 minutes ago.  That means he is in his jet and headed for the boat! 

Prayer for sound mind, quick but steady hands, and awesome pilot skills are desired. 

 Pray for qualification, and that I won't go nuts between now and Sunday or Monday when I get to hear from him.

If you think of us over the next couple of days, especially at night, please remember to pray!

This is not exactly Mr. Pilot's jet, but this is exactly what it's about to look like...

It's Boat Time. Take 4. Action.

Dad left on Thursday for the 2nd time to head to the boat.  He needs to CQ (carrier qualify, or prove he can land safety on the back of a little ship in the big ocean in the dark...) before he can finish flight training.  We said our good-byes and our prayers.  We cried our tears.
And then he came home.

The jet that was supposed to take the guys to Virginia broke.  So very comforting.  But we got another night with daddy (quickly scratch the idea of having cereal for supper) and everyone was happy.

Then Friday morning we said our good-byes and our prayers.  We cried our tears.
And then he came home.
Am I repeating myself here?  Nope, you guessed it. The new jet on the new day broke.  Very, very comforting.  So, we got another night with daddy, yay, and had another nice dinner.

Today, daddy left again.  This time he had to be at the jet at 6am so we said our good-byes, but we were too tired to cry.  The jet actually made it out this time.  I pray the jet doesn't break in the sky.

Have you ever driven a little convertible into the trailer of a moving semi?  At 400 miles per hour?  In the dark?  That is about as close as I can get to imagining what Mr. Pilot is about to do.



Praying for peace.

Mr. Pilot's J-O-B

He's Bouncing Again.

That amber light on the front of the jet means Mr. Pilot is on speed (the proper pitch to have a hook catch a wire). 

 

Sis is holding the paddles controller, "When you push this button Dad will give the jet more power!"

 

Ready, set, go!

 

When your tire goes from 0 to 180mph in .2 sec, it releases the "magic smoke"...

 

It is ridiculously loud where these kids are standing...you really can't imagine it unless you're there.

"If you push this button, Dad will wave-off." (apply MAX power and fly away)... 

What do you think happened?

Those red "wave-off" lights on the left and the burners lit on the back of the jet, that is what happened.

That was so loud, the new baby jolted.

Normally the lens (the lights in the left background) has the green "datum" to show your reference for how high or low you are from glideslope.  The ball is vertically oriented between the datum's and when it's in the middle you are "on-glideslope."   

I posted back in December that it was mustache time. That should have been over at the end of January, but my dear sweet hubby is sporting his stache still. He had a few hiccups and bumps which caused a bit of stress, but he will be going to the next boat in March. That gives us a few more weeks to hang out and for him to get extra bouncing practice (that is comforting to me, since he has to land on the ship in the ocean in the dark) before he finishes this part of his training.

There are 2 squadrons needing Pilots and 2 Pilots needing squadrons when they finish in March. One squadron deploys (as in leaves for 6 months and doesn't get to visit) in May. I am praying my due date is wrong or something...

Yeah!

I just received some delightful news!  One of my dearest friends is coming to Whidbey Island! They got verbal orders today, they will be stationed here for 3 years.  We are so excited.  Sis even cried.  This is sweet news.

Praying for a safe , speedy, and smooth transfer all the way across America for our friends!

Eating Grubs.

We don't like it when our Top Man is missing.  Just google SERE school.  Then pray. For me.  For him.  For us...

Southern California- Flying with Grandpa

I always thought I would be nervous in one of those little planes, but I had a wonderful time.  I guess Mr. Pilot is rubbing off on me a little bit!  And the kids all had a blast, they would do it every day if we could.  Well, Bucket slept through her entire flight, but I think that means it was good.

12 Years Ago Today...

I went to the mall with a boy.

He is now my man.

Happy "Day After Valentine's Day," Honey!  Thanks for taking me to the mall!

You Have Arrived...

Those are the sweetest words I've ever heard my GPS say.

Breathtakingly Beautiful. Home Sweet Home.

Thank You Lord, for safe travels, sweet memories, gorgeous Whidbey Island, and Your perfect plan for us! -Amen!

The Message You've All Been Waiting For...

That is the patch the CO placed on Mr. Pilot's arm today. We are going to Whidbey Island, Washington to fly the Growler!  My husband's dream realized! It's everything he wanted!

Way back when we were in Colorado, my husband saw an article about the new jet coming out, the Growler and he said "That is it, that is the one I want to fly!" and here we are several years later, a dream coming true!  We should find out in the next couple of days when we have to be there, but it'll be soon!

We are both elated.  So thankful.  Praising our Great God! We still have a big day tomorrow, when everything will be made official.  Thank you all for your prayers! We can't wait to begin this new adventure!

He's Done It!

Soft Wings for Mr. Pilot!

He is unofficially a Naval Aviator!

Thank the Lord for a warmer day!  We waiting very excitedly for Mr. Pilot's final landing as a student.

There we are, time for the traditional Hose Down!  We have been waiting for this moment for what seems like years.  

Can you see the dread anticipation on his face?  I said it was warmer, as in 40 degrees instead of 32.  It was awfully chilly!

This is incredibly priceless to me.  Sheer Joy was on almost everyone's face.  I said almost.

Pops was SO upset, he did not like this idea one bit!!!

Whew, glad that is over!

The guys said he had to hug me with his wet coldness.  It was worth it!

XO-"Do you want your wings?"

Mr. Piot Shivering- "Why yyyyes, Ssssir.  I think I do!"

We were prepared though, and handed daddy over a fresh flight suit to warmly wear his new set of Wings.

Just a small little happy to celebrate the moment.  I am so proud of my dear husband!

A special dinner for a deserving man.

Guess he thought it was good ;~)

Cheers!

 Congratulations Daddy!  What a blessing and an honor to be along for this journey with you.

May God always bless your Wings of Gold!