Todd came home from Texas on May 1st. We were so excited to have him back! We still are, actually....
In addition to his coming home, he brought with him some great news. He has landed an IMA (full time reservist) job at Hill AFB with the A-10 Depot (A-10 SPO) working to make sure that each and every A-10 in the entire Air Force fleet (that's about 390 jets folks!) are uniform in terms of their software, navigation, displays, GPS, etc, etc. This is a really big job and a great opportunity. He only has the job funded for the next 120 days (think early October) but it looks like days will be added and added as funds come available following this fiscal year until he's either a permanent military addition or a permanent civilian addition. How proud I am of him to know what his calling is in life, to feel so guided and blessed in what he does, and to be so committed and happy while he does it. If has been said, to follow your bliss...Todd does best when he follows his.
I got to spend about an hour with four-star general Hoffman's (commander of Air Force Materiel Command) wife a few weeks ago talking about what things are "really" like for those of us in the lower levels of the Air Force. While I'm not sure she'll get to do much about any of it, I'm impressed at her willingness to listen and to do what she can. It is women who support their families and communities and who work hard to turn their "position" as the spouse of a leader into leaders in their own right who I admire. I know that if the world were full of such bravery, it would be a safer and cleaner place. Where do you get to own your leadership?The boys are right smack in the middle of baseball season. Todd and I are coaching their teams with the much needed assistance of my Dad Bruce. Todd took on Jackson's t-ball team and has a great time yelling, "Run, no, that way! Now, stop!" and "Catch it, okay don't all jump on it! Now, throw it to first base. No, that way!" every Tuesday and Thursday.
I have to admit, Jackson is pretty bored with it. He's ready for coach pitch and is biding his time until next year. My dad and I have resumed our dream team coaching staff as we work to coach Jeffrey's
3rd grade machine pitch team. We have so much fun working on teaching these boys "the fundamentals" of America's Favorite Pasttime. Honestly, they don't really know much. There are a few boys who have obviously spent some time "having a catch" with Dad but, for the most part, they are babes in the woods. What we teach them will be long remembered and, heck, we're winning most of the time. So, I can't really think of a better way to spend this early summer. Jeffrey is loving baseball (now that he understands it and knows how to "be a hero"). Baseball ends in two weeks and we will have a VERY short break before football kicks off at the end of July. We're going to enjoy our weekday evenings and our weekends until then.I got spoiled rotten on Mother's Day and feel so blessed to have such an appreciative husband and gaggle of children. The biggest presents were the boys...who've come in succession, 1999, 2003, and 2008. I am truly rich in love always. Todd's birthday was May 22nd and we video gamed, enjoyed the kids' field day at school, had breakfast and lunch out, and enjoyed X Men Origins: Wolverine, that evening. Todd always gets some awesome movie for his birthday. How cool is Hollywood to him?
Todd went to their first "Father - Son Campout" with the ward on May 13th at City of Rocks in Idaho. They had so much fun hanging out with all the awesome dads and kids (of all ages) of our ward. We live and worship with an awesome crew of people and I'm so grateful Todd and the boys feel at home with them and enjoy spending time with them. They created forever memories and I'm so grateful that Todd is a Dad who is not only willing but excited to create such experiences for his boys.
The neighbors boys caught a passel of lizards and instilled them around the neighborhood when they got home. I hope they aren't too out of sorts in our garden. I hope they can stay away from the cats as they settle in...We managed, shortly after my last post, to find a forever home for our foster dog Roxy. We now have "Louie" who is looking for a forever home.
He's had a rough time of it. He's been a little abused and is afraid of the mischief he often finds himself in the middle of. He's happy to have other dog friends who respect him and a home full of people with love and soft hands...he'd be even happier in a home where he would be king of the hill. Louie struggles with seasonal allergies and is 10 years old. But he's a young 10 and loves to play fetch. If you can think of anyone who might want a good buddy...send them my way. Louie is a great dog and is ready for his home. We want to help as many dogs as we can, and we can only help one at a time...so the sooner we find Louie the perfect home, the sooner we can help another dog who is waiting to be out of the rescue kennel and into our warm environment.The boys' last day of school was May 29th this year. They are home now. We have to get out once in a while and enjoy summer. If only this rain would stop...
Now, those are all of the "things" that I mentioned at the beginning of my post, ...now for the THING that happened this past month...
Lily Mei Solomon was born on May 11th at 7:03 pm and weighed in at 7 pounds 9 ounces (same as our Logan) and 19 inches long. What a beautiful and delicate face she has with a head full of sweet black hair. Lily came into the world to such a happy pair of caregivers in her mom and dad, Jeff and Jen. Jeff and Jen are smitten and will forever be changed. It is so much fun to see them fall into this role that they are so prepared for. I know that they
sometimes doubt whether they are up to the task, but they are great! I watch them and am so impressed at their wisdom, patience, and intuition. They make it look easy! Jen was such a trouper during delivery and Jeff was a great coach. We got to see her shortly after her birth and she just hollered and hollered as everyone fawned over her sweetness. Once I saw her fingers and toes I knew she just HAD to be a combination of these people. With Jen's delicately beautiful face and Jeff's long LONG fingers and toes...her parenthood is obvious. I try to see her once a week (at least) and to be there to spell when I can. Anytime I get around her is precious and I am so happy for Jeff and Jen, they truly deserve such a miracle.We spent last weekend at Hill AFB's air show enjoying the Air Force, it's accomplishments, it's mission, and it's prowess and I know that Todd and I got to revisit our own "new to the Air Force" awe as we watched our boys goggle from underneath the wing of a C-5 as the dogfighter planes flew overhead.
We had so much fun reacquainting ourselves with what we've known and loved for years and, can I just say, it's nice to be back in the fold. I'm sure we have many adventures ahead and I'll have to make sure we keep you posted. Have a great summer and stay tuned, I'm sure there will be adventures galore!Much love to you all!
