Joining the Air Force

So...big news! If you haven't already heard, Shad joined the Air Force reserves on July 31! This is something we've actually talked about for over 8 years and it's really just about freakin' time. The first time we discussed it, I was pregnant with Tommy, which I think was the ultimate reason we didn't follow through. Also, we were looking at going through the ROTC for the officers' program and the ROTC just didn't want to give us any information or answer any questions. Later when we discussed it again, I think we were at 3 kids and were in Kansas far from any AF base. So that put a damper on things...and it kinda scared the crap out of me to realize that me being pregnant, caring for 3 kids, giving birth and caring for a newborn could be a very real situation that might happen with Shad gone. Then when it came up again the last time, Shad realized he was just past the cutoff age, and the whole thing felt like a regrettable missed opportunity.

Which brings us to April, which is when the topic was brought up again. It was my fault. We were on a date (translation: able to have a thoughtful conversation without a million interruptions) and I was pining for a nomad lifestyle and not knowing how to achieve it and provide for our family (now I know there are support groups for this!). Shad brought up military and said that the age for enlistment had been extended and now included him. Military life, to me, is a compromise between nomadism and stability. And it appeals to me greatly. Even before I met Shad. I think that concept stems back to high school, actually. Anyway, we both got really excited talking about it and agreed to research our options between Army, Air Force, and Air Force reserves. Shad doesn't much like open water or want to be on a boat for months, so out with Navy and Marines. We spent months talking to friends in those branches, Army recruiters, Air Force reserves recruiter, internet reading, etc. Everyone except the Army recruiters said the Air Force is better...treat the soldier and family better. And the Air Force didn't even want to talk to Shad because he has 6 dependents. So Air Force reserves wins!

The day of Shad's swearing-in, Dancy wanted to read this book during Tommy's speech appointment. She's so proud of her "Air Force buddy"!

Shad swearing in.

Signing the papers to make it official.

Shad leaves August 21 for basic training in San Antonio, followed by 4 months of tech school (I know I said 6, but I was wrong), and then 2 months of seasoning (working full-time to get trained on-site) at Buckley AFB in Aurora. We're excited and nervous.

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Thora can do this cool thing with her fingers that I can't do without pain...I flashed the "I love you" sign at her during lunch one day and she responded with her own sign. Katie told her mine meant "I love you." Thora responded so happily that hers means, "I hate you!" 

Because I love traveling and planning travel, I planned 5 road trips to take with the kids during Shad's absence.

Shad sees hot air balloons most mornings at work.

We had a park day and Tommy was really excited at being successful on these monkey bars. He practiced and practiced and practiced!

Meanwhile, Katie lost a dangly earring, and the adjustable elastic band on Dancy's skirt came undone and sucked all the way back into the waistband. I found someone with a knife and cut a slit to get it out and wearable until we got home and I could really fix it.

Because children exist to give their mothers heart attacks. Sam and I were hanging out in the forest together and he was walking the beam of the bridge over the creek while I was sitting there watching, and he fell in. It's not deep, but he couldn't get up out of it. He might've been face first in there for 10-ish seconds while I dropped my phone, jumped in, and pulled him out. After we both calmed our breathing and heart rates, he said he'd like a towel and a snack. Okay, buddy.

Because Shad is leaving soon, he's making sure he gets dates with everyone. Thora picked Mimi's Café and couldn't have been happier about it!

Shad and I joined Aly, Hiram, Heather, Ryan, and Christianna for Pho-nomenal and Mission Impossible: Fallout to celebrate Aly's birthday. Samson and Katie helped me finish off the pho leftovers for breakfast while Shad and Thora were out.

I took a picture of Shad and Samson gaming together, then when I reviewed the picture and saw Shad's face, I laughed. Then I looked up and laughed harder because he was still making the same face. Must just be his "Infamous" face.

"I'm Darth Vader!" And even Darth Vader says, "Cheese!"

Shad had his first reserve weekend last weekend, learning soldier stuff at Peterson on Saturday and Sunday. He was able to get off in time for our date Saturday night. We had reservations for an escape room with our friends Ethan and Kerri. Then we went to HuHot for dinner, followed by MarioKart and GoldenEye on N64 after they picked up their kids and brought them over.

We succeeded in escaping the room and only had to ask for one clue to solve the riddles.

Thora looked all fancy for church with her outfit and a braid I succeeded in doing. I wanted to take a picture for Shad since I knew it'd be all messed up after her nap. Dancy happily asked for a picture, too...

while Thora provided a good contrast. Lightie and Darkie, both in color and personality!

Katie went dressed like this.