Tooting His Horn

Doug doesn't like to toot his own horn.....so I get to do it for him. He has been recognized as CGO (Company Grade Officer) of the quarter for both the 59th Dental Squadron (out of about 15) and the 59th Dental Group (out of about 50). This allowed him the opportunity to be interviewed by the CGO board for the 59th Medical Wing award.

Preparing for this honor was something you would only see in a military family. I spent the evening before his interview pressing his blues (dress uniform), polishing his brass (name tag and other shiny things), quizzing him on his chain of command (everyone from his flight commander to the Commander In Chief), and asking hypothetical questions that he may face. For his part, Doug practiced his military bearing and customs and courtesies (saying yes Sir/Ma'am, 90 degree turns, when to salute, etc.)

He met with the board yesterday and was given very positive feedback from both the board members and his vice squadron commander. We will see if he receives the award. The only bad part of receiving this award is that he would then be asked to sit for the board over the base CGO award. (Doug hopes he doesn't have to do this.)

The only negative to the interview was that Doug was unable to repeat the Airman's Creed. And since I think it's so neat I thought I would share it with all of you.

Airman's Creed

I am an American Airman.

I am a warrior.

I have answered my nation's call.

I am an American Airman.

My mission is to fly, fight, and win.

I am faithful to a proud heritage,

A tradition of honor,

And a legacy of valor.

I am an American Airman

Guardian of freedom and justice,

My nation's sword and shield,

Its sentry and avenger.

I defend my country with my life.

I am an American Airman:

Wingman, leader, warrior.

I will never leave an airman behind,

I will never falter,

And I will not fail.

Remember when you hear those jets fly overhead THAT is the sound of freedom!!!!

Saying Goodbye to Alex

Danny wanted me to write this post so it would be in our family journal. Last week Danny lost a close friend, Alex, who passed away. His passing was sudden and difficult to understand. Danny and I have had many talks and tears as we have tried to understand why one so young needed to return to Heavenly Father. Although, Danny didn't want to attend the viewing or funeral, he did want to say goodbye to Alex. He picked out yellow roses for friendship and a soft bear to place at the memorial outside Alex's house. Danny was able to thank Alex for being a good friend and say goodbye. Danny knows that Alex is with Heavenly Father reading all the books that he wants to read.

Outdoor Games

One of my goals as a mother has always been to encourage my boys to be kids. I want them to go outside and ride bikes, play ball in the street with friends, and have to be called in for dinner. Doug and I have tried to encourage our boys to put down the video games and get outside. I have been so blessed that where ever we have moved the boys have been able to make friends that enjoy being playing outside with them, but we have hit the jackpot here in San Antonio.

We have found a huge group of kids that enjoy playing tag football. Everyday you can find the kids from the neighborhood enjoying a pick-up game. We have a huge age range of kids. Everyone from elementary to high school students get involved.

This is John. He is a great kid. He is 18 years old and getting ready to join the Navy. He wants to be a Navy SEAL. He trains by racing the kids in the neighborhood while in combat boots with a backpack that wieghs 60 pound on his back. He also is one mean touch football player. The boys go knocking on his front door and ask his parents if he can play with them.....and he does.

Needless to say the boys love him. We will be writing to him when he goes to basic training in July.

Weed Pulling Party

After a long wet winter, this spring has given us weeds. Lots and lots of weeds. A full half acre of weeds. With all these weeds there really isn't any room for grass. So we have decided on a three prong attack to getting our yard in shape. First prong is to pull out all the big weeds. (When I say big weeds, I mean all the weeds that are as big as a small child or bigger.) The next prong is to spray the yard down with weed killer. (Because lets be honest, who wants to pull every little weed out.) Finally, we will reseed and pray for grass.

Needless to say, we are still in phase one of our attack. So last Saturday, much to the dismay of the boys, we went outside to pull weeds. Before long we were joined by six of the neighborhood kids who all were pulling weeds. Well, you can't have slave labor without some music. And while you are at it you need food (pizza and soda). Before you know it, you have a weed pulling party and we were the cool house on the block. All day we had kids coming and going through the backyard. My boys loved it and I loved the extra help.

Baseball Season

Thanks to a wonderful woman in our ward who organized a neighborhood baseball league, our boys are playing ball. (at least on a field) They have practices on Fridays and games on Saturdays. It's wonderful!!!!

They have t-shirts, hats, and will even get a trophy when it's the season is over. The best part about this league is it is made up of kids that are at the same skill level as my boys. (Is there a skill level when you don't know what you're doing???) Plus the parents just enjoy sitting and chatting with each other rather than telling the kids how they should play or coaches/refs what to do. It's a nice way to spend a few spring evenings.

Pima Air and Space Museum

Although Doug and I both grew up in Arizona we have never been to the Pima Air and Space Museum. Quite a feat since we both enjoy all things that deal with planes and flight. We have even passed our interest down to our boys. So on our way back to Texas we decided to make a stop in Tuscon at the museum.

A few things to remember when you are visiting this museum:

1. There is a lot to see.....seriously could spend days


2. Don't go on the same week that they have the air show at the AFB (air force base)....although seeing the Thunderbirds fly over is one of our favorite things


3. If you can't identify the nuances of military airplane design the bone yard tour may not be for you...(i.e. me)


4. Take lots of water....unless you like drinking fountain water

Having said all that we had a great time. We even got to listen to some of the stories and shake the hand of a B-17 pilot of the 390th Bombardment Group that served during WWII.

Future Med Techs

While in Arizona we got to visit Nana at work. The boys were excited to see what goes on at that place that Nana goes when she isn't playing with them.

They thought that it was very cool that they had to put on lab coats, safety glasses, and gloves. (Don't you like the poses?!?!?!?)

We were able to see were Nana had her meetings and eats lunch. Then we got to look at blood cells in a microscope and see were they freeze samples. All the boys decided that it would be cool to be a scientist just like Nana.