Key Spouse

Most of the time I would rather write about all my boys and leave to imagination the role I play.  (Let's be honest, it's not that exciting anyway.)  But lately I have had some really neat experiences that would be a shame not to record.  Last May I was asked to be the Key Spouse for the 59th Dental Group.  (In non-military terms that means I am Relief Society President for about 500 families and airmen.)  I was honored and a little worried since I have little to no Air Force experience, but I jumped in with training, meetings, and events.  Needless to say it has been an interesting process to get the program running.

To give a little background information, the Key Spouse program is a official commander run program that was rolled out in 2010 for the Air Force Year of the Family.  It recognizes the need for strong, resilient Air Force families and it's purpose is to breach to command/family gap by way of a volunteer (i.e. Key Spouse).  I attend command meetings, recognition ceremonies, family events, while also trying to stay in contact with our Dental Group families.  The last part of my mission has been a little difficult to non-existent but the outlook is positive for the future.  I also am tasked with keeping in contact with our deployed families and helping command support them.  (Did you see all that official jargon?  I am really proud of myself.)

Since becoming Key Spouse, I have been able to attend some really great events and meet some amazing people.  Along with all the Wing Key Spouses, I have been invited to dinner at the Wing Commander's house to meet General Hepburn and his lovely wife.  This last week I, again along with the Base Key Spouses, were invited to attend the Inaugural Key Spouse Forum.  We were treated to a briefing by the 37th Training Wing , attending Basic Military Training Graduation, received a personal tour of the one of the training squadrons, and got to enjoy lunch while discussing the mission  of the Key Spouse program with command from all the local Wings.  I am slowly becoming more comfortable meeting with such high ranking commanders, but still feel like a fish out of water.  Hopefully, I will be able to do my job effectively and support our Air Force families in the way they deserve.



Nate's Award Ceremony

Nate continues to excel in his school studies.  This last nine weeks he was awarded for perfect attendance, A-B honor roll, and the Character Pillar Award in Fairness.  We are so proud of all his accomplishments.

Luna Middle School Talent Show

It all begins at the start of February.  This is when Matt came home explaining to me that his teacher (which one I don't know) suggested he and his buddies tryout for the talent show.  After an in depth soon-to-be teenage male discussion (probably two minutes) it is decided that they would pass.  So I think nothing more of it, until I have a permission slip shoved under my nose at 7 o'clock in the morning with the explanation that if I don't sign it, Matt can't tryout.  Then I get the "you are so out of it" look when I ask what he is trying out for.  After reading over the paperwork, it seems the boys are late with the application but with a little string pulling from their teacher they will still be able to tryout that afternoon after school.  My response being, what is your talent?  I get the look again as I am told that they will be singing (singing?!?!?!?) a song called Grenade by Bruno Mars.  So I sign, they tryout, and to my surprise, make the cut.  Who knew?

After a few practices after school, and one very long hour at the talent show we finally got to hear them.

(sorry for the video quality, between my shaking and they young lady that kept walking in front of me this was the best I could do)

At the end of the talent show that ended up being a competition the winners were announced.  Matt and his friends got second place.

Pretty good for three sixth graders.  Afterward they were asked to pose for pictures with "fans" and sign autographs.  The next Monday at school they were the cool kids on campus.  Now I just need to find a way to inject a little humility back into my son.

I am So Proud of This Man

I feel it is time to brag on Doug.  He probably doesn't but since he isn't here, he really can't do anything about it.  Although his deployment is winding slowly down and he feels like it is Groundhog Day everyday, he is still trying to make a difference where he is and maybe leave a small legacy.  Throughout his deployment he has been in a position of advising, assisting and training Iraqi dentists.  He also works in a limited capacity with American troops that deploy quite frequently. 

 Instead of practicing his napping skills or getting the high score on solitaire, he has been working on providing expanded literature for the Iraqi dentist in the form of donated text books and current dental journals. 

 He has also been recognized for his service to the American troops.  Since these troops deploy frequently they don't always receive the preventative care that they could be receiving here in the states.  Doug has taken his "down time" to provide that preventative care to these soldiers.

The latest of his activities is going to be speaking the the Boy Scouts of Iraq.  He will be presenting on dental health and careers.  Needless to say, I think this is really cool. 

Although having him gone is hard on all of us, we are proud of the work he is doing, his willingness to go when his country called, and his work ethic that doesn't allow him to do less than his best.

Yay for Aunt Taty

Aunt Taty was going to visit with the rest of the family but plans didn't work out but it seemed to for the best.  First, she got a bed to sleep in instead of the couch. Second, she got to be here for Matt's talent show.  Third, she got our undivided attention (except of course for school, Key Spouse, church, and other things).  Now I have no pictures of anything because I am a loser and got tired of carrying my camera, but we did have some unique things happen while I was showing her the town.

When we visited the Alamo (everyone has to see the Alamo), in the gazebo there was the brass section of a college marching band playing.  I could have sat and listened to them all day.  The weather was great, the music was peppy, and the guys were really playing to the crowd.  Then when we visited Market Square (my personal favorite) they had skirt dancers, mariachi players, and singers.  Lots of local color.  We had lunch on the river walk while we watched people use the river taxis. 

The boys and I really enjoyed the dinner she made for us on Saturday.  We were able to drop the amount of children she wanted to have just by her attending our ward.  And we had lots and lots of time to talk.  Fun times!!!!

Scout Ranks

Nate and Danny have been busy little men working on their scouting ranks.  Of course when they both received their badges I was without my camera but we at least need to document that Nate received his Webelos and Dan received his Wolf.  Now we are working toward Nate's Arrow of Light (we have two months) and Dan's Bear.  Wish us luck or at least sanity.

Spring Break

This year we enjoyed spring break with spring weather.  With the nice weather, Uncle Dunna, Aunt Jymie, Vash, and Rhyla came to visit.  The boys were so excited to see their cousins again and Vash seemed to run his little legs off keeping up with them.  The boys and I showed them downtown.  We even went to the Witte Museum since it is really kid friendly (note to self:  don't go to kid friendly museums during spring break).

The next day we were off to Sea World.  We spent the entire day going from one show to the next.  The boys had a great time and since I got year long tickets, we will have to go back to try out the water park.

My favorite part was having a little girl to hold.  Rhyla is a sweet and easy baby that likes to snuggle, how rare those are in the Smith Family.  The boys played and played with Vash every chance they could.  It was great fun to see my "little" brother be a dad.  We were sorry to see everyone go and Dan wanted to know why couldn't they stay longer.

Nana Visits (AKA Happy Birthday to Me)

In January I heard that Wicked was going to preforming in San Antonio at the end of February.  To say that I was excited was an understatement.  I have wanted to see this show for years but the timing was never right.  Either we were in dental school or moving, but finally I could go.  So I quickly called my mom and told her that the best birthday present would be tickets to Wicked. I also told her that if she really wanted to top it off she could come for a visit and attend the show with me. (Believe me, she really does appreciate when you tell her what you want for a gift.)

Well, all my wishes came true.  Mom came to visit at the end of February and stayed for a week.  We went all over San Antonio.  The Alamo was visited along with Market Square and we walked most of downtown.  We went out to Helotes and spent the entire time thinking how much Gran would enjoy all the little shops. We drove to the to see the temple and out to Castroville just to see the landscape around San Antonio. 

Before attending Wicked we enjoyed dinner out, just the girls.  Then we headed downtown to the Majestic Theater to see Wicked.  First of all is the theater is amazing, truly a show in its self.

Then the performance started.  So very, very good.  I had to pinch myself at times to remind myself that this was live and not a recording.  As my dad would say "I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me".  But the best part was having my mom there to share it with. 

Later during her visit Nana took the boys to see the 3D version of the Justin Bieber movie.  What an experience for everyone.

The boys and I were sorry to see Nana leave but felt so special that she spent her vacation time with us. 

Birthdays in the Holmes' House

Since it has been forever since I posted I have to go all the way back to the beginning of February when both Dan and I were celebrating our birthdays.  Well, Dan was celebrating.  I got sick and decided that my big birthday present of going out to dinner was going to be a waste since I couldn't taste anything, so I spent the day in my jammies on the couch.

 Dan turned nine on Supper Bowl Sunday.  He was so excited because he got to share the day with his favorite football team the Steelers.  We decorated in back and yellow.  We all wore the Steeler colors.  We enjoyed a Super Bowl cake and had more junk food for dinner than was good for us.  

Dan opened presents to find Ninjigos (don't ask), dino skeletons to put together, and some other small things.  He was in heaven.  I was so glad that one of us was feeling up to having a birthday.