A new year is upon us and already the both of us have been busy with work. This time of year is always busy for me with aircrew training and Dan has tons of inspections to finish in his shop. Even more important than our work is promotion-we both received our test dates for E-6 and are beyond nervous. I test Feb 4th and Dan is on Feb 9th. Yea, so much for having a late test date. We don't have much time left to study.
This testing cycle will be #3 for me and Dan's first time testing for Tech*. I knew there was no shot for me last year being that most of my study time was spent either puking or trying to sleep off nausea (I was plagued with morning sickness), but this year I actually care about making it or missing it by 10 instead of 30. Having Sebastian makes it difficult to focus because I just want to spend every waking moment with him while he's awake and sometimes try to sleep with him while he's napping. Either way, Dan and I both need to buckle down and really start studying hard core. Dan is being ambitious and hoping that he makes it his first time. While I am supporting his goal, I secretly hope he doesn't make it this year. We are competitive when it comes to achievements and promotions. ;) I've managed to have a leg up being that I have 2 years TIS* on him, but since I haven't made Tech yet, he has a fighting chance to outrank me. :p
Besides the obvious military change we'll be experiencing this year(the repel of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" means that the transition has begun), we also have a chance at orders. We've been overseas eligible since last year but due to my pregnancy there was no real chance we'd be selected. Hopefully we'll be picked up for an assignment in Europe, but of course nothing is certain in the assignment game. Our dream sheets are up to date and all we can do now is sit back and wait for the assignment cycles to open up (there are 4 a year). The both of us really want to be stationed in the UK, especially after our visits there with the herk community. Sure people have told us that the weather there isn't exactly ideal, but why focus on the weather? The fact that I can shop in London, catch a short flight to Paris, and sight-see all around Europe when I'm not working is a huge incentive to living there!
With all of that, I hope that 2011 is even more prosperous for us than last year was!
Happy New Year!
*Tech- short for Technical Sergeant
*TIS- Time In Service
05 January 2011
18 December 2010
Finally, one full year....
Today marks the first full year that Dan and I have been at home together. I actually never thought we'd have this until next year or the year after.
Our relationship started off long distance. In 2006 we met at Pope AFB and after one month together, we knew we wanted to be with each other forever and vowed to make it work. I PCS'd to Travis and he was off on his second deployment. We made our best efforts to visit each other whenever we could. By the time we got married in June 2008, we had spent a cumulative total of 3 months and 5 days together, in the flesh. With what we went through and survived during the first 2 years of our relationship, we know first hand that long distance relationships can work. We both loved each other so much that it helped us get through the loneliness of being apart.
Dan moved here to California September 2008 and we thought we'd finally be able to just be together and not worry about deployments. Back at Pope working with herks, we worried about rotations every 4 months. Here we don't have to worry about deployments that often unless we volunteer since the planes we work with don't deploy. We were foolish to be so naive. 8 months on station and they chose Dan to go on a high profile TDY for almost 3 weeks. OK, no big deal. He was still stateside, just 3 hours ahead. He returned in June and after being home for almost a month, he gets the news that they need him to deploy... the very next month.
Oy. August of last year, he deployed back to the desert that he thought he'd never have to see again (unless we went back to herks). It was the roughest deployment we'd ever endured being that before he left we were finally living together, seeing each other every single day. When we didn't have the luxury it was easier for him to deploy because to me, it meant that instead of being 3 hours behind that I'd be 11 or 12 hours behind. This time it meant sleeping alone, our routines being way off, and back to just being a single mom. When he returned, it was the absolute best day that year.
Being pregnant this year did have an advantage when it came to keeping him home. His boss at work every now and then would talk about needing Dan to deploy again but of course would be quick to say he was joking (ha ha). There were a couple TDYs that were close calls but someone would volunteer last minute and my stress levels would lower again knowing that Dan wouldn't miss anything during the pregnancy.
I am just so damn grateful that we finally have one full year side by side.
Our relationship started off long distance. In 2006 we met at Pope AFB and after one month together, we knew we wanted to be with each other forever and vowed to make it work. I PCS'd to Travis and he was off on his second deployment. We made our best efforts to visit each other whenever we could. By the time we got married in June 2008, we had spent a cumulative total of 3 months and 5 days together, in the flesh. With what we went through and survived during the first 2 years of our relationship, we know first hand that long distance relationships can work. We both loved each other so much that it helped us get through the loneliness of being apart.
Dan moved here to California September 2008 and we thought we'd finally be able to just be together and not worry about deployments. Back at Pope working with herks, we worried about rotations every 4 months. Here we don't have to worry about deployments that often unless we volunteer since the planes we work with don't deploy. We were foolish to be so naive. 8 months on station and they chose Dan to go on a high profile TDY for almost 3 weeks. OK, no big deal. He was still stateside, just 3 hours ahead. He returned in June and after being home for almost a month, he gets the news that they need him to deploy... the very next month.
Oy. August of last year, he deployed back to the desert that he thought he'd never have to see again (unless we went back to herks). It was the roughest deployment we'd ever endured being that before he left we were finally living together, seeing each other every single day. When we didn't have the luxury it was easier for him to deploy because to me, it meant that instead of being 3 hours behind that I'd be 11 or 12 hours behind. This time it meant sleeping alone, our routines being way off, and back to just being a single mom. When he returned, it was the absolute best day that year.
Being pregnant this year did have an advantage when it came to keeping him home. His boss at work every now and then would talk about needing Dan to deploy again but of course would be quick to say he was joking (ha ha). There were a couple TDYs that were close calls but someone would volunteer last minute and my stress levels would lower again knowing that Dan wouldn't miss anything during the pregnancy.
I am just so damn grateful that we finally have one full year side by side.
*Greeting Dan at the airport gate this day last year
12 December 2010
I'll still take it.
1.4
Not a big number by any means, but it is still a number. For those that don't follow news concerning the military, the Obama administration has approved a 1.4% pay raise for us next year. This is the lowest raise since 1962. As much as this is a pretty shitty raise, I'll still take it.
Those of us that don the military uniform every day are part of a population that is under appreciated and definitely does not receive the respect or recognition deserved. Anyone that volunteers to sign their life away to Uncle Sam, whether it is for four years or 20 years, should be applauded and praised for the sacrifices they make or have already made. Even though the military still faces ridicule and people protesting what we do, those serving our country are proud to wear the uniform and protect those that don't support our mission.
Sure, the pay raise we're getting January 1st is pretty shitty compared to the past, but I'll still take it. I know that there is still a gap between military pay and civilian pay, but I will gladly take what I can get. In a time when the economy is still struggling and people that were laid off are still scratching their heads because no one will hire them, I am fortunate to be where I am. The military will still take care of me and my family by guaranteeing my paycheck every 1st and 15th of every month, provide health care (even though it isn't as top notch as most civilians think), and make sure that I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach by providing me an allowance for both.
It would be nice to get another 3.4% pay raise like last year, or even the 2.7% raise from 2007. Yes, 1.4 is a low number, but it is still a number and a raise is guaranteed. We should all be thankful that we are at least getting one.
Not a big number by any means, but it is still a number. For those that don't follow news concerning the military, the Obama administration has approved a 1.4% pay raise for us next year. This is the lowest raise since 1962. As much as this is a pretty shitty raise, I'll still take it.
Those of us that don the military uniform every day are part of a population that is under appreciated and definitely does not receive the respect or recognition deserved. Anyone that volunteers to sign their life away to Uncle Sam, whether it is for four years or 20 years, should be applauded and praised for the sacrifices they make or have already made. Even though the military still faces ridicule and people protesting what we do, those serving our country are proud to wear the uniform and protect those that don't support our mission.
Sure, the pay raise we're getting January 1st is pretty shitty compared to the past, but I'll still take it. I know that there is still a gap between military pay and civilian pay, but I will gladly take what I can get. In a time when the economy is still struggling and people that were laid off are still scratching their heads because no one will hire them, I am fortunate to be where I am. The military will still take care of me and my family by guaranteeing my paycheck every 1st and 15th of every month, provide health care (even though it isn't as top notch as most civilians think), and make sure that I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach by providing me an allowance for both.
It would be nice to get another 3.4% pay raise like last year, or even the 2.7% raise from 2007. Yes, 1.4 is a low number, but it is still a number and a raise is guaranteed. We should all be thankful that we are at least getting one.
11 November 2010
Thank you.
Have you ever been out somewhere and spotted someone in a military uniform? Whether it be in a restaurant or a grocery store? Have you thought about going up to them and thanking them for their service?
I cannot begin to express just how good it feels to hear a total stranger thank me for what I am doing on a day-to-day basis. When I was stationed in North Carolina, I heard it at least once a week. Since I've been here in California since October 2006, I've heard it twice. I understand that this state is very liberal and that northern California has even made headlines about their feelings towards the military, but damn. Where would you be if 1.3% of the American population didn't volunteer to serve you?
Yes, the military has steered away from calling us service men and women and we are no longer joining "the service" but rather the military and the specific branch that we have chosen to sign up for, but the majority of us that did sign up to join the military are proud to be serving our country.
Whether you support the war or just support the troops, if you see someone in uniform, it doesn't hurt to simply say thank you.
This veteran's day, I'd like to share with you what POW/MIA bracelets are.
They started off in the 1970s by a group of college students that wanted to remember the POW/MIA soldiers during the Vietnam War. People wear them now to keep the memory of those POW/MIA alive and the hope that their bodies may soon be recovered and returned to their families all these years after. Servicemen from WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War, the name, rank, and date MIA is engraved on a bracelet and usually worn until they return.
Army SGT Gregory A. Antunano was an observer on an OH6A "Loach" observer helicopter. On July 24, 1971, his helicopter was shot down in Cambodia by enemy fire while they were on a recon mission. The other two crewmembers on the plane were still alive when the helicopter went down. SGT Antunano was already believed to be dead. A rescue team came in to help the crew evacuate the area. The gunner, SP4 Dalton stopped breathing and was pronounced dead. That left the pilot as the sole survivor of the helicopter crash. Enemy soldiers started to enter the area and the rescue team and the pilot left the area, leaving Antunano's and Dalton's bodies behind. They were never recovered and are still missing today. Because their remains were left on enemy soil and not found, they are listed as MIA.
SGT Gregory Antunano was only 22 years old when he died. His home of record was San Francisco, CA. He was a member of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 17th Calvary (Air Calvary), 12th Aviation Group. I wear his bracelet in memory and in honor of him and his service.
Happy veteran's day. I leave you with a painting that touches my heart and always brings me to tears when I see it.
I cannot begin to express just how good it feels to hear a total stranger thank me for what I am doing on a day-to-day basis. When I was stationed in North Carolina, I heard it at least once a week. Since I've been here in California since October 2006, I've heard it twice. I understand that this state is very liberal and that northern California has even made headlines about their feelings towards the military, but damn. Where would you be if 1.3% of the American population didn't volunteer to serve you?
Yes, the military has steered away from calling us service men and women and we are no longer joining "the service" but rather the military and the specific branch that we have chosen to sign up for, but the majority of us that did sign up to join the military are proud to be serving our country.
Whether you support the war or just support the troops, if you see someone in uniform, it doesn't hurt to simply say thank you.
This veteran's day, I'd like to share with you what POW/MIA bracelets are.
They started off in the 1970s by a group of college students that wanted to remember the POW/MIA soldiers during the Vietnam War. People wear them now to keep the memory of those POW/MIA alive and the hope that their bodies may soon be recovered and returned to their families all these years after. Servicemen from WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War, the name, rank, and date MIA is engraved on a bracelet and usually worn until they return.
Army SGT Gregory A. Antunano was an observer on an OH6A "Loach" observer helicopter. On July 24, 1971, his helicopter was shot down in Cambodia by enemy fire while they were on a recon mission. The other two crewmembers on the plane were still alive when the helicopter went down. SGT Antunano was already believed to be dead. A rescue team came in to help the crew evacuate the area. The gunner, SP4 Dalton stopped breathing and was pronounced dead. That left the pilot as the sole survivor of the helicopter crash. Enemy soldiers started to enter the area and the rescue team and the pilot left the area, leaving Antunano's and Dalton's bodies behind. They were never recovered and are still missing today. Because their remains were left on enemy soil and not found, they are listed as MIA.SGT Gregory Antunano was only 22 years old when he died. His home of record was San Francisco, CA. He was a member of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 17th Calvary (Air Calvary), 12th Aviation Group. I wear his bracelet in memory and in honor of him and his service.
Happy veteran's day. I leave you with a painting that touches my heart and always brings me to tears when I see it.
Reflections by Lee Teter
06 November 2010
Enough to make me...
want to switch occupations. Sebastian is finally here. He made his debut a whole 9 days passed his due date on October 18th at 1741. It was a semi-difficult labor that ended with a last minute c-section since his huge head wouldn't come down any further down the birth canal.
I haven't worked since the end of September and I'm on maternity leave until December. I plan on taking additional time off after a couple weeks of work to help accommodate my troops to take time off during Christmas. With our baby boy finally here, I wish that I was saying that I wasn't going back to work. I've mentioned before that I have changed my main goal in life and will hopefully be able to separate from the military. Boy, do I wish I had pushed the button with this pregnancy.
Having Sebastian here has only confirmed my feelings about being a SAHM or a WAHM. It's funny because if anyone told me in high school or as I was starting out in Air Force that my views would change by the time I hit twenty-five and that I'd want to be a SAHM to take care of my family and household and have a big family (more than two kids), I would say you were crazy. Here I am, twenty-seven years old, and I am content with not working another day-outside of our home. Gone are my desires to retire after 20 years or more in the military, I no longer want to strive to go as far as I can up the ranks, and I wish even more that cost of living in this state was reasonable enough that I didn't have to put the uniform back on and worry about pumping at work.
I haven't worked since the end of September and I'm on maternity leave until December. I plan on taking additional time off after a couple weeks of work to help accommodate my troops to take time off during Christmas. With our baby boy finally here, I wish that I was saying that I wasn't going back to work. I've mentioned before that I have changed my main goal in life and will hopefully be able to separate from the military. Boy, do I wish I had pushed the button with this pregnancy.
Having Sebastian here has only confirmed my feelings about being a SAHM or a WAHM. It's funny because if anyone told me in high school or as I was starting out in Air Force that my views would change by the time I hit twenty-five and that I'd want to be a SAHM to take care of my family and household and have a big family (more than two kids), I would say you were crazy. Here I am, twenty-seven years old, and I am content with not working another day-outside of our home. Gone are my desires to retire after 20 years or more in the military, I no longer want to strive to go as far as I can up the ranks, and I wish even more that cost of living in this state was reasonable enough that I didn't have to put the uniform back on and worry about pumping at work.
Alas, I'll enjoy my time off with my son while it lasts. When I go back to work and he has to go to daycare, I will suck it up and put on my uniform and put my 100% into my job while missing him. Hopefully soon, in the not-so-distant future, I'll be able to push the button and just stay at home.
17 October 2010
Still waiting in anticipation
It's October 17th. I'm one week and one day overdue.
As much as I am making progress labor wise, it's not enough to have me admitted at Labor & Delivery. I've been in the first stage of labor since the 4th! Unbelievable, right? You could technically say I'm in the second stage being that I hit 4 cm (dilation) on Friday. Yep. Oh, and I'm 75% effaced but still no consistent, painful contractions.
I haven't been to work in 2 weeks because I've been focusing on trying to eject this kid! Once I feel contractions, I either jump in the tub or walk around... only to be left with nothing. I am constantly tempted to go into work to make some use of myself because I feel like such a slug at home, but the discomfort is out of control. I cannot sit long in a chair, constantly switching to the bed, the balance ball, or laying down. On the upside, I am glad that I haven't been to work because I could only imagine how annoyed I would be after five minutes of hearing
"No baby yet?" "How overdue are you?" "When are you going to pop?" et al.
If nothing happens today, tomorrow is it. We will be going to the hospital in the evening to be induced. I am beyond excited. He should've been here last week and he's so lucky I love him to be suffering a week longer. :) The both of us just want to hold our baby boy already...
As much as I am making progress labor wise, it's not enough to have me admitted at Labor & Delivery. I've been in the first stage of labor since the 4th! Unbelievable, right? You could technically say I'm in the second stage being that I hit 4 cm (dilation) on Friday. Yep. Oh, and I'm 75% effaced but still no consistent, painful contractions.
I haven't been to work in 2 weeks because I've been focusing on trying to eject this kid! Once I feel contractions, I either jump in the tub or walk around... only to be left with nothing. I am constantly tempted to go into work to make some use of myself because I feel like such a slug at home, but the discomfort is out of control. I cannot sit long in a chair, constantly switching to the bed, the balance ball, or laying down. On the upside, I am glad that I haven't been to work because I could only imagine how annoyed I would be after five minutes of hearing
"No baby yet?" "How overdue are you?" "When are you going to pop?" et al.
If nothing happens today, tomorrow is it. We will be going to the hospital in the evening to be induced. I am beyond excited. He should've been here last week and he's so lucky I love him to be suffering a week longer. :) The both of us just want to hold our baby boy already...
16 September 2010
Kind of like a proud momma...
It's been over a month since our last post. Dan's been quite busy with work and his online classes and I've been busy trying to prep my office for when I go on maternity leave and get the house (and ourselves) ready for the baby. I will be 37 weeks tomorrow... holy crap!
In July, I started getting together with my boss to put together a package for one of my airmen. BTZ (below the zone) is a big deal in the Air Force because it recognizes the hard work that a young airman has put forth even though they are so young in the military. If selected, the airmen (must be an E-3) are able to pin on E-4 six month early from when they would normally pin on. That being said, it is a very competitive award since only a few are selected.
A1C Beatty is my second "kid" as a supervisor. He came into the military later in life (at about 24) with enough college credits to put two stripes on his arm as soon as he graduated basic training. He went through a really rough time when he first came to our squadron, but showed determination and will that he was going to make things work and impressed everyone. He has demonstrated that his huge heart and never-give-up attitude can get him through anything the military has thrown at him for the past 2 years he's been in. And I couldn't be any more proud of him, proud of watching him grow each and every day.
Although I still struggle with writing broken English, the leadership in our squadron helped me tremendously when it came to his BTZ package (shout out to SMSgt Phillips and MSgt Leonard!). Of course when they were finished with it, there was no way that the board would deny that A1C Beatty was an outstanding person and Airman.
This past Tuesday, it was announced that he was one of the 9 people in our wing that were awarded a stripe.
A1C Beatty and I at the change of command this past June
I was beyond excited and couldn't help but get a bit teary eyed for him. A1C Beatty came from doubting his ability to adapt in the office to being the #2 in the office. Seriously? There was no way he could be overlooked.
Moments like these make me proud to be a supervisor, NCO in the military and tempt me to stay in....
In July, I started getting together with my boss to put together a package for one of my airmen. BTZ (below the zone) is a big deal in the Air Force because it recognizes the hard work that a young airman has put forth even though they are so young in the military. If selected, the airmen (must be an E-3) are able to pin on E-4 six month early from when they would normally pin on. That being said, it is a very competitive award since only a few are selected.
A1C Beatty is my second "kid" as a supervisor. He came into the military later in life (at about 24) with enough college credits to put two stripes on his arm as soon as he graduated basic training. He went through a really rough time when he first came to our squadron, but showed determination and will that he was going to make things work and impressed everyone. He has demonstrated that his huge heart and never-give-up attitude can get him through anything the military has thrown at him for the past 2 years he's been in. And I couldn't be any more proud of him, proud of watching him grow each and every day.
Although I still struggle with writing broken English, the leadership in our squadron helped me tremendously when it came to his BTZ package (shout out to SMSgt Phillips and MSgt Leonard!). Of course when they were finished with it, there was no way that the board would deny that A1C Beatty was an outstanding person and Airman.
This past Tuesday, it was announced that he was one of the 9 people in our wing that were awarded a stripe.
A1C Beatty and I at the change of command this past June
I was beyond excited and couldn't help but get a bit teary eyed for him. A1C Beatty came from doubting his ability to adapt in the office to being the #2 in the office. Seriously? There was no way he could be overlooked.
Moments like these make me proud to be a supervisor, NCO in the military and tempt me to stay in....
10 August 2010
WOOOOO-saaaahhhhh....
Third trimester is definitely taking a toll on me. I seriously hope that the next one is not as brutal as this one! With Sebastian constantly putting me in a constant state of discomfort and feeling fatigued and short of breath, I find myself wishing that it was October already. I know I'll be thinking differently when the time is finally a few days away, but boy, this kid just loves his space.
Work... is work. My career field recently switched to a new web-based system for the program we primarily use and it's been nothing but a pain. I've had to extend our office hours and mandate weekend work hours to help catch up! :( I hate doing to that to my people, but they all understand we have to do it. The light is getting brighter at the end of the tunnel though because our stacks of backed up paperwork are shrinking and it's looking better and better! I just hope that headquarters can fix the server issues and bugs soon because I'd hate to fall behind again just because the system is too slow.
Right now, my biggest issue with work is the fact that I've felt so uninspired lately. I know that eventually I want to get out because we want to focus on family, but lately I've been thinking, man, I wish I could separate wish this pregnancy... This is no way possible (living in expensive California) and plus I don't think I'm near being done with the Air Force yet. There's still so much I can do/give. BUT- I need inspiration, I need A CHANGE! I am talking ORDERS! The list came out last Wednesday and there are openings for the both of us in England, Germany and Hawaii! I find myself constantly reminding Dan to put those "order vibes" out there in the universe because I desperately want and need orders out of the states and more importantly, out of California!
Sigh, for now, I will continue to focus on getting things ready for this baby and remembering to breathe at work.
Work... is work. My career field recently switched to a new web-based system for the program we primarily use and it's been nothing but a pain. I've had to extend our office hours and mandate weekend work hours to help catch up! :( I hate doing to that to my people, but they all understand we have to do it. The light is getting brighter at the end of the tunnel though because our stacks of backed up paperwork are shrinking and it's looking better and better! I just hope that headquarters can fix the server issues and bugs soon because I'd hate to fall behind again just because the system is too slow.
Right now, my biggest issue with work is the fact that I've felt so uninspired lately. I know that eventually I want to get out because we want to focus on family, but lately I've been thinking, man, I wish I could separate wish this pregnancy... This is no way possible (living in expensive California) and plus I don't think I'm near being done with the Air Force yet. There's still so much I can do/give. BUT- I need inspiration, I need A CHANGE! I am talking ORDERS! The list came out last Wednesday and there are openings for the both of us in England, Germany and Hawaii! I find myself constantly reminding Dan to put those "order vibes" out there in the universe because I desperately want and need orders out of the states and more importantly, out of California!
Sigh, for now, I will continue to focus on getting things ready for this baby and remembering to breathe at work.
26 July 2010
When I found out I was going to be a dad
Short video made with the clip that Janina captured with our video camera. I'm so glad I have this moment on film.
16 July 2010
Taking LEAVE!
I know for a fact that I am way more excited than my husband about our upcoming leave. Yes, today is Friday and I am only working half day (work has been boring with the primary system I work with being offline all week) and that means my weekend starts as soon as I am off. Saturday will be sort of busy making sure we have all of the necessities packed, house cleaned, and animals squared away. Sunday? Sunday we will be Disneyland bound and I couldn't be more ecstatic about it.I am a Disney fanatic (I get more excited about anything Disney than our little princess). I'm more excited about being able to take leave and actually enjoy it. When I took leave earlier this year, it was not for relaxation or to unplug from the daily grind for awhile. It was to take the time to study for my promotion test (which wasn't very effective being that I was plagued with morning sickness). This is my last hoorah until the baby comes in October. After that, the down time I take will be to care for a new baby boy. :)
We'll be in Anaheim until Thursday and I will make sure that I enjoy every friggin second of it. I know, what is a pregnant woman going to do since she can't ride majority of the rides? Chase down characters, take lots of pictures, and enjoy snacking on junk food. :pNext Friday, Dan and Genie will be off to Austin, Texas. Dan's motherland has been calling him since he joined the military. The last time he was there in 2008 we were passing through because he was moving from North Carolina to California. He misses home and like a true Texan, dreams about the day when he can finally retire (or win the lottery) and move back. Besides the fact that he doesn't have to shave whenever he's on leave, he's definitely looking forward to visiting his family in Austin. I know Dan's loving the fact that he can take Genevieve everywhere being that 1. when she visited it was cold and 2. since he's from there he know where to take her without doing and "research".
Well, my countdown begins as soon as I leave the house for work. I hope that my shift goes by quickly even though I won't have anything to do. I cannot stand being in a stagnant environment, I like to be constantly working and doing something. Oh well.
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