First Test and First Simulator

Well, they didn't kick me out yet! I was a bit worried with our first test and first simulator this past week, that I might give them a chance to do so. Thanks to many prayers and some late night studying, I didn't give them the opportunity to kick me out of the program...yet!

The classes and sims have kept me busy during the day and the studying has been keeping me busy at night. The program is front loaded because you have to know how to fly the jet and handle emergencies, before they will let you fly it. And you have to fly it before they can teach you how to use it to do what it is intended to do. I have two more simulators this week (along with classes) and then we will break for Christmas and I will be flying the first week we get back.

Still a little nervous to fly the jet after only three sims, just because there is so much more in this jet. The actual flying won't be that difficult, it is just managing all the other things, which we call "face magnets." It is pretty fitting since you find yourself staring at these video screens when you are supposed to be flying the jet. They can be very helpful, but when you are not used to them, they take some starring at and poking buttons to make them work right. The worst part is there is not an "undo" button, so you have to figure out how to undo what you just did with fifty button pushes, just to start over and make the same mistake. It is about that time you decide to look up from one of the face magnets and realize the outside world is a lot bigger than it used to be and the brown is up and the blue is down...not the way it is supposed to, just in case you weren't tracking with me.

I have been trying to study and watch JJ a bit so Candi can get a nap, but it only seems to work when he sleeps. Otherwise, I don't get much studying done. Here my little buddy sleeps while I study. Who says you need a comfy place to sleep.

He still has his big brother watching over him.

Since not everybody checks out the pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/candijeremyp and we haven't had time to add new ones this week, I have decided to include a few that Candi took this past week. Candi continues her zombie walk through life without sleep. I can remember "back in the day" when JJ was first born, wishing he would just open his eyes and stay awake for a bit. Now, I am not wishing that so much! I wish he would sleep a bit more, especially at night so Candi could get some sleep. She is able to catch a nap every once in a while, but it is usually with JJ on her chest.

We have been very blessed to have some really great people in my class and a few of the wives and even one single student has helped by bring over meals to us. I never thought that trying to find enough time to fix dinner could be so difficult. When Candi is feeding JJ on average of once every two to three hours and by the time she feeds him, burps him, and changes him, an hour is gone and you have only one hour to two to even think about being able to get up and do something. Then he decides that during the hour to two hour break that he needs to cry and be held...you are starting the process all over again. I know most of you know this, BUT YOU NEVER TOLD US!!!!

We did find time to take JJ to an ugly sweater party with everyone from our class. You can't get a real good look at these because we didn't zoom in, but rest assured, THEY ARE UGLY and Candi did a great job adding eyes that moved, bells, and ribbon to help us look tacky.

Other than that, we haven't done too much. We did try to shop a bit, which ended with me taking JJ on a joy ride in the car because he wouldn't stop crying. And we did try to go out to eat, which ended up with Candi having to go out to the car to feed him and me boxing up our food so we could go home and eat it. Yes, life has changed. However, we are excited to come home for Christmas and pawn him off on grandparents so we can rest. Idaho, here we come!

More Family and More School...and More Crying

Finally, Grandma Presley got to see her grandchild. She would never come out and say it, but I am guessing she was happy to see JJ. It was good to see her and have her help out around the house. I felt like a bad host because I was working, studying, or hiding from the crying and spending a lot of time with her. It is weird to have people come see you (or your son) and not entertain them with all the local hot spots. I know they don't come to Tucson on a site seeing trip, but I still feel like I should be a tour guide.

We did get to go up to Mt. Lemmon on a day I played hooky...ok, class got out early one day. It was an interesting trip to the highest mountain just a few miles out of town. Very similar to driving up to Bogus Basin, as far a close proximity to the city. You start out in 80 degree weather and surroundings like this (not like Bogus Basin, espicially in December):

And end up at a ski resort...er...ski lift. Supposedly they get snow in January and some times even have enough to open this hill up. It is limited to a few hundred people because it is so small, so you have to call before going to see if there is enough room. That is not a joke.

It was very scenic and had some really good areas where you could see all around the local area, as well as Mexico and New Mexico.

We also got to play in the snow, since all of our Idaho friends have been bragging about their frolics in the white stuff. I made a snowman, if you can't see (very small) and it would probably be more in the catagory of iceman.

And not to be outdone by the areas that get the white stuff, Tucson makes their own snow. Ok, it was more like foam, but hundreds of people flock to see the next closest thing to snow at a local mall. They dispense "snow" twice a night around this time of year and people get so into that they actually wear jackets and drink hot chocolate.

Although my mother only got to stay for a few days, we enjoyed having her here. Candi and JJ continue to do well, if "doing well" includes crying for no reason and fussing all night...and I am not talking about JJ. No, just kidding, but he has been a bit more difficult these last few days. I don't think we have to worry about under developed lungs. The dogs have actually figured out that if they go outside, they can get away from the inner ear pain. Candi is starting to get mad because she has to go outside and call for me, just like the dogs.

We are looking forward to being home for Christmas. We bought tickets (JJ isn't going to college anymore) and will be home on Christmas Eve and return to sunny Tucson on New Year's Day. Candi continues to update the pictures on our Picasa site and we found out that if you become a "fan" it will email you when we add new pictures. That is all for now, back to studying for my aircraft systems test this week and my first simulator flight.

Back To School

Candi dressed me, gave me my backpack, told me not to eat the glue, and sent me back to school. It is ok, but I found out that on the first day I should know how this works! In addition, I was suppose to know everything else about the Hawg's electrical and hydraulic system. I have a lot to learn and the basic information seems to be a given and they are really trying to get on to the weapon systems...which, makes sense seeing how the only reason the Hawg exists is to "do the Lord's work" as the instructors say. That is killing bad guys if you aren't up on your A-10 driver lingo.

When I am not in class, I am spending time with Candi and JJ. I know most of you thought I would say the golf course, but I am trying to be a responsible father here. I have to admit it is hard though, when the temperature is in the 80s and there are over 30 golf courses within 30 miles!

Candi's mom left on Wednesday, so we had to figure things out on our own for the first time. It was a real blessing having her here and we miss all the help she gave us. However, we called in the backup and my mother will be here on Monday. She will only stay for a few days, but it will be nice to have a maid, cook, and...oh yeah, a babysitter, again. I am sure she will be like grandma Vita and not excited at all to be with her one and only grandson.

JJ continues to grow and do well. He weighed in on his two week appointment, Friday, at a whopping 7 pounds and 10 ounces. He can sleep through myself and Candi vacuuming all around him, but not through two hours at night.

Candi is doing real well. She is feeling fine and is even back to wearing her old clothes, which is pretty impressive, I think. I still can't fit into my clothes I wore nine months ago, I think she is just showing off.

We are trying to get back to our regular schedule...or at least a compromise to our old schedule. We went out to eat a few times this week and to church and he has been very good throughout each outing. We lug his car seat around everywhere now or we go all kangaroo and put him in a little pouch. He seems to like it and it looks more stylish than a fanny pack. However, we did take the whole family (two dogs and a kid) to the park this weekend and used the stroller for the first time. Note to self, don't tie up a 91 pound energetic puppy to the stroller unless you want to see your son go flying by at top dog running speed. JJ is pretty tough, I think he might be a rodeo star because he stayed in for over eight seconds.

Well, I better go because we have to kick the illegals aliens out of the house to make room for my mom, not to mention I still have to figure out what that first picture is! They gave me a hint and told me there were two of them on the jet and without them, it wouldn't fly. They look bigger and more complex than blinkers, but...

I have to include this last picture, since I think it is one of the best. I know it is on our Picasa website that you all can see (I won't give the address since I give it out more than those annoying credit report commercials), but I think it is worth showing multiple times. It is the cutest picture ever and if you think I am lying, just ask my mom or Candi's mom and I bet they will vouch for it!