Easter in San Diego

On a whim and a phone call from my dad, we decided to go to San Diego for Easter.  I had a very vigorous work schedule, but was able to get Friday and Monday off.  We went "up" to San Diego on Friday afternoon.  It is about a 7.5 hour drive when you have to stop every few minutes for the baby.  It was actually me, needing to go the bathroom, but I played it off on JJ.  "Candi, I think we need to stop, I smell a dirty diaper again."  She would reply, "but he is sleeping." But, being the good dad that I am and not wanting him to sit in his own filth, I stopped and changed his diaper...and while we were stopped, I used the opportunity to flash snakes and road runners along side the road.

It actually wasn't that bad and Jarrett did great.  He slept or eat most the time.  Candi sat in the back to entertain when he was awake, and as long as he had his shades on, he was good to go.  He is getting his first two teeth and has been surprisingly good SO FAR!

In San Diego, we got to see members of my family that we hadn't seen in over seven years.  It was good to hang out with them and catch up a bit. 

We also went to the beach to see water...since it is such a rarity in Tucson.  It was nice the day we went, but the water was still too cold without a wetsuit.

Then on Sunday, we took JJ to his first Easter service.  Candi didn't let me dress him in the Easter dress that I bought him, but he did get a new shirt for the occasion.

As far as my situation goes, I was given the regulations that outline what could happen.  It was helpful to read all of it, but until paperwork is done, it doesn't mean much.  We did learn that if it goes the long route, it could be a four to five month process.  Hopefully it won't go that long, since there is a short route, but we will just have to wait and see.  Until then, I will continue to clean supply rooms, make copies, and put together publications for a few hours a day and then go home to the real work...taking care of Jarrett.  Notice there is no mention of golf in that day, but I am not bitter...

No News is NOT Good News

I wish I had some new news to share with you, but I know absolutely nothing more about our future plans this week, than I did last week. As a consolation prize, all those who should be telling me what is going on, think that it is horrible that nobody has told me what is going on. I think it is a bit ironic, but maybe that is just me. Apparently, the paperwork hasn't even been filed that will tell what the official recommendation for me is...and then, I can either fight it or explore other possible solutions, at least that is what I was told.

So, in the mean time, I continue to scrub toilets, change diapers, and cook meals. Ok, the fiction part of that statement was the word "continue," but I have been so bored that I have done the above activities. Candi has been searching the help wanted ads to see if she can find a job...FOR ME! I think she would take a screaming baby over a complaining, bored, annoying husband any day. You know you are getting on her nerves when she gives me cash and tells me to go play golf.

Thank goodness for cable and the major league baseball network! Their 11AM games have saved me from watching soap operas and has helped me get JJ to be a bit more vocal when cheering for his favorite team. Here he is yelling insults that I don't dare repeat to an umpire during a Rangers vs. Yankees game...the mouth on that kid...total lack of parental control growing up. I act like I have played a lot of golf, but I really haven't played as much as I act like. However, I did get the chance to play once this week and I got to play one of Tucson's finest. I got a good online deal and went with one of my classmates on Saturday. I started out awesome with a few pars and a birdie, but the wheels fell of the bus soon after. I blame it on the snake that decided to check out my golf ball when my hand was doing the same. I am pretty sure my scream made many people duff their shots, but I now carry a whoopin stick with me at all times on the course. The golf course was in the few areas that have saguaro cactus and the sites were pretty awesome. Here are a couple pictures: Other than helping around the house so Candi can work a bit more, I really haven't done too much. I have started working out again, since I finally have time, but I can only do that so long. The rest of the day sees me washing my truck, helping out our neighbor lady with chores, or anything I can find to do. If you haven't received the picture...I AM BORED TO TEARS!

However, I spent a little time working on a project for my civilian job back in Boise. My boss at MTI nominated me for Idaho's Accomplished Under 40 award. Thanks to several back in the office that helped me get a bunch of lies on paper and submit them for consideration. We will have to wait until the end of the month to see if the lies were bold enough to get me this award. Thanks to all of those at MTI that worked on this little project. Your help and consideration for the nomination are much appreciated.

Candi continues to work from home. Jarrett continues to cause work at home. No, he is doing well and is growing quite chubby these days...which makes it a tough pill to swallow when people say, "oh, he looks like you." He has started throwing fits when he drops his toys...just like his mother, but overall he is a pretty good baby.

Finally, I wanted to mention that we got to see one of tour old friends from pilot training, Jeremy Reynolds. Jeremy is flying C-130s in North Carolina and had a tactics class down here in the Tucson area. We met up and went to dinner on Thursday night. It was good to see him and hopefully it won't be another three years until we can do it again. Well, that is all the news without any news.

What Now?

Well, let me first start by thanking everyone for their support and prayers. As I mentioned last week, I had a progress check flight...and wouldn't you know, it was probably the worst flight of my career. Not a good time to try that out! Anyway, the squadron commander recommended that I be terminated from the training program and I am now not doing anything until that paperwork goes through. Once the paperwork goes through, I can contest the recommendation and then some higher brass makes the final decision. Long story short, I probably flew my last flight in an A-10 on Monday. I have no idea what is next or what is going to happen, but I have to trust God has a plan and a purpose behind all of this.

It really stinks and right now I have a million questions with no answers, but for the first time I actually don't have stress and can sleep at night. The stress was getting pretty bad and it was only getting worse and my performance was only getting worse. I think they were directly related, but it is what it is...you are going to be stressed when you are giving it your all and not seeing the results you want.

As I said, I have a million questions on my future and there are no answers and won't be until the paperwork gets completed and the process gets started. We are told that this will be a long process, but no one can tell us how long, long is so we will continue to live here and see what happens. My gut feeling is that I will be terminated from this program, go home, not have a Guard job, go back to my civilian job and see if there is another opportunity somewhere else to fly or quit all together. There is no evidence to back any of that up, but just an option.

It is starting to sink in that I won't be a fighter pilot any more and possibly an Air Force pilot any more...but that would be my decision. It was a great relief at first to have the stress lifted, but now I am starting to miss it. I don't know if it is the fact that I failed at doing something that I actually tried as hard as I could to make happen, or if it is the fact that I am not going to be a "fighter pilot" anymore and not get to live my dream. Either way, not a good feeling.

On a positive note, Candi and Jarrett are still living in my house. I found that out, now that I have time to stop and look around. I also realized that Candi may have been under more stress than me...JJ is a handful! I was able to do a little "bonding" this week and think Yankee Nation has a new fan...if not, he can find a new place to stay.

Yes, I am in my pajamas and yes it is 11:00AM when we are watching a Yankees day game and no I don't have a job!

Candi continues to work and I have been TRYING to help with Jarrett. However, God didn't give me the ears to take his screaming and yelling, so it is really not my fault that I have to retreat to the golf course when he gets loud. Speaking of getting loud, because I am a failure and don't have a job, we are working on training JJ to sleep through the night. I get up with him when he wakes up 12-1ish and sit by his crib since Candi says that makes him feel like we haven't neglected him. In theory he is assured we are there and then goes to sleep...in reality he cries at the top of his lungs, I get mad and go back to bed, and wake up to find he did finally shut up and sleep until 4 or 5 when Candi gets up and feed him. It's going pretty well so far- definitely a work in progress.

I guess it kind of sounds like I have a tough life, but it really isn't that bad. I have my health, family, and shelter so it could be worse. On that positive note, I will wrap it up. OH, THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS LAST WEEK, I GUESS PEOPLE DO READ THIS!

Trying Times

All is not well down here in 95 degree, first couple of days in April, land. The flying hasn't been going well for me and I am taking a flight tomorrow to determine my future. Not to be a downer or anything, but I am about as low as I ever have been. I have really been working hard and studying, but with no (good) results. I am completely stressed out and look like an eighth grade boy will all my stress induced acne. Your thoughts & prayers would be much appreciated- tomorrow especially.

On the good news side, Mustache March is over and I was able to finally shave my caterpillar. I even won one of the three awards that our class gave out for growing them. Jarrett tried to win, too.

Speaking of JJ, we have really lowered the boom, now that he is over four months old. He needs to be reading at a third grade level by the end of his sixth month or he will get a whoopin'! If I hadn't have spent his college fund on some gummy bears, it wouldn't be such a big deal.

As I mentioned, the flying has been ridiculously difficult for me...and the others in my class. Unfortunately, I am leading the way in regards to failed flights. We have been having real early mornings, like having to be in by 4:00AM, but the next few weeks are going to be the complete opposite and we will be flying nights. Last week we got our "callsigns" and I got...(drum roll...)...

Don't look at the stressed out face or awesome mustache...look at the name tag (Spork). Apparently, because I used to fly C-130s (back in the good old days) and had a microwave on the plane, that I would always be found with a combined spoon and fork utensil. The naming took a long time to come up with stupid names for everyone. Most were arbitrary and made no sense.

I apologize for the lack of updates, but between not having good news to share and being so busy studying, I just put the blog on the back burner. NOT TO MENTION THAT NO ONE HAS COMMENTED IN AGES, leading me to believe it doesn't matter if I update this or not.

Candi is doing well and learning the definition of patience with JJ. She has started bottle feeding him and giving him rice cereal in hopes that he will sleep more at night. So far "hope" is as far as it has gotten.