I haven't been updating this nearly as often as I thought I would. I guess that's because life hasn't had a whole lot of changes lately. I am still spending 40+ hours a week at Chestnut. My very own insurance was activated at the beginning of the month...I guess that's a pretty grown up thing. Besides work, there has been some fun things happening, though.
2 weeks ago I went to Texas to see Airman First Class Donovan graduate from Basic Military Training. I am so lucky that I was able to experience this with him and our family. Words can't describe how wonderful it was to see my baby brother after almost 3 months. We got our first glimpse on Thursday morning during what's call the "Airmans' Run." All the Airmen graduating that week ran by with their flight groups in formation. It was so cool and touching to see. Then we waited 3 hours for the Coin Ceremony, where Josh and the others officially became Airmen and were given their Airman Coin. It was also awesome. After the Coin Ceremony, we were able to go "tap them out," meaning, they stood in formation until we went and touched him. Aidan and I stood in front of him, so he grabbed Aidan pretty quickly. It was cute! We got to spend the rest of the day with him on base, and he told us some incredibly funny BMT stories. The kid is hilarious. Friday morning was his graduation parade and ceremony, and then we hung out with him again. We also got to see him Saturday and Sunday. It was so hard to say goodbye again on Sunday, but it has been a lot better now that he has his phone back. For the past 2 weeks, he has still been in Texas doing INDOC for tacp school. He passed all of the physical tests/requirements and is flying to Florida this evening to start tacp school. I am incredibly proud of him. Who knew a little brother could be such an inspiration?! But he is, and I am so grateful he is a part of my life!
Last weekend I went home to blono to celebrate my dad's 50th birthday. Even though we had just been together in Texas, it was great to see him and the rest of my family again (we really missed Josh, obviously!) While I was home, I was also able to see a lot of great friends. Home always reminds me of how lucky I am. There is nothing like knowing you have the best friends in the world. I am truly blessed.
Over the next 2 months, I will be home quite a bit. My cousin is getting married in a few weeks, my aunt and uncle are coming to visit from Ohio, and one of my wonderful friends is tying the note in October. I am so excited to see so many people that I love, and it's always great to have excuses to go back to Normal :)
As for work, I have my own "primary" client now, so that is pretty cool. I get to meet with him every week and basically do counseling that we did a crash course of training in. It's a great learning experience. Also, my work schedule is going to be changing! Starting in September, I will have Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays off. (Currently I do not work Sun-Tues). I am pretty excited...and it's great timing for the weddings I get to go to!
I'll end with some funny Aidan comments from Texas -
- (side note - this was the first time Aidan flew. She was incredibly excited, but she passed out as soon as the plane was up in the air.) When we landed in Texas, she looked out the window (which looked just like the STL airport) and goes "ugh. I thought we were going to Texas!" She was legitimately disappointed. It was hilarious.
- Aidan gave Josh a congratulations card that she had written random letters in. Josh asked her what it said, and she replied (very sincerely), "I don't know. I can't read!" We all laughed uncontrollably for about 5 minutes.
- At one point we jokingly asked Aid to bring the car closer, and she had a whole bunch of responses to avoid that, including, "but I can't reach the pedals!" & "But I don't have my driver's license!"
- On the way back to the airport to fly home, she was looking out the window of the shuttle and exclaims "ugh...I can't find it." My dad asked what she was looking for. "um. the Statue of Liberty!" haha...wrong city, darling!
- On the plane ride home, Aidan unfortunately did not get a window seat. She was straining her head to look over the aisle and out the window on the other side of the plane. The man sitting in that seat closed the blind, so Aidan looked at my dad and said, "but grandpa, I was looking out of that window!"
She is probably the funniest 4 year old in the world, and yes, I am willing to argue that fact! I love that girl.
