Training Day 8

Today is Training Day 8 for me at Commissioned Officer's Training (COT). It's been a long two weeks, and I'm exhausted. We're into academic mode, and it's really hard to go to bed at 11 a.m., get up at 4'ish a.m., do PT for an hour, and then sit in class for several hours (many of which are video-based!).

Last week was all about learning drill. We arrived on Monday (15 Aug 2006), and the staff just kind of threw us in, so to speak. We spent the first week being yelled at, woken up by the MTI's (Military Training Instructor's) at 4:45 a.m., marched all over campus, filling out paperwork, etc. Great fun. This week, we've started heavy-duty classwork. We are learning stuff like how to write in a military style (most of which I am familiar with, but some of it is absolutely AGAINST the laws of English grammar!), leadership, group dynamics, Air Force history, preventing discrimination, managing diversity, dealing with sexual assault and sexual harassment, AF pay, leave, and other fun stuff. Some of it is really interesting; some of it is really boring.

This week we started Physical Training (PT) hard and heavy. Monday was lots of strength training (three sets of different kinds of pushups, three sets of situps, three sets of crunches, so and so forth). I hurt . . . . . still!!! Tuesday, we ran two miles, which I finished without stopping once! Of course, I'm still hurting from that. Yesterday, because we had done a blood drive Tuesday night, we only did endurance training (OUCH!), and today we had a physical competition called a "MiniMac" with the staff. I sprinted a 1/4 mile lap during the relay race! THAT WAS HARD!!!! I slowed down some, but I did manage to do it.

It's been interesting here, for a number of reasons. Seeing the group dynamics form, watching people learn to deal with the pressure (it's called "professional pressure"), and pushing myself to achieve have all been interesting. We keep reminding ourselves that we only have three more weeks and it's all over. During this time, however, the staff is attempting to make us all over into Air Force officers. I am no longer just an American citizen--I am an officer in the United States Air Force. It's a weird feeling. I feel like I'm being totally revamped.

Anyway, that's my update from COT. If you want to write me, my e-mail here is kraig.smith@maxwell.af.mil.

Kraig

Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven.....

Well, my husband has been complaining all week about leaving everyone hanging. (As if he doesn’t have enough to think about lately.) I posted a picture from our short vacation with the Darden family…you can tell we were not enjoying ourselves at all.
Kraig wasted no time getting in trouble his first day of Officer Training. Apparently he didn’t do something correctly and when being advised on the matter…he smiled. Let’s just say it wasn’t one of his brighter moments. But, after that it didn’t take him long to get into the swing of things…you can read his update for yourselves. As a matter of fact he has notified me that we will be sitting at the head table for the “Dining Out”. In case you’re wondering, this is the very formal graduation banquet. Apparently he is the VP of the event. They picked him because he is “quirky”…go figure. I just tease him that he is trying to overcompensate for all the things he didn’t do in high school.
Anyway, things here have been somewhat tumultuous at times. Mainly because my body has decided it is not as important to sleep as it is to see 3 and 4 am regularly. I guess in some ways it is good…I don’t feel like “messing” with things and so I’ve been getting rid of LOTS of STUFF.
A walk around my house has been very discouraging and overwhelming at times. It doesn’t’ seem to matter what I do…every room is a disaster. Our very AWESOME friends have graciously offered their help, but, the jobs I could pass on to others have been very limited. The majority of the time has been spent sorting through everything. For those of you who don’t know the routine, professional movers will come to the house on the 29th and 30th to pack anything they see. Then on the 31st they will load everything in the semi and leave. That is all great as I completely detest packing the kitchen. As a matter of fact they will also unpack our stuff in WY, if we choose. However it has been recommended to us by many other military families that we move certain items ourselves. Things such as expensive items, personal pictures, albums, financial records, or anything we would think of as irreplaceable. So my goal is to get everything that will go in the van and trailer with us put away in a room and shut off from the movers. I fear that if I don’t have this done, someone will be buying new undergarments.
I also have to make sure that the girls and I have everything we need to live in an empty house for one week. In case you haven’t been keeping up, it took less than a week to sell the house. We will close on the 8th of September. It ought to be interesting. Especially since I will not only be signing my name fifty million times, but Kraig’s too. Oh and lets not forget I have to put that “power of attorney” phrase by every signature as well. Let’s just say he will owe me BIG TIME! The good part about the week extra is that it will give me plenty of time to clean for the new owners. If everything goes well the girls and I will be on our way to AL to pick up Kraig after closing.
The girls have been handling the chaos very well…I think? They have been so very helpful. (They deserve parents who actually remember to give them an allowance more than a few times a year!) We decided to not put them in school here in MD since we were only going to be in the state for 2 more weeks. Instead, we are going through some workbooks with them. That way they won’t be thrown into school in WY “cold turkey”. Actually, they seem to like the home-school idea. Unfortunately, for them their mom only has so many expendable brain cells per year and thus continuing it is not really an option. I must admit I have enjoyed this doing this school thing short-term. I am too horrible with consistency to do it year-round.
Anyway, Kayla is keeping her nose in a book whenever possible. I think she is trying to separate herself from friends. She has always been that way when it comes to parting with someone she has a relationship with. When she was 2 and 3 years old she would refuse to talk to Kraig if she knew he was leaving on a trip. If she saw him pack, she would not even respond when he called her name. And, when he would come home, she would take several hours to give him the time of day. Gee, I wonder where she got so stubborn…must be her dad!!
Sierra on the other hand is all smiles. Or at least that’s what everyone sees. She doesn’t seem to be sleeping well. I think part of it is the change in seasons that has begun here. For those of you who don’t know she is prone to some respiratory issues triggered by allergies. Usually she sleeps with an air cleaner blowing her way in the fall and winter months and this seems to keep things in check. (But, her silly mother put it away for the move.) I didn’t really expect her to have issues so soon this year. However, now I have caught her crying in her sleep a couple of times now. Last night I put her in bed with me and she clung to me all night. Of course she is like sleeping with an “egg beater”, so once again I didn’t sleep really well. She doesn’t know why she is crying. My guess is that she is feeling the stress from the move. She has never handled change well and this is the only home she has ever known. It will be interesting to see how she does.
Well I better go get some things done…I have a few hours before 3am and I have a lot to get done before Tuesday morning. Jen

Ready, Set, GO!!!!

Okay....I'm losing it!! Or at least I feel like I am! Let me try to fill you in on the last couple weeks before I explain the latest chaos.
Kraig and I felt we needed to take the time to just be together as a family before he left for 5 weeks of training. Se we decided that I would quit working for the Dr.’s the last week of July. This allowed us to "goof-off" and take advantage of the small savings account that we had managed to build. I must say we really did enjoy ourselves!
As usual, Kraig tried to plan out how we would spend our time and money….yea, like that worked! On Tuesday, August 1st we went on a tour of the US Naval Academy, and our tour guide was one of our favorite (not that we have any) youth. He is now in his junior year at the Academy. We had a great time! Although, Sierra did have a rough day, due to her very observant parents. Did you know that shoes that are “a little tight” shouldn’t be worn on long hot walks? And skirts are not the best option for young girls on 100 degree, humid days? The poor chaffed, blistered child barely complained! Anyway, needless to say, she got new shoes the next day.
We spent the next couple of days collecting medical charts, sorting the stuff in the garage, moving boxes, and fixing “stuff” (like a wax toilet seal – YUCK!). Then on Saturday, our awesome friends, threw us a “Going-Away” party at Bob & Val Ham’s pool. We had a blast. I pray that God will continue to bless us with great friends…although it will be a challenge to find any better!!
On Sunday (the 6th), we drove down to Myrtle Beach. (A trip we didn’t even know was an option until the prior Friday (the 4th).) Bill and Barb Darden were fortunate to land week-long vacation in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, house, one-block from the beach for $300. And guess what…they invited us! So, we went. For those who don’t know them, they have 2 boys, Cameron age 6 and Owen age 3. The kids had so much fun…in the water, out of the water, playing in the dirt, back to the water, digging a hole, back to the water, jumping some waves (well, some of us), back to the house for lunch, back to the beach, more swimming, more digging, more sea shells, and then back to the house to see how badly we burned while wearing sunscreen. It was very relaxing and a welcome break from our current chaos.
Now let’s see, that takes us to…the 10th (Thursday). (We got home from the beach late Wednesday.) We spent the whole day making sure Kraig was packed for COT and I don’t really remember what else. Friday we went to King’s Dominion with The Kendig family and Tina Long. We got introduce Tina to real roller coasters!!! I think she is hooked! The Kendigs have 2 girls, Rebecca age 11, and Ashley age 9. Rebecca and her dad, Joe rode the big “bungie, swing, thing”. Of course it was “no biggie”, just a 150 foot drop while attached to two ropes and you have to pull your own “rip cord”! Hmmmmm, don’t think I’ll be doing that any time soon. I’m gonna just stick to roller coasters. Anyway, Ashley was our most timid rider…her favorite….the carousel. However, after much loving encouragement, she agreed to ride the go-carts. We were so VERY PROUD of her! She did great. She even finally smiled while going around the track. The Bowen family also met us at the park late in the afternoon. Sooooooo, in efforts to make the most of the day, and the great company, we all decided to go to the Crackerbarrel for a late supper. (Supper ended up after 10pm.) Kayla almost went to sleep in her mashed potatoes! Sierra was just plain wound up. Either way, they both got very cranky! It was however, a very quiet ride home, except for the snoring noises in the back seat.
Wow, I just realized how long this was. I think I’ll just leave you “hangin” for now. I am tired and I have another long, long list of things to accomplish tomorrow. If your lucky, I won’t forget to fill you in on this week!
Jen