Incredibly Busy

Right now I feel like life is flying by faster than I can keep up, but the important things (necessities - and some fun for Guy) are at least getting done.

What I've heard from Rob's end:
He went to church on Sunday - on a bus. With 18 or so other men dressed in ABUs (the camo). 10 other men also went in other vehicles. He stayed for just sacrament meeting then returned to the base to get some stuff done, but next week he'll be able to stay for the whole block.

He ran his fastest 1.5 miles ever yesterday. It was "12 something" (he's too busy and tired to even remember). I know the fatigue is wearing on him because he didn't pull through so well on pushups for the first practice PT Test. That morning, he did his worst set of pushups in a long time, unfortunately. It'll be fine, though. I'm sure he'll get back to those okay. Regardless of how he does at COT, he has to redo the test in Ohio shortly after we get there and that is when it will really count.

For the first time ever, they are doing room inspections at COT. He had a list of things to do to prepare his room for that, including fold all of his socks a certain way - not to mention the specifics of how each garment is to be folded. He's only allowed one 8x10 framed photo in his room. Because of the specific instructions about that, he doesn't even want to worry about. They all get to hang photos on a bulletin board in their flight instruction room (where they receive most if not all of their daily instruction), so I'll send some photos off to him soon.

Since he got there last Tuesday I've gotten to speak with him every day, but each of our conversations (including over the weekend when he should have more down time) haven't lasted longer than 15 minutes.

They had a test on Saturday (still don't know what that covered), but he and his roommate were the only ones in the flight (that's what they call his study group) to get 100%. His roommate is a dentist, and his wife is too. They are both doing COT together. Unfortunately, though, they are both on 72 hour leave right now--his father is dying. Even though he was gone, his half of the room had to be ready for inspection anyway, so Rob and others in their flight did all that work for him.

When we talk I should start writing down points to remember. He wants to add a blog update himself, but I'm not sure that's going to happen anytime soon.

I know this is very non-cohesive - sorry about that. I get it all in bits and pieces myself.

Training Day ZERO

Yesterday was my first day at COT. I reported in around 12:30 and was going straight until 11:00 p.m. The day was filled with new things. Lots of yelling, marching, constant correction, being rushed  and lots of waiting 
I didn't  get yelled at too much, but was corrected a few times for my shoelaces coming untucked.


Most of the time, when waiting, we had to stand at attention, which is not a comfortable position to hold. Also, whenever we are waiting we need to be reading our OTS Manual (Officer's Training School) or OTSMan. It is about the size of a 1/4 piece of paper and 115 pages long. It fits in my pants pocket. You shouldn't be caught dead without it. They were first issued when we got here with our folders, which we also carry everywhere. Originally I wasn't given one so I got yelled at and made to feel dumb. But I feel like that is just part of the territory, so though I still try hard to avoid it whenever possible, I try not to let it bother me, at the same time.


Lunch was interesting. We had about 20 min to go through a cafeteria line, then eat and drink 3 glasses of water and put up our trays. No talking or looking around permitted. And there is a routine for sitting down, handing out napkins, and cleaning up when done.


Last night we got back to our dorm at 11:00 and were told lights out. I call home briefly (for 3 minutes, literally) and got ready for the next day because I was exhausted and realized that the first day of training wasn't until today...So I haven't even started yet! I will try and write later about TD-1.


I hope all is well. Please pray for me and Caitlin!

The Latest

Monday afternoon Rob and I went up to Hill AFB for the second time. we got temporary id cards so now we could go get lost on any old base that we wanted to. While we were there, we also picked up the rest of his uniform stuff - as well a a little extra that I couldn't resist. ABUs in Guy's size! It's getting so official, it's crazy. Less than one week and we move out. We've still got some of the details to figure out--especially since they changed Rob's orders. Now he's got 2 days to get from Alabama to Ohio. So much for him being able to come home and drive out with us. We're still not sure how all of that is going to work. Right now it looks like my brother might be making the 24+ hour drive with the boys and me. Can I just say DVD player? Hopefully that's a major key to keeping us all stay sane.



Wahoo!!!

We're coming to the end of a stage of our lives, and I'm pretty excited about it.

Tonight is Rob's very last day of his night job. I'm thrilled. We get him at home every evening for the first time in three years. During school he was gone anywhere between two and five evenings a week between classes, work, and then his internship. Last May it became three nights a week and it's been that way for the last year.

I'm just hoping that in this next 4.5 weeks we can pack in some productivity (as I try to rid the house of some junk that we shouldn't move), but some major fun. We've got him every night until July 1. On July 5 he heads out to COT, though, and we won't see him until sometime in the beginning of August (the 6th at the latest, but a definitive time is yet to be determined).

This week the major "To Do" list includes: Moving Counseling up at Hill AFB (a mandatory 40 min appointment that tells us what hazardous materials we can't move and stuff like that--hopefully it IS productive), scheduling a date for the packers and movers, and the BIG purchase - spending about $1,500+ on his uniforms. And if I can, I'll go through some drawers and boxes, too . . . and if I'm super lucky, I'll get some photos of the boys, too. Cooper's still growing like a weed. Next week we've got his 4 month appt, and I'm excited to find out what his weight is--every day he's giving my arms a good workout.

:)

We'll have carpet!

We just got housing arrangements. Yea! I'm so glad I moved on things so quickly. Aside from the recruiter neglecting to attach Rob's family to his orders (which would make a huge difference if we didn't once again fill in the gaping blanks that he's left wide open), the process was fairly easy, and I'm just thrilled that Cooper won't be learning to crawl and walk on linoleum and area rugs. Hooray! Two other bonuses are that we'll have a patio (where we'll put our new grill, thanks to Rob's parents) and our place is just 2 doors down from a big play area.

As an aside, I think I'm becoming more sensitive to the whole deployment thing already - it was depicted on a tv show today and tears welled up--just a little, but they were there. Some days I feel like I'm getting old and emotional.

Three Years

This morning I came to the realization that this Air Force plan makes more sense than previously recognized.

Apparently, I'm on a three year plan. I was in DE for 3 years, now UT for 3 years, OH will only be 1, but the continual plan after that will be a move every 3 years. The most interesting thing to think about in that regard is that after Rob's internship, I'll become more physically stable than I have been pretty much ever.

I moved a lot in college (who doesn't). Grad school was 2 years. In Delaware I was in 3 different housing arrangements, 2 different wards. Here in Utah we were at my parents for about 2 years, then we moved into our own place.

In the Air Force, we'll move to a home and be there for 3 years. That will certainly bring some different stability.

I'm really looking forward to our experiences. I know I wasn't thrilled about Ohio at first, but I keep hearing great things about it, and I certainly recognize that attitude will determine lots. I want to be happy and I want my family to be happy. Because of that, we will be.

Everything is becoming more real. Rob got his official orders on Wednesday. I put in our housing request today. We'll contact the moving people early next week. It's all going to happen faster than I know it. Cooper's growing up too quickly while all of this happens. I'm already realizing how spot on all the people were that told me to really enjoy the first one, because the next all grow up so fast. It's certainly true.

Life is good. I feel blessed.

FIRST* Lieutenant Justiniano

It's official. Today Rob signed away our lives for the next four years.

It started with a swearing in that took less than 2 minutes. Then the paperwork took much longer. But it was good. My first contact with the Air Force (less a few emails with the not-so-impressive recruiter) was good. I've felt good about it the whole time, and today was nothing different. Yea!

I'm excited for this opportunity for our family. I think it's going to be great. The men that we were with today each raved about the base we are going to. One was there for a while, and the other two keep hoping that they will get their turn there. What an adventure it will be!

The officers that were involved in today's business were great. I really enjoyed talking to a couple of them while Rob was doing the paperwork. They talked motorcycles, BYU, Jimmer, and Mormons/caffeine with us which was all good. But my favorite thing that I want to remember was when one of the two bald men in the room asked for a wig donation from Guy. They all loved his hair.

*Until yesterday, when it counted most (with the paperwork) he'd been under the impression that he'd be a second lieutenant (so I was, also). He's not, though--I just found out. It's like he already got a raise. :)

What they don't tell you

We're still figuring plenty out about this whole new job and things, and some of the stuff that I've recently learned is a little surprising. So far, nothing is a deal breaker, but I still wish I'd known it ahead of time.

To give you an idea . . .

The officer pays for his own uniforms before training. From two sources we've heard different numbers: $1,500 or $2,500. Neither one is chump change, right?

In the military, you get 30 days off each year (I think Rob knew that part, I forget). However, not for interns (that's how all social workers that are getting their LCSW are classified). Minor detail, right? For the first year, if we're lucky, he might get five days off (depends on the Commanding Officer - some give none). He does get holidays, and he does accrue the 30 days, but can't use any of them.

Because he doesn't get any official time off he has to stay within 300 miles (or maybe 200 miles?) of base at all times--including holidays. No family visits for us in the next year.

We still have a lot to learn. All that we have learned, in fact, comes from extraneous sources--thank goodness for them!

I'm ready to create a new blog dedicated to revealing all of the gems of infomation that the recruiter maybe could have considered sharing sometime in the very drawn out application process.

By the way, the security process has been kind of crazy. With Rob working his 2 jobs he hasn't had time to hunt things down. So I've been doing that sort of thing. Including numbers off his sister's "born abroad" certificate (or whatever it's really called), friends (personal references) he's known longer than 7 years, all of my parents info. I joke that soon they are going to need the name of my mom's first grade teacher. It's kind of crazy.

Ohio

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base - right outside of Dayton, Ohio

-

Yep. That's where we'll be for the next year (starting in August). We don't know much about it. Man, I feel like they (the Air Force personnel) are breaking us in fast - so many unknowns. And all my friends with any military experience keep telling me to get used to it. So, I will, I hope. Wish me luck . . .

So many choices

We've got big news. We got it on Thursday, and since then, there's been a song tune running through my head. I need to learn the rest of the words . . .

My mind is running all over the place (too bad my body isn't, too). One of the things I've been thinking about is how I could title this blog entry sharing my news.

Here are the some of the titles I've considered:

Off with one helluva roar!

Military Brats & an Officer's Wife

Hallelujah!

No. 4, No. 3, & Clean Shave, Please

Out With the Old, In With the New (moving boxes)

The Irony

And now, the explanation.

Did you know that "Off with one helluva roar!" is one stanza in the first verse of the Air Force song? Me neither, till I looked it up just this afternoon. However, "Off we go into the wild blue yonder" and the rest of the tune hasn't escaped my mind for more than an hour at a time since Thursday afternoon.

In about 12 weeks Guy and Cooper will officially be military brats. And yeah, I'll be the officer's wife.

Hallelujah! Rob's 55+ hour weeks are almost over. Instead of Rob working 2 jobs to cover salary and benefits (day job) and earn LCSW hours (night job), he'll have one 9 to 5 job that covers both.

Right now Rob has to shave at least 3 days a week. I've always liked the rugged look. Now there's no chance of that for a very long time, though. His hair will always be short (4 on top, 3 on sides, I think) and he'll have to report to work clean shaved every day. We'll definitely be taking family photos before he reports for Officer's Training which will most likely be starting on July 5 in Montgomery, Alabama (we're still waiting for details).

And this week I'll finally be ridding the garage of the stored moving boxes. Some of those boxes took me to Delaware, brought us back to Utah, and then 2 years later moved us here. We didn't know what next with those. The Air Force application process started last August. After moving here in September, I really wanted to get rid of the boxes, but we had the space to store them and I didn't want to re-purchase if we were going to move ourselves again. But in the next few months (again, details pending), rather than us packing, we'll supervise (yea! . . . if someone else wants to pack and move us, let's go.).

Rob still won't get it, and never will, but while we found out he got accepted on Thursday afternoon, and on Saturday I FINALLY hung things on the walls in our home. I know, it's weird, but I wanted the chance to decide on what I need to update (didn't want to hang a bunch of wedding photos from our time in Delaware), and just take care of things now so that I already have things ready to go right up in our next home. Being sick and pregnant when we moved in, that just never got to the top of the list until now.

We're still waiting to hear our assignment (there are 4 possible places that we could end up for one year--starting in August). There is a lot that we don't know. Luckily we've got a friend from Rob's program who started this whole process one year early than Rob. He's taught us more than anyone else thus far, and he and his wife are going to be an invaluable resource. From him, we've learned that there are 4 places we can end up for the first year: DC (Andrews AFB), Ohio, California, or Florida. I'm hoping for DC.

So, off we go into the wild blue yonder . . .