Our babies are growing up

Both our babies have reached a turning point in life. Owen is in school and Ava is walking. I really can't believe it, but Owen had his first day of school. I debated about this forever, but finally decided to enroll him in a preschool that is only 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. He seemed so young to be starting preschool to me. He just finished being two. But, he's been really interested in numbers, letters. He loves to color, read. He really loves being around other kids. So, I knew deep down it would be really good for him. It's just hard to see my first baby growing up. Some of the parents here send their 3 year olds to a 4 day preschool, but I thought I'd save that for next year. He goes to a great school that I really like, and I'm picky being an elementary teacher myself. At least I think I was once. That feels like another life ago. Anyway, his first day couldn't have gone better. The teacher said he did great. He was talking about everything they did all day.

Owen being in school is also good because it gives me and Ava some quality time together. A lot of my interaction with Ava is settling disputes between her and Owen when she takes his beloved trains or messes up his row of perfectly lined up dinosaurs. Or, now that she's walking I'm pulling her out of something. All day I feel like it's, "No Ava." "That's Owen's toy Ava." "Give it back Ava." She's really a doll and has a funny personality a lot like Owen does, so I'm really glad she gets to have some time to just play and do what ever with out a big brother to bully her. She really doesn't feel like a baby anymore either. Now that she walks and is starting to talk, she's more like a little toddler. I don't know where time goes.

Owen sitting in his classroom on the first day.

While Owen had his first day Ava and I fed the ducks at a local park. She loved it. She kept saying, "Du, du." It was a lot of fun. We met a friend there who has a boy Ava's age.

Things I've noticed since being in the Air Force

1. The Air Force speaks their own language. Since the first day we arrived at the base housing here, I've come to know the Air Force has an acronym for EVERYTHING! It's really another language to hear two Air Force members talk to each other. I'm quickly picking up on some of the lingo. Our neighbors asked us if this was our first PCS (permanent change of stating), meaning move. TDY is temporary duty. ABU is airman's battle uniform. BAH, BAS. The list goes on.

2. 4 years of undergrad and 4 more years of dental school really must mean something because while on base if Ryan is in uniform or pulls his ID for some reason, people salute him like he's important. I've witnessed this a few times already and it's a weird feeling because I feel like we're peons that don't know anything about this life, but people salute him like respect must be given.

3. Laundry I do for Ryan has gone down significantly. Ryan leaves the house every day in his camouflage uniform, which he is required to wear while going on and off base during his work hours. Once he arrives he can change into their scrubs, but he leaves them in their laundry when finished and comes back home in camo. This, I love. During dental school I hated always trying to make sure I was up on laundry enough for him to always have a clean pair of scrubs. Maybe it would have been easier if he would have sprung for more than 2 pairs. :)

4. The sound of a C5, or any other plain flying over our home is now like any other background noise to me. A C5 is a huge cargo plain, and very loud. But, living so close to the base we hear it all the time and it's no big deal now. Even to Owen.

5. Shopping has become cheaper. Most places give a military discount if you show your military ID. Usually 15 - 20%. DSW, Footlocker, Aeropostale, Chick File, and more. I've learned to always ask. Most times the answer is yes.

6. No co-pays! Both Owen and Ava have had their most recent required check-up and it's all paid for. We don't have to give co-pays, pay for perscriptions. Even a birth of a child would be all taken care of. They pay for everything medically.

7. We have a new family. Living in base housing means most of our neighbors are all Air Force as well, along with the majority of our ward. There is really the feel that we all look out for each other. Especially those who have husbands deployed. Every one steps right in. I pray I won't have to experience that particular kindness from everyone though if you know what I mean.

So, overall life is different for us. There have definitely been some adjustments and some getting use to things. Of course the discounts, no co-pays, and small benefits never overshadow the fact that they control our life and tell us where to move and have the right to call Ryan out, but it's good to feel there are some pluses. Having 3 years of dental school paid for, of course, was no small fee either. To be honest there have been many days when I've thought, "Why did we do this?" But, I always think back to that first year of dental school when we made the decision and I felt total peace. Ryan is absolutely loving his program and it has been really great training beyond anything he's done in dental school. I'm confident when he's finished with the Air Force, he'll be more than ready to run his own practice and have all the necessary skills to be successful. So, in the long run I know this is the right thing for us. I just pray he won't be called out. Call me selfish, but I don't know how I'd get through it. Other women who do it are much stronger than me, I guess.