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.

He's Home!

After 5 1/2 weeks of being without our #1 man, he finally returned. We picked Captain Christopher Ryan Wallis up at the Salt Lake City airport at 10:00 p.m. It should have been 7:00, but of course his plane was delayed. So, there he was in his Air Force blues looking so handsome and official. This is the first time I've seen him in uniform. Of course my first thought was how happy I was to see him. My second though was, "Wow. We're not just pretending anymore. We're really doing the Air Force thing." You'd think I would have come to the realization before now, but after a month of him away at officer training and standing there in his uniform I realized this is our life now.

However, there was no time for a long of a reunion because we immediately had to hit the road for Ohio. We had to get back so Ryan could start his residency that Monday. So, that meant we drove all night Friday night, all day Saturday. Stayed at a hotel in Des Moine, Iowa and drove another 11 hours Sunday. The kids did surprisingly well. Owen is content with movies and Ava luckily was still taking a morning and afternoon nap, so if we timed stops and meals right, we managed. Certainly glad that is behind us though. Now we wait to see what comes of our year in Dayton, OH at Wright Patt Air Force Base.

Pictures soon to come!

Yee Hah Cowboy!

Owen had his dream day. As we all know Owen is big time into cowboys these days. I'm sure Ryan is praying this is only a phase. However, Richard Luff's parents, who only live a mile from my parents, teach Owen in the nursery at church. They have discovered his love for the wild west, lassos, horses, etc. They were kind enough to invite him over to see their horses. What a treat! Owen thought he'd died and gone to heaven. There was so much to see and experience. Ava was in a backpack on my back so I could have two hands available. Even she loved it. She would get upset if she wasn't in arms length of the animals. If I turned so she could touch them, she got so excited. Thank you Luff family for making Owen so happy.
Owen was excited to try to ride the horse, but he only lasted for a minute. As soon as he felt the horse move, he got a little worried. It did seem pretty high for someone small like him. He loved the saddle though.
Kelly Luff was helping Owen feed the horse. He loved to see the big teeth and nostrils.
Owen was ready to climb right in with the cow. Not shy at all.
One of the highlights was feeding the animals. This was a calf that was just Owen's size.
Ava couldn't take her eyes off the calf.
Of course one of the best parts was all the tools Owen found, like the pitch fork, shovels, whips. Poor Ava had a hard time looking away from the horse to see her face in the picture.

Twin Falls, ID Temple

Yeah!! My home town of Twin Falls, Idaho just opened the doors of our new LDS temple to the public. Construction is complete and they've had an open house for anyone to enjoy the beauty of the new addition. So, most of my family minus two brothers came down to go through. I took the kids thinking Owen might get something out of it. His favorite part was the cows and swimming pool. Anyone familiar with LDS temples knows he was talking about the oxen surrounding the baptismal font. That's about the extent of what he got out of it.
However, I loved it. It really was beautiful. I felt so proud to be a member of the Mormon church and so grateful to have temples on this earth where we can truely enter and feel the Spirit of the Lord. My greatest blessing in life is the fact that I know because I was married in the temple, I will be sealed to my husband and children for eternity. I only wish I would be here for the dedication. Here are a couple pictures of me and the kids. Again, Ryan missed out.
My Mom, Dad, and Grandma are posted. My Grandma is actually not a member and she was amazed. She loved it. This is the most interest she's ever had in the church. Fun to see.
It was very bright and we should have chosen the other side of the temple with some shade.

Happy Birthday Owen

Our sweet Owen has turned three. I feel like he's not a toddler anymore. Actually, I've felt that way for quite some time. He just talks, plays, and acts like a little boy now. I have loved to see him grow and watch the person he is becoming. He loves to be around people, no matter what age. He's always been so friendly. From when he was 12 months old, he would do this fake laugh if he heard a group laughing, just to include himself in the fun. I can also really see that he wants to do the right thing. That doesn't mean he always does. But, he likes to please and make choices that will make him feel good. He's definitely all boy as well. He's into rocks, dinosaurs, construction, messes. However, his two biggest loves in life are cowboys and hooks. I know - hooks? He is OBSESSED with anything that has a hook. Including tow trucks, cranes, etc. When we got to my mom's house it took him .2 seconds to find something with a hook. He found a dog leash with a clasp on the end. Sometimes he'll pull the tails off of his animal toys because they curl up in the shape of a hook. Then, asks to sleep with them. I have no idea what the attraction is, but it's all Owen. I've added a video of him opening presents mostly for Ryan's enjoyment. We were pretty bummed he wasn't here for the big day, as was he. It was a cowboy birthday. Owen was so excited. He had one of his favorite meals, tacos. He got to wear a cowboy hat, sit at the head of the table, and drink out of a cowboy boot. Does life really get any better than that? Going with the cowboy theme, he ate a horse shaped cake. Happy Birthday cowboy Owen! We love you owen and Dad sends his birthday wishes too. Being lucky enough to be at Nana and Grandpa's house for his birthday this year, Great Grandma Struchen got to come too.

Splish Splash

So, to fill part of our month's time in Idaho while Ryan is off at boot camp we went to Pocatello to visit my sister for a few days. The kids loved playing with her little girl. We went to story time, a petting zoo, parks, pizza at Craigo's (an absolute treat. Anyone who lived in Rexburg knows what I'm talking about). On our last day we went to an awesome water park. They had a blast! They are both little fish. Poor Ava just doesn't understand she can't crawl right into the deep end. It had a really great play place in the middle of the kiddie pool that kept Owen busy.
Argh! Come here matey!
Again, Owen thinking he's steering a pirate ship. Owen's dream, next to being a cowboy, of course.
Ava's constant fight to swim on her own. Absolutely no understanding of her bounderies. The joy of a 1 year old. It's only begun.
Owen's attempt to make a silly face.