Two Steps Back..

News from Lackland yesterday.. Bre went to Mini Reed to make an appointment for evaluation to enable her to return to training. She expected to get that appointment sometime next week. They signed her papers right then! UH OH...

Freak out phase I began. From what I can understand, Breanna will return to training in BDU's and the remainder of the street flight will be in ABU's with these uniforms comes all kinds of "standards" that one learns, and so she will need to learn and operate by "ABU standards". She is also going to have to learn all new memory work and learn the new commanders etc that have all changed since October when she was last in a street flight. She will be held responsible for knowing all of her memory work from last fall AND the memory work for the new street flights and she has not been given the information to learn. Since she is going to an "upper level" week, there is no forgiveness on the part of the TI's. She will be expected to know everything that those who have been in that street flight for the last 5 weeks knows. No matter that she has been in med hold for 6 months...

Freak out Phase II, she took her paperwork to CQ and they told her to pack! she was returning to a street flight (maybe week 3, maybe week 4 maybe week 5) that day!! OK... she has already completed week 3 and week 4 and was told by the section sup that she would return to week 5. She finally got an appt with him (section sup) and he said he would "pull strings" to give her until the beginning of next week so she could be prepared with the memory work to be up with the rest of the flight. (I mean she has been in med hold for 6 months, why would they think she would have learned this information that changes monthly???)

OK.. freak out Phase III, she was pulled out of the dorm and sent out to the track for completion of her physical eval. She had already done the pushups for physical therapy, so she did the sit ups and began the run, got lightheaded and the next thing she remembers she wakes up ON THE TRACK with the TI looking down at her!!! She has no clue why she passed out but she hit her head on the fall. SO off to the ER, where they gave her fluds, diagnosed her with a syncopal episode and sent her back to the dorm. Today she is resting. She still doesnt remember what happened, and she is sore all over, and she has no clue what will happen now, but she is ok.

just when we think things are going good, something gets thrown in her way...

By the way... the big snowstorm? 1" of snow, and it was melted by 10:00am. good grief.

Heavy Snow+Big Storm=Mag Chloride!!

We are suppose to get hit by a BIG snow storm tonight. The weather forecasters have been threatening this for several days, even last night it was supposed to snow (and the mountains did get hit hard) but all we got was rain.

Right now the snow crews are standing by. The tankers of pre-treatment (mag chloride) are fueled up and ready to roll. We LOVE mag chloride, it keeps our roads drivable and thaws the snow as it falls. Other than the white buildup it creates on everyones cars, it is a great invention! IF we get hit by the storm, I will take pics tomorrow an post them before I go to work.

Bre called twice today, she is very happy, she passed her physical therapy evaluation! Her physical therapist told her that there was NO such thing as "loose joints" (the orthopedist told her that she has a disease that caused "loose joints". I said he was full of crap) The high crap level of the ortho was reinforced by the physical therapist who taught Bre some exercises to strengthen her muscles in her upper back, that will help her pushups.. she did 40 of them with no problem. He was so happy with her progress! And so are we!

Next step is to have an appointment with Mini Reed, and have the doctor there sign off to allow her to return to training. Hopefully that will go well. In the meantime she has to take a terrorism class from 4th week and go into the gas chamber. Once those are done, she is ready for 5th week! YAAAY!

Her TI's at the 319 are all coming to see her, since she got back to the base. They have all missed her. Some more than others. LOLOL Her very favorite TI, which from this point forward will be called "Ssgt L" made a point to come and see her yesterday. Ssgt L is solely responsible for her returning to training with her knee, and he has been one of her motivators for returning to training this time also.

We owe this guy a lot. When she graduates he will get a token of our appreciation for sure. I am anxious to meet him and shake his hand.

Its starting to snow. I guess the weather men are right! LOL The above picture could be us tomorrow morning....

A little nervous...

Thats how Breanna is feeling today. She is worried about her evaluations tomorrow. I think she has been disappointed so many times during this journey, that she halfway expects that something will mess up her chance to return to training. I know how she feels. There have been many times that we have been lied to and many times that things have not happened that she was told would happen.

How do we make ourselves think positive? We have to... we have to BELIEVE that everything will turn out good. One of my online friends said tonight "This time its different, I can feel it".. I hope you are right Kim. :-)

So, we say a prayer and move on.. Breanna's mantra rings loudly in my head "whatever happens will happen".

Before I sign off I want to thank my friends who kept me occupied chatting tonight, I laughed a lot, and I needed that.

Visiting Bronco Country

On our trip to Denver, we stopped by the Denver Bronco Store at Invesco Field. This was like visiting a shrine, for Breanna and I. We have been Bronco fans forever, and seeing the stadium and all of the cool stuff in the store was a great thrill.

This is Breanna in front of the statues of the charging Broncos in front of the store.

And here she is posing in front of one of her favorite players' jerseys. Too bad Jay Cutler wasnt hanging out in the store!

We are back in a holding pattern for Breanna returning to training. She will be evaulated on Monday by physical therapy and then on to Mini Reed for evaluation. I will update here when I know something.

The roller coaster departs in 48 hours!!! :-)

Into the Wild Blue Yonder.......

Off she went this morning, returning to Lackland..... it was bittersweet, I was sad to see her go, but so happy for her to be returning with the shoulder injury resolved. Breanna was ready. She wants to get back to the 319 and be evaluated to return to training.

She looked so official in those blues!! We spent the night last night with my niece and her family in Aurora. Had a great time, spent the afternoon with Natasha and little JR, shopping. (our favorite thing to do. :-) ) I have to preface this by saying that my niece is more like me than she is like her own mom. We have the same likes and dislikes and always have fun when we are together. She is also an RN! We laughed and played with JR and the dogs and ate pizza. A great evening!

So, on the trip back to SA, Breanna got to fly FIRST CLASS!! Thank you US Airways, they upgraded her to first class, she felt so important.

It was raining when she arrived in SA. She says "its raining, as usual" so things must be back to normal for her now. Hopefully our next step will be graduation and on to tech school!

Please say a prayer for her!

Dreaming of Spring

Today is a beautiful day in western Colorado, temps in the high 30's, the bright sun shining, and everything that snow covered and frozen is beginning to thaw.

It makes me dream of Spring. Cool nights, warm days, the trees beginning to leaf out, the threat of snow in the distance, you get the idea.

And of course, spring leads to summer... The high desert summer is like no other, long days, cool nights and one of my favorite things. LOOKING FOR PETROGLYPHS!!!

Last fall Dana and I took a jaunt to Dinosaur National Monument, and found lots of petroglyphs. It is really amazing, standing there, surrounded by the wonders of the desert, looking at the communications of civilizations past.

I am hooked! This year we are going to spend sometime in the Utah desert hiking and taking pics of the petroglyphs there. I am ready!!

Of course, a beach chair, an ice cold pepsi and a palm tree would be good too. (this winter hasnt been THAT long has it? LOL)

THINK SPRING!!!

Giving this a try,,

A slide show I have been working on...

Defcon 5!!! Computer malfunction!!!

Last night, my laptop quit connecting to the internet. This is usually cause for panic for me, but since Dana's computer was connected and Breanna's Xbox was connected, I was sure it was just a momentary glitch. NOT!!!!!

Dana spent about an hour or longer online with our provider support and the support guy said something about a corrupt file and a windsock (????) and then talked Dana through connecting again. whew! Then, it quit connecting! I worked and worked to try to connect, I also tried doing a system restore and it didnt work, so I finally gave up. I was really irritated because I was half way through downloading some episodes of "Dog The Bounty Hunter" to my Ipod and I just couldnt lose them....

Anyway, this morning, when I got up I was planning to log online using Dana's laptop and guess what? Everything on my laptop works normally!! WTH???? I am convinced that it has something to do with Breannas Xbox, when she plays, I cant log online. Weird huh?

Today Bre and I went to the gym and then to Barnes and Noble, and later Borders to peruse the books, drink Starbucks and just relax. I almost fell asleep at Borders, now thats relaxed!!

Then we went out for Mexican food. It was fun, I am stuffed and now am surfing the net. I promise to take more pictures before the end of the week when she has to go back. I think she is ready to tackle the rigors of the 319 again, and to return to training!!

Lets all keep our fingers crossed.

She did 30!!!

PUSHUPS!!! not 20, not 15 but 30!! THIRTY!! without pain without difficulty, just dropped and did 3o of the prettiest pushups I have ever seen, and did I mention NO PAIN???? WAHOO!!!!

Let me explain, in order to pass 5th week evaluations (final physical evaluation) she will have to do 27 pushups, 40 situps and run 1.5 miles in less than 14.3 minutes.. She can do it! in fact, she DID do it. 30 pushups and 50 situps right here in the living room. with NO pain!

On monday we are going to our gym to see what her times are on the treadmill for the 1.5 miles. prior to returning to the 319 she was running it in 12 minutes!

This is great news! The last 3 weeks of rest has really made a difference in the healing progress of her shoulder. Thank you God!!!

While Bre is doing pushups, mom is baking cookies. Just one more of her special goodies before returning to Lackland.

One more thing, I have to post a pic of my new toy. A classic Ipod, 80 gigs of fun!! I have an Ipod mini that Dana bought me 3 years ago for Christmas, and I love it, but the classic has video capabilities and thats right up my alley!

I have downloaded some TV shows on it, over 100 podcasts and all of my music, I feel so techonologically enhanced! And Frankie has alreay chewed up my earphones so tomorrow I go to buy some marshmallows.. ahhh never a dull moment with a puppy around!

What makes an Air Force Family?

We are an Air Force family, I couldnt be more proud!! Bre's decision to serve our country was not a shock to me, nor was it a concern. I have lived with the knowledge that she would be an Airman for the last 5 or 6 years.

What makes an Air Force family? Dedication to service by the Airman, trust in God above all else, fear of the unkown, but faith in the entity known as our United States Air Force, wisdom of its leaders and a good strong seat belt on the roller coaster of life. It can be a bumpy ride!!

An Air Force family also realizes that whatever happens will happen. We understand that orders can be changed in a minutes notice, that deployments can happen, and that above all else, we have to breathe...

To my AF Moms and Dads family, I salute YOU!!!

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

What do you get when you have a bored dachshund in the house? A toilet paper frenzy!!!

Frankie was very quiet tonight when I was trying to read my email, I asked Bre where he was, and since she was playing her Xbox, she was kind of oblivious to anything present or missing from the room. Then I looked down the hall and here comes Frankie, running at breakneck speed out of Breannas bathroom, with half of a roll of toilet paper following him! LOL Of course, he is so cute that no one could get mad at him. So, I picked up the mess and he went on and played with something else.

Breanna did some RAP today, she really likes the recruiter and got to meet the recruiters boss. She is going to help out the recruiter a few more times before she leaves, just to have something "Air Force" to do.

Her shoulder is healing, she decided she had better start with some modified pushups this week, because her goal is to return to training without a waiver when she returns.

Please keep all fingers crossed for her!

Now if anyone is in need of a helper to clean up your bathroom... Frankie is your man!

Our AB in civilian clothes. We are SO proud!

We took Breanna shopping about a week ago, she did an inventory on her current wardrobe and realized that every single piece of clothing in her closet..... was HUGE!

A bit of history about Bre, when she decided that she wanted to join the Air Force she was MUCH to heavy to meet weight requirements.... approximately 90lbs over the weight limit. So, she buckled down and went on weight watchers, started exercising and over the course of 2 years LOST that 90lbs! It wasnt easy, this is one more time when her strong will came to her aid.

Anyway, the day she had her physical at MEPS she was 4lbs UNDER the weight requirement for her height. (I am still sure she is taller than the AF has given her credit for, we just measured her last week and she top out at 5'9", instead of the 5'7" that is in her medical records.) Anyway, she made the weight and passed her physical! And now.... she is even lighter. YAY BREANNA!

I am so proud of her, mere words cannont express it. I have said it before, she is my daughter, the light of my life and my hero..

Saying Goodbye

Today, after much consideration and tears, Dana and I decided that it was time to let our Reggie go to the bridge. He has been struggling with an aggression disorder, which is probably caused by a brain lesion, for the last 2 months. Our vet and out trainer agreed with our decision, and even though it was the hardest thing we have ever done, we let him go.

Goodbye little lugnut, we are so sorry you had to go through this turmoil and terror. We will love you forever, and remember you as the happy, silly, barking boy you once were.

Fly with the angels at the bridge, where you will suffer no more. Please tell your brother Harley that we miss him and love him and one day we will all be together again to cross the Rainbow bridge.

My heart is heavy tonight, but I know we did the right thing. :-(

For My Mom and Dad

A picture of Frankie and I! Bre took this picture yesterday, so I could show my new haircut to some of my online friends, and Frankie was following me around so I scooped him up! Just over my left shoulder is one of my dads old cowboy hats. I have my living room done in a western decor and what better decoration to put up?? My dad has always been a cowboy, he has worn cowboy hats and boots all my life. I guess you could say he was country when country wasnt cool! Hey, isnt there a song in there somewhere?

And I have always wanted to be a cowgirl. But thats another topic to blog about. I ended up a nurse, an emergency room RN who gets puked on, bled on, screamed at, whined at and cussed at. Somehow I dont think a nurse is an even exchange for a cowgirl, who gets to feed horses, ride horses and play with her horses.. Sometimes life makes your decisions for you, know what I mean?

Today was a cold and overcast day in western Colorado, lots of fog this morning and the snow didnt melt much all day. Unusual for our area, usually the snow is melted by noon. No global warming here. :-)

Speaking of weather, Bre is a little under the weather today. She has been just laying around in her room. I think all of the excitement of being home has caught up with her, or maybe she has found those old friends online and she is catching up on all of the gossip.

Reggie is still a mess, we are anguishing over what to do with him. I wish there was a simple answer, today he attacked Danas boots, and then proceeded to try to lunge at him, barking, snarling, and carrying on while Dana put him in his crate. I am afraid this is a no win situation, neither of us want to talk about what we are fearing, I just keep praying that the vet will come up with something reversible that is causing his aggression.

I am off to get ready for work, have a great weekend everyone, I will post when I can!

Sleepy Wiener

Frankie is exhausted! He has been playing with his sister, whom he LOVES.. what a happy little guy he is, huh?

Today Breanna and I went to the DMV and transferred her license from PA to Colorado, she has now severed all ties to PA and she is thrilled. She also had her hair highlighted, and we learned that the shampoo/conditioner that she uses at BMT is really killing her hair, so she will also get a haircut before she goes back to Lackland.

She is really enjoying being home, shopping, visiting video game stores and playing her Xbox. Right now she is also working on a new scrapbook for the Air Force. She has even put some of the cards and letters sent to her from the AF moms and dads in her scrapbook. I never would have thought to do that. She is really good at that stuff...

We are in for more snow tonight, Frankie isnt thrilled, but I am :-). I am so happy that I only live 5 miles from work, I have never lived that close to work before. I wish Dana lived as close to his job. Maybe someday.

We are enjoying each and every day with Breanna, its so nice to have her home. Although we know it wont be forever, its ok. She is really dedicated to the Air Force. She still says she wants to be career AF. I pray that she will get to achieve her dream.

Like the Disney song says:

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires will come to you...."

Please someone send us one of those stars for Bre....

Walkin' in a WInter Wonderland...

OR... in Dachshund world, running in a winter wonderland! This little black streak is our Frankie, 16 weeks old mini Doxie. He thinks he is THE fastest dog in the west. No one has challenged him, so he has been proclaimed. The fastest dog in the west!!!

He makes me smile every day, I am so thankful for Frankie! With the problems we are having with Reggie, its nice to have a hound who's worst fault is he isnt completely housetrained, and his little teeth are sharp as razors. LOL

Today Bre and I went to the DMV to get her a Colorado Drivers License. When we arrived, the computers had been down for 3.5 hours and there were 59 people ahead of us. We didnt stay. They had a sign on the wall that said "To members serving in the US Military, if you present with a military ID and wearing a military uniform, your business with us will be expedited" Well.... tomorrow, Breanna should return to the DMV in uniform!!! she wont but she should..LOLOL

We also dropped by the local recruiters office. The recruiter is a brand new Ssgt and very YOUNG. I swear she looks (and acts) about 15. She had 2 young men there who were getting ready to ship out, one of them was serious, mature and scared shitless. And the other one was Mr. cool, tossing a bean bag ball against the wall, going out for frequent cigarette breaks and talking non stop. (obviously scared shitless but too cool to show it.... right ). Bre was offering to help the recruiter for a while during the next couple of weeks and she jumped at the offer for help. This Saturday, they have DEP call and she wants Breanna to come and tell the future recruits exactly what BMT is like...

We are being dumped on by a winter storm (thank you California) over 5' in the mountain areas, and several inches in the valley. We are loving it, Frankie HATES it. He does not like getting his belly wet. What a funny little guy.

My sign off today.. per AB Miracle, Breanna D:

A 326 Bulldog is:
always imitated
downright agitated
dog with bite
ready to fight
Bulldogs train hard
Bulldogs fight hard
Bulldogs win
what?
Bulldogs win
what?
Bulldogs win!
Hooyah Bulldogs!!

3 whats it feel like
2 when you get bit
6 by a bulldog!!!!

What Makes AB Breanna Happy??

Her favorite meal.. Roast beef with vegetables, gravy and hot biscuits...

She has been lucky enough to get most of her favorite foods so far since she has been here, she says "at least the top 3".. LOL

Apparantly the chow hall at Lackland does an OK job feeding our airmen and future airmen, but moms cooking is better. Yay mom! :-)

Dana and I took Bre shopping today, and bought her a couple of new outfits, most of her clothes were so huge on her that she looked like a bag lady... And since Dana and I each got a Nintendo DS for Christmas and anniversary then we are "gamers"... LMAO

Now we are in search of some games for our DS's that do not involve Hannah Montana, Pokemon, or some Japanese anime person with HUGE eyes....

Wish us luck!!

Breanna in her Dress Blues

When she arrived at my nieces house from the airport, my sister took this picture. I wanted to share it with you guys. She really seems a lot taller than she was when she left, maybe its because she is thinner? I dont know. The Air Force says she is 5'7". I am 5'7" and she is at least 2 inches taller than me. I am sure of it.. at least I think I am sure of it! LOL

Here is another picture of her talking to me on the telephone. Now keep in mind she had been up for 24 hours straight, and just spent the last 3 hours standing outide of the crappy Denver International Airport trying to find transportation in a snow storm. I dont think she looks too bad. LOL

Speaking of snow storm! It is snowing in western Colorado right now. Here in the valley we are supposed to get 6" and they are supposed to get 3 feet in the mountains! WAHOO!! The more snow we get this winter the more water we will have in the spring and summer!

Bre is settling into civilian life pretty well, she is going to the gym everyday. Today she swam, and then came home and played Xbox live with some friends in Arizona. ahhh the wonders of technology...

On my way to bed now, look for pics of snow tomorrow! Frankie says hi!!

It feels so normal..

To have Bre here at home. Even if this is not the home we are all used to being in together, it still feels so right to have her here. Right now she is in her room, playing Xbox with friends in Las Vagas. All of us are tucked under one roof tonight.. life is good.

We are supposed to get dumped on by snow this weekend, initially they predicted just a light snow fall, now we are supposed to get 6" by Monday, and will probably get a lot more than that. I love snow, so its no big deal. What a difference it makes when you live 5 mi from all of the civilized stores and restaurants of town, and 5 miles from my work. No worries about commuting 40 mi one way on killer I-80 in PA just to get to work. Thank you God!

Its been a long 3 days at work, so I havent been able to take pictures for the blog, but I promise to take some this weekend and get them posted soon. See you all tomorrow!

Happy Annibirthankmas!

Today we celebrated a variety of holidays that Bre has missed, January 1 is my and Dana's 8th wedding anniversary, and we also celebrated Bre's 20th birthday (which was September 8), Thanksgiving and Christmas! We had a turkey dinner with all of the trimmings and Cheesecake Factory New York Style Cheesecake for dessert. Bre chose the cheesecake as her birthday cake as soon as we saw it at Sams. It weighed 4lbs! I think thats about as much as Frankie weighs. LOL

My sister and BIL came over for dinner and I think everyone left the table with a full stomach.

Breanna is loving all of the home cooking and she really loved the cheesecake, I dont blame her, it was awesome.

I had to work tonight, that ruined my fun for the day. I need to keep remembering... "I do love my job, I do love my job, I do love my job.....

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and I hope all of your dreams come true!