The 7.7 months goes well with the 77th Fighter Squadron...
It's hard to believe that our son Liam is almost 8 months old already! The time is flying by, just like everyone told us it would, and we're really enjoying being parents. Liam continues to be a very happy boy, making our parenting experience that much more enjoyable. Lana is a great mother, and has be speaking as much German as she can with him so he'll be bilingual when older. About one week ago, he popped his third and fourth tooth after a few nights of pain. In the past couple of days, he's really gotten a grip (no pun intended) on picking up snack food and putting it in his mouth...he's learning more every day and occasionally will give a small wave.
The three of us had a great Christmas holiday back home in Michigan / Ohio with my family (read more here). Time with family, especially as more and more young ones enter the picture, is always enjoyable. Liam is one of three grandchildren, with a fourth on the way. In the not too distant future, we hope to add another to the mix...the future being at least 15-16 months from now!
Over this past year, God has continued His blessings in my work. For the 3rd quarter of 2010 I received the 77 FS 'Instructor Pilot of the Quarter' Award and for 2010 I received the 77 FS 'Instructor Pilot of the Year' Award. All the guys I work with are driven and smart, so it's humbling to say the least. I am continuously learning more about the jet and the systems on board, seeking to get better at what I do. At the same time, I am seeking to keep a good balance in my life between work, the family and spiritual things. Sadly, work many times seems to take the front seat as there is so much to do with so little time to do them.
Looking ahead to this next year, there is one big opportunity that Lana and I are praying about, and that is the USAF Fighter Weapons School. This is a six month instructor training program at Nellis AFB, NV that I have applied for. It will be very tough six months of intense training in the F-16 if I get selected. Graduates of Weapons School are known as the squadron "patch" because in order wear the patch shown above (always worn on the left shoulder of a flight suit), a pilot must prove himself worthy enough to wear it through well honed briefing and flying skills. As I mentioned before, keeping a balance is a goal of mine, so Lana and I have been praying a lot about it and sought to put Weapons School is God's hands. We are content with whatever direction He takes us.Well, I have a rare day off work for snow here in SC, so it's time to play with Liam!
It's hard to believe that our son Liam is almost 8 months old already! The time is flying by, just like everyone told us it would, and we're really enjoying being parents. Liam continues to be a very happy boy, making our parenting experience that much more enjoyable. Lana is a great mother, and has be speaking as much German as she can with him so he'll be bilingual when older. About one week ago, he popped his third and fourth tooth after a few nights of pain. In the past couple of days, he's really gotten a grip (no pun intended) on picking up snack food and putting it in his mouth...he's learning more every day and occasionally will give a small wave.
The three of us had a great Christmas holiday back home in Michigan / Ohio with my family (read more here). Time with family, especially as more and more young ones enter the picture, is always enjoyable. Liam is one of three grandchildren, with a fourth on the way. In the not too distant future, we hope to add another to the mix...the future being at least 15-16 months from now!
