Living Life in Pictures

I once read that life was a series of pictures to someone. And not necessarily pictures taken by a camera but "visions" that have forever been captured in your mind, of events that will forever live in your heart. I've never really thought so much about that until these past two weeks. These past two weeks have been busy, to say the least, but weeks that I will never forget. With a squadron disbandment and two funerals of close friends from that squadron, it has been an emotional roller coaster. I now see these past three weeks as pictures in my mind...pictures that bring various emotions to surface.

Picture Set #1: This set includes pictures of the last time I saw Kenny and Nigel (the pilot and navigator killed in the airplane crash). It was at a barbeque not 5 days prior to the crash. I told Cody that I remember EXACTLY what they were both wearing, and the last looks I saw on their faces as they said goodbye to us that night. I will cherish these pictures forever. Each picture completely displays who they were...Kenny, a fun-loving single guy who loved to have a great time playing games and telling us about Scotland; and Nigel, a down-to-earth guy who loved his wife and son and went the extra mile to find us at parties and dinners and really get to know us.

Picture Set #2: Cody, carrying the coffins in both of these funerals. I can only imagine how tough that must have been for him. This set of pictures also includes cram-packed churches for these funerals, which speaks volumes, I think, for these two guys. I know that God was present in the church as He saw us all weep, laugh and honor these two guys. I could feel Him there.

Picture Set #3: Fun, fun, fun in the Scottish sun!! Families Day was a day sponsored by the RAF associated with the closing of 43(Fighter) Squadron, the squadron Cody was in. Bouncy castles, big slides, food and, of course, aircraft! I can see Jackson's face in my mind, full of smiles! I have some actual pictures too!!



Picture Set #4: I have no actual pictures, but we have some video of the entertainment at the Squadron Disbandment Hangar Party! My mental pictures include a fabulously decorated hangar complete with chandeliers, a stage and a "big as life" banner that said "Royal Air Force" on it! The entertainment provided some long-lasting mental pictures as well...as I watched engineers, pilots and navigators box each other wearing chicken costumes!! It was hilarious!! The squadron was "The Fighting Cocks" (for those of you that were in the 44th at Kadena with us...we found this funny!), hence the chicken costumes...I think!

Pictures Set #5: Well, this one includes many, many, many actual pictures! Cody did another great flypast/flyby for the squadron disbandment parade. It was complete with two flybys, both including a missing man formation...incredibly emotional. Jackson and I were able to be basically, on the flightline prior and definitely on the flightline after to see Cody take off and land. Actual pictures follow:








Picture Set #6: A disbandment brunch that followed the disbandment parade. It was great Scottish food. And...the mental picture I have of this one...the squadron mascot...yes...a rooster walking across the table "talking," if you will, during the commander and the general's speeches!! Too funny! Oh, by this time, we were long done with our food.

Picture Set #7: The Annual Summer Ball. We decided to go again, as this was to be our last formal function here (although, turns out, we may have another one at the end of August!). It was so much more fun than last year! It was then I realized, again, that I have had a fabulous time here and have made a few lifelong friends, that are planning on visiting us in Vegas. And here is our "token" summer ball picture...well besides the one we took with 4 other couples that were there from the "former" 43 (F) Squadron Fighting Cocks!! That one, though, is only a mental picture now, as it was taken by the professional photographer that was there.


And now, I am sitting here by myself, as Cody has gone down to England for his medical appointments. I am anxiously awaiting our next vacation...the three of us leave Friday for Berlin, Germany to visit Cody's parents, and then somewhere in the 10 days we are there, Cody and I plan to head to Venice, Italy for an 8th Anniversary trip (however, that could change, as I haven't booked anything there yet...I'm aiming for Venice!!). So, more "life pictures" to follow!

A Week in Review

Well, it truly is not a week in review but more like 72 hours in review that felt like a week. Where to start...

This past Thursday, Friday and Saturday were filled with a wide range of emotions.

On Thursday, Cody turned 33 years old. I am so blessed that God placed him on this earth and that I get to spend my life with him! We, however, celebrated his birthday on Independence Day, because his work day was not a good one and was filled with much sadness. On Thursday, there was a jet from our squadron here at Leuchars that crashed, instantly killing the pilot and navigator. As you military wives know, this colors your day as you realize what your husband is going through and then, you yourself are going through...grateful that it wasn't your husband and feeling somewhat guilty because of your thankfulness, because it was someone else's husband. And, if they were friends of yours', you are grieving just the same. The two men who died were friends of ours' and probably some of Cody's closest friends in the squadron as well. This is the first time we have been at the base, and in the squadron with a tragedy like this happened. It was heart-wrenching and we are still emotionally torn up, as a squadron and as individuals. It is during times like these that I am thankful someone holds my heart, feels my emotions, weeps with me and completely knows what I'm thinking and how to comfort me...I find that comfort, peace and gracefulness in our Lord Jesus Christ and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is with me during these difficult times. I feel that at this time, only prayer and support from each other and God will get Cody and I through this difficult time. I cannot tell you how many times I cried out to our Savior on Thursday and the weekend that followed...just a simple "Oh Savior/Jesus/God/Father, help us," and felt the comfort of His hands and arms wrap around me. Where would I be without Him!

We had planned to host a huge barbeque with the other American couple on Saturday for the 4th of July, but were unsure whether it should go as planned. After the guys talked to their squadron commanders, it was decided that the best thing to do would be to have the party as planned, and get everyone together to have fun, talk, eat, and grieve. So, Saturday, that is just what we did. People came in from everywhere around Scotland and some arrivals from Exchange programs (RAF to US exchange) came as well...we had between 70 and 80 people here! And, we did talk, eat, have fun, and grieve together. It was a good time, and we were told that we lived up to the expectation of a good "American barbeque with lots of food!" Most of all, we were glad everyone could just be together to support each other from both squadrons. This is a picture of the two token American couples at the base...well, and our boys!

Here are some pictures from our truly unique 4th of July party...out of 80 people, there were 7 Americans, 1 Canadian, and all the rest Brits!!





Smashed in between there was Friday...oh, Friday...do you remember that post titled, "Are You Sitting Down?" You know, the one where I told you we were moving just down the road 8 hours to Lakenheath???? Well, apparently, the people telling Cody where we were going misread the last 6 letters of the location we were going! The "L" and the "a" were correct...well, and that's about it!!! Oh, and the fact that Cody is still flying the F15C. So, can any of you guess where we are going now?? I'll give you some clues...1. It's not green there...2. It's not overseas...3. It's most definitely not a door-to-door move...and here's the clue that gives it away (if you haven't figured it out already!)...4. It has casinos. Uh...yep! You got it...

We got a call on Thursday night...one that I answered (as Cody was still at work that night due to the crash). On the other line was Cody's US boss telling me that there were a "few tweeks in his assignment." Do you know what we military pilot's wives think when we hear that? Well, the boss must have known because that comment was followed by, "We're going to keep Cody flying," phew...at least he's still flying. So Cody called his boss Friday, and yes...we are moving to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada where Cody will be flying the F15C. Um, I'm still adjusting to the sudden change of assignment, and now, I'm not going to believe it until we are actually there. Cody will go through a requalification course (TX course, for those military people) at Klamath Falls, Oregon sometime in October, is what we've been told, and then onto Nellis after that. We continue to trust God because we know He has a plan for us. So, we've shifted our house search online from England to Nevada and have daily realized the things that will be wonderful about the assignment. When I told my mom, she responded, "You'll be much closer to Jenny (my sister)." My response,"Mom, we'll be closer to everybody!" So, we'll be closer to family and friends. I'll get use my Dyson again, along with a US washer and dryer...hey, we may even have a garbage disposal in the kitchen sink!! No adaptors or transformers; no looking to see if something is dual voltage; I can go into a store to buy whatever it is I need; no more 5 hour trips to check our mail; no more metric conversions (although, I have to admit, I've gotten pretty good at them!); and, we're apparently moving to a place that is most certainly a buyer's market for home ownership right now! Again, we know God has a wonderful plan for our life and we are truly thankful that He knows what is in store for us...whatever and wherever that is!

And...I Am Acclimated!

Thought for the moment:

Well, about 5 minutes ago, I just put on shorts...FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WE ARRIVED IN SCOTLAND!! Remember, we've been here for a year and a half now. Unbelievable! And, I must say, I think I am acclimated to cooler weather now. I just looked up what the squelching hot temperature is. Uh, I was shocked when it said 75 degrees fahrenheit!! Only 75?!?!? It's burning up out there...and in our house! I think I got too used to having air conditioner when it was hot...we don't have it here, and that, well, is different when we have this hot...errr...warm weather (I put that in there for those of you suffering through 100 degree weather...I'm very sorry!)

I've also noticed, that as someone said when we got this assignment here, I've lost all the pigment in my skin...I AM WHITE AS A SHEET!!

Alright, enough about the weather...which I am truly grateful for...at least it's sunny!!