Prepare for Landing! - Our Family is Whole Again

After a couple of weeks without my better half, our family is whole again!!!

Nicholas was away on training for a while, and to be quite honest, it was rough.  This was our first separation with a child, but certainly not our last.  In fact, over the next 16-19 months, it will be happening more frequently.  I'm happy to have one separation under my belt, and happy that this first one wasn't a few months long.   Taking care of a baby with no family around to help is difficult.  Sure, I have friends but those without kids are working full time and unavailable to help and those with kids, well it seems they all have a toddler AND a baby around Jaxon's age (somehow everyone I worked with and everyone in Nick's squadron all had a baby within 2 months of each other) so it's a little difficult to find help.

But we survived!  I'd even say we thrived because Jaxon hit some milestones while Nick was gone (which is unfortunate but the truth is, Nick is probably going to miss a good majority of Jax's major milestones and firsts).  Despite his teething, four month sleep regression, fussiness from vaccines, complete change in routine, refusal to take more than 20 minute naps, and a growth spurt, we survived.  *I* survived.  I was able to suppress my anxiety and frustration to put a smile on my face and be the best mama I could.  And I think I did a great job!  I will admit I was beyond nervous and anxious for this separation, knowing help would be limited, if not nonexistent, but I did much better (mentally and emotionally) that I thought I would.  Which is good, because it's given me the confidence I'll need for these next separations.

But enough of that, let's get to the good stuff!!!!  Nick is home!!!!  Nick flew down to training on a C-130 but for his return, he got to fly the helo back.  I was pretty excited because this meant that Jaxon and I could go to base and watch him fly in.

We met a friend and her son on base, checked in at the squadron, and were taken to the hangar to await our husbands' return.  Once we saw them in the distance, we put our ear plugs in and watched them come in.

Nick is the helicopter on the left, closest to the camera.

Then they taxied over, shut down, and walked across the flight line to us.

Then we received a giant, smelly, sweaty hug!!!  And life was good!!

This was such an amazing experience.  I've seen Nick flying over our house a few times, but I've never witnessed him land the helicopter.  He truly loves what he does and I am thankful I got to see him in action, especially while welcoming him home after a couple weeks apart.  In the grand scheme of things, our separation wasn't long at all, but any time spent apart, especially with a baby, is not easy. We were happy to come home and resume life as a family.

Dining Out with Nick's Wardroom

This past Saturday, Nicholas and I attended a Dining Out with his new squadron. 

While Nick has attended Dining Outs at the Naval Academy, this was my very first one.  

I decided I wanted to get my hair done.  Big mistake.  I have never had my hair done for such an event since living in Jax and therefore I was shooting in the dark by choosing a stylist, which never ends well.  I wanted simple soft wavy curls.  Instead, she gave me huge tight curls.  Unfortunately, there wasn't too much I could do because I had worked that day and was very limited on time.  I just had to say "oh well" and head to the Dining Out with less than attractive hair.  It wasn't awful, but it definitely wasn't cute!

The Dining Out is a formal event, consisting of dinner, a guest of honor speech, toasts, and mingling and usually some form of entertainment.

Our Dining Out began with a cocktail hour, followed by a few {hilarious} skits, a dance-off contest among some of the senior officers, dinner, a speech by the Guest of Honor, toasts, and more dancing and mingling.

The Guest of Honor was a 91 year old man (who had to sit halfway through his story due to a hip injury from playing tennis the day before!!!!).  He enlisted in the Army Air Corps the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked back in 1941 and he shared his story of being captured in Germany and being a POW for 19 months!  It was an amazing story!

University Club - 27th Floor

The event, while formal, was also a very laid back atmosphere.  We were laughing throughout most of the event, whether it be from the skits, the dance off, or people being sent to The Grog.

What's The Grog?  This is The Grog

The toilet was filled with far too many clear liquors and sweet and sour mix, to make it appear yellow.  The kiddie potty was filled with other random drinks, all non-alcoholic.  Don't worry, they hadn't been previously used (of this fact, I am not certain but I'm truly hoping it's true).

Prior to coming to the event, the wardroom (the officers within the squadron) were given rules for the dining out.  Any violation of the rules would result in you being called out and sent to The Grog.  And yes, significant others could be sent there as well.  If you were sent there, you had to fill your cup, toast "To the mess", drink the cup, then 'dump' it over your head proving you emptied the cup.  

Some of the rules were things such as no sitting before the XO, no eating before the XO, no talking over the XO, no foul or inappropriate language, no getting up and leaving your table during the meal, talks, etc without permission.  Of course, they can send you to The Grog for anything.  The point is just to keep the night fun and entertaining.  Thankfully for Nick and I, we were both able to avoid The Grog.  

The night ended with everyone just socializing, dancing, and having a good time.
Actually, the night ended with Nick and I (stone sober) and his CO, singing into the mic, completely unassisted by any music (I actually think a Miley song was playing) "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."  It was pretty epic!

I'll be honest, I was really dreading this event.  Normally I'm all about getting all fancy and seeing my husband in his whites.  But we're the newbies in the squadron.  I only knew one wife prior to going to this event.  I had very briefly met a few others the previous weekend at a soccer game, and while they were nice, the conversations were limited.
We showed up and Nick paraded me around, introducing me to the guys he works with.   Meanwhile, all the wives were standing in a circle talking.  I felt so out of place, being the only girl in the group of guys.  While I am extroverted, I'm not one to just start talking to people I don't know.  It takes me a while to warm up.  Being around Nick's coworkers, I wanted to make a good impression as well so I was pretty nervous.  I just kept standing there with Nick thinking, "I wish I knew the women.  It sucks to be this outsider."  Finally, I decided to grow a pair and said to Nick "I'm going to go over and talk with the wives."  And I did.  I began walking over and thankfully two of the girls remembered me from the soccer game, gave me a giant smile and a welcome.  I then was honest and just simply said "I decided to come join you all.  I was tired of the guys' work talk and figured I can't get to know you all if I stay over there."  I met a few new women and we all had a really great time.  While it was really uncomfortable, I'm happy I approached and put myself in their circle.  It definitely helped to make the night much more enjoyable.

Nick and I had a great time that night and it was nice for both of us to hang out with people from his squadron.  Although the newbies, we felt very welcome and I'm looking forward to the next three years with this squadron.

Nick Update: It's All Starting!! | New Chapter in Jax

I haven't given an update on Nick since we've been here.  I apologize.  In the beginning, there wasn't much going on.  Nothing too exciting.  But starting today, the excitement starts!!!

(taken back in September when we were staying with our friends' waiting on our house.  Nick had just checked into HSM-40 that day)

However, let me back track a little and tell you all about what's been going on with Nick since we moved here in late September.

When we first arrived, Nick was sent off to SERE school.  I'm not really allowed to say much about it and Nick most definitely isn't allowed to speak about what all goes on there.  Basically, SERE is for anyone whose job puts them at a high risk of being caught, such as pilots.  SERE stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.  You can Google it if you're really interested.  Anyway, to put it simply, SERE is hell.  Less than 1% of people we've talked to said they enjoyed SERE.  Everyone loathes it.  Poor Nick and his classmates were sent home just two and a half days early.  I'm not technically allowed to say why; but it has nothing to do with their performance, capabilities, behavior, etc.  It was call made from much higher up.
Anyway, since he did not complete it, he has to go back.  Yeah, major suckage.  They cannot just complete the last two and a half days.  They have to redo it all.  A large part is it all ties in together.  Part of what makes this training real to them is that their mind is not at all in the correct state of mind from the miles of hiking with heavy packs, little to no sleep, and very little to eat or drink.  Those characteristics make it harder for them to comprehend this is fake and just training.  It's been said that SERE is the most realistic training the military has.  Who knows if that's really true, but most people you talk to will tell you that it didn't seem fake at all to them.  They really have a way of getting in their heads.

After Nick got back from SERE he had to check into his new squadron, HSM-40 at Naval Station Mayport.

This is where Nick will be stationed for the next 9+ months.  Although Nick is now winged, he's still in a training phase.  Obviously he can't just be throw into a new helicopter and know exactly how it operates.  Especially this helicopter.  Nick was flying the TH-57 back in Pensacola at NAS Whiting Field.  It's a very old helicopter and pretty basic (think a news or hospital helicopter).  But now he's flying a much newer, more computerized, much more capable aircraft.  He's learning how to fly it but also about all the added extras in it that make it do what it does for the military.  It takes a very long time to learn.  I mean, look at this book.

This is his NATOPS (pronoucned nay-tops and stands for Naval Air Training and Operational Procedure Standardization) which is pretty much a pilots Bible.  He has to have this book memorized.  No joke.  The thing is heavy!  (The freaking binder for it cost $40!!).  I feel awful that he has to carry this around.  He actually just bought the new iPad mini to make studying at home easier, but sadly he'll still have to take this with him to work because the building he is in most of the time does not allow any electronic devices.  (Which also means I can't get ahold of him all day.)

HSM-40, his new squadron, is the FRS squadron.  You'll hear me say "FRS" a lot and that stands for Fleet Replacement Squadron.  Essentially, they are training Nick on his new helicopter, the MH-60R.  Once he's completed this training, he's sent to the Fleet to Replace other pilots in various Squadrons who are ending their sea tour, getting out of the miitary, etc.  After the FRS, Nick will begin his three years of his "sea tour".  In this time, he will be out to sea and deployed.  Not the entire time, but off and on throughout these three years.  After the FRS, Nick will leave his squadron of HSM-40 and be assigned to one of five different squadrons, which will each be attached to various ships he'll deploy with.  Two of the squadrons are at NS Mayport, where he is now, and three are at NAS Jacksonville.  (Currently, there is only one squadron at Mayport but the older helo, MH-60B squadron will have transitioned to a MH-60R squadron by the time he's finished with the FRS...or so we're told is the case.  All is subject to change with the military).

For the next 9+ months, Nick will sit through classes learning about the 60R, he'll practice simulator flights for the 60R, and then he'll actually fly the 60R.  Much like training in Pensacola, he does simulators, then the real aircraft.  Then back to the simulators to learn new things, then back to the helo. 

Nick came home from SERE at the start of the shutdown and although he checked in, there wasn't much he could do.  He attended some classes but the simulators were not up and running.  That was awesome for us since we needed that weekend to move into our new house.

But now things have returned to normal.  We are back to that same annoying schedule of Nick not knowing his schedule until the night before.  Except it's even more annoying because he can't access the schedule so he has to text and call others to find out.

But really, it's the same as training before.  He's gone all day, studies all night.

I can't really complain though.  He's home {most} nights for dinner and I'm not sitting at the table alone.  I go to bed next to him every night and wake up next to him every morning.  Most days we can have a few short conversations.  To some that might not seem like much, but after being long distance for five years, I recognize how huge this is.  I also know we have these last few months before he'll be deploying so I'll take what I can get.  In a year, I'll long for these brief moments of sleep with him or a quick dinner together.

***********   For those that don't care about the longer update (ie non-family), here is the update in a nutshell:

-  Nick went to SERE but came home two and a half days early.

-  He will repeat SERE after the FRS.

-  Nick is now in the HSM-40 squadron, which is an FRS squadron, stationed at NS Mayport.

-  FRS is 'Fleet Replacement Squadron' which means he will replace other pilots in the fleet who are leaving for end of their service commitment, the end of their sea tour, etc.

-  Once Nick finishes the FRS (and goes to SERE again), he'll be assigned to a new squadron at either NS Mayport or a NAS Jacksonville.

-  During the FRS, it is a lot like his old training.  Classes, simulators, flying the real aircraft, and repeat for 9+ months.  He spends all day on base working, and comes home to spend all night studying and prepping for the next day of work.

-  He still finds out his schedule only the night before.  It's annoying but at least we're used to it.

Today, Nick has his very first flight in the MH-60R. He's nervous yet excited. To say I'm nervous is an understatement. If you remember from all his days in flight school, I was always nervous when he flew. I thought I was weird and paranoid, but every pilot wife I talk to feels the same way. It's a dangerous job. The majority of crashes occur during training. That's scary shit! It's been a nice, stress-free life around here. Nick hasn't flown since the very beginning of August. That's FOUR MONTHS I've been worry free. Four months I haven't had to turn to wine to calm my nerves waiting for the "I've landed safely" text. Four months I don't hear sirens and wonder if they're heading to a helo crash. Four months I haven't fretted over a cold dinner eaten alone, because my husband is hours late without a call or text. Four months my skin hasn't had worry-induced acne. Four months of better sleep. That all changes today. Today I go back to worrying about him. I guess it just comes with the territory though. The price of being a badass' wife. Guess I'll stock up on more Cab Sav, Xanax, and Say Yes to Tomatoes and clutch my phone all day long.

All in all, life is great!  Nick is stressed but he's still loving his job.  He likes his class adviser (who had us all over for dinner and it was a really great time!) and he loves his classmates.  We've hung out with them a few times, and Nick's hosted poker night for them.  Once again, he lucked out with a great class!

The Oberkrom's are still a happy bunch and we really couldn't find anything to complain about if we tried!  Life is truly a blessing lately!

Please keep Nicholas in your thoughts today!  I know he'll do great.  He always does.  He was made for this.  But I still worry.  So send some positive vibes.  And maybe send some calming vibes his way.  He's pretty anxious and nervous!  Thanks!!!

Winging Ceremony [and Blessing of the Wings]

I was filled with such pride at Nick's Soft Patch Ceremony and didn't think my heart could handle any more happiness and pride.  Boy was I wrong!!!
Friday, August 23, 2013 was one of the proudest days of my life.  I think I was filled with more pride than I was on the day Nick graduated and commissioned from the United States Naval Academy.  You see, USNA was not a dream of Nick's.  Not to say he did not love his time there (he genuinely misses his USNA days) or that he wasn't happy he went there.  He's very proud of himself for being accepted, much older than his peers, and for excelling while there.  But USNA was not his dream, it was just a step along the way to his dream.  His dream was to become a Naval Aviator.  And on this day, that dream became a reality.  I feel so blessed to be his wife and be alongside him throughout this journey.  It has been an honor and joy to watch him throughout the past two years as he busted his ass to get to today.

Becoming a Naval Aviator is no easy task.  These men and women are among an elite few.  Pilots make up only a teeny tiny portion of the military.  It might seem as though there are a lot, but Nick was winged as the 32,138 aviator of the United States.  Their training is difficult, taxing, and time consuming.  Nick pulled 12 hours days on base only to come home, incredibly sore and covered in sweat, to spend many more hours studying and preparing for his flight the next day.  But he worked hard and did so with a smile on his face every single day.  When I hear the saying "Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life" I think of Nick.  He thoroughly loves his job.  No matter how tired, sore, or frustrated he is, he's still loving what he does and enjoys going to work and flying.  There is nothing more you can ask for in life!

But enough rambling, here is account of the winging day and of course lots of photos and videos:

Blessing of the Wings

The first event for the day was the Blessing of the Wings.  Following Mass, each winger was called up to the front, with their name and follow-on aircraft displayed on the wall, as they picked up their wings.  Once all the wingers were up front, a prayer was said and their wings were blessed with holy water.

Nick picking up his wings

Nick picking up his wings

{I just can't get over how cute this boy is!  And that he's mine!}

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Winging Ceremony

After the Blessing of the Wings, we headed across the street to claim our seats and wait for the Winging Ceremony to begin.

Last photo of him without his wings!!!!
This is the helicopter he flew in training these past six months, the TH-57.

The ceremony is very simple;  guest speaker, pinning of the wings.  And that's it!!!
Each winger is called up individually.  They announce where they're from, where they went to school, who is accompanying them on stage, and who will be pinning on their wings.  Their wings are pinned on, everyone poses for a picture, and you exit the stage.  Short and sweet!!!
(I have a video of this, but cannot locate it at the time.  It's probably on my other hard drive which is in storage.  Therefore I will have to upload that later!  So check back for that!)

Pinning his wings on!!

Proudest moment of my life.

Words cannot express my happiness here. {Especially because as I tried to pull away, he held me just a little bit longer, whispering "Thank you, I Love You" in my ear.}

I was so nervous to pin his wings on because it usually takes people quite a while to pin them on (a full one to two minutes, which might not seem long when you read that, but imagine standing up there in front of a large auditorium of people).  You can see how visibly nervous people get as it takes them a while and they struggle to get it through the thick fabric of the uniform.  (And some think they get them in and when they let go, they fall to the ground!!) I was just fearing I'd be that wife!  But I'm pretty proud of myself seeing as I did it in just a couple of seconds!

He did it!!!!!  Newest Naval Aviator!!!

The entire winging class.

Afterwards we took a few photos with family and friends.  I'm really happy that Nick's family and sponsors were able to attend.  I'm upset my mother wasn't able to come (Dad and brothers couldn't get vacation) and Nick wished he could have shared this accomplishment with her, but we all understood why she wasn't there.  Her place was at home with Grandma during this difficult time of losing Granpda). Thankfully Kyle and Leah made it in from Ft. Rucker for the ceremony.  Kyle has become a close friend and brother to Nick and it meant a lot to him that Kyle was able to attend.

so shiny!

Nicholas and I with my Leah and Kyle (Army Warrant Officer in Apache training)

Nicholas with Naval Academy Sponsor Parents

Nick with his aunt and uncle, his second parents.

Nick's family!

After we took some pictures, we headed to Sike's Hall for a small little reception where they provided lunch and beer for everyone.  After everyone ate, they gathered the wingers at the front to give a toast.  Some were thoughtful, some were funny :)  Here is a video of it (Nick is the one who toasts to the air crew):

(you can click the box looking icon on the bottom right corner to enlarge the video)

And some photos for your viewing pleasure:

Nicholas, you have made me so incredibly proud these past seven years through your enlistment, the Naval Academy days, and flight school. It has been an honor to have been on this beautiful journey with you and witness your dreams coming true. There's no one that deserves this honor and celebration more than you do. Your hard work, dedication, and true passion for flying shine through in your every action and every spoken word. 
Today, you are no longer a student. Today, you become an Aviator for the United States Navy. Today, I could not Love you more and I have never been more proud of you. 

That night, Nick's winging class had their party at Fish House.  We went early and had dinner there and at 9pm, when the party started, we went outside on the deck for the patio.  Being a light-weight wife, I didn't get to reap the benefits of the free alcohol.  Every other winging party we 've attended (which as been a lot) I've enjoyed the free booze.  But this was Nick's night so of course I stayed sober while he drank.  {Don't worry, I'm not an awful wife that always makes Nick DD.  He doesn't really drink much, ever.  So it's always his choice not to drink.  And who am I to let a good DD go to waste?!}  We had a great night on the deck with beautiful weather, a great band, and even better family and friends!

Nick and his helo partner, Dallas, on who knows what number shot

Two of the most important role models in Nick's life: his Uncle Scott and his USNA sponsor Dad, Kel.  These two have helped shaped him into the amazing person he has become and he strives to have to be like them every day :)  

Our amazing family

Debbie and Lisa dancing

The last time I saw Elizabeth before she PCSed to San Diego a few days later :(  This girl became one of my closest friends while here in Pensacola and I'm going to miss her greatly.  I can only hope our military paths cross again one day.

(humidity is a great look for my hair, don't ya think?!)

His classes winging shirts.

We wanted to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone.  Thank you for the calls, texts, emails, messages, gifts, etc.  Nick is truly blessed to have such amazing people in his life.  It fills my heart with such happiness to know how much he is loved by you all.  We want to extend an even bigger thank you to our family and friends that traveled to Pensacola to share in the winging festivities with us.  You will never know how happy we were to have you all here.  If it were not for your continued support, Nick would not have achieved this dream. 



We now start the daunting task of house hunting, packing, and moving to Jacksonville.  We are beyond excited for our next adventure.
So what now you ask?  Well, check back in a few weeks (after the whole moving ordeal) and I'll gladly fill you in.  Well, as best as my limited Pilot Wifey knowledge will allow.