Fresh Courage Take

“It’s official, after almost 6 months of waiting, as of this morning I have been selected as an Air Battle Manager in the United States Air Force! The easy stuff is over with, and now I have to make it through officer training, technical training and everything else. There’s still a long way to go, but we are on the path, and Aimee and I are both excited for everything down the road.” Michael’s FB post on February 5th, 2014. We couldn’t be more excited when we received this news in February!

The more I learn about ABM (Air Battle Manager) position I see how perfectly it fits Michaels natural ability. He is always looking at situations and how to make them better or more efficient, that tied with his quick mind I a have every confidence that he has been placed in the right position. Here is a description of an ABM from airforce.com: “During lightning-fast air combat, every decision makes an impact. And the officers making all of those decisions — right down to choosing the right aircraft for the mission — are the Air Battle Managers (ABM). They use strategy, experience and an intimate knowledge of all aircraft, weapons and surveillance to ensure success. By controlling the battle space and establishing “big picture” situational awareness, ABMs plan and execute the entire theater air operation. Their expertise is also often called upon in an advisory role by other allied military forces.” I most easily explain this to friends as the modern day Ender. Pretty cool right?!

Since February we have been waiting to hear his starting date for training.. and we are still waiting. During this time Michael has been substitute teaching at Madison Schools along with Sugar High School. He has liked it well enough but is very antsy to start training. We  moved into my parents home the last week of March. The idea was that Michael would be here for a few weeks and then I would not have to live alone and pay rent for the months while he was gone. We are both very grateful to my parents in letting us move in and be here much longer than anticipated. It looks like Michael will start training now in July (if someone drops) or not until September. I am very grateful to have a husband that is faithful, hardworking and just so wonderful. He has been so patient through this process of joining the Air Force and kept a positive outlook.

I started school again in January and plan to graduate in December. Thanks to a wonderful advisor, Van Crawford, I was able to figure out a grad plan that allowed me to finish my Bachelors instead of only receiving an Associates. This semester that I am currently in will end in July and after that I will only have one course left to finish! We also have a new addition to our family, MoNique, an adorable Pomeranian puppy. We both love her so much!

I am excited for the start of 2013 and the road that is ahead of us, while it can seam to be a bit curvy with ups and downs I see the ups being higher than ever! We have made the decision that I will not be going to school this winter semester, maybe summer? but I am doubtful. It was a hard choice to make with being 30 credits away from graduation but the peace that I found in the Temple with this choice was to strong to go against. My health has had what it seams to be a downward slope and what was first hard to hear that in addition to my migraines and neck pain I had new conditions to worry about. The hardest part was feeling that there was something else wrong with me and having to tell Michael. He has been so patient and caring with migraines I didn’t want to add anything else! As expected he has been nothing but supportive, positive and loving. With this break from school I will be able to really focus on my health and wellness. Which in turn we will, and really hope, to be able to grow our family size to 3. (Our list of names keeps getting longer! ha ha)

Michael will graduate in 3 months! But it will busy each day until he gets there. He is taking 19 credits, which is really how he functions, along with working full time at the University and running the magazine. I feel a little silly that I don’t seam to be doing much but it was comforting in the Temple to feel that focusing on obtaining motherhood is the most important thing I could do. I am just so grateful that we started this path a year ago!

I am still coaching at IBA and have so much fun with Katie coaching with me! And am so grateful for all the times she fills in when I am feeling to sick. I will also still keep designing for the magazine and help Michael with his responsibilities as much as I can. One thing that I think I will pick up again with more time is oil painting… I will let you know how it goes!

We are not sure what direction Michael will be taking after graduation. Which is a first for him, Michael always has a plan. And we have had a plan of his future schooling but he is looking into the Air Force right now. This is a new subject.. probably about 3 months ago and something that has not left Michael’s mind since. He had never before thought about going into military forces and I NEVER thought I would even consider it! The impression won’t leave his mind and I am surprisingly calm about it. He still wants to obtain a Master and PHD in organizational behavior but there might be a little something added before.. we will see. (and I do hope its a little, I barely make it 10 hours without him!)