MEPS

After our quick run to the bay for FLEET WEEK ( which was AWESOME), KK worked one day and then back to the bay for MEPS.

I googled what the acronym stood for. I used to know. KK is well aware that if he comes home using an acronym, he better know what it stands for.   This is what google told me:

"MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station. Once you have gone through initial questioning phases with your recruiter and have discussed your options, your recruiter will set an appointment for you to go to the nearest MEPS."

So think like in the movies, how they enlist, then before they ship out they stand in a long line at the doctors in their chonies getting shots/medically reviewed. One would think you should only go through this process once since it is the "ENTRANCE processing center."  We like to do things the hard way so this is KK's THIRD time.  It also came with a story, only fellow military families would laugh at, which ended in the people running MEPS very confused after a miscommunication. They were trying to ENLIST KK. Since he is already enlisted, KK did not find it quite as amusing as I did. Don't worry, after a phone call to his recruiter, they sorted it all out. Gosh, after so much practice you'd think he's be better at it!

The next step is a flight physical. This one will also be an all day event and can not be done here in Fresno. I believe after that we can be issued official dates for officers training.  

So much fun. In the mean time, we have much to cram into 2 1/2 months! Cross your fingers, as KK was nominated for Airman of the Year.  It's like the Air National Guards beauty pageant.--KK loves it when I explain it that way--   So if you win small then you run in the next group/region/whatever up until you win Miss Universe  Airman of the Year.   He has worked very hard and completely deserves it. I'm not complaining over a night out, dressed up and kid free although it's not exactly date night. My husband loves any chance he gets to see me out of yoga pants!

And so it begins...

There has been much debate as to how we would and could saftely publish updates along our journey. The conclusion we have come to is a blog (with some stiff settings--- sorry for that. safety first)  We want to share our journey with you as well as set up a place to check in with us to receive updates along the way.

Let's throw this out there first and foremost: I am not a writter. I will misspell plenty, even with the help of google & spell check. My grammar, punctuation and just about anything thing you can think of will be off. I could blame "mommy brain" but lets be honest... it's JUST not my thing. Hopefully you will be able to see through the dense typeface and  pick up what I'm putting down!

So if you haven't figured it out,  Blueberry is our Little Miss. It's a reference to Charlie and the Chocolate factory when Violet blows up all large and round like a blueberry and is rolled away.  As of a few days ago, she is 8 months old. She may not always be quite so chunky but she'll always be our blueberry.  "The Jets" would refer to the aviation obsessed male persuasion in our family ( KK  & kk - almost 4yrs old).

Lets get down to business ... ( it's okay if you finished with "to defeat the Huns,"  you know I did)

If you are just starting to follow our journey let me give you a brief recap thus far:
We have spent roughly the last decade in a diligent and often painful pursuit towards the end goal of KK  being a pilot in the military. In the process we have had many ups and downs, MANY closed doors, countless hours of school and too many late nights to count ( plus a considerable amount of whiskey purchased for fighter squadrons across the country) We prayer fully stepped into each phase knowing that God did not promise a job but called us to the process.  KK spent the last year or two flying all over the country interviewing for pilot positions with the same answer every time: We LOVED you but hired someone else.  It was clear that where ever we landed it would have nothing to do with his merit and everything to with the particular place God wanted us. KK turned 28years old last February and we definitely thought that was the end of the road as technically he was then "too old" (anyone else offended?!?!) to enter the program. We began preparing our hearts for whatever was next.  God had other plans. After some discussion with recruiters, we found that an age waiver was possible. KK submitted his final application for the Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) program in the Active Duty Air Force.  This was the last hurrah as the age waiver was only good until his 29th birthday. We are soo very excited to tell you he was selected to enter the Officers Training Program ( OTS)  with a pilot slot! God is good.

What does this mean?  Where will we go? When will we leave?  Will we be back to the Central Valley (Fresno/Clovis,CA)?  There have been a lot of questions and not very many  answers.  In short, we do not know yet ( to most questions).

• KK will enter into a long training program to be a pilot. From what we understand, it's not for the weak of heart ( a long program, with long hours and hard work... KK calls this fun)  We have always known that the journey to being a pilot is not an easy one and definitely believe that the last ten years have built a strong foundation to enter into this new chapter.
• The training programs takes place at more than one base over the course of a few years. The beginning will be OTS in Alabama for two months. The family will not tag along for this part but will meet up where ever the next portion of training will happen.
• We do not yet have class dates for OTS but due to the age waiver have been told to that it will be in January. 
• We will not have information about where the next portion of training will happen until roughly half way through OTS (so... late feb? march?). Personally I'm praying it's Texas. You should too!
• We will not be back professionally. At least not in the foreseeable future. Lemoore is a Navy base. The base in fresno is an Air Nation Guard Base.  We will visit, often! 

How can you pray?   Pray for peace in our hearts about everything. It's hard to leave behind friends and family.  Pray for each detail to fall into place just right. There are many moving parts and it can often be very stressful as we try to get everything done in the right order in such a tight time frame. Pray for protection physically and spiritually.  Pray for boldness to speak truth where ever we go  that we would shine brightly as a testament to God's faithfulness.

I hope this clarifies a little for you. I look forward to sharing in our big adventure.