Week 3 Pilot Training, Birthday Celebrations, and Giving Back

          Brenton is now in week three of pilot training and doing very well. He has received 100% on every test except his last one which was a 93%.. yay for academics!! He starts phase II in just a few weeks and that is when he starts flying and things will get tough.. I know he will do great though! I received the spouse calendar for UPT and found out that his track select ( this is when he finds out whether he is going fighter/bomber or heavy) is September 27. Only about 7 months off, its crazy to think about! And this time next year, he will be graduating UPT and we will find out just exactly what it is he will be flying.. fingers crossed for planes that are at good bases!!

           This post cannot go without mentioning the crazy weather we have had here. First let me tell you, two Fridays ago we had FOUR tornado warnings.. crazy!!! Four days later.. we had two more tornado warnings. This week, we have had none.. but its only Monday. In fact, we are supposed to have severe thunderstorms on Wednesday and another possible outbreak of tornadoes..  all I have to say is the weather is never boring here. Oh, and it is starting to get very, very warm.. its been in the mid 80s here for a while now and I expect the 90s to come at any time.. and then the triple digits..  needless to say, it is going to be very hot here soon!

           My birthday was amazing! We ended up celebrating three times, which was fine by me :)  The perks to lots of studying in pilot training. We celebrated early, the Saturday before my birthday and went out for mexican with friends. That was a lot of fun! Then, Brenton and I had cake and I opened gifts from him on my actual birthday. This past Saturday, we celebrated one last time by driving to Birmingham to go shopping! This was very exciting as I have said many times before, we have to drive an hour to the nearest mall and that isn't even that great. Birmingham was the exact opposite of Columbus. There were soooo many shopping areas and a huge mall.. we had a great time and even stopped by the Cheesecake Factory for some yummy cheesecake!
Below is a pic of us from celebrating by going out for Mexican.. I could have done without the sombrero..

I mentioned in our last post that we have finally found a church down here that we really like. We are still continuing to attend and plan on attending regularly for the rest of the time we are here. I found out that they serve at a soup kitchen every third Thursday of the month and last Thursday I went with them and helped serve. It was a wonderful opporunity and I met some great people from the church and it felt so good to be helping these people.  I also decided last weekend to volunteer to help clean up Columbus. It was called "Clean Sweep Columbus"  That was an experience let me tell you. I was assigned to a not so nice area in Columbus and had to pick up trash. There was so much trash it was ridiculous. Surprisingly I found little to no empty beer cans, most of the trash was drug paraphenilia, candy wrappers, and empty fast food cups and bags.. hmmm I think I have found why MS is one of the fattest states.     My next volunteering is this weekend with some other wives on base.. March for Babies. It is a great cause, the money raised goes towards funding programs to help moms have healthy full-term pregnancies, it also funds the research to help find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.. (miscarried babies, babies that are born stillborn, and pre-mature babies)  I haven't been able to raise a whole lot of money, but I guess every little bit helps and I will be walking.. I think it will be a great time and its such a wonderful feeling knowing that we are helping others in our community.

As of now, that is all to report from the Jones household.. hope everyone is doing well and until next time, take care and God bless!



UPT Start: Yes it is finally here!

            So April 1 marked six months of us living down here in MS. Thats half a year, how crazy is that?! It really doesn't seem that long. Well.. after six very long months Brenton will finally be starting UPT (pilot training) tomorrow. No more casual job of just locking and unlocking doors and getting to spend the rest of the day together, nope.. its back to reality. It won't be too bad as we are very accustomed to busy and hectic lifestyles. I think thats the reason why we have had such a difficult time finding things to do these past six months.. Before moving down here, our minds were constantly focused on only two things: school and work. I think we were actually too motivated and determined.  As I have said in older posts, we have learned a lot these past six months. A lot about life, one another, and our marriage. You have to make time for fun and relaxation, life is too short not to. While I am a little bit sad that pilot training is beginning and we will be losing the time spent together that we have been used to, I am very excited too! This has been Brenton's dream for as long as I can remember and it makes me so happy to see him get to fulfill his dream.  Take a look below and see just what phase 1 academics has in store for him..

                   While Brenton is fulfilling his dream, I am working on mine as well. Second session of classes starts next week. I am enjoying this break between sessions and trying to be as supportive as I can for Brenton. Pilot training is not easy, and I want to do everything I can to try to make it easier for him. If that means making mexican every single night for dinner, well.. then we will have mexican every night. But, I am still going to try and make time for myself.   I did start an exercising program today! I was supposed to start it in November, but due to some health issues wasn't able to. I am very excited about it and while I was very sore afterwards, can't wait until my next work out on Wednesday!

                  A year ago today, we had to bury our first pet, Kermie. It was so sad and we miss him terribly! I think he would have really liked it down here in MS. Lots of room to roam in the house. Not too sure he would appreciate all of the planes flying over our house all the time though. RIP Kermie! 4/20/1999- 4/4/2010 

                 I  think thats all to report from the Jones household. April is going to be a very exciting and eventful month for us and I can't wait!

New Season, New beginnings

                   Happy spring!! I can't believe it is spring already, where has the time gone? We have been here almost six months, and have experienced fall and winter so far. Both of which weren't too bad. Hopefully spring will be nice, it's summer down here that I am not looking forward to. 100% humidity and 90 and 100 deg + days.. yeah no thanks. We have already been "warned" I guess you could say by people down here, they say.. " get ready to sweat for 4 months, even inside your house with the a/c" We will see.. I think it doesn't start to get hot down here until May so we still have a while.

                 I am happy to report that Brenton made it back from IFS and did very well while he was there. We recently found out that he got moved up and will be starting pilot training April 5. Thats not too far away. We are trying to enjoy these last couple weeks together before things really start to change. Thankfully the weather has been very nice so we have been taking walks, enjoying meals out on our new patio set, and recently discovered some cool nature trails on base. Today we went to the lake and played frisbee, we are just going to have to remember sunscreen next time.

               As for me, I am almost done with my first session of online classes. I have received all A's thus far and am very pleased with myself.  After this session, I have a week off and I start again in early April. Thankfully 64 credits transferred from my previous universities, so by this time next year I will have my Bachelor's of Science in Health Education. I still have yet to find a job down here, but starting school has definitely helped my feelings of worthlessness, I guess you could say. Writing four papers a week, cooking dinner every night, taking care of my furbabies, and making my man happy.. yeah I call that productive, for now.  Just wait until we throw a baby into the mix!  Okay, that is all to report from the Jones household.. hope everyone is doing well. Talk to you all soon and God bless!

While the Hubby is Away.. The Wifey Will Play..

          Brenton has been gone a little over three weeks and I miss him like crazy!! But let me tell you I am having a great time! I have learned that living a military life is what you make out of it. You can sit at home and do nothing all day and be bored and choose to remain lonely, or you can get out there, make friends, and jump at every opportunity given to you. I choose the second option.

           My first 'adventure' as I will call it, was a trip to Virginia to visit my aunt/uncle, cousins, and grandma. While the plane rides there were anything but pleasant, the visit there was fun and definitely worth the uncomfortable plane rides! I got to spend some much needed time with that side of my family and even managed to cook them all dinner one night. The whole trip was fun. We went to an art exhibit at Yorktown, went to a ginormous mall in Norfolk, and explored Newport News. Definitely a visit I will remember.

          One week after I get back from VA, I decided to make a trip to visit my mom. This was my next adventure, and thankfully it didn't involve any planes. Just a 4  1/2  hr car ride. I really enjoyed my visit. Unfortunately it was very short, but I am thankful I was able to visit even if it was just for a day. Hopefully next time it will be longer. I did drive by a lot of my old "hang out" places I guess you would call them. It was just so crazy to me to look at some of the places I frequented back in the day and then to look at myself now. I even drove by where I used to live when I graduated high school. I drove by the bench that Brenton and I sat on, looking into the distance contemplating life decisions and thinking about our futures and how everything would turn out. It was amazing to think about how far we have come since then, what all we have accomplished, and currently be almost a year into marriage! It is so crazy how life changes, and how fast it happens.

         In addition to plane rides and road trips I also have school so that has kept me busy as well. And I would just like to say I am very proud of myself.. over half way done with this session and have received all A's. Let's hope I can continue! In between school work I have enjoyed numerous late nights with one of my friends, Jaime. She as well as some other ladies have really been such a blessing. Jaime and I stay up late, eat yummy snacks, watch movies, and chat girl talk.. definitely not things that we could do if our husbands were home. (No offense Brenton, I love you!)

         I have definitely enjoyed myself, but I do have to say that I miss Brenton terribly. I am just so thankful for all of these opportunities that have been given to me, and all of the people in my life right now that has made this experience better. Brenton should be home soon and starts pilot training in April, that is when our lives will really start to change. I am excited for him, excited for our future, and can't wait to see what God has in store for us next!

And He is Gone...

                       As I woke up this morning, I almost forgot that Brenton had left in the wee hours of the morning. I turned over to snuggle with him, but all I woke up to was an empty bed and Occie Jim laying and purring in my neck. Oh how thankful I am for that little guy! I forget, I have my other cat Charma, and I love her too. It really is amazing how pets can make such a big impact in your life. Perhaps I should give them an extra treat or two tonight..

                      While it has certainly not been the first time Brenton and I have had to be apart, its different this time with having no family around. I understand its only for a short amount of time that he will be gone, but we have been together almost 24/7 for the past four months (despite the twenty minutes out of the day that he has to go and lock/unlock doors.) We have learned a lot in these few months. Not only are we husband and wife, we are best friends! We have been through so much together and that is how I know we can get through this and future deployments.     God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, nor sun without rain. But he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. While it may not always be easy, with God's strength we know we can get through anything, just as our past proves!  I love you Brenton, I will be praying for you and I know you will do great! See you soon!

Bye-Bye Brenton

             So in 48 hours Brenton will be on his way to IFS. It is finally happening, and I think he is so ready for it! He has turned half of our living room into an airport, complete with a runway and all of his planes. So for any of you who have gave him toy planes for gifts ever, well lets just say they are definitely coming in handy! He says it makes for a great study aid. Oh and I don't know if you have ever heard of "chair fly" but this guy is really good at it! I can say that I have helped him prepare for IFS too. I have spent a lot of nights quizzing him on what he needs to know. With all the studying he has done and hours of "chair flying" he put in I am sure he will do great!

             In the mean time, while he is gone at IFS I will be using some time to go and visit family. Not exactly sure my cats will appreciate this, but I sure am looking forward to it!

             Well, here is to getting through February and IFS and starting our new adventure in March/April!

the jones' airport

Ready or Not.. Here We Go!

              So I blame school for not updating the blog in two weeks. After writing paper after paper after paper, I don't exactly feel like writing for the blog. But, I really thought everyone needed an update as we are about to really get into the "good stuff" of our journey.

              Let me start by saying that Brenton leaves for IFS (inital flight screening, and first training before actual pilot training begins) next weekend. I can't believe it's already time for this. I am so excited for him and I know that he will do well. Shortly after he gets back, he will have about a month before he starts actual pilot training, yes.. the thing we have oh so patiently been waiting for! Our lives are about to change from being sedentary day in and day out and having our only thoughts be about who will win the next game of Phase Ten. I never thought I would say it, but I think I am actually going to miss this. While it definitely has been boring at times, and while there were many times I thought I was going to lose my mind if I sat on my couch just one minute longer starting at the TV and the clock.. well I am going to miss it. In the almost 8 months it was been since we were married, we have been so fortunate to spend basically every day (besides ASBC for 6 weeks) together. 

          I ask myself, what in the world am I going to do here in MS for 4 weeks or longer without him? Play phase ten with my cats, no.. I don't think so.. I am happy to finally announce that I may have a job! Yes, a job! After being unemployed for almost 5 months, it is about time! I had an interview yesterday and will find out in a few days if I get the job or not. I am very excited as it will give me something else to do, not to mention pass the time quicker while Brenton is gone at IFS.

         The saying, "life does not always go as you planned"  oh my goodness is it so true! And lately nothing is going as planned! Having been a little down lately about some things I started reading a devotional and in the devotional there is a quote " we can choose to hiss and claw and surrender when things get tough, but no matter what, the outcome will always be the same"  It has become my new favorite quote, and when I start to feel down again on things I remember that and it helps.  While I would love to hiss and claw at the fact that I have to have braces and possibly have to go through a long painful surgery to get there.. well I can't do anything about it. So, I choose to some how find a way to be thankful for it, along with some other issues we are facing. I have learned in the past, but am learning again that sometimes you have done all you can do, and the only thing you can do now is, let go and let God.  But hey, have Brenton and I ever done anything the easy way? I guess that is what makes us unique!

So ready or not, here we go.. we are both about to face some challenges, but I know in the end we will conquer them together.