Ten Years of Service and Still Lookin' Good

It's been a big week for my handsome husband, Lieutenant Lovemuffin. Earlier this week, he finally had his very first day of Air Force pilot training (and just a couple weeks ago, he promoted to First Lieutenant!)

Yesterday, however, was a big milestone for him. It marked exactly TEN YEARS since he first joined the US military. I don't say the US Air Force because he enlisted in the Army first, way back in 2006.

Dan was in between his junior and senior years of high school when he went to his very first basic training (of three because of USAFA) at Ft. Benning in Georgia.

Since his enlistment in the Army, he has played in the Army band, performed funeral honors for many veterans, transferred to the Air Guard, trained to become a B-2 Crew Chief, received acceptance to the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, earned the Top Science Student award, receive an appointment to the Air Force Academy, worked hard to earn a Bachelor's degree in Physics while competing on the flying team, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, attended the Air Force Institute of Technology and earned a Master's degree in Applied Physics, and started pilot training to fulfill a long-held dream.

I'd say he's accomplished a lot in his ten years of service, but he is itching to finally REALLY get out there and serve his country instead of being in classes!

Really, I just thought he deserved a huge shout-out for all of the hard work he's put in over the past ten years! I love how selfless he is to defend our country, and I am so proud of all he has accomplished and all he will achieve for the rest of his career!

AFIT Graduation

Last month, just the night before we left Ohio, Lieutenant Lovemuffin graduated from AFIT (the Air Force Institute of Technology) with a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics. He worked SO hard for that degree. It was really special being able to watch him defend his thesis in February, but seeing him walk across the stage in what is one of the coolest venues ever (the National Museum of the US Air Force) was incredible.

Many people opted not to take their babies/kids, but I decided that no matter how difficult it was, it was important for Annabelle to be there. We found out about her and had her all during Dan's time at AFIT, so it only seemed fitting. She was on her best behavior... she ate twice, fell asleep once, and flirted with LOTS of people during the ceremony. I even received a compliment on her behavior afterward from someone sitting behind us. I'm so glad she was able to be there with us, and I know Dan was glad to have her support too.

Now, we're all settled into our home in Texas, and we're enjoying some leisurely days before Dan begins pilot training!

Do you enjoy graduations?
Have you been to the National Air Force Museum?

Goodbye, Ohio!

Today, we are driving away from our house in Ohio. It was our very first duty station as a married couple. Once Dan graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2014, we got married and moved to Dayton, Ohio so he could get his Master's degree from AFIT, the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Last night, he received that Master of Science in Applied Physics degree (more on that coming soon), and we completed our time at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Thank goodness. We were not so much a fan of this town, but we also know it could be worse. There's nothing AWFUL about Dayton... there's just nothing exceptional about it either. In all fairness, we probably would have felt that way about any base after coming from gorgeous Colorado Springs.

Although we are not upset to be leaving Ohio behind for more exciting things (ie: pilot training and all the fun and craziness that comes along with it in Texas), we did make some special memories in Ohio...

We lived in our first house as a married couple. Sure, we rented it, but we worked hard to put it together to look and feel like a home, and I will definitely miss the layout of that house. It's also the home we welcomed Annabelle into, and while she will have many homes growing up, this one will always remain special because of the middle of the night feedings, sweet newborn cuddles, and many first milestones that took place in this very house. I'm happy to be leaving, but I'm also overwhelmed with sadness about leaving that part of Annabelle's life behind - she'll never remember it, so I'm happy that I at least captured her nursery in photos for her to have when she's older.

We went to many baseball games, went flying, and even made our own table for our patio! We're excited to move that one with us to Texas for all of the cookouts we see in our future.

We welcomed Smudge, Dan's childhood dog, into our home, and the kitties moved to their third state! Gilligan and Stormy are such well-seasoned travelers. 

Dan started his first Air Force job as an officer, going to school at AFIT. Those butterbars look so good on him. I turned my Etsy shop into something larger than I ever expected and shipped out a TON of orders for the holiday season. We took a family picture with all of our pets for our first married Christmas, and we celebrated our first year of marriage! 

In Ohio, we found out we were expecting, found out the baby is a GIRL, went through my entire pregnancy, and welcomed sweet Annabelle Kathryn. Life wasn't so bad in Ohio, after all. ;-) 

We bought our new car (the Dadmobile), spent our first Christmas with a baby, watched Dan defend his thesis (and graduate!), and took Annabelle to the polls to teach her the American way. 

While we're hoping never to be stationed in Ohio again (and as a pilot, Dan shouldn't be assigned there - but you know the military...), we will definitely miss some small aspects of it. And our small handful of great friends there. We will definitely miss them.

Now onto the adventures of pilot training! 

Do you ever feel sentimental when leaving a base, even if you didn't particularly care for it?

AFIT Thesis Defense: Complete!

After working for 18 months at AFIT (the Air Force Institute of Technology) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Lieutenant Lovemuffin successfully defended his thesis a couple weeks ago!

I was so happy that I got to watch him defend. It was really neat seeing all of that stud's hard work pay off. And also, since I had to edit that darn thing, I felt like I deserved to go! Luckily, no one had a problem with it. One of his best friends was in town too, so she came with me.

*Also worthy of pointing out: So she wouldn't disrupt her daddy's presentation, I left Annabelle with someone who isn't my mom for the first time ever... it only took me five months! Haha! Thanks again, Megan! We will miss you when we move.

Dan's thesis is for his Master's in Physics degree... so he researched, wrote, and presented about Millimeter Wave Radar Propagation. Over your head too? Just mine?? Moving on...

I am so incredibly proud of all the hard work my handsome husband has put in over the last year and a half to make this happen! We knew all along that this assignment was just a small piece of our journey, and while Ohio hasn't been the most fun, we are SO glad he has his Master's degree (almost) finished with! He is still in a weather class for a couple more weeks, and graduation is on the 24th! 

We took a family photo once we got home so Annabelle could be in a picture as well!

Do you like physics?

Do you have a Master's degree or want one?

A PCS is Upon Us

When Lieutenant Lovemuffin graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2014, he was all set to head to pilot training. He's been flying for YEARS and can't wait to train in Air Force planes.

... but then he was offered a slot at AFIT, the Air Force Institute of Technology. A free master's degree? Heck yeah! Dan will be graduating in March as a Master of Physics, and his ladies (Annabelle and I) are pretty proud of his hard work while writing his incredibly long thesis.

He is chomping at the bit to be in the air again, though. His old flying team teammates are finishing pilot training in waves, and he is just stuck in Ohio going to school... still. But it'll all be worth it!

In fact, it'll SOON be here... because we are moving to TEXAS! Sheppard Air Force Base, here we come!

We've actually known since before heading to AFIT. These were his original orders... but we didn't know if the Air Force would mess anything up. Dan received his official orders about a month ago, and he'll be flying down soon to look at houses. We'll leave Ohio at the end of March, and Dan is SO excited to start flying again!

He'll be at ENJJPT (Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training), where he will start out flying the T-6 and move on to the T-38 before finding out what aircraft he'll be flying for his career. We are so ready to be there!


    

Proud Military Spouse {a link-up}

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. This is the first year I've been a spouse instead of a girlfriend or fiancée for this day, so I'm pretty excited!

I am linking up with Amanda from Somewhere over the Camo and Jen from Marathons and Dog Tags for the "Proud Military Spouse" link-up! How fun!

I've been married for almost a year now, and it's been so much fun! Dan and I were together for over five years before tying the knot (thanks, USAFA), so I've learned quite a bit about this military journey along the way... but I learn more each and every day! 

Amanda and Jen listed some questions to answer for the link-up, and I'm so excited!

1. Tell us about yourself and your blog. Well, I'm Janelle, and I'm a newlywed to Dan. I am a former 8th grade teacher, and now I have a home based business making crafts and selling them through my Etsy shop. We have two cats and a dog - OH, and we have a baby on the way! We currently live in Dayton, OH while Dan gets his Master's degree in Applied Physics at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), but we are moving to Wichita Falls, TX next spring for him to begin Euro Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training, and we couldn't be more excited about that! My blog started as a platform to keep family up to date on what we're up to since we live far away from them, but it turned into so much more. Shortly after starting this blog, I found the amazing (and huge) military spouse community, and I began reaching out to other significant others of America's warriors. It's been so fun connecting with others and even meeting some of them.

2. What branch of the military are you affiliated with? While Dan originally enlisted in the US Army way back in 2006, he switched a couple years later (and before we met) and is now an officer in the greatest Air Force in the world... so we are a proud Air Force family!

3. What is one thing you enjoy about the military lifestyle? I love a lot of things and TRY to focus on the positives. I love all the uniforms my husband gets to wear... I love going to balls... I love traveling for free via Space A... I love making new friends all over the world... I love the possibility of living in really cool places... heck, I even love those giant green onesies (aka flight suits).

4. What advice would you give other military spouses who are new? The biggest adjustment I had to make was my flexibility, and while it's commonly said that flexibility is the key to air power, I think flexibility is also the key to a military marriage. After all, plans are going to change last minute. You're bound to get orders to an undesirable location someday. Training, TDYs, and deployments can and will interfere with life... but making the most of the time you do have together and being flexible about when that is will make all the difference. Each experience in life is what you make it - so have a positive outlook, and enjoy the ride!

Check out the rest of the wonderful ladies who posted in the link-up at the bottom of this post!

How would YOU answer questions 3 and 4? I am always looking for more uplifting stories and advice!


    

Brrrrrrrrr... It's Cold!

I don't know about you all, but where I live, it is COLD. The windchill here in Ohio was -26 last week. Seriously. This is on the verge of being colder than Colorado, for crying out loud.

At least in Colorado, we had the gorgeous mountains to look at - which were so nice covered in snow. Here, it's just cold. And it's a wet cold, so it feels even worse. And I totally wasn't expecting it for whatever reason.

We got a decent amount of snow last week (about 4-5 inches), and my husband's classes were even canceled for a day. We had fun trying to stay warm together and even enjoyed a pizza buffet. I love that he has a big truck with four wheel drive - we can do anything!

And overnight tonight, it's supposed to sleet and freeze over. I'm glad I don't have too much going on this week. You'll catch me all bundled up inside with the three fur-babies. It takes a lot for me to get cold (yes, I'm one of THOSE people)... but this weather has even gotten to this winter-loving lady!

The fresh snow was SO pretty first thing in the morning! Love it!

Dan took Smudge out to play in the snow... and Gilligan was jealous. He kept meowing loudly and scraping the window/door with his paws... so we decided to let him out too. He wasn't a huge fan and hasn't begged to go back outside since.

Stormy is much smarter and enjoys watching it from the inside instead. 

• Are you a winter person?
• Do you like the snow?
• How cold is *too cold* for you?

AFIT Holiday Ball

The weekend before finals at AFIT (the Air Force Institute of Technology where Dan is getting his Master's degree in physics) was the holiday ball. We had looked forward to it for a couple months, and I was excited when the evening finally rolled around!

This was our first REAL Air Force ball (outside of the Air Force Academy, where Dan did his undergrad) and our first one as a married couple (though Ring Dance at the Academy will ALWAYS take the cake as the most awesome ball ever for us).

I re-wore my dress from Ring Dance because I loved it so much AND didn't want to spend money on a new one (and hey, it still fits a year and a half later, so why not, right?), and we enjoyed some great company and food. We didn't dance because Dan's back had been hurting him pretty badly, but we are glad we went anyway!

We met some new couples that we hadn't talked to before, and that's always nice. The food and decorations were splendid, and it was definitely a great night!

Overall, we had a great night and enjoyed meeting some new people!

• Do you like going to balls?
• What was your favorite military ball?

A New Adventure (Thanks, Air Force)

Recently, I alluded to a change in our plans when I posted this post last week.

I wasn't trying to hold back information, but nothing was 100% official yet. Actually, it still isn't because it's the Air Force... what can I say?

As some of you will remember, I posted at the very end of January that Dan will be going to pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, his top choice. Well, that is still true... but it has been pushed back a bit.

It's been pushed back 18 months, to be exact.

That's because Dan has been honored with a graduate school slot at AFIT, the Air Force Institute of Technology, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He will get his Master's degree in Applied Physics through the Engineering Physics program.

Nothing is set in stone yet, and I feel like we're in limbo. His report date is currently July 31st, so we will pack up and move there immediately after we return from our honeymoon this summer. If funding falls through for whatever reason, though, this will all be off.

As of now, however, we are confident that we are moving to Ohio in July rather than to Texas next March. Goodbye, Colorado... in a couple months!

• Does anyone have experience with AFIT?
• Has anyone ever been stationed at Wright-Pat?
• What do we need to know about Ohio?