Giving Back

The other day we went out to lunch as a family. Brian met us from work and we went to PF Chang's. Lunch didn't disappoint; we had a great time together, the kids behaved, and it was delicious. We were getting ready to pack up and go when a waiter stopped by and told us not to leave. We were really confused...where there a problem with our card? Did we do something wrong? We sat for a little while when our waitress stoppped by with this:

A HUGE piece of (delicious) chocolate cake. The waitress said that a man in the restaurant saw us together, saw Brian in uniform, and wanted to buy this as a small token of thanks for serving our country. Tears instantly sprang into my eyes. What a wonderful gesture for something we felt we didn't deserve! I don't know who that man was but he absolutely made our day. If I could have thanked him in person I would have say this: "Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. We don't live this military life for the recognition of it but thank you. This life isn't always easy and for someone to recognize that and to thank us for it, it means the world. We are so thankful we live in a country and time that supports their military and we wouldn't change a thing about our life." We have never had anything like that happen to us and never expected it in Colorado Springs, where seeing someone in uniform is very common. 

So to tie in to giving back, I'd like you about what Mrs. Fields is doing right now for our military.

"As we look forward to holiday celebrations this December, Mrs. Fields is also looking abroad to the men and women in uniform who are away from loved ones this season. As a Proud Supporter of the USO we're helping these deployed troops savor more moments that matter by donating one Mrs. Fields cookie for every tweet that mentions our special @cookiemoment handle. The perfect stocking stuffer, our indvidually wrapped cookies will be sent via USO2GO kits to troops stationed in the most remote and restricted locations."

Mrs. Fields sent us this adorable care package of cookies for Santa. The kids will be beyond excited to set this up  Christmas Eve night!

Brian has been deployed several times over the holidays and I know little things like even cookies are really moral boosters for them out there while they're away for their family.  

So if you have Twitter, will you do me a favor and tweet with the handle @cookiemoment for me please?  Let's make sure the troops feel our love this holiday season! :)

Spouse's Flight

As some of you may know, if you follow me on Instagram, this past Wednesday I got a chance to do a spouse's flight through Brian's squadron at the Academy. As neat as an opportunity that this was, I was TERRIFIED. And I mean TERRIFIED!  See, I don't really even like flying on big jets all that much. I've gotten much better since having kids but I still get pretty nervous flying. If you've seen my pictures before, though, this isn't a big jet. These are gliders, and they are tiny. And they have no engines so basically you get towed up by a tow plane, they let go of you, and you glide around and then glide in to land.  Brian's birthday was the day before and he repeatedly told me all he wanted for his birthday was for me to fly and get to experience what he does everyday. I was not a fan of this idea but I love my husband and was willing to try it. After some tears (I really am a child) and some disappoint that the weather was, in fact, going to cooperate, I bundled up and went to the airfield.

Gliders lined up for spouse's day

Ok I can do this!

Holy crap this seat is SMALL! Am I really going to do this?

Getting strapped up

Those smiles are fake, I'm scared out of my mind

Time for take off! Holy crap, no going back now!

And we're airborne!

This was the picture from in the glider when we were behind the tow plane

We went up to 8,500 ft and the views were amazing. And we were super blessed with VERY calm winds that day so there were seriously no bumps. Just a nice smooth ride above the mountains and the Academy.

Flying near the Air Force Academy

Glider selfie! 

That's the turf that we're going to land back on.

Lining up to land

Landing

Brian took pictures on the ground of us landing

That's the smile of pure joy because we are back on the ground, safe and sound!

I was so lucky to fly with a good friend of ours since you're not allowed to fly with your spouse. He did great and explained exactly what was going on at all times.

Some of the other spouses on the cooold spouse's morning!  I had about 5 layers on and was looking extra bulky, haha!

The kids loved being out on the flight line and seeing all of the planes land right by them! Even though they look less than thrilled right now.

And they even got to help push a glider in to the hangar.

Overall it was a wonderful experience.  Once I got strapped in and knew that I could handle the canopy being closed I was a ton calmer.  Our flight time was a total of 16 minutes but it went by much fast than that.  The ride was beautiful, I conquered one of my fears, Brian was happy, and we got to spend a day together at Daddy's work. I'm so glad I did it! :)

Hi! Remember Me?

Ummm hi. It's been almost 2 weeks since I've blogged. Sigh. And I really have no extraordinary excuse. Mainly it's because I rarely sit down at the computer anymore and also, 'tis the season to be busy. But I have a ton to share with you all! Here's what we've been up to:

1. Group  Children's Christmas Party

All of the flying squadrons at the Academy are in the same "group" so the group threw a huge children's Christmas party. And we were told that if the weather was alright, that Santa and his elves would jump out of an airplane. 

Luckily, the weather was perfect and the performance did not disappoint. The elves have green parachutes.

And then we saw the red and knew Santa, he was a comin'.

"SANTA!!!!"

"NOOO! Not Santa! I don't wanna see Santa!"

Naturally his elves helped him with his parachute.

Brady and not Layla waiting to see Santa. Layla, she was inside the building, far, far away.

Brady and our friend's daughter with Santa. Almost could pass for Layla, haha!

Inside we played games,

and ate snacks (to Layla's delight).

And then it was time to see the big man and tell him exactly what he wants (a Thomas King of the Railway set).

One of the cheesiest cheese faces but oh well, at least he has no problem with the big man! Layla, took 1 look, said "No, no, no nooo" And ran out the room.  So Brady, being the brave big brother, grabbed the books from them. And told Santa that she wants princesses.

He looks a little TOO happy to be in a cop car!

 2. Base Chapel Tree Lighting

We met Brian after work one night to go watch the tree lighting. We thought that's all there was but oh, no.

There was lighted hayrides. I swear this girl is excited for Christmas. 

There was also crafts, a church service, free dinner and cookies.

And the tree and menorah lighting. The menorah almost blew up and sadly, I did not get a picture of it.

Brady talked to Santa. And I planned horribly with him wearing an orange shirt and these iPhone pictures. I thought it was just a tree lighting!

And Layla stayed as far away as possible while still getting a candy cane. 

 3. doTERRA!  I've been really busy teaching classes and doing craft fairs.

This was one of the most unique craft fairs we did. Buddy the Elf was there! 

4. Christmas Shopping

This is the first year we've had to ship a lot of gifts so I've been hurriedly trying to get all of my shopping done. I just love the Castle Rock Outlet Mall and the kids actually behaved and I was able to almost finish it all.

 5. Christmas Cards

So I just love this time of year and absolutely love getting Christmas cards in the mail everyday. I had our cards done before Thanksgiving but sadly didn't realize what I ordered until they came the day after Thanksgiving.

Wishing You A MARRIED Christmas. WHAT?!?! I thought it was a typo, but no that was the template I chose and didn't read closely enough. Brian didn't catch it either. But VistaPrint is amazing, changed it for us no problem, and sent us 100 new ones for FREE. Definitely would use them again! And if you want to get wished a married Christmas, I have 99 of them (one we sent out as a joke, and they didn't even realize that's what it said).

6. Breakfast with Santa

The base (they've been awesome for Christmas events this year!) hosted Breakfast with Santa this past Saturday and it was completely free.

There were balloon animals (and my awesome photography skills)

Ummm lady, I asked for a teddy bear, and that is certainly not a teddy bear.

There were reindeer we got to see.

That pretty much pooped the entire time we were there.

A sleigh we got to ride in

Tons of crafts (including a birdhouse from Home Depot) that I didn't picture

And a 45 minute line to see Santa in which Layla screamed louder than any of the babies around when it was our turn. Think we would get the hint, huh? I think we're a little desperate for a sibling Santa picture. Brady's getting really good at this whole Santa thing. And probably knows for sure he's getting the Thomas set since he's told Santa 4 times now. Oooh maybe we can go to Bass Pro Shop for Santa #5?!

And to close out this loooong blog post, my beautiful photography skills from breakfast. I'm available if anyone needs pictures taken.