Formation

I had my formation solo this last week. It was my last solo flight in the T-34. I was flying off the instructor's wing for most of the flight except for a short time where he had me take lead. It was by far my best formation flight. The instructor, a former Thunderbird pilot, said he was "totally impressed." There was a flight doc student in the backseat of his airplane who was just along for the ride. She happened to bring a camera and took some pictures of me. It's pretty cool because we're not allowed to take pictures while we're up there so this was my only opportunity to get some. The position I'm flying in off his wing is called parade position. For us, the parameters are 20' of nose to tail separation, 10' of step-down (that's like vertical separation), and 4' of wingtip clearance. So here's the pictures. Remember, they are from the perspective of the backseat of the lead aircraft. The pilot you see flying the airplane is me.

Is Carter home?

Is Carter home? asked the kids when I answered the door. I got a little confused at first,I just stood there for a couple seconds puzzled with the question,than the other kid asked again, is Carter home? I said yes, than the three kids got inside while I was still standing at the door trying to understand what those kids could possibly be wanting with Carter. When they got inside Carter got very happy to see them, he ran around trying to show them his toys, the kids sat on the ground and started to play with him. I knew that those kids were our neighbors, and knew Carter, I just did not know that Carter was part of their playing group now. That made laugh. We have about 5 kids, ages 8 to 12, that come to our house at least twice a week looking for Carter. Did I mentioned that Carter is not even 2 yet? Anyways I found it both cute and weird =).

I'm a big guy now

My baby Carter is growing up! We got him a toddler bed, which he is in love with,(yep, got kicked out of the crib, to make room for Monique, the baby in the belly). The first night went really well, he slept the whole night, but I did not, I was too afraid that he was going to get down from the bed and wander around or even end up in the woods behind our house. The few broken hours I slept I dreamed about him playing with the knives in the kitchen. The new bed was working well for Carter but a nightmare for me! I decided that if wanted to sleep the next night I should have to put my Macguyver/ Brazilian expertise in practice, got my nylons and tied it from Carter's door knob to the bathroom's door, that did not work well, but at least I entertained my husband a little when he found out what was going on. Next day Adam went to the store and got me something that actually works, so Carter won't be able to open the door. I kind of slept better last night. Anyways I just wanted to share that with you guys to see if I can get some sympathy since so far everyone is just saying that I'm really paranoid. Here are some pictures, enjoy.

Note: I put some pictures of Adam and Carter playing in the rain (it has been raining lots these days, but nothing will spoil the fun for these two).

Post

Just so no one can say we haven't posted in a long time.

Summer Fun!

Wow, Its been a while since I've posted something here. It is amazing how lazy we get during summer, or pregnancy( it is really just me being lazy but... ), As far as I am concerned this summer is the best summer I've had. Living by the beach is AWESOME! If you want to relax, eat or party, you just have to drive a few miles and you are there!! Live music, beautiful view, lots of fun! We also got to see the airplane that Adam flies (T-34) and take some pictures, Carter is going crazy about airplanes now, last week we watched the Blue Angels show at the beach, Carter was going INSANE! He would scream with excitement every time they passed and everyone around got more excited because he was so excited. He really loves Them. The pregnancy is going very smooth this time around, no sickness or pain (except the pain in the back for carrying this huge belly). I am really enjoying my calling in the church, teaching gospel doctrine, It has been a very enriching experience. As I said, things are going great, and we've been very blessed. See, that is what happens when we take forever to post something in the blog, you just have to talk about everything at once! anyways.. enjoy the pics!

Reverent!

This last weekend we had our stake conference. We were so excited about it! Elder Bednar (of the quorum of the twelve) was coming to teach, and I got even more excited about it after Adam had a spiritual feasting with him Saturday at the Priesthood Leadership Meeting. We woke up really early on Sunday to get there and have a good seat, we got there really early and got great seats. I was very excited but very nervous, because all the people with kids were "invited" to go to the relief society room and watch the conference from there. I always watch conference from TV, and of course learn a lot from it , but this time I really wanted to be seeing the apostle and feeling his influence. I was so afraid that in the middle of the meeting Carter would get uneasy and I would have to leave. Right before the meeting started I said I prayer and I specificly asked Heavenly Father to help Carter to be "reverent" during the meeting so we all could enjoy it. Carter is almost 18 months now, and everybody with kids knows how difficult it is for an 18 month-old be quiet for a long period of time. fifteen minutes before it started I got inside of the chapel and walked to the very front seat with Carter (Adam was busy ushering). You know those moments you feel everybody is looking at you? I thought everybody was looking at us and thinking that I really should leave to the other room, but I sat there anyways. When the music prelude started Carter sat down straight, on my lap, and crossed his arms (like when we are going to pray), he was listening to the music quietly, not a word! Just sitting there with his arms folded. The meeting started and he still didn't move, he just listened to the beginning of the meeting quietly, very reverent, until he fell asleep in my arms, with his arms folded. He slept throughout the whole thing. Adam joined us and we had a great conference. I am so gratefull for prayers . I know that even the more trivial subjects are listened and answered. I love our son! He is the joy of our hearts! (here is a picture of Carter being "reverent").

We are back!

Hey guys! We are back from our trip to Brazil. Boy we had so much fun! It was awesome being able to see Carter playing with his cousins and his many, many other second and third cousins, seriously, Carter have so many visitors! every cousin wanted to see the "American boy". Carter had a hard time at first with everyone trying to hug , kiss and play with him( I guess his American side needed "his space"), but soon his Brazilian blood warmed up a little and he was hugging and kissing everybody. The poor kid had a lot of people practicing their English on him, they would say whatever frase they learned at school to him and expect an answer... ai ai ai! it is all I can say. He was also called of many names, since nobody really could pronounce his name, He learned fast to answer to anybody that started a sentence with "Ca". Grandmother was a sweetheart ! They had a wonderful time bonding. Needless to say I had to deal with a lot of crazy things too, but it was all worthy it! We are glad to be back home! I missed Adam so much! WOW! I don't think I will never leave him for that long again!! We are having a wonderful time together. I am so blessed with my husband and son. They are the joy of my heart!. Here are some pictures.