A Look Ahead

Happy New Year!

We hope you had a great 2014 and have an even better 2015. We spent the New Years at the Grand Canyon where it had snowed all the way down to the river. This is something that only happens about every 10-15 years.

As we continue our drive home I thought now would be a perfect time to do a post and give you an idea of what's ahead for the Davies.

Zed begins training on his aircraft this month and should complete it in April. From there he will continue to become comfortable with the plane and we expect he will deploy sometime this year. Say a prayer it's not over Christmas.

I will continue to learn the manpower world and keep up with our little girls. I plan to run a half marathon in April, I'll keep you up to date how that goes.

Mia turns 2 this year which means sleeping in a big girl bed and using the potty aren't far away. I'm sure there will be stories that go along with both.

Ana will turn 1 in July. She'll be crawling any day now and I'm sure walking in a few months too. She wants to keep up with her sister.

This year is looking to be one of exploring the new state we live in and enjoying as much time together as we can.

Happy New Year to you! Stay tuned for more adventures from the Davies.

-Sam

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Merry Christmas - a little late

Merry belated Christmas! We hope all of you enjoyed time with family and friends. This year we traveled to Oregon. We rented an expedition and drove from Oklahoma to Colorado and stayed with Zed's sponsor family. We then traveled to Utah and stayed with Zed's aunt and uncle and had dinner with his paternal grandparents. From there we went to Idaho and stayed with another aunt of Zed's and visited with his maternal grandparents and aunts. We finally made it to Oregon where we went to 2 basketball games, fed cows, went on a sleigh ride, and spent some much needed visiting with family. Mia and Ana were spoiled by their uncles and Grandpa and Grandma. We were able to facetime with Erik (brother #4) who is currently serving a mission in western Australia. On our way home we'll be going by way of Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Albuquerque, and then back to Oklahoma. Enjoy the pictures and look for another post at the New Year.

Tallest point in Oklahoma

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A Lot to be Thankful For

Both of my girls are napping, my husband is on his way to Oregon, and I am snuggled on the couch with some peppermint tea. I haven't written a post in almost a month and now is as good of time as any. 

Since my last post a lot of things have happened. Prepare to enjoy!

We successfully made it to Oklahoma and moved in to our new home. We thankfully had help from my grandfather in order to accomplish this. Check out his blog at thefidd.blogspot.com to see all the details of the trip. We spent two days driving and so far two weeks unpacking.

We have a gorgeous house that we're very proud of. We now have the daunting task of making in our own. In future posts I'll show how we accomplish that. I have plans for a lot of DIY.

We spent Thanksgiving with one of my sponsor families from the Academy. They have since retired and are now living in Argyle, TX. We had amazing food and a great time catching up. We were very thankful to them welcoming our crazy family into their home. Zed flew to Portland this morning to go see brother #5 play in the state championship football game. 

Ana and Mia are doing great. Ana can roll over both ways, scoot backwards, and sit up unassisted for a few moments at a time. Mia's vocabulary hasn't expanded much, but she is growing is so many other ways. She understands just about everything we ask of her, whether she decides to follow or not is another story. We're very blessed to have our two happy girls.

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with love, family, and friends. 

Almost Through

This is the last push before our best friend is home. We've been without Zed for 3wks and have 1 more to go. We've gotten a small taste of what deployments will be like. I now know I can do it, but it takes 2-3 weeks to get good at it. I also know the last week is the hardest because I'm just counting down the days until we get to pick him up at the airport. Mia has had a tough time, it is very clear that she needs a male figure in her life. The bond between Zed and Mia is so strong. Ana is still too young to notice, but I feel like she can tell something is different.

Since Zed's been gone I've gotten the girls and myself packed up and as much of the kitchen as I can. Mia has had hand/footh/mouth and somehow Ana stayed healthy. Mia now sleeps in a toddler bed which means Ana can switch to the crib. We're so excited to get to Oklahoma and start the next chapter. The girls are best of friends and growing more each day.

When Zed gets home on Saturday we'll have 2.5wks to finish packing, check out of the base and drive to OKC. It's going to be a crazy time and I'll try to keep the blog going, but it may be Thanksgiving until the next post happens.

Please keep us in your prayers these next few weeks.

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While Dad's Away the Girls Will Play

For the next 3wks us three girls are flying solo. Zed is in Washington state attending water and land survival training. He'll be learning how to survive, evade, resist, and escape. These are skills he'll need to have in the very slim chance his plane goes down and he becomes a prisoner of war.

Ana is 3mo old. She weighs almost 14lbs and is 2ft tall. She self soothes really well, preferring her thumb over a pacifier and loves watching ceiling fans. She is constantly watching her big sister and already talking up a storm.

Mia is 20mo going on 16yrs it seems most days. She's 23lbs and 3ft tall. Her favorite food changes daily, but macaroni and cheese, cheese sticks, and strawberries are usually a safe bet. She is an amazing big sister, quickly running to Ana's side when she cries and rubbing her belly. The more she can run and play outside the better, which keeps me healthy. Her vocabulary is expanding, she's added airplane, thank you, love you and banana to her list. Mia is a spirited little girl who knows exactly what she wants, just can't always articulate it.

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A quick note

Since the last post a lot has happened.

Mia is 18mo old and is adding new sounds to her vocabulary every day. Ana is 2mo old and coos almost as much as Mia babbles.

Zed has graduated from pilot training and wears wings on his chest now. He will be going to survival training in Washington state the month of October and reports to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma in November. His training for the E3 begins after he New Year.

I have recently gotten orders to move to Tinker with Zed. We are quite excited.

This labor day weekend Zed, Ana, and I have been touring houses trying to find that perfect one to buy. I'll try to do a post about the experience this week. Mia is with Zed's parents so that was one huge plus.

This week the three of us will continue our bonding time in San Antonio, Texas. I have a two day course and Zed and Ana will bond.

Zed then flies to Oregon to spend the week at the ranch. He'll grab Mia and fly to Atlanta. Ana, Abby, and I will meet them in Atlanta. On the 13th we will watch the Air Force Academy play Georgia State in the Georgia Dome.

Ana and I will then be off to Washington DC for five days for a trip with my international students. Well then have one week together as a family before zed heads off to Washington state for a month for survival training. When he returns from training we will have two weeks to pack the house and move to Oklahoma.

These next two months are guaranteed to be interesting and exciting stay tuned to see what happens.

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Here's a Toast

This is not a post about the Davies family, but one about a different family Zed and I are a part of, our USAFA class. When you see my status that says "here's a toast," it's not a funny joke, but a way to show respect for a fallen Air Force Academy grad.

Yesterday one of our classmates passed away and the best way we, as classmates, can show our condolences and support classmates who are suffering is to post these three little words. Three little words that bind what is referred to as the long blue line no matter where we may be. Three little words that give those suffering hope that they're not in it alone. Three little words that no other institution uses to mourn the loss of a friend.

Since Zed and I started at the Academy we have said these words many times, but this is the first time it's been for a member of our own class. So as you go about your day please keep the USAFA class of 2012 in your thoughts.

Third Verse of the AF song...
Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!

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