Time in Alabama is fast disappearing

You have to cram in so much when you know you are leaving. That's exactly what we have been doing out here in Alabama.

This past week we went to the Andersonville P.O.W. museum in Georgia. It was a humbling experience that put things into perspective with this little life I get to live, and all the great freedoms I enjoy. We are spoiled spoiled people.

Here's a brief explanation from this website:

Camp Sumter, commonly called Andersonville, was one of the largest military prisons established by the Confederacy during the Civil War. In existence for 14 months, over 45,000 Union soldiers were confined at the prison. Of these, almost 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, and exposure to the elements.

This is a picture of Alta showing her Daddy the prison walls...
what they would have looked like.

Alta among those that gave their lives for this country. 13,000 dead in 14 months. Unbelievable.

Along the way, Mommy had to touch an actual cotton plant. Because honestly, have you? Felt like it was something I just had to do in the South. And yes, we just pulled off the road, and I ran over to touch a plant.

On the way home from Andersonville, Jaren took our family on an impromptu tangent trip! We visited the Kolomoki Mounds. Here's a bit about them taken from this site:

This historically significant park is the oldest and largest Woodland Indian site in the southeastern U.S., occupied by American Indians from 350 to 750 A.D. Georgia’s oldest great temple mound, standing 57 feet high, dominates two smaller burial mounds and several ceremonial mounds.

Hmmm... this feels familiar. Perhaps some mound building culture of Indians I've read about somewhere.... Who knows. I will say this - the State park people definitely didn't have many answers. Most of their plaques made us laugh. "Here is a temple mound. It was excavated, and we didn't figure out much... and don't really know how it was made. Or where the dirt came from." (I may be misquoting... but I'm close)

Here are some more pictures from that area:

Love my little angel. Love her curly red hair. Aside from our fun trips, Alta has been busy. She is busy working on her music career. She loves singing, dancing, and working the room.

And she's getting better at this crawling thing. Mostly it's still a bunch of fussing. But when she REALLY wants something, she does it just fine. Ultimately, she'd just rather be standing (or dancing) (or singing).

Hello Summer!

Summer is flying by, and EVERYTHING is changing. Especially our little peanut! Just today she said her first intentional word: Dada. Of course, I've been telling you all along... she's a Daddy's girl!!! Honestly, it was so cute. She just kept saying Dada over and over and over. Tears ran down my cheeks as I realized that my little girl is growing up. She also figured out clapping two days ago. I am just amazed at each step along the way, and how truly exciting it is for Jaren and me. I know everyone feels this way about their kids - but it's finally MY turn... and well... I'm just in love.

Anyhow, this summer has been packed full. Here are some of our fun memories and pictures:

You have to start out with the BEACH! This time the water was warmer, and Alta loved it! Mommy loved the 10 hour shopping fest with Marci and Momma Brooks. Daddy did not really love the shopfest.

If we weren't at the beach, we were headed to the pool or cooling off with a bath. As you can see, we both can't get enough of the water in this Alabama heat.

There was a trip to Utah... and all of the old Party house roomies got together (well... not all of us... but a bunch of us). Here are some of our kids. I don't know about you, but I think we do nice work! Ps... I love that Alta is just so excited to be with all of these kids!

Also while in Utah, I got to go ride a couple of times with my brother and sister. We were training for Spudman this year. Although I didn't get to do it... I truly cherished the time I got to spend with my siblings. Scott is happy, because he beat my old time (by 3 minutes). Looks like I'll have to do it again soon to show him who's boss. Ha! Meg did a great job too, and I'm super proud of her!

We also got to take Alta hiking... at Alta. So beautiful.

As you can see, we both belong in the mountains.

I got to see my old team from DCFS (or at least a few of them). I miss working with them more than they will ever know. It was great to see them again, and to eat some yummy Thai food!


Back in 'Bama, Alta was learning to follow in her Daddy's footsteps. She's already mastered hovering. Look how confident she is!

Well, life continues to move quickly, and I'm just holding on for dear life. I'm grateful for my new little family, and for how much joy they bring to my life. Until next time, this is Brenna signing out.

Graduation

It's official. My husband is a Blackhawk pilot. In Army lingo, we say, he's a UH-60 Pilot, or he flies 60's. At any rate... he's done! Well... almost.

On Wednesday, we had family day. Jaren's mom (Janet) and sister (Marci) flew out from Utah to join us for this special occasion. Anyhow, we got to see what Jaren has been doing during his time here at Fort Rucker. We got to go play around in some Blackhawks, and actually see the difference between the Alpha (older) and Mike (newer) models. Jaren has been selected to fly the newer Mike Model - so that means that we will be sticking around in Alabama for another couple of months. We are excited for him to be able to fly the uber computerized cybertron known as the Mike model.... but Jaren is a little worried that he will become completely lazy as a pilot and totally forget how to fly (it basically does everything for you). And I think to myself, "Great, we've spent how long here for you to learn how to not fly?!!!"


Later that night we went to the simulators. He got to show off some more, while the rest of us came to the realization that there are basically endless ways to die in a helicopter. Good, that should be comforting as I prepare for future deployments! Really, I am just completely in awe of my husband. He can fly a metal box in the sky! Oh what? Your husband teaches the blind to read? Well that's boring, isn't it? .... I apologize if your husband actually does teach the blind to read... but not really... because my husband is even cooler than yours.

On Thursday, he graduated flight school. It was surreal. A lot like your own High School / College graduation, only much shorter... and way more formations, turns, and creeds going on. But basically that same sense of nostalgia was present.... letting you know that this was a big moment. Even if the whole world didn't know it.

After his graduation, I Grad-U-Mated. They had a luncheon which celebrated the spouses and supporters of the graduates. I was pinned with "wings" and given a Diploma for a degree in Master of Aviation Support. Jaren totally surprised me with my "wings". It was a cute necklace that he bought all on his own. Good job Jar!

And so we are officially done. Yet not...

Life lesson? I think so. Also sounds a lot like the Army.

Alta, meet your Great Grandma!

My wonderful father recently flew out to Alabama, just so that we could drive the 10 1/2 hours to Arkansas to see my Grandma. Don't I have a great Dad? I do!
I am so thankful for the car rides there and back. #1 - Alta is a rockstar. She only needed to stop one time (other than the pre-planned stops) along the way. She just patiently played in her carseat, slept, and cooed like a gremlin. #2 - I got 20 hours of talking to my Dad. Just us. No distractions... no one else to interrupt us... just us! After about the first 2 hours we figured out that WE actually had to do the talking - it was funny. I feel like we really got to know each other. Why is it that we really don't know our family the way we do our friends? This trip was such a blessing. I will never forget it.

Anyhow, when we got to Arkansas, Grandma was waiting for us. This is her first time meeting Alta.

Alta immediately loved her Great Grandma. She was so happy to be with her. And knew that we were gonna have a good time.

Well enough about meeting your Great Grandma... Foods ready!!! Cornbread, Fried Corn, Taters, Peas, Slaw... you know... the usual. Top it all of with some Pecan Pie... "Well, I'm sorry that I just don't really cook anymore", says Grandma.

So the week was filled with a lot of EATING.

Good doesn't even begin to describe it. Grandma could make you want to eat if you were anorexic.

On Thursday Meghan and Anna joined us. She flew in from Salt Lake. We were lucky enough to be able to go on some runs together. She is amazing, and I love her so much. It was fun to be able to go running with her. We basically have the same stride, the same competitive nature, and the same love of nature. To say that we make good running partners is an understatement. I wish I could have her close by for every workout.

We hit up decoration day again. We celebrated and honored our family at the Shockey Cemetery. I got to see everyone from last year, and it was nice to feel a part of a big family again. I adore my cousins, Aunts, and Uncles. It's weird when you get to be around your family that your never around. You kinda look like each other, have similar mannerisms, and yet - you haven't been hanging out your whole life.... but still - you just fit. Alta remained the center of attention, bath time being no exception. Aunt Helen bought her some rubber duckies, and she really really liked them. Especially this one... which as you can see, she likes to eat with no hands. My Dad sent a picture off to Jaren similar to this one. His response? "Well it's not real meat - but it's a start." One thing about Grandma, she loves Dominoes. It's just not Grandma's if your not playing. Each night (usually after Alta went to bed), the games would begin. Now, Grandma is not your docile, "I'll let you win" type. She is competitive (Hmmmm... I wonder where this comes from), smartypants that will tell you when you haven't been paying attention to the "clicks". I thoroughly enjoyed playing, and won a couple of times too. Alta of course thought it was awesome when she got to play with me. I let her mix for me. Here's a picture of me wrestling with Meg. Apparently she doesn't know what a real threat I am. Anyhow, it was a great trip. I am so lucky to have the family that I do. Here's a final picture of my cute Grandma and my Grandpa (who I miss SO so much!)

I will be heading back up this Thursday so that Jaren can hang out with the family too. We have to take advantage of being so close while we can.

Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Putrid, Poor Performances...

I have so many great memories from my time as a competitive swimmer.

I also had a lot of oversized t-shirts. You see, my time as a Brighton Bengal and CHAT girl meant something to me - so I could never really just toss out all my old swim shirts. Ultimately, I'm just too sentimental to chuck them. And thus, I carried them from house to house to house as I have journeyed these many years. I always knew that I wanted to do something with them - and wearing them ... well... was getting a little silly. They are huge! Seriously, what was I thinking ordering a large back then? I was 98 lbs for a good chunk of this! Oh yeah - I remember... it was the 90's! Everyone wore large t-shirts back then.

Anyhow, I digress...

The point is, I wanted to make something that could help me to share my fond memories with my children and family.

Ergo, my t-shirt quilt:

Ahhh... I can almost feel the alarm going off at 4:21 now. I can feel the ice on my kickboard, and the dread that only a cold outdoor pool in Utah (in April) can bring. Even now I can remember joy we would get from "Super 500's" as our warmup. (Still one of my favorite things to swim).

Russ (my coach) was right about many things. One thing he often said, was that I would never again be surrounded by so many high-powered and motivated individuals. He was right. The majority of my old teammates are now very successful people... who continue to push themselves in all aspects. Many of them are now Dr.'s, Laywers, Social Workers, Teachers, Mothers, cyclists, triathletes, runners, etc. I think we gained a love of working hard.

Another thing I can thank my swimming days for: My love of synergy. Teamwork. I truly believe what one of my old t-shirts says: "Changes can come from the power of many, but only when the many come together to form that which is invincible.... the Power of One." It taught me that everything is more fun when I am doing it with other people. And, that if someone else is suffering right next to me - well then, I can endure just that much more.

Anyhow, I will leave you all with one more quote off a t-shirt we wore. I think it pretty much sums up a theme that is ingrained in my personality, then and now:

"SUCCESS is the result of WORK

WORK is the visible manifestation of COMMITMENT

COMMITMENT is a pledge to PERSONAL EXCELLENCE

PERSONAL EXCELLENCE in the present is not possible without a severe struggle."

-Albert Einstein