Trip to San Antonio - Jake's Space Force BMT Graduation

 We had a great trip to San Antonio last week to celebrate Jacob's graduation from BMT (Basic Military Training). He did a great job and finished strong. It was great to spend some time with him and hear all about his experience. It was challenging but he did well. He is now in Keesler AFB doing his technical training. His job is satellite communications. 

Jennifer was so ready to see her son and give him a hug!

I am glad that Levi could meet us there too! It was good to spend time with him too. 

This was the first day we got to see him where he had his coin ceremony and then and special pinning ceremony afterwards where he gave Jennifer and I Space force pins.

Jake and his grandparents.

Jake marching. I think this was his least favorite part of BMT. The second day was a parade where they marched in front of us and then had a pass and review with the higher ranking officials. It is amazing how they can transform these young men and women into airmen and guardians in just 7 1/2 weeks. We are so proud of Jacob!

My cousing Aaron is in the Air Force and is stationed where Jake did his BMT so we met him and his wife Amanda for lunch when we arrived and then he came over for the graduation ceremony on the second day.

All the active duty and veterans in the group. Tony served in the Navy, Ben in the Air Force.

The whole group

The boys went down to the Alamo and river walk one evening after we took Jake back to base.

This was the coin ceremony where Jake is receiving his Space Force coin from his Military Training Instructor.

We are grateful we could go and celebrate with Jacob. It was very hot there but it was so great to be with Jacob!

 

Jennifer's Birthday, First Day of School, and Fun Stuff

 It has been a busy season for us. But we have managed to sneak in some fun stuff, had some firsts and celebrated Jennifer. 

Grace and Sofia started school this week. Grace is in Kindergarten and Sofia is in 1st grade.

We were trying to sell/buy home to allow them to start school at new school but we were not able to do that so unfortunately they will only go to school here for about 6-8 weeks and have to change schools.

Sofia didn't want to take her pic here.

The boys started school too but no pics ;-) They are doing highschool online. Joel with the same programs he has been doing (he has about 1 1/2 years left and Caleb started with an online school here in Indiana. They both wanted to go to a brick and mortar high school but that hasn't been possible since we have not yet moved to where we will be more permanently.

We got one last fun day in at the Children's musuem the day before school started.

Vacation

 We are grateful for a Lake House here close that our friends let us use so we can take some breaks occassionally from the norm and get some down time together. It was good to have this time after a crazy few months of life and ministry. It was hard to be there without the whole family though. Enjoy some pics below. 

(Apparently sun was bright and Emma didn't want to take her pic which is the norm)

We have 2 traditions every time we go there now. One is to eat dinner one night at Cracker Barrel and the other is to go hiking with the boys on some trails not too far from where we stay. (see pic below)

We had lots of time in the water or at least the kids did.

Cuties

Dad taking Emma on a Kayak ride

Hiking with the boys

Luke won't get in the lake but enjoyed the baby pool we set up.

Beautiful Sofia

The lake was very warm.

Jacob Joined the Space Force

A week ago we sent off another son, Jacob Daniel. Over the last year or so we have discussed his options moving forward. He is a very gifted young man. He can learn, do, fix, play about anything he puts his mind to. He enjoys working on computers and has been building and selling desktops for about a year or so. He has learned to play the keys and a little guitar. He wasn't keen on the idea of college full-time at least at this point and he liked the options the air force and space force gave him. He applied to both branches and was accepted into them both. He did very well on his ASVAB (Armed Services Test) which helped him get into the Space Force which is fairly selective. It is a new branch formed in 2019. He was the first recruit from his recruiting office to go to the Space Force.

He left for Basic Training on June 25th. So he is just beginning his second week there. It is held at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. This is the same place Ben went through basic training when he was in the Air Force. This has been a difficult season for us sending off two sons especially for Momma. Please pray for Jennifer and our family. Pray for Jacob as he goes through basic training and then to technical school in Mississippi. He will be working on cyber systems in the Space Force. (He doesn't know more specifics yet on what he will do exactly) He won't be able to visit for about 6 months. Below are some pictures of our last few days with him.

Dinner with him the night before he shipped off.

He is so great with the girls. They miss him a lot!

This was after his swearing in ceremony.

Dad in front of Air Force shield and Jake in front of Space Force shield.

Swearing In. If anyone is interested in watching the video you can see it here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1145648569998318&ref=sharing

We are so proud of Jacob and excited for what God has in store for him. Please join us in praying for him!