Jake's Visit

 

We were very happy that Jacob got to visit with us for a few weeks before heading to Germany for his permanent duty assignment. Here are a few pics from his visit.

When he got back. Momma might have shed a few tears.

Thanks for praying with us for him and his transition.

Trip to Kansas City and Mississippi

 We were grateful for some time away during the kids fall break to go and see Levi and Alanna in Kansas City and Jacob in Mississippi. They are all doing well as you can see in some pics below. We had a fun time although it was a lot of driving.

Levi got some lovings from his sisters

This was the highlight of the trip! Luke got to ride in Levi's space car. He combined Jake's job with Space Force and Levi's job with security on campus and called the police car the space car.

Of course the girls had to get in it too!

We celebrated Jake's bday while we were there

Jake and Ben did some hiking in Mississippi

This is in Levi and Alanna's apartment.

We played some games of course

Lots of snuggle bug hugs for Jake as Emma calls them.

The house where we stayed in Mississippi was a 100 year old home.

It was nice to have Uncle Dan come over and see us too. They only live about an 1 hr or so from where we were.

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!

 

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!