Excuse me, have we met?

Hello again world :)

Do you remember those moments when you realize people grow up?

For me, I have no set time when I feel like I went to sleep a kid and woke up an adult. (The day before I had Chase I went to bed feeling young and the next day suddenly woke up old and a mom.) But that's different.

Brian's sister got married this past weekend and started her nurse night shifts this week. Grown up.

My brother...well we're still waiting for that to happen.

My cousin Jennifer started driving this year. Growing up.

My cousin Dani made her high school dance team. Growing up.

My cousin Alyssa received a grant for undergrad research and plans to write a book. Grown up.

Chase got his first hair cut. Growing up.

I used to know this guy in college. He was cute but not a great student by any means. He used to wait till the night before a final to start studying. He used to use words like "gooder". (Good, gooder, goodest?) When I first met him his house had a pool table. He was first a college guy, second my man, and third ROTC cadet. Then something happened.

I'm not sure what. I think he grew up.

He started running an office. He started getting recognized. He started going to meetings that required special badges. He started using big words that I don't know how to spell. He goes on TDY's and comes back with "Superior Performer." He started talking about how to be a positive influence and mentor to his airmen. He's a member of a group that will focus on how to develop into great leaders. He's already a great leader.

It's no secret anymore that Brian wants to be an Air Force pilot. He has worked so hard for so many years to finally turn in his application package last month. He has earned hundreds of private flying hours and certifications and licences. He has studied and retaken tests with all kinds of acronyms it can make your head spin. He improved his score from a 12 (that's as bad as it sounds) to a 95 (fan-freakin-tastic). We have really high hopes for next year and have been so blessed with our AF career so far and can't wait to see what God has in store for us next year. When Brian will hopefully grow up and be a pilot.