Montgomery

We spent last weekend in and around Montgomery, AL, where Jon had to fulfill his Air Force reservist responsibilities and where Sonora and I played with several dear friends. As an AF reservist, Jon has to spend one weekend each month, his drill weekend, at the squadron at Maxwell AF Base. He has several other days throughout the year that he will need to serve in order to meet the reservist requirements but the main schedule enhancing detail is the monthly drill weekend. Maxwell is where we spent the first three weeks of our wedded life before being transfered to TX and was Jon's first base out of pilot training. Maxwell holds a special place in our lives and Jon really enjoys the folks in his squadron, many of whom were there three years ago. 

So while Jon is brushing up on protecting and serving our great nation, Sonora and I are dutifully and joyfully investing in friendships! We spent Thursday evening and all day friday with Matt, Shaunna, and Grayson West in Troy, AL. Sonora loved Grayson and tried to play with him but he really wasn't very impressed since she is still so little (Grayson will be two in September). However, that didn't discourage her any, she sat in rapt amazement as he ran all over the house and when he stopped long enough she scooted over to him and tried to crawl up the side of him. She loved the dogs and became an eager student of them, it worked, because now she can bark. On Friday Sonora made a new best friend, Mrs. Nancy, Matt's Mom. Mrs. Nancy kept the kiddos while the rest of us plus the Honduras team grilled, cooked, served, sold, and delivered chicken dinners to close to 400 people around town. The chicken plates helped to raise money for the mission trip that they will be going on in four weeks. It was a wild time and an honor to get to help in a small way. I cannot wait to hear reports and see pictures from their trip! Let me also add that the chicken was delicious - way to go Matt, Mr. Bubba, and grill guys! We wrapped up Friday night meeting Jon in Montgomery for dinner (with all the Wests) at Bonefish Grill, one of my favs. 

Saturday was spent with Jan and almost born baby Wynn at Jan's apartment pool. Wynn's due date is two days before Sonora's projected due date was last year and three days before her first birthday. We can hardly wait to meet her. It was so wonderful to float in the pool all afternoon and get caught up with Jan, not only a close college friend but my roommate and sister during our year in China. Sonora loved Jan and the pool! On this day she learned how to jump to me from the side of the pool. I would set her out of the water on the edge and she would scoot on her tiny rear till she was almost in the water then she would lean forward, throw her head in the air, close her eyes, lead with her chest, and fall into my arms. It was so funny and she did it all day long. There was a birthday party going on at the same time for three kids so there were children all over the place. Sonora is getting more and more enthralled with kids that are bigger than her and towards the end of the day she thought that, A) she was a big kid and, B) she could swim. She kept trying to leap out of my arms and take off with the pack, it was all I could do to hold her back! 

Saturday day night we attended a retirement party for one of the loadmasters in Jon's squadron, it was neat to see someone who has spent his life in the AF and hearing the stories others had to tell about him. We sat with Jon's squadron commander at dinner who works at the EPA in his other (non-military) life. He had a very interesting perspective on the oil crisis and drilling in the US etc. I enjoyed talking with him. Coming from an active duty perspective (even though it was of relatively short duration), it is interesting to see the reservist side of things, it is a totally different mindset. I get a kick out of hearing what they all do in their other lives. While Jon is enjoying being back, he also has said several times that he feels like he is developing split personalities because the lives seem so unrelated, military and civilian. 

Sunday we attended Church with Burt, Melissa, Nicholas, and Joshua. The boys are two and five months respectively, again, Sonora was thrilled to have friends to play with.  We spent the afternoon at their house eating delicious burgers and salad, playing their new Wii, and discussing the problems of politics and the world. Sonora especially enjoyed watching Wii bowling and eating Joshua's toys. At 4 o'clock it was time to pick up Jon and head back to our bungalow in the rolling hills of North Georgia. 

I am so grateful for the chance to get to see and invest in these relationships each month. (We missed you, Hil and Justin! We will catch you next month.) Each of these friendships began in college and they are now some of my dearest friends in the world. What a blessing it is to get to see you so regularly! We had a fantastic time with everyone, thank you for your generous hospitality and friendship!