Tasting the Life of a Pilot's Wife

Well, here we are.

It seems as though I have prepared my whole life for this, but really no one is prepared to send their husband away. It is only a mission, but its still hard. Once he is out the door, a whole whirlwind of emotions take over. First there is the emotion of; HECK YES, a week to myself, and after a night that goes away quickly... then there is the emotion of what ifs. As we know, being a military wife, you are always concerned and worrying even if it's a simple everyday trip they take. We as women DO NOT see it that way. I am, like most, a worry wart to the extreme. But hey, i guess it beats the alternative.

Anyhow, he is safe, and I cant believe the technology these days. KUDDOS to the military spouses before the days of computers and iphones and ipods and ipads... and ya, you get the point...I can't even begin to wonder what it was like before all of these sweet things we take for granted.

My grandma is a great reminder of how life was "back in the day." She was a military spouse for 22 years, and she has the heart of gold. Waiting patiently for letters from my grandpa that could sometimes take months to arrive... COULD YOU IMAGINE THAT NOWADAYS?

I thank god that we are able to have the abilities now to talk to our spouses/ boyfriends/ significant others in all ways imaginable. It's pretty crazy to think about, and I really really admire and look up to those that couldn't have the advances of technology like we do, and have the resources as we do now to keep in touch with our loved ones. So my hat goes off to the lovely spouses of that generation.

IN OTHER NEWS:

I am loving my new job, working at a bank is SOOOO less stressful, and I come home not being a Bitch. So hey, thats a great START! I have made some pretty awesome friends here in Washington and am looking forward to our future together. Also, some Vance Spouses are here, and I am forever grateful for that!

 It's so true with what they say, that your military friends are the ones you will remain friends with! At first I was doubtful, but now I am beyond blessed with amazing friends, near and far! You all know who you are! Also I have to give a HUGE shout out to Christian's new squad. They are great and all have been welcoming with open arms. I am enjoying all my time here so far, and am looking forward to the next 3 years of Washignton, and what it has to offer.

UPCOMING TRIPS: 
We are headed to Florida for a few days over thanksgiving break for Christians grandfathers memorial service. He  passed away earlier this year, and we all now have a perfect time to say our goodbyes. It's going to be a very very very tough few days, but as a family I know we all will love on each other and begin to heal.

That's really all I can think of for now,

Till next time:
Alaina

WASHINGTON OVERLOAD

OMG! I literally have been so bad about updating this bad boy. Well here it goes. We moved here to Washington June 30th, and have currently been LOVING EVERY MINUTE of it! Hence, the reason for no updates. We have eaten at the best resturants, and have explored lots of different towns and areas! Washinton reminds me a lot of Colorado, so needless to say I am not as depressed here, as I was in Oklahoma.

WELL FIRST! WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

Christian hasn't been fully mission qualified yet, which is great for me, because then I can see him. Pretty soon he will be busy, and then lord knows if we will see each other.

I switched jobs, which is something new for me! Terrified of change, but its a great change! Banking is a whole new world, exciting and fun all at the same time.

My mom comes in today, our first official visitor! Going up to the rainy city of Seattle! To enjoy Starbucks, and well,, rain.... :-D

We are so happy here, and cant wait for more people to visit! COME ONE, COME ALL!

Alaina

"The Evergreen State"

Welcome to beautiful and definitely GREEN, Washington! I am happy to announce that I am officially in Tacoma, Washington! It felt like this would honestly never happen, but when it did it came faster then ever. My last post was about me taking my time to get up here, clearly that changed. I am thrilled I didn't have to do it alone! However, the reason we both are up here at the same time saddens me and hearts my heart.

Christian's grandpa, "Gramps" passed away. It was such a tough week for both of us. Especially Christian. He is and was extremely close to his grandfather. Luckily though and praise God, he got to speak with him the night it happened. I will forever be grateful, that Christian "new" to call his grandparents, It was kind of weird how it all happened. I guess Christian was meaning to call them a few days prior but got tied up with flying and late nights. So he made it a point to make sure to call them the night of. He had said it was a weird phone call and new something was up, I guess Gramps was having a tough time with his arm hurting and told Christian he had been moving money over, and such. I guess you can say he knew his time was up. So that night after they had talked he passed. 

It humbles me to know that Christian was the last person to have spoken to his grandfather, since they are honestly the same man! I know he looks up to Gramps, and they could honestly sit and talk for HOURS! We are truly and beyond blessed to have such an awesome grandfather. We are also lucky to have been able to see him in January. We thank the lord for allowing us the time we had with him, and our hearts are heavy over the loss of such an amazing dad and grandfather.

Needless to say, unfortunately, that was why Christian and I both got to travel together because his dates got changed due to his grandfathers death. Somehow, Gramps knew I couldn't have done this alone, and that I would have probably gotten so lost. For that, I will always be thankful and show so much gratitude. 

So with all that said, that leaves us here, in Tacoma, WA, in a hotel for ten days until our apartment is ready on the 27th of June. Like I said previously his dates had to get changed so now he won't go to SERE until July 26th-Aug. 16th. Which gives us an adequate amount of time to house hunt and begin our lives in the state of WA! 

Life is a highway......

A decent amount has happened in the life of the Drescher's. We currently are on our way to Washington. For me, I will travel a bit slower, I am stopping in Edmond, OK to stay with the bestie, Jamie. Then off to Colorado to see my family, then off to Montana to see Mom, then headed West to Washington. It will take me about a month to get up there, which to be honest I am going to love. It seems like a lot to handle by myself, especially since I am AWFUL with directions. So let's all pray I get there in one piece. I will be traveling with my cats, which yes, at times will make me want to shoot myself, but I know they will enjoy the company of their grandparents, and cousin animal friends. :-D But they will need to be drugged, because the male cat, acts like I am beating him, when in fact he is just hanging out in the carrier. Not a good look, for both of us.
Also, my Grandma's chemo is going well! A lot better then we all had anticipated. Which is sooo terrific. She hasn't gotten "sick" but has lost some hair, which I am sure is humiliating for any woman. But she is such a strong and beautiful person, I know she will recover from all of this, and our family will be back to "normalcy". The doctors are amazed at how well she is responding to treatment, so fingers and toes crossed that everything is starting to get better.
The family is also doing well, Bro got a dog. So i am a Auntie to a sweet sweet Nephew. His name is Finn, and he is the sweetest! Mom is doing well up in Montana, can't wait to see her, and her furr babies again. I havent been up to Montana since my sweet puppy passed away. So I will have to get something small for Kylyn's little grave.

JOB NEWS: I will be working at Starbucks here in OKC for a few days. Then hopefully once I get to Tacoma, I will be able to pick a store out there, and work there until I find something that pertains to my Degree. I really want to get into office admin. stuff, so we shall see. But to me, having a job is better then just sitting at home. So Starbucks it will be for a few months, till I find something I LOVE. Besides, who wouldn't want free coffee?

I really think that is all. I will miss all my Enid family. And i hope they know that they will always have a special place in my heart. <3

Momma's Day 2013'

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." One of my most cherished quotes. I cant explain to you how much I love my Mom, Grandma, and Aunt, and now my awesome and incredible mother-in-law. We all have something that no one can take . 

My mom is my hero and my best friend. She has stayed up late nights worrying to death about me, and also has comforted me in a time of need. She is the reason I am here, and why my life is full of promises. 

The past few weeks my family has had a lot going on. My grandma was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer. However, ( and praise Jesus) it is the kind that is TREATABLE! It also is NOT in her bones. We have hope and a lot of love, for her to be okay. It's tough, because my grandma is literally one of the people in my life I call all the time, and ask for her help. She is a wonderful, wonderful woman! She has such a big heart, and I couldn't EVER imagine life without her. She is the person I need in the delivery room for heavens sake, when I have a baby! I can't have her leave now, and I won't. 

I am going back home for awhile to help around the house, and to just love on my grandma, as much as she has loved on me. She was there for all the yucky open-heart surgery stuff for me, so now its my turn to re-pay her, for all the lovely and caring things she has done for me! 

She starts her first chemotherapy Tuesday May. 14th, and will go in every 3 weeks. I pray for strength and determination as she goes through a grueling process to be here for 15-20 more years!!! :-D 

3 John 1:2 

^2" Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

I have been brought to this verse as my grandma goes through this tough time! Love you Nanny, and you are going to kick this thing in the BUTT!

A Kiss to Build a Dream On

Last week C and I headed to Nebraska for an awesome wedding. His roommate from the Academy got married to a gorgeous girl! We had so much fun,and definitely felt it all afterwards.It was only a 6 hour drive, so yet again, we packed the car up and headed onward. I feel like these months have literally flown by! Christian has completed almost two months of training down in Altus, and I have been surviving on my own here in Enid. Thankfully I have wonderful friends left here, and a job to keep my sanity M-F. It's kind of a surreal yet weird feeling almost getting out of Enid. I am so excited for Washington, and what new adventures lay ahead of us. I just really am nervous to start over, if that makes sense.

We have recently decided on buying a house up there. So being new homeowners will be so EXCITING! Our must have's because everyone has them, is that we want 3 bd. 2 bath, open and spacious kitchen, and at least a one car garage! That can't be too hard to find, right? I have been watching a TON of HGTV, those shows are really addicting and bad for the mind, and your wallet. :-)

In other news, next month we are headed to Colorado for a wedding, and then I will be staying an extra week behind. YAY!!!!One last hoorah, before moving! Miss my family to death!

I am sure you are wondering about my job, at Starbucks and what direction I am headed with that.Well after many months of debating, and going back and forth I have decided to stay with the company. I will be a "borrowed partner" for the times I cant have a permanent store. Like traveling to Spokane, and being up there for three weeks. All I need is to at least work 1 day a week, to still be technically an employee. However, all this sounds easy and wonderful, but I do have a degree in English, that I want to use. It's so tough knowing what to do, and what direction to go. But I love what I do right now, and couldn't see myself leaving the company right now. Maybe, in the future once we are settled in WA, I will get a job related to my degree, and only work some weekends at SBUX. But for now, I am a happy camper right where I am.

That is all for now,
Alaina D

Spring has Sprung

Spring has sprung..or lack there of....It has been a crazy Oklahoma spring. Rainy, Cold, Wet and down right miserable. I usually love this time of year. I haven't really been updating a lot on here, so on this cold and rainy day here is my attempt.

Not a whole lot has been going on, besides the usual. Christian is still in training down in Altus, and I am in Enid, working at Starbucks. This past weekend we went up to Wichita, KS , which was really cool. I was actually born there and never had a chance to go back until now. We went to the beautiful botanical gardens, and ate way to much food, while cheering on Wichita St. Neither of us are Wichita St fans, but I guess we had no choice. It was really a great and relaxing weekend.

Botanical Gardens

HOWEVER, we do have some fun stuff planned for the next coming weeks. Christian's academy roommate is getting married April 19th, so we are headed up to Omaha, NE for the weekend. We are so excited to see all of his old buddies, and of course Gabe and Kaitlynn. I have never been to NE so needless to say, I am thrilled at every chance to get out of Enid.

I get to go home in MAY. CANNOT WAIT!!! And we are going to a weeding up in Colorado as well around that time. Worked out perfect. Other than that, another day, another dollar!

The Art of Heartbeats

So as some of you know, (which usually are only people I trust), I had open heart surgery at a very very young age.
 In doctor terms this is what I had: VSD Repair. Also a peristent left superior vena cava was encountered which drained into my left coronary sinus, which then drained into my left atrium.
In people terms this is what I had: Hole in one of my chambers.

I am beyond grateful that the doctors and my Mom were able to make the decision to go ahead with the operation, seeing that I was only almost 2, I couldn't really make decisions for myself! But what if I could, would have I? In all honesty, I haven't a clue, so I am glad I wasn't able to remember a thing. I heard it was pretty crazy though. Seeing your child go through something like that, I am not sure I would have the strength or guts. But my Mom, Grandparents and Auntie did a fabulous job, as from all the stories I hear. Pretty sure that's why my Grandma smoked for so many years. Sorry Nanny ;-) . Anyhow, why I am even writing all this, is because it's about that time for Christian and I to discuss becoming parents.( Not that its happening) So i need to know if:
A) My heart will support all the changes B) If I can support all the changes, will I have to delivery C-section or Vaginally, since Vaginally puts more strain on the heart. C) if my scar will support the weight of the baby. CRAZY to think all these weird things. But I wanna know these answers before even trying AT ALL!

Will let ya know what the Doc SAYS! :-)

New Beginnings

I am exactly a month behind on posting.. I have been trying to write stuff to remind me to write this, but something always comes up! Unfortunately I have no real excuse!!! We have had lots of new and exciting things happen in our lives! From exploring Chicago, to a new CAR!!!!

We went to a LOVELY wedding in Chicago on Feb 23rd, we drove there, with 4 other people (boys).. I will let you figure out the rest. LOL. Actually in all honesty the car ride was a blast, and the wedding was beyond gorgeous! One of my very very best pilot wife friends got married, and I had the honour of standing up in her wedding! So awesome!! All her bridesmaids and maid of honour were so much fun! we all got a long like family! SO blessed to have made friends here at Vance! Thank you for my sanity!

"the bean" in chicago

Lovely bride and i ! Pilot wives!!

Christian moved to Altus Thurday Feb. 28th and is there until June 6th. Lucky for me it is only 3 hours away so we will be able to commute back and forth on weekends to spend time together! Our cats are great, crazy and loving life! Starbucks is the usual, busy and intense, however, I love the people that work there more and more. I am really going to miss my first "starbucks" family! And before he left for Altus he blessed me with a new car! It actually saves his butt, that way I am not screaming at him when stupid lights are going off in the Lumina, or when the car overheats!!! Ya, thats happened twice, on my expense! Needless to say, it was time to say goodbye to the beloved Chevy Lumina, family car since Christians Grandparents! 3 generations this car has been in! What a trooper! Hope our new car gives us that much joy and love!!!

Top : Lumina
Bottom: 2013 Nissan Versa

Tuesday Blues

KACEY MUSGRAVES: MERRY GO ROUND'

This is such an amazing song!!! It really is so true in today's society!!

Bahama Mama - Cruise 2013

CARNIVAL LEGEND CRUISE:

So as you all might have heard my husband and I went on a week long cruise! It was beyond amazing and a blast. We are definitely hooked! We started our journey Saturday Feb. 12th where we stayed in Tampa Florida the night before the cruise ship left. We then woke up in paradise, and headed on over to the port where the boat was waiting. We hopped right in line, and honestly everything went so smooth. I figured we would have have hours and hours of waiting, but to my surprise we were on the ship in about an hour! Seriously!! Our first look into the ship was quite overwhelming, we didn't really know what to expect or even where to begin to look. And heck, at this point we didn't care!! We are on a boat!! Our first and most important stop was the buffet. We ate lunch then explored everything!!! It was so cool, going to different levels of the ship, like how on earth do they make 7 levels!!? Anyhow, we journeyed around and than went to the pool, and laid out. :-) That night we went to fine dining, and let me tell you, it's definitely delicious!!! We went to bed, and woke up and had our very first "SEA" day. These days are pretty laid back, and you kind of just hang out and go to shows, or to the casino, or to the pool. We did all three ;-) That night was a blast, we had formal night, where we dressed up to the nines, and ate extraordinary food!!! Here is our professional photo from that! We took like hundreds, but had to choose one.

Than came the fun part; Day 2: COZUMEL, MEXICO
We practically ran off the boat into our first shore excursion, which we did snorkeling. It was a beginner class, because I have never snorkeled, nor did I know if I was going to like it, so we both set out put our gear on and went for it! It was by far the best time I have ever had in my life!! Literally! We got to see some amazing fish, and octopus, and people diving! Tell me if that is not cool!? We have underwater pictures, but I still have to get the camera developed.

Second stop; Day 3: BELIZE CITY, BELIZE
We kinda didn't know what we were doing this day, so we got off the boat with no real plan. However, we did find a cool shore excursion that lead us to the Mayan Ruins and Belize City tour. Side note: This tour took us up a bumpy, I mean BUMPY car ride. I thought I was literally going to die! And than we were on a one way road and cars and giant buses where blowing pass us. Talk about adrenline rush. But we did make it, finally. It took an hour and half on a crazy 15 passenger van ride, but we did survive...
Back to the story, Belize is a very very poor country so it was sad to see all the homes, and life. But it was neat to get the "cultural feel". The Mayan ruins were really awesome too!!

Mayan Ruins

I didn't get a good pic of downtown so I had to grab on from the internet. 

Day 4: MAHOGANY BAY, ROATAN

We decide for this day to just enjoy the beach, kick back and relax! And that's exactly what we did!!! We both had so much fun laying in the sun and enjoying each others company! This place was our FAVORITE. The scenery was breath-taking, and the water was so clear it was honestly hard to believe. You would have to see it to believe it! 

Last Stop: Cayman Islands

This also was a favorite, we got to swim and hold baby turtles!! How cool is that!! Fun Fact: You have to hold a turtle like your going to eat a hamburger with both hands, otherwise it starts to flap its hands, and to get that to stop you rub its chin! LOL so cute!!!!

Day six was a sea day, and we went to a ton of comedy shows, dance shows and drank WAY to much!!!

Unfortunately day 7 our cruise came to an end and we had to get off the ship at 9:00 am ;-(. 

 It was a blast, and I would gladly do it over and over again, until I was fat, dumb and happy!!! ( Oh,, wait I am) :-) We are looking into Alaskan cruises when we move to Washington State here in 6 mths!! I hope you enjoyed my long BLOG!!

Until next time;

Alaina D

Picture This: Year 2012

 YEAR 2012

So I am a little late on posting about the new year and stuff, but we have had a lot going on. From weddings, to Colorado, to sleeping in, and to (me) back to work!! 2012 was an overwhelming, joyful, experience. We survived Pilot Training, I survived school at 25, and got my degree! We had our one year anniversary in May, and thank god for each other everyday! Seriously, he is the BEST thing that has EVER happened to me. In June was my 25th Bday, and we celebrated in OKC. I got a Coach purse!! ;-) We enjoyed a lot of quality time, when we could with each other. I started Starbucks, and have loved every minute of it. I actually enjoy going into work! Which, all the previous jobs I have had I got bored of them. They do say its the people you work with that make your job. And that is so true!  My passion is teaching, but I love starting people's day off right with a cup of joe. This year has been tough, but in hind-sight I wouldn't trade it for the world.
WE ARE GOING ON A CRUISE IN 3 DAYS, AND THAN FLORIDA TO SPEND TIME WITH CHRISTIAN'S GRANDPARENTS! PICTURES AND A POST TO COME!

Happy Blogging Friends! Here are some pics from the 2012 year!

Christian solo flight in the mighty t-6 

All done with T-6 Training

Our Friend Brigid checking out snow for the first time 

Awesome friends that I will have for the rest of my life!

Ladies lets be honest, Highlight of 2012 was this movie!!! 

Starbucks!!!

Awesome Pilot Wife Friends! We made it together!
The boys formal dinner for Graduation

Got to go home to my beautiful family

Bro showing me the Castle

White Trash Fourth of July Party

Fun times with Kimbo and Eric 

BBQ Joint in Pond Creek -Seriously the best BBQ EVER