Yes, We are Alive!!!

Despite our lack of blog activity, we are alive and well! We have been really busy. With Chip starting API (Aviation Preflight Indoctrination) last Friday and I starting school last Monday, we have been little study bookworms! :) When he started last Friday, a Major came in spoke to them about the upcoming 6 weeks of academics that they were about to learn. He said that "they would not have a life for the next four weeks if they wanted to pass because they would be learning 2 semesters worth of information in 6 weeks!" 2 SEMESTERS!!! Thats a years worth of school in just 6 weeks!! Needless to say, he was right! HaHa As soon as Chip comes in (after spending his days in classes from 8:00-3:00), he relaxes for about 30 minutes and then goes straight  to the dining room table to start studying and stays there until dinner (when he takes another 30 minute break) and then goes back and studies until bed time! I am so proud of him and the self discipline it takes for him to do that... Lord knows it would be tough for me! And people have asked me if its really tough but I honestly have to say that we have been completely blessed... From the time we got married until last Friday, Chip had a job where he got off around noon everyday and we were able to spend a lot of time together during that time.  Even though we don't have all the time we used to, we soak up every bit of free time that we do have now. I know this is just a season just like everything else we have gone through and will go through, so that definitely makes it easier! A lot of people have asked what are the steps of flight school so here we go:

1. API (Aviation Preflight Indoctrination)- its six weeks in a classroom of learning aerodynamics, aviation physiology, engines, navigation, and land and sea survival. (This is where Chip is now)

2. PRIMARY TRAINING- They will still have a lot of classroom hours, but they will also have flight experience flying real planes and simulators. :) At the end of Primary is when they will know what he will be flying- jets, turbo-props, or helicopters.

3. INTERMEDIATE TRAINING- This depends on what he is flying. Whatever he is flying, it will more in depth training of it.

4. ADVANCED TRAINING- Same thing, it depends on what is he flying and it will be a more in depth training than he did in Intermediate.

Okay... So as you can tell, those are just my words of how the training goes. I'm sure there is a better (more professional) way to say it, but thats why he is the pilot and I am just the supportive wife! HaHa! Also in saying all of this, we know that this is what is "lined out" to happen, however- if God has alternative plans- we don't take that lightly! One thing I absolutely admire about Chip is how he trusts God with everything (especially his career)! There has been time after time where it looked like all shut doors when it came to Chip being a Marine, but God has opened them, one after the other! So the last thing I want is to get on here and say "this is what is going to happen" because we do take it seriously in living day by day because we don't know what God has planned for tomorrow! BUT for those who wanted to know how flight school went, I wanted to let yall know! We appreciate everyone's prayers so much and we don't know what we would do without all the love and support from our friends and family! LET GOD'S WILL BE DONE!

PS- I forgot to add some pictures from our Dallas weekend and some of the ones I forgot were some of my favorite ones, but they are up now! :)

And following this post are pictures that I have taken on my phone (and probably sent them to my Mom) of all our "study time"... (For those of you who know me know that it is SOOOOO HARD for me to be quiet or to sit still to study or for somebody else to study, BUT I'm working hard at not being a distraction.)

Missy's not into the whole "pilot thing"

Me writing "Thank You" notes, Chip studying, and Missy sleeping.... Welcome to the Rose household! HAHA It really isn't as bad as my face makes it out to be!

Okay.... so the joke is that when I was little I always got bad grades on the part of my report card that would say "Easily distracted", "Talks to others", "Doesn't listen and follow directions".... So Mom used to tell me "Erin, imagine that you are in a box and you can't see or hear anybody except for the teacher!!!" So me and Chip thought it would be funny to take this... Ooopss! I am being a distraction!

Okay... so I have found the only way to not be a distraction is to watch TV with these huge headphones!  HAHA

My smart, motivated man!!!