Escort

This week I drove Nathan to Civil Air Patrol

and enjoyed a few hours spent reading.

While waiting, I received a call and a list

of things we HAD to have from the store.

That night.

Luckily a Family Fare was close by so after Nathan was finished for the night,

we drove over to fulfill our list.

We had quite a few second glances and stares,

me in my yoga pants and running shoes

and Nathan in his BDU's (camo's) and combat boots.

I'm CERTAIN that people were thinking that he was home on leave

and what a cute couple we made...

*uh uhm*

SO...back to Civil Air Patrol and the terminology.

This presented me with a few difficulties which I a slowly overcoming.

Why not camo's?

No, it is Battle Dress Uniform (BDU's).

Dress Blue's-now that I get.

What is most terrifying is memorizing

ALL THOSE RANKS.

This is the auxilliary of the USAF and as such, everything is done to their standards.

Everything.

Including the exact placement of anything that gets sewn on to the uniform.

This isn't sitting down the day of a Boy Scout meeting quickly tacking on

a few thin merit badges to a think cotton shirt.

Between the thickness of the BDU's and the badges

I had bent needles and bleeding fingers.

Fortunately, Nathan found an exceptional seamstress

who did it by machine.

Nathan spent a full week 5 hours away at an Air Force Base at Encampment.

Think bootcamp.

5 am PT (physical training).

Hospital corners on beds using yardstick and ruler for precision.

No speaking during meals.

No milk, juice, pop. No dessert unless your flight leader thought your group

had an exceptional day. (Leader always got milk, juice, dessert)

Classes covering military customs and regulations.

Also because of the aspirations of these kids,

encampment also meant taking over the controls of a Cessna in flight 

and getting a pull up in a glider and pulling the release the float mercilessly

at hand of your pilot. Nathan had a retired F-18 pilot in his glider

who asked him if he liked roller coaster rides...perfect match.

Graduation was amazing and full of emotion. True military style. (And length).

Important brass came for the occasion.

Nathan's good friend Tyler, who introduced him to C.A.P.   

Heading to Subway, for "real food" (?)

 I love being a part of my children's life everyday...

Watching them become all that God created them to be

and helping them fulfill their dreams.