Another December Update

The Christmas holiday is approaching and we will be flying back to Virginia to spend it with family and friends. We are looking forward to giving everyone their presents and hoping to see some snow (which probably won't happen). In January, Adam will start flying and will be taking a trip to Yuma, AZ with his squadron for about two weeks. He is sure to get some great flights in there and to have a good time. I will be starting two grad school classes around the same time and am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. The way the program is designed, it will still be a while before I graduate; probably another three years. However, it is so nice to know I am taking classes and working towards a degree, while still being able to work and be a wife.

We have really been enjoying Oceanside and exploring the area. Hopefully we can take some weekend trips before we have to leave. I have family in San Jose and in Las Vegas and we'd love to see them! We have also been fortunate to meet a couple through Officers Christian Fellowship who are trying to get a group started at Camp Pendleton. It is a slow start because so many people come and go so quickly here (like us) and so many others are deployed. But we have seen them every Sunday this month for the lighting of advent candles and fellowship. I meet with Megan, the wife, weekly for a bible study. It's been a great blessing to us out here. We have also met many other couples who will be moving back east around the same time as us. It's nice to know we'll all be in it together and can help each other out.

Not much else to report. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

California Style

Ok, Ok. I know. I'm not good at keeping our blog up to date. New Year's Resolution: Update blog regularly. But here I am now to fill you in on our recent happenings.

September 28th: Adam got his wings! He selected AH-1W Cobra Attack Helicopters. It was a great ceremony and we were both really proud!

October 8th: After a fantastic five day trip across country, we arrived in Oceanside, California at Camp Pendleton where Adam is learning to fly the Cobra. When he finishes his training here, we will move to North Carolina and finally be in a real squadron and done with training.

October 22: Wildfires sprung up all over San Diego County. Our first weeks in California were quite an experience for us. Luckily, our town was safe and all we got was smoke and ash. We have been glad to see the people who were affected by the fires have been taken care good care of.

December 15th: So far Adam has been working hard in his shop and standing duty, but has not started flying Cobras. After the holidays they will push him through his training. He's looking forward to getting back up the air, but he knows the work will be intense and challenging. I, Hilary, have been substitute teaching and working for STAR, a one0on-one program with autistic children. Substituting has been great, the schools in Oceanside are nice and I have gotten plenty of work. STAR is also fun and a different challenge for me. I hope to get some good experience and open up the door for autistic children to be mainstreamed into my classroom once I am teaching again.

Aside from all the working, we've also been exploring Southern California. We were able to spend some time in San Diego for the Marine Corps ball in November and with some friends stationed there with the Coast Guard. We've also done lots of driving around the mountains to enjoy the scenery. After a trip home for the holidays, we hope to take advantage of all California has to offer and also visit friends and family that live out here.

I'll update more later, but here are some recent pictures:

The Cobra:

Marine Corps Ball:

Firestorm 2007:

Pictures in Oceanside: