Space A Travel

While living here in Okinawa the Air Force grants us two Environmental/Moral Leave (EML) flights a year. These flights are on Military Aircraft on a Space A (space available) basis. After being here for six months we were able to try our first Space A flight back home. The rules for flying Space A are you have to be on leave and then you are given orders. Space A has a ranking system where you are given a ranking depending on the type of orders you have and when you started your leave. All EML flights are category II and the only people ahead of you would be people traveling on EML with a leave date before yours, or people traveling on official business or on emergency leave. We tried to leave on a flight on Tuesday August 10th but we didn't make the list of passengers as there were a lot of people ahead of us on the list. Next we tried a flight on Saturday August 14th at 4:00 AM. We had to wake the kids up at 2:30 AM to head for the AMC (Air Mobility Command) terminal and when we got there we had to wait in a long line to see if we would make the list for the flight. We ended up getting on the flight and by 8:00 AM we were on a C-17 cargo plane headed for Elmendof AFB (Air Force Base) just outside Anchorage Alaska. We arrived at Elmendorf AFB at 12:00 AM on Saturday August 14th. So because we crossed the international date line we arrived in Alaska 8 hours before we left. After arriving at the AMC terminal in Elmendorf we were told that we would have to wait for a taxi outside because the terminal wasn't open between 10:00 Pm and 4:00 AM. We waited until 3:00 AM for a taxi and had to go to two places before we found and old run down hotel with sticky carpet to stay in until 11:00 AM the next morning. The next day we were able to get on another C-17 leaving from Elmendorf AFB and arriving at Travis AFB just outside of Sacramento California. We arrived at Travis around 10:00 PM but we didn't get our bags until 11:00 PM. We had to have the cab driver hurry to the Sacramento airport where we had a car reserved, but the rental agency close at 12:30 AM. We made it there with 15 minutes to spare and were are very happy with the service we received from Hertz rent a car. We rented a Nissan X-tera and drove the 11 hours to Salt Lake City. We were very tired when we arrived, but we were very happy to be back in Utah for a visit.

After visiting Utah for a couple of weeks we began our journey back to Okinawa on Tuesday August 31st. The problem with space A travel is that they will only give you flight information 24 hours in advance over the phone, so we had to head for Travis AFB to find out when we could get a flight heading back towards Okinawa. When we got there we found there was a flight heading for Hickam AFB on Oahu Hawaii the next morning. So the next morning (Wednesday) we got on another C-17 and went to Hawaii. When we got there we found out that they didn't have any flights heading towards Okinawa until Friday, so we went to an Air Force resort and stayed at a cabin complex with a private beach for a couple of nights. On Friday September 3rd we got on a KC-135 refueler that was going to Anderson AFB in Guam and then on to Kadena AFB in Okinawa after a 20 hour layover. After we got to Guam they told us that the mission for the Aircraft had changed and that it would now be going to Korea instead of Okinawa. We ended up staying two nights in Guam and finally got on another KC-135 refueler to Kadena on Tuesday September 7th. So it ended up being a frustrating week getting back, but it was worth it for us to be able to go back home at a fraction of the price commercial airline tickets would cost.

One of the benefits of traveling Space A is that after the Air Craft takes off and reaches altitude they let you unbuckle and lay on the ground or play in the open space. On one of the flights I blew up a beach ball we had with us and Carston and I spent a good hour throwing it back and forth to each other. Some of the cons are that the planes are noisy as they are not insulated for noise. They can also be too hot or too cold depending on where you sit. Below are some of our pictures from the flights we took.

A KC-135 Refueler

A C-17 Cargo Plane

The kids laying down in a C-17.

Kids in a C-17.

Kids in a C-17 looking towards the back

Carston and Jessie on a C-17.

Carston and I playing ball on a KC-135.

Visiting Utah

We were able to take a very short trip back home to visit our family at the end of the summer. Airline tickets from Okinawa are way too expensive for our whole family, but the military allows us to fly Space-Available around the Pacific Command twice a year while we are stationed here. I really appreciate this benefit, although it has many challenges and adventures. In fact, our Space-A experience was such an adventure, I think I'll save that part of our trip for a blog of it's own. Unfortunately, we weren't able to use Space-A until we'd been here for six months, which was two weeks before Cassie was to start school. We decided to go to Utah for a two-week visit, which meant Cassie would still miss the first few days of school by the time we got back. It was a whirlwind of trying to see as many people as we could, shopping, and doctors' appointments. The two weeks we were there were packed, but I didn't take as many pictures as I should've, so I'm not exactly sure how to blog about it, but here goes:

We left here on Saturday, August 14th, and got to Utah on the 15th. We gained a day in-transit. We were exhausted. On Monday, we mostly just hung around and concentrated on getting over the travel exhaustion and the jet lag. That was pretty much all the 'rest' we allowed ourselves. There was so much to do, we started go, go, going.

As much as I possibly can, I want to continue to use our doctors at home, so I plan to take them in every summer for their yearly physical and dental checkups. We did dental appointments on Wednesday of the first week, and doctor appointments on Monday the following week. Everybody got a clean bill of health, but Cassie is starting to have some eye problems. We took her in to have her vision evaluated, and sure enough she's 25/20. The doctor isn't recommending glasses right now, but next summer Cassie might get a more studious look.

I was so happy that we made it in town early enough to be there for my Grandma's 80th birthday party on Thursday. (You never know with Space-A.) I was horrible and didn't really take any pictures, so I had to steal some off my cousins' websites. My Grandma Jones is one of the greatest examples in my life. I love her very much, and I've never doubted that she loves me too. I am fully aware of how much she spoils me, even now. I'm always amazed at how much she can do and how talented she is. Grandma knows what is going on in the lives of all of her family- not only her eight kids, but also her 26, and counting, grandchildren. Most of her family was there to wish her a happy birthday, including my Aunt Tracy, and her family, who were in town from Virginia. It was a good opportunity to visit with everyone.

Here's a couple of pictures that I stole: on the left, grandma with a bunch of us getting ready to sing happy birthday, and on the right, my kids with my cousin, Tawnya, who is moving to Montana soon.

Jason and I really wanted to spend some time in the mountains while we were in Utah. With such a short trip, I debated about using so much of it to plan and prepare for a camping trip, and also, about how spending a weekend in the mountains would affect our ability to spend time with everyone. In the end, we decided to go up with my dad for just one night. He was going to go bow hunting, and Jason, who is really sad to be missing the hunt this year, was going to go out with him. We got up to the canyon, and Dad realized that he forgot his hunting tag, and decided not to go back down. Even though it cut into Dad's hunt, in the end, I was really glad that he forgot it. We were able to spend more time with him, and I had a more relaxing time. Jason had promised Cassie awhile ago that the next time we went camping he'd help her start the fire, and she remembered. He showed her how to prepare a fire and let her start it. We cooked corn on the cob on the coals and had a nice evening around the fire. Since Dad forgot his tag, we didn't need to go up as high, so us 'Okinawans', who are used to warm weather, weren't freezing. On Saturday morning, Cassie wanted to go for a hike. Jason stayed in camp and played endless games with Jessica, and I took Cassie and Carston for a hike. Cassie really loves hiking. I need to remember to be more prepared when I put her on the trail, because she could go on and on, and I didn't bring any water. But Carston spent most of the trip riding, and finally falling asleep in my arms on the way back. I was exhausted.

After our hike, we packed up and headed back down to the valley. On Sunday, we had a family party with my Mom's family, and I got to catch up with them. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures, but we had a good time and enjoyed seeing everyone. I really miss my family.

The second weekend, we headed up to Trenton to spend time with Jason's family. On Friday, we had the opportunity to go to the temple with Jason's parents, and the kids stayed home and played with Aunt Melissa. That was really nice, since we don't have a temple close in Okinawa, and it was the first time Jason and I had been out together without the kids since leaving Utah in February. On Saturday, we tried to go up and do some trilobite hunting, but it didn't work out the way that we planned. Still, we got to spend another afternoon in the mountains! Here's a picture of the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Cowley. I'm glad we had a little bit of time for the kids to reconnect with them. The girls know how much their grandparents love them, even when they are on the other side of the world. Carston is still having a hard time remembering everyone, but by the end of our visit, he wasn't shy anymore.

The rest of our time there was filled with visiting, going to restaurants, and lots of shopping. We had the opportunity to visit with friends in Syracuse after our dentist appointments on Wednesday. Cassie was able to have a sleepover with Kelbie, her best friend, who she misses very much. I was able to go to lunch with some of my girlfriends, who I miss very much. Shopping here is often very frustrating, and there were some clothes that I couldn't find. We enjoyed shopping at Walmart, Target, Smiths Marketplace, and JCPenneys. It's nice to be able to go to another store when you can't find what you want, instead of just the BX. We even got the kids' birthday pictures taken.

In the evenings we visited with my parents and we went to all of the restaurants that we miss. Here's a picture of the kids with my Dad. We spent a couple of evenings at his house, where the kids got to play on a real lawn, and they got to play some games with Grandpa.

At my Mom's house it was games, games, games, which I miss very much. Jessica, especially, loves to play games. Every evening, she wanted to play Princess Yahtzee Jr. and SkipBo Jr.
Here we are celebrating a Yahtzee! Cassie spent as much time playing with her friend Jade, who lives next door to Grandma and Grandpa, as she could. Here are the kids with my mom. I was going to get a picture with Michael in, and I forgot to do it the night before we left, so we'll have to get you next time, Michael.

We began our trip back to Okinawa in the morning on Tuesday, August 31. As it turned out, we had another week left of our vacation, but our time in Utah was done. It was really hard to leave again. We really miss our family, and I hated saying goodbye, again. I left determined to find more to enjoy in Okinawa, and more for my family to love about this time in our lives.

Celebrating a Decade

Cassie is 10! I can't believe it! I wrapped her presents Wednesday afternoon, and she spent the evening staring at them. She was anxious to get up and open them Thursday morning before Daddy went to work. This year, she got the American Girl Doll, Kaya. Later, Cassie opened her presents from Grandma and Grandpa Bohn while we webcammed with them,Uncle Ryan and Aunt Kristy. It was nice for all of us to talk with them. Cassie and Jessie spent most of the day playing with their dolls. They got online and used the birthday money they got from Grandpa Jones and Grandma and Grandpa Bohn at their favorite store- American Girl. Cassie got to choose her birthday dinner- steak, of course, with as few vegetables as possible. Cassie chose to try a Neopolitan Cake recipe that I got from my Grandma Jones forever ago and had never tried. It was so interesting the way the colors swirled when the cake rose.

Cassie wanted to go swimming on Saturday to celebrate, but the weather here has been rainy, again, and we didn't know if it would dump on us, so she chose bowling instead.

I think Cassie got the bowling gene that seems to have skipped a generation. She did really well. At one point, she and Jason decided to do a 'freestyle' frame and bowl backwards. Cassie got a strike out of it. I wish I'd had my camera ready.

Here's Jason's backwards. He guttered both times, but he didn't have the bumpers to assist him. But then, Cassie followed up her amazing backward strike in the 9th with dropping the ball backward in the 10th. It was the only time I saw her do that.

Jessica and Carston used the ramp, and Daddy helped them with the aiming. By the end of the two games we played, he was getting pretty good at predicting Jessica's ball. Here she is after her spare in the 10th!


Carston started out with Mom's help, but in the end, he wanted Daddy. Good choice, because Daddy's aim is much better than Mom's. (I love his little bowling shoes.) This picture was so funny, because he barely turned around for a second to pushthe ball then turned right back to yell at his sisters. He got a strike in the 10th, and he LOVED giving high fives!

Jason has bowled a bit more than the rest of us at wing-man activities, and he's getting pretty good. We had a good time. We need to do more family bowling.

Cassie is growing up so fast. Too fast. I hope that she and I can remain close as we go through the trials of the next decade. She and Jessie have grown really close since moving here. Jessica has always been lonely when Cassie is gone, but now, if I take Jessie somewhere alone, Cassie has "nothing to do" with her gone. I hope that they can be good friends as they grow up and especially when they are adults. Cassie is a great big sister to Jessica and to Carston. She loves to help and I couldn't have done without her while Jason was out of town a few weeks ago. She loves to read and write. Her imagination is huge. Maybe someday she can write a best seller. She tries really hard to make good choices, and I'm grateful for the way she carries on when I know she'd rather be in Utah right now.

1st Annual Pedicure

I love spending "girl time" with my girls. I talked Jason into letting me take them to get pedicures. It's a bit expensive, so it'll probably have to be one of those traditions that we can do once a year. I took them to Cocok's, and we had a great time. I'm still having a bit of a problem communicating here, and I set up their appointments for nail art, instead of full-pedicures. They didn't get the massage, but they still got a nice pedicure:

Here we are deciding what kind of nail art we want while relaxing in our recliners.

We soaked, and they trimmed, filed, and painted. The ladies at Cocok's do amazing nail art. Seems like it's a waste on my feet. Then, we sat under the lights while our toes dried.

The girls were done faster than I was, so they kicked back in the kids area and watched some Japanese tv while I finished.

Here's the final product: Cassie got tiger stripes, Jessica got Pokemon and I have a tropical island at sunset. We had a lot of fun. Next time the girls have request the massage, as well.

The Little Things

Well, we've been in Okinawa for about five months now. (Really, only five months? It feels like a year!) We really miss our friends and family and all the traditions and things we do with them. Good news is, we get to go home for a visit in a month. Bad news is, it's a very short visit. But, on the lighter side, we've put together a small, incomplete list of some of the little things that we're missing after five months away:

Jessie says she misses our truck and our Durango. I for one, am very glad we were not able to bring them. Okinawa is no place for large vehicles.

Cassie is missing Wendy's, especially their frosties. Okinawa has McDonalds, A&W, and KFC, all of which are a little different from home, but no Wendy's. There was one a few years ago, but not now. :(

Jason and I have a bit longer of a list:

We miss the mountains. I think that's in our blood.

We miss having a lawn and a yard where the kids can play. (Jason doesn't miss mowing.)

We miss having a choice of what radio station to listen to, and being able to pick one that doesn't play music I shouldn't be listening to, let alone my children.

I miss my dishwasher, which had more convenient racks, and water jets in the middle and the top so I could load large bowls on the bottom and still get my top dishes clean.

Jason misses Cafe Rio. No good Mexican food in Okinawa.

We miss DVR's. AFN has a pretty good selection of shows, but never when I can watch them. When I do have time to watch, it's some stupid reality show that has already been on once this week.

We miss carpet. I didn't think I would miss carpet, but Carston is constantly falling, and it never fails that he hits his head on the cement floor. I'm so frustrated trying to keep him from being a boy and jumping, climbing, or hanging on things! But, he hits his head so many times a week, he's going to have brain damage!

We miss turning lanes. There aren't many in Okinawa, and only at intersections. You don't realize it, until you are stuck behind someone turning right (remember, wrong side of the road) on one of the island's major highways!

We miss milk! Can you see the writing on this milk carton? Milk here is "ultra-Pasterized" for a longer shelf life. I bought this gallon today, and it expires August 22. That's over a month away! Extra pasterization gives milk a dust taste. I tried the skim milk when we first got here; it was like drinking dirt. I couldn't cover up the taste even with chocolate milk mix. I had to dump it! 1% I can stomach; the dust is only an aftertaste. I've never worried about my calcium intake, because I love milk. Here, I've started to take calcium tablets. I'm going to drink a gallon of milk when I come home to visit!

.

Like I said, it's incomplete, but those are a few little things our hearts have been yearning for lately. Jason left yesterday for Arizona for some training, so he'll get to experience a few of these things again. After taking him to the airport, it's hard not to dwell on our upcoming trip back to Utah. A month can take such a long time to get here. I'm afraid that the two weeks we're there are going to be the fastest two weeks of my year!

Baseball Player?

Last Sunday, Carston found this water gun-type toy that the girls had left out. He brought it and a ball- not the one in the video, but the same size and a little heavier- and started trying to hit it with the makeshift bat. I questioned Cassie to see if she had shown him to use the toy as a bat, but she said she didn't. I guess he just put two and two together after seeing it on tv. The crazy thing is, we don't watch a lot of baseball, so he put the idea together with very little exposure. Anyway, I told Jason to go get the camera so that I could document his first effort at baseball, and Jason decided to take some video. Check it out:

I love how he bends is legs and gets into it. Looks like he might be a lefty. We played a little longer, and he got a few more hits. Always from the left side, and always facing a little forward. Still, maybe he can be a professional athlete when he grows up and buy us our own island!

5 Years Old!

Jessica turned 5 on Monday, the 28th. We asked her if she wanted to go do something special as a family the weekend before her birthday. She said she just wanted to play games. Jessica LOVES playing games. That was the plan, until Daddy saw that Toy Story 3 would be showing at the Kadena theater on her birthday. She just had to go, so we had to celebrate her birthday over the course of two days to get it all in.

After church on Sunday, we had her newly found favorite dinner- lemon chicken. (This is a step up from last year's waffle dinner choice.) Then began the family board game time, followed by the family Wii time. Look how serious she is in this picture! She's so competitive, and she hasn't learned how to lose gracefully, yet. She loves to play Mario Party 8, and she's getting pretty good at it. Still, she demands that we give her a handicap everytime. When we play shorter games, she kills us with the handicap. Then she and Cassie played about 20 rounds of Uno. Mom joined in for a few more right before bedtime.

Monday morning, she opened presents before Dad went off to work. Cassie and Carston gave her a FurReal kitty and Mom and Dad gave her a new 'Just Like You', American Girl Doll. She chose to have a Japanese-looking doll this time, and she's named her Kaori.

Mommy made waffels for breakfast, and then Jessica spent the day playing dolls with Cassie. Mommy even joined in and worked on some of the more tangled doll hair.

When Daddy got home, we headed out early to get to the theater. It was the first showing of Toy Story 3 at this theater, and we didn't want to wait in a huge line or have a problem getting seats. We bought our tickets, then ran over to the BX for some dinner- Subway, Jessica's favorite!
We had a long wait at the theater, but we really liked the movie. Jessica really got into it, and was so worried that she began wailing loudly. She had to sit on Daddy's lap.

At home, a cat birthday cake was waiting. Jessica had just enough energy to blow out the candles, but decided she was too tired to enjoy a slice. She headed up to bed. Cassie and Carston enjoyed some for her.

I can't believe my little girl is five years old! She's registered for Kindergarten in the fall. Kindergarten is full-day here, and while I like the idea that I don't have to cut my day in half, I'm not sure what I'm going to do without my little Jessie with me all day. She is at times the most frustrating child ever, and yet also very loving. She can be a big helper when she wants to, but often she tells me she's "not a cleaner". She uses a lot of excuses to keep from doing what Mom and Dad have asked her to do, and she throws quite a few temper tantrums when things aren't going her way. But, she's been a very good sport with the move. She's usually willing to go, go, go with me, and she enjoys seeing new things. She's not so big on trying new foods, though. Jessica is the child most likely to come over and give me a hug, just because she loves me. She loves her sister, and wants to do everything with her. She's so excited to ride the bus with her in the fall. I know she's ready for school; I just hope school is ready for her!