There are so many sayings about time. Some days it flies by and we feel like we can't breathe, other days it's as slow as a snail and you can't wait for it to end. It has only been since April since the last time I was here, it feels like an eternity.  So much has happened in the last few months that we have been waiting for for what seems like forever, that is why time seems to have slowly crept by. We found out he was finally getting his break at big Delta in January, and then the other shoe fell and we realized they were not going to release him for a while because they were apparently "short-staffed." So as the months slowly past and he kept being delayed, it appeared as if we were going to have to wait the full year, which was the max they could "keep him." As we slowly crept closer to that time, he was finally released and started in November.
      So then starts the whirlwind of training and being back to low man on the seniority pole and having to commute, but I know the trade off in the end will be all worth it. This is what he's worked for for a very long time.  The best part for me is he was on reserve for such a short time compared to his previous career. To some that might not seem like a big deal, it's truly a huge deal. He spent the greater portion of his 12 years at his previous company on reserve, so those of us who live with that know we truly never know the schedule.  Most of us pilot wives know how to plan life, it still makes it easier. We know that our pilot may not get to go to the party, baseball game, or even the dinner with friends but it is so nice to also know when we can expect him at the dinner, the baseball tournament, or the family dinner. But truly the best part is actually getting to that point where we may be able to finally meet our pilot on a long overnight somewhere.  To see the full months schedule and be able to call grandma and say can you take the kids for the day, or weekend, and be able to hang with him for a while is truly a magical thing.
     I have heard many times recently how nice it must be to be to be able to fly off and meet him for a night. Most truly don't understand the reality of it all They don't take into account how we have spent the last decade, while they climb the flying ladder, to get to this point going solo. Then being a single parent post children.  And I say it that way to cover how in the beginning, before children, you would go to that party by yourself, that wedding by yourself, or that family dinner by yourself.   Then comes the children and you still go to the dinner by yourself, yet with your kids, the wedding by yourself yet with your kids, or the party by yourself, yet with your kids.  And it is always the same questions of where is he flying this time, where is he off to this time, when will he be home and you truly don't always know the where,  but you always know the when. You always anxiously await that return day knowing that you get a few precious days with them before they head off again.
 

So the old saying of time flies when you're having fun isn't just a saying in my life apparently. It is literal in many ways. I see now that it has been over 3 years since I have written. And possibly why my stress level is also higher. I have found, much like Oprah told all years ago writing (or journal-ing) calm my nerves and let me "get it all out" so it doesn't fester and rot. Well guess what, been rotting a little and need to get it out before it rots and starts to sink up the joint.

So where to start. The past few years since my last entry have been kind of a blur. I ended up deciding to get my "quick" teaching license. Okay, so you are all like what the heck is a quick teaching licence. Well, since I have a 4-year degree, I was able to get a special license that allows me to teach, BUT only up to so many days in 1 classroom at a time, but I can float between different classes, schools, whatever, every day to my heart's content if I want. This is a plus in many ways. I can't commit to a longer assignment without a variance from the State of MN, but it is also a minus in that I cannot sub in one classroom for a long-term assignment without a variance from the State. Well I found out last year, after lots of kindly asking from Administration and soul searching if I wanted to take on a classroom during a maternity leave, that it isn't that hard to get a variance so it works out in the end.

The longer you are around a building and a group of teachers, the more they get to know you and how you work and then the more "jobs" you an get even before it goes into the computer automated substitute system (Aesop in the sub world). So there are many months that I can almost work full-time if I want. But you also have to gauge things like if you need a little extra income in September or June, they usually don't take time off in those months.

So that has been my "job" life the past few years, subbing in mainly elementary classes. I also tend to do a lot of Special Education settings, which I seem to have a knack for (or at least they think I do because they keep calling). I have found a new appreciation and admiration for Kindergarten teachers. That is a tough gig with a LOT of one-on-one attention needed ALL DAY from 18+ kids as once. I know now that I could not do that grade on a daily basis! My love has been in Special Ed and then like grades 4th and 5th.  Those older elementary grades are finally able to have expressions and be involved and engaged a lot more in the teaching activities and it is more of a back-and-forth then feel like you're just up there talking and lecturing like with the younger ages. And, they haven't quite got to the sassy self-expression part of more middle school ages seem to be. I haven't dabbled in high school age,...yet, a little afraid they they will know a heck of a lot more than me of whatever subject it is!

Then there's my kids. They are rowing faster than I want of course. And you hear that all the time about time flying and you blink and they're grown. Well, sadly it is all true! I can't believe that next year I will have a senior, 8th grader and 6th grader. Seems like yesterday I was trying to chase a toddler while holding a baby and trying to get a school-ager off and ready for her day! They have all grown into their own special and very unique people. Each very head-strong and determined (not sure where they get that, yes, that is sarcasm again), and of course every parent hope of high self-esteem continuing to blossom as well. I love running all-levers forward chasing them from sport to sport to school activity and back home to do it all over the next day. They all do so good in school that I can't believe how lucky I am! We rarely fight about homework or school and after some days where I have to struggle with students at work, I come home and thank God above at how lucky I am.

So enough about me, me. Now on to the other me, me. The Pilot's Wife me. The road has been a long and very up and down one the past 12 years of this life I have lived.  But the landing lights have finally brightened at the end of the runway (also know as the light at the end of the tunnel for you non-pilot people). My hubby FINALLY got the call to go up the the majors! Even though that in itself was a stressful and crazy wait, due to the "pilot shortage" at his now previous airline, and the fact the current airline "owns" the other, he had to wit almost a full year to go to class and switch companies! They kept saying they couldn't afford to let him go just yet, but luckily there was a contract in place that they could only keep him so long, but man did they wait until the last possible moment to release him! Having that said, it has so far been a crazy and sometimes very stressful ride,

Check back later for the next installment of "Finally at the Majors!"