Oh how time flies...

Life has been so busy I have not had any time to blog. I really love to spend time writing, and if I don't have that, then I don't feel like I've had my therapy.

Christmas was awesome...I mean amazing. Just a little inside joke. Madison corrects me if I say, "awesome." She says she doesn't like that word. Crazy little girl. The kids had so much fun. This is the first year they have really had a grasp of getting gifts and all of the Christmas stuff that goes with this season.

The twins keep volunteering to speak in Primary, so next week Porter is giving the scripture and Madison is giving a talk. I am so proud of how outgoing they are. They have no fear. In fact, they ENJOY getting up in front of a crowd and talking. Porter already has the scripture memorized and Madison will know her talk very well. I'm not even hoping she memorizes it. It's actually a good-sized little presentation. They have been practicing all week.

Work has been busy. Travis came down to Taco Bell and worked the drive-thru with me. It was so much fun to have him there. It reminded me of old times. We commented that Taco Bell is our Briar Patch--it's miserable, but it's been home, and we know how to run it. It's funny how something like Taco Bell can be so comforting when life is so uncertain. I hope it helped to take his mind off of little Arianna. She is so sweet, and in so much pain. I hope all things work out for the best. You can read more about her at: PrayforAri.blogspot.com

It has been wonderful to take a break from school. I can't believe I made it through my first semester. I think I was scared into good grades. The semester starts in a couple more weeks and I'll be back to the grind again.

Brant has been working at Yesco in Las Vegas for three days every week. He takes the kids with him and they stay with his Mom while he is at work. They love their Grandma so much. I think they would trade us for her. They're so sweet, and bless their little hearts, they have such a good outlook on life. They are so happy every day. I learn so much from them. What a blessing to have such wonderful children.

That's a quick summary. Hopefully, I'll have time for more later. I miss my blog. :)

Family Jewels

Of all things to be watching and to get inspiration from on a Sunday...I was watching Gene Simmons (from the 70s Rock Band KISS) in his reality TV show. During the episode I was moved to tears. He was visiting Europe for a tour and during that time a young kid had written him a letter wanting to meet him. It wasn't because he was an American Rock Star legend, but because of his mother who was a Holocaust survivor. The episode showed a lot of history during that time and many wise words were shared. Especially that of realizing our history is so important. It is important to understand where we came from and who are parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were. They are a part of who we are...or rather, we are a part of who they were.

Today, I was finally able to read some stories that have recently been emailed to our family. I have seen the short versions on my phone, but wanted to take time to read them when I had time to sit in front of a big screen computer and could digest them. They were stories about my Dad in Vietnam and some of the experiences that he went through. I've also known he was somewhat of a hero and a little valiant, borderline crazy when he was younger. :) They are really good stories and worth reading. Not only because he is my Dad, but because he represents many, many military men and women who have not only fought for the freedom of the United States but for freedom around the world. I told a guy at work that my Dad got the Silver Star and Purple Heart--he was an ex-military guy--and he was really impressed. I didn't really know what they were, so I asked him. He said you had to be really, really good to get those kinds of things. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did. The following story isn't written by my Dad, it was written by someone who served with him.

A short history of some of the events that took place in the ranks of the 173^rd Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam, 1971

By Ken Huston

I joined the Robin Hoods (173 rd ASH) in January 1971 as they moved to Dong Ha, just about three miles south of the DMZ. One of the first people I met was Jay Lane, a fellow pilot and aircraft commander in my platoon. Jay and I had a lot in common since we were two of the few who were married and didn’t drink. As a result, we didn’t chase women and hang out in places of ill repute in the local community. We usually spent our time on the base and got to know one another.

Our reason for going north to Dong Ha was to participate in Operation Lam Son 719. This was the mission into Laos to cut off the Ho Chi Minh trail. There were no American troops on the ground during this operation, just South Vietnamese troops supported by American helicopter crews. Our company Arrived in Dong Ha with 26 helicopters and in the 45 days of Lam Son 719, 17 of those were lost, either shot down, crashed, or so badly damaged that they had to be sent to Red Beach (China Beach) for rebuilding. In the two months that followed, 5 more helicopters were lost; two of those were with Jay at the controls. Not to insinuate that he was a bad pilot, in fact he was one of our best pilots if not the best.

I was lucky enough not to have been shot down during my whole one year tour of duty, but that was not the case with many of our comrades including Jay. Jay was shot down three times, including once right in front of me.

Jay’s first bullet riddled episode was during the 45 days of Lam Son 719. During a lift mission into Laos, his Huey was so badly shot up that he barely made it back to a South Vietnamese fire base. The aircraft had to be sling loaded out for rebuild.

I am not sure of the sequence, that is to say, which one came first of the next two times that he got shot down, so I will tell it the way I remember it. Jay was working alone on a re-supply mission for troops in the field. Typically with a large unit in the field, it would take many trips into a field landing zone to haul in all of the beans bullets and water needed to support combat operations. The repetitive return to the same LZ is often the thing that ultimately results in the loss of an aircraft. The VC see a helicopter coming in to land over and over and decide to infiltrate one or two men close enough to get a shot off either with small arms or with their favorite weapon, the rocket propelled grenade (RPG).

At the time of this incident, our company had decided that we were in a secure enough base that they wanted us to turn in our hand guns every night and check them out in the morning. On the morning in question, Jay being Jay, decided not to check out his weapon and so was unarmed. After many trips into the same LZ, the inevitable happened. The Infiltrators fired two RPGs. The RPGs hit the aircraft at the joining point between the Tail Boom and Fuselage. The tail boom was completely blown off as the aircraft was about fifty to a hundred feet in the air on takeoff. At that point it became a controlled crash. Jay got out but some of his crew members were seriously wounded.

Jay asked one of the infantrymen on the scene for his 45 cal. Pistol since he was unarmed and the infantryman was badly wounded. After risking his own life to save a fellow soldier by returning to the burning helicopter for the first aid kit that was necessary to save the life of the wounded, he ministered the first aid. He organized the crew and carried the seriously wounded soldier on his back through the jungle, sometimes low crawling through the grass to a more secure area and eventually making their way to the infantry lines.

At one point they heard movement in the grass coming towards them. Jay was convinced that it was the enemy coming to take them as prisoners. When he went to chamber a shell in the .45 he discovered that it didn’t even have a clip in it! His next plan was to throw the pistol at the face of the first VC that came in view and hopefully surprising him to the point of getting his rifle and shooting his way out of there. Finally the grass parted and he saw it was the Americans; the ground troops that had been separated from Jay’s party when the crash and fuel cells of the helicopter blew up.

The third time Jay got shot down was right in front of me. We had been doing what we called “Eagle Flights”. Eagle flights were a specialized way of finding the enemy. With a battalion size force in reserve at a nearby airfield, we would go out with a gunship acting as a scout helicopter and two Hueys with a squad of troops. The gunship would select an LZ and orbit overhead while the two Hueys landed to drop off the troops. The troops would then scout the area for 15 minutes or so. If they didn’t make contact with the enemy, we would pick them up, take them to another LZ and do it all over again. If they did make contact, we would call back for reinforcements and the entire Battalion would descend on the LZ to take on, and hopefully overwhelm the enemy.

We had been doing this operation all day long with no results and late in the day, with Jay flying lead and me in Chalk two, we headed into an LZ that was too small for a proper combat assault with two helicopters so we staggered our landings 30 seconds apart. Jay would be lifting off as I was on short final. Jay landed and his troops jumped out as usual but as I got on short final, he wasn’t taking off. I slowed my approach waiting for him to lift off but he never did. Then I realized his rotor blades were slowing down. His engine was shut down.

I thought he must have had an engine failure, so I eased into a position to his left rear where I could land next to a huge boulder about ten feet high. His crew were gathering up their guns and equipment and we waited for them to come back to jump on our helicopter. Our troops had jumped out to join their squad providing security. I wondered why Jay hadn’t called to say what his trouble was and I tried to call him several times with no reply.

Then as I had just landed, Jay had gone back to his helicopter making a second May Day call saying that he had been shot down. His first May Day call was never transmitted because, unbeknown to Jay, part of the bullets from the enemy fire had shot out his FM radio.

At that point when I realized he had been shot down I immediately abandoned my landing because, with Jay being shot down I was violating policy by going in before radio contact could be established and an assessment could be made of the situation.

Finally, I was cleared by C&C to go in for the rescue. When they jumped on my helicopter Jay grabbed a drop cord and plugged his helmet in. I said “what happened”. He said, “I got shot down! A lone VC with a machinegun jumped out from behind that boulder and opened fire on us”! The boulder was the one I was sitting beside. I think I over-torqued the engine getting out of the LZ!!!

As it turned out, while Jay was on short final, the VC stitched the bottom of the helicopter down the middle, with the first bullet hitting the FM radio in the nose of the helicopter and the last bullet hitting the engine fuel control governor. The engine failed but Jay made a perfect autorotation to a smooth touchdown so flawlessly that I didn’t even realize it was anything but a normal landing. We then called in all of the infantry. They searched all of the countryside and found nothing. As far as we know it was just one lone VC with a machinegun and he immediately left the area. They never did find him.

Jay cheated death three times and left for home as I recall, in June, 1971.

Kenneth D. Huston

CWO4 Retired, U.S. Army

I am thankful for...

My sister Bobbi posted on Facebook about someone giving a talk on gratitude and being happy. I thought...I KNOW that...but do I practice it? So...tis the season of Thanksgiving. I think instead of worrying about holiday decorations I am going to try to be really, sincerely, grateful for something. Today, I am thankful for good health. For me, my husband, and my children. You cannot put any price on that. Especially because there are family members close to me who do not have this blessing. I cannot imagine their trials. I am really thankful for our health.

Pumpkin Carving

Holidays are a MILLION times more fun with kids. They thought pumpkin carving was the coolest thing dad as ever done. And, when we added candles to illuminate the pumpkins, we might as well have been at Disneyland. They were elated. I love how kids have so much excitement for things we take for granted. I try to remember to be as excited, but it just doesn't come off that well when you're 11 days from being 40.

We have a Snow White costume for Madi and Buzz Lightyear for Lane. Porter is so indecisive, we haven't bought him anything yet. I keep asking him what he wants to be and he says, "What do you want me to be Mom?" Everytime him and Krew get together they say they're going to be Batman and Robin. I can't figure out who is going to be which.

Pics can tell the stories

Wow! It's been over a month since I have blogged. That must mean I have been really busy. Good thing I have the camera to keep track of the important things that are happening. Lane and Porter were showing off their muscles. Funny how early boys like to do that...and they never stop. Madison was modeling her dance outfit. Aunt Jaymi made the cutest little tutu for her. Of course, the matching bow was made by Aunt Kim. She's lucky to have Aunts for these kinds of things. I'm not too good at the cutesy-wootsie like they are.

The Three Musketeers

Heading off to the store with Dad. Madison picked her own outfit: hat, scarf, dress--everything. The boys got hats because their cousin Krew wears a hat and they thought it was really cool.

Family Snapshots

I've Picked Up A New Hobby

It's called Homework. Ughh!!! Maybe taking 5 classes my first semester back to college in 18 years was not such a good idea. I am on a homework treadmill that won't turn off. At least the pace it manageable right now. Maybe that's because I'm not working. Actually, I am starting to get into the groove of things so hopefully it will settle down. I am such a creature of habit that when I start a new routine life is always a little unsettling.

I took my first college test since the semester began yesterday. I was a little nervous, but actually reverted back to my former college day test taking habits. I put off doing the outline and the study guide until right before my exam. Of course, my memory is still in working order so I remembered everything really well. It was a 50 question multiple choice history test. I took it in 11:58 minutes. I'm not sure how I did yet, but I know I missed a few. The ones I missed were the ones I didn't have any information on so it was purely a guess.

This morning at 7:30 a.m. is my first Algebra test. (Since being back to school.) I actually feel pretty good about it. I think I've got the gist of the formulas down. I guess we'll see. My first English paper, the teacher gave me a 9 out of 10. I completely disagree with his assessment. I could go into detail, but what he took the one point off for was not right. I think he was just trying to make a statement. Plus, he made a snide comment about it. What's the deal with English teachers, anyway? (Except for you Marissa.)

I don't feel like I an "A" student yet--which is what I wanted to be. But, maybe B's. The old gears are starting to turn again. My advice: if you haven't been to college in a couple of decades, start off slow.

Haley and Travis' new baby: Khrysta Lilliann Lan

The Good News...and the Bad News

The kids pick up the funniest things. I can't believe how much they mimic our words--a scary reflection sometimes. Tonight Porter said, "Mom, I have bad news and I have good news." I said, "What's that?" He said, "The bad news is I am not tired and don't want to go to bed. The good news is you won't make me go to bed!" He said that with a big smile on his face--after I had tucked him into bed.

Not to be out-done, Madison said, "I have good news and bad news. The good news is I am a GREAT sister! And, the bad news is that sometimes we don't get to stay at the park as long as we want to."

Lane tried to get his two cents in. He said, "Bad news. Good news. Mom." He thought for a second, then held his hands face up and said, "Nothing!" Then he laughed. We all laughed too.

Madison has been on a roll with her sayings. Tonight I showed her a pair of dance shoes I bought for her from Ebay. She looked at them and approved. I told her I had already ordered them and they would be coming next week. She exclaimed, (with hands uplifted) "Well call the manager!" I started laughing and asked how she even knew what that meant. I asked her what would happen if we called the manager. She said, "Then he will bring them right over."
____________________

Yesterday Lane was talking to Brant, cuddled up in bed. Out of the blue he said, "You're my best friend, Dad!" Brant had a huge smile on his face. I keep reminding Brant about it and he still smiles.

To Be A Kid Again

Not a care in the world, enjoying the warm summer days. They were eating ice cream after playing in the sprinklers.











They discovered a fun little hiding spot in the dryer.














Their cousin, Krew, was visiting and they had popcorn and movie night.
















The boys on the front patio at 7 pm. It's still nice and warm outside. Hopefully the neighbors don't mind their love of running around in nothing but their boxers.

Then and Now

Life is full of discoveries. I am amazed that even on the eve of approaching 40 I am still learning so much and am so eager to learn. If I could stamp a word over this week I think it would say, “overwhelmed.” I started my “back to college” this week. It has been quite an adventure.

You know when you watch those time travel movies and there are all kinds of new technology introduced? That’s how I kind of feel. Being back in an academic setting has brought back many memories of my previous college years. Funny though, how I was a completely different person. The “Then and Now” is so interesting I can’t help but compare.

I am taking 3 classes online. That was not even a possibility before. They were starting to use “remote” classrooms. It was a new idea that teachers would lecture on video and the classes would be broadcast on PBS or a special local channel. Students who were ahead of the game, recorded their classes to VHS. And, if they had a really fancy VCR, they could record it without even being home.

Every class has emphasized “no cell phones or texting during class.” That was not an issue before—hardly anyone carried around a big brick cell phone back then. And texting—I would have been like texting? What’s that? Sending your textbooks to other people? Then, if someone explained, “Oh, it’s like online chatting just on your phone.” I would have been like, “What? You can’t do that.”

All of the teachers have made their email and cell phones available to students. Before—you had to catch the professor during his office hours or leave him a note. And, as an added bonus, all of your classmates can become your friends on Facebook.

Powerpoint is the new way to lecture. One teacher walked in with his jumpdrive and plugged into the computer that was in the classroom. That’s new. In the 90’s someone would have said, “Jump what?” Or what is that tiny little thing on your keychain, a 16 MG memory chip. No…it’s the equivalent of a 2GB hard drive. And then, I would be like, “What? That’s impossible. That’s like putting the storage space of 50 of my Mac’s on to that little chip.” That’s right—at least 50 of my Mac’s. And, I was really cool because I had a computer. No one had computers back then. At least not in college.

I think I have changed as a student. I thought I was a nerd back in the day, I have grown into an even bigger nerd. I can’t stand being late and I’m over cautious about neatness. In math, I typed my homework, included all of my information and put it in two columns with lines dividing each problem. The poor girl next to me said, “Were we supposed to type our homework?” I responded, “No, I’m just anal. I have issues—as in psychological disorders. You know, lots or problems that have initials—OCD, ADD, ADHD.” She just said, “Oh.”

I actually love to sit in the front row and be early as opposed to previously sneaking in just under the wire and grabbing a backseat. I’m very worried about getting perfect scores now. I used to just be glad to pass—although I would do average or above.

The first day of my math class, we had to take a pretest. It included a section on your perception of your abilities and ideas towards math. The last part was actual algebra problems. I gave myself high marks for confidence, but failed miserably on the skill section. I smiled as I imagined the teacher looking at my paper. He probably thought I was a little out-of-touch with reality. I’ve just been through enough in life, that I know I can do anything I put my mind to. I don’t think I believed that in my twenties. I also have gained a lot of life skills over the years that I have kind of taken for granted. I’m not at all afraid to talk to the person next to me and ask their name. I’ve been much more outgoing. In fact, I enjoy reaching out to people and making them feel more comfortable.

There’s still old fashioned fun about buying new notebooks, pens, pencils, and highlighters. The hard chairs and teachers lecturing hasn’t changed. History is still history, and math is still the same bunch of formulas. I’ve kicked myself many times over the years for not finishing my degree when I was so close. But, I don’t think I really new what I wanted to be when I grew up. It’s taken me a long time to discover myself and what it is that I actually want. I wish I could have known sooner, but life is a journey. Even if you get to where you’re going, you don’t stay there very long.

What doesn't kill us...

...makes us stronger. Really? Is it just me or has life gotten really treacherous lately? I feel like there are so many things "attacking" from every direction. And, there's just not enough time to do everything that needs to be done. Especially, when you're trying to get to a better situation in life. I feel a day late and a dollar short almost every day.

I went to campus today to find the bookstore and purchase my books. I had no idea where it was. BTW, it's not on the college campus map they hand out. How dumb is that? I didn't want to be the old lady that asked where the bookstore was if it was right next to me. I noticed a flow of students coming with books in plastic bags. Obviously, if I followed the line of ants then I would find the anthill. After stalking a few students, I finally found it. And, yes, books are still way overpriced. Why can't they send out digital files of the textbook? Do you know how much cheaper that would be. I just got three of my books today--a mere $174.

Our computer is riddled with viruses so I haven't been able to upload any pictures. I'm bummed because I have so much going on and would like to blog about it. Brant doesn't understand my need to blog. Writing is my outlet. If I ever become famous, I will have a well-documented life. :) The computer also will freeze up in the middle of using it. Ughh!!! Frustration.

We are putting the kids in a "dance" class on Monday nights. Ever since Madison saw her cousins Emy and Averi Frampton perform at a dance competition in St. George, she has been wanting to go to dance classes. I bought her some leotards and dance skirts in pink. She is so excited. Porter doesn't want to go. We told him to try it and if he doesn't like it he doesn't have to go. If the boys don't go it will save me a lot of money. It's actually such a beginning class that it's the basics of tumbling, following directions, and some toe pointing.

Lane has been our ER poster child this month. He fell out of the bunkbed and cut his head open on an open dresser drawer. We shaved it, cleaned it, and glued it. It's healed nicely. As a result, he's sporting a mohawk. Two days ago he ended up in the ER because he got into Brant's Adderall. He was one stoned little kid. If you don't know, it's an amphetamine. Or, more commonly referred to as "speed" on the street. If you need it, it calms you down. If you don't, well then you become very happy. And, yes Brant does have a prescriptioin for it. It's fairly potent and requires a regular visit to the doctor to continue prescriptions. Lane kept saying, "Me happy. Me feel good." They had to give him the maximum dose of sedatives--or "downers" in street-speak. He was tweaking like a mad man. I felt horrible. Hopefully, that will be the last and only time I have to go to the hospital because my son overdosed on a controlled substance. He didn't go to sleep until 4:30 am.

Brant and I have been tag teaming on the work schedule. He works Wednesday through Sunday nights and I work Monday through Thursday days. We are still trying to catch up from being unemployed for two months. But, despite it all, we are making ends meet. And, for that we are grateful. Plus, we all still have our health. You can't put a price on that.

I'm trying to get into the academic mode. It's been a long time. About 18 years to be precise. Funny how I came to the realization that I have been forty for most of my life. The out-of-place feeling I had today on campus is the same one I had back in college. I think I have always been older than everyone. It's just a mindset, I guess. I had to laugh to myself. I guess I've finally reached my age. I am starting with English, Elementary Algebra, Computer Literacy, American History, and Library Information. All general classes, so nothing too hard yet.

Back to School

I finished my registration for classes for the Fall semester at Dixie. I'm going to be the old lady in class. :) I'm so excited. It was fun picking out classes. I actually had alot more transfer credits than I thought. Can't wait to get started--probably won't be saying that around Finals.

Twin Birthday Pics

They had a blast for their birthday. It was the most fun thing they've ever done. The anticipation leading up to the day--and the day of. I don't think they could contain themselves. Lane kept shouting, "My birthday too!" So we had to include him in everything. We took pictures of him with a cake and we wrapped a few presents for him.