Oops, I did it again

This time, I was not petrified. Recall last time?

Sign me up!

 I went with a few people this time. It was a RIOT!
This trip was to watch Jake and Troy jump solo. They are super nuts. Strap me on tightly fellas, I say.

Sadly, Jake was grounded after our trip (we were on 19, he was supposed to be on 20) due to a raincloud. But birthday boy Troy did his first AFF solo jump and landed safely. Way to go, rockstar!

McKenzie, John and myself were the tandem jumpers. As Jake now refers to as...babies.
It's okay though. I've been called worse. Stick and stones, my friend.
I welcome your sarcasm. Usually.

Oh, this is so much fun.

Unfortunately, I never got a group picture of the five of us. Boo.

Thanks for the photo bomb, buddy. At least you're in one shot.

My turn! My original guy rolled his ankle his last flight, so I had a last second change (literally...seconds). He was great! Usually you chat with your instructor a few minutes before takeoff. We have a good 10ish minutes or so on the plane to chat. It'll be fine. The concern on my face is obvious.

These wind suits were slightly restrictive. As is the harness. So climbing up the ladder was somewhat challenging. Or maybe it's just me and ladders. Who really is ever going to know?  Why did we have to wear a wind suit this time, you ask? Because my first jump was in July. It's hot in July. It's now end of September. It's pretty chilly at 14,000 feet this time of year. My original instructor said it was -6.
Eh, didn't feel cold to me ;)

Yeah, buddy!!

Heading UP!

This trip was very different. Maybe because it was a packed plane. Or maybe it was the many jokes.
 Did I mention this trip was a riot? I think I did. Because it was.

14,000 feet
(lower left...that is Troy with his instructors jumping alone!)

Eyes wide open this time.

Dig the goggles?

Camera guy swooped up underneath us. I was yelling hi and waving, can you tell?.
Or maybe I was really that geeked up to do this again.

I see the clouds, dude. Thanks.

Skipping clouds 1-8 this time.

Straight onto 9.

I now know what clouds feel like. For real.

Sure I'll grab your shoe. Weird. But okay.

Here comes the canopy.

Purty rainbow one!

And this is my view.

We did lots of spins and stuff on way down. It was sweet.

My journey back to earth was amazing once again!

Minus the posterior landing and inhalation of dirt. See the little pigpen stirring?
No worries, it's from our feet skidding, not bouncing off terra firma.

I took my goggles off after free-fall this time. So, a little sand in the pupils was fantastic, too.

May you always have blue skies above, and may your landing always be soft.
AWESOME!

But I'm still not riding that swingy thing at Cedar Point. Nope.

Just a Wednesday evening

After work and school today, G and I drove out to Rockland to feast and play. 

When I say feast, I mean that I ate.

 When I say play, I actually mean the kids screamed like banshees jumping all over the place.

Perfection. No?

I quite enjoyed myself. As did G.

After finishing up some grub, we headed outside until the sun was setting and we had to get home.

Here's a few pictures:

He learned all his moves from his Momma

Forget the fish, let's eat this stale popcorn. Delish!

See you again soon, Pressly!

From Mom

Dear G,

I've been thinking a lot lately. A lot about you. How you are handling all these changes in your innocent life. It can't be easy and you are far too young to express your feelings appropriately. Please know that your Dad and I love you with all of our hearts and we will always do what is best for you. These changes are going to take time. There is going to be many adjustments. We will get there. We are ALL going to be okay. We ALL are going to be happy.

I've been contemplating this blog the last many months. How I write things...what I should write...what I shouldn't write...how much to share....

Truth is, this blog is my legacy to YOU. If I should suddenly die (God forbid), I want you to know exactly what I was thinking and feeling watching you grow up. I want you to know all the things we did together. What we made together. The places we went. I'm not a scrapbooker, believe it or not, I don't have the patience for it. So this is my outlet for expression. Someday you'll read it by years, as I've printed them into books to be treasured always. (I promise I won't embarrass you. At least the very minimal--I'm trying, cut a mom a break)

I have this dream in my heart that one day you will say. . . thank you for the time you took to document our story.

I love you, Gavin.
We are going to be just fine.You'll see :)
Please come to me always. I will be here always.

Love,
Mom

But that was mine...

Last weekend was the first weekend that Tim took Gavin. Friday to Sunday.

They had a great time. This is a good thing.

I took advantage of some "me" time and went to dinner with some co-workers on Friday evening down the street, Cedar Point on Saturday, and the Black Swamp Festival on Sunday before picking him up.

It was great. I needed that.

This hat was my souvenir from the weekend. It's pretty awesome. I kinda love it.

Today, Gavin stole it.

And that is how life works around here.

Sleep with one eye open, kiddo. I'm taking it back :)