Naval Flight Officer in Training

Although it may look like Josh is ready to take off in a plane with his head set and flight suit on, he is actually playing video games. I came home from work today to find all of the housework dutifully done and Josh sitting on the couch looking like he was ready to take off in an airplane ;) I had to snap a picture. And I must say I think he makes the flight suit come alive a little more than I could the other day ;).

Passing with flying colors

Josh has successfully passed all of his academic tests in API! Now he will begin a week and a half of practical training, which I will let him write about after he experiences it :). Looking forward to seeing many of you soon!

Congratulations Heidi!

This weekend I had the great pleasure of watching my sister Heidi graduate (with High Honors I might add) from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL.

We are so proud of her!

There were many days and weeks in the last year that we were all uncertain if Heidi would manage to graduate with her class and finish her teaching requirements this May (as a result of the issues with her health that became a greater priority).

Romans 8:28 is a beautiful reminder of God's sovereign work in Heidi's life: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

In Heidi's circumstances, we are thankful that "good" meant graduating on time with her classmates AND attending to her health needs in a timely fashion; However, I think it is important to note that this verse would still be a beautiful reminder of God's sovereign work in Heidi's life if she was unable to graduate this May- because HIS plan would still reign and it would be GOOD.

We Praise God for answered prayers and for the work that he continues to do in Heidi's life.

Congratulations Heids!

See below for a few clips of the joyous occasion



Also, I have posted several pictures of her graduation in a picasa web album for viewing at the following link: http://picasaweb.google.com/whitneyalbright/HeidiSGraduation#
(Please let me know if this link does not work and I will make a change)

Happy 24th Josh!

Josh turned 24 today! Thank you to all who sent cards and birthday wishes his way. As the pictures can attest- he enjoyed his birthday evening thoroughly :). We enjoyed a delicious Shepard's pie for dinner(recipe was given to Josh by Aunt Melinda while he was visiting awhile ago). We attempted to enjoy a homemade cheesecake, but something went terribly wrong with the cheesecake (still have yet to figure out what) and it tasted terrible! I don't know if we'll be eating cheesecake any time soon...sad day!

If one were to make a flip book (remember those?) of the pictures below, it would involve a whole lot of quickly changing expressions!

Josh requested to open a gift before dinner (he chose the biggest one, haha)

(an under armour workout shirt)

Socks

an electric toothbrush ("What are you trying to say Whit?!")

a range finder (for the golf course)

Golf shirt and shorts from Mom and Dad Gropp

(Yes, I made him model them for me)

Videos of the birthday happiness below:




Josh received more gifts than he bargained for today! Today was "Gear issue day". We had fun opening each piece of gear - and I had fun modeling! Josh declined to model his gear this evening- not to fear, I'll catch a picture of him in his flight suit soon enough!

Alabama the Beautiful

When we drove to Pensacola in December, we drove for several hours through Alabama. Josh and I had never been to Alabama and really did not know a whole lot about it. One thing we found interesting is that there are signs everywhere saying "Welcome to Alabama the Beautiful" and "Please keep Alabama Beautiful". We laughed and thought- "what's so great about Alabama compared with any other state?!" Well, this evening we went for a walk on the Florida-Alabama State line in Orange Beach, Alabama and discovered just a sliver of Alabama's beauty.






























Josh continues to do well in API. He passed his Weather exam on Thursday and will be studying for Aerodynamics 2 (Monday) and Engines (Friday).

I am beginning to work on a few projects outside of work (for work). I am hoping to begin a falls prevention program slowly but surely. I don't know all that this will entail, however, it is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. 80% of the people I see for therapy each day are in rehab because of a fall. I am hoping to begin some falls prevention education throughout my therapy sessions that causes the seniors I work with to want to be a part of falls prevention in their homes and communities. During school I designed the skeleton of a falls prevention program called "STOP Falls" (Seniors Take On Prevention of Falls)- I hope to revisit this project and expand upon it as I consider this program.

That's all for now!

API Week 1

Just a quick update to say that Josh has made it through his first week of API with success. He passed his first test in Aerodynamics 1 on Monday. Thursday he will have a test in Weather and then Monday he will have a test in Aerodynamics 2. He has been keeping busy with studying, classes, and water survival tests. Today he had to swim for 30 minutes in a flight suit, heavy boots, and a vest. He also treaded water for 3 minutes and had to float for 9 minutes in this gear. It all sounds very exciting!

Josh is a great student. I say this not only because he's such a smarty, but also because he has such a great sense of balance even when he needs to retain a lot of information. He seems to know just when he needs a break to debrief so that he will be more productive later. While I've sometimes thought that he doesn't need those breaks (as I really wasn't able to live a very balanced life when in school) I now see how well he knows what he needs to know and how well he knows himself.

Now onto week 2.... :)