We finally got talked into starting a blog of our family. I also finally found the time on the few days off to get it started.
To start off lets go back to a time where daily life is more of a blur to me really just more of a highlight show in my mind. I'll start with the highlight of when high school finished up, and I found myself in a little lull in advancing to anything, I just felt that life would send me a clear cut sign when it was time to move on to the next stage of my life. Working odd end jobs, moving in and out of the parents house on more than one occasion. Social life became more of an importance than family or work. I'd stay up very late playing the one game that I actually enjoyed, and was able to become very involved in, ultimate frisbee. The way we played it was perfect, we played at night when we didn't have to worry about the heat or the sun in our eyes. We had plenty of lights from near by street lamps. I think when everyone got together it was more getting out and socializing with old friends and making new ones in the process. We didn't keep score, when everyone was winded and had enough grass stains we just called last point and who ever scored next won. Other highlights during this era involves sitting for endless hours on Mikey's couch playing Playstation, taking all the girls up to the "C" all at once, doing donuts in Angel's, truck in the snow with Mikey and Ben in the back, and of course the countless rappelling trips up to the canyon. And through out this entire era there's of course all the time that my wife, Kari, and I spent wooing each other.
The highlight that comes next to mind is the summer after when Kari's brother, Kyle, decided to move down to cedar, and thus started the long and still going to this day (somewhat) computer gaming era. First starting out with Warcraft II, to Starcraft, soon came Quake II and III, 1942, unreal, etc. etc. etc. Once everyone moved to other things in their lives it continued with World of Warcraft which actually brought some lost friends back. I eventually had to stop playing due to school, which that story is still to come. Whenever we needed a break, nights would often involve movies or freeze flag at Northeast with Doug jumping out of windows, recliners, and refrigerators, like the monkey that he is. We also ran up to his family's cabin for some crazy memorable nights.
When funds were running low, some of us found that we needed to grow up just a little and get a stable job. That's when Kari, Mikey, and I found jobs up at Brian Head, the local ski resort. With that came the experience of learning to snowboard and every hurting joint from every attempted jump. During this time is when Kari and I decided that we never wanted to be apart from each other and went and got married in Las Vegas. I'll never forget not just the ceremony, but of course the bachelor party, the limo ride with Mikey and his awesome hair and my new bro-in-law, Kyle.
With our new daughter Kailey being born, and Kari finished with school, I realized that these odd end job just wasn't going to work, that's when I decided to make a career. With Kari at my side I was given the opportunity to chase my dream and become a helicopter pilot. I remember researching it out, when I found a school in Portland, Oregon, I knew it was the right move. I knew the Kari would love it, because it put her closer to her family in central Oregon.
These highlights of my growing family is just the beginning. Moving up to Portland without a job or even a place to stay for that matter, was not as nerve racking as it should have been, it was no time at all that we found an apartment and I found a job as being a armored truck driver (again). Soon I found myself juggling between a full time job, full time school, flying, studying, and family. Looking back on it now, it wasn't too bad, I found myself in a place of respect at work being in charge of a route that consisted of replenishing money and removing deposits of ATM's from one of the company's most profitable accounts. School was full of peers having similar goals that I had, making friendships that have lasted to this day, getting the best experience of flying helicopters in the beautiful northwest, and bringing into the world my son, Dillon.
Once school was done, the opportunity of being a flight instructor came up in Phoenix, AZ. So we packed up everything and moved again. It consisted of 12-14 hour days teaching people the same passion that I have. I found the biggest challenge was keeping my students motivated that after all the studying and sacrificing of time and money, it's worth it. Even with the long hours, Kari even noticed that I came home more relaxed and happy (most of the time). I think it was because I was doing what I loved rather that what I needed to do. During this time I became friends with numerous other pilots and still tried to find time to spend with my growing family. We also welcomed our beauitful daughter Kaisee.
When the time came to move further on the career, we decided that Vegas was the way to go, and that's where we are today. Once again, moved our family to a house on the outskirts of Las Vegas so I can become a pilot flying to the Grand Canyon.
In a very large nut shell that's how I came to be today. I love my life, my family, and the experiences that came with it. I still think that we're just in the beginning too, Kailey is just about to start 2nd grade. Dillon has become more a little person than a baby, wanting to be involved in everything I do, including taking rides on the helicopter. And Kaisee smiling everytime she sees me. With my outstanding beautiful wife at my side, I feel I'm very lucky and can do anything.
