I've Seen Both Sides of the Clouds

Mike took this on our flight {because he has to do everything}

In June my family and I went on our annual vacation to Newport Beach but this trip was very special and very unique.

I was able to spend time with some dear friends of mine.  We met in Reno at the Reno Air Races in 2011.  We met the year of the crash.  We met the year the Galloping Ghost plummeted into the box seating killing a dozen people and hurting so many more.  The thing about going through something like that is that those you go through it with are automatically connected to each other.  It is a strange phenomenon, but it is real.  I am very connected to those that were there that day, I am very connected to Mike and Kendle.

I have so things many to say about Mike and Kendle and the people they are, the flights they took my boys (including my hubby) on, the service they give, the kindness in their hearts, their amazing examples, etc... but today I want to write about my very own spiritual flight with Mike.

I have a crush on a man.  Don't worry, Jon is okay with it!  My crush isn't just any old man.  My crush is on a Stearman.  A beautiful convertible yellow bi-plane that has years of stories and experiences to share with the world... including mine.

Me and my "man" crush on the Stearman! 

Mike let me wear Kendle's flight suit because it was a little chilly outside.  It was cloudy when we took off, a heavy marine layer was present giving the impression of a gloomy sky.

Before take-off! 

As the wheels left the ground we waved to Jon and I watched him grow smaller and smaller as we flew higher and higher.  Our first destination... above those gloomy clouds.

Good-bye Jon!  This is me in the front taking off with Mike! 

It was like we had entered a completely different world where the sky was the perfect shade of blue and the sun was shining brightly.  The top of the clouds were brilliant white and puffy and soft.  This is where Mike introduced me to some backflips and dives and loops and spirals and twirls and twists!

The feeling of the air flying through my hair, the sun on my face, the weightlessness of my body is indescribable.  The beauty I was witnessing combined with the feelings I was having was moving.  It moved me.  My soul felt excitement and peace all at the same time.  I felt grateful to know God and to know of his unconditional love for me.  I felt grateful for such a rare opportunity to be flying in such a beautiful machine with such a great person and friend.  My feelings manifested in smiles and tears.

I didn't think anything could compare to what I was experiencing in that moment.

And then we started towards our next destination... below those bright puffy clouds.

Look at me! I'm flying in a convertible yellow plane! 

I was sad to say good-bye to the bright side and enter back into the gloomy weather.  I was listening to Mike point out different places; the Long Beach Harbor, Angel's Gate Lighthouse, the Queen Mary and Russian Submarine, my favorite place was when he showed me where he grew up!  The tour was beautiful and then Mike told me we were going out to the ocean to get close.

Getting close to the ocean was an understatement.  We were practically gliding on top of the ocean. In fact, I think we were gliding on top of the ocean.  It is a hard feeling to capture in words but we were only feet above the ocean and I noticed felt the powerful ocean grab the plane and as the swells rose, so did the plane and as the swells dipped, so did the plane.

It felt like music would feel, everything was in motion together, the ocean supported and respected the sky and the sky supported and respected the ocean.  And there I was, right in the middle of the harmony between the ocean and the sky feeling supported and respected.

I didn't think anything could compare to what I was experiencing in that moment.

And then Mike asked me to look over the left wing and he asked me to let him know if I noticed anything.  I looked over the left wing and I was so amazed at how close we were to the ocean, it was like I was riding on a fast sailboat and then I noticed something... it was fast but it was something.  I started to doubt myself thinking I imagined it but as soon as that doubt set in I saw it again, and again, and again!  I didn't say a verbal word to Mike through the intercom but he must have heard my screams over the roar of the Stearman, he must have noticed the excitement in my body.  "What do you see TC?" I calmed down and spoke back to him "DOLPHINS! I see DOLPHINS!!"  They were jumping along side of us!

Mike pulled up and flipped around and lined us up perpendicular to the ocean.  With our left wing pointed directly over the ocean and our right wing towards the heavens I looked down and saw hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of dolphins.  The water was so clear I could see everything they were doing.  I just watched in awe as Mike spiraled around and around those dolphins so that I could take it all in.  The dolphins were hunting and they were fast!  They were leaping in and out of the water.  One dolphin was teasing another by poking it with his nose!  It seemed like the dolphin being teased was annoyed!  I watched as a spiraling dolphin went from his gray back to his white stomach to his gray back over and over again spiraling like a torpedo!  I was so close to them and I found so much joy in watching them.

The feeling of the air and the ocean and watching such beautiful creatures jump and spin and play, is indescribable.  The beauty I was witnessing combined with the feelings I was having was moving.  It moved me.  My soul felt excitement and peace all at the same time.  I felt grateful to know God and to know of his unconditional love for me.  I felt grateful for such a rare opportunity to be flying in such a beautiful machine with such a great person and friend.  My feelings manifested in laughter and tears.

I didn't think anything could compare to what I was experiencing in that moment.

I know it's cliche but it really was heavenly and very spiritual.  I felt close to God.  I felt peace.  I felt seen and heard and important.

I will never forget this experience and I will forever be grateful to Mike and Kendle for taking me up there as a friend and as a member of The Reno Family that I have become a part of.  They did this for me as a gift, for no real reason but just to take me up and let me experience what they get to be a part of.

I have more love in my life than I know what to do with.

Jon, Tice, Kendle and Mike having dinner after my flight.
I was still on cloud nine... clearly!  

And now for the advertisement... YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!  If you have the opportunity to do this don't pass it up! My dad went too but, like I said earlier, I was writing about ME!!! We bought my dad a ride on this beauty for Father's Day and he LOVED IT!! The company is called BiPlane Fun and the people are Kendle and Mike (they are married {cute} and both are amazing pilots).  So if you are ever in the Newport Beach, LA, Long Beach area, book a reservation and thank me later!!!

Look!  There's Mike!
http://www.biplanefun.com/index.cfm/Home/

"Mom, I need to ask you a question about sex"

Brayden: "Mom, I need to ask you a question about sex"
Me (getting myself ready to handle the situation without making it a situation): “okay” 
Brayden: “who lays on top during sex”Me (with a small hesitation and slight smile): “um… there isn't just one way of having sex. Either person can be on top.” Brayden: “can you do it sideways?” Me (damn hell why doesn't a meteor hit my house): “yes, you can do it sideways. You and your wife will get to figure out what works for you together” Brayden: “okay, thanks!” Brayden: "mom, I need to ask you a question about sex"

Help me NOW!!!!

The truth is, we talk about sex all the time in my family. We are open about alcohol and drugs, we are open about lying and truth, we are open about sex and pornography.

Now a days, this is the only way to be. The world we live in will teach them if we don't. And let me just say this... the average age of exposure to pornography is 11 years old.  It's normally on accident and in the safety of the child's home.

If you need any help of have any questions on how to talk to your kids I'm here and I know a lot of professionals and friends who are experts! I have a list of books and they are awesome!

Okay, my plug is done, but COME ON PEOPLE!

Click below for information:
Fight the New Drug
Bloom for Women
LifeStar  {just please don't go to the LifeStar in Mesa with Floyd Godfrey | Kill me now}
Togetherness Project