Heading toward the weekend

Our family picture taken in October

I always enjoy reading other people's blogs. I find inspiration to jot down things from our day. Unfortunately, I rarely get all my thoughts down and published in our blog. I love the honesty and the humor that most have. I also enjoy seeing pictures of friends as their kids grow, especially of those we don't see often.

Our last 2 weeks have been filled with illness or maybe I should say fevers. I have to believe that the spinal correction/chiropractic that we have been doing has helped our bodies fight a lot of germs that have been around us. Having various kids over during the week exposes us to many illnesses, not to mention whatever the kids bring home from school. The kids have traded off high fevers the last 2 weeks. It is hard waiting for another symptom to show itself only to have 2 or 3 days of high fevers and nothing else. I am thankful for the added snuggle time I have had with each of my kids. I love just sitting with them or having them fall asleep in my lap. The thought crosses my mind that I should utilize the quiet time to do housework or accomplish something else, but then I remind myself that the times of snuggling are getting more rare as the kids grow and exert their independence. Ben will return to school tomorrow after 3 days off for a fever. Yesterday he slept over 16 hours and today he thankfully is back to about 95%. God has given us an amazing body to fight infection. Everyones immune systems are getting stronger and hopefully we can avoid a lot of illnesses this winter.

55 days until we leave for LA to attend the People's Choice Awards. We found out the airline tickets were booked, our hotel is reserved, we received a check today to cover gas and parking, and are looking forward to finding out if there are even more surprises in store!

We are thankful that we will be able to spend a belated Christmas with my family while we are in LA. We are looking forward to spending time with Mike and Allison and the kids and also spending time with my mom and Bruce. We are also looking forward to all going to Disneyland together. Mickey and Minnie....here we come!

Washington DC Trip

I finally posted the story of our Washington D.C. Trip. You can read all about it here:

http://ianhank.blogspot.com/2009/08/ben-and-justins-adventure-to-washington.html

So long Midwest Airlines

In July of 1997 I began my journey with Midwest Express Airlines as a part time reservations agent while I attended Concordia University. I enjoyed my job and quickly mastered the basics. I was promoted to a Quality Assurance Agent and then to a Schedule Change coordinator. For 2 years I worked in all 3 positions and loved every minute of it, ok, maybe not EVERY minute, but most of it. A year and a half after I started, I graduated from Concordia and started working full time. I quickly realized that working 5 days a week in an office was not very exciting. Two of my friends applied for a job in Inflight. They both got hired and kept telling me how wonderful and fun it was. The pay was better, the people were great, better flight benefits, and you did not have to be stuck in an office. I applied, interviewed, and trained for what would become one of the best jobs of my life.

Several hundred employees wait for the final flight to arrive

A few YX friends and coworkers

In the 10 years in Inflight, I experienced a lot of good times (traveling to different cities, hotels, Mardi gras, etc), bad times (9/11, passenger threats, engine failures, etc), meeting celebrities (Bette Midler, Bea Arthur, Ludacris, Taylor Lautner, etc), politicians (every single one from Wisconsin - Feingold, Kohl, Sensenbrenner, etc), chartering sports teams (Brewers, Bucks, NJ Devils, Admirals, Royals, etc), and the list goes on. I loved my job and think I was pretty good at it. I especially loved that I could work 8-10 days a month, once we had Ben, and still maintain full time employment with great flight benefits for my family and for extended family and friends. Over the years we have traveled to many great places with a lot of our friends and family including going on Girl's New York trips several times a year. We non revved to Korea 3 times, which was totally crazy, but made the trip very affordable. We have taken our kids all over the country and overseas multiple times. Ben even hit 100,000 flight miles right before his 6th birthday.

My last flight was scheduled on Monday, July 7. After working a very delayed double Denver on Saturday, I headed to do what would be my last working flight on an out and back to San Francisco. I wish I would have known it would be my last working flight, but it is probably better that I did not know. I thought I would work this trip, go on Family Leave for Ian's adoption and then head back to work in December.

Layoffs were being sent based on years of service. In September, I received notice that I would be laid off effective September 30.

On November 2, 2009 the last Midwest flight crew flew the last 717 aircraft for the last time. After the company was purchased by Republic airlines this past July, they chose to lay off the remaining flight crews and have their lower paid Republic crews fly regional jets under the Midwest name. It is a sad day as Midwest (Express) Airlines has always been known for exceptional customer service. The airline has declined since the days of filet mignon dinner served on real china dishes with real silverware and topped off with complimentary red and white wine. The cookies are still there, but most are served cold.

Flight crews from throughout the years joined together on Monday to welcome the last flight in. With over 400 flight crew members present, news crews from every station, and many friends and family we said good bye to 25 years of Midwest airlines.

My heart is sad at what was, but filled with happiness at the awesome experiences I had and awesome people that I met. I thank and praise God for a job like no other. I began a new chapter in my life last October when I was laid off and began my new career at home as a full time mom. My children and husband are my life and my "job" now. I feel blessed to have had a great career and feel even more blessed that I can now be at home with my family.

Toni and Cat served us as union reps

Midwest employees anxiously await the arrival of the LAST real Midwest Airlines flight.

Kent Weinrich (L) was my Captain during my 9/11 trip. One of the best pilots in the industry!

Trick or Treat

Each year the kids get more and more excited when Halloween is coming near. They get excited about dressing up and getting candy. Thankfully, they even get excited about handing out candy as well. There is usually screams of excitement when someone rings the doorbell. Each of them hands over a handful of treats to the awaiting trick or treaters. This year Ian dressed up as a frog. This is a costume that Ben wore just a few short years ago. We will pass it down to Ben Hackman for next year.

Cami dressed up as a princess. She wore a beautiful gown from American Girl. She has a matching dress for her doll. Ben dressed up as a Clone Trooper. He received this dress up outfit for his birthday and couldn't wait for Halloween to come.

We headed to St. Paul's Trunk or Treat this year. Cars line up. Pastor Gerry fills the trunks with candy. The kids eagerly go from car to car collecting a large grocery bag FULL of goodies.

Alexis, Cami, and Aria help hand out the treats from Jake and Cecilia's trunk.

Cami saw her friend, Maya, at Trunk or Treat. The girls had a fun time trick or treating together then enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate after.

Ian borrowed Alexis's basket. He didn't care about the candy, only that the basket was a soccer ball.

After Trunk or Treat, we headed home. The kids set out their carved pumpkins. Ian helped daddy with lighting the candles so they would glow at night. We headed up and down our block to go to the various houses that were handing out treats. When we arrived home, the kids happily handed out some of their goodies to the kids coming by to trick or treat.

Ian and Daddy lighting the pumpkin

Ian loved "helping" daddy carve the face on his pumpkin

Ben's scary monster pumpkin

Cami's princess pumpkin

Flat Stanley

Our adventure with Flat Stanley began about a week ago. He has traveled to grandmas to play in the snow, traveled via mail to Aladodo and Papas house, baked muffins for school, and visited the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Her pictures and Flat Stanley will be sent to 2 servicemen from their school who are currently serving in Iraq.

Making muffins for Kindergarten snack

Kansas City Day Trip

The time has come to say good-bye to the beloved 717. A few years ago Midwest replaced their DC-9 aircraft with brand new Boeing 717 aircraft. It was an honor to fly the newest aircraft, several of them were right off the testing line when I got to get aboard. The smell of new aircraft is definitely different from the DC-9, DC9-10, and the MD80 and MD88 aircraft that were flying long before I was around. It will be sad to be done flying as I feel that is my second home. I loved my job and will miss it, however, a new chapter in my life is beginning and I will embrace it. Our kids will learn about car trips and being closer to home instead of hopping on a plane whenever we felt the desire to see family or friends or just have a little getaway.

I set off on a day trip to Kansas City with my dear friend, Jayne Mann. She and I met many years ago on a Christmas Eve 3 day trip overnighting in Orlando then Dallas. We were both hoping our full flight would lessen by 2 so that her daughter and my husband would be able to come aboard and fly to Orlando so we would not have to be without family on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. We were blessed to have a few people not show up, so Justin and Megan were able to go with us. Upon arrival in Orlando, we settled into our hotel and headed out to TGIFridays as a crew. We had a great time, spending hours eating and enjoying time together. To our surprise, our captain picked up the bill. Very generous! We also received a special Christmas gift the next day. We flew from Orlando to Milwaukee and were scheduled to fly to Dallas for another overnight. Upon arrival, we found out that Dallas was having an ice storm so our flight was cancelled. We felt bad for the passengers, however, the Dallas airport is not equipped for ice or snow, so on the rare occasion this occurs, no flights are able to fly in or out. We were able to go home and enjoy Christmas evening with our families. It was a great trip!

Our departure information

Signature service - 2 across Recaro wide leather seating with head rests and foot rests

Welcome Aboard your Midwest Airlines flight

A few friends were aboard for our last trip. Thanks Melanie, Joey, and Claudia

Breakfast at Brian Gasek's house was amazing!

Downtown Kansas City

Having dinner with a good friend

High above the skies between Milwaukee and Kansas City

My friend, Pat Manriquez serving cookies. Pat and I flew about 150 flight hours together my right before I went on Adoption Leave for Ian

Cheers to my last flight on the 717 from Kansas City to Milwaukee. The last Midwest Airlines 717 will make its journey on November 2, 2009. Flight 210 from Boston to Milwaukee will arrive at 9:40pm.

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coffee anyone?

Captain Chandler Copps

High above the seats we find 2 former flight attendants

Stinky lav

Try out this jumpseat one last time. I spent MANY hours in this seat

Republic will never be able to be the REAL Midwest Express Airlines. It was a good run for 25 years and now a new era begins...

Parent's Day at ALCS

Today Justin and I enjoyed the morning in class with Ben and Cami at Abundant Life. This gives us a window into what they do on a daily basis. We dropped Ian off with our friend Sarah and headed to school. We split up, Justin going to Cami's room and Dana heading to Ben's room. The 1st graders impressed us with their September memory verses and also their October verses. They are suppose to have Psalm 34:8-13 memorized by the end of October, however, all of the kids already had it mastered. The teacher was VERY impressed at how advanced this years 1st grade it. They also impressed us with their spelling, reading, and math skills.

The kids standing to say their verses in Miss Rohrer's class

The kids each made 'A Book About Me'

Cami's class was full of energy on Thursday morning. The kids were excited to show off their parents to their friends. We were able to hear the kids recite their letters and their ladder blends. We drew pictures, talked about our families, and ate a snack. The snack leader celebrated his 6th birthday, so the kids enjoyed a cupcake to help him celebrate. Our day ended with having a lunch of grilled cheese and chicken sandwiches in the cafeteria with the kids. I must say that the school lunch was actually quite tasty. Justin headed for home and I headed to Brian and Sarah's house to pick up Ian. Cami was wiped out by the end of her day and quickly fell asleep in the car.

Posing for a picture in Mrs. Tiradani's Kindergarten class w/ Cami

Play time in the classroom since it was raining outside.

Cami was exhausted at the end of the day.