Thank goodness for good friends and family! Today was a great saturday, even with my weird wake up! I took the kids to our first Hope Kids event. We all went to see a movie. The kids got free popcorn and sodas. We had the best time.

This afternoon Jenna and I took our kids sledding- they loved it! Then Logan and I joined Jenna and her kids for another movie. Tip.... if you go see Marley and Me.... take tissue! Then I spent the rest of my night hanging with some good friends who know all about military life and what I'm going through. They make me feel normal!

Dustin called again today.... it was a much better conversation. I think we're learning how to make it quicker! I hate how suddenly he has to go, rushed good byes are tough, it made me cry. I never know how long it will be until I hear him again. Luckily he called the house phone first, and left a message. I've listened to it repeatedly.... probably unhealthy.... but I love it.

Wake up call

This morning at exactly 8:00 I was woken by BANGING at my front door. I stumbled there half asleep and opened it. I got a badge shoved in my face! I'm looking for "so and so" .... Long story short he had the right house, wrong tenant. We used to get her mail when we first moved in, she was like 3 tenants ago though. Anyways, not a fun start to my morning! Do you think the 'teach' knocking? It's threatening when they knock like that!

Party Girl!

Some recent pics of the kids on New Years Eve. They love wearing Dad's t shirts around the house. Jace didn't quite make it! Party girls crash hard.

Letter # 2

Dear Courty and kids, 04 Jan 2009
This place gets crazier and crazier, it's Saturday and we had our first PT today, we did a whole lot of weird exercises and then pushups and then the one mile run. And guess what.. I wasn't the slowest! When we did push ups it's a four step process. down is 1 up is 2 down is 3 up is 4 and all that is one pushup. Fun huh? Then we came back to get cleaned up and clean the barracks. Well needless to say they weren't clean enough, it is true what they say, a few bad apples ruin the bunch. We were supposed to get to call again today but..... well you heard. So we didn't get it clean enough (like there is such thing as clean enough for them)then it was off to chow and today we started doing cadences when we march. That part is kinda cool. Right now I am waiting for the count to come back so we can have personal time. Personal time usually means taking a shower, doing laundry, or write letters, all before 8:30 which is lights out. So now it's 8:00 and he just released us for personal time because people suck. There are 3 bays with soldiers (warriors as the DS's call us) and one of the bays got smoked hard tonight. I think the testing process is to easy... ya know what I mean.... dedede. But we got away with out one just barely. They almost didn't let us sign up for church, but just a couple minutes ago they brought in the list and you can tell my mom I signed up and am going to attend tomorrow (first time in a while). I am a little worried about making this a career, I don't think I can be away from you and the kids for a whole year! I think if they change it to 6 months it would be a whole lot better (still hard but better). I looked at the pictures we printed out today and showed some of my battle buddies, but I had to put them away cause it was sad, but it also reminded me of why I was here in the first place. Tell everyone I'm doing well and learning that I'm way more dissiplined and mature than 200 of these soldiers. So they call us "bulldogs" we are in the bravo company. I found out that wednesday we go to basic FINALLY!
So it is Sunday now I had fireguard watch last night, it was interesting, then it was the same stuff until church started. THat was kinda weird you walk in and it is just soldiers but kinda cool. It was testimony meeting and some people bore their testimonies and it touched my heart. I really connected with what one or two of them said. It makes me feel like I should really be back at church, and not out of guilt or pressure. I have so much to be thankful for and I have God to thank for it. It was also nice to get away from the DS's. After church we went to chow, oh, there are about 100 soldiers that are mormon on post right now. Then we had to clean again and this time we all did it and we got to call home. Tell Logan I'm sorry I couldn't talk more with him, I really wanted to. I hope you are keeping busy, make sure bills get paid (specially sprint so I can call). Tell my mom I'm still doing good but that night change on wednesday. It is so cold here and since we don't have uniforms yet it is unpleasant. Okay so tomorrow is shot day (yeah) and one of the guys here has been in reception for 2 months because the sergeant who gave him the shot hit his syatic nerve and paralyzed his leg...... scary huh? We are all very anxious, some just to get out of reception, others just so the trouble makers get their butts chewed and smoked off. I am going to try to write again before we leave, but no guarantees. Wish I were there, love all of you very much.
Dustin

Hello From Processing! (#1)

Dear Courty,
Hello from processing! It is only the first day and already I miss you. So far it has been boring. Travel day was long, we got here (ft lost in the woods) at midnight and did bul**** all night (3am) then we had to make our beds (from scratch) and try to sleep. Well needless to say I didn't sleep at all, with wake up at 5 am it wasn't easy. Oh! yeah I forgot! I got to take my first shower and guess what..... I dropped the soap!!! Not kidding at all. But it wasn't that bad and tonight was even easier. Yesterday we got PT gear so no more civilian clothes. Today we woke up made our bunks, then hauled it out into the COLD. Then chow, then we watched a movie from HBO called "Out There" it's a war show about the Iraq war. It was pretty retarted because everyone's spouse was screwing arround or an alcoholic, it was just so unrealistic. But we watched it for hours then lunch chow then more of the stupid show, then "Ironman"..... all while sitting on benches. Ouch! We all wished we were doing push ups, haha! Finally we sat silent, maybe not silent, but quiet til dinner chow. Then we lined up and marched back to the barracks. So it was early enough to write you. Tomorrow is shots (lots), APC uniforms, boots, eye exam, dental exam, and PX shopping. I hope you don't miss me too much, and that the kids are being good for you. I had a hard time last night and actually this morning too, but I toughened up and I'm good now. I think it is just too much down time to think. Call my mom and tell her everything, and sisters too. Tell the kids I love them very much and I miss them alot. Nine weeks seven days left! Give them all big hugs and kisses and make sure Jace remembers me! Haha- no seriously! We have 228 people so far and more come each day. I get my dog tags tomorrow too. It's 7:45 right now and we are all ready for lights out weird huh? All the other soldiers are pretty cool and so are the DS's. There are about 40 girls, but right now we aren't allowed to walk with or talk to anyone of the opposite sex- it's okay they're not my type anyways! haha Well I'm running out of usefull things to say so I'm going to get some sleep. I appreciate you and the sacrifice you made with this, I miss you all the time and think of you always. I will write when I can. I love you so much, Me

One Week

This last week seems like it has lasted forever! It started out pretty well... it didn't stay that way though. It's hard to put into words really. I miss having someone around to tell all the littlest day-to-day things to. The stuff nobody else would really care to hear, but he'd hapily listen to. I started writing him a letter the night he left... it's 4 pages long now and I still don't have anywhere to send it! I have gotten my first letter, and expecting another one tomorrow. He won't even get his address until at least friday, when BCT actually begins. I don't know when my next phone call will be either, but am still hoping it's sunday. I often worry that he needs something, and I'm wanting to put together a little package for him but don't have a clue what they're allowed to have. I'd hate to send something just to have it taken away- what a tease! I was thinking a disposable camera would be fun, I'd love to see what it's like for him there.

Well... an update on me. I guess this stress and not sleeping is taking more out of me than I'd thought. Last night I had two episodes of my PAT (heart condition). I get them when I'm overly stressed or tired- right now I'm both. I also fear I'm getting a sinus infection. I feel so weak right now, like I should be handling this better. I feel like I'm no good to anybody and everything is suffering because of my lack of ability to cope. I went home early from work today, feeling like a failure but knowing if I don't get some rest I'm only going to get worse.

Fortunatley the kids are happy with corndogs for dinner, and next week I should have all my paperwork so I can get to a doctor. I hope everything falls into place and the light at the end of this tunnel gets brighter.

Insomnia

I just decided that when you're suffering from insomnia it's really not a good idea to find something that sparks your interest. If you do you could just possibly end up awake at 5:30 in the morning, having sat in a chair infront of the computer watching an entire season of a TV show. In ONE hour I have to be showered and getting my kids up and dressed for school. Hummmmm......mmmmmmm...... maybe I should go shovel some snow? I'm at least going to need a strong cup of coffee to pull this one off.


On the brighter side- this is my new favorite show!! I laughed I creid, I blurted things out to the actors on screen. Mostly though it just reminded me of how sweet Dustin and I were when we were in highschool and still madly in love. When we felt invinsable to life and all the awful things that could happen. It made me realise just how strong we were, but mostly it made me miss him like crazy. Frankly I'm kinda glad to not be going to bed all by myself tonight. I think I am too lonely to sleep. Unfortunately now I'm sleep deprived wich makes for an extremely over emotion me.
Oh well, you live and you learn (and then you get LOVES!) lol hahaha
I did get all my laundry caught up.... I can be quite productive when I don't sleep. : )

UGH!

The title could've just been snow- I hate it! Well, first there are a few times when I do love it; like when it's a saturday morning and it's freshly fallen, and I don't have to leave the house! Other than that... I could really do without it. Today it started snowing just before I had to leave work to get the boys from school. It wasn't too bad but enough that my brakes weren't wanting to stop my car. So I carefully made it all the way home, and as I was turning into my driveway- the car started sliding to the left!If I'd tired to straighten it back out I would've hit the car in the turn lane. So I committed to my turn and ended up missing the driveway, hitting the curb, and getting my car stuck in the pile of old snow left by the plow. Luckily I missed the mailboxes by about 6 inches. There I sat with cars now trying to get pass me, since my tail end was blocking a whole lane of traffic. Not a single person offered to help, or even slowed to see if I was okay. I sent all three kids inside just incase someone couldn't stop or didn't realize I was stuck and hit us. I proceeded to salt and shovel my front tires out while tears streamed down my face. I sure could used my husband today, but instead I think next month I'm investing in studded tires.

Call # 2

Today's been great! I got to sleep in a little and the kids have been great. Gavin and Jacey are at church with their aunt, so it's just me and Logan at home. Ahh.... peace and quiet! About 2:45 I decided to take ashower (yes I'm lazy today) and right as I was turning off the water my cell rang. I tried not to let myself get too excited, since he called friday I wasn't expecting a sunday call. It was him though!!!! Yay... I was stoked. We only got one minute to talk, he'd used the rest of the time trying to reach me at home (I couldn't hear that phone from the shower) It was just enough time for a quick "I love you" and "I miss you", "things are good". I can't believe how so little can raise your spirits SO much! To top off the day I'm going to target to get a few things for Jace- seems she's decided to grow all of a sudden and NOTHING fits her.