10 days

Well, it's been a very fast 10 days since Josh has graduated and he's leaving tomorrow to go on to further training. He'll be in Camp Geiger, NC for 29 days then on to Fort Knox, KY or Aberdeen, MD. I thought it was tough letting him go the first time, but this time seems to be so much tougher. Guess it's something I better get used to. Grandma and Grandaddy are taking him tomorrow, so they get a few more hours with him, I so envy them that. But they both love him dearly and are so very proud of him. Hopefully his next training location will be in MD, it's only about a 3 hour drive from here. Maybe as time goes on, the letting him go part will get easier.
Here's more pictures from graduation.

More Graduation Pics

What an amazing ride this has all been. We (Me, Buck, G-ma and G-dad) headed down to SC last Wednesday to see Josh graduate from bootcamp. While the ride was long, the experience was incredible. The first time I got to see my son after 3 months he was doing stretches to get loosened up for the run. He DID see his banner, and I caught a silly grin or 2 before they headed off. OMG, I don't know which one of us was crying harder, me or mom. G-daddy did let a tear or 2 slip before he was caught.

It was so great to be able to just see him, felt like I couldn't quit hugging him. He hasn't lost that much weight, but he is certainly a more muscular and boy did he miss his junk food, lol. Had a wonderful time at the Meet and Greet later that night, members of our message board got together and made bags for those guys who didn't have family there. Was nice to put a face with a name. Friday morning was graduation and I can't even begin to describe the pride I had when those fine young men marched onto that parade deck. It was almost overwhelming. I will post more later about that, for now, here's more pictures and I hope the next 7 days drag by.

My New Marine

This will be a short post, just wanted to share a couple of pictures with you. Will post more later. I'll just say, he's home and I couldn't be happier.

He Did It!!!

Tomorrow we are leaving to bring Josh home after 13 long weeks, many tears, and the toughest thing he's ever gone through. I am so excited, I bet I won't be able to sleep for the next 2 nights. My son is now a Marine!!! I am so very proud of him and can't even begin to imagine the things that he has done.
Thursday is Family Day, that will be the first time that I get to see him. The banner made with love will be proudly held, and I just hope that I can pick him out of the crowd of 300 other new Marines. We get to spend the day with him after that, having him back to his barracks by 14:45 (like that new military time). Thursday night we will be getting together with the other families from his company to make up the "SAM" bags for the guys who have no family there. I'll finally get to meet a lot of the family members that i've chatted with over the past 3 months. Hopefully get a good night sleep. Friday is graduation, starting at 10:00 AM and let's just hope I don't need the Bounty that everyone is talking about. I've heard that there is a long line waiting to get off the island, so i've volunteered to help out with giving out the bags. Then we'll head on home and I'll get to have him here for 10 short days. Then off to his next course of training.

I am so very, very proud of my Josh. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement, I know it's meant a lot to him and me. I'll post pictures as soon as I can, you can bet between me and Mom, we'll have a ton of them.

Happy day after 4th of July

Yep, I missed posting yesterday for Independence Day. This year it has even more meaning than it has in the past. My Josh is a United States Marine!!!! Ooooooh Rahhhhhh! He made it through the Crucible (thanks for all the prayers and well wishes) and now we just have to wait for Family Day on Thursday to see him. I am so excited, this is the longest it's ever been for him to be away. I know, it's just the beginning, taking baby steps on this one. Hopefully today I'll get a phone call as this is their first "liberty day" they've had since April 13th. Hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July.

P.S. I have to change the banner (rolling eyes here)