First 2 Days

After saying our goodbyes at the airport Monday morning, I wasn't sure if/when John would call me next. He took his cell phone and a calling card, but there were no guarantees.

Needless to say, communication hasn't been an issue--YET. :0)

John called from DFW airport Monday afternoon--twice. He was bored and the flights were spread apart. Thank goodness he took the cell phone. I was glad to talk to him...that way it wasn't feeling so permanent yet. We had 3 more conversations throughout Monday. One more from the Atlanta airport, and then 2 from the bus that was taking them to Ft. Jackson, SC. Apparently the military is too broke to fly these recruits in to SC--instead, they were forced to ride a bus for over 5 hours. It was John and about 20 other people, all under the age of 20. Woohoo! He was a tad annoyed at the level of maturity in which he was being subjected, but what can a guy do when the military owns your butt for 11 weeks?!?

I heard from John today, which was great. The only unfortunate part was WHY he called. Apparently our 3 childrens' birth certificates (that have been used for everything under the sun and copied about 1,000 times already) are not sufficient to be able to enroll them in the military insurance program. They want a certified copy of EACH. Arggggg!! John was so frustrated and running on very little sleep (ask me how I know this), so he was not in the best of moods. After much "debate" with the lady in reception, he decided to forget the enrollment process for the kids for now, and just continue with Pantex's insurance coverage--until he gets home and can straighten everything out. Oy!

John was able to make one last phone call from his calling card just now. He's doing well, but I can tell he's tired, stressed, frustrated, bored, etc. He thinks that his platoon will ship out to basic training from reception sometime Friday. He already has his uniform, has already done one night watch, and is probably the oldest recruit thus far. There are 40 in his platoon, and he said the closest one to his age was 24. Yeehaw! He was fairly sure he would be able to call tomorrow evening around the same time, but after that there probably won't be communication with him for a few days, if not weeks.

I'll write when I know more. Just keep him in your thoughts/prayers as he gets closer to beginning the "fun part" of his journey. :0)

~Mel

This Is The Day

This is the day I have been both looking forward to and dreading for about 3 months now.

Today is the day John leaves for basic training. *sigh*

We have spent the last week hanging out and just being a family, which has been wonderful. No work, no school, no real responsibilities....bliss. Last night I helped John check off each item on his packing list, but it still didn't seem completely real. This morning I drove him to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) at 5am, and again---still didn't seem real. Now that I'm waiting for a phone call from his recruiter, I'm starting to get antsy.
The phone call I am waiting for will hopefully come around 12pm. The recruiter will let me know it's time to come to the airport and give our last hugs and kisses to Daddy. I'm certainly excited for John--I think he's a wonderful man of integrity and patriotism--but at the same time I'm hesitant to write any true feelings. I simply don't have any.

Numb would best explain what I am right now. That's not a bad thing, mind you--it's just what I am. There is definitely no anger or frustration, and the fear I was feeling about 3 weeks ago is gone. I am positive I can do this alone, as long as it's only for 10-11wks. *wink*

I remind myself every day that there are PLENTY of women making bigger sacrifices than I am. They spend months/years alone, and they move all over the country at a moment's notice. I have the freedom to stay put and surround myself with helpful and loving family and friends.
That's great in my book.

So.......this is the day. I am both glad and sad that it has arrived.

~Mel