Photo Updates

I've updated the flickr site with the photos from Kyle's graduation and some of the surrounding area. Kyle is now in Gulf Port, MS. He is doing good, and has bought himself a cell phone. If anyone would like it, let me know. He is very happy. You can see it in the pictures and hear it in his voice. He is very happy with the choices he has made for the beginning of his life. He enjoys the training so far, and is absolutely in love with Rachael. He has made some very good decisions concerning his pay, saving for the future, and for college. It looks like some of the things I had hoped he would learn he has, he was listening after all. I am so very proud of him.

Finally got a letter from Greg. He has been very busy with his training, and was unable to write. I've always understood that he may not be able to write much, so when he does get a chance to write, it is always a good time for a "happy dance". He is doing very well. He is now looking forward to the things he has to finish before graduation. In a couple of weeks they will be going through the crucible. The best way to describe it is this, it is a very difficult obstacle course. ("Difficult" is putting it mildly.) Then there is the practicing for the graduation ceremony itself, then it will only be a few more days and he will have leave before going on to combat training. He sounds happy, no more aches and pains of muscles that are growing from all the exercise. He will have some time to come home for a visit, and hopefully will be able to stay for Thanksgiving. I am having a hard time waiting to see him again.

Will update again when I get more news.

Live fully....

Kyle Graduated

It was a fantastic ceremony. A military band, flags of all the states, other flags for the divisions, and marching. All the sailors looked good, they all did themselves proud. I will be posting pictures to flickr when I get them edited. There are other pictures of the sites that we saw as well. He has managed to get taller, and to gain muscle without really gaining weight. He graduated as an E-3 and will be taking the test to become an E-4 in February. He hadn't gotten his orders before I left, he believes he will be going to Gulf Port for his "A" school. He will be learning how to build buildings. He as a 50% chance of going to Iraq. There was always the possibility that this would happen. I'll know more when I here from after he's at his tech school.

On a lighter note, he did ask his girlfriend to marry him. She said yes. They will not be getting married anytime soon, she's in college and wants to finish before they even think about a date. Even if Kyle doesn't go to Iraq, he will be overseas for a while, which is another reason to wait. Just so you all know, I do like her, they will be good together.

Anyway, it was a wonderful weekend. Lots of time spent with Kyle. It was very good to see him.

Live fully......

High speed

We now have high speed internet! I am so happy. Now I can get online whenever I want without having to wonder who's going to call, and I won't be booted off anymore! I am so happy!!

I'm leaving on Thursday to go to Kyle's graduation. I am so excited about seeing him graduate, and spending some time with him. He has worked very hard to get this far, and this is just the beginning. Will let everyone know how it went. Hopefully I'll have a new camera before I go so that I can take video of the ceremony. (Keeping fingers and toes crossed that child support will let the funds go before I leave.)

Live fully.....

More letters from the boys

Got letters from both the boys today. Kyle is getting ready for graduation next week. If anyone is planning on writing to him, don't write to him after this Sunday, he may not get it before he leaves for his tech school. I can't wait to see him at graduation.

Greg is doing good. With all the exercising that he has been doing has had some unexpected results. He has had some pain and numbness that is associated with building muscles and repetitive movement. Hopefully it will not be bad enough to keep him from graduating. I think that he will get past it and continue on stronger than ever. Everyones thoughts, prayers, and letters are much appreciated.

Live fully....

Today is a good day.

Today has been a very good day. Michael (ex-hubby) paid in full all the back child support that he owed. What a relief that is, now I don't have to listen to any of his excuses any more! Received letters from both Greg and Kyle. Greg's graduation date has been moved to November 8th, with family day being November 7th. It is because the 10th of November is the Marine Corps anniversary. Kyle graduates in two weeks. Where did the time go? He is doing so good, he sounds so happy.

We've even had rain off and on for the last several days. I love thunderstorms, and the rain. Have another storm coming in now, so I have to go.

Live fully......

Travel plans complete....

hopefully. I have my travel plans to see Kyle graduate on the 22nd of September. Now to figure out what I'm going to pack, what I will take for those times when I have to sit and wait, and other stuff. I can't wait to see him. His girlfriend and I have been making our plans together so that we will meet at the airport in Chicago, she is coming from college. We are both very excited for Kyle.

I have gotten more mail from Greg than I thought he would be able to write. If you have written to Greg and not received a note back, he's been very busy. He has been learning martial arts, marine history among other things. He was unable to do the pugel sticks because of the heat. He misses everyone, and I knows that he appreciates all the mail he gets even if he hasn't written back. He will be graduating November 10th, with family day on the 9th.

Live fully.....

Letters from the boys

I've now gotten letters from both of the boys. They both sound really good. The homesickness is leaving both of them.

Kyle has been doing more physical training, which he loves. And there have been other training exercises, something about launching ships and pulling them back into port, and other fun stuff. He just sounds very excited in his letters. It seems he has a little more free time than Greg.

Greg is doing really good. He's been very busy. He seems to be adjusting fairly well. Because he is s thin, he's been getting double rations. His only complaint about it is that he isn't getting enough bread and grains. He definitely sounds better than he did in his first letters.

Live fully....