So, it's been almost a week since the last time I heard Jon's sweet voice. (He called for a very very rushed, "I'm here, I'm safe, love you" call on Friday a week ago.) I still don't have an address, but I'll definitely let you guys know when I have it.
Pray that he gets to call on Sunday. :)
63 more days until we kiss.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
All is quiet on the homefront
It looks like Jon's in his 3rd official day of Basic Combat training. I haven't heard from him since Friday, and I still haven't received his address. I do, however, have quite a large stack of letters (7 so far) waiting to go out. Jon said he'd written me two already during reception.
I don't suppose he'll have a whole lot of time to write during actual BCT. To tell you the truth, I'd prefer that he chose sleep over writing letters to me anyway. I'd still like to talk to him, but yowch.
Poor sweetie. Only 67 more days until we kiss!
I don't suppose he'll have a whole lot of time to write during actual BCT. To tell you the truth, I'd prefer that he chose sleep over writing letters to me anyway. I'd still like to talk to him, but yowch.
Poor sweetie. Only 67 more days until we kiss!
Friday, September 24, 2010
I just recieved call number 2!!
Jon called me today for just a couple of seconds to tell me that he's in regular basic now, he's safe, he loves me, and he's gotta go. ;)
Now comes the week from hell for him. He's going into the Red Phase of his training.This is what the Fort Leonard Wood Website says about this week:
Red phase encompasses weeks 1-3 of initial entry training.It is an environment of total control, where active, involved, and positive leaders begin transforming volunteers into Soldiers. Training during this phase focuses on immersing the Soldiers in the Army's core values, traditions, and ethics. During this phase, basic combat skills are developed along with teamwork, and physical fitness training.
Lets see, from that little blurb I get that he'll be doing copious amounts of PT while yelling the Soldier's Creed, getting in trouble for his unit member's actions, and told when to eat, drink, pee, sleep, and breathe. This is where they break the soldier down to build him back up again. It's necessary, but I still don't have to like it.
I cannot wait to get his address so that I can give him a little beacon to follow through the darkness. <3
Thursday, September 23, 2010
I heard from Jon!
He called me today at 1:34. Wow! I'm so relieved and happy to have spoken with him. He sounded great! Of course by the end of the call we were both in tears.
He sounded so positive about going to basic. He thinks he'll do well and he's going to try and make the 10 weeks go as fast as he can. He misses everyone and is a bit homesick, but he's definitely upbeat. He said he got a huge shot in his rear that is still sore. ;)
Also, he said that he was the first person in his unit to get in trouble too. He missed one word that the drill sergeant said & they made him do pushups. He's got me enrolled in the government systems and I should be getting a packet soon with more information.
I needed this so much. I think we both did. I miss him like crazy. I'm overwhelmed with pride for my husband and his service to his country. He signed up to serve and protect every U.S. citizen, no matter their choices or position in life. He's protecting every family, every child, every grandparent. Patriotism means so much more to me now. This emotion is just so much to handle.
I love him so much. I can't wait to see him. 70 more days until we kiss. :*)
He sounded so positive about going to basic. He thinks he'll do well and he's going to try and make the 10 weeks go as fast as he can. He misses everyone and is a bit homesick, but he's definitely upbeat. He said he got a huge shot in his rear that is still sore. ;)
Also, he said that he was the first person in his unit to get in trouble too. He missed one word that the drill sergeant said & they made him do pushups. He's got me enrolled in the government systems and I should be getting a packet soon with more information.
I needed this so much. I think we both did. I miss him like crazy. I'm overwhelmed with pride for my husband and his service to his country. He signed up to serve and protect every U.S. citizen, no matter their choices or position in life. He's protecting every family, every child, every grandparent. Patriotism means so much more to me now. This emotion is just so much to handle.
I love him so much. I can't wait to see him. 70 more days until we kiss. :*)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Ack! Jury Summons!
So I came home today to a nice little jury summons letter waiting in my mailbox. A lovely way to bring me kicking and screaming back to reality.
I went online to give my unavailable dates and I had almost all of December blocked off. Of course they picked December 14, right in the middle.
I'm crossing my fingers that this doesn't conflict with any of the dates that I get to see Jon. Rargh.
I went online to give my unavailable dates and I had almost all of December blocked off. Of course they picked December 14, right in the middle.
I'm crossing my fingers that this doesn't conflict with any of the dates that I get to see Jon. Rargh.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Got The Call
At around 12:20 I got a call from Jon saying that he was there at Basic, in training, and he was safe. He sounded kind of flustered and rushed. :/ I didn't plan on the thought of some random guy being a complete jerk to my husband for the simple fact that he showed up, being the thing that stuck with me. 73 more days Brie, 73 more days.
I'm having a bit of trouble with the thought of sleep tonight.
I'm having a bit of trouble with the thought of sleep tonight.
Monday, September 20, 2010
1 Down - 73 More Days to go
3:45 a.m. comes early... especially on a day that you didn't want to actually come.
This morning we (Jon's parents and I) woke up at that insane hour to assist my wonderful husband in getting to MEPS for his deployment to Basic Combat Training. After he bussed off for a long day of poking and prodding, we successfully navigated a much needed Starbucks run and I unsuccessfully attempted a nap (not in that order). Then we decided to head to MEPS, and I'm glad we went when we did. Despite us having a completely nebulous schedule, the timing was perfect. We arrived just as Jon was completing final processing. Which means that we got to spend every second of the 45 minutes he had available for down time with him. After that, we gathered in a tiny, very official looking room and witnessed him swearing in to the United States Army. I have to admit to some water works, but I am so proud of my soldier.
Now you can see G.I. Jon too, complete with swearing in action!
After that we had just a little bit of time for photos and cuddles because he had to leave in a hurry. But as he happened to pass me in the hall on our way out, I fished a quick kiss, and that was all she wrote for 10 weeks.
He did check in with me throughout the day on various lay overs, and the last I heard from him was at about 7:30. He was safe and sound in the St. Louis Airport checking out his very first USO :). We ended the call as he was about to board the bus to Ft. Leonard Wood with the other recruits. I suspect that I won't hear from him for a while, but I'll definitely update here when I have anything to report.
If you'd like to send a note to him, send me an email and I'll print it and include it in my next letter. I'm sure he'd love to hear from every one.
On the docket tomorrow for me is to start putting everything that I've ignored in the last two weeks back on my radar, do piles of dishes and laundry, make apologies for ignoring people, and actually pay the bills that have been piling up while I existed in lovey dovey laa-laa land.
Over all though, if you need to find me I'll probably be at the gym trying to catch up to Jon (hah!), or at home furiously writing letters to my displaced love while listening to depressing romantic music ;).
Love you guys!
-Brie
This morning we (Jon's parents and I) woke up at that insane hour to assist my wonderful husband in getting to MEPS for his deployment to Basic Combat Training. After he bussed off for a long day of poking and prodding, we successfully navigated a much needed Starbucks run and I unsuccessfully attempted a nap (not in that order). Then we decided to head to MEPS, and I'm glad we went when we did. Despite us having a completely nebulous schedule, the timing was perfect. We arrived just as Jon was completing final processing. Which means that we got to spend every second of the 45 minutes he had available for down time with him. After that, we gathered in a tiny, very official looking room and witnessed him swearing in to the United States Army. I have to admit to some water works, but I am so proud of my soldier.
Now you can see G.I. Jon too, complete with swearing in action!
Better quality here on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foobish/5009628435/in/photostream/
After that we had just a little bit of time for photos and cuddles because he had to leave in a hurry. But as he happened to pass me in the hall on our way out, I fished a quick kiss, and that was all she wrote for 10 weeks.
He did check in with me throughout the day on various lay overs, and the last I heard from him was at about 7:30. He was safe and sound in the St. Louis Airport checking out his very first USO :). We ended the call as he was about to board the bus to Ft. Leonard Wood with the other recruits. I suspect that I won't hear from him for a while, but I'll definitely update here when I have anything to report.
If you'd like to send a note to him, send me an email and I'll print it and include it in my next letter. I'm sure he'd love to hear from every one.
On the docket tomorrow for me is to start putting everything that I've ignored in the last two weeks back on my radar, do piles of dishes and laundry, make apologies for ignoring people, and actually pay the bills that have been piling up while I existed in lovey dovey laa-laa land.
Over all though, if you need to find me I'll probably be at the gym trying to catch up to Jon (hah!), or at home furiously writing letters to my displaced love while listening to depressing romantic music ;).
Love you guys!
-Brie
PS: A few pics from the last week...
Jon trying on a hat at the Halloween store in the mall. Too bad he won't be here for Halloween, we could have bought that and he could have gone as the blue soldier from TF2 with a little spray paint.
We went to see the horrible new M. Night Shyamalan movie, "Devil". (Don't waste your money, it's completely predictable. I mean, even just the name should have been a clue right there. Ugh.. okay, stopping now. Sorry, rant...)
Jonathan at parade rest before the swearing in ceremony
After swearing in - officially a member of the US Department of Defense
Jon and his father in the lounge during our little time with him today
Saturday night Jon's parents took us to Max's Wine Dive to eat. It was delish! :) This was before in Mom and Dad's hotel room.
My adorable sweetie at the Water Wall in the Galleria Area in Houston Saturday evening.
Here we are in the MEPS lounge
<3
Sunday, September 19, 2010
The Last Day
So, today is my last day as a civilian. Other than that I want to spent as much time as humanly possible in the company of my fantastically loving wife, I don't know what to say.
I hope I've made the right decision for us.
I hope I'm home soon.
I know this will be an adventure worth sharing.
I hope I've made the right decision for us.
I hope I'm home soon.
I know this will be an adventure worth sharing.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Journey Begins
Well, today marks 7 days until Jon ships off to join the Army. This week will be a whirlwind of last minute visits, last minute planning, last minute cuddles, and last minute tears.
For those of you who are just finding out, Jon has signed on the dotted line and will be joining the ranks of our nations finest. He will be shipping off to basic training exactly a week from today. After training for the better part of a year, he will be a Military Intelligence soldier, working with mostly human intelligence gathering. Jon has always wanted to serve others and our country, but wasn't willing to leave me. When he graduated from high school, our relationship was at about 2 years and we were (and still are, madly in love.) So, naturally, he found himself a home in the IT world. After years of working in the field, he knew he wasn't happy there.
After some drama with A&M and budget cuts, Jon stopped working at Texas A&M in March. We decided that this was the perfect time for him to fulfill his dream and enlist. He worked very hard losing weight (about 60 pounds!) and training to get ready, and Jon was able to go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) about a month before his 27th birthday, sign up, and start us on our new path. We're very excited to see where our lives take us, but we will miss everyone at home dearly.
Currently, we're recovering from a fantastic weekend. Around 70 (Wow!) of our beloved friends and family joined us yesterday to send Jon off in a grand way. We had a few hours of great conversation, advice, games, and great food. Jon's mom was amazing at planning the whole thing. His grandparents bought a ton of delicious barbecue, his parents hosted (thank you thank you!), and my parents provided the beer. Thanks to everyone who was able to join us and those who sent their best wishes, we are feeling very loved and supported as we embark on our new adventure.
I have to admit to some jitters though. Jon and I have hardly been apart for the last 11 years, so these next 8 or so months will be very interesting. I plan on filling my time with lots of visits to friends and family all over Texas, working on my freelance graphic design business, taking some art classes, spending lots of time with my mother-in-law, and I'm thinking about joining the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Brazos Valley. I'm definitely up for any suggestions for get-togethers or events to attend. Send them my way! I'll need all the distractions I can get.
I'm going to try my best to keep this blog updated as life happens to us. I'm not always the best at regularly updating (or regularly doing anything for that matter), so if you want me to, send me a message (or five) and I will. :)
Love you all!
-Brie
For those of you who are just finding out, Jon has signed on the dotted line and will be joining the ranks of our nations finest. He will be shipping off to basic training exactly a week from today. After training for the better part of a year, he will be a Military Intelligence soldier, working with mostly human intelligence gathering. Jon has always wanted to serve others and our country, but wasn't willing to leave me. When he graduated from high school, our relationship was at about 2 years and we were (and still are, madly in love.) So, naturally, he found himself a home in the IT world. After years of working in the field, he knew he wasn't happy there.
After some drama with A&M and budget cuts, Jon stopped working at Texas A&M in March. We decided that this was the perfect time for him to fulfill his dream and enlist. He worked very hard losing weight (about 60 pounds!) and training to get ready, and Jon was able to go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) about a month before his 27th birthday, sign up, and start us on our new path. We're very excited to see where our lives take us, but we will miss everyone at home dearly.
Currently, we're recovering from a fantastic weekend. Around 70 (Wow!) of our beloved friends and family joined us yesterday to send Jon off in a grand way. We had a few hours of great conversation, advice, games, and great food. Jon's mom was amazing at planning the whole thing. His grandparents bought a ton of delicious barbecue, his parents hosted (thank you thank you!), and my parents provided the beer. Thanks to everyone who was able to join us and those who sent their best wishes, we are feeling very loved and supported as we embark on our new adventure.
I have to admit to some jitters though. Jon and I have hardly been apart for the last 11 years, so these next 8 or so months will be very interesting. I plan on filling my time with lots of visits to friends and family all over Texas, working on my freelance graphic design business, taking some art classes, spending lots of time with my mother-in-law, and I'm thinking about joining the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Brazos Valley. I'm definitely up for any suggestions for get-togethers or events to attend. Send them my way! I'll need all the distractions I can get.
I'm going to try my best to keep this blog updated as life happens to us. I'm not always the best at regularly updating (or regularly doing anything for that matter), so if you want me to, send me a message (or five) and I will. :)
Love you all!
-Brie