Well, the 3 months has passed. My little brother has finished his basic combat training for the Army.
This was the first day, Family Day. We were able to retrieve our soldiers after they ran onto the field. We were herded into these bleachers and waited nearly 2 hrs. The forecast had said 50's- I even left my big coat at the hotel. NOT SO!!! NO one was prepared, and businesses made a killing selling their blankets/hats/sweatshirts. When they sold out, people started buying towels to wrap up in!
Here they come! It was so cool to see 1200 soldiers running out from the treeline.
This is Charlie Company (240 soldiers).
And here is the 3rd Platoon (60 soldiers).
Mom and her baby
It was cool to see where Ben has been living. (Don't mind his messy bed. They were allowed 1 day off.)
Some of his awesome friends: Detmer & DeCesare
Charlie Company at the graduation. I loved the ceremony. Everything was so precise, and the creed gave me chills. They spoke in unison, and the last line was shouted: "I am an American Soldier!"Now Ben is at advanced training for the next 7wks. He's actually at Ft. Jackson again. He's training to be Chaplain Assistant. That's like a bodyguard. =)
I got a lovely new coat. It was a surprise to me. I had tried some on for fun, and I got this one. I didn't yet have a black "church" coat.
Army bro, Ben, ordered all of us the standard T-shirt. I was very excited about this one! I promise, the letters are black. I was annoyed you can't take a picture of it. Ben said it's reflective.
This picture was quite a surprise. My aunt in FL is a photographer. When my parents went to visit them this summer, she convinced them to get pictures taken for presents. I'm so glad she talked Mom into it! She gave us both framed pictures of them. How cool is that?
I got lotsa things for the kitchen. One of them is my new Fry Daddy. Okra is my FAVorite vegetable, but I ONLY eat it homemade. I hate it in restaurants. My gparents got me started on it when I was a wee one. They have a large garden and would make me a plate of it every summer. I kid you not, I have never been satisfied once eating okra. I have to plan ahead, take a generous amount, and be disappointed when the last bite comes. I always, always want more. But realizing it's little fried food, I always stop. You might think I should just go ahead and eat more- I don't eat it often. My family laughs at how much I WILL eat- a whole dinner plate. Anyway.... my okra cooking is serious, and I finally have the perfect way to cook it! The only reason I wanted and will use my Fry Daddy is for my okra. Mmmm....
Steph got me this cool, hanging thingy. It's hard to photograph- it's so pretty, though. She got it at Artful Living (Mall of GA, Atl people), my favorite store. It's full of funky, fun stuff.
My gparents gave me some mulah, so I bought "her." She's also from Artful Living. I think it's such a fun way to hang my jewelry. And it matches my room perfectly! The top is jeweled, and the bottom is those flapper tassles with beads. Would be a totally fun dress to own.
And let's not forget Jake! I don't do much for his stocking, so to get a real gift from someone else was so fun. My gparents found Auburn jerseys for Jake and Esau!!!
It looks hilarious from this angle. His legs are a wee bit too short, and he keeps stepping out of it or hobbling along caught up in it. My dad actually suggested that my personal seamstress (Steph) take it in for him. Ha!!!
I hope you had a fun and Merry Christmas with your goodies, too! =)
Posing with Santa. But I did not like my giant, puffy coat size. So we had to retake. =)
It's a little chilly in my house.
This picture is a couple years old, but I love it. Esau disregarded all presents b/c he could smell a treat wafting out of a stocking.
