Girl version of Super Bowl brawl

So it's been awhile I know. Lots has happened but no sense rehashing the last 8 months. Suffice to say a lot has happened. I hope to get back to this more often just because it's a good way to remember the little things in my world.

How bout that Super Bowl? I could have really cared less except I really cannot stand the Patriots so I was basically rooting against them rather than for any team. I will admit it wasn't a boring game. After all the "Deflategate", Tom Brady saying his feelings were hurt, and Sherman's big mouth, I really just wanted it to be over. So when it was almost over, grown men got into a brawl on the field. In what way does flinging other guys around by the helmets and punching and mouthing off make any sense? How does that show good sportsmanship to all the kids that look up to those players? After thinking this I saw something equally disturbing http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/amazon-beauty-pageant-runner-up-grabs-winner-crown-article-1.2100253 . A beauty pageant is basically the girl version of a Super Bowl. The loser usually feels cheated and is just plain old mad. I think what is really the point is that neither one means a hill of beans at the end of the day. Let's all pick up our helmets and tiaras and shake hands and play nice. 

One thing I should mention is that in a couple weeks I will be done working the job I have had for almost 15 years. Seems like I might have more time on my hands and hoping this next chapter is worth talking about. I will keep you posted. 

Fast Forwarding Life

It's May 1 and we will see Garret in exactly 28 days at 0900 hours. That's when we will be able to see him to begin Family Day and later that evening attend The Warrior Banquet. May 29 is basic training graduation and Garret will be decked out in his Dress Blues and I will cry, I mean really cry. Just the thought of it makes me cry.

He was able to make a surprise phone call last night. He has a cold and allergies and has injured his hip so he sounded tired. He is weary and ready to be done with this phase of his military training. I think that's often how life is. You are able to be strong when you see the long road ahead but when it is close to the end of the path, you just get tired. Praying he can stay strong and healthy.

We saw a lot of Rich's family this past weekend when we traveled to Georgia to see Aubrey and Justin tie the knot. It's always fun to see everyone and catch up with friends and family. There were babies too which is an extra special bonus.

Just when they thought we wouldn't see each other for awhile, we were able to share the news that Garret and Kayla are tying the knot too. They want to be together in Japan and if that can happen they have to be married in order for her to be able to go. They had planned to go to the Justice of the Peace when Garret came home on leave after basic training but every girl wants a wedding and Kayla's family also thought that was important so amazingly a wedding has come together pretty well. We are joking that if you get married on a random Tuesday you can pretty much get what you want.

Garret has not taken an easy path. He has crammed graduating from college in 3.5 years, leaving a month later for basic training, and now getting married and shipping to Japan all into 6 months. My heart is anxious, happy, sad, excited all at the same time. I couldn't ask for anything more than the family that will forever be connected to us and in Kayla to be my daughter-in-law. She loves Garret. They will have many new things to deal with as well as learning to be married but we all figure it out some how. I know Rich and I did.

The scariest part of them getting married is that I have no idea how to dance and I had to pick out a mother-son dance song for the reception. I really thought I would have more time to learn these things. Here's hoping my inner Elaine Benes doesn't make an appearance.

Not Ready

Rich was talking to someone yesterday about our kids and they said to Rich how nice it must be that they are all grown and practically on their own. Nope, not our thoughts. If you know Rich you would know he is a tough, sarcastic, tell-it-like-it-is kind of guy. You wouldn't know he is very sensitive about certain things and about three things in particular. Start with the letters L, C, and G. He had a moment last night thinking about how much he is missing Garret and the idea of Chad moving away. In our minds we would all live on the Homestead, farm the land, till the soil, and live out our lives frolicking in the fields all together. Nothing about that is happening. Why did we raise independent, confident kids? Why? I am ready for the next phase of my life but it is not looking like it's ready for me. How can you be glad that three things that were happily our whole life for 21 years moving on to make their own life? I know this all is supposed to happen but we are both having a hard time. Look at their faces? These times were the best days of our lives. Hectic, exhausting, sometimes stressful but always, always the best.

Black Phase

This phase is spent learning all the technical details of being a Military Police Officer. We talked to Garret last night and he said it is similar to being in college. His day starts with PT ( physical training) then most of the day is classroom work and testing. He has an advantage over those that didn't experience college in that he knows how to study and is familiar with that routine. It's not as physically demanding but mentally quite grueling. His Platoon is the top one at his base and even in AIT they are very strict with them. He still won't get his phone except for brief times on weekends. 

He is definitely going to be based in Japan and seems to be looking forward to it. I have been looking at the website for that base and am excited for him and this opportunity. Weather will be warm most of the year and it's on a beach. Sure there could be typhoons and there are volcanos there but I choose to not think of those things right now. There could be worse places. 

I have so many conflicted feelings right now. It feels so final. Do I get rid of all his clothes in his closet now? What about his shoes? He sounds so sure of himself when we talk. I'm glad but he's changed. He would have to. He's been through a lot already. He told Rich basic training was the worst thing he has experienced and will tell us more at some point. Military life is not your typical lifestyle and we really have no reference point. Learning as we go. 

I have come to realize what a valuable gift a college education is. Garret went into the Army with so many advantages to start with and as Chad is trying to find his way, having a degree opens so many doors. Even as he is working at FedEx, if he wanted to, he would have opportunities to advance just because he has a degree and is a hard worker. That's not the path he would like right now but nice to know it's there if needed. I am grateful both boys worked hard and completed college. Not to leave Lauren out, college wasn't for her but she found a trade to work in and is thriving and loves what she's doing. I know college isn't for every one. It's all about finding your niche and running with it. Well for Lauren she should not run when she has scissors in her hand. Just want to be clear. 

I like sushi so there's that

Garret called this past Friday. He was excited to tell us he would be stationed in NY. For a couple seconds. That quickly, he was interrupted and was told he was now getting orders to Japan and it would possibly be for 3 years. OK, nothing similar about the two places but deep breath, and adjust. I knew an International base was possible and I am trying to think of it as an adventure. I know none of us would ever go to Japan and I am sure we will try to go see Garret there. I am waiting to hear when he has this in writing, that's just how I am, a belt and suspender kind of person.

Our conversation was short so we have no more details than that. Anxiously waiting to get to have a real conversation. This experience is testing my ability to be patient. Work in progress.

Oddly enough we found ourselves eating at a Sushi restaurant Saturday night. None of us mentioned the connection. The irony is not lost on me.

We are just preparing for our visit with this bad boy called a Snow White Special Roll. Speaking of Dwarfs, we told Rich he will be a giant in Japan. Also another reason to visit. 

Officially Official

Today I saw something that will forever be known as one of the most precious moments in my life. I saw my boy's face completing basic training and he has that half-smile I love so dearly.

This is the first close-up picture of Garret during basic where I can see his name on his uniform and that face that slays me. I want to just stare at this. I know I am gushing but when I saw this and then this...

Some feeling I totally didn't know I was feeling bubbled up. He will always be my baby. That's all I could think of and now he is officially a soldier and looks like a man now. Next up is AIT. Prayers would be appreciated for this next phase. This will be the nitty gritty of what he loves and wants to excel in. Thanks for indulging a very proud Army Mom.

Opposite Day

I am fully aware that Garret has been through a lot of stress and training that  I would not want to know the details about.  He is probably tired and weary but I will confess that his time away has made him kind of the opposite of how I thought he would be.
We got another letter yesterday and with each one there is increasing "I love you" and "I miss you". The most recent one could not have been sweeter. Garret expressed how grateful he is for all his family and what he is thankful for in each of us and especially his dad. He misses calling Rich everyday. He admires him and wants to be just like him. He appreciates how hard he works and how he treats me. Things I knew but when your kids say it there is extra meaning.
Now don't get me wrong, Garret has always had some tenderness but it was buried deep down and you had to dig for it sometimes. Very Axl on "The Middle". He often walked around without a shirt on and had some of the same mannerisms. We even  called him Axl to his face. This experience has made him so expressive of his feelings and so the opposite of a big, tough soldier.
He also said that he loves what he is doing and is so glad that he has this opportunity. Makes me happy he has no regrets. He has a few more very intense days of basic before he goes onto AIT. They are scheduled to be done late Saturday night after they do recovery which I think has to do with finding all the ammo from the "live fire down range" thing they did. Gulp.
May 29 can't come soon enough when we see him at Graduation.