August 30, 2008

A lot has gone on the past few weeks. Matt is finally at book camp and seems to be enjoying it!!! The drill sargeants seem to like and respect him. He gets kidded a lot but to me that shows respect for Matt because he can take it. One of them said that he must have been brought up well because he was smart and level headed He graduates on November 21st, 2008. Steve, Alex, myself and Jenifer are flying to Fort Benning and staying in base lodging. The night before thay have a ceremony where a family member can attached a blue stripe to matts uniform. Steve will do that. You can guess that I will be taking a ton of pictures...scrapbook time!!!!!

Alex started school this week. I can't believe he's a junior! He can get his drivers liscense this week. He got a job working at SpringCreek BBQ. He likes it a lot.

Nothing new with me except I'm having a hard time getting back into the swing of my diet. I haven't gained any but if I'm not careful...
Alex and I went to see 'Traitor' today. It was a slow starter...but then it turned into a good movie. Alex and I have decided that we are going to go to the movies together, just him & I, twice a month. It'll be fun. Mother - Son time!

We got a Letter from Matt!!

Good news...we got a letter from Matt today. As I suspected (I dreamt about it) he is homesick and isn't happy right now. He is in Reception right now and said they aren't doing anything. He is bored out of his mind. And having a hard time getting used to having Drill Sgts. I think once he gets to basic training it will change for him. Be more what he expected. But for now my heart hurts because he is hurting. The mom in me wants to give him a hug and tell him it'll be alright. Trials....we all have them, but sometimes it's pretty sucky!

He called tonight as well. We only got 5 minutes with him and it went by way to fast. Matt needs prayers right now. He needs to know he's not alone.

My mom gave me a great idea. To tell Matt to look at the moon. He may be far from us and not know what we're doing and feel like we've forgotten him. But when he looks at the moon he can know with asurity that I am looking at that very same moon thinking of him and praying for him. It will connect us together even though we are miles apart. It can be something we share.

I need to remind him to think about the blessing that Grandpa gave him. That the Lord would be with him and would keep him safe. Matt needs to have faith in that blessing and things will be okay.

Matt did ask that he get letters daily. I plan on sending letters and/or cards daily. And the packages when they're allowed to get them. Jenifer already has 6 letters to send him once we get an address for him. I'm in the middle of my second letter to him now.

Anyway it's late and I should be sleeping. So I will try to do that.

Enough for now...

Matt and Jenifer

Saturday August 2, 2008

Wow, this month has whizzed by. Was busy spending as much time with Matt as possible. On Tuesday the 29th the recruiter picked Matt up to take him to Dallas. Then Wednesday we went up to Dallas to see Matt reswear in and sign contracts. And see him off on the bus to the Airport...Destination Fort Benning, GA via the airpot in Atlanta. It was sad to see him go. My first baby off on his own. Of course I cried privately at night in bed trying to deal with him leaving. He was able to take his cell phone and use it until Wednesday night when he got on the bus at ATL. He was texting me and then had to put his phone up. Haven't heard from him since. I'm antsy....I want to know that Matt is okay. Yes it's the Mom in me. I told him that even when he's 102 years old...he'd still be my baby!!! Otherwise I think I'm doing okay. Dad gave me a great Fathers blessing of comfort. I really feel it's power right now. Anyway I've added pictures for you to see. Please keep Matt in your prayers.

Sunday July 13, 2008

Well, this past week has been interesting. First of all, Matt went to MEPS in Dallas Tuesday night. The Army put him up in a hotel because they had to be in the lobby at 4:20 am. Much easier that way since We're 45 min SW of Dallas. He went through all the exams, etc. When he told me about it it reminded me of the movie Pearl Harbor, the scene when they were at MEPS. Anyway, then when that was all finished...he swore in. My baby is now an Army Soldier. He hopes to be an Army Ranger. He leaves for Fort Benning on July 30th. That doesn't give me much time to be with him. After he's gone, I won't see him again until the middle of November. What's a mother to do .

I am proud of him. He's grown into a fine young man. He will do wonders with his life.

I have a lot more to say, but, I need to get ready for church. Will be back later.....

Friday July 4, 2008

I got the neatest compliment yesterday from my neighbor across the street. I hadn't talked with her in a long while. She was out in her yard when I got home from the store. She said I was looking great. Thanks to 42 lbs gone! And she said that I looked so much happier...had a sparkle in my eyes. Why it meant so much to me is because she is one of those people who watch everything out the window. So even though I haven't spoken to her in a while, she has been watching my transformation. I didn't know that my unhappiness showed that much. Ahhh, the things you learn. Anyway, it felt good to hear that. I do feel better! I still have a long way to go with my weight...but I'm almost half way to my goal! And I love my job, it's rewarding!

Matt goes to Dallas on Tuesday to take his physical assesment test, etc. He ships out on 7/30/08 to Ft. Benning in Georgia. He'll be there for a while. Gosh I miss him already. I can't believe I have a child leaving the nest. When did he grow up? I swear I just gave birth to him yesterday!

Thursday July 3, 2008

Yes, it's 3:30 am and I'm up. Couldn't sleep much. Matt has dropped a bombshell..... it's true.... he is enlisting in the Army Rangers... . I'm scared, as any mother would be. I'm also very proud of him. He will do a good job and my prayers will constantly be with him for his safety.

I guess that is a good reason for not being able to sleep

Wednesday July 2, 2008

This morning I stopped to top off my tank with gas. I had 3/4 of a tank already and it still cost me $48! It's outrageous ! If I didn't work 18 miles from home I'd ride a bike...okay maybe not in this Texas heat, but it was a thought.

Steve and I went to dinner last night at 'On The Border'. Oh my gosh, it's good food. The scale didn't like me this morning. Going to have to double my water today to flush it out....sigh. I have a goal to have lost 45 lbs by the time Matt and I visit mom and dad. That's 4 lbs to loose in 2 weeks. I hope I do it. That means NO EATING OUT!!!!

I put on a shirt this morning and couldn't wear it. It was just way to big. Those are the silent victories I like!

Matt is looking into the Army Rangers. He really wants to be doing something now. I'm behind him in whatever decision he makes. As scared as I am for him to join the military right now, I'll be right there for him.

Alex put an application in at Taco Bell. I hope they hire him. He wants to earn money.

What happened to the time....weren't my boys just babies yesterday...

Well, I gotta check out for now. I have lots of payments to apply here at work.

More...later