More photos from The Sailor's liberty time

Today Rob and I were able to spend some time with our families at Rob's sisters house. It was nice to do something not at a hotel or restaurant.

With my family


With his family


Just us

Navy Boot Camp Graduation / Pass-in-Review at Great Lakes Naval Base

The Sailor's Pass In Review was yesterday!

Here come the divisions


I brought a camera with a better lens


Special Guest Speaker: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Kind of a Big Deal.


My Sailor introduced as the honor grad of his division


So happy to finally see him!!


Skee ball


In his "peanut butters." And he's rocking the BCGs because his normal glasses need to be replaced. Yes, he is really tall. 6'4. I'm 5'7.

11 hours!

Tomorrow is the big day!!! Oh man, I am SO excited. Rob called me earlier to let me know he passed Battle Stations, and to chat, and we had a nice 20 minute conversation and I did not want to hang up when the time came. But I will see him soon.

So after work, I finished packing, and when I was ready to load up my car a huge thunderstorm rolled through. I was already running later than I wanted, so I just ran out to my car anyway. I had to trek around a HUGE puddle in our parking lot (the sewer drain was overflowing). And of course I got soaked. And like 5 minutes later the rain let up. Oh well. Now I'm in my hotel 4 miles from base ..... so close.

so close!!

I get to see Rob in 5 days!!! I can't believe it. It's been 53 days since I've seen him (I have a countdown on my Google homepage). Oh man I am SO EXCITED!

Do you think he'll be a sport and recreate this photo with me at some point this weekend?



Because if we did, I would totally frame a big print of it and display it proudly in our home. Seriously, how cute would that be??

8 MORE DAYS

I thought time was moving slowly before ... now that we're in single digits, it's moving s-l-o-w-e-r. But ....

1. I got an official letter today from the Navy congratulating me on my Sailor's accomplishment at being selected as the Honor Recruit for his division. "This selection is based on his individual performance of duty in all phases of basic training including leadership, initiative, military bearing, response to orders, sportsmanship, qualities of a good shipmate and high overall scholastic standing." WAY TO GO ROB!

2. My mom photocopied a letter she received from Rob, and this part cracked me up: "My next week of training is fire fighting. I've already started studying for it, and it's actually very interesting. So much so, that it's got me thinking about becoming a fireman (which, of course, I've never considered before because firemen don't carry guns). I suppose I'm more like my father than I realize."

Another letter

I got another letter from Rob yesterday. He is doing good, but he's sick (again!) and it sounds like he's exhausted. But, he said "unless I lose a limb or something, I'm not going to stop." So let's hope it doesn't come to that.

So I'm trying to plan a fun-but-relaxing weekend for him when he's on liberty next weekend. Hopefully if you're reading this, you are one of the 20+ friends or family of Rob that I emailed a tentative Friday-Saturday schedule to.

4th of July

So, despite a rainy day this past 4th of July, my band was still able to do our patriotic concert before the local fireworks. And we had cannons! My Dad was one of five chosen from a raffle to fire a cannon before we played the 1812 Overture.

About to fire:


Boom!


At the end of the 1812 Overture, after all the cannons were fired:

Good News Post

Two items of Good News!!

1. I got a letter from Rob yesterday. He was voted the Honor Recruit for his division. It was voted on by his shipmates, for the person that displays the most honor, courage and commitment at boot camp. I'm so proud of him! They only have one per division, and I think a division is anywhere from 60-90 recruits.

2. My BFF Gennie had her baby boy today!! Adam Jeffrey. This is her second (she had a girl). I'm so excited to meet the little guy!