My Soldier!

Sorry for the 2-week wait of Nick's graduation from the Army...he just left yesterday from his 9-day leave and I was just distracted and wanted to spend as much time together as possible! :-) But here we go:

Originally, my girlfriend Angela and I had planned to leave on Tuesday morning at like 0600 but after much "arm-twisting" from my parents, we decided to leave Monday afternoon at 1400. We stopped at the grocery store and got some goodies and then headed on our way out. It took us 19 hours of practically straight driving. Of course we stopped for bathroom and gas but they were only like 5-8 minute stops. Angela drove from 1400-2030 and then I took over and drove till 0500, where then Angela took back over till about 0730 and then I drove the final 2 hours. It was absolutely perfect because we took all day Tuesday just relaxing and calming down because we were just SOOOOO excited about the fact that we were finally in GA a few days away from getting our men back! :-)

Then on Wednesday was the day that we took the time to get me into the offices on post so that I can get the paperwork I needed all set for me to go to Germany with Nick. We also took the time to make it to the mall on base where I found an amazing dress for the "Turning Blue" ceremony, even though I had brought down FOUR other outfits (haha), which you'll see in the pictures.

Finally on Thursday was the "Turning Blue" Ceremony, which means the soldiers finally get the blue rope cord hooked to their uniforms officially indicating they are infantry men of the United States Army. That took place actually on base right where their barracks were and what was AWESOME about it was I actually got to do the pinning of his blue cord!!! :-) I am just so proud of him and it just felt amazing to be a part of such a huge mile-marker for him! :-) Then for the day, we hung out with each other for a few hours and then headed to a late lunch/early dinner with Nick's parents, and by 1900 we were heading back to base to drop the soldier's off because they had to spend their final night on base!

(my husband officially and Infantry-Man!)

(Nick, me, and Martenson (one of Nick's best friend he met while at boot camp...note the blue cord on their right shoulders! :-)

(the girls and I waiting for the men to come down for the Turning Blue ceremony!)

THEN, on Friday was graduation!!! It took place at the National Infantry Museum and the field in which the soldiers marched on is actually made up of soil from all major battles (Korea, Japan, Iraq, etc), very sentimental! The graduation started at 0800 and by 0900 I was walking onto the field to give my Solider a hug! :-) After graduation we headed over to the Museum so that myself and Nick's parents could tour it, and it was VERY nice! I just wish I had more time in it. For the rest of the day we pretty much hung out with a few other soldier's, which I enjoyed because I finally got to know the men who just spent 15 weeks with my husband! :-)

(the hubby's company!)

(officially a soldier!)

Bright and early Saturday morning (0600) we were up to head to the airport for a short plane ride to Harrisburg because we spent a few days of his leave with the Davis'. :-) However, I felt like a pretty big idiot because the flight was actually 10:00 pm...not 10:10 am...which officially convinced me why military time is so much more convenient and what I will be using from here on out! lol

Our time at the Davis' was VERY nice and much needed and as always, not enough time! lol

Finally at 0530 Wednesday morning we were pulling into the train station in New London where my parents were picking us up so we could go get the dogs and my car before heading home. It was so nice to be pulling into the driveway WITH my husband! :-) Then the rest of the week was just hanging out with friends and family because Nick only had till yesterday (the 19th) because he then had to report.

Yes, Nick is officially in Germany and hopefully I will be very soon to follow.