Moving to Charleston, SC

Well, he did it. Hyrum graduated boot camp on August 21 2009. We went all around Chicago and had a great time while he had liberty over the weekend. I left on Monday and he flew to South Carolina on Tuesday. I guess he'll be there for about a week and a half before he can come home and pack us up. We move out on September 2. I'm sad to leave my house, but I think this new military life will be good in the long run. Here we go...

Hyrum's First Phone call from Booty camp!

I was very surprised to receive a call today.  Especially because I hadn't received any letters this week.  I didn't recognize his voice at first because he's had a bad cold for about a week.  He sounded very raspy.  Other than the husky voice he sounded pretty up beat.  He said that he's passed all his tests so far.  He's in a special 900 division.  He said that they were all specially screened and selected to be in that certain division.  I guess they all had high asvab scores or something.  So, they get all the staff work.  I guess that means they do the paper work and managerial stuff.  He also has the job of "side boy" at graduations.  They happen every Friday. He'll even be a side boy at his own graduation.  so I won't get to see him much after the opening ceremony.  From what I understood a Side Boy is a guy that salutes the Admiral or honored guest as they enter the room.  Then the go off to the side and watch for fainting sailors.  I guess alot of them faint from having to stand so long at attention.  He will be wearing dress whites for graduation and because Hyrum is a  side boy he'll also be wearing some kind of yellow ascot thing.  I'm not sure how to explain it.  Anyway,  the funniest thing he told me was what the RDC's (drill instructors) say to the guys.  The call them clown d*cks.  lol!  He said that was one of the more funnier things they say.  When he first got their he was up for 40+ hours and he had 4 RDC's yelling at him at once.  His head is shaved and he said he looks like a 40 year old man in his ID picture because he was so tired.  He's gotten to go to church a couple times.  They gave him his military scriptures.  He even has some recruits going with him to church so they can get a break on Sundays. lol.  He says most of the time they are doing academics and studying.  His graduation date is August 21st 2009. 

California Trip

Our trip was really fun.  We took the kids to Disney and the zoo.  Drake loved Disney, but I think it was a little overwhelming.  He wanted to do everything and didn't quite get the concept of waiting in line.  He didn't get scared at anything.  He was even cool on snow white.  That ride always made me jump a little.  He really liked the beach.  He got to play around with his older cousins Leonard and Kira.  We stayed at the motel 6 because everything was booked up when we got to Carlsbad.  I didn't care.  The good thing about rooms out west is that they aren't wet feeling when you first get there.  I got to go to Six Flags in LA with my cousins.  That was alot of fun.  I haven't ridden a real good coaster in ages.  There was TONS of them this time.  Some of the top scariest i've ever been on.  I almost cried on the way up on one of them.  It's called Tatsu.  You do the whole ride on your stomach. Tracker stayed with a family here in Texas for the week.  They only speak Spanish.  They say she's picked it up pretty well.  So now I have a Spanish speaking beagle.  haha.

I got 3 letters from Hyrum so far.  He's doing well at boot camp.  So far he hasn't got caught laughing when he's not supposed to.  He's sneaky about it.  His graduation will be on the 21st of August.  He's in some kind of special 900 division.  I'm not exactly sure what that means.  He just said they get to do the staff (office) work.  I guess it's because he has a degree already.  He's also got a job being a "side boy" at graduations.  I guess he holds the door open for the Admiral and watches for sailors that pass out during graduation.  He seems to be excited about that.  He's got 6 weeks left.  He's already been there 3 weeks.  He said he's getting really good at folding laundry.  He said he cleans better than Forrest & Bubba Gump.  He said if he didn't all hell would break loose. That's good news for me!  Hopefully that will stick.  He also asked me if i'd ever had a shot of penecillan in the butt because his hurt REALLY bad for days.  He forgets that I got 2 shots worse than that in the butt when I was in the hospital recently after Lou Lou was born. haha.  I guess you don't remember things like that unless it happens to you personally.  Well, the score might be a little closer to even between us once he gets out of boot camp.  I know how sucky it can get. No sleep, pain, fatigue, no privacy, someone screaming at you, demands that you feel like you can't meet.  Sounds like a quick eight week course in motherhood for him.  Is it wrong to chuckle about that? :-)   

Navy Man

So, Hyrum left a week ago today for boot camp.  I got "the box" in the mail.  It was Hyrum in a box.  He just threw everything he owned off and crammed it into the box.  I used his cell phone to call his mom and dad.  They got all excited when they saw a call coming in from his phone only to be disappointed when they heard my voice.  It was really funny.  I guess you had to be there.  I still don't have his address yet.  I'll probably get it in the mail as soon as we leave for vacation in San Diego.  That's a bummer.  The kids are doing okay.  Drake asks every now and then if he can go home or play with Kayleigh.  He knows that his dad will be back in 8 weeks.  He repeats it to me every morning.  He stays really busy here though.  I'm almost pooled out even though its given me a nice tan.  

Packing up the House

This weekend we are putting the finishing touches on the house.  We've decided to put it up for sale or rent.  Yesterday was spent pressure washing the siding.  It was really yucky.  It looks so pretty now.  I almost wish that I didn't have to move out of it.  My garden is starting to produce fruit (of course).  The sunflower around Drake's fort are also coming up really well.  So I guess we just have to finish packing up the house.  The realtor wants us to stage it.  I'm not really good with that stuff.  I wish I could just hire someone to do it, but they charge WAY too much just to rearrange furniture.  Anyway, I'd better get off here and get to work.

Anchors Away!

Well, Hyrum has just joined the Navy.    Some might ask why?why?  It's simple.  

He hates his current job.  A college education just isn't worth what it used to be.  Even if he did get a better job, we would have to move because Milton, Florida is the pits as far as work goes.  He actually has one of the higher than average paying civillian jobs around here.  Health insurance is unaffordable.  It does suck that we just bought this house and haven't even been in it a year.  Drake has hardly had anytime to mark up the carpet with his potty training accidents. But, when the Navy offered Hyrum a spot in Nuclear Power school we just couldn't refuse.  I mean who wouldn't want a killer education for free.  ??? Of course we pay with our time and we are also taking the chance that he'll hate submarine life.  But then he can just get out in 4 years and probably land a fat paying job.    Sweet huh?  Yeah, I think so too.  

Of course there's the separation part.  That is going to be rough.  The first time Drake starts crying for Daddy I might cry with him.  He'll miss Loulou's first birthday in August.  I have two friends getting married this summer and i'll have to attend the weddings without him.  That will be kinda awkward.  Good thing I can take care of myself.  I would be in a world of trouble.  I'm just gonna put on my brave face and dive in head first.  

Hyrum leaves for boot camp on Father's Day.  I'm going to visit my mom and dad in Houston while he's gone.  Then, we are off to South Carolina.  I'm 75 percent excited 25 percent nervous.  I can't wait to see him in his uniform at graduation.  I bet he's going to look super cute!  Haha!

Family Pictures

Sadly, i'm not a fan of the family picture.  Maybe one day we'll get one when we both don't look tired and sick.  At least the kids are cute.