Family weekend recap 11/9-11/11

I have wanted to recap about my brother's family weekend and I finally have some time to do so!!

We had a great weekend, and it was soo good to see Matt. At this point we had not seen him since the middle of August when he was loaded onto a bus and shuttled to bootcamp.

He has done SUCH a great job, they even made him a squad leader and he has about 8 guys under him. Hearing him tell us stories and refer to those in the group as "my guys" made me even more proud. The boy was born to do this, even though it makes his older sister nervous and sad about him leaving.

My parents went up the day before we did, which was Thursday, but since my husband and my sister both had to work, we left on Friday. Mom and dad went to the base and after a short ceremony finally saw Matt and took him for a big breakfast!! (We did alot of eating that weekend, Matthew was taking full advantage. Ha!)

We arrived later that evening and went to a big BBQ dinner. It was great to see him, and he looked so grown up in his camis. The next day we all got ready and headed to shop for some of the things he needed to pick up. New boots, flash light, things like that. We went to Ranger Joes, which is a great military store located in Fort Benning, and took our time looking around. Then we went to the Infantry Museum. It was incredible. If, for any reason, you are ever in the Columbus area, please do yourself a favor and go to the museum. I promise it won't disappoint. Here are a few pictures from the museum, and me and Matt outside the museum.

Wahhh he is so official!



Infantry!!!



My bud! He's single ladiesss :)


The rest of the weekend was spent eating, shopping, and laughing. He had to return to base with a fresh hair cut, so that was one of the last things we did.

We had to have him back on base at 6pm, but we got him there a little early so he wasn't late. They were told they don't want to know what would happen if they were late getting back!

This goodbye was harder than the first. I think it was because it all became so real this trip. He is really in the army, and he is leaving in January for Air Assault school. This is right before he left for the barracks. In a letter he wrote me he said that they did 1-2 hours of PT that night...poor guys!

There he goes :( This photo makes me want to cry.


Well, since I am so late getting this recap done.....it is already time for us to leave for his graduation! We leave tomorrow, he has a turning blue ceremony on Thursday (where my dad will pin his blue cords on his dress uniform and he will officially be an Infantryman) and then graduation on Friday morning.....bring on the tissues!! Can't wait to share pictures from this weekend!





Back to reality

For the past 2 years, I have worked in a hospital setting, so I work 12 hour shifts. Since I am part time, my 12 hour shifts are only twice a week. If I schedule my days right, I can have almost 10 days off in a row.

This past week? I had 8 days off. It was amazing! I spent time with B, my family, and my friends. It is always such a nice break from work, but it makes it so much harder to come back. Even though work has been exhausting today, it is worth it to schedule myself like that.....sometimes.

Highlights of my time off....
My dad's half brother, William and his wife, Jessica stopped by my parents house last Wednesday night on their way to Miama. They live in Virginia, so we don't see them that often. It was nice to spend some time and celebrate the fourth of July with them.

Friday night, my friend Rachel and I went to Ulta for their Frizz-Free Friday! Living Proof has a new line of frizz free products out so every Friday in July they are having a special where they wash/dry/style your hair....for free! We had our hair done, and then went to dinner at Olive Garden. We devoured enjoyed a pitcher of sangria while catching up. After dinner, I met my friend Jen to head out to the beach bars for a few drinks, and to see my husband at work. (He works at one of the bars)

The rest of my time off work, was spent lounging by the pool, hanging out with my hubs and our sweet puppy, and trying to get myself back into a gym routine. We are doing a Rock/Semi trash the dress later this year & my dress would be a little... (ahem) snug....if I didn't hit the gym. I have definitley gained a few of those newlywed pounds :)