UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!!

OK, I know that I have been slow in posting an update on my trip, but am going to try to fill everyone in real quick.

It was a good trip, although I was beat by the time I got in Wednesday night. I got in to San Antonio late and had to pick up my rental car....then got lost trying to find the hotel. There was a lot of road construction going on and detours, so it was a mess. I got into my hotel and got to bed around 3:30/4:00 AM (NC time). I had been up for almost 24 hours since I had to work Wednesday. Did end up missing Kyle's Airmen's run but did make it to the Coin Ceremony. That was the first time I got to see him and I cried when he marched onto the field with his flight. He was so close to making Honor Graduate, but his drawer was not really straight at an inspection and he had to shave about 15 seconds off his mile. So close, yet so far. His flight did make Honor Flight though, which is a good thing.

Got to spend Thursday afternoon with him, he had base liberty. We pretty much went shopping for gifts for everyone back here that didn't get to come. He had to be back at his barracks at 7:30, so... We did have an exciting experience that day. We went to pick up the pictures he had ordered and while we were in line we were told we had to evacuate the building due to a bomb threat!!! Talk about freaking out!. I tried to hide it, but I was like...Woooo...... We had to stay outside for about an hour. When I dropped him off, it took me about an hour to find my way off base! Every gate I went to was closed. I would ask directions and would end up going to one of the gates I had already been to. Found a guy coming out of the gym and he led me to where there was a gate I could get out. I was frustrated when I got back to the hotel!

Graduation was Friday and it was AWSOME!!!! Of course I cried!!! Imagine that, huh. He marched past us so proud. It was very impressive. After the parade, we went and got to take a tour of his dorm room and get to visit with his TI and then he got town liberty. We did a few things on base and then went back to my hotel room and he made some phone calls to family and used my shower. He said it felt good to take a shower without other people with him. He showed me his "suspenders" he has to wear. They attach to his socks and the bottom of his shirt. He said when the come loose and pop up, it really hurts. LOL Again, he had to be back at his barracks at 7:30. It did not take me as long to get off base this time, it only took me about 30 or 40 minutes to get off this time!

Saturday I met him at the parade field where they were taking their honor flight pictures and we went to Sea World. We had a great time, but did not get to see as much as we wanted to because he had to be back at his barracks at 7:30 pm. We did get to see Shamu, the dolphine show, the seal and otter show and we fed the seals. Watched a brave squirrel eating in the mist of a whole bunch of alligators. Good thing they were not hungry and just sunning themselves. We visited the shark exhibit and just enjoyed spending time together. We both were beat when we left there, but wished we had more time to see more things. Got off base pretty easily this time.

Sunday I went to church with him. After church we had brunch and he wanted to go pick up a few things and get his suitcase from his room. We went to the exchange and he bought a razor and he even talked me into going ahead and getting my hair cut, which I did...it is in a long shag type cut and I even got the brows waxed, which I have never ever done before and not sure if I am impressed. I mean it looks good but I tell you, it was definitly a new experience and that night and the next day I looked like someone popped me in the left eye! We went back to my hotel and he gave me some things he wanted me to bring home with me and we just kind of chilled out. He laid his head over on me and I was stroking his head like I use to and he fell alseep. I sat there on the bed and just looked at him and cried a bit. Then I snuggled down with him and we both took a nap. I had to take him back to his barracks early because they were going to clean the barracks before they all left for tech school the next day. It was very hard saying good bye again. We both were crying and just hugging each other. Neither one of us wanted to let go, but had to. I watched him walk to his dorm and my heart just fell. I watched with a heavy heart and with a lot of love and pride. I realized the my son was no longer a boy but had become a man. He held his head high and is so proud of his uniform. Through everything he had a good attitude, even though he would get tired during basic, he felt good. He is following his dream and it made me feel so lucky to have him for a son.

He is now in Biloxi Mississippi at Keesler AFB studying Ground Communication. He said his school is going to be longer than he was initially told. Instead of 5 months, he said it will be between 7 and 9 months. He has informed me that he can get packages now and of course we have the hint, hint part in there. This was one of the jobs he wanted. He does not know where he will be stationed at yet.

I just cannot express how good he looked and how I felt seeing him and being with him. He did not argue too much about me giving him some big ole hugs. I did print off the good wishes everyone wrote to him and gave it to him. He said to tell everyone Thank you and he appreciates it. I don't think he really knows what to think about being told Thank you for serving his country though. I also want to add my thanks to his. It really means a lot.

My next post will have pictures, so I am apologizing ahead of time for the long posts.