Stalking My Husband

Hello All,

I discovered today that there is a website for Basic Training at Fort Jackson. They list all the units and companies as well as their Facebook pages for friends and family to send their "Hooah!"s and well-wishes.

Unfortunately, Ben is only going into Basic officially today, so the units and companies are still in the formation process. Hopefully, in the next few days, I will be able to find out which one he is in so that I can stalk him effectively.

In my great desire to find out more about where he is, I looked up the google map of Fort Jackson. As it turns out, there aren't any specific flags for the military base, only a Watch & Jewelry store that appears to be permanently closed. It took me a while to find out where the entry gate is and I only did when I tried to use the street view on the map.

Interesting Fact: Military Bases don't let street view camera cars on grounds.

Well, duh!

So, for you lovely people, I made a few pictures of the map showing a rather large area of buildings and streets that have no street view. I find it interesting... I think Ben's Map Geek-iness is rubbing off on me!

This is a close-ish view, showing a large chunk of human habitation without the blue lines of street view.

Here is a further away picture showing what I assume to be the entire base outlined in blue. The base buildings are on the lower left of the non-blue area.

Facinating!

Anyway... If you want to stalk Ben too, here is the link to the Basic Training page. As of today at 10:12AM, neither of the two Units listed are Ben's. So, just ignore those.

http://www.jackson.army.mil/sites/bct/

There are links on the side on how and when to get letters to Ben, but I'm percolating an idea on how to get him as many messages as possible without singling him out. The first comment on my last blog made me stop and think a bit about it. I certainly don't want Ben to suffer any grief via his NCOs. More on that when I get his address. 

Keep the prayers up, I know it helps! (I got a call from Ben late last night and he sounded much better!)

My Man in Uniform

Because I love you all so very, very much, I am now going to share with you one of the awesomest things EVER!

EVER!!

I got a nice call from Ben this afternoon and he got to talk to his kids. He told me that it may be the last call he can make for a while... a long while.

By way of compensation, he sent me a picture of him in uniform! I think this might hold me for a week or so. ;)

My handsome, brave soldier.

Woohoo!

You notice the super comfy-looking bunkbeds behind him? He's going to think his memory foam mattress is heaven when he gets back!

He's hoping to have a mailing address sometime in the next few days. I will post that up as soon as I have it and I expect LOTS of mail to get sent in his direction!

More soon!

Pretty as her Picture

I know I've derailed from my projected blogging. My life imploded and exploded at the same time, defying all laws of physics. I will get back to my blogging schedule soon!

In the mean time, check out this gorgeous school picture of my baby girl!!

I love my girl!

Blatant Plug

You may or may not know that Ben is leaving to go to Basic Training for the Army tomorrow. TOMORROW!

What I know you DO NOT know is that I've had a secret blog going for the past four months. This blog features the thoughts and feelings I have had about this new part of our lives. Essentially, they are letters to my husband that relate directly to our life in the Army.

I have opened this blog to the public today. It is important to me to not feel alone in this adventure.

The blog isn't extensive, yet. There are only four posts so far and I encourage you to read them all if you are interested in following along.

The URL is: http://katscratchme3.blogspot.com/

You may cry, you may laugh... I know I have.

First Day of Kindergarten

I almost thought I'd never get to the point where I'd have a school-age child. Yet again, my life has proved to me that time will march on no matter what you're doing, so take advantage of NOW.

Because I'm Pinterest addicted, I have found about 2.3 million different ideas on First Day of School pictures. I found a few cute ones and couldn't decide how to combine them all together. I also didn't have the outrageously cute I-made-this-myself-with-homemade-chalkboard-paint chalkboard. Yeah, I know. I'm a Pinterest Failure. I can live with that... today.

So, at the last moment, I muddled my ideas together and came up with a super fun idea. I hadn't seen any First Day pictures that included siblings and I just knew Henry would be sad if he didn't get to join in the fun.

"First Day of Kindergarten" with the date and a place for her to write her own name. Little Brother gets to hold a sign stating what she wants to be when she grows up!

Our new First Day tradition will include the school child's sibling holding a sign, too! Yeah, I know! I'm brilliant!!

While this looks "posey", she was actually stretching. She was not used to getting up and going so early! I must say, though, that she looks fabulous! ;)

Skeptical, much?

My big girl!

Amazingly, there were no tears when she followed the line of her classmates headed to her classroom. She was absolutely thrilled. She HAS been talking about going to school since she was two and a half, after all.

Henry had other ideas. He was completely crushed when he realized he was without his playmate for several hours each morning. There have been a lot of tears from his corner.

It's been nearly two weeks since school started and Audrey is just as excited as the first day. She's made some friends, though she doesn't always remember their names, and has even had a couple of class parties. Henry, for his part, had adapted reasonably well, though he is still clingy and sad when Audrey leaves. I'm sure it will get better as time goes on. As for me, I've been inundated with notices and forms. I can't believe Picture Day is next Tuesday. I'm panicking already about how to keep Audrey's hair where it belongs.

Pinterest, here I come.

More blogging soon, I promise. Too much to say!