Last Days Before the Big Send-off

So we had an interesting situation with Ricky's departure. Because he is in South Carolina, and all of the flights leave from SLC in the morning, he ended up staying in a SLC airport for two nights before leaving. The week before we had a wonderful adopted member of the family put us up in Park City at the beautiful MountainSide resort. One of the days we had a sitter come spend the day with us so Ricky and I could go play while the kiddies slept. What an amazing time. It really is so wonderful that after 8 years, we can still play together and laugh, and have so much fun. So we rode the coaster, and the zip line, and the slides, over and over until I was about ready to throw up...

Then we had a great BBQ Saturday with some great friends and family so that whoever wanted to could come and see him off. Then Monday we drove him up to the Hotel that the Army put him up in, had dinner together and took off. Tuesday morning he had to go to MEPS... its the Military's medical checks to make sure he is still fit to go. He was done by noon, and didn't fly out till the next morning. So we got to go to the zoo for the day! What a fun last day for our little family. We had an enjoyable time, the kids were great (for the most part) and then we got to have dinner and dessert with mom and dad Barlow. When we dropped him off to the hotel that night, we had been instructed to use that as our goodbye time. So it was a very tearful event. I can't imagine how it was for him, how it IS for him, having to leave his wife and children. But we did it.

He flew out Wednesday morning, and really was traveling all day. He took his cell with him so he could talk to me, until it gets taken away. So I got updates all throughout the day. He got into South Carolina around 4pm, but then had to wait till almost 9 for all of the other soldiers to get in. I know he didn't get to sleep till 1am, didn't fall asleep until 3am, then had to wake up at 3:45am to get showered shaved and ready for formation. I have had a chance to talk to him a few minutes here and there... So far it has been a lot of hurry up and wait. A lot of waiting in lines to get uniforms, boots, haircuts (even though he shaved his head before he left), vaccinations, etc... He sounds positive, tired but positive. Monday is when he officially starts Basic Training... His phone will be taken away sometime before then... and that is when the "REAL" fun begins. As soon as I get his address I will post it. Anyone who is willing to write him, I know he would appreciate it! (unless you happen to be some loony that we don't know... then maybe not)

Anyway, that's all for now!