Graduation Day!

The kiddos and I have been working really hard over the last month or so on our Graduation. They've been great at learning the songs and practicing day after day. I was a ball of nervous going into it. Having never done a graduation before I didn't really know what to expect but knew I wanted it to be just perfect and to make not only the parents / families proud but also my director. The kiddo's and myself took a field trip to our 2nd school location where the graduation was going to be held for a dress rehearsal the day before graduation. It was their first time on a bus and they had so much fun. They where so cute with their little comments and excitement. 

My morning started out super early, I couldn't sleep the night before. Maybe it was my nervous, my mind racing with everything I needed to get done. Maybe it was the fact that I had class before hand and wanted to get my workout in before that. I don't know, but I was up at 5:45 on a Saturday. Work out done, headed to class and then straight over to the location after our break. We had just under 2 hours from the time the first graduation ended before ours started to get in and get the room transformed and set up. Thankfully I had 3 fabulous ladies that really stepped up and helped bring it all together!!! There's no way I could have done it all on my own. 

It all came together perfect, I was so happy with the out come and it looked so cute!! The parents loved it and so did the kids. I got choked up when I had to get up and speak. I wasn't expecting that to happen at all. I didn't prepare or write out my speech, maybe I should have I don't know if that would have made a difference. But I almost broke down in tears, it was an emotional moment for sure. Lots of laughs while the kiddos sang and danced. A few tears shed from the parents during the slide show and many many full bellies later, I'll say it was a very successful day. I'll let the pictures do the talking. (no pictures of kiddos or the actual graduation but the set up it perfect!)

 Couldn't have pulled this wonderful celebration off with out these beautiful ladies I'm so blessed to call not only my co-workers but my friends!!!! 

A bit blurry but I love this picture of B and I. Love her!!!! She puts up with a lot from me and I thank her daily for always being such a wonderful supporter and friend!!! 

And with that the class of 2015 has Graduated and we are ready for a fun filled summer!!

Graduation Day

The morning started off great we had perfect seats again right in the middle, in the reserved section. We were able to sit here yesterday as well. They save this section for parents & family members of Soldiers who are getting awards as well as the Drill SGT & Cadre family members. The 282 Army Band played and shook things up a bit and got the crowd going. It was a smaller band but let me tell you they rocked it out. 

Here come the Soldiers all 6 companies broken down by platoon. 

Here are the top graduating soldiers & Drill SGT's of the cycle marching, in the center of the formation right behind the Color's. 

 I really did have good seat's and a great view but in order to get the entire formation in the picture I had to completely zoom out. 

 My love being presented with his award by the BC & SGT Major of the Battalion. Such a proud wife moment right there, even more touching that his father and grandpa were there to watch as well. With them both being former military themselves, having their son (grandson) follow in their foot steps is a big deal. This is by far not the first or last award for him but seeings as it was so unexpected & we didn't see it coming it's a big deal. 

 I use to hate the Brown Round, but I tell you it grows on you. I always get a kick out of the stories he tells about his privates. He holds nothing back!! 

After the awards were given, there was a guest speaker who did a awesome job. He was the father of one of the graduating soldiers, a retired marine vet himself. Talk about a proud dad moment. That was followed by the swearing into the United States as citizens of about 10 soldiers. These soldiers came to the US to join the army and become US citizens, they completed this process while going through BCT and were recognized at the ceremony. 

The entire Battalion formation did a pass and review in front of the bleaches marching back down to the end of the field were they came from. They had to wait there for there families to come find them. It's a pretty good walk down there, and I'm sure for some it was one of the longest walks ever.  

 I was able to visit & meet with a few more families before finding my Soldier!! I'm absolutely head over heels in love with this guys and couldn't be happier to be on this journey through life with him. It's not easy at times but we sure make the most of it when we can. 

I love you baby and am so proud of you. 

Three Generations of Gabriel's right there folks!!! 

The Hubbs, His Grandpa, & his dad. 

(he look more like his mom & takes after her side of the family more, with his height )

 Us with Grandpa Gabriel before they left to head back to AZ.                       So proud to be apart of this family!!

~DAY 294~

CONGRATS TO MY LOVE!!!

I am so unbelievably happy for my love and all that he does. Its been ruff adjusting from a line unit to a tradoc post. Having to work with people that simply don't care what they are doing, because its not them that have to pass BCT and Graduate just drives him to crazy. Some of the people he works with really just don't care about their job and slack off a lot. Leaving the hubbs to pick up were needed so everything gets done and taken care of on time. He complains about it some times and other times he just says its apart of his job. Either way he's made it through each day and I know he will come out of this assignment a completely different soldier, a even better, stronger soldier. His first full cycle is almost under his belt. Graduation is next Thursday, followed by a week off going to school for combatives training level 2. Then they pick up a new cycle that Friday and the process starts all over again. They say the average Drill SGT goes through about 10 cycles during his time on the trail. I know its not what he truly wants to be doing right now but I can tell you one thing he is doing it good and making a impact on these (SIT) soon to be Soldiers. As well as his command and the people he works with. It's not often you are awarded with Drill SGT of the Cycle on your first cycle through but I'm proud to say MY HUBBY GOT IT!!!!! I couldn't be more happy for him. No, he doesn't really get much for it, they recognize him on Graduation Day, he'll get a plaque and it will go on his record. That tells you something right there, he's really putting his heart into what he does and all his might. Because if he didn't there would have been no way he would have been awarded with it on his first cycle.

My Drill SGT hard at work training the future American Soldiers!!
Congratulations baby, I'm so proud of you!!! You are truly my hero!!!!!!!
~DAY 286~

Drill SGT Graduation Day

Everything we've been through in the last nine weeks has led us to today. There has been way to many CQ shifts to counts, hours of staying up late to study. Countless amounts of tests taken, pitches made and more sleep lost than I'd like to endure. However its finally paid off because graduation day is here.

 There was 121 soldiers that started Drill School the same day as the hubbs, within in days those numbers started to drop dramatically, leaving a total of 81 soldiers to walk the stage receiving their campaign hat. When I arrived at the ceremony location I was warmly welcomed by my soon to be Drill SG dressed in his ASUs (dress blues), my my my did he look pretty fine. Ok yes I am biased because he is my hubbs. Our visit was short lived as they quickly had to get in formation to get ready for the ceremony to start. Once they opened those doors for everyone to go in it was like a mad rush of people trying to find a seat. (think of it as a black Friday shopping experience). As everyone veered to the left I made my way down the right aisle as far to the front as I could go. Finding a seat right on the end just a couple rows back from the front. Shortly after the theater started to fill up I realized that the soldiers (DS to be) would be seated in the rows RIGHT NEXT TO ME. Talk about some great photo opts, although I'm still learning my camera this did give me a little advantage. The ceremony was fairly short for everything that's was said and done. This was a extra special day for me because this was going to be the first ceremony I've ever been able to attend out of his so far career in the Army. Previous awards, promotions & reenlistment ceremonies have all been either before I moved out to Hawaii or during his two deployments. So to say I was super excited to be here today would be a understatement. As the band began to play the soldiers made their way in and to their seats. It was so still and quiet once they stopped playing you could have heard a pin drop. The National Anthem played, prayer and a few speeches later it was time for the Soldiers of Class 3-12 to receive their campaign hat.

The person announcing the names told us we were allow to go up to the front and take pictures if we wanted to but to be sure and stay clear of the aisle. I wasn't sure if I was going to at first, see I didn't want to cause any attention to myself but then I saw everyone else was so I figured the heck with it why not. Sadly do to the lighting the pictures didn't turn out the greatest, but I'm fine with that because I got to be there in person and that is a picture I will remember forever. 

I had chills running through my body as they called his name and he placed the hat on his head. I was so proud of him, all the hard work and long days had finally paid off. He was done, graduated and finished. We could finally get on with the next two years of his career and our time here at Ft. J. Although he still isn't 100% sold on being a Drill SGT I'm hoping that after he has a few cycles under his belt he will start to enjoy it a bit. Fingers crossed right.
Talk about one proud wifey here!!!!!

The Campaign hats

Marching in to the Ceremony

Prayer

Let me tell you a funny story right here~ during the dress rehearsal when the words "Let us Pray" were said & everyone bowed their heads my dearest husband was the only one still looking straight ahead. He was then told by a Drill SGT "I don't care if you are praying or not, your going to bow your head." Oh dear heavens leave it to my husband to cause a scene. Apparently everyone else though it was pretty funny though.

Walking back to his seat after receiving his Campaign hat aka Brown Round.

Graduating class 3-12 

Such a proud Wifey of my Drill SGT!!!!!

Two of the Soldiers he went through school with that he became friends with SGT J & SSG P. 

both of then stayed with us the night of graduation before they flew out the next morning. Super sweet people, SGT J. is getting stationed here but had to return to her current duty station to out process. 

I absolutely LOVE this picture of us!!!!!!

Look out people he's got our future in his hands lol :) 

Its going to be a interesting next two years on the trail. 

~DAY 161~