3rd Times a Charm, Right?!?!?

In this case yes it is. 2 weeks ago the hubbs started the train-up for EIB (Expert Infantry Badge) The 3rd week was testing week. See he'd gone and tried out twice before, once when we lived in Hawaii and once since we'd been here. Sadly enough though for one reason or another he didn't pass and we re-cycled. This week was a big week, he HAD to get it. I mean it was his time for sure!!! Monday was the PT Test and all went well. The rest of the week was spent at the range. He texted me when he had completed each day to let me know he was still good to go. Tuesday he passed the lane day, Wednesday he passed the lane day with one "no go", Thursday he passed the lane day. I prayed and prayed ALL day every day. It was his time, It just had to be. He wanted this so bad. Friday was the last event. A 12 mile road march in full gear, with a 8lb rifle and a 35lb ruck sack along with 100oz of water in his camelback. This had to be completed in 3 hours, which as a 15 min mile pace. I honestly wasn't to worried about today but deep down I was hoping with every ounce that he would make it through. Friday morning he left the house around 3:30am to meet up at the starting point by 4:00am. The road march started at 4:30am and they had to be complete by 7:30am. I took the morning off work to attend the Graduation. I wanted to make sure I was there, to show my support and let him know how proud I am of him. I was up getting ready and it was about 7:15am, and I still hadn't heard from him. I was planning on making my way to Post Headquarters were Graduation was being held regardless if I'd heard from him or not. He had 15 minutes to make it through the road march, He couldn't come this far and not make it. I was a nervous wreck all week as well as was he but this morning I was sitting on pins and needles waiting. Finally about 7:20am I got a text from the hubbs saying HE MADE IT. I was so happy he was finally getting his EIB pined on. It was over and he'd never had to go through the course again. I was and am one proud wife, he's such a strong Soldier and never gives up!!! 

Out of 72 Infantrymen that started the course only 24 of them ended up completing it. That's about average, its apparently a pretty hard core course to go through. He was so sore and tired after he was done. He said every part of his body was hurting, poor guy couldn't even walk normal. I mean I'm sure I wouldn't be able to either if I'd done something like that. 

During the Ceremony…front row right side, 2nd from the end. 

All that hard work for this blue rife EIB pin!!! It really is a big deal!!!! 

His CO, CPT Campbell and 1st SGT Jones came out to show there support and congratulate him!!! 

So glad I got to be there and pin him!!! Love this man with all my heart and so proud of everything he's accomplished during his army career up to this point!!!! 

ummmm, That face!!! What a handsome fellow!!!! So Proud!!!!!! 

It's come to a end….

I can't believe our time on the Trail is officially over. Thinking back two years ago I never though this day would come and I couldn't wait for it to get here. Now I'm wishing just a little that we still had some time left. I absolutely love the school were I work and I've made some great friends through some of my parents. Its funny how all of my friends in Hawaii were / are Milispouse's and here in the South 90% of my friends were / are parents of kiddos I had in my class. I'll def. be sad to say good bye to them when the time comes. Although we are looking forward to the future and what's in store I can't help but wish we had more time in the South. I know the hubbs is more than ready to be done and get back to a line unit. He's done his fair share of training and he's ready to get back to what he enjoy's doing. He's been counting down faithfully for about the last 6 months. He's beyond done. Frankly I'm over the unit we are with. Its only the 2nd unit we've been with but they've been horrible. I fill sorry for anyone that has to go through 2-60th. 

I took his Hat Press that I got him for our Anniversary year before last and had the plate finished. They actually redid the entire plate for me and it turned out great. The Brown Round has officially been retired. 

We've had good day's and bad day's through our time on the Trail. It's to be expected, they are gone all the time and when they are home they are extremely drained and tired. Hanging the Hat the hubbs will finally be able to go out and enjoy his free time and that means we get more time together. 

I absolutely hated the Brown Round when he first got it, I though it was the ugliest thing ever…….

 But it grew on me and now I absolutely love it. I have to say its quite sexy. I mean just look at it, he's rocking it for sure. I'll miss the stories he comes home and tell's about his day and smoking the PVT's. I'll miss being able to go out to the trainings and watching him train PVT's. I'll miss our CQ night dinners. I'll miss some parts of it I'm sure and so will he, even if he doesn't admit it. But I can't wait for what's ahead of us. Lots of changes and many more memories to be made. 

Two Years done!!! 

It's only a 2 year assignment with the option to extend a 3rd year, but we only did the 2 years. 

 Graduation Day March 22, 2012 & Last Day March 31, 2014