Cae Dee and Cory

2010-05-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Baby

So we have a new baby. Parker Wayne Astin. I love him. He was born 5/20/2010 at 8:24 am via c-section. We are both doing great. He sleeps very well and loves to nurse. Abby loves being a big sister. She gets a little frantic when he cries. Occasionally if he is in his swing I will find him covered with 3 or 4 teddy bears. He is a lot different than Abby was but a lot of things he does reminds me of when Abby was a newborn. He smells so good. I love the smell of a new baby! Cory has been home on his block leave so that has been nice. Bedtime has been the time where I'm finding it's much harder to have two kids than one. Bedtime has always been me and Abby time but Cory has had to do story time a few times this week because I'm nursing Parker. For the upcoming deployment I'm going to have to figure out a good schedule and stick to it. I'm looking forward to seeing Parker's personality grow.

Germany

2010-04-09T05:55:00.000-07:00

Well Abby and I made it to Germany safely. The plane ride was long and I now hate the Paris airport but we got here. The weather has been really nice this past week. We had to stay in the hotel on base for a few days until we got a car to get us back and forth from our apartment to base. We ended up buying a 1992 BMW 320i... it's an older car but it runs and gets us where we need to go. Cory is putting a cd player in it right now actually. Our apartment is about 15 minutes from Vilseck base and about 20 minutes from Grafenwohr base... so we are right in the middle sort of. I got my German drivers license and I know how to get to and from the bases for now. I am not quite comfortable enough with the car to hop on the autobahn yet, the speeds are pretty high and I want to know the car a little more. Hopefully we can do some exploring of towns around us this summer. I really like our apartment, the layout is nice and we have plenty of space. The floors are all tile or hardwood so I need to get some rugs. We have government furniture for now, our furniture should be arriving toward the end of this month. Cory got Abby a princess bed spread and sheets and she was very excited to have her own bed. The apartment is out in an extremely secluded little farming community. It's very quiet at night and we have farm land on all sides of the little village. Cory's sponsor Sgt. Chris told me they farm corn and potatoes and grains. The livestock doesn't free range out here... they keep them in stalls in these big garage looking things. The farmers are fertilizing the fields right now so it smells pretty fresh when we go outside. Abby and I take a walk about everyday. There is a little playground down the street from us and a pond with some ducks. Abby and I took some bread to feed the ducks and they swam as fast as they could to get away from us, I don't think they are used to being fed bread. Out building has three levels with an apartment on each level, we are on the second floor so we are right in the middle. The apartment above us is an American couple named Marie and Michael. Michael is in the Army as well but a different unit than Cory. Below us is an older German couple, they don't speak a word of English. I believe they are the landlords parents, the old woman always smiles at Abby and speaks German to her... Abby just talks back to her in English and tells her things that she is doing that day. There is a little cement area behind the building that has a swing and looks like it will be a good place for bike riding. Across the street is a fire station that has a big cement area too that all the German kids ride their bikes on. I think this past week has been spring break because there have been a lot of German kids running around outside all day. Abby got to play with a little girl that has been staying with the older woman below us, her name is Katarina and she doesn't speak English either but they played with a bouncy ball together for a little while. Our small shipment of stuff came this week so we have our little tv now and a few more clothes, next time we move I will definitely be smarter about what I send in the fast shipment. Live and learn. I am looking forward to getting my kitchen stuff here. We don't eat out very often so I am cooking a lot and having to improvise with what I have. We have to have outlet converters for all of our stuff as well... the power is 220volt here and American stuff uses 110volt so we have a few transformers that take in 220v and convert to 110v. It was interesting setting up the small tv and Cory's xbox and playstation and the wii.... Cory was terrified he was going to get zapped or blow the xbox up. We spent the morning flipping breakers and shutting the power on and off to get it all set up. I just stood at the breaker box and flipped stuff back and forth until we got it all set. Abby keeps me pretty busy and Cory is still kind of getting situated or in processed with work. I will try and upload some pictures on here too. Hope all is well with everyone back in the states and I will try and be better about blogging.

Princess tea party and updates

2009-12-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

December is here and I am getting excited for Christmas. Abby turned three and had three parties! She was spoiled immensely and had great fun. I can't believe she is three years old already. She has developed a new attitude and is quite sassy. She can be very silly and playful at times too. Everything she does has to be her idea or we have a struggle. "I can do it myself!" is what I hear all the time now. If her outfit is not her idea of matching she will not wear it. Her Grandma Les Lee made her princess dresses for her birthday, she has a Snow White dress, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Belle. She loves these and the shoes that match! She also got several barbies and A TON of little barbie shoes that she loves from her Vicky and Grandma Parris. I had a hard time trying to find something to get her for Christmas because she got everything she needs and more for her birthday.

I told Abby that we get to go pick up her Daddy at the airport next week. She said that he is at her old house in Texas that is just back that way. Her idea of Texas is funny. I think she will be excited to get to play with him. Cory is looking forward to relaxing and spending time with family and friends. I think Cory will be a little surprised at how demanding his little princess is and what a handful she can be.

I am starting to feel a little better from swine flu stuff. My voice is still not the same and I cough a lot. I just started my second trimester of pregnancy and I think my energy is slowly coming back little by little. I haven't been as sick with this baby as I was with Abigail but occasionally I get really nauseous and sick. I was able to schedule the big ultra sound for December 30th so Cory could be there with me when we find out what we are having. I can't decide if I want another girl or if I want a boy. I will be happy with a healthy baby no matter what sex it is. So wish us luck! I will post when I find out. Merry Christmas to everyone and I hope all is well with you!

Halloween and life

2009-11-03T18:59:00.000-08:00

For Halloween this year we headed down to Salt Lake City and celebrated with my sister Chelcia and her family. We left on Saturday morning and met them at Lagoon for FRIGHT MARES! We had a blast. The kids love loved it. Abby was not scared of the fast rides at all. My nephew Ian was the master of evil (or something close to that) so Abigail was terrified of his mask. Ian of course loved the fact she was scared of him and teased and chased her. Andre was a scary skeleton thing with an exposed bleeding heart and Aiden was a cute batman. The boys are getting into the scary part of Halloween. Abby was Snow White and she was so excited that she got to wear red lipstick. She isn't smiling in the group shot because she didn't like being so close to the master of evil. I usually dress up for Halloween but I came down with the H1N1 a week ago and I have been battling that for a good week and half now. I felt pretty sick the first two days but my fever went away. I had to take a week off work and rest, I am now just trying to kick the respiratory symptoms. I have no voice and my throat is still pretty sore. Abigail hasn't showed any signs of it so far so knock on wood that she will stay healthy and happy.

Cory is still in Texas doing his advanced individual training. He basically is going to school. He said he is doing well and is in the top ten in his class. He gets to have freedom on the weekends and this past weekend he got to enjoy a college football game at the Alamo dome. He said he got good seats and had a good time watching Notre Dame and Washington State. He has been introduced to the "bar" seen. During this stage he has to have a "battle buddy" with him at all times. His friends unfortunately like to enjoy alcohol. A lot of alcohol. He said he gets annoyed with drunk idiots. They compromise and go to sports bars so Cory can at least catch a game while he sips on coke and watches his fellow soldiers get inebriated. I feel bad for him, I often get frustrated texts or calls on Saturday night. He doesn't enjoy being around the drinkers but it's a night out of his little bunk bed area.

Cory bought his ticket home for Christmas today. He will arrive on December 18th and he has to be back on January 2nd. I think he is looking forward to being home and the break. I can't believe it is November already. Time to get in gear for the Holidays. I look forward to spending time with family and friends.

My new love

2009-10-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

My new favorite thing. Before I had Abby my hair was always super straight and nice all by itself but a bonus super fun gift of motherhood has been fro hair. Needless to say I have been annoyed for like 3 years now... but thanks to my new lover pink flat iron I can have smooth hair again. Yay! Kind of silly but I really like it! And it's pink because October is breast cancer awareness. So ladies get your boobs squished if you are of appropriate age.... (that means you Mother.)

slacking

2009-10-03T18:51:00.001-07:00

So it's been awhile since I've posted on here. Vicky and I went to Cory's graduation and had a good time. The separation was hard but the visit was worth it. Cory is now in San Antonio Texas. He has started his classes and has been assigned squad leader. I think he is in charge of 12 soldiers. So far AIT has been pretty mellow for him, he gets to call home every night. Abby has started preschool and we are working on her shape recognition. She is talking more and more and she is pretty sure she is in charge of the whole daycare. I am still working at the doctors office and I enjoy it. My memory card from Cory's graduation is having a problem but I'm hoping I can get it fixed or at least retrieve the photos. :( Cory got to have an off post pass the other day and he sent me some pictures of San Antonio from his phone. It looks big busy and beautiful. Abby my parents and I went to the ISU Homecoming parade this morning and had fun. Abby knows just how to pose and waive so cute so she got A TON of candy. I am looking forward to Halloween this year, I always enjoy dressing up Abby. I think she is going to be a cowgirl. Cory will be able to come home for Christmas for a few weeks so that will be nice to see him home. If I can salvage the photos I will post more! I am being told by Abby.... " Hey MOMMY!!! Stop that computer! So I better go she is trying to get my attention. ;)

Gearing up for Graduation!

2009-09-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

So Cory has been super slacker on the letters lately, Sheesh it's like he is working really long days or something! He had a camp out thing where he was gone for a few days. He said it was fun... they did little missions and he got to be the guy they had to rescue from the bad guys. He passed his final PT test so he is all set to graduate. He said when he was on the camp out they got super dirty and he got dirt in his cup of Gatorade but he drank it anyway because he was so thirsty. I had to laugh at this because it is sooo not Cory! The last few times Cory has called home he has lists of instructions for me to do. I am in charge of bringing him a laptop, PSP, electric shaver thing, bball shorts, a fitted hat, his iPod, and one of his bags to him for graduation. I also need to arrange Internet service for him as well as research options on extended education for army medics. Lol. I am starting to feel like an Army wife! I'm going to start saying... "YES SIR!" Cory is looking forward to graduation and getting out of Oklahoma. Out of all the places he can choose to eat out when we get there... he wants pizza hut! I'm like... pizza? After weeks and weeks of those nasty army food things you want pizza? I guess working at a pizza place since he was old enough to work didn't quite satisfy his craving. Lol. Abby is so ready to go see her Daddy. She asks me like 15 times everyday... "Mommy, I want to go home and see my Daddy!" She is now starting to say she wants to go to Daddy's house. I'm like GREAT... that sounds super! Haha. She thinks Daddy is still at our old house just waiting for her and she doesn't understand why we don't ever go home when I get off work. I'm just to the point where I say, we will go see Daddy in a few days and I try to change the subject. She is crazy hyper like non-stop lately. Especially at bedtime! Every night after her bath I have to seriously chase her down and sit on her to get her pajamas on. She is laughing like crazy the whole time! Bedtime is a workout! She has her list of excuses she has to go through every night to try and convince me that she isn't ready for bed yet. #1 I have to go potty Mommy.... I always tell her... Abby you just went potty go to sleep.
#2 I need to watch Daddy-phone... so I get my phone and play her the video Cory sent to her telling her to lay down and go to sleep and listen to her Mommy.
#3 I'm thirsty mommy I need some chocolate milk!... I tell her we just brushed her teeth so she can't have chocolate milk but I go and get her a glass of water.
#4 I need to give Mama a love Mommy. (I'm mommy and grandma is Mama.) So we have to get up and go give Mama a hug and kiss, then Mama has to read her a story.
#5 Mommy I want to lay on your bed!... I tell her no, this is Mommy's bed and this is Abby's bed.
#6 Mommy I want you to lay with me. So I lay with her for a few minutes while she pokes me in the eye and tells me to hush and go sleep! I tell her to hush and go sleep too! I give her hugs and kisses and tell her I have to go do some various random chore.
This is our nightly tango at bedtime. Sometimes she has to go give my little sister's dog Hannah a kiss too!
I'm looking forward to graduation and seeing Cory for a few days. I know that the separation at the end of this trip is going to be harder than the first one because we know exactly how much we miss each other when we aren't together. I'm hoping Cory will excel in AIT and keep busy. Abby is good at keeping me busy! I will post some pictures of graduation when I get back.

Weekend with the Honeycutts

2009-08-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

A little fun

2009-08-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

Sat August 8th

Yesterday we went to a different firing range and used some M16's that had red dot scopes attached to them. I was not a fan. I'd rather use my iron sights. We stayed at the range until it was dark. We then used M16A4's that had night vision scopes and we fired tracer rounds. Tracer rounds come out of the rifle bright red so you can see them when they exit. It was pretty fun to watch, it was like the 4th of July. It did suck that we didn't get back till midnight, so I am pretty tired today. Today we got to sleep in till 6:30am with no PT. We ate breakfast and then loaded up on buses and went to these artillery museums. They were pretty interesting. There was a bunch of old stuff, Geronimo was in Ft Sill way back when. Fort Sill is also home to the original "Buffalo Soldiers." Grandma Lish would have enjoyed the museums. Tonight we get to go to a rodeo. I am really craving pizza, for family day we are definitely ordering pizza no doubt about it. It will nice to just hang out with you when you come. Only 33 days till family day. Time is going by quick, it's awesome. Hopefully it just accelerates and it will be here sooner than expected.
August 10th
We did an 8k march... it was way easy. We also threw grenades. They are way cooler in real life than they are on video games. It is still amazingly hot all the time. Idaho sounds glorious right about now. There is actually A LOT of places I'd rather be than here. I'm to the point where I'd gladly sit down and watch a chick flick and listen to country music. My back is still sore even with the drugs I got. I might have to go in to see if I can get some muscle relaxers or something. The days seem to go by faster but still not fast enough. I think madden comes out this week... kinda sucks. I am also sick of showering and shaving EVERYDAY. I would love to be lazy and gross right now. At least I'm getting paid. I think I want to buy a Mitsubishi lancer, they are nice. Love, Cory

Livin Life

2009-08-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

Our renters have moved in. I am so glad that is taken care of. I am looking forward to being able to take a little break from school and spend more time with Abby. She is a busy growing girl and she makes me smile everyday. Lately I have been a little apprehensive to make the next few months go by really fast. I was able to be in the outdoors this weekend and I realized how grateful I am for how my life is right now. At this moment, not six months down the road. I always have a tendency to think, well when we get through this then I will be happy, or when we are able to do this then I can be satisfied. I am so grateful for my little girl and for everything she teaches me. I am so grateful for my husbands sacrifice and service for our family. This separation has made me realize how much I took him for granted and how much I love him. I am so glad for my experiences and for everything I am learning.

Busy

2009-08-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

I only got two letters this week.. so here they are...

July 32st
I haven't had much time to write due to still being sick (I now have the flu to go with my crappy cough) and being extremely tired all the time. Basic really wouldn't be that bad at all if I could just be healthy and rested. This week we have been shooting our rifles. I have named my rifle Charlotte. She is amazing. The first day of shooting we shot at targets and tried to keep our shots hitting the same spot so that you could adjust the sights later on. I just happened to be one of the ten people out of the whole battery (224 people) who was steady enough. My shots were sighted right on target. Day 2 of shooting I didn't have to do anything. Yesterday (Thursday) we went to the range to shoot targets at distances of 75 meters, 150 meters and 300 meters. The targets are life size, and at 300 meters it is so small! I ended up hitting 46 out of 48 targets. I even got a head shot on the 300 meter target! I am pretty BAMF at shooting. We do our qualifications on Monday so I should rock the test.
Lately we have been doing PT twice a day. It wouldn't be so bad if I was healthy. Rumor is we get another penicillin shot here soon. I am excited for it. Tomorrow we go into white phase. Typically you gain a little more privileges. More to come later.

P.S. Tell Brandon Happy Birthday!

August 2/3
Yesterday was a fun test. They told us Saturday night that we could either go to church the next day or go to this concert thing. For me it was an easy choice. We only had 10 guys make the right choice. We usually have like 45 guys. Best part of this story... All the church guys made it back in time for the concert! Showed who really cares. It was pretty entertaining and the performers were Army members who tour base to base and they were WAY GOOD. They were singing stuff like Rihanna and other stuff in whatever genre that is. I will write more this week. Love, Cory

Wanted: Letters

2009-08-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Cory was able to call for 15 minutes on Sunday. He said he has had a busy week of marching and shooting his gun. He said he is doing pretty well with the shooting stuff. He rambled off a bunch of distances and statistics that made absolutely no sense to me, so I just said "good job honey!" He didn't get any letters last week so he called me a jerk. I informed him I sent two and his mom sent one as well. Snail mail is just taking a long time I guess. Abby told me last night as we were heading into the store, "Mommy... Daddy at work he be right back." I just smiled at her and said, "Yea he'll be right back." I could tell she was thinking about it for a few minutes, then she saw a picture of sponge bob and decided to sing the sponge bob song as loud as she could in Smith's. She is keeping really busy. The daycare wakes us up every morning, and Abby is so excited to wake up to the sounds of her friends eating breakfast in the kitchen. I am getting used to living at my parents house again. I don't always make my bed, and I don't do my laundry every five seconds so my mother is stressing about my mess. (My laundry is always in a hamper if it's not put away) I may try to sneak her an anti-anxiety pill. :) I got my hair cut yesterday and I'm loving it! I am going to look into some places for Abby to take dance so that should be fun. Cory has been sending Abby some art work. He draws her favorite cartoon characters and writes her name all pretty, and he draws stick figures of our family for her. Abigail loves these! I thought it was a cute idea because she can't read, but she can recognize the things that he draws for her. I will have to scan one of the pages, they are pretty cute. Cory said he wants more letters. I told him I don't have all day to sit and write letters but I will do my best! Cory's mom has decided to come to his graduation in September with me, but it's a secret! So don't tell! We have booked our flights and rental car and hotel. I'm kind of nervous to fly with Abby, well not so much the flying part but the airport part. She is an independent woman and does not like to hold my hand. I may have to get one of those ridiculous leash things that you can strap to your kid. I will vow to never use it outside of the airport!

Sunday Call

2009-07-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

I got a call from Cory yesterday. He sounded much better! He misses home still and is looking forward to graduation in September. It was our 4 year wedding anniversary last Tuesday and we both couldn't believe how fast it has gone. He accepted a calling to teach Sunday school. He said he was a little worried about when he was going to prepare for the lessons. He got to experience the gas chamber on Saturday. Lol. He said it was horrible. His sinuses were cleared out very well by the end of it. He is getting along better with his bunk mate, and the soldiers around him. He accidentally forgot to address one of his superior sergeants by "drill sergeant," so he got a good face to face lecture about that. He is getting closer to passing his PT test, he has the running down, but needs a few more push ups to get it. He said he isn't worried about it. He got a bunch of letters on Sunday and said it was like Christmas! He said he has to do 25 push ups for every letter he gets, so if we are sending them toward the end of the week just send them to the missionaries, since he doesn't have to do push ups when they get them. It was really nice to hear from him. Abby got to talk to him for a little, but she was too busy herding the baby kittens to say much to him. She kept coming back to jabber a little bit every now and then. She is doing really well, every once in awhile she will ask me when we are going home, and where is her daddy? I just tell her we will see him in a little bit. I am staying busy with work and school. I will keep you updated!

More Basic Training

2009-07-18T19:26:00.000-07:00

*FUN FACT*
The United States Government spends $68,000 per soldier to train them.

Today didn't feel like basic training. We only got smoked twice and we didn't do much. We learned three crawling positions on your stomach, did some PT and had a class on personal health and substance abuse. We ate crappy food. I miss Idaho potatoes. The potatoes here lack flavor. The only things that really taste good are the desserts. I am trying to avoid those so I can get rid of my little belly. They have cakes and pies and they are way tempting.

Last Saturday we had to do our initial PT stats so we could gauge how we progress. The drill Sergent's were nice enough to smoke us all day Friday to the point that Saturday hurt to move. Due to the soreness I only did 17 push ups in a minute, 30 sit ups in a minute and I ran my mile in 6:28. I am noticing day by day the platoon getting better and better, we still screw up A LOT... just not as many are screwing up. Send me some 4x6 pictures. I can have 3 hanging in my locker so send me lots and I can mix them around as needed. Right now all I have hanging in my locker is a picture of the Salt Lake City temple.

I try to avoid thinking of back home. Every time I do I start regretting my decision and think of all the little things I would take advantage of, especially hanging out with Abby. I miss music, video games, family, even just laying around doing nothing. I really wish my family could move down to San Antonio in September and that I could live with them. At least at AIT I can have everything but family. Hopefully I can get a computer with a web cam to at least see family.
Love ya, Cory

2009-07-17T22:24:00.000-07:00

Beginning of Basic Training!!!

2009-07-17T18:30:00.001-07:00

I received another letter/journal entry from Cory today, here it is...

The transition from reception to basic training was huge! All I had heard prior to joining is that reception was harder than basic training. Bull shit. In reception we took naps. Here, it pretty much has sucked the first couple of days. We wake up at 4:00am every morning and go to bed when the drill Sergent's feel like it, (usually around 9:00pm-10:00pm.) The drill Sergent's here are mean as hell. Their favorite thing to say is "front lean rest position... ready... exercise!!" Also known as the PUSH UP. I've done so many push ups it's ridiculous. My shoulders and arms are constantly sore.

The other day we were having a presentation as a battery (4 platoons; 240 soldiers) and this stupid kid sitting next to me was having a hard time staying awake. He got up to go stand in the back and get the blood flowing. Well the drill Sergent's basically took this as he was sleeping. He was taken to the very back of the room to get smoked. They also had the people who were sitting next to him come to the back for good measure, that included me and another kid. We had to do so many push ups that I reached muscle failure and my arms basically would not work anymore. The drill Sergent's continued to scream at us to keep going. I knew it wasn't going to happen thanks go me paying a little attention in my anatomy and physiology class. I had a puddle of sweat on the floor and couldn't keep up in the position because I was slipping in my own sweat. I wanted to punch the sleepy kid in the face right then except it would have been pointless because my arms were completely limp. I now avoid sitting next to dumb asses.

Aside from that all I really remember doing is push ups, leg extensions, marching, eating, getting yelled at, taking 20 second showers and getting a little sleep. Yesterday was not as bad though. We walked over to this giant tower and went through each obstacle, we had to climb a 40 foot wall, walk across a wide gap using a 3 rope bridge, slide back on one single rope, then back across on a 2 rope bridge. We also had to climb down the 40 foot tower on a giant rope net ladder thing. It was pretty fun.

Here is another address for Cory...

Cory Astin
C 1/79 FA
Platoon #1 Headhunters
5001 NE Rothwell st.
Ft. Sill, Oklahoma
73503

Summer time with Abby

2009-07-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

I sent Cory some pictures of Abby, in these ones she is playing in the water and playing on the toys at McDonald's. She loves Summer!

Abby likes to ride her new bike. She was riding on the side walk and discovered there was a bug hogging the sidewalk. She couldn't have that so she got off her bike to squish the bug, bent over to make sure it was dead and squished a little more, then went on her way.

Call from Oklahoma

2009-07-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

I was sitting at my computer while Abigail was watching one of her movies tonight and I heard my phone ring. The caller id just said it was from Oklahoma, being the screener that I am I hit silence and was prepared to let it go to voicemail. Then I realized Cory is in Oklahoma.... (I'm tired from staying up till three a.m. last night watching Harry Potter then waking up at 7:00am.) So I picked up the phone and to my pleasant surprise it was Elder Woodbury, the senior missionary that is on base at Fort Sill. I had received a video clip of Cory saying hi via email earlier this week from Sister Woodbury. He is a very nice man and asked if I was worried to be receiving a call from the base in Oklahoma...( I didn't tell him I almost let it go to voicemail because I had no idea who it was :) He gave me a lot of helpful information about graduation and about what to expect. He also said I could mail letters to them and they would deliver them to Cory! He said that they could get them to Cory much faster than the military mail could. Their address is...

Elder & Sister Woodbury
Military Relations Missionaries
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
906 NE Tortoise Dr Apt1
Lawton OK 73507

He said they were excited to have Cory there, and they planned to use him for blessing the sacrament and for blessings in general. I talked to Elder Woodbury for a good 30 minutes. It was really nice to hear a friendly voice is looking after Cory. I'm excited to send him letters and pictures. I plan on printing the pictures on normal computer paper so Cory won't get in trouble, Elder Woodbury said that was fine. Hopefully letters and pictures can give him a little boost and something to look forward to.

Sore

2009-07-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

Cory called today. He only had ten minutes to talk. He said he is pretty much hating life right now. He misses home and good Idaho potatoes. The food is different from reception, and he isn't liking it much. He said there are a lot of kids there who don't take it seriously, so they are in trouble a lot. He said he pretty much rolls out of bed into a push-up position. He is really sore from all the push-ups. He said they were low on laundry soap so they had to share and do a few loads together and he had a pair of pants stolen from him. On the brighter side, he said he was able to attend an LDS service today. The base has a senior mission couple and a few sister missionaries. He said they recorded him saying something and they will email it to me. He said he sent me another letter too. He wants letters from home so as soon as I get his return address I will post it so we can all send him letters. He said he is in the C 1-79 Battery and 1st Platoon. I have no idea what that means! ;)

Abby and I are staying at my parents now. I moved our stuff over here this weekend. Vicky and Shawn came and got Abby for me on Saturday so I could get a few things done without having to chase a 2 1/2 year old. Abby is adjusting really well. She loves grandma's house so that has been nice. She bosses all of us around. I took her to see the Hannah Montana movie and she loved it! She danced like a maniac in the isle. I start my next block of online classes tomorrow. I am taking English 102 and American Education 200. I am keeping busy with work as well. I am really grateful for all the help from family and friends. I know I've got a great support system and that is a comfort to me.

First Week

2009-07-09T19:56:00.000-07:00

Before Cory left for boot camp we decided that I would set up a blog and post his letters on here so all who choose can see what he is up to in Oklahoma. I have no idea what I'm doing, I am just clicking and typing and figuring this out as I go! So here we are. Well first of all, for those of you who don't know Cory left for boot camp for the United States Army on June 29th, 2009. He is currently in Fort Sill Oklahoma. He is basically writing a journal and sending me the pages. Here are a few highlights of his first week.
- Day 1 WORST DAY OF MY LIFE
Woke up at 4:30am (for those of you who don't know, Cory is not a morning person at all.) There are 10 sinks that 60 guys have to shave in. Showers are definitely a giant man sausage fest. It's basically all eyes to the sky. DON'T DROP THE SOAP!! 5:30am Went down to get in formation. It's already 80 degrees outside. Marched to breakfast. Ate some bacon potatoes, french toast. Food is good! By 10:am it's 100 degrees. We started out by getting our haircuts. They fly across your head in like 20 seconds. IT KILLED! Basically dug it into my scalp. We had to get all of our gear and carry it around from place to place in the heat all day. The gear is not light. I forgot to get my winter boots, so I got yelled at to "GO GET YOUR F***ING BOOTS!" There are two guys in my platoon with the last name white... except only one of them is actually white.... someone asked if they were related :) I got bunked up with a guy named Zander. He is pretty chill so it worked out nice. He calls me "Asshole."
- Day 2,3,4 BORING
With the exception of a few shots and eye exams and what not we basically ate and waited in our bunks. It's the 4th of July weekend so I'm assuming this has to do with why we have so much down time.
- Day 5
We ate at 7:00am then went to church at 9:00am. All those who chose not to go to church had to stay and clean. (I'm guessing higher attendance next week.) Church was an interesting experience. It was some sort of Christian service, but that's all I know. We stood up for songs that were played on guitar, said like 5 prayers and passed around an offering plate. Aside from that it was pretty interesting. The lesson talked about how bad things in life usually happen for some purpose and we reflected on things in our lives like our happiest moments and our hardest hardships and how often they will relate to each other. This made me homesick for the first time. I realized that this is the longest I've been away from Abby ever since she was born. It's going to be hard to adjust. Talking to her on the phone and receiving pictures on my phone helps a lot. She just needs to stop growing up till I can see her progress in person. It's too bad my AIT (advanced individual training) isn't a little longer so my family could stay with me.

So his first week was pretty laid back aside from the first day. He got to call home every night which was nice for Abby and I. He said on Tuesday night that he was being shipped to his new platoon where actual boot camp begins. I haven't heard from him since Tuesday so I'm guessing communication will be on Sundays only now. Everything with Abby and I is going pretty smooth, I took a few days off work and packed up our things. I actually found a little family that will be moving to Pocatello in August to rent our townhouse. Thank you craigslist! I am gradually moving things over to my moms house. I am a little hesitant for this move. I love my parents dearly. They are great to help out with Abby while I work, but I still am moving back in with my parents. Kell and Tenielle came down to help me move my electronics over here. THANKS GUYS!! I have no idea how to set up all the cords and what not to my TV and Xbox. I am looking forward to hearing from Cory again. I will keep you updated.