Brandon's gone to training...

Things here are good. The house is quiet without Brandon. I miss him a lot actually this trip. We don't get to talk much at all. He does have his cell phone, so he can check his email from there. He doesn't have time to write back, but it is nice that he can read what I send him. We get to talk for just a few minutes every day. It is comforting to hear his voice. I know he will be going out in the field for a couple of days, and I won't be able to talk to him at all then. I am not so much looking forward to that, but I need to have this experience.

Brandon says his training is a lot like basic. He is in class all day. He gets up at a little after 4 am and doesn't go to bed till about 10 pm. They all take turns pulling guard too. He had to memorize the NCO Creed:

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army."
I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind--accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers,... leaders!


They got in trouble today because they didn't all have it memorized and couldn't say it together. That just means we won't even have our 10 minutes to talk tonight. Blah.. He did send me flowers on Wednesday! They were a bunch of daisys and sooo beautiful.

I am not doing much this weekend. Last night I baby sat my neighbor's kids. She has a 3 year old, a 1 1/2 year old, and one on the way. They are all boys! Anyway, their one year anniversary was yesterday, so they went out. I kept them till almost 2 am. I am working on a piece of cross stitch. It is going to be really cool when I get it finished, and then I will put a picture up here...

Well, Brandon comes home in 2 weeks. He will be here on May 4th. Next weekend there is a Christian concert festival in Ft Lauderdale that I really want to go to. The weekend after that there is the McDonald's National Salute to America's Heros in Ft Lauderdale. It is an air and sea show. I am facinated with air planes so I really hope we get to go!

Well, I hope everyone is doing great! Love you all :)