As promised here is one of the photos that I took at Brandon's swearing in ceremony. It was pretty emotional. I was proud, excited, sad, and happy all at the same time! I am very excited to start this new chapter of our lives and see where the military will take us, yet sad that it means us being apart too. As I mentioned before Brandon left on July 20th, I stayed with him in the MEPS office until they called him to board the bus. I wish I could say that I was strong and did not cry at all but that was not the case. Off and on all morning I would get pretty teary, pull myself together, then get teary again! Now in my defense I had to experience this emotional day on very little sleep (and for those who know me that is not a good thing for me). I had to drop Brandon off at the MEPS building by 5:00a.m. Then go back to the hotel and wait for the call to hurry up and get there for the swearing in. So of course what do I do while waiting...order room service of course! he he he Brandon wouldn't be the one to get the bill so why not :) However by the time room service arrived I was almost crying again, so I couldn't est! Oops At about 11:30 Brandon's group was called to load the bus, and all those tears I had been trying to hold back came out with full force. As I said my teary goodbye and gave him a hug and a kiss, a well meaning 17 year old leaned over to us and said to me "Hey he is going be OK you know." OK so I know he was just trying to be nice, and I did the polite thing and smiled at him. BUT what I really wanted to do was tell him to shut his mouth!

After Brandon left I headed back to Topeka, on the way I was surprised to get a call from him, he was at the air port waiting to board and wanted to talk to me one last time. Then a few hours later he called AGAIN! They had arrived at the San Antonio air port and after sitting at the bus stop with a TI for an hour or two being yelled at about everything under the sun (all the recruit not just Brandon) they were allowed a 15 minute phone call on the way to the base. It was great to get that unexpected call. After that I was told that he was only guaranteed one more call to give me the address, and say he had arrived safely. It could come anytime in the next week I was told. The call came that night....at midnight. I was already asleep and in my fumbling to get the phone I dropped it and missed my one call. I was so upset! Unfortunately now I must wait till he gets a letter to me to get his address! Lets pray that is soon, I would love to have any form of communication at this point! Oh and while you are praying for us maybe add an extra prayer that his TI will be nice and allow a few phone calls too!!!