Happy Thanksgiving Andy!

Baby,

Today is Brecken's 1st Thanksgiving!! and of course Dom's 2nd.. (wouldn't want to leave him out!!). It's not gonna be the same without you. Times like these really make me realize HOW MUCH I miss you and wish you were here with us. We will be thinking about you all day and hoping that your Thanksgiving is going well (and that you are writing us a LONG letter!) .. I hope that they have good food today just as you had anticipated they would :) We love you and can not wait to see you.. only 26 days.. WE LOVE YOU !

~With All of Our Love~

Karrie, Dominic, and Brecken

A message from the Chief Honcho ..hehe..

I recieved a letter from Andy today! He wanted to make sure that I blogged a Thank-you from him to everyone who has written him letters. He said that he is sorry he doesn't write, but he isn't given much time, and when he is allowed, he likes to write to check in on us :) He also said KEEP THEM COMING. So thanks everyone, Love Andy!

Christmas and beyond !

Andy and I have been getting a lot of questions as to where we are going on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and when are we gonna go and visit with so and so. So here is the answer. After discussing this with Andy today, we have decided that we will not be going anywhere on Christmas Eve or Christmas. We will also not be driving from place to place to visit with people. We have instead decided to take ONE day and have everyone get together to visit with Andy and the fam. This way we are still able to spend the majority of the time that he is here as a family. I know that Kim has offered her house as a place to do this so hopefully she (you:)) is/are still interested. We will probably not decide on a date until after graduation, so hopefully everyone will be able to come and see Andy. This is just the easiest way for our family to do this. We don't want to offend anyone or anything, but 10 days really isn't that long and Andy really wants to relax and spend (MUCH NEEDED) time with his wife and kids (he actually said that his times on the phone (2) were the longest has sat the entire time at bootcamp!) Anyway, I hope this helps to clarify our plans and doesn't upset anyone.

Talked to Andy again TODAY :)

Andy was allowed to call home today to "finalize" travel arrangements for after graduation. But, because he isn't going anywhere different for A-school, we just got to talk!! He informed me that he is no longer the Starboard Watch person anymore.. So he said is finally able to get some sleep. The reason he isn't the Watch person anymore is because he got a promotion to RCPO which is the following:

Recruit Chief Petty Officer (RCPO)
The RCPO is the Chief Honcho among recruits. The RCPO is the primary recruit assistant to RDCs and is responsible for:
1. Maintaining good order, discipline, and security within the division at all times.
2. Ensuring compliance with standing orders and regulations.
3. Assisting RDCs with implementation of schedules.
4. Reporting any abnormal condition to RDCs, including violations of good order, discipline and security, when RDCs are not present.

Yeah, my hubby is the head recruit!! He will walk in the front of the rest of the recruits in his division for graduation and carry the sword. By the way, Andy told me before he left for boot camp that he would be doing this :) Anyway, it is an awesome accomplishment that he has made. His name will actually be called at graduation as the leader of his division!! YEAH!! Way to go babe !

He said that he is enjoying boot camp and it's really pretty easy and it isn't bothering him a bit. His division is the junior division there now. Meaning there is only 1 division above his there. So basically he is in the better half of boot camp now :) I am so proud of him!!

COUNTDOWN in PROGRESS!!

The boys and I (hehe.. I) decided that it would be cute if we made a construction paper ring countdown until we get to see daddy!! We tried to make it as close to the NAVY colors as possible. Today, we only have 31 days left!!!

Brecken and Dom enjoy pulling off the numbers and playing with the rings :)

They are starting to get how to do it a little better :) I have had to "fix" the entire chain once or twice!!

Graduation

I got the packet in the mail today about Andy's graduation! Obviously, it is the 24th of Dec, unless something comes up to hold Andy back (it better not!). The only thing that it said about other people attending is that there MAY be seating and if there is it will be on a first come first serve basis. They also sent a parking pass (only 1) to get access onto the base. So, as for others attending I am not sure. I don't know the base, but I also don't know if they allow anyone on it without the proper parking pass, especially if they are not on the access list. Maybe Andy will have some more information the next time I talk to him? But, as for now, this is what I know.

pAnTS

Andy's pants were rolled up because after they did a bunch of crazy stuff (sh#* as he called it) they made all of the new recruits roll up their pants to make sure that they didn't have contraband of any kind in thier socks :) Then they immediatey went into the room where they stripped down, put on their tight whites and sweats, and boxed up their civilian clothes !

letters from daddy!

We got a few more letters from Andy today!! I got a couple on Monday as well! He is still doing good and said that the phone call home really helped.

**I guess a few days before he called home his RDC asked if anyone knew.....10 of something... and Andy stood up because he knew them.. Well, he messed up on the 7th one (just forgot to say Petty Officer) after he messed up he found out that if he would have done all 10 correctly HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A 10 MINUTE PHONE CALL home! He said he was pretty ticked off and told the kid that ended up winning it that he would pay him $500.00 to have the call. In other words, he really needed the one that he got :)

Anyway, he said that he should be able to call home on the 24th or so to "finalize" his travel arrangements after graduation etc.. I still haven't gotten his packet for graduation so I don't know if anyone else will be allowed to go. The internet site says absolutely not, but Andy said there may be a chance. So I guess we'll see when I get the info. I'll keep everyone updated! Keep sending him letters please!! He can use all of the encouragement and stories from home !

Christmas!

We just want to let everyone know NOT TO BUY US GIFTS this year!! With Andy entering the NAVY and not getting paid yet, we will only be buying gifts for our kids this year. We don't want anyone to get us ANYTHING so please... don't :) ONLY 35 more days!!

Andy got his phone call TODAY!

I just got off the phone with ANDY!! We got to talk for like 12 minutes!!!!! It was flippin wonderful! He also told me that his division is doing something that only 12 other divisions are doing...... wanna know what that is??.....................????...........??.....................................?

HE'S COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!! That's right.. he'll be coming home with me on Dec 24th after his graduation and doesn't have to be back until Jan 4th!! WOW, I am surprised and SOOOO EXCITED!! He also told me the 4 people that he put on the access list for his graduation. It's Me, David, Kim, and my mom Kathy. He said that is who HE wanted to go. He also said that in the packet they are sending me it says others may attend, but they won't be "guranteed" seating.. so once I get the packet I'll try to see what's up and if it looks promising or not. He is doing fine in bootcamp.. passed his swim test and his phys fitness test (needed to graduate!).. said to tell everyone to SEND all kinds of letters!! He really misses home :( He also said that his next call is scheduled on the 19th of Dec!!

kEeP YOU fingerS crossed !

When Andy arrived in bootcamp on the 29th he was able to call home (obviously everyone knows that;) Anyway, he had said that he would be allowed to call home in about 3 more weeks... which would be sometime around NEXT WEDS!!! He said in his letters that he doesn't believe that the phone call about the DL (that he HAD to make) would count as his call home, but I guess we will have to wait and see! Hopefully, I will be getting a phone call this week!!! Keep your fingers crossed!!

Andy's Address

Ok, Andy said I can give out his address. BUT...... he would like people to keep their writing kind of small (to fit more in smaller area) and PLEASE mail them in small envelopes...no cards please.. He doesn't have that much room for storage! Also use dark ink.. he said his bunk is kind of dark so it's hard to read writing when it is with light colored pens! Here it is:

I think that everyone who wanted this got it.

I removed it so creepy people that surf blogs

don't send Andy nakey pics at bootcamp:)

Call me if you still need it and I

will get it for you !!

**Please be courteous of Andy's requests**

Got 4 letters toDAY!1 Dom and Brecken got 1 too!!

Of course today (the day I did all of the CSI work (kristie)) I get 5 letters in the mail confirming that Andy's graduation date is December 24, 2008!!! YEAHY WOOT WOOT! I am so excited I could scream.. but then the kids would cry and it would be a mess:) Andy said it isn't 100% for sure, but like 92% that he will graduate that day. He did hurt his toe though...... he and his division sandwiched it inbetween 300lb sand bags or something :( BUT.. he hasn't gone to the Dr. because he doesn't want to set back his grad date... he also said it was like 2 times the size and is PURPLE! Eh.. let's pray that gets better! But, he is doing well in bootcamp, he just misses us like crazy! He said he can't even talk about us because he will cry.. Awww.. he is so cute! Once I read them again, I will post more info.. I was a little busy BALLING MY EYES OUT!

I THINK I'M ON TO SOMETHING!!

OK, so I am still checking out that site and I THINK I KNOW WHEN ANDY WILL GRADUATE!! (if he passes everything and isn't injured..knock on wood!) It says on this link that Divisions 036-047 will graduate on Wednesday December 24, 2008!! Andy is Division 038 :) ... I think that is what all of this means... Ummm David.. your the smart military experienced one.. is this what you get from this site?? YEAHY that means that the boYs and I may get to be with Andy on CHRISTMAS!!!!! I am so excited!! I hope this is TRRUE :))))))

http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/family/upcominggrad.html

aNd then there were 4!

I was re-reading the little pamphlet that I recieved from the NAVY. it suggested a website so I checked it out. I had actually been there before, but I just saw that they had info on the recruit's graduation. There IS a limit on the number of people that can attend. They are only allowed to have 4 people attend. It does say that children under 2 do not have to be on the "access list", but I am unsure if they count towards the 4 people or not? I can't quite tell what they are trying to get at! SO I guess we'll have to wait and see what Andy says and who is able to attend. I know this kind of stinks, but I am sure we would over-populate the arena if this wasn't a rule! I'll update more when I know. Here is the link to the site if anyone wants to check it out :)

http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/family/grad.html

I talKed tO andY yesterday!

It wasn't a long conversation or anything, but I did get to hear his voice!! YEAHY! Of course he called as I was standing in the middle of the Reba/Kelly Clarkson concert.. I had to push people aside and RUN out of the Van Andel just so we could hear each other.. Also by -passing numerous security people and COMPLETELY ignoring them! The first 30 seconds of the conversation went as follows:

K: "hello"

A: "babe... babe.. can u hear me?'

K: "hello, hello, babe!!"

A: "babe! babe.. hello?"

K: "babe don't hang up just a min.. hang on"

A: "babe i don't have that long.. hello"

K:"babe!!..babe.. hang on!!"

A: "Hey babe?..babe!!"

K: "Almost there. just a min.. DON'T HANG UP!!!

A: "Babe are you there?"

HEHE.. of course he would call the ONE NIGHT I am out of the house and in the ONE PLACE where I couldn't hear ANYTHING!

It wasn't a phone call to chat, it was simply an instruction for me so that I could go and get my military ID.. But I did sneak in a how are you and he replied.. good.. Then he asked how the boys were and I told him good, really good! Then he had to go. We told each other we loved each other and that was the end of the call. At least I we were able to tell each other we loved one another :) But, man what a bad time to get one of the most IMPORTANT calls EVER!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Well, it's not really a birthday unless there is CAKE! At least that is what the boys and I thought! Here are some pics of the kids enjoying daddy's birthday for him! WE LOVE YOU ANDY!

Anyone interested in what the heck Andy is doing??

Well... STILL no letter.. or phone call... or ANYTHING! But I did research a little about the Great Lakes bootcamp and found a breakdown of what Andy is probably going through. It may have changed some, but I found it helpful (sorta) to read some of the experiences he is going through. Here is the link :)

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/l/aanavybasic1.htm

i gOT IT!

It wasn't only a few minutes after I posted the last post that I recieved a letter from the Department of the NAVY. It said yadda yadda... ADDRESS!! So I sent my first letter to Andy today. I believe that this is the letter that Andy had anticipated them sending me. He told me that they would send a letter to let me know this or that and he would just have to sign his name. BUT I got a cute little note from Andy.. Here is what it said (he's gonna kill me when he see's I'm posting some of this :)

Karrie I miss you so much. Its so hard not being able to see you and talk to you. I've only been here I think 2 days and it feels like forever. I miss the boys so much. I can't wait to see you and hold you guys again
Love Andy
(you r my other half)

This was the best way to start my week. Just this morning I broke down. It's just so hard missing him and having to take care of the boys all by myself. And just the little note on the bottom of the page helps me put things into perspective. I LOVE YOU ANDY!

Ps. As I was getting the kids ready to RUSH to the Post Office to send our letter.. Fed X pulled up. What do you suspect it was ? Yup all of Andy's items he couldn't bring with him :( I didn't see a wedding ring or the family picture that he brought. He must have been able to keep those!! YEAHY! But, I did get his "undies" back Kristie.. it's just too bad isnt it? Also, his pants were rolled up to his knees! Anyone have an idea why this would be?

Address Update

I called Andy's recruiter again this morning.. (just as he told me to when I talked to him last Friday). He said that he is not in the office right now, but he will be back there at about 2:00pm and I could get the address to Andy then! YEAHY! Finally, Andy will be able to get a couple new pics of the boys and a letter telling him how they are doing :) So, anyone who would like to get a letter to me feel free to do so anytime! In the letter I'm sending Andy, I asked if he still only wanted a couple of letters or if I could send more so I will update everyone on that after I get to hear from him!

I attended church this morning at Faith Baptist in Spring Lake. A friend showed me a verse that has meaning to her and it can not fit my families situation any more perfectly.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

How awesome is it that I would stumble upon this verse? What an amazing GOD we have!

I was informed last Tuesday that I could call the recruiters on Friday to get an address for Andy. Unfortunately, when I called yesterday they did not have it yet. But, I did want to make sure that I let everyone know that Andy does not want a lot of letters while in bootcamp. I was hoping that anyone who would like to write Andy could get their letters to me so that I could send them all at once. I think that this would be the best way to do it. I will be sending Andy a letter or 2 a week once I receive the address. So anyone who is interested in writing him can get ahold of me and I will be happy to put their letter with the boys and I's. Andy also made is very clear that he DID NOT want ANY birthday cards while in bootcamp. He doesn't want to give anyone any reason to single him out. So please no birthday cards :) We'll hold onto those until we get to see him in January !! I will keep trying to get ahold of his address from the recruiters so that we can all stay in touch! I will post again soon, take care everyone and please continue to pray for Andy.