Halfway There!!

Last week was a very busy week, preparing for this week. I have lots of pictures to share of the house decorated for Christmas, but that will have to wait until next week when I have normal internet connection again.   Right now I'm posting from a KOA outside of Fredericksburg, VA.  We are about half way to Parris Island, SC.  We are headed to my oldest son's graduation from the Marine boot camp!  Saturday he officially became a Marine after making it through 54 hours of the Crucible, but he doesn't actually graduate until this coming Friday.

We were getting a bit worried because we hadn't received a letter from him in almost 2 weeks(though his last one did say that he was going to be very busy).  Then  yesterday(Sunday), we were outside working on the Christmas lights' timer and my 12 yr old comes running out of the house with the phone in his hand saying that it was Cameron.  Now, we were anticipating this call because we knew after he became a Marine on Saturday that he would get his first Liberty on Sunday and would have some on base freedoms(he at subway, go to the bowling alley, socialize, and make phone calls home for the first time in 12 weeks).  However, I was totally unprepared for the huge emotions that would overcome me at that moment. My son handed me the phone, but I couldn't speak and the tears started to flow, I had to hand the phone to hubby.  After a few minutes I was able to speak and I was so happy to hear his voice.  He sounded good and told me all about the crucible and how he is looking forward to seeing all of us.  He said he may be able to see us on Wednesday during our tour, but if not, we have him for the day on Thursday for Family day, then after graduation on Friday we get to bring him home.  Because of the holidays, he gets longer than the normal 10 day leave, so he will be with us until Jan. 3rd!!!

I'll try to post from the campground on the base(we get to stay right on Parris Island) and share some pics of graduation.

Thank you all for the sweet responses to my gingerbread party, it really was a nice time and you all should throw one next year for you family and friends :)

Proud mommy,

Tiff