I said I'd write and so I shall...

I've gotten 2 letters from Dave already this week.

1st letter is about his week at reception. It went well, he spent a lot of time waiting in line. Waiting in line for food, waiting in line for shots, waiting in line to shower...well you get the point. He got a bit of a cold then to, not bad he said it was mostly his throat and probably because of yelling his responses to the drill sergeant. He is feeling better. He says he learned quickly how to form up and shut up. He has made some great friends and is having a great time.

2nd letter is from Sunday 14th-Sunday 21st. Finishing reception and starting basic. He attended Sacrament meeting and Sunday School (they don't hold a 3rd hour meeting) and really enjoyed them. More shots on Monday. Tuesday they were greeted by screaming drill sergeants and Basic training began. He can't remember what he did everyday after that, they are blurring together. Dave is learning quickly what to do and what not to do, but the same is not true for all in his platoon. "There is a tremendous lack of discipline!" He has already been pulled aside, with others continuing on to OSC, to be told that more will be expected of them, and to lead by example. Monday 22nd they went to the gas chamber and Tuesday 23rd they did repelling. I'm sure there will be more both in his next letter.

He is doing well and staying strong!

My turn

Since leaving WI, I travled to my Aunts and saw my cousins that I hadn't seen in aprox. 5 years. It was great to talk and catch up in person, instead of just on facebook. I was surprised at how similar we still are and how easy it was to feel like we hadn't been apart. That's just how family is I guess. I only stayed 1 night and continued on to KY to be with Chris, Tammy, and kids Ona, Gabe, Triston, and Alexis. I went with Tammy to pick the kids up from school and they were so surprised to see me there, jaws dropped and eyes lit up. Since then I've done lots of playing and helping with homework. I love it! When I'm not playing or helping the kids, I'm writing Dave, reading a book, or playing on facebook. Nothing exciting, but I'm having fun. I'm keeping busy. I miss Dave terribly, but I'm doing good and having fun. Nieces and nephews are great for that sort of thing. I miss Eau Claire and everyone there, but being with my family has been the best thing with Dave gone.

In KY and Dave's address

I made it to my brothers last Monday, it's been a fun week playing with the kids. They keep me busy. I'll leave next Wed with my parents (they fly in on Fri) and we will drive to my sis in northern FL.

I got a phone call from Dave last week. He gave me his address told me he was doing well and loved me and had to go. 5 min is so short.

Spc Nigh, David
345 B Co. 2nd Bat
47 Inf 192 Bde
Ft. Benning, Ga 31905

PLEASE don't forget, Dave can NOT receive packages. Feel free to send lots of letters and pictures.

I'm sorry this is so short, I will write in more detail the going ons tomorrow.....promise....

2 days down....

....what feels like billions to go.

Well, Dave is off. He left Monday/ Tuesday. Monday he went to the MEPS station and he didn't leave for GA until Tuesday. Dad Nigh and I drove over to Milwaukee Tuesday morning and spent the morning with Dave. Our last few hours together were spent sitting in really uncomfy chairs and watching a TV that we couldn't really hear. Not the best last few hours, but they felt great anyway. He left for the airport around 1 and we drove back to Sun Prairie.

I've discovered that it is easy not to think about Dave being gone if I absorb myself in other things, and pretend he is just at work and will be home in a few hours. I've been reading a book, watching TV, talking on the phone, cooking, and getting ready for the long road trip. So far, so good!

Dave was able to call today! We got to talk for about 5 min (never thought I'd be so happy to have just 5 min to talk to him). He sounded great. I can't believe how much I've missed his voice already. He is doing really well, though this week will be pretty easy as it isn't basic yet, just prep for it. He said things were good and that he was doing good. He said he hadn't been able to shower for over 24 hrs and didn't enjoy that at all. That didn't surprise me at all as Dave would often take 2 showers a day if he got too sweaty. The man loves his showers. He sounded very excited about everything and quickly told me about getting his PTs and boots, along with the few other things he has been doing. Still no address, he should get it next week. Sadly, he won't be able to call for the next couple of weeks, so he will have to write to give out his address. I will make sure to pass it around and post it as soon as I get it. once again just a reminder NO Packages.

I leave Sunday to begin my trip. I will drive to IN and stay with my aunt for a day or two. Then off to KY to visit my bro, so the next blog will probably be from there. There I will start some of my craft projects, which I can blog about, and bore all who read with my adoring stories about my nieces and nephews. I'm sad to leave WI, but excited to be so close to my family again.

We're in the Army now!

After 14 months we are ready to write a little in our blog. Dave leaves for basic in just a few days and I promised to start updating so everyone would know how he is doing. I guess I should start with a fast recap of the last year and how we got here.....

In June, Dave started thinking about joining the reserves. By July, we had decided that full time Army would be better for us. It took a couple months to get everything ready. He had to get all kinds of paperwork and take the ASFAB as well as a physical. Dave scored a 98/100 on his ASFAB. I knew he would do great. Because of his score he was able to choose any MOS he wanted. He has chosen Intelligence as his first pick, Aviation as his second, and I'm not sure he has a third just yet (but he won't need it because he is smart and determined and will get one of the first 2). In September, he was sworn in and given his info for basic and OCS, March 9th, Ft. Benning, GA. And so we waited for 6 months. In which time I finished with my daycare business and slowly packed up our belongings and Dave continued working at TV 13.

On Monday, Dave will leave to go to MEPS and ships out to GA on Tuesday. I don' have an address yet but when I do I will let everyone know. Also Dave is NOT allowed ANY packages. ONLY letters! PLEASE DO NOT SEND CARE PACKAGES.

In the mean time I will be traveling to my parents in FL by way of IN, KY, and northern FL, visiting my family in those sates.

I hope to give regular updates on Dave and myself so check back often!