It's time for an Andy update! He will be graduating from this portion of his training on April 24. We learned that there will be a ceremony and there will be special opportunities for parents if we can be there. Andy will be able to show us the helicopters he has been using to train on, which will probably be way over my head, but Bob will love! We plan to fly to Virginia on April 23 (my first time ever on a plane!) and attend the graduation on the 24th. We will be renting a car when we get there and driving back home with Andy. This way he can travel back with us. He gets 3 weeks at home, before he goes to South Korea where he will be stationed for at least a year. I'm so looking forward to seeing him again and having him at home, but I dread the time he has to leave again. I'm learning that army life seems to consist of many hello's and goodbyes. For now, I'm just counting down to the hello!
I can't imagine all the good-byes yet. You're handling it so well. You have every reason to be a proud mama!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the celebration and the time at home together.
Sorry I haven't been around much - the days are busy lately. Spring has sprung, and that seems to be when we start hopping, too! :)
Just had to check in tonight for a second - and glad I did. Thank you so much for continuing to stop by to encourage me!! You're a gem.
Jen
I am over the moon for you that you will see Andy in April, and how awesome, your first time on a plane! You must be so proud. I don't know if I'm looking forward to my children growing up so fast, yet I am at the same time, in that it's good for them.
ReplyDeleteI blog with a lovely kiwi lady who is a teacher in Seoul Korea. If you would like her blog address some time to find out more about Korea, let me know and I will pass it on.
Wow first time on a plane! Coming to see us in Korea was my parents' first time flying internationally. I was SO proud of them when they stepped off that plane. It is so funny to think your son is moving across the world but will only be about 20 min from me! Are you planning to visit him while he's here? I know...it's really far. If you do come, I would love to show you all the great shopping spots. Again, I would also be willing to answer any questions you or your son have about Korea. It's really not a bad place to be for a year (and at least he won't deploy from here).
ReplyDeleteThat is so great Mari! What fun for you and Bob, and Andy! Have fun on that airplane, you'll do fine!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are going to get time with him before he has to go to Korea!
ReplyDeleteThat's so exciting that you're going to be able to go see Andy! How fun that you're going to fly for the first time. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteYeah! How exciting. 3 weeks is a a nice size break for him even if it seems short I think it would be harder to see him for a couple days and then he has to leave.
ReplyDeleteSmiles!
I'm so happy for you guys! That sounds like lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteDMS
Congratulation on Andy's graduation and your first time on a plane.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you to see him. I know it will be difficult to say goddbye this time, but thank him for me for serving this country and protecting my families freedom
Enjoy your three weeks together, as I am sure you will
How exciting!!! Plus your first time on an airplane!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every single second of the 3 weeks you get to spend with Andy!
That's so great that you get to celebrate with him and that you get to see what he's been doing! "helicopters...way over your head" - did you mean that to sound funny? hahaha If you think you might have a fear of flying, I have an awesome course you can take to calm your fears. It's free and taught by a pilot - 5 lessons - and it explains everything for you! It really helped me since I don't like to fly.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait, can't wait, can't wait! That'll be a great 3 weeks.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for this hello- I know 3 kids that are chomping at the bit to see him again!
ReplyDeletesounds like Andy will have a wonderful visit at home with all the commenters wanting to see him.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time. Chew gum on the plane during takeoff.
When I see the hello and goodbyes on the news, it always makes me cry.
I pray that you all will have such a sweet time together. He is such a cutie! I know he misses his family as much as you all miss him.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait! it's going to be so exciting!
ReplyDeleteOh Mari I can't wait for you to go, how exciting :)
ReplyDeleteI know a year in Korea can be tough, Curt has had to go before too. Hope everything goes well for Andy.
How exciting! I know you all are going to have a great time! I can't wait to see him
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for you guys to go and see him graduate!! I pray you will all enjoy a great 3 weeks together!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you have never been on a plane before !! How cool that you will get to !! Do you think you'll make it to S. Korea to visit him ? Now, THAT'S a plane ride !! But ... what a great experience for him ! I hope he enjoys it !! I'm excited and I'm not even going !! ha ha. That's just me. I love experiencing new cultures and I love the prospect of others loving it too !
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip and your time with Andy!!
ReplyDeleteRenee'
http://rmboys2.wordpress.com/
Oh you must be so happy to see him!
ReplyDeleteOh how exciting! I'm so happy for you Mari.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to tell him that a crazy blogger in WA is proud of him & what he is doing for our country.
Alane
I was on a small plane for fun when I was 16, but not a big plane. I loved flying then... you will be fine! How exciting for all of you:)
ReplyDeleteOhhhh I'm so excited that you're going to see Andy soon! The ceremony sounds like it will be amazing and memorable! I know you both must be just beyond proud of him!
ReplyDelete~melody~
What a wonderful way to commemorate your first time on an airplane! I am excited for you! (it must seem like ages away though)
ReplyDeleteYou know I can send Andy packages free from here via military mail! :) My kiddos can adopt him when he comes to Korea.
One of my Blog friends who I knew through Japan (great Christian family) may move there too! I will connect them if they do move there---by the way, she is Mel on my comments area.
Maybe you can do a stop over in Japan on your way through to visit Andy when he gets in Korea! (we went to Osan for a visit and it is much different there than it is in Japan!)
And yes---there are a lot of 'hello's' and 'goodbye's' with the military. :(
First time on a plane. Ask for your wings. I like flying. It really is not that bad and if you sit by the window it is neat to look out. Sometimes the sun can be really bright. Otherwise it is awesome! Enjoy your visit with Andy.
ReplyDeleteWow! How wonderful for you! enjoy your precious time!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Renee
HI Mari ;-) how exciting first to see Andy and then to be going on a plane for your first time. Good luck to Andy on the time in South Korea.have a good week.
ReplyDeleteI got sooo excited i almost screamed then i realized andy isn't here anymore! KOREA??? where have i been? although i must say it's the chance of a lifetime - it's really cool to live other places (says the girl who never has) and what a great reason to visit - plane ride??? easy breezy! you are gonna love an airport - full of people it's awesome!
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