Graduation and the oddesy to Fort Gordon.

Graduation day went smoothly. It was dark and the clouds were pregnant with rain but amazingly, the first drop did not fall until the last word of the ceremony. They marched, had a guest speaker and sang the Army song. Eddie's parents were there and I was very glad for it.

After the ceremony we all went to Denny's. It was Eddie, Georgiann (his mom), Kenny (his step-dad), Jodie (his sister), Melissa (my sister), Avery, Ryan and myself. We all had a blast and ordered dessert. Everyone gave their desserts to Eddie when they had eaten as much as they could manage. Eddie ate up most of the leftovers.

We toured the base with his parents and stopped a few places. One of the places we visited was the Infantry Museum there. As we were taking pictures, I looked over at Avery and he had his pants around his ankles. He was peeing on a tree outside the museum. I nearly fell over. I could not stop laughing. Jodie told him, when he said he had to go to the bathroom, to pee on the tree. I don't think she knew that he would take her seriously. I think Eddie's parents might have even gotten a few pictures of it.

After the museum, Eddie's parents left and my sister went to the hotel room. Eddie told me while we were out that Drill Sgt. Golden said we could follow the buss to Fort Gordon because after they processed, the soldiers would get weekend leave. I was beyond excited at the prospect and arranged for my sister to catch a ride home with Eddie's parents.

That night we had the most AMAZING mexican food. I can't remember the last time I've had mexican food that delicious. The salsa they put out with chips when you sit down was so good. We both had vegetarian platters which included an enchalada and gordita. I even had flan for dessert. Eddie is still talking about that restaurant.

After I dropped Eddie off I had a very stressful night. It was pouring and I got lost like 10 times. My sister wouldn't come out the hotel room so I had to drag two sleeping kids from the car to the hotel and eventually back out to the car and back in to the hotel. I was worried about checking out on time the next day and making it over to Eddie's barracks to see him off. I barely slept.

The next morning it was still pouring. I managed to find the place to check out (after getting lost) and also found my way to the barracks (after getting lost). If I never have to drive at Fort Benning again, it will be too soon.

I waited for a few hours mainly because I didn't know what to expect. Civilians were milling around but it was teeming rain so I didn't want to get out unless something was actually happening. Thankfully, when something started to happen the rain mercifully let up. I met a very cool woman who was married to a guy in Eddie's platoon. Nicole Hedley (I think). She was very outgoing and I liked that. She said she was going to follow the bus to Fort Gordon and that I should follow too. I figured, "what the hell" and planned on that. After a while, the men filed onto the bus and I jumped in the car and away we went.

The bus got lost twice. I started with a quarter tank of gas because I hadn't originally planned on following the bus. When we came to a red light, I put 10 dollars of gas in my tank as quickly as I could and did 85 in a 45 to try to catch up with the busses. I thought for sure I had lost them. After what seemed like an eternity, I spotted the busses and finally caught up. Not more then a few minutes later we turned off the road we had been on, so I caught them just in time.

They stopped for lunch and me and the boys got to have lunch with Eddie. Avery peed twice which set him for the rest of the trip (thankfully...you never can tell with a freshly potty trained boy). The rest of the trip was ultra-smooth. I followed Nicole who followed the second bus. There were three other families following the first bus. We made it to Fort Gordon without a hitch.

The company commander briefed us and let us know what to expect. From what I understand, Eddie is now in phase 4 of his training. When he goes to phase 5 training he will have his weekends to himself. When he hits phase 5+ it will be like a job, and he will have his nights and weekends to himself. The Co Commander was very nice, very patient and answered any questions that people may have had.

After the briefing the kids and I hung out for a while. Eddie called and told me that he thought he wouldn't be done until 9pm. I had a feeling he would be done sooner so I stayed on base and took the kids for dinner at the PX. Sure enough, he called just as I got the kids in the car and prepared to head over toward his "dorms". He was finished and DONE FOR THE WEEKEND!!! I had my baby all to myself. I would even get to sleep in the same bed!! That is only one of the many things I took for granted during our separation.

We rented a room, ate at the Waffle house and turned in to sleep. We both got cell phones (see earlier entry) and basically enjoyed the hell out of our time together. I think it was during this time that we discussed it and in light of the situation, decided that the kids and I will move. I am excited and can't wait. I'm also very nervous because I have heard more then once that they officially don't recommend it. If I get to spend weekends with him and eventually have him at home more often I think its worth it. Avery misses him painfully when he's not around and so do I for that matter.

When we left at 3pm on Sunday Avery said "How many days until I get to see my daddy again". I was impressed at his calm. I was sure he'd be crying.

I ended up driving straight through to NJ. I got home in one piece at 5am. My head hurt from me trying very hard to keep my eyes open. I got to hear 4 hours of Loveline (I LOVE Dr. Drew). It was entertaining and kept me awake through the end of NC, all of VA, DC and most of MD.

It was a wonderful trip and I get to make the drive again on 5/11. I'm going to Fort Gordon to arrange housing for us. I'll keep an update when I have the chance. I'm plum exhausted and hoping to hear from Eddie tonight. He has class from 4ish until 12ish so he tries to call after. This is SO much easier then basic training. This feels like a piece of cake after it.