New Adventures

December 13th, I sent my baby girl off to the Air Force.   This was the day after her 19th birthday and 12 days before Christmas.  The military was already preparing me to be a military mom.    A night spent at MEPS and off to San Antonio she went.  I received a quick call on the way to base, she was told that would be the last time she would be able to call.  So I took a deep breath and told us both we could do this.    To my surprise my phone rang at 3:30am that next morning with a call from my daughter saying, "Wake up mom and get a pen and paper."  she proceeded with, " while you are doing that I need to read something to you".  To be honest I have no idea what it was that she read.  She could have told me she was being held hostage someplace and I don't think I would have heard it.   I stumbled around my bedroom looking for my glasses then paper and finally found a pen in my office.  Forgetting to turn a light on, Samantha proceeded to give me her mailing address at boot camp.  I asked if I could repeat it back she said only if I did quickly.  Once I did she said she loved me and hung up.  OK that I wasn't prepared for.  I had in my head I wasn't going to hear from  and now I did.  My emotions starting all over again as I was woken from a sound sleep.  Don't get me wrong I loved the fact I could hear her voice.

Because she left so close to Christmas her first call to home came on Christmas Eve.  I had been hoping and praying for a call for the holiday.  It was my Christmas wish and it came true.  I was driving to my moms on Christmas Eve on a County Rd, in the middle of nothing.  An area I lose reception frequently.  Sky was with me in the front passenger seat dozing.  She was so peaceful.  I was talking to God thanking him for all the wonderful blessing he bestowed on me and my family.  At the end, I asked him to keep Samantha safe on her adventure.   A few minutes later my phone rang.  I looked down to see the caller ID was Samantha! I answer, "hi baby girl!".  To which came back a very horse, raspy squeaky voice saying, "I love you momma, I miss you!"  She was crying, I was crying.  All of a sudden Sky was up and in my face.    It broke me from my trance.  I told Sammy we both needed to stop crying because I couldn't understand what she was saying and I was on the road that I lose reception so I would call her back if I did right away. We both composed ourselves quickly and the dog didn't.  I had my ear piece in and Sky could hear Samantha's scratchy, raspy voice.  I was getting licked and pushed and loved up by Sky while trying to drive and hear Samantha.  It couldn't have been directed any better if it were in a movie.  17 minutes and 35 seconds later she said she had to go quickly.  She said she loved me and missed us all and hung up.  What a Christmas Present!!!

This week Samantha is in week 2 of her 8.5 weeks.  The week she arrived at San Antonio was the .5 week, only 6 more to go! 

I received my first letter this week.  It was dated before the phone call.  It filled in some blanks that I couldn't hear her on the phone call.  It explained that she is an Element Leader for her flight.  This means she is in charge of all 52 girls in the flight.  The girls can not talk directly to the TI (drill Sargent) they need to go through her.  Also, this means if the 52 girls mess up, Samantha does flutter kicks and push ups.  She said she is going to come home with cannons for arms doing about 400 push ups a day.

I am so proud of her!  Here is a photo taken at Thanksgiving, just a few weeks before she left.  Samantha ( has the long hair), Anna and our dog Sky.

As I learn more and here more I will share.