I am done with school

Last night I turned in my last assignment for my Bachelors in Psychology. It is really weird thinking that I am done and I won't have anymore homework to do. After I turned in my assignment I admit I cried because I miss Skyeler and I just wanted him near me when I finished and for him to be excited with me and to go do something fun and celebrate all the hard work. I am not going to attend any ceremony like I am sure that I have stated that before. I am probably going to attempt to look for some kind of job in Maryland in hopes that I can go out there soon. Well now it is time to come up with something to do in order to have some kind of celebration.

On to AIT- Advanced Individual Training

Friday both Skyeler and I had to say farewell to South Carolina. Skyeler flew out of the same airport I did. But we were 10 hours apart. I was home in Utah and showered before he left South Carolina. It was weird to be home and I think from all my excitement the past week and a half and from seeing Skyeler that I crashed emotionally. I was quite down but I put on a good face and I hope nobody really saw that I was sad. (It was probably obvious) Skyeler arrived at Fort Meade that evening and for the first day I was able to text and call him. (Only for a little bit though). The next day they took his phone and electronics until he phases up. Lucky for him he has a PT test this week and if he passes it and a test he can phase to level 5. Skyeler has also started the application process for me to move out there. I hope I get approved. I don't think I can handle 7 more months without him. (Yes I do realized if he is deployed I will not be able to see him for more than 7 months) But I am not there yet. Skyeler's Sergeant keeps telling Skyeler that it is pointless to apply because I won't like it there, I won't have my family support, and will never see him. I think they are just lazy and don't want to go through the work. They have no idea what I want. But so far things have been better. I have received a few phone calls from him and he has been able to email me. Skyeler is still waiting for his own log in info so he doesn't have to keep asking someone else. I hope he gets that soon. Classes for him Doesn't start until the 2nd of May. So in a week.... I think that is ok because Skyeler needs to be able to adjust and get use to not having someone yell at him all the time. :) All in all things are going okay. I miss Skyeler still but the phone calls help with my stress. Even if they are 5 min. Knowing that I don't have to wait 2 weeks for a reply is wondeful. Again I am grateful for our Army experience so far. It has been tough and challenging for both of us but we know we are doing the right thing.

Skyeler's BCT - Graduation

So much to blog about. Thursday was Graduation. I am again so happy that they kept the ceremony small and simple. They had a band and a few small talks. The soldiers marched onto the field and just prior to us going and finding them AGAIN they marched all the way to the right of the field. I kept thinking how the crap are we to find them in that mess. But as Brooke and I walked over as soon as Skyeler saw me he was able to run up to me so it wasn't like the day before when they had to stay in formation. That is a plus.

Thursday we didn't have to stay on post and so I was able to take Skyeler around and explore Columbia. We went the the Columbia South Carolina temple. That was such a wonderful and uplifting experience. I love going and I think it was a blessing that we went.

We had so many people come up to us and say how wonderful it was to see a young couple attend and long story short after all was said and done Sky was waiting for me and started talking to this lady and mentioned something about taking me to lunch and she recommended a place called "Lizards Thicket". It is country cooking! After talking to her for a min we left and was taking pictures of the Temple since we will probably never be back to that one and I was starting to feel really down because we wouldn't be able to get a picture of both of us in front of the Temple. To my amazement the lady Skyeler was talking to walked out with her husband and I walked up to them and asked if they could take our picture. He said that they would love to and so we got what I wanted a pic of both of us. When the guy was giving our camera back he asked if they could buy us lunch. :O Skyeler and I were not expecting that. So we agreed and we followed them to Lizards Thicket. It was really good. I loved getting to know that couple even though we may never see or hear from them again. I feel so blessed to have had that experience of attending the temple. It is probably one of the best things we could have done with our time. I just wanted to share a few scenery pics. It really was beautiful and so green. The only thing I missed from Utah was the mountains. But you eventually get use to the area and how to navigate.

I am very grateful for my experience out in South Carolina. I feel like I have grown as a person and I loved being able to see where Skyeler had been. I love being with him. He really is my best friend. I hope that I can continue to be as positive as I have been the past few months. I am excited and looking forward to our new adventure. I just hope it goes the way I want it to. But even if it doesn't I will know that it will be something I have to experience in order to be a better person. One last Pic....

Skyeler's BCT - Family Day / Birthday

I have to say that not having a count down till I see Skyeler is kinda sad. I miss seeing the days get fewer and fewer. Now I have no idea when I will see him again or what the next month will have in store for me. Skyeler's graduation was amazing. I loved going out there to see him and experiencing all that I did. So here is a day by day sum up of what I did. April 17th- Sara and I went on base to explore a little bit more and eventually met up with Brooke who got into town earlier than I was expecting. So we met up with her and we finally met face to face. Around 7pm we met up for Ice Cream and all 4 of us (Amy, Brooke, Sara, and I) were able to meet everyone! We made a really good support group. Both Brooke and Amy at this time had received phone calls from their husbands and Sara and I were desperately waiting for ours. After ice cream all 4 of us jumped into Sara's rental car (a Cube) and we decided to show Amy around the post since she had just flown in earlier that evening. We had passed by their barracks and was about to go show her where we wanted to have a picknick the next day with everyone when Skyeler called me. I was SOO excited. I had been wanting to have a Birthday phone call and I got one. So while we were talking we all get the idea that we want to go back to their barrack area. While I was talking to Sky, Amy was texting her husband and told him that we were on our way over. So her husband goes to Sky's bay area and yells out "Lucero, come here." and told him that Amy and I were together and on our way over. So then Skyeler asks me if I really was and told him yes. He got so excited. Once we got there Sky was going to tell us to stop when he saw our cube. Well the first time he told us to stop there were a couple of Drill Sergeants around so we couldn't really stop so we drove down the street and turned around and when Sky said to stop again we pulled over to the right. When we looked left and up on the Stair landing thing we saw the silhouettes of 3 guys. We really couldn't tell who was who but it was them. They would flick on and off the light and then Sara would flick on and off the car lights. It was probably as close to talking to them in person as we were going to get. It was awesome though. I felt so special.

This is a photo from behind the Barracks. On Wednesday Sara and I got up bright and early and headed over to the field where we would have both the Family Day ceremony and the graduation ceremony. We got seats basically front and center. Here are a few pics from the Family Day ceremony.

Our guys were standing under this sign during the ceremony.

Then the smoke bombs went off and the Soldiers started to run out. (Very Cool)

They all lined up according to company. Good thing Sky told me where he was standing so I could find him easier.

Sky was obviously on the end so it made it ALOT more easier. After they had formed up I couldn't stop watching Skyeler. I loved how when we made eye contact that he chocked up and had a few tears fall. (Skyeler this is my story and this is how I remember it and yes you did choke up). It was quite the emotional few seconds. Shortly after and I am so glad it was shortly after they announced that we could go find our soldiers. There were a few individuals that literally jumped from their seats and were to their soldier before Brook and I could even get to the stairs and I remind you we were in the front! So we made our way down and I went over to the side where I knew Skyeler was at. I saw him and I slowly walked towards him. I was teasing him a little with my slow walking but I had eye contact the whole time. (The soldiers were not suppose to move until we got to them so Sky was basically stuck there) :) So I almost get to him and I stopped and gave him a cute smile and he gestures with his head for me to get my butt over there so I ran and gave him the BIGGEST hug ever! It was seriously the BEST day of my life. 71 days apart and we finally got to see each other and get that hug that we needed. We just started to cry. I mainly cried because he was. I missed him SOOO much.

Not bad pics for having to take them myself. I loved finding Skyeler. Later that day we went and had that picknick with Amy, Brooke, Sara, and their husbands. It was so much fun. we went to twin lakes and the area was beautiful!

I loved sitting by that lake. There was so much to take it. I loved especially the Lilly pads and the Turtle that would swim around and poke its head out of the water and go back under. The Turtle did that for a good 15 min. Then there were fish constantly jumping! Sigh........I want to go back. (As long as Sky is there).

Skyeler's Graduation Week.

The week that I have been waiting for since this all started is finally here. Graduation is on Thursday and I get to see Skyeler in just under 24 hrs. I am so excited. My adventure started Sunday night when Dad and Kandie took me out to the airport. I was so emotional that all I could do was cry because I was so excited and missing Skyeler. My first flight was from SLC to Atlanta and it left at 1am. I got to Atlanta and had a 3 hrs layover and near the end of my wait I had a guy come and sit next to me. We started talking and he is from the Baltimore area and lives close to Fort Meade. I thought it was really cool. On my second flight which was only 30 min long I sat next to this lady from Honolulu Hawaii who goes out to S.C. for work trainings. She was fun to talk to. It has been a great experience so far. Once I got into South Carolina I got my rental car and headed to my Hotel. I couldn't check in till 2 so I had some time to waste but luckily Sara an Army wife is staying at the same hotel and she was already there so I just went up to her room and finally officially met. We have had a great time. It is awesome getting to know people from different place knowing that they are going through the same thing you are and then finally meet them and socialize rather than just text or talk to each other on Facebook. Today or Yesterday we went on post and found the area that our husbands have been staying. The 2-60th Inf B. Co. I took a picture of the sign and I really have to say it was so nice knowing exactly where my letters were being sent and seeing everything in person. I wish I could have seen Sky. We did see some Soldier and we were in the right area... I'll have to ask him if he saw 2 girls riding around in a red Cube. But anyway it is 1 am and technically it is my birthday and I should go to bed so I can wake up and be refreshed for a fun day. YAY Brooke sent my first B-day wish. It is going to be a great day. This will be a wonderful week. I can't wait to see Sky. I will update about my week soon. I should have a lot to talk about.

Army Crafts

The past couple of weeks I have been working with Becky on some awesome sewing crafts. I would come up the the ideas and what fabric I wanted then Becky would make all the measurements and come up with the sewing plan then I would sew it! It really did work out great. Especially since I am not much of a sewer so it helped having someone there who knew what it was going to look like tell me what to do next. Oh and Becky I kinda saved the pictures from your blog so I hope you don't mind! b

First we made a blanket. I have to say this is going to be awesome to use. Especially since it is made of the ACU fabric. (same as Sky's uniform) I bought some fleece for the other side and the piece I bough basically fit perfectly with the other material size wise. I only had to make 1 cut with the ACU fabric.

Next was my bag and it has 2 pockets!

And finally my travel temple bag! I came up with the design myself! I felt really special that it worked out perfectly. The South Carolina Temple is only 5 miles from post so after Skyeler's graduation we are going to hopefully make it to a session! I'm so excited. I hope you like my awesome crafts.

End of Training!

As of April 5th Skyeler is done with the "Training" part of basic. All he has left is Victory Forge and that is when they go out and incorporate all of his training in a week long exercise. As soon as he gets back from that he is DONE! Skyeler was excited that he was able to ride in the Humvee and had a pretend ambush (like on Iron Man). He is so funny in these letters. I love seeing how positive he is all the time. Skyeler also mentioned that they received their dress blues today from the tailor/ dry cleaner. I find it weird that I have now sent off my last letter. Shortly after he receives it I will be flying out to S.C. and I'm going to be able to see him. I have been so excited for this for so long that I am finding it weird that it is time. (almost) I am only 8 days and some hours away. I also find it funny that I am Not counting down till my birthday. Who cares about birthdays when you get you see your Husband after 10-11 weeks.

General Conference

I love General Conference! This time during the Saturday afternoon session I was able to meet a fellow army wife who's husband is in the same company as Skyeler at basic training. She came up from Arizona to attend and visit some friends who lived in Utah county. When I was talking to he they said that they had an extra ticket and I could come if I wanted to!! So I did and it was a lot of fun and comforting in a way knowing I was with her and her husband was with Skyeler.

I love being able to feel good about myself and my situation and feeling that someone out there has similar experiences that I do. I am already excited for next October!

Easter 2012

This year it was kinda difficult not having Skyeler there..... but I got a 5 min phone call. That is more than what I was expecting. I did manage to have fun dying eggs and watching my nieces and nephew go on an egg hunt.

Here are some of the eggs we made. Mollie made the awesome minion from Despicable me. Of course I made the military looking ones.

All in all it was a great day. I hope next year I can spend it with Skyeler though.

Best Husband Ever!

The letters that I received today really gave me a boost. But they also made me miss Skyeler terribly. He didn't go into detail about anything specific that he has been doing but instead gave me encouragement. It was very much needed. Skyeler also wrote me a very beautiful poem about how he felt when he first saw my picture, when we first met, and how we have been through many trials but that we have never given up and throughout it all we are stronger and closer together. It really made my day. I can't believe that we only have 1 more week of training. I am going to be able to see him soon. I can't believe that I will be packing soon. I've got so much to do and so little time.

Acting it up.

This past week was CLS hands on test. (this was their first aid) during this Skyeler got to play a casualty in the training in that he pretended to be a soldier with a bullet wound in the chest. So he got to wear some raggedy ACU's with fake injuries and blood and pretend that he was in extreme agony. As the other members are going through the simulation they were ambushed and had to keep in mind their wounded. Sky had to make it as real as possible. Of course we all know how much he enjoyed that. Basically he let all real and raw emotion drive his performance! I am just going to type up part of his letter..."I have never acted so well in my life. I let absolute real and raw emotion drive my performance. Not only my physical performance of reacting to the type of injury and pain I would have had, but the emotional agony of maybe not making it home alive..... I kept saying "I want my wife!", "I wanna see my wife!", 'I need my wife," "I need Rachael!" "She needs me!", you know stuff like that. I was crying while saying it. I had tears running down my face as I screamed in agony. I also called out for my injured battle buddy and asked if he was alright. I pretended to get hypothermia. I reacted to being moved around and treated......My performance was so real that it almost scared me. So many people complimented me about it. Many said I was a good actor, I felt warm fuzzies. It was cool." Skyeler also had a different day. There was some federal agents and officers practicing on the polygraph machines and Skyeler's platoon was the guinea pigs. He never got to participate but he did get to watch Major Payne, gladiator, and most of Batman Returns on a 80 inch screen. So he kind of got a day off-ish. On Sunday he was able to go to a victory concert where they had patriotic and motivational songs that they played for his company. There was a huge pizza party and Skyeler enjoyed his time. He went on to mention that they have been learning about more weapon systems lately. They include: M249, M203 a 40mm grenade launcher that is attached to the M16, the M240B and the AT4. You will have to ask him what all of those are. He only mentioned a few. So all in all he is getting really excited to be nearing the end. I am overly excited for him to be done. I feel like life has been on pause. But after my trip to S.C. I know everything will be in fast forward. Especially with the last few weeks of school and packing. Life is about to start again. (in some ways) So now I feel like I am up to date on his letters. We can't send anything after the 9th since they will be doing the Victory Forge and won't be in their Bay area. So no letters for them and no letters for us. But we all know I will still check the mailbox.

Having Some Fun!

In Skyeler's letter this week he told me about how he was able to be the wounded soldier when he was taking the Combat Life Saving course. Knowing Skyeler I knew he was going to act it up and totally play the part. Well he did. He got many compliments on his acting skills and he said that it was his best performance. Skyeler has been doing really well the past week. They phased to Blue and was able to attend a concert there on Base. It was full of music, food, and soda!! I'm so glad that they gave them the opportunity and that people are willing to take the time and put on a patriotic, motivational, and fun concert for them. From the videos that I saw online it looks like they had a lot of fun. I am also hoping that he was able to watch some of conference but we will have to see what he says when he actually write home to tell me about the concert and his day. I will have to update more on it later. But just know he is doing well and the time is counting down quickly till I am able to go see him. YAY! I'm so excited. It is April and it is official, I get to see him THIS month.