We had originally planned to go to Tim's AIT graduation in November but once he got out there and realized how hard boot camp was and how much they missed each other we decided to go to his Boot Camp graduation on Aug 10th. After researching we learned that they had a family day on Thurs and then since he was staying at Fort Sill to do his AIT he would get to spend the weekend with us too. So it worked out better and we could spend more time with him. I had been texting his mom back and forth to get to know her and she was going to be driving to the graduation so she offered to pick us up at the air port and drive us so we didn't have to rent a car. Everything fell in to place! We had Terry drive us down to the airport on Wed our flight was supposed to be at 3:50 and we were to arrive in Oklahoma City at 8:00. We got to the airport in time to get something to eat and then worked our way to our gate. Once we got there we found out that because of the bad hail storm in Denver the day before 19 or their 50 planes were damaged and the one we were supposed to be on was one of those. At first it was a short delay but after 2 hrs of waiting they came on the loud speaker and said they may have to cancel the flight but because it was the last one to OK that day and because all the Las Vegas hotels were full they were going to try to find another plane. Jaice and I both about lost it because the flight out in the morning would of never got us to his family day on time. Also his mom had been sitting at the airport waiting for us since the original time we were to land. I had booked the hotel rooms under my name and she had no place to to go. So we were a little stressed. This also was Jaicelyn's first time flying (that she remembers) and the waiting was making it worse. About 45 mins after that announcement they came back on the loud speaker and told everyone to take their seats they had an announcement and then they told us they were able to find a plane! There were lots of cheers and Jaice and I hugged and I almost cried tears of joy!! 1/2 hour later we pulled out from the gate at 7:30. We didn't get to OK until 11 and then we made it to Lawton around 1:00 am. We were exhausted but were just so happy we had made it. And Jaice did so well on the flight. We talked the whole time and she didn't even notice the turbulence.
The next morning we got up at 6:00 so we could get ready, find the base, get our gate passes and make it to the family day festivities on time at 9:00. Jaice usually hears from Tim every Sunday but he wasn't able to call for some reason the Sunday before we left so we just hoped he was still graduating and went. They started off the events showing all the different uniforms they wear, and all the different things they had learned, then they did a ceremony for those that had been moved up a rank. And then all the graduates came out singing a song. They released them to their families from that point. We could not see Tim anywhere. We stayed up in the stands for a couple minutes hoping he would find us but when he didn't we started walking around the field trying to find him. I was starting to get a little nervous wondering if maybe he didn't graduate for some reason (even though i knew he did). Then all of a sudden Jaice says, I see him and takes off running. I tried running after to her and luckily had my phone videoing when she tackled him and their cute hug. She was so happy to see get to hug him again after 3 months. We waited for his best friend Caleb to get done changing (he was in one of the presentations) so we could me him and get pictures of the two of them and then we headed to lunch. We let Tim pick and he wanted Chilis. The manager of the restaurant came over and congratulated him and so did lots of people everywhere we went. It was so cool. Tim insisted on paying for our food everywhere we went, and he got lots of discounts for being in uniform so if worked out good for all of us! After we got done eating he just wanted to go back to the hotel and relax before we had to take him back at 7:45 for the night. He wanted Mcdonalds (he makes some creation with a double cheeseburger and chicken sandwich) so we watched while he ate and then we went to eat after we dropped him off. We got to bed around 10 which was nice since we were both exhausted from the day before.
Friday morning was his graduation ceremony at 10:00 so we got up around 7 and headed over to the base to watch him. The graduation was very cool and I loved ever minute of it. It was funny, patriotic, and very special. Getting through boot camp is a hard thing to do both mentally and physically and we were so proud of him and all the other graduates. Because he was staying at Fort Sill, we didn't get to see him after graduation they had to go back to their barracks and get ready to moved across the base to their AIT location. We waited while they did that and then followed the bus to the new location. Then we headed back to the hotel to wait until 2:00 for him to get done "inprocessing" then we went back and picked him up for the rest of the day unitl 7:45 again.
Saturday morning Tim's mom had left around 2:00 am to go pick up his sister from the bus stop so she could spend a couple of days with him. She got back just in time to be able to pick him up that morning at 9:00. We went to breakfast with Caleb's (Tim's best friend) family and then spent the day relaxing and Tim getting to facetime some of his family. They were all excited to meet Jaice too.
Sunday worked out perfectly because he had to be back to the base by 2:00 and we had to be at the airport by 3:30. So we again picked him up one last time, Calebs parents had to leave on Saturday so we had him with us too. We ate breakfast at IHOP (he was so excited for their biscuits and gravy) and then he took us to the army base store to get boots and then we walked around the mall. We headed back to base to drop him off and for Jaice to say her goodbyes. And then we headed to OK to catch our flight back home. I know Jaice had so much fun and it was so good for them to see each other (she was so worried he would change and just be strict and boring from the Army) and to see them have so much fun together. They are definitely each other's best friend and get each other. Just to get to see her take off running when she saw him made the whole trip worth it. Oh, and to see Tim make our beds (they weren't make right) at the hotel.
Now Jaice gets to go another 4 months but at least now he will have his phone and they will be able to talk to each other every night.
It was fun watching the boys fix their hats in whatever reflection they could. Every time we go in a building they have to take them off and then put them back on as soon as there outside.
Our crew, "Jaice, Tim, Kasidee, Caleb, Rebecca and me!!
Tim's cute sister Kasidee watching her pennies. She was hilarious and made us laugh to whole time. She is Jorrin's age and me and jaice know they will get along so well.
I love this picture. The DS opened the door to tell Tim where to put his stuff and you would of thought they were caught doing something wrong by the look on both their faces..haha!!
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