Off to SC!

The count-down is complete! I'm FINALLY flying today to visit Cam at Ft. Jackson, SC. Thursday is Family Day when the soldier and family can explore the base and hear all about how Basic Training went. The actual Basic Training graduation is Friday morning and then Cam's being shipped straight to Ft. Benning, GA for OCS on Saturday morning! I'll be sure to pass on all your well-wishes to him when I see him!

Crapple Cup '08 Champs

In a historically bad year for both teams, the WSU Cougars and UW Huskies brought the heart, fight and drama to the 2008 Apple Cup game that recent games were known for. Had it not been for 2 missed field goals AND two big runs taken away due to penalties by the Huskies, I'm afraid that the "right" team would not have had a chance! But the Mighty Cougs managed to pull out a double-overtime win over their cross-state rivals! GO COUGS!

Congrats to the Champs - WSU Cougars
4th Apple Cup win in 5 years!

It's GOOD!
Nico Grasu becomes a Cougar Legend!

Priceless!

No new news ... is good news?

Nothing too exciting has been happening in the Little World of the Smiths lately. Cam is still plugging away at Basic Training. I have been receiving letters pretty regularly, however almost everything in the letters is information we have shared in phone calls (and thus shared in my posts below). This weekend, Cam is participating in exercises (one last "camping trip") over several days and didn't expect to be able to call this afternoon. His upcoming two weeks will be the last few at Ft. Jackson and the soldiers will be cleaning up the barracks, turning in their gear and rifles and maybe get to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving meal this Thursday.

I'm still hanging in there here in Port Orchard. Work has been unusually busy lately which is good AND bad. Bad because people are screwing up royally and causing more work for everyone. But also good because a Busy Day means a Quick Day and allows me to rip one more day off my count-down list! 10 days until I leave for South Carolina and Cam's Basic Training Graduation!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! I am most thankful for my family and friends and all the love and support you have shown these last few months! I pray that God will continue to bless you with many wonderful things this holiday season!

Quick Update from Cam

Cam called me twice yesterday (the first time we were interrupted by a fire alarm!). He seemed to be in really good spirits, especially because he did really well in his final PT test at Basic. He scored a 258 (out of possible 300) with 63 push-ups, 76 sit-ups and a 15:12 2-mile run. Good job, Cam!!!

They are also starting to wind things down at Ft. Jackson. The soldiers still have to complete two live fire events, one with their battle buddies and one as a team exercise in the next two weeks. The last week will be spent cleaning up, turning in their gear and packing. Basic Training Graduation is just around the corner and I can't wait to visit!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, I turned the big 2-9 today and I have nearly reached the end of childhood. This is the last birthday where I can honestly claim that I'm still not a grown-up! (You have to act like an adult when you hit your 3rd decade, right?!?) Even though I'm married, have a career, and have been living on my own for 10+ years, it means nothing! I still have one more year of my 20s left and I'm going to use that time to be as immature as possible! Ha-ha!

To kick off this glorious year, I, unfortunately had to work. Not exactly the way I wanted to spend my "special" day, but since we often act like we are kindergartners (throwing fits, taking naps, and eating paste), I decided to pull out the old grade school trick and brought in my own birthday cupcakes! Also, when I got in this morning, I did have some very yummy carrot cupcakes (my favorite!) WITH candles waiting on my desk for me. So, it was a cupcake bonanza!

After work, I had a very lovely dinner (and show, of course!) with my friend, Ruth, Tommy and Audrey, her two kids. I tried shopping for my own birthday present after dinner (Don't worry! Cam gave me permission to do so!) but didn't find much that piqued my interest.

When I arrived home, I found the snail mailbox full of cards, the email inbox full of e-cards and some very cheerful flowers waiting for me on the doorstep to go along with the great gift I received last weekend from my parents. I feel so blessed that I have so many wonderful people in my life that love me as much as I love them! Thank you, Family and Friends! You're the bestest!