Georgia and the Army
I've been so busy with our impromptu trip to GA that it's been a while since I've blogged. I feel like there is so much to tell. Wes in napping right now so hopefully I can get you all somewhat caught up.
I still can't believe that it actually happened that we went to Georgia with only 2 days notice. I truly see it as God ordained because I am not the type of person who just jumps on an airplane without planning extensively, let alone to do so with a baby for the first time. I ended up packing a carry on suitcase on top of the stroller, car seat, and diaper bag that I already was carrying through security because I didn't want to check all of Wesley's medical supplies and risk them getting lost. Wednesday Julie took me and Wes to the Anchor Center and then to the airport. She was able to get an escort pass and walk us all the way to our gate which relieved so much of my apprehension about flying alone with a baby (God really was taking care of me through Julie). Our flight was only 1/2 full so the airline let me put Wes in his car seat in an empty seat without paying extra (yay!). He slept, ate, and played on the flight and only fussed once a little bit. I was so relieved!
We got in Wednesday evening and despite a clumsy, awkward walk and train ride, we made it to our rental car without too much trouble. I ended up bungee cording the pack-n-play to the top of our rolling suitcase, putting Wesley in the Moby wrap, and putting the diaper bag and carry on suitcase in the car seat in the stroller (that way I only had to push the stroller, and pull the wheeled suitcase). Thursday morning I called down to Ft. Benning to see when and where Colby would be released and after being transferred around to several people, I finally got someone who informed me they wouldn't be released until Friday around 1200 or 1300 (he was originally supposed to be released Thursday afternoon). So... we drove around Ft. Benning, went to the PX, drove around Ft. Benning some more, ate, went to the Infantry museum, drove around some more, and finally went to our hotel. It was pretty demoralizing to have rushed to get there only to find out we would have to wait longer to get to see Colby. That's the Army though, hurry up and wait.
Finally Friday morning Colby got his phone back and called and told us where to pick him up. He was so excited his message had gotten to me and we had actually come to see him. In true Army fashion we spent most of Friday arranging paperwork and buying last minute items he needs for the next 2 months of his training. it was so great just to be together though. When Colby first got to Ft. Benning he made a friend, Cody who is an active duty Army guy from Ft. Carson. He got kicked out of the first part of his training for being late because he got stuck in a swamp. He was pretty demoralized by losing his friend but on Friday we found out that Cody's unit was able to send him back for the second (and more important) part of the training (the first 2 week training is optional for active duty soldiers). Colby's really excited to have his friend back for the rest of the training (hopefully).
Saturday morning we met up with Cody and went to more stores buying the remaining items he needed and went to lunch together. Saturday night Colby, Wesley, and I went out to dinner and dessert to celebrate Mother's Day. It was so good to just be together as a family. We bought one of those books you record yourself reading called "Bedtime Prayers and Promises" which Colby read and recorded for Wesley so I can play it for him while Colby's gone.
Sunday, Mother's Day, started off pretty sad as Wesley and I dropped Colby off for 2 more months of training. It was heartbreaking, yet sweet, to see Colby get choked up, even in front of all the tough Army guys, saying goodbye to Wes. Wes and I waited and watched until they marched away. I feel really blessed that our family was able to be together for at least part of the day. Wesley and I drove up to Atlanta and went to the Georgia Aquarium (which I thought was really cool but Wesley cried for most of) and then got on our flight home. I switched flights to leave Sunday night instead of Monday but that meant we had a layover in Chicago and were on 2 completely full flights so Wes didn't get his own seat. He cried a lot more on those flights but everyone on the flight was really nice and supportive. We finally got home at 1 am, whew.
It was such a blessing to get to see Colby, even if for only 48 hours. I know that God ordained our trip because I never would have decided to go or survived the trip there and back on my own. So many friends, and even complete strangers, were so kind to us along the way. It was great for me and Wes to see Colby but I think seeing us gave Colby the encouragement he needs to make it through at least 2 more months of training.
I still can't believe that it actually happened that we went to Georgia with only 2 days notice. I truly see it as God ordained because I am not the type of person who just jumps on an airplane without planning extensively, let alone to do so with a baby for the first time. I ended up packing a carry on suitcase on top of the stroller, car seat, and diaper bag that I already was carrying through security because I didn't want to check all of Wesley's medical supplies and risk them getting lost. Wednesday Julie took me and Wes to the Anchor Center and then to the airport. She was able to get an escort pass and walk us all the way to our gate which relieved so much of my apprehension about flying alone with a baby (God really was taking care of me through Julie). Our flight was only 1/2 full so the airline let me put Wes in his car seat in an empty seat without paying extra (yay!). He slept, ate, and played on the flight and only fussed once a little bit. I was so relieved!
We got in Wednesday evening and despite a clumsy, awkward walk and train ride, we made it to our rental car without too much trouble. I ended up bungee cording the pack-n-play to the top of our rolling suitcase, putting Wesley in the Moby wrap, and putting the diaper bag and carry on suitcase in the car seat in the stroller (that way I only had to push the stroller, and pull the wheeled suitcase). Thursday morning I called down to Ft. Benning to see when and where Colby would be released and after being transferred around to several people, I finally got someone who informed me they wouldn't be released until Friday around 1200 or 1300 (he was originally supposed to be released Thursday afternoon). So... we drove around Ft. Benning, went to the PX, drove around Ft. Benning some more, ate, went to the Infantry museum, drove around some more, and finally went to our hotel. It was pretty demoralizing to have rushed to get there only to find out we would have to wait longer to get to see Colby. That's the Army though, hurry up and wait.
Finally Friday morning Colby got his phone back and called and told us where to pick him up. He was so excited his message had gotten to me and we had actually come to see him. In true Army fashion we spent most of Friday arranging paperwork and buying last minute items he needs for the next 2 months of his training. it was so great just to be together though. When Colby first got to Ft. Benning he made a friend, Cody who is an active duty Army guy from Ft. Carson. He got kicked out of the first part of his training for being late because he got stuck in a swamp. He was pretty demoralized by losing his friend but on Friday we found out that Cody's unit was able to send him back for the second (and more important) part of the training (the first 2 week training is optional for active duty soldiers). Colby's really excited to have his friend back for the rest of the training (hopefully).
Saturday morning we met up with Cody and went to more stores buying the remaining items he needed and went to lunch together. Saturday night Colby, Wesley, and I went out to dinner and dessert to celebrate Mother's Day. It was so good to just be together as a family. We bought one of those books you record yourself reading called "Bedtime Prayers and Promises" which Colby read and recorded for Wesley so I can play it for him while Colby's gone.
Sunday, Mother's Day, started off pretty sad as Wesley and I dropped Colby off for 2 more months of training. It was heartbreaking, yet sweet, to see Colby get choked up, even in front of all the tough Army guys, saying goodbye to Wes. Wes and I waited and watched until they marched away. I feel really blessed that our family was able to be together for at least part of the day. Wesley and I drove up to Atlanta and went to the Georgia Aquarium (which I thought was really cool but Wesley cried for most of) and then got on our flight home. I switched flights to leave Sunday night instead of Monday but that meant we had a layover in Chicago and were on 2 completely full flights so Wes didn't get his own seat. He cried a lot more on those flights but everyone on the flight was really nice and supportive. We finally got home at 1 am, whew.
It was such a blessing to get to see Colby, even if for only 48 hours. I know that God ordained our trip because I never would have decided to go or survived the trip there and back on my own. So many friends, and even complete strangers, were so kind to us along the way. It was great for me and Wes to see Colby but I think seeing us gave Colby the encouragement he needs to make it through at least 2 more months of training.
I am so glad you were able to go. It sounds like a lot of work for such a short time. I don't know if I could have done it. It is nice that people were there to help you! I know Colby was probably in heaven having you both there if but for a short time.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the blogging - I enjoy hearing how things are going with you. I continue to keep you all, especially Wesley, in my daily prayers.
Love,
Aunt Pam
*Like!* :)
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