Kristie's First Call Home

July 2, 2009

Kristie just called me on my cell. This is the call to tell us that she made it. It only lasted for a minute but here is what she said:

Everything is going good. Her first night she only slept for about an hour because she pulled fire guard duty. The rest of her group got 2 or 3 hours of sleep. She said drill sargeants can be scary. There were a couple of girls that have already broken down. One she said the drill sargent was in her face shouting "you want to go home, well you signed up for four years of this". Another girl got into trouble because she had a black pony tail holder and her hair was blonde. She has already spent the $250 the army gives her for supplies. She had to get more bras, new running shoes (she found out she has a high arch but is still flat footed), new shampoo and they threw her hair spray away.

She is very thankful that she has RSP prior to shipping. Some of the others that didn't attend RSP are getting in trouble because they don't get that you have to line up in a straight, know their commands, and other small things.

She sounded tired but was positive and in a way happy.

At the end of the call, she said her drill sargent was looking at her so she had to go. She said she loves everyone. She thinks she will be able to write soon.

Kristie Leaves for Basic Training

Dinner at Red Robin the evening before Kristie left for Basic Training.

July 1, 2009 The day finally arrived. Kristie shipped off to Basic Training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. We knew about this day since February but it is still sad anyway.

Kristie's flight left at 6:15 a.m. out of Boise to St. Louis. She took her phone with her so we were able to talk off and on all day until they took her cell phone away. At about 6:00 p.m. today, she signed off and surrendered her phone to the Army National Guard.

Last night we all stayed at the Holiday Inn in Boise. No one slept a wink it feels like today. We are all exhausted. It is off to bed early at least for us left behind. Not sure what Kristie will be doing though.

Tears were flowing from all of us. It has been a hard day to get through.

Kristie doesn't know the next time she'll be able to call home or even start writing letters. Some people tell her she can start writing very soon others tell her that it will be 5 weeks before we'll get letters. I hope that she gets to write soon.

Kristie ordered a mocha milkshake after dieting for 3 straight weeks and losing close to 10 pounds. She couldn't wait to eat anything and everything.

Kristie and Christie saying good-bye to each other. Christie drove Kristie to Bliss to meet us to take her the rest of the way. Lots of tears going on.