Deep in the Heart of Texas

Well folks, WE DID IT! We made it through Nick's time at BMT. Here is how our trip to Texas went for his graduation:

I was pretty nervous for the flight down there and back. I worried about going through security and about Hudson's little ears popping due to the elevation changes. I was worried for nothing! One of Nick's best friends, Kelly, traveled with us and was such an amazing help. We flew through security and boarded the plane first since we were traveling with a little one. Once we started to taxi to the runway we got out a bottle that I'd brought for him and Kelly started to feed him. Hudson was so good and ate and sucked on his binky until we got to elevation. No crying from my sweet boy! He was so good. He slept for a little while then we woke him up again when we started to descend. Kelly was holding him during that time luckily because I got pretty darn sick on the way down.

We got off the plane at 5:30, shuttled to the Hertz parking lot, picked up our rental, and headed to Lackland AFB. We got adjoining rooms so that he could help with Hudson if I needed it and since he'd be hanging out with us all weekend. We unpacked a little once we got there and went to bed. We had to be up early the next day.

There was an orientation meeting at 7am on Thursday so we were up early and headed to that. We got there 5 minutes prior to the meeting and found out quickly that it was full and we would have to go to the next one at 9. Since we were already out and about we grabbed breakfast then walked to the Airman's Run route. The Airman's run it a mile and a half run that all the graduating airman run in their squadrons. It's the first glance I'd had of my handsome husband in almost 9 weeks! He couldn't stop or anything but we sure got a pretty big smile from him and we cheered oh so loud for him! Hudson was asleep in my arms by the time Nick ran by but I'm sure he was cheering for him in his dreams :) P.S. What do you think of my neon shirt? I told Nick I was going to wear the brightest shirt I could find so that he'd be able to pick us out in the sea of people

After the run the airman went back to their dorms to shower and get ready for the coin ceremony. Kelly and I went straight to the next orientation meeting so we wouldn't have to go on Friday. The meeting wasn't very exciting and I knew basically everything since Kelly had filled me in on so much. Here is a picture of Nick's squadron's mascot that was in the hallway leading to the auditorium. 

Once the orientation meeting it was time to head to the grounds for the coin ceremony. I was so excited! We got there an hour early and found just about the last seats available that were close to where Nick told us he would be standing. It was oh so toasty and muggy! Lucky us, we made friends with the girl sitting next to us named Kilene. Turns out she was actually on our flight from Utah and she lives in Draper! Her husband was graduating in the same group as Nick. So happy that we sat next to her, I now have another Air Force wife friend!

Each squadron marched in to the drums and it was so neat to see my man in uniform! 

Nick receiving his coin from his MTI.

I thought that ceremony was never going to end! All I wanted to do was kiss my Nick who was so close, yet so far away still! Finally it ended and I ran to meet him. I walked up behind him and squoze his arm. He turned around with the biggest smile, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed me. My knees got a little weak and butterflies started fluttering in my stomach! I was finally with Nick again! Due to military rules (No PDA in public while in uniform) he could only give me a quick kiss and hug. After that I handed Hudson to Nick *cue my heart melting* Hudson just snuggled right into him. Nick talked to him, showed him off to a few friends, and we chatted with Kelly for a little bit longer. We decided to head back to the hotel rooms for a while to get out of the heat, and for some alone time of course! 

After we hung out as a family of 3 for a little while in the hotel room we went and grabbed some food. Nick wasn't allowed to leave base and had to report back to his dorm by 6 so we went to the BX (base exchange) and grabbed some pizza, per Nick's request. We ate some pizza, walked around the shops for a little while, headed back to the hotel for a bit, then he had to head back to his dorm. It was so good to spend time with him again after so long but I sure came to hate his dumb curfew!

The next morning (Friday) at 9 am was the Graduation Parade. The airman marched uniformly together and it was so cool to see. Nick said they practiced for weeks for that march! The Parade was only about an hour long and afterwards Nick had Town Pass. He finally got to go off base for his first time in 2 months! We went to see where Nick had been living during his time at BMT. It was pretty fun to see the living arrangements and the neatness of everything. I've never seen clothes folded and beds made so immaculately. Afterwards we went back to our hotel first until Hudson needed to eat so that I would have one less bottle I needed to hive him. Once he woke up and was fed we headed into downtown San Antonio. We at some lunch, visited the Riverwalk, saw some shops, ate some ice cream, and had some delicious Tex Mex food for dinner. Time went way too fast and we had to have Nick back to his dorm by 8. We went back to our room for 45 minutes or so then Kelly dropped him off. 

On Saturday morning Kelly picked Nick up at 9 and brought him back to our room. We hung out for a while, fed Hudson, and headed back downtown. We did more touristy stuff like visit the Alamo and hit the souviner shops. Afterwards we went to Rudy's for some Texas BBQ. Kelly had talked about this place for a while and we were not disappointed! The creamed corn was seriously to DIE for. I'm still craving some more! We also had some baked beans, smoked turkey, briscuit, and chicken. We ate until we were sick, and then ate a little more! Afterwards we got back to the base, hung out in our room for a little while, and I dropped Nick off for the night.

On Sunday I picked Nick up at 7:45. The 4 of us went to church then headed back to our rooms to finish packing our stuff up. We checked out at 11 and didn't have to leave for the airport until 4ish. Nick couldn't leave the base again that day so we hung out, did some souvenir shopping, ate some food, and hung out in the food court until it was time to go. I was sad to say goodbye but was SO excited that he would follow us home 24 hours later. Most of the guys at BMT go straight to their Tech School. We lucked out and Nick doesn't have to go back until September 6th for 8 more weeks. He will have his cell phone this time though, free time, and he will be under a lot less stress. Hudson and I will probably fly out there at the halfway mark to make the time apart a little easier and go by a little quicker. 

Hudson was PERFECT on the plane ride home. He was even better than on the flight to San Antonio, if that's even possible! We landed at 8:30. Mollie picked us up, took us back to their place, and Hudson and I drove our car home from there. 

I unpacked all of our things and did laundry that night. I didn't want to have to worry about any of it when Nick got home. Nick wasn't supposed to get home until 5:30pm on Monday but when he got to the airport American Airlines was able to bump his flight up. He landed in Utah at 11:30 and we were there waiting! My Dad met us at the airport to take pictures. So grateful that he did! He had to admit, it was mostly just to see Nick and welcome him home too. Dad missed his buddy I think :)

We went straight home from the airport, took a nap, then went to Chubby's for dinner (Nick's choice of course). 

Look for the next post to see what exactly we've been up to since he's been home!