Military Moments: Basic Training Graduation

Today, I'm skipping the Blogtember Challenge. I'm very happy with how consistent I've been, and today there is a different link-up I want to participate in. It's called Military Moments, and today is the very first one! 

You can check out the schedule for the link-up in this post by All Things Life and Air Force Wife.

Today's Topic: Basic training graduation stories. 

Since Dan didn't have an actual graduation from basic training at the Air Force Academy, I am going to instead share all about his basic training itself at the Academy. It was his THIRD and FINAL basic training, THANK GOODNESS. 

See, he was enlisted in the Army before. He went to basic training at Ft. Benning, but that was before we met. Then, he switched over the the Air National Guard (no basic training then). And then he went to the USAFA Prep School (which has its own basic training). And finally he went to the Air Force Academy, which again has its own basic training. I added it up, and my poor husband has spent 18 weeks in basic training all together... over three separate occasions. 

• • • FYI: Yes, I was living in Colorado Springs while Dan was going through this basic training, and yes, he was only about 10 miles from me. That said, I couldn't talk to him. Yes, there are close-up pictures of him, but those are taken by a photographer who is allowed in to capture the process. He then posts the photos every night on his website, and I spent hours going through them looking for Dan. Yes, I was able to go watch the noon meal formation most days, but it was from afar, and no, I never got to talk to Dan. • • •

These are all of my letters from Dan, and the box next to it is a scrapbooking box that I bought at Hobby Lobby and decorated with little little jewels and a wooden koala bear (we call each other "koala"). I store all of Dan's letters to me in that box! 

As soon as Dan left for BCT, I decided I needed to make a sign to hold up for him. I knew I would be going to the Cadet Chapel wall to watch the noon lunch formation each day (to sneak small glimpses of my handsome Basic Cadet), and I wanted him to know I was there so he would feel the love and support. He definitely noticed me, and I tried to make the sign discreet so he wouldn't get in trouble. I wrote: "I love you, Lovemuffin" in code, and while it worked for a little while, his squadron was calling him Cadet Lovemuffin by the end of the year -- oops! 

It was a long six weeks, but it was also a nice time to learn how strong I am as a person. I was so happy for BCT to officially be over that year, but the experience was far better than his Prep School BMT (for me, anyway!), and it was a great learning experience. Although we had been together for a year and a half at the time, it was my first time experiencing it up close and personal. 

Thank you, WebGuy, for the following pictures:

WebGuy captured me standing at the Chapel Wall with my sign! :)

Cheering Dan on from afar!

While I am so glad that part of Dan's career is over with, it wasn't the end of the world. I'm not looking forward to Dan's future training away from home or his deployments, but at least I know I will be able to handle them. 

High Five For Friday (+ Bloglovin')

I've never posted a "high five for Friday" post before, so I'm excited to share one now. 

First things first, though: Google Reader is shutting down on MONDAY... yes, in three days! Are you following me on there? It looks like 101 of you are! If you would like to keep following me, you must do so through Bloglovin', which is an amazing website that lets you subscribe to all of the blogs you'd like and read through them when you want. Even better? They send you an email each night with all of the blogs you're subscribed to, so you won't miss any of them! 

You can follow my blog on Bloglovin' by clicking on the icon on the right of my page (just under the info about my handsome fiancé, Dan) or by going to my Bloglovin' profile by CLICKING HERE and following me. PLEASE don't forget to do so! I will always follow you right back if you're on Bloglovin' as well. Thanks! :) 

ANYWAY,

My top five for this week are:

1. I went running on a regular basis all week, and that includes getting up early and everything!

2. I've had a lot of time to work on some crafty projects, and I can't wait to share them soon! I've made a few new photo collages on canvas, and I'm working on a super top-secret project as well.

3. Brie Macaroni and Cheese. Yep. When I went to Las Vegas earlier this month, there was mac & cheese made with Brie (my favorite cheese) at one of the casino buffets. It had bacon in it, though, and as a vegetarian, I could not eat it. (I have always disliked bacon anyway, so I likely wouldn't have anyway). I have been craving it since I saw the idea, though, so last night, I made a Brie Macaroni and Cheese with Onion and Apple Compote. AMAZING.

4. I got to spend lots of time with my little furballs, and they seem to have enjoyed that fact as well!

5. I am having a girls' night tonight with Ellen and Maddi, a couple other USAFA girlfriends, and I can't wait!

And now, a few pictures, just for funsies!

Isn't Gilligan just adorable?! I love this little guy.

Stormy is adorable too, but she is ALWAYS trying to get herself into trouble... 

I can't call my kitties adorable without posting my favorite adorable man! My fiancé has been in the military for seven years now, and as the class of 2017 enters USAFA this week, I am reminiscing to Dan's inprocessing to the Academy in 2010 when he completed his third and final basic training. These pictures all come from WebGuy, a wonderful group of photographers who capture the USAFA basic training for friends and family to see. 

Well, that's all, folks!