He's really gone!

Yes, it's been quite the emotional week. Richard did leave on Wed. We had many things going on and a lot of projects, but finally at 12:30 a.m. on Wed. morning we got it all finished and went to bed. 3 1/2 hours later I got up to finish getting him ready and to get all the kids dressed and ready to take him to the airport. We left about 6:00 a.m. and drove Richard to the Salt Lake City airport. His flight left at 8:00 a.m. They offered to allow us to go all the way to the plane, but we didn't want to draw out the emotion ... it was nicer to feel rushed and late and not really think about it. When the ticket lady had sympathy for our situation and told our family thank-you's for our sacrifices, I did get quite teary-eyed, but I walked in front of all the kids so they wouldn't see. They were all holding up so well and almost excited with adrenaline in the air. I'm sure they don't really comprehend one whole year! He goes so often for a few weeks that I'm sure they just assume that's all it is. We had one last final hug at security and the kids and I left. We got McDonald's for breakfast and Bradly even said, "YESSSS! This is the best day of my life!" First of all, how pathetic it is that my kids think breakfast at McD's is so amazing, and 2nd of all, I totally knew they really didn't have a clue what the next year was about to be! LOL!

We happened to pull into Roy right when the younger kids started school so we took them straight into their class. Rylan's school starts about 30 min earlier, so I walked him in and signed him in late. He had baseball tryouts with the Jr. high and the cut list was out that morning, so I was anxious to see if he made it or not.

So that is our other big news! The Jr. High only has one team for the whole school and the school consists of 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. I was really hoping he would red shirt, which means that you're kind-of on the team ... you go to the practice, and can only be at the home games and you have to sit on the bench. After all week of continuing to be called back, he found out Fri morning that he made the team! He's not even red shirting!! He and his 2 other friends on his Competition Sandlot team made it and several 8th graders red shirted! We are so excited for him and this is a huge accomplishment!!

Richard called me at about 10:30 a.m. our time on Thurs. He just got in to Kunsan. It took him over 26 hours to get there!! He was also able to call on Sat. He has no phone and no way for me to call him so he uses the twice a week moral calls that the military gives us and calls from the hall phone in the dorms. He got there and hit the ground running! They started an exercise Sunday so on Sat they gave him all his chem gear. Poor guy. He hasn't done any in processing or briefings or anything. He'll work at least 12 hour shifts and we'll have to wait until the exercise is over before we can grasp our means of communication. He may buy a cel phone there, but wants to wait because in a few weeks, he may be going to Alaska TDY for 7 weeks. No sense in spending that much money on a cel if he's in Alaska!! If he doesn't go on that TDY then he's trying to go on a TDY in June to Japan (Kadena AFB). This would be great because we have several friends there and it's a money maker!! Right now we're just going with the 2 calls a week, but they are only 20 min and after he talks to 5 kids, I don't have much time left.

He does have an address now: TSgt Richard Shimer
8th MXS
PSC 2 Box 693
APO AP 96264

I know he would love to get mail from anyone, and it's just like mailing stateside. Well, that's about it for now! I'll try and get back on my weekly schedule. Thanks to all for the love and support. I've really appreciated the phone calls! We all now I'm a more verbal person and it's so nice to have adult conversation!! So please keep the emails, phone calls, and comments coming! Love to all! Kim