Annie reports for duty.......................

October 29, 2010

Annie packed a small (? see the photo of the suitcase!) portion of her room as she prepared to report to her first assignment.

Drove her to Charleston, SC which is her ships home port to report for duty. She checked in at the base and got her travel orders as they had informed her that she was being flown to meet her ship, the Dallas, which was currently in Key West, Florida.

She enjoyed a pedicure which she desperately wanted due to wearing combat boots and marching for 13 weeks!

We were able to spend a little time with her at dinner before taking her back to the barracks so she could repack before flying out on Saturday morning.......

We will miss our Baby Girl, but hopefully we will be able to communicate a little more during her tour at sea when she's at docking ports, etc. And she now has access to her phone which is a mini computer in itself!!

We love you Annie! xoxoxo

Annie's Graduation.................

October 22, 2010

Well, she did it! After enduring 13 1/2 weeks of Boot Camp vs. the standard 7 1/2 weeks, due to her injuries, Annie proudly graduated and is now an official member of the United States Coast Guard. (Guardian)

I have never felt such an overwhelming sense of pride and joy as I did when I watched her Recruit Company (Zulu 183) march in. It was a very touching ceremony.

The crowning moment was when they officially released the Company. Imagine Annie and I running (me hobbling with a broken ankle, lol) towards each other in what seemed to me to be in slow motion, arms extended.......... We finally reach each other and I never wanted to let go! Annie looked absolutely beautiful and so grown up in her uniform and I could NEVER begin to describe the feelings of emotions that I was going through having her in my arms. I am SO proud of her.

We drove back to Atlantic City, NJ and spent the night at our beautiful suite at Wyndham Skyline Towers (compliments of our wonderful friend Carl!) where she enjoyed a LONG AWAITED bubble bath............

On Saturday, we flew back home to Orlando where she was met by her great friends, Spencer, Lyndsay, Morgan and Sebastian.

We wish Annie much success as she continues her journey in the USCG.