Update: week 3

So in this post I'm going to be combining the last few letters that I've gotten from Chris.

The first:

They have done some security type practicing and Chris really likes it. They don't get to keep their guns and they actually don't even have all the parts to fire, just what they need to practice assembling them. The time is flying by because he is so busy. It's a lot of work for him to always be on top of his game, but it will pay off. His, I think TRS's, job is "basically super cleaners of the dorms".

Chris is doing great with all the physical stuff too. He wrote that he did a 10 minute mile, 55 push-ups in 60 sec, and 60 sit ups in 60 sec. He even got in 18 pull-ups. I'm so proud! We all knew that the physical stuff wasn't going to be too hard for Chris though. He was already in such good shape! He also wrote the he is one of the top guys in his flight already. He works as hard as he can and he gives it all that he can! 

The second: 

"So Basic is a lot of work." All the trainees sleep in two big bays with a community bathroom and lockers along one edge of the room. He spends a lot of time folding beds and clothes. He has classroom time, where he learns mostly Human Relations stuff and how to be aware in certain situations that could cause harm, and protecting your identity online. This week, so August 19-23, they are learning about self aided buddy care and they have interviews. I'm not sure what the interviews are for though. There is a lot of information to be memorized. 

There were a few days were they reached rock bottom in his group. There are a lot of young guys in his group and they just aren't getting motivated and doing what they should. Everyone is suffering from it, including Chris. :-( 

Chris is doing good though. He had a shin split, and wasn't able to participate in marching and stuff for awhile. His waiver is up though and so he is getting back into everything. The guys are starting to respect him as a leader and his instructors like him, but can't/won't admit it until graduation. They have him doing a lot of extra stuff since other people keep messing up. I think the responsibility is good for Chris, but I hope that he isn't working himself too hard, to the point where he over does it. 

Well, until his next letter we are all just going to have to keep him in our prayers and hope the mail man comes on time!!!!!!!

Almost half way!!!!!

We have almost made it to the half way point! The end of this week will be the end of week 4! It is so great to be headed towards the downhill slide part of it. I'm not sure that it is going to be as easy as a slide though. I am really missing Chris and I'm excited to see him at graduation. I have started to look into flights and lodging and am planning to have that done by the end of this week!! Yay!
Communication has been slow because we are writing letters, but I have received a few now.
Chris is playing the piano in church on Sundays and he is a TRS lead, meaning that he is in charge of making sure that new trainees that are members make it to church on Sunday! He really likes having a calling and he thinks that it is pretty cool. Chris is also an element leader and he says that it is a lot of responsibility. When his guys do something wrong it is his fault and he takes the heat for it. They are cleaning the dorms and lockers twice a day. He says that is the hardest part so far. The running and exercise isn't hard, but he was in good shape before he left. Everything is pretty easy as long as you just do what they tell you to. He is making some friends and there are a couple of guys that go to church with him. One is even from Meridian, ID! What a small world!
They got to start doing some combat training last week and they even crawled in the dirt in tactical positions and combat marching, which Chris helps lead because he is an element leader! He says that they are finally getting into the fun activities and training.
I'm so glad that he is enjoying basic and I love getting his letters! He is doing really well, and standing out as a good leader! I know that he is working hard and that it is all going to pay off! I'm looking forward to finding out what his job will be and how long his tech school is going to be! This is such a fun and exciting adventure that we are embarking on.

I have been keeping myself pretty busy in California. I started coaching volleyball at Palm Valley School this last week and there is always something going on with my brothers around! I have finished yet another quilt and the piece work for a very large one! I have really enjoyed spending this time with my mother and being able to do all these fun sewing projects!!!

 So this pinwheel, blue and yellow, quilt is about full size! It turned out really nice. I'm proud of it!

This last weekend we went to a bunch of stores to look at long arm quilting machines and it was a lot of fun. I think that we might end up taking a class in Calimesa! They are kinda intimidating though. For those of you who don't know what a long arm is...  look at these Handi Quilters here!
There is still so much that I want to do and need to do that I know I will be able to stay pretty busy for the remaining time that I have here at home! I'm looking forward to more letter from Chris and I will update everyone once I get some new ones!!

Chris Update: Address!!

Well, it has officially set in that my husband is gone and I can no longer call him whenever I want to. I kept my phone by me every second of the day hoping that I would hear from him. By Friday I was getting a little desperate to hear from him. My brothers and dad had left for a hiking trip and so I no longer had them around to distract me. Not cool. On Friday afternoon/evening I got a phone call from the ward missionaries for the Lackland AFB. It was so great to hear from someone who had met Chris. Knowing that he was doing well, was such a great comfort to me. An answer to my prayers! She told me that Chris was doing well, got my email address, told me he was playing the piano for church on Sunday, and that I probably wouldn't hear from Chris for awhile. I went to bed prepared that I would probably not hear from Chris this weekend.
Boy did I wake up to a nice surprise! He called me on Saturday morning!! Oh it was so great to hear from him!! He sounded great. He is really loving it. He has been made an Element Leader and is going to be an Honor graduate. He finally knows how to make a bed right. He is working hard and he really likes it. The conversation was short because he just called to give me his address.

AB Perry, Christopher W.
331 TRS/FLT 577, Dorm A-9
1320 Truemper Street Unit 369572
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-6409

If you are a good friend of Chris you should write him because I am sure that he would love to hear from you. I won't get another phone call from him until week 4 and then week 7. I'm hoping that the time just flies by because I'm already ready to give him a big hug and a kiss. I miss him, but we just have to look at this time with an eternal perspective and then it will flash by in the blink of an eye!

On Sunday I got a picture of Chris, but I can't share it on any social media, so you can just take my word for it that he is handsome, even with his head shaved, and he looks GOOOD in a uniform! 

So, while Chris has been gone I have done my best to keep myself busy. This weekend I started working on some sewing projects with my mother. The quilt isn't finished, but once it is I will post a picture. However, I have finished a makeup bag that I made just today.

It's actually a pretty large bag, so I can put my straightener in it, which I am happy about! Also, my final project for my sewing class was a quilt and it is super cute so I thought that I would share it. I haven't measured it, but it is the perfect size for one person, like me! I'm hoping to one day make matching pillows and have it in our living room.