Boot Camp Graduation Pt.2

The actually day of graduation was Oct. 12, 2012. It is safe to say that I slept maybe two hours that night. I was just so excited after seeing Adam for a few hours earlier that day and knowing that he was going to be leaving with us in just a few short hours. But I was still nervous. I was not able to sleep past 3 am so after laying awake in bed full of excitement I finally got up at about 5:30 am and got ready. When we arrived back

at the MCRD we had to wait in a line for about 30-40 minutes because we had to get our cars checked. It was insane! They checked EVERYTHING. We had to pop the hood and trunk they opened all the inside compartments of the car and checked bags and everything. When we finally got in and found our seats, graduation started. It was from 10-12 but got over at 11:40. I was hoping it would end early because I just couldn't wait any longer, and lucky me it did! When graduation ended I ran to Adam and jumped into his arms and he picked me up and hugged me so tight. Second best hug ever given on this planet. He was FREE (only for the next 10 days, but hey I'll take what I can get). After he got all his belongings we dropped them off at his families hotel room and then headed to the beach for lunch and just a day of relaxation. He loved it. He said this was the first time he was able to do what he wanted, eat real food and just sit down and relax in the last three months. It was just such and amazing day to be able to sit there and talk and laugh with him and hold hands and hug. Its the simple little things that I missed the most. Just having him by my side and being able to look at him and see him smile. I know that sounds dumb and cheesy but I really can't explain how much I missed it. I caught myself just staring at him a few time, just couldn't believe the day had finally come! But that's okay because I caught him staring back at me, not saying anything to each other, just staring. Sometime you don't have to say anything to know what each other are thinking. After the beach we went back to his family's hotel and he took a nap while the rest of us figured out where to eat dinner that night. We ended up eating at a really good BBQ place and he ordered SO MUCH FOOD! Its so crazy how tired and hungry that boy was, you would think he wasn't fed or got no sleep in the past 3 months. Later that night when his brothers, the fiance, Adam and I arrived back at my Aunts where we were staying I pulled Adam aside before bed and told him I had something for him. I had kept a journal for him. I wrote him EVERY SINGLE NIGHT he was gone. It was hard and some nights I was too tired or had a bad day and just didn't wanna right or my day was too boring, but I did it anyway. Sometimes I felt like it was a waste of time and he wouldn't like it. But when I handed it to him and explained what it was, the look on his face told me that it was 100%  worth it. I will never forget that look on his face. He then said he had something for me. He then took his Marine graduation ring out of his pocket and told me he wanted me to have it. I asked "are you sure? I know this means a lot you." He said he was sure and he gave it to me. The perfect ending to a perfect day!

His platoon at graduation!

Right after graduation

I don't know what it is, but I LOVE this picture, I can't
figure out why though. I think its the look on his face

The sun was getting ready to set, and he and I were talking about watching
this sunset together, because on the night before he left we watched the sunset together

Walking back to the car after hanging out at the beach

Graduation ring he gave me.

Boot Camp Graduation Pt.1

So much happened while I was in California for Adam's graduation that I've decided to make two separate posts about it. This first post is about Family Day. 

Adam's family was so generous to invite to to come with them to Adam's family day and Graduation. It was amazing! Such a happy and neat experience, I feel very privileged that I got to be a part of this special time for Adam and his family.

On family day Adam's twin brothers, the brother's fiance and I arrived to the MCRD before the rest of the family. We drove in and parked and walked around for a bit and could not see a soul! I kept saying "but its family day there should be people everywhere!" One of Adam's brothers kept saying "oh my gosh Rachel there he is!" I freaked out every time and every time it was not Adam. Eventually we decided to get back into the car and drive to the other side of base to see if we could find people, as we drove we saw one random guy standing outside by himself in his camouflage uniform I didn't think anything of it but then Adam's brother and the fiance both yelled "That's Adam!" I didn't believe them because I had be tricked 4 times prior. But they parked the car and said "go get him!" So I looked out the back window and realized "oh my gosh it is him!" I slowly got out of the car with a big grin on my face, he saw me and smiled back, as we were walking towards each other I got a little emotional and panicked, so I turned around and the brothers and fiance said "Rachel! what are you doing, don't run away from him!" I wasn't running away, I just turned around for a second to compose myself, I had been extremely nervous all day to see him and after an 88 day wait the moment was finally here, yes I panicked. I turned back around and there he was and he grabbed me into a huge hug, and he held on for a long time. Best hug that was ever given on this planet!

After he said hi to his brothers and the fiance he showed us around the base a little and we ate, I ran into an old friend who had a brother graduating and got to talk to her for a bit, later I ran into a Milso and her graduating boyfriend, we had never met, but had texted and facebooked tons and she really helped me out alot, I will always be grateful for her conversations. I couldn't believe that of all the people there I was able to run into her and meet her in person! Such a blessing. After running into her Adam and I had our very first alone time for 5 whole seconds while riding in an elevator, he kissed me, and it was amazing, crazy butterflies!

A few minutes later the rest of the family arrived and Adam got to have his reunion with his family, I stepped aside at this time to let them have their moment. He spent his remaining 1.5 hours showing us around more and telling us very entertaining stories about how the past 3 months (13 weeks, or 88 days) had gone. It was so sad to have to say goodbye to him at the end of his liberty. He walked me to the car, gave me a hug, and opened the door for me. I knew we'd only be apart for a couple of hours because in the morning I'd be back to see him graduate and take him home!

Our very first picture together after being apart for 3 months

  The glare makes this picture hard to see, but it's one
of the only other pictures we got together on family day.
I was too excited about seeing him to remember to take a lot
of pictures, oops!

Adam and I

I don't usually look like this, it's the sun!

SNUGGLE BUDDY!

As you can see from my countdown Adam had since come home and as of today is gone again. Before he left though he took me to Build A Bear Workshop to build me a replacement snuggle buddy while he was gone. We had a blast and Adam did all the accessorizing because he knows the uniforms better than I do. We decided to go with the Desert Camouflage outfit instead of the Dress Blues because when I saw Adam 11 days ago for the first time in 88 days he was wearing his Desert Camouflage and he looked so handsome.  But honestly I'll probably go back and buy the Dress Blues to have just in case!

Meet my temporary snuggle buddy, Semper Fi (yes that is his name)

Semper Fi

I made him take this picture, aren't his eye's amazing!?

Super EXCITED!

911: We Will Never Forget

This is one of those posts where I don't need to say anything because pictures really are worth a thousand words. Please take the time sometime in the next 24 hours to remember this day and those who lost their lives, those who lost loved ones and those who saved lives, also remember our troops as the fight to protect our freedoms and this wonderful country we are blessed to live in.

PHONE CALL!

I know I am behind on blogging. I need to blog about school starting and the vacation I took. But this post is going to me short but sweet.

Today I have been in a good mood because it's Adam's halfway mark, he is halfway through bootcamp. But the big surprise happened about 20 minutes ago. I got a call from an unknown number. I rarely answer those calls, but today I did, and it was ADAM! At first I seriously thought it was a prank call. But then I realized it was really him, his voice sounded weird, I asked if he was sick and he said no, I said "I guess I forgot how your voice sounded" that made me sad, but then he said "well I yell a lot here so my voice might be hoarse or I might be loosing my voice" I realized he was right. Our call only lasted a minute and thirty second and unfortunately about 20 of those seconds were me trying to figure out if it was a prank call. After a minute and thirty seconds his DI started yelling at him to get off, so we said our quick goodbyes and hung up. It was the worst and best feeling at the same time, worst because the call was so short and I had to hang up, best because I got a call in the first place. But boy I've been on cloud nine since and probably will be for the next few days!

BIG NEWS!

I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT I GOT MY FIRST NOT ONE, BUT TWO LETTERS TODAY, ONE FROM ADAM AND ONE FROM JOSUE! SO ECSTATIC RIGHT NOW!

Grapesoda Cupcakes

Today I decided that I wanted to bake, something that I really enjoy, but don't do nearly enough. I wanted to try a new recipe, so I turned to my Cupcake Bible and decided on making these Grapesoda Cupcakes and they actually turned out pretty good!

Cupcake Ingredients-

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 envelope grape kool aid
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, DIVIDED
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla, DIVIDED

Directions-

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Line muffin pan with paper baking cups.
• Whisk flour, drink mix, baking powder and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
• Beat sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy, add the eggs.
• Add the flour mixture, beat until blended, add 1/2 cup of milk and 1 tsp vanilla beat until smooth
• Divide batter evenly into muffin pan, bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 
• Let them cool for 10 minutes in the pan, and then cool off the rest of the way on a cooling rack.

Frosting Ingredients-

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla 
• Purple good coloring
• 3-4 Tbsp heavy whipping cream

Frosting Directions-

• Beat the powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, heavy whipping cream and food coloring in a bowl with an electric mixture on medium speed until fluffy
• Spread or pipe onto cupcakes
• ENJOY

Fresh from the oven

The finished Product

Source: The Cupcake Bible

*The original frosting recipe called for 3 Tbsp milk, but I changed it to 3-4 Tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream