San Diego Trip

I finally have time to blog about our trip to San Diego. I'm sorry I haven't blogged before now (we've been home for 10 days) but Matt was only here for 10 days and we wanted to spend every minute we could with him. We got on a plane on January 28th and headed to San Diego, we got to see Matt for the first time in 86 days the next day!! It was definitely a moment that I'll never forget and am so very proud!! We first saw Matt during what is called the Moto Run, but we couldn't talk to him or hug him, but it sure was good to see him. We took Matt's girlfriend Chelsea and her mom with us as a suprise for Matt & boy was he surprised! So surprised that when he saw Chelsea and my sister during his run he ran into the guy in front of him! Here are some pictures of our trip that I will tell the whole story with.

This is where Matt spent the last 3 months!!
The Moto Run..this was the 1st time we saw Matt!!
Here He Is!!

After we saw Matt complete the Moto Run we still weren't able to see him (it's all about hurry up and wait!) we went into the auditorium at MCRD and were briefed on everything that they had been through in the last 3 months. When we finally did get to see Matt and hug him it was an amazing feeling! We were seated in bleachers during the family day ceremony (the day we first saw Matt) and were on about the 10th row up, but somehow I made it down their in record time and was the first to be able to hug Matt!! What a day that was!!

He Sees Us!!Getting Ready To Be Dismissed For On Base Liberty!!

We Were So Happy To Be All Together Again!!


Matt & MomMatt, Chelsea, DadHis 2nd "real" meal...he had to hurry & eat because he was about to be late.
Friday was graduation day and boy were we glad that it was finally here!! It was definitely one of the most amazing ceremonies that I have ever been too and is definitely something I recommend to everyone!!

Matt's Platoon

There's Matt!!He's Trying Not To Smile Because He Sees Us!!Getting ready to be dismissed for the final time at MCRD!! I am SO proud!!
Kim & Matt
Dad, Matt, Melinda
Mom & Matt Matt & Chelsea
Matt & Rob (they signed together and did pretty much everything in bootcamp together)The guys bags all lined up and ready to go home!!Brian carrying Matt's bag (that bag weighs about 125lbs)

Sunday was a great day...it was the first time that Matt was able to come to church with us since he left!! Everyone was so glad to see him and he looked so handsome in his uniform!! It was amazing how many people came up to him and thanked him for serving. My good friend Rhonda said it best when she started crying when she saw him!!

Matt in his uniform at church!!

I got a text message from Matt around 2:30 this afternoon and he made it to San Diego and was on the bus heading to Camp Pendleton. He will spend 7 1/2 weeks here completing his infantry training. He gets weekends off and was able to take his cell phone with him, so we'll be able to talk to him alot more often than we did when he was in bootcamp. I am a little sad that 10 days are over already, but he will be back for my wedding in a few weeks, so we'll definitely be glad to see him. Also please be praying for us that he will receive Recruiter's Assistance (RA) when he completes infantry school, because that will mean that he will get 30 days leave before he has to go to his next duty station.

In other news we've just been working, going to school, and getting ready for our wedding that is in 24 days!! I can hardly believe that our wedding is almost here!! I love you Brian and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you!!