Finally....

I am finally updating this blog... I know, I know. It has been a long time. In my defense, my computer has a virus so I am kind of out of commission. Anyway... two weeks ago, I attemped to update via my phone, but it would not allow me to post my writing. So, here it is:

"Here I sit with two weeks until I get to see Ross! Some days have gone quickly, like people said they would, while others have slowly crept by as if mocking me for counting down the days. Nonetheless... 14 days to go.

This has truly been a roller coaster experience for me. There are days when I accept Ross being gone and simply remind myself of how many days remain until I get to see him. Yet there are other days where almost anything could make me cry and I feel all alone. Thankfully the lonely days are getting farther and farther apart.

As for letters... lets just say Thursday is my favorite day of the week right now. Ross is only able to mail letters on his way to church which puts them in my mailbox on Thursdays. Thus far I have a stack on 16 of the most incredible letters I have ever read.

I have also been fortunate enough to receive three (yes, THREE) phone calls from Ross. The first being nine minutes in length, the second being five minutes, and the most recent being 27 minutes in length!! I cannot describe the incredible joy I feel when I have answered the phone and Ross has been on the other end. Most importantly, I cannot express the overwhelming feeling of relief to hear that he is doing so well.

This week marks Ross's sixth week of training (or as I have learned they are referred to as WOT). He is currently at BEAST, a week long mock deployment. From what I have heard, when looking back on the experience at Lackland Air Force Base, most Airmen will tell you BEAST was their favorite part of training. I am excited to see what Ross thinks. He has been voted to be the Tactical Deployment Leader for Flight 446 which means during his mock deployment... he is in charge. What a huge honor yet responsibility at the same time! I am so proud of him!!!

His 7 WOT holds classes on Air Force history and rank responsibilities. Finally week 8 will be spent practicing for graduation and graduating. If all goes well Trainees are issued 3 day long passes! I am looking forward to seeing the city of San Antonio, but mostly, I am looking forward to reaching zero on my countdown!"



That was two weeks ago. Today... the countdown is down to 2! I leave tomorrow morning for San Antonio! I am more than ready to see Ross!

I have gotten to talk with him one more time since I wrote the above entry. He called Saturday, June 19th and was able to talk for 30 minutes! During that time, I learned that his flight won BEAST excellence, meaning they did the best during their mock deployment!! GO ROSS!!!!

Also, I got a phone call the evening of Friday, June 25th from a United States Air Force Major and his wife, Melissa. At first I was nervous, thinking they were calling to let me know Ross had been punished or injured and would not graduate. This was not the case... they called to let me know they "had the privilege of having lunch with [my] husband" that afternoon. They both spoke of his character, work ethic, and said he mentioned me numerous times. It was great to hear! I asked why he was able to go to their home and have lunch with them. Melissa told me her husband was taking a class where one of the requirements is that he attend a BMT graduation. He then tours a dorm and a trainee is selected to have lunch with him. I replied, "Oh... neat!!" to which Melissa responded, "Ashley, I'm not sure you understand." At this point I was thinking, "okay... what's not to get, Ross had lunch with the Major." Melissa then said, "Your husband was hand selected to come to our home and have lunch with us. I'm not sure what he is doing, but he is doing it right, and he is doing it well. Higher up selected him to have lunch with us." Okay, now I got it! I expressed my thanks to she and her husband for calling.

My heart is so full of pride and respect for what Ross has accomplished! Now... I'm off to Texas in the morning to FINALLY give him the hug he so greatly deserves!!

More to come....