Jeffrey's Birthday

Last week our little man turned 2! It was so bittersweet for so many reasons...

1. Sad that Joel could not be here (luckily Jeffy is so little he really won't remember)

2. Happy that Joel is coming home next week!

3. Sad that my little man is growing up it goes way too fast

4. Happy to see what new adventures Jeffrey will be taking us on

I had a little party for Jeffrey on Saturday we did a western theme, it was so much fun! Cowboy hats, guns, sheriff badges, and cowboy tattoos could it get any better. Jeffrey was a typical 2 year old not really into anything just kind of doing his own thing but after a few hours past he warmed up and enjoyed himself!

Nanny had given Jeffrey a pair of Toy Story Cowboy boots and a real leather holster with a toy gun. Jeffrey loved the gun not a fan of the holster quite yet but soon enough. The boots are still taking some practice walking in at first he was really scared of them but before I know he won't want to wear anything else.

Joel had his last officially week of training he was out in the field all week, practicing all that they have learned over these past 12 weeks. The communication is still the same very minimal, I have gotten 2 phones since we saw Joel back in October. I was really hoping for a update or phone call this week but we all know how that goes.

However in better news, a week from Thursday I will be reunited again!!!

Jeffrey will be staying back this time some good family friends of ours will be watching him, we felt that this was the best situation for the Ceremony and Graduation festivities (trying to sit through a formal ceremony with a toddler is next to impossible) Joel should be coming home that weekend here's hoping still no word of when and where.

I can't believe this chapter is almost over it went so fast, I am almost is shock of Joel coming home! But oh boy I can't wait to see him again!

Here are a few pictures from Jeffrey's party:

Visiting Joel

Sorry Everyone I am a little behind on my updates...

We recently visited Joel, Jeffrey was a little unsure about everything at first but after a few hours pasted by, it was like nothing had changed. Laughing, playing together, tickling it was a treat for me to see them together again.

Joel is doing very well, we still have very limited communication but are making the best of it. We loved being on base at Fort Benning it was so beautiful and amazing how everything you need is right on base. It gave us a small glimpse of what might happen if he ever got deployed. As for now November 12th is final graduation!!! Yeah I know Joel has been counting down the days just as much as I am. Kelly and I will be heading up Georgia to go see Joel, we get the honor of pinning his blue cord!

So right now we are not sure what the future holds for the Page Family so we just keep praying and resting in Gods plan!

Here are a few pictures from our trip....

Almost there....

July 26th is when I said fairwell to Joel, man has it been a long 2 1/2 months! But good news Jeffrey and I will get to see Joel this Saturday!!! I thought this day would never come, but time actually went by very fast! I'm a little overwhelmed thinking about flying with a 2 year old (those good ol' drugs will come in handy) and it will be soooo worth it!

Joel is doing so well and still loving every minute of it!

Here are a few updates: (mostly gun and explosive talk) :)

Got to fire .50 cal and mk19 (auto granaide launcher)

m203 (single shot granaide launcher)

at-4 (rocket launcher)

Got set off Claymores

m240B and m249 SAW (light machine guns)

Lots of hand to hand combat drills

Had a class on IED's (improvised Explosive device) its a bomb our enemies use. They walked through a fake village filled with IED's, they were "blown up"several times to teach them to pay attention to details. I asked if it was like Modern Warfare he said Yes! Man sounds like all the guys are enjoying themselves while still working really hard

A lot of guys from his platoon are receiving "Dear John" letters, very sad to see girls just give up on these guys serving our country.

Joel Got voted "luckiest man" because he had a good looking and happy family :)

I do miss him so much! I cant believe that I leave this week!!! Many more updates and pictures to come!

Patriotic pictures

Jeffrey and I had an amazing opportunity to get some patriotic pictures taken. They took place a Tempe Beach Park, the had a memorial set up for all the lives lost on September 11th, each flag represented a life! It was such an amazing experience!

Thank you Susie!

Photographer information:http://susiesheartphotography.blogspot.com/

phone call!

On Monday the 13th I got a phone call from Joel!! After 5 weeks man it was so nice hearing his voice! At first I didn't recognize his voice, he was on a pay phone so everything was scratchy and hard to hear. We got to talk for about 5 minutes, he is doing so good still loving every minute of it! I told him I booked a flight to come see him in October he was so excited, then I told him Jeffrey was coming he was beyond words excited ... so happy that Im bringing him also! Those 5 minutes went by so quick but they are just what I needed to get through these next couple of weeks!

I have received a few more letters....

They are on week 6 only a few more too go

They had to qualify to move to the next phase.. on September 11th they went to the shooting range and Joel shot EXPERT! Yeah go Joel! Which mean he gets a special coin at graduation and gets to shake the Battalion Commanders hand which is a huge honor.

Joel talked a lot about missing everything back home like some good food from Famous Dave's haha, he said its weird not knowing what is going on in the world from news to the latest a new music.

He loves being a leader for his guys, he continues to enjoy his role as infantry. There is a lot of talk of deployment ranging from Afgan to the Arizona border. Only time will tell, only a few more weeks till Jeffrey and I get to go see him!!!

9/11/10

I am Proud to be a AMERICAN!

I love this country!

I am so proud of my hubby for serving our country!

I am so thankful for all the soldiers out there serving our country is so many ways!

Today we remember 9/11....

I will never forgot where I was, how scared I felt and those images on the t.v. that were being played over and over again.

I just remember how much everyone came together "United We Stand" was said over and over again

I am so thankful for my freedom!

It has been 5 weeks since I have talked to Joel :(

I miss him a lot

I'm having such a hard time trying to "keep" up with everything... bills, yard work, Jeffrey, laundry etc...

I have a new appreciation for single moms out there!

However I booked my flight to see him next month, I know it will be here before I know it!!!

As for Joel I keep receiving letters, he is doing very well! On day 28 is was officially in "white phase" = more shower time and hopefully a phone call soon! They spent all day at the range today, Joel hit all 90 rounds on target. Yesterday they had hand to hand combat all day, that night they didn't see the Drill Sgt walk into the room and He got mad! Drill Sgt. made them do 600 overhead arm claps! Man 600 of anything sounds painful to me!

Day 29: Joel made Squad leader!!! He was picked by his platoon! So now they get to sing when the march and they get to march with out the Drill Sgt. He is in charge of 13 guys, if they mess up Joel gets in trouble. If any guys have any problems they go to Joel first, then he talks the Platoon leader etc... He is so excited to show all his leadership skills to all his buddies!

Sounds like he is doing great, and still loving every moment of it!

I can't wait to see him in a couple of weeks!!!

a long month....

so far I have not received a phone call from Joel since August 6th :( Im really hoping that I will be able to talk to him soon.

However he does write a lot of letters which helps with my sanity

here is a little glimpse into basic....

Day 21 Joel Got to go the range and learned range safety got to shoot their M4. Had to clean their bay for 4 hours (man thats a long time spent on cleaning). He said the Drill Sgt's are crazy they are always getting "smoked"someone is always messing up and getting everyone else into trouble. The food is sometimes good they had biscuits and gravy for breakfast today.

Day 22: 3 weeks down 1/3 done with basic almost there. Today they went to the Combat simulator Joel said it was like a giant game of duck hunt (I love nintendo thank you :) He had 3 shifts of flag duty which is helping raise their battalion American Flag. Not getting a lot of sleep, only 3 one hour naps last night. There is a thunderstorm rolling in...

Day 24: Everyone is counting down the days until they are out of red phase and into white phase (Red phase= hardcore White Phase = a little less hardcore) Unfortunately everyone keeps messing up so the Drill Sgt are keeping them there... so far to this day Joel has not messed up! Yeah!

The Drill Sgt took the top 3 trouble makers of the platoon and "smoked them" for 45 minutes in front tons of people, I guess they had it coming to them. Joel said he got to go the church on Sunday he loves singing worship with hundreds on soldiers he said "I imagine this is how Angels sound in heaven." They all went on a 4 mile march with 40-50lbs of gear... they get haircuts every other week...sometimes food is delivered to their barracks and they can eat outside other times they are eating MRE's

Day 25: Its thunder-storming pretty good lots of rain, thunder and lighting (which helps keep the temp low) Somebody forgot their weapon in their bay and they had a negligent discharge of a weapon during practice. Someone actually fired off a round but good thing it was blank other wise someone would have died. The guy who left is gun is getting a Article 15 ( Joel didn't say what that means but it doesn't sound good to me)

I did find out from Joel that "family day" is October 7th or 8th and his 36 hour pass is October 9th and 10th! Im so excited I going to go up there and visit!!!

He sounds great but he does miss everyone, however he loves getting letters and pictures from everybody so THANK YOU!!!

FYI

FYI: PLEASE Do not send Joel any snacks or any type of food He WILL Get in MAjor Trouble.

For now he loves getting those lovely letters

Thanks

8 more weeks!

Man around 8 more weeks till I get to see Joel for a day, but it will be well worth it!

Many of you ask how I doing? are you hanging in there?

Well there are a few things that are helping me get through each day:

Jeffrey

Friends and Family

Coke Zero

Writing letters to my hubby

MY DVR! For all those super late nights that I cant sleep I catch up on all kinds of shows

Working at Starbucks

Enjoying relaxing

Gaining 10lbs because I keep indulging in lovely treats like these:

address

So I have received a few more letters from Joel!!

Things are very tough right now:

They have the strictest Drill Sgt of the entire base

They have 2 minutes to finish their meals

One guy threw up all over Joel because he ate too fast

Got in trouble for writing a letters :( (Joel said it was worth it)

They are constantly being yelled at

Lack of sleep is an understatement

A few more have quit

They have to do everything the Drill Sgt says even if its making fun of each other

So Joel is asking for prayer to stay strong and hang in there!

Here is Joel's address if anyone wanted to write him any letters:

PV2 Joel Page RN# 338

B Company 3-330th IN RGT

9050 Kinsman Dr. BLD 3305

Fort Benning, GA 31905-5000

My day of Birth / Letter

Well last week was a little rough as my Birthday approached I started getting a little depressed that Joel wasn't going to be around. We always do something together for our birthdays whether its go out to dinner or have a nice dinner at home we are together. So I was sad :( I know it only temporary and he will be home before I know it, but I was still sad.

Friday night I went out with my mom and some girlfriends to Kona Grill it was nice to get all dressed up and out of the house. Saturday was a long day because I was off all day and pretty sad I honesty just dragged myself through-out the house doing a whole lot of nothing. My friend came over later that night and we chatted for a couple of hours, it was nice to just "talk." Sunday was church and family birthday day, we had Shrimp Scampi, wings, fresh fruit and amazing cakes! Sounds like a weird combination all together but it was all amazing! It was nice to spend some time with family, as I was driving over to Kelly's house (mom in law) I was sad again. It was hard knowing that I was going to a family party with-out Joel and I know he would want to be there to hang out with everyone and of course play street hockey.

Monday morning (my actually day of birth) I woke up to so many alerts on my phone that I had comments on Facebook. I was overwhelmed with the love that all my friends and family had just comment to say "Happy Birthday" it made my day and I wasn't as sad. That night I went out with a bunch of friends to San Tan Flat (love that place) we enjoyed a beautiful evening hanging out and eating some good food! Over all my birthday was amazing I was showered with so much love how could I be sad anymore. I am so thankful for the friends and family I have I don't know how I would get through these 14 weeks with-out any of you!

Tuesday: I work at the church for a couple of hours, head home, and grab the mail.....

A LETTER FROM JOEL!!!!!

Oh I was so excited it seriously made my week!

Joel talked about waiting in line a lot to get their ACU (uniforms) finally after a week and half were able to get there own uniforms and then got their picture taken. When he has been waiting all day or at night if he gets sad he goes to his "happy place" (just like the movie Happy Gilmore) it helps him think back about the good times at home. They should be finishing up around November 12th which means Joel won't be here for Jeffrey 2nd Birthday and also his 26th day of Birth. A little sad but he will be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas unlike his active buddies overseas. I also was wished a Happy Birthday which was very nice to hear that from him. Everything is going very well, friday he was shipped over the training part of the base which means I probably wont hear from Joel for about 3 weeks :(

Soon I will have a Direct Address to send all his letters to but for now I get to listen to his voicemail and read his letter over and over again to hear his voice.

The sound of your voice

I never realized how much I would miss hearing Joel's voice until I got a phone call today!!! At first I got a text that woke me up from a nap and was shock and excited! Joel is still in processing their company got delayed another week so they won't ship out till next friday. He said all they do all day is sit and wait and wait some more with very limited talking to each other. A lot of the time the guys will continue to talk which gets every one in trouble which cause fights in the company. He said the food is awesome though ribs, hamburgers, mac n cheese. As of right now they don't have a time limit of how fast they have to eat however when they arrive for basic they will have to eat fast!

He said everything is going very well most of the guys are young and very stressed out but Joel is helping them stay focus and calmly their nerves!

The Temperature is about 110 with 90% humidity which sounds so awful to me.

As for now they have another whole week of sitting and waiting which delays his return date to the second week of November crazy! After they arrive on friday thats when the madness will begin (hopefully there are no more further delays)

As for me I was having a hard day today its Saturday and thats when Joel is usually off and we hang out or clean house together. I really didn't have much motivation to clean house or get laundry done I am still not sleeping very well still trying to adjust to the every day routine. I was starting to get sad an lonely because I had no idea how Joel was doing or haven't heard from in a week and wasn't sure when the next time I would hear from him. So when I got his text/phone call I was beyond excited it really boosted me up and brought my spirits up!

Every time I get to hear his voice it brings a smile to my face knowing that he is ok!

Did you know that only 1% of country serves in our Military! Crazy huh?

A few nights...

So a few nights have gone by with out Joel, I thought everything would get easier but it seems I have an emptiness in my heart that he is not here. I know in a few weeks I will get into a routine and everything will fly by....

Yesterday I spent the entire day doing absolutely nothing! I loved it, I wasn't worried about cleaning the house, making dinner or even getting ready to go any where and I watched all my DVR shows. I have been neglecting all my shows with this very busy summer. It was probably the first time out of the entire summer I got to actually relax. However as the day went on I really wanted to call or text Joel but I couldn't it was such a weird feeling knowing I had no way on contacting him. This is going to take some getting use to, but I know I will get through it!

Today I went back to work after 5 days off I felt rejuvenated and refreshed! It was nice to have that feeling of no stress and actually enjoyed working.

It seems though I am very tired and want to nap all the time ( Luckily Jeffrey still takes 2 naps)

As for now I have not heard from Joel I probably wont get a phone for a couple of weeks :(

Until then I will enjoy my naps and embrace this time with Jeffrey!

Landed in GA!

Just got off the phone with Joel its about 11:00p in Georgia! Their flight out of Texas was delayed by 2 hours because of Thunder Storms they arrived in Georgia but missed their shuttle to receiving so they might be spending the night at the airport or a hotel.

As for tomorrow all the madness starts, Good luck to my honey!

Joel headed out

Welcome to our blog, with Joel gone this will be the best place to tell everyone of any news or updates about Joel and his training

Today was the "big day!" Joel, Jeffrey and I woke up around 3:45 am and headed down to Phoenix to send Joel off to Basic! (Fort Benning, Georgia) It was a sad day but none the less a exciting day to start his new career in the Army! 14 weeks of training ( 9 of Basic 5 of AIT) , not too much communication, and lots of sleepless night are ahead.

Im going to be looking forward to the few phone calls I will receive and cherish every moment we get to talk, but before I know it he will be back! I am so proud of him and can't wait to hear all the crazy stories!