Day 6

What a crazy day. We weren't able to spend any time with Justin until about 2:45 this afternoon. Long story but needless to say we still had a good time. I went to the Lakeshore store and did a little shopping and got some new ideas. Then off to the base in search of the tshirt that I had wanted but didn't get and still can't get. The only shop that had the shirt was closed and won't open at all tomorrow(Maybe next time). I did manage to find a Proud Mom shirt, hat, pin and lanyard set though and the girls got proud sister shirts. We killed a little more time at the mall and then picked up Justin and Miranda to go to an early dinner. Another great meal at Chuy's and this time Justin got to enjoy it as well. Back to the base again because this time Justin wanted to buy his Honor Flight t-shirt. Tom ended up buying the very last one they had (after Justin got his)so we are going to share it. We have just so thoroughly enjoyed sitting and talking to him that I just can't describe it. Tomorrow we will be meeting up with him at about 7:30 am to go to church and then brunch or something before we take off for Biloxi. I am so impressed with the wonderful young man that he has become in 8 weeks. He was pretty good before but now... WOW. He is finally an adult. I will say that every now and then though I see that little boy sneak in, mostly when he's hugging me like there's no tomorrow. But now he stands tall, sits tall and walks tall and is proud of who he has become.

Day 5

Well, needless to say it was a very long day. We got on base around 6:30 this morning after stopping for breakfast tacos along the way. We walked around the parade grounds and looked at the planes before meeting up with Justin's mom, step dad, brother and half sister. We got seats early before the buses started pulling up and unloading and watched them practice and run thru the ceremony. We watched the flights march over the bridge to the field before marching on to the field. After the ceremony, Miranda ran and tapped Justin out so that he could move. We followed Justin and his flight over to have their picture taken for getting Honor Flight and took our own pictures. Then we drove over to the ballfield so that we could walk to his dorm for Open House. We got to see all the beds, lockers, latrine, etc. So funny to watch a messy teenager turn into a responsible, meticulous man in such a short amount of time. We left while other families came in to view the dorms and waited in our air conditioned car. Justin's first request was for a Big Mac from McDonald's since he had looked at the golden arches thru the fence for the past 8 1/2 weeks. After lunch we went to the mall so that he and Miranda could finally get a phone plan and new phones. The whole gang went to the food court since most of them wanted ice cream and sat for a bit. Let me just say, it is extremely difficult to find seating for 10 people anywhere. Most of the day we just relaxed and hung out just noticing all the changes we've seen in him. We ended our day with just the 6 of us going our for Chinese food at a great new restaurant. I think Nicole and Miranda were giving the waiter all the free entertainment he could handle with their seat dancing. I told him to feel free to post the video on Youtube. lol We left Justin back at the base a little before 7 so that he could go pick up his uniform from the dry cleaners. Another good day with him. Tomorrow his mother is picking up Miranda and taking the 2 of them out to breakfast before we all meet up later. Me, well, I'm heading to Lakeshore to buy school stuff. You just can't take the teacher out of me especially on vacation.

Day 4

Today was a long but very eventful day. We woke up at 4:30 am and got ready for our day. Amazingly, we were all quick to get ready and out of bed. I guess the adrenaline was pumping. We got to the base about 6:15. We sat thru a briefing about all the dos and don'ts of the base. What our airman could and could not do? He can't walk and drink, can't stand and eat, no PDA, etc, etc. Following the briefing we were all released and basically ran to get a spot on the street for the Airman's run. We stood there for about an hour waiting for them but it was all good. This morning it was overcast and there was a breeze which made it pleasant. We were able to spot Justin on the first pass and he saw us as well. He even looked over and smiled. It was easy to spot us since we had made lime green shirts (Nicole's idea). On his second pass I was able to snap a photo. Following the run we made the quick dash for the stands to get a seat. Now mind you we had a 2 1/2 hour wait til the coin ceremony but I had read that in order to have a seat you must get there early. Luckily we did, because there were a lot of people standing behind the lines and in the sun. When the airmen marched in each flight had a designated spot on the mat. Justin's flight was announced along with the fact that they made Honor Flight, meaning they had scored the most total points over the 8.5 weeks. This is a nice surprise as it comes with a town pass on Sunday. At the end of the ceremony, families were released to find their Airmen. In order for the Airmen to move they must be "tapped out". This basically means that someone needs to touch them, hug them, shake their hand. We stood there looking at him and teasing him but not touching him. It was killing him and me so I finally broke and gave him a great big hug. We spent the rest of the day hanging out on the base, mostly the BX food court where he could eat and it was air conditioned. We finally took him to the ballfield a little before 7pm so that he could find a wingman and walk back to the dorms. Apparently they are not allowed to walk anywhere alone. Tomorrow is graduation. He will be wearing his 3 ribbons that he has earned. He has a town pass for the next 3 days but has to report back to the dorm each night. More tomorrow about graduation