Ups and Downs *long post*

Hello friends! I'm sure you could tell by the absence of activity on my blog that I've been gone for a little while. This will be a post of happiness and sorrow. It will also have lots of photos and long narrative...just so you know.

I know I told you that Jon was graduating from basic training/AIT and that is where we went. It was really a neat experience for me and when you add in that my son is one of the less than 1% of the people in the US that are part of the military my heart just swells with pride! He has truly followed the path he believes God has set out for him during this time in his life.

While I so enjoyed the trip and the things we got to do I did receive the news that my beloved grandpa passed away while we were gone. My dad called early last Saturday morning and I knew that was what the call was for. While my brain is so relieved that grandpa isn't hurting anymore my heart breaks for the loss of the wonderful man my grandpa was. I will be holding tight to the memories that I have of my grandpa and the legacy of love, acceptance, hard work and humor that he has left. I look forward to the day I get to see him and the other loved ones that have gone before me once again.

I have a couple of photos to share with you. The description of what they are will be beneath the photo.

This is, quite literally my last photo and memory of my grandpa. It was taken as we drove away from his house this summer. The trip was a wonderful one and only adds to my wonderful memories of him. And now, we take care of his wife, Fern.

Here is my boy, 2nd from the left closest to me, during the pass and review. I guess it is a tradition of some sort but honestly, I wasn't listening I was trying to find him to take this photo!

And here is another photo of tradition. When a man (did I just type that?) graduates from Infantry Basic Training he earns the blue braided cord for his uniform. The cord signifies to all that he is Infantry and that they are the best in the world. Okay, that isn't what they said but you get the idea! Oh, this ceremony was called Turning Blue.

Finally, is a photo of Jon and I that someone was nice enough to take for me. Good Lord, I look old! Anyway, I had a horrible time finding him in the mass of people and soldiers that are all wearing the same uniform and look the same 'til you are up close. It could also have had something to do with the fact that I thought he was 2nd platoon and he was actually 3rd. Duh, for mom!

Alright, that is it for today. If you've made it this for congrats and thank you for hanging in there. I will pass any comments made about Jon's graduation onto him. I should be back tomorrow with my Clearing the Clutter challenge project. See you then!