Bittersweet Beginnings

I think the phrase of the day today is: "Equal parts excited and terrified."

Today marks the beginning of a new adventure for me... and yes, I see it as an adventure. The Army is going to be good for me. I'm going to get my ass handed to me on a regular basis for the next several months, but in the long run, it's the best thing that I could ever do for myself. I just hope I'm ready...

And I hope that I don't freeze to death wintering in Missouri. Only time will tell, I suppose. If I come back missing digits, you'll know why :)

Here is where I thank all the awesome people in my life, because I knew I'd cry if I tried to do it in person before I left, and I absolutely HATE to cry. Mel and Scott... thank you so very much for opening your home to me and making me feel welcome in every way possible. You are the greatest friends a person could ask for, and I'm going to miss you more than I could say. Dave and Chris, thank you for your friendship and voices of reason, and for your never ending encouragement and support... I'm going to need a lot of both in the next few months, I think. Eric, Dustin, and Brian... thank you for being honest and candid with the warnings about what I'm getting myself into. Without them, I don't think I'd be nearly prepared enough to do this. Josh... well, he gets his own set of thank-yous... but they're a little too personal for my blog... sorry folks! Suzanne, Rachel, and Alexis... you'll all always be my best girls from home, even if we don't see each other nearly often enough these days... expect lots of letters -- even in the Army, I'm still gonna need my girl time!

To my family... you get your own paragraph, LOL. You have been my sounding board, my voices of reason, and my saving grace. I'm so very lucky to have you, and I know I don't say it nearly often enough, but I love you. James... we haven't always gotten along, but you've always been my hero. You are my big brother, after-all. Amy... you are such a perfect addition to our family, and I'm so happy to get to call you my sister-in-law. Baby Charlotte... it's really amazing how much love I can feel for someone so tiny. I'm sorry I'll miss the first several months, but I'll be thinking of you everyday. Aunt Carrie adores you, munchkin. It was love at first sight :) Mom and Dad... can't say enough how much you mean to me... I'll write often, and call when I can. Try not to worry, and trust that I'll be fine. This is my best adventure yet! :)

My recruiter is picking me up in a half an hour, and then I'm off to the races, I guess you could say. Checking in at the Recruiting Office, then heading to Harrisburg to the airport, where I'll fly to St. Louis, MO by way of Cleveland, OH. Then once I land in MO, I'll have a cozy 3hr bus ride with my Drill Sergeant to base. And so it begins...

Wish me luck... this is going to be one heck of and adventure... I'll be sure to come back with some stories!