"Better to fight for something than live for nothing." -General George S. Patton

Today was, for the most part, spent getting the rest of my things ready for Basic Training. I packed up most of my clothes and personal belongings aside from what I will be needing for the next few weeks. My Army bag is packed and ready to go! Now if I can just memorize the plethora of information that I need to know by heart before my ship date, I'll be good to go.

It's a difficult thing for a lot of people to enlist for the right reasons these days. You pretty much know without a doubt (and any honest recruiter would tell you right off the bat), that you will be deployed at least once during your enlistment for 12-18 months at a time. And it could VERY likely be to a war zone with all that's going on in Iraq, Korea and Afghanistan. I knew that before I even went to talk to a recruiter or signed the paperwork. I chose to do it anyway. Less than 1% of the population of the United States serves in the military. I assume this is one reason why. My family is afraid for my safety upon deployment, but I'm not really. That's what I am training for...to defend my country. I'm sure I will be fine. But if the "other alternative" was to be God's will instead, it's better to die doing what you love than to live miserably.

Oh, how badly I dread leaving my adorable husband. I don't think we have been apart more than a couple nights in the past 10 years, not without at least talking anyway. However the more I think about everything I am leaving behind (with the exception of Jamie), I realize that I couldn't have made a better decision for my life. I think it will be a good opportunity for him to find himself and figure out what he wants to do with his life as well. Not to mention, I will be getting enough education money for us both as well as our future children, to go to college and improve our quality of lives.

Feeling a bit nostalgic, excited and maybe a smidgen depressed all at once tonight. I really should be concentrating on doing some physical training, but can't seem to get off my lazy backside. I guess Uncle Sam will be taking care of that for me soon enough anyway...

"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave... " -Patrick Henry

Wow. I have come through so much to get to this point. In 23 days I will be leaving everything and everyone I know in pursuit of a new life. A well deserved, better life. I have overcome so many obstacles and in truth, am thankful for each one. I firmly believe it is during the tough times when who we really are shines through.

I am so lucky to be blessed with a wonderful husband that is standing behind me while I chase my dream of becoming a Soldier. I know it is so very hard for him to let me go away to a place where we aren't together. It will be a challenge for us both, but I know we will persevere as stronger individuals and even closer as a couple.

I would be lying if I said that I'm not nervous about Basic Training. The fear of the unknown gets me every time I think about it. I am at least, going with the confidence that I am going to be good at this! I can feel it with every fiber of my being. This is what I was meant to do; I just had many, many roadblocks to push out of my way before I was truly ready.

I love nothing more than detail, organization, discipline, and structure. I look forward to being able to wear the uniform of the United States Army, and feel the pride of FINALLY being a SOLDIER.

God bless us all who willingly undertake such a responsibility.