Christopher, Hope and I joined Nana, Papa, Meg and Phil on a trip to Sea World yesterday. I must admit, I didn't want to go. I know, I know some of you will say "Is she nuts?" but those of you who live in Florida, like myself, will know what I am talking about. When you can basically drive to Sea World anytime you want, you do sort of take it for granted and knowing that the summer tourist season is in full swing, along with the sizzling, scorching sun, it doesn't make #1 on your list of things to do. But, I thought I should do it for the kids.

Yes, it was hot. Good Lord, it was HOT. My shirt was drenched and I wasn't anywhere near a water ride or mammal splashing me from inside a pool. I looked at the other visitors standing in line around me as we waited to feed the dolphins and I could see the sweat running down their faces from their damp heads. But, we stuck it out. We fed dolphins, watched the Dolphin show, petted the stingrays, visited the manatees and sea turtles to name a few. When it came time for the Shamu show, everyone was deeply disappointed when after only about 10 minutes someone came out to announce that the show had to be canceled because of lightning. The crowd booed. I was disappointed also (after sitting and waiting nearly an hour because of course we had to get there early so the kids could sit in the front row/soak zone!) But booing? C'mon. It's lightning!

Since we couldn't do anything else anyway (I wasn't walking around out there in that lightning!), we sat in the stadium and ate popcorn waiting for the 8:00 show..Shamu rocks. I was afraid that would be canceled as well because that sky was just as black as could be. But, the show went on and wow was I glad we did. Wow! What a great show. It was worth everything!

Some of you have been asking what Britany's schedule looks like these days (Nana/Papa) so here is what she did yesterday:

0430 Reveille

Hygiene and Room Set-up

Breakfast
BCT Activities

- Aerobic Fitness Test (AFT)

- Drill, Reporting, Open Ranks Evaulation

- Haircut

- Flight Drill

- Military Knowledge Test

- Rank Issue

Lunch

BCT Activities

- Aerobic Fitness Test (AFT)

- Drill, Reporting, Open Ranks Evaulation

- Haircut

- Flight Drill

- Military Knowledge Test

- Rank Issue

- Cadet Store

Dinner

Height and Weight Checks

Evening Brief

Hygiene

2100 TAPS

A little spotlight on my other three kiddos! :)

Getting Settled..

Well, we returned yesterday from another trip to Toronto. I am busy cleaning today and doing errands, etc. Of course, I still checked the webguy's blog for pictures of Britany..and I am sharing them here!

Things are crazy right now and Hopey is coming tonight, so not alot of time for chit-chat! I will catch up with my blogging later! Here are some more pictures.

quick update: brit's coach sent me a text on friday to inform me that the cadre escorted brit over to where the coach was and told him (in front of brit) that she had won the Big Bad Basic Contest doing pugle stick. this is unheard of since the cadres are busy putting the cadets "in their place" sort to speak, not bragging about them to their coach in front of them. lol. the coach tells me that britany has won the respect of the cadres with her toughness and her willingness to support her fellow cadres. i am so proud!

i will be back in the U.S. tomorrow and will have more time for updates!

Jack's Valley

Isn't it great to see her smiling?

(EDIT)**I actually just got a text from Brit's coach who saw her today out at Jack's Valley and commented on how she was "all smiles". In fact, he spoke to her Cadre who informed him that his/her only complaint with Britany was that she smiles too much! Her coach watched her support the other girls while they were doing push-ups and directing them what to do. Sounds like she is doing great. She is definitely number one in her squadron as the average female can only do three chin-ups and she does 14 (last I heard) and she told me that she can do 72 push-ups when she called me on Doolie Day...***

Well, I'm off to Toronto again for six days. I found these few pictures just now. I am so frustrated with the webguy's site though as I cannot seem to save these pictures to a normal size. It saves them all to a postage stamp size picture. So, what I do is open the picture and then take a picture of it with my camera (flash off) and it seems to work. At least I get the shot before it is gone. He adds so many pictures daily that it is tough to find one again after a few days. So, Ann-Marie, while I'm gone, if you guys spot a picture of Brit and can't save it normal sized, try taking a picture of it with your camera/flash off. Some days I don't have access to a computer and worry about missing a glimpse of my daughter.

Everyone else is doing fine. I never hear from Hopey anymore. I have to remind her that she has a mommy. :( She is the social Queen! lol She will be down here for a visit July 22 - July 30. We hope to make it to Sea World. Taylor asked for the first week of August off and maybe we can join Nana at Disney for her birthday. We'll see!