Just a Quick Note

I hope that everyone who was able to go to the party for Katie had a great time!! i wish that I could have been there, I really wanted to see her before she left, I can only hope she knows that I am thinking of her and supporting her every step of the way!!

On another note, i was thinking the other day about how brave Katie is to do this, and I thought back to another time in our lives when one could say that she had a little more courage than sense!! She is going to absolutely hate me for telling his story, but i can't help it, it is a fond memory from my childhood! I once told Katie that I wanted to learn karate and I needed her help to do. I told her to stand still while i used my leg to swep her feet out from under her- she was reluctant, but as the older sister I was able to persuade her to do it! Needless to say her feet came out from under her and down she went!!;) Anyway, that was not the last time she did that for me- did zI really want to learn karate? NO! I was a big sister torturing my little sister, and every once in awhile throughout the next year or so i would have her just stand there while I did it again!! Anyway, I am sorry KT! In hindsight, it was not nice, but I sure thought it funny at the time!!

I am so glad that we have become close now that we are older, and can't wait to be here however she needs for always! What are big sisters for if not that? And a little torture of course!! Maybe next time I'll talk about the time we strapped her to a chair when we had a babysitter! or the victory dance we made up one night when we were bored! All stories that will amuse those who know her, and make those who may not know her, want to!!

More to come soon, Katie is off in a mere two weeks I think!! SCARY!!

By the way, I would like to acknowledge the very nice things that Katie said about me, but there is no response- you made me teary eyed KT, but you have to know that there is nothing I would rather do than support you, and I only hope the little pieces of info and advice I gave were helpful!! Love You!!

Katie here!

Hi! Just thought I would post here and let you know everything that's going on! I leave in 18 days or something crazy, and I still hate push-ups! On Saturday, there is a "Mega Future Soldier Function" where I will get to go practice my LandNav (land navigation) skills with a bunch of 17/18 year olds...should be fun. :) On a serious note, I am SO thankful to my sister Marybeth for all of her support during this endeavor, I would have gone crazy a LONG time ago if not for her! She is truly my rock! I am nervous but excited for all the amazing adventures I know are waiting for me. Watch this space for news and updates! I love you all, and will miss you terribly when I am gone!! Send me mail...address will be coming soon!

The Adventure is about to begin!

This is an exciting time for my younger sister Katie. She has made the decision to make changes in her life, so that she can be happier. Katie has quit her job as a high school teacher in a small town in Upstate New York in order to enlist in the ARMY! I know you are asking "Who does that?" and I can tell you truthfully, that the only person that I know who has the courage to something like that is my sister Katie! I am so proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone and doing what she wants, and what she thinks will make her happy.

NOT that life in the ARMY is easy, I have lived it for the last 14 years, and I am all too well aware of what she is getting into, with the "hurry up and wait" mentality that is the US military! But, the ARMY has been good to my family, and I am sure it will be good to KT too! I have never gone through basic training personally, just through letters from my husband, and I will go through again through KT's letters as you all come along too! She is excited, but nervous, although I have no doubt that she will excel in this as in everything she does. I hope she knows how proud of her I am, and if she doesn't, maybe reading this will make her understand!

So, I am not sure the exact number of days, but I will update this blog after I talk to her and she lets me know- she has a countdown going! I am also going to post pictures, hopefully she will have a little bit of time to come see me before she has to leave. More is coming soon, please join KT on this journey, and post your encouraging thoughts and words for her. She probably won't get much chance to see it while she is in Basic, but I know it will mean a lot to her when she finishes.

KT and I will continue to keep you updated until she leaves, there are some mini mental breakdowns you may hear about, and after she goes, keep dropping by because I will be sharing news when she writes and calls!