my brother is an airman & san antonio adventures.

Well, here I am in Panera Bread where I know my posting won't be interrupted. I'm also staring at the Cranberry Orange Smoothie sign and deciding whether I want to spend the money and buy it already so I can wipe the drool off my face...

Last week was amazing. I'm seriously still in awe of how perfect it almost was. There was chaos of family, and yes, some silly arguments (due to lack of sleep or maybe even heat) but to me that makes it even more perfect because it was real.

He became an airman this week.

I still don't know what to think about it. I feel an overwhelming array of emotions. I'm proud, excited, even...
After waiting a full day in San Antonio before we were able to see him, when we finally did it was so powerful. He may find it silly that I'm saying these things, but I don't care. He was more CONFIDENT than I have ever seen him in the last 20 years of his life. And that's why I can cry happy tears at night even though I miss my little brother so badly sometimes. He has found his calling at this time in his life and he's living it. He is wearing honor everywhere he goes. I wanted to walk next to him everywhere I went just so people would know my brother is going to fight for our country and he just endured 9 weeks of torture to bear that title.

Oh, and not only did I get to see him, but my entire immediate family. My grandparents on both sides, my parents and my mini-me (little sister).





My sweet parents...the other day was their 22nd anniversary!



On our first day, we walked around downtown, ran into a small street with Spanish flair, and decided to eat at La Cascada. It looked beautiful outside with all the colors and we were all starving.






Before we knew it, a Mariachi band came over and started singing away. We all really got into it, until the end, when they asked us for $6. Apparently, Mariachi bands aren't free anymore.


At that point, we were annoyed.

Her face says it all...

Three messed up orders later, we decided we weren't coming back.

A lot of laughs were had later, but at the moment? Not so much. We wanted our authentic Tex Mex!



Everyone was tired afterwards, so we said our goodnights (after Kiley and I worked out the disgusting food) and we were up bright and early for Jeremy's run & graduation ceremony the next morning.
Early as in 4 a.m. Yuck.
But the anticipation was on!


His banner at the Airman's run



Gramps and David hung out the whole time. I didn't even realize it until I edited these pictures!




When we arrived to the bleachers for the graduation ceremony, we realized very quickly it would be hard to find our airman in the crowds. They all look the same. But when we heard his group, we looked very carefully and I spotted him! I just knew it was him, it didn't matter that there were 400 other people on the field that looked almost exactly like him. DAvid didn't believe that I found him, but in the end I was right. :)


The ceremony was beautiful and heroic. I teared up a few times, but that's not too hard for me to do! We couldn't wait to see Jeremy, to talk with him longer than 5 minutes, to just see him smile after enduring a hard three months.

I love hello's.






His hard-earned token

We got out of the hot sun and found our refuge in a buffet. Apparently, my brother grew a second stomach while he was at basic. I don't know where all that food went...


Together at last. :)

I could tell that he was ready to relax, to be with people who loved him and weren't going to throw orders at him. I was worried that he would lose his wonderful sense of humor- sarcastic and dry- that has bonded us from brother/sister to best friends through the years. But it's still there. He's still himself.



Gangsta Gramps



So blurry, but I still love this picture of my grandma and me












The next day was the parade - also known as a lot of marching where we all got to wear our Air Force shirts. :)











Jeremy had a few free days with us, one day where he didn't have to be on base at all! So we did what typical San Antonio tourists do: We walked to the river walk and the Alamo (just a mile away from where we were staying).





The River Walk is so pretty and serene. We took an afternoon boat tour where we were drenched with torrential rain for the first half. It was funny and entertaining.





A scene from Miss Congeniality was filmed on that stage


In front of The Alamo


Bulletholes from war


Texas is cool.



















And just as there are hello's, there are goodbye's. And they come too soon.













And as I snapped this last picture my eyes were teared up so much that I couldn't even see what I was doing, so it's a miracle that this even turned out the way that it did.


This is just another fantastic memory of my brother and me -- piled in the midst of tea parties, worm digging, fake carnivals in the backyard, snow forts, fake weddings with our neighbors, the birth of our sister Kiley, moving to a new house when we didn't want to, crushes that we both had on weirdos, talking all night and sleeping all day, to graduations, my wedding, and his new adventure.

These memories make up a huge portion of my life and my being. I thank God for the family He has blessed me with, and the brother He has given me who will always be here for me and I for him. I'm proud and I can't wait to see how God uses Jeremy.

And that night Kiley and I had to get cheered up so we watched mean girls and took silly pictures just like the good ol' days.



Woo, this post is finally finished!
(edit: I started this post on a Thursday, and finished on a Monday... so it may be a little unorganized and crazy!)

I hope you all have a great week and set out on the adventure God has planned for your life!