Whew, what an experience it has been the last 8 1/2 weeks.. Ryan left us on August 8th 2011 to enter into the USAF BMT in San Antonio TX. Alot of prayers were made during this time and God truly show me what it means to trust, have faith and answer prayers during this time not only was Ryan going through AF training more God was showing Himself more to me during this time and I think Ryan too. One of the happiest things for me is that he did share his faith with a wingbrother, he did stayed in chapel just pray he will continue this..... The 1st call we got from him we both broke down and the next was so much uplifting, then from there the moods were either happy, stress whatever it was I could start to see a change in his voice. I have never been a fan of snail mail I will buy cards and never send them but during this time I try my best to send him a letter a day and thankful that I did. We had some wonderful prayer partners, he got letters on a regular base from a sweet wonderful couple, a girl that I know my son thinks the world of and 2 of the greatest sisters.. He got letters from others too and he was thankful for each and every one.. We also have a wonderful group of friends that took some stress off of the total cost of trip between what we had saved up and what they all donated too was enough for our airfare, hotel, and rental car. I dont think they will ever know what that meant to my family and I and those that know me know I am not a receiver of gifts so I have to say it truly humble me and made me see more of what giving is. So, you see God was every so faithful in this process.. Our trip started out going to Atlanta to take a straight flight to San Antonio on Wednesday night it was Tyler 1st flight and he was a champ and mine since I was 16 everything was smooth getting there well except our one wrong turn to the park and ride parking lot it was the 1st of many.. We got to ride through the base on Wed night cause we had to get to one gate to the other to fix Stephen pass it was quite and peaceful and I was holding in the tears knowing Ryan was near.. We stayed at Hamptonn Inn downtown/Riverwalk it was close to the highway and downtown and riverwalk just wish I could have gotten one on the Riverwalk..lol... Thursday we had to be at the base by 7am for the briefing and then the Airman run by 8... We made it there by 6:30 we listen to the rules of the weekend and the schedule and then we made our way out to street to fine a spot to wait for Ryan to run by with his flight..He spotted us on his way back and we got a smile, then we went to the Coin Ceremony where he would be receiving his first coin from his TI this was a 2 hr wait and Stephen decided to stand up and was so glad he did he was the one to tap Ryan out and that hug was the sweetest hug I ever saw them do it warm my heart and show me the love between them, then Tyler jump in and got his, then my turn and we both crying but it was tears of happiness's and proudness.. After this we went to lunch on base with his friend Maynor and his family from down near the beach and listen to stories from their time, from there since we could just stay on base this day we went shopping at the BX got him a new garment bag and new backpack for his carry on, tour the model planes where he told us all about them (he was a walking book of knowledge), he taught Stephen & Tyler how to march and Tyler is still marching he says he is going into the AF too, we also chill out at the community center and the brothers played each other in Madden then we went to have dinner at Burger King near his dorm met a couple of other of his wingbrothers during the day.. Friday was the graduation parade that started at 9 and we got there at 7:30 and got GREAT seats we were the first of 20 there.. lol.The graduation in itself was surreal no words for it.. there was about 700 graduating getting there ribbons and stripes and to hear them take the creed, be sworn in, there marching in their blues the flags, the planes in the background it was all so real I am now a mom of Airman, I always protected him and now him and his wingbrothers will be protecting us.I realize then he is not my baby boy anymore he is a man and I am proud of the way he is starting his life as one.. After the picture taking we walk back to his dorm to see his stuff and where he had been living for the last 8 1/2 weeks and meet his TI, heard a couple of stories, even his TI didnt think he would make it and he told him he was proud of him.. But we know Ryan can have Shelton moments, well lets just say if you are ever hear make sure he goes back from final inspection before town pass.. He didnt, and supposedly the guys had to wait for 10 to 15 mins before they could leave some of the guys took it out on him by flipping his bed, stealing his flashlight, making him do EC duty double or even try triple shift for the 2nd night but his other wingbrothers came in took that 2nd night shift for him cause like they said yeah man you missed up, you took your yelling, paid your dues no need to take it out again another night.. You know the boy can have his moments but I am so proud how he handles himself in those moments esp when others are giving him a hard time.. Anyway, on Friday he went to spend the day with his dad chillin at the hotel after having all you can eat Chinese buffet..While he was there we walked downtown, riverwalk, went and meet Kim & Jacob Weunschel and their kids, it was great catching up with them and seeing the kids.. I do have to say I did cry alot this day, moody, didnt sleep and I prayed alot too cause I had no clue what Ryan TI was going to do about him coming to inspection so didn't know if we were going to get to see him or not the rest of the weekend but again God answer prayers he just got yelled at and we got to spend Saturday with him we took the Alamo Trolley tour we enjoyed it somewhat cause we got to go and see 2 of the missions out of downtown but we were rush it was not a trolley tour like we have done in Savannah or St Augustine I wouldn't do it again.. We walked through the Alamo, did the riverboat tour after this he was ready to go back and chill at the hotel which was fine w/ me since i had not slept I could nap too..lol.. It took him 45 mins to get back on base on Fri so we decided to leave by 5:30 and go on back base and eat at Godfather pizza then we went back to the BX to look for him some earbuds and laptop sleeve and he made it back without being rush.. Once we drop him off we just went and walked the riverwalk again and saw all the Saturday night crowd.. Sunday since Ryan flight won Warrior flight they had town pass from 9-6 but his chapel service was at 11 so we went and got him at 9 went to another BX that had a bigger food court in it for us to chill, the boys to play games got Ryan 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags (they roll their clothes and put in these bags and take the air out that is how they pack) it was pouring rain (thankful they got some, ALOT of rain even heard a tornado hit close to the base early that morning) so we had to stay inside and drive around, then we went to his chapel service at 1100 it was something else to see the music before hand they are playing is very uplifting, the AB cant sit down until told us, the graduates and family fill in the back rows.. DJ should see this service all durning the service some of the guys in tech school security force they walk up and down the aisle making sure nobody is asleep and poking them if they are, there are sf at the doors too you have to let know why you are leaving and it was not the freedom you would think of.. Then after chapel Ryan went to eat with his dad and then we went by and got him and went to hang out at the hotel he taught me how to roll socks to show a butt and a smile and to roll shirts lets just say my sock is better than my shirt..lol... We packed him up with his new bags and took him back to base and watch him eat supper before saying our good-byes until Christmas or Feb..It was hard but knowing we can talk, text, FB him now it made it a little easier.. We went to Tower of America after we drop him off we saw the sunset and it was BEAUTIFUL seeing SA like that.. Afterwards if you look at the brochures or web site for SA and you see the restaurant on the riverwalk w/ all the different color umbrellas it is call Casa Rio (I think that is the name) but we ate their that night and then headed back to the room to pack up for our flight home... We had a WONDERFUL time watching my boys all of them including Eric laugh with each other, talk, just being around each other, we have not had a trip where the 5 of us have all gone in a long time and this one I just sat back and watch my guys enjoy each other and my heart was full.. Seem like everywhere we went people would say congratulation and thank you to him my heart would just be smiling and looking up to him in awe, the way he carried himself, the way he spoke to people I could not be more proud of him, watching him being a big brother to his younger brothers was something else too, I do have to say TYler is 1 lucky boy w/ 2 older brothers that are so good to him, he looks up to both of them so much. Still getting use to the fact he is not going to be walking through the door tonight.. He is off to NAS Pensacola FL with 9 other wingbrothers (this is a Navy base) to learn Aircraft Structural Maintenance hopefully in 2 wks we will hear his first base assignment he thinks it will be between Virgina Beach, Missouri, New Mexico or Alaska.. mom is hoping Virgina Beach.. Standing proud for our USAF Family.. Airman Ryan Shelton we love you..
