I promise to protect and defend

In anticipation of an early morning arrival in Denver, we drove to Englewood and stayed with our wonderful friend, Linnette on Monday night. Linnette has been a part of their lives as long as I have and is an aunt of sorts. Jocelyn jabbered and sang the entire way to Linnette's house. "Where Ninette?" "We at Ninette's house?" Once we got to Linnette's, Jocelyn was attached to her. She followed her around the house, helped with dishes and they played and played and played.  The first words out of Jocelyn's mouth this morning was, "Where's Nette?"

Catherine told us that swear-in was at 8:30. Then she called and said it was at 9:00. We got there about 8:00 just to find out that swear-in wasn't until 10:00. Just to find out that the first round started at 10:00, which Catherine was not part of. In fact, she didn't take the Oath until about 12:30. Talk about a loooooooong wait for a two year old and pregnant lady! Jocelyn did remarkable well. She just got a bit cantankerous at the end because she was over tired, beyond hungry and very thirsty!

A loving embrace of a Daddy and his Duck and of a Duck and her Chocolate Muffin Pop

 A tired Jocelyn making a little bed on the floor

 Linnette, Jocelyn and Cackle looking out the window at downtown city traffic

 Cackle reading to Jocelyn for the last time in a long while

 A loving embrace between Catherine and her mom

 A loving embrace between Catherine and Jacob

 Catherine, Natasha, Chandra and Jacob

 A loving embrace between Catherine and her dufas brother who forgot his identification at home and almost did not get to come in!

Catherine taking the Oath and becoming an official member of the United States Air Force

Future Military Member???

After the forever long wait, Jocelyn was finished! She had run out of patience, self-control and the 

ability to be entertained or appeased by anyone! She collapsed on the floor and proceed to throw a fit.

But, overall, she did extremely well considering she'd been up since 6:00 AM, didn't have much to eat or drink and waited in a little room for four hours.

Brudder doing "ring around the Jocelyn" made her smile and giggle.

Jocelyn comforting a very sad Natasha.

Three members of the Air Force

A last loving embrace between Mikey and Catherine

The three Jones kiddos

Catherine and her siblings (minus Jordyn)

A loving embrace between a Cackley-Backlry and her preggy marshmallow step-momma!

Catherine and her family!

A proud moment for Michael

Linnette and Catherine

A very tired little girl! Fell asleep with a fry hanging out of her mouth.

Catherine, I post this on your 20th birthday. A birthday, I am sure you will never forget, a birthday spent in Basic Training! Jocelyn and I sang Happy Birthday to you this morning, and Jocelyn had the biggest smile on her face while she sang! Kelli wished you a happy birthday too!

We miss you so much already, and are so very proud of you. May the Lord always be the leader of your heart. May He give you the strength of body, mind and soul to survive, conquer and succeed this chapter of your life! We look forward to visiting you wherever the Lord sends you on this adventure in the Air Force!

"May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May he lift is countenance upon you and give you peace. May the Lord take great delight in you, quiet you with His love and rejoice over you with singing. May the Lord fill you with the fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control; all the days of your life." In Jesus' Name, Amen.