Having a Sister!

I have been thinking about Brianna a lot lately, of course. I am so grateful each day for the gift of my sister. I can't imagine my life without her. We have had some hard times that is for sure, but all that could never change how much I love her. She is my best friend, my constant. I have been hit with how fragile life is several times, however this Memorial Day was huge for me. Every ounce of me wants to be able to see her and hang out with her- forget camp, we'll do our own camping! Sisters have a way of letting everyone know your flaws and making you crazy, but they also are a source of comfort, let you escape reality just for a moment to let you dream and encourage you to go for those dreams, they give their shoulder and let you soak their shirt with tears. What is better than that? I am so blessed to have that relationship and share that with Brianna. I wouldn't have chosen anyone else. She is perfect!

Now for updates (the paragraph has been on my heart lately and I felt it was important to share).

Brianna had Memorial Weekend off. She was so excited to be able to relax and visit a few people. When I talked to Bri on Monday she sounded so refreshed and ready to go. I was so happy that I could talk to her a lot more than we have been. She was ready to get back to camp and do more training. I had a very interesting experience with her on the phone on Monday. She was doing something while we were talking and I asked her what she was doing (there was a lot going on in the background) and she told me, "Oh just getting my weapon." It was so natural to her that I had to replay what she said in my head a couple of times. I laughed and said that it sounded so crazy that she was just getting her weapon. I never thought I would hear that one! Bri has a lot of training this week and sounds like she will be going pretty fast and not have much time for a break. She is also 19 days from leaving for Camp in Indiana. The time has flown and she will be even farther away from me. She does have a short 3 day pass which she is really excited about, sounds like she will be having a lot of fun!

As for me, Meghan, I had a wonderful vacation visiting some friends in Washington and enjoyed seeing them graduate. I am so proud of their accomplishments! I am still job hunting and it is getting tough. Education is really taking a cut and offering very few jobs. Other than that, I am enjoying being done with school, I feel free again!

Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for Bri's departure. It is still pretty rough dealing with the reality piece of this process. Also please pray for a job for me.

Thanks for checking in on us and keeping us in your prayers!
Meghan and Brianna

***Bri- Oh girl, where to start. I really am grateful that you are my sister. I wouldn't have picked anyone else. You are you and that is what I love so much about you! Thank you for calling me on your time off, it means a lot to me and warms my heart every time I hear from you. I wish I could have been there to see you this past weekend, especially to see this new hair cut that you still need to send a picture of for me!! I love you tons girl. I am so proud to call you my sister! Be smart!
Love you always,
Meggs

Well its Memorial Weekend and I'm so happy to have a little break from training!!! It's been a crazy schedule. I have to get up between 4:30 and 5:30 just to get into the bathroom and use the shower cuz there is only 3 shower heads and 40 females.. BIG CLUSTER!!! Well the training that we did last week was mostly weapons and qualifying. We did get to shoot the big boys as I call them. And just to correct Meggs story on the falling off a HMMV ... what really happened was I was getting onto the top of the HMMV and I was on the right side of the gunner and I wanted to get to the left of him. So when I moving over to the otherside I was trying to get my feet out from beneath me and in the same moment using the back hatch that was open as a stablizer and then it collapsed on me so what happens I went down with the hatch, and ended up landing on my head. But I got right back up and climbed right back up. I wasn't going to miss my chance at shooting the .50 CAL!!! You kiddin me!! But now they gave me the nickname of Humpty Dumpty!!!

Well besides shooting off our weapons we have done Land Navigation. So we have to go around and find points from our maps. And its a lot of walking, but we totally kicked butt at it.. Mostly because the girl I was with didn't understand so I had to do all the mapping of our grid coordinates, and finding the distance in meters that we would have to walk. So the day after that because I passed I had to coach someone else due to them failing the day before. So I had to help and make sure they knew what they were doing.. Man it was a really hot day, but what was worse is I pulled off at least 10 to 15 ticks off me.. ICK!!!!!! They are everywhere up at Ripley!!!

Then later in the week we had COMBATIVES!!! Some fun stuff, besides the fact I had to go up against 4 really big guys (one who has to be around 300 to 400 pounds- Literally!!!) but it was all fun and we learned some great techniques, and the instructor said I had the most motivation!

It's just not the training that has been keeping me busy, but the job I had working for the unit before we were on orders has continued to follow me during training. I have had some really late nights organizing the packing slips and making sure I know where every high and important item on our property books location is. So I've had a huge responsiblity, and the partner in crime who helps me has said we have received some really good recongition for our hard work and dedication!!!

Otherwise, we have just been busy with classes and getting ready for Afghanistan. The lastest update that I have is that we are no longer heading to Bagram, Afghanistan. We will now be going to a location in southern Afghanistan. It's something called Camp or Fort Leathernecks I think?? It has marines on post and its a newer post that they are still setting up. Everything is always up for change!!!

Everyone have a great Memorial Day, and if you seen a Veteran PLEASE tell them thanks for their service. We all strive to keep our love ones at home safe and to continue to have the freedom we have today!!! I don't regret signing that piece of paper one bit, and know I'll return home to the ones I love dearly!!!

Note to Meggs~ Hey Beautiful!!! I love the picture and your hair is amazing!!!!!! Just want you to know that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't wonder how you are doing, and hoping your day is unique!!! I miss you so much, and I want you to know that I'm always looking up to you and the accomplishments you have made. I think you need to know that I'm so PROUD of you!!! You have weathered a rough storm, and sometimes the storms return worse than the original but you are so strong that you just hold on and get right through it!! Well we have one heck of storm coming soon, but just like all the others it will be over all in time! I love you and want you to know you'll be right in my heart in Afghanistan.. ~ There's a special place in there just for YOU!!! Love ALWAYS and FOREVER!!! ~~ Bri

An Update on Bri

Bri had called me last week when my "graduation" ceremony had started. I felt horrible not being able to take her call. She had told me to call her afterwards, when I did I got no answer. I called a couple times the next day trying to see if I could catch her. On Sunday she called and she only had 15 minutes before she needed to be doing something so we only got two minutes to chat. She told me that she was doing ok and that she had bumped her head on the Humvee (spelling?). But she needed to go and she would call me back as soon as she could.

At around 8ish (CA) time she called me. We said hi and she asked how I was and then I asked how she was, "Alright" was her reply. I know that one well. I asked her what was wrong and she started to cry. She said it had been one of those days. Someone in her that she has been paired with quite often has been slacking on her part and has lost 4 items (not sure what they were) for the unit during training, as I understand it- don't quote me. She had tried to talk to this person and the irresponsibility continues. Brianna is very hard working and when someone is slacking on their part and letting other people down she will do what she can. She knows that she is responsible for this person and vice versa so she has had a tough time dealing with the lack of responsibility especially when her life depends on it. Bri has had little time to do anything. They run a pretty tight schedule and she finally had an hour today to do a little bit of her laundry. Bri says that they are constantly moving, training, and going through various things.

I told Bri some stories about my students that made her laugh because they did little things that reminded me of her and other times that they had thought of her. I told her about this cute book that my class had made for me and there was this really cute picture of her with one of the guys who really adored her. I reminded her of a funny homevideo of us when we were really little and my mom kept on trying to get her attention- Brianna would have none of that and here I stood smiling at the camera waving and saying, "hi mommy." Bri was off in the background with the wheels turning and it is clear on her face. She knew immediately which video I was talking about and starting laughing. I also played our song for her- "Ain't No Mountain High" to help lighten the tension for her. I'm sure my off key sing was something that she was laughing about in her head but was being sweet in not saying anything!

Please continue to keep Bri in your prayers. She needs them! She will be off this weekend and I'm sure resting up breathing a little bit. Anything goofy or silly that you can inform me of that I can relay to her would be greatly appreciated. I am going to be sending something to her in about a week so email or call if you have anything you would like sent her way that is memorable to both of you!

* Note to Bri-
oh do I wish I could be there to give you a hug right now. I am so sorry that it is not going well and that I can't do anything to help. I wish that I could come this weekend and see you while you are off or get you a plane ticket here even if for just a day! I'll buy some lotto tickets and see if I win the jackpot and Honey, I will buy you a ton of tickets to come and visit! Or for me to come and visit. Sorry you had to hear my awful singing tonight on the phone. I know I'm not great, you can tell me to stop any time ok! I might not because I hope that making a fool of myself will help you laugh! Stay strong. Don't let anyone get the best of you! make sure you laugh a little, if there is anything that I can give you to make you laugh, let me know! I love you tons girl. Always have and always will!

Love you,
Meggs

A Pretty Big Week...

This week was pretty crazy. A lot went down and for me it was a rollercoaster of emotions. Bri and I talked for a short while before she left for training. She had told me that the party was pretty fun. She had so many people come to visit and felt very supported. Bri told me that my grandpa had said some really sweet things to her that made her and a few other people around them start to cry. Bri checked in to Ripley on Tuesday morning at 7:30 and with the few text messages she has sent, it sounds like it has been pretty good so far. I am hoping to chat with her today to find out more and then I'll update the blog with more information.

(picture above is my friend Diane and I at graduation)

This week was pretty tough in that it all hit me that she is leaving. I have found that I have gone through the stages that people go through when they've lost a loved one. I know Brianna is still alive- but I think it is the same for people who have a loved one who is being deployed. This week entailed a lot of crying and guilt. I was sad that Bri couldn't be here yesterday to see me unofficially graduate from my program. Then I realized all the things that I missed for her and I have felt so guilty for not being there for her in her joys and pains.

On a little lighter note. I have completed my teaching program (yesterday/Friday). I am so glad to be done. I love my classrooms that I was in but am glad that the me sitting in a classroom part is over. My students and teacher were so great to me! They made this really cute advice book for me! It is hilarious! just a few examples- don't yell at your students, don't give homework and make sure you have a big eraser!

Just one more thing- I have decided to write a book (children's). I have thought about how hard it has been for me to deal with Brianna having to leave and can only imagine how hard it is for children to understand what is going on or for those who haven't even met their parent. I plan on gearing the book towards children but I think it will be fitting for many people. However, I need some input from others. So if you have someone in the military and would like to share your story and a picture, I would love that. Even if you know someone as a neighbor or someone you know is dealing with the deployment of a loved one and they don't know about this blog, if their willing to share I'll take it. I am thinking about the title and I think I'm going to call it "This is My Solider" or "Letters to My Solider" maybe i'll write two books. If you would like to share please email it to megbrilauer@gmail.com . Thanks for your help.

*Note to Bri-

Hey Girlie! I did it, can you believe it? Now you will get to come and visit my classroom! I've been missing you a ton! I hope all is going well for you right now. I can't wait to get your call and hear all about what is going on. I love you lots!

Love, Megs

P.S. thanks for listening to me vent the other day!

MY PLS with a connex!

Bri's Turn

Well I thought it would be about time I wrote on this sucka... lol... Well just had the going away parties with the families and friends, And thank you to all who showed up it meant the world to me to have your support and love during this time!!!!

My schedule for the next couple monhs is tomorrow Tuesday the 12th I report up to Camp Ripley at 7:30am to check in with my squad leader. Then we have training which is called PTAE. Exactly what we will be doing I do not know as of yet, but I do know that we will be having different quals. with our weapons this week... We stay up at Ripley til about the 10th of June, and then get a little break in there to spend time with family before we have to report up to Duluth on the 14th. I also know that we do get Memorial Weekend off... that is as of now always subject to change with the military.

But we report on the 14th of June in Duluth for the Ceremony that will be held there at the DECC in downtown Duluth for families and communities to see the send off of my company. Even the governor is there!! Exciting!!! Then on the 15th there is also a ceremony in Chisholm, which is an hour and a half away. We have 2 because we have 2 locations my company drills out of and Chisholm has been so great to the troops in my company!!!

The 17th of June we fly out of I believe to be Duluth or its MSP for Indiana where we will finish training at Camp Atterberry. We train there for 45 days, and I believe family is allowed to come after the 45 days to visit before we fly out to Kuwait. Then from Kuwait we will head into afghanistan.

Incase we didn't already know my company is a Transportation company, and we will be driving the one type of vehicle the whole time. Its called a PLS, which is a Palletized Load System, and we will be hauling supplies to different companies that we will be under from Batalion. The haul could be anything different type of supplies and ammunition. Whatever is required of us. We are the first unit to be going into Afghanistan with this type of mission so we have a lot more work for us, because we have to send our own vehicles and equipment overseas. We have around 187 soldiers going over, so if you could please pray for all of us, and every soldier that is anywhere overseas!!! We fight to make sure our country but most of all our loved ones stay safe at home!

But I think that's a good enough update for now.

MEGHAN: Well Big Sis... as you said that ride to the airport was the hardest drive I've ever had to endure!!! You have meant so much to me, and to see you become a strong person is just AMAZING! I've always believed in you even in our little spats, but thats just normal! Keep your head up eyes forward and work your a** off for those jobs, and become the best teacher out there that I know you are!! I know those kids will grow and say "Miss Lauer was my favorite teacher, and man she let us color...." Don't hold yourself back on anything! Take it one day at a time and I'll miss you in so many different ways. You'll be with me in my heart MEGHAN RACHELLE LAUER while I'm driving along in my PLS, with tires as big as Noah! I LOVE YA FOREVER AND ALWAYS!!!

Bri

Feeling like a Snail...

The other day I was driving to class and traffic was horrible, of course (Welcome to California). So as I was sitting in traffic, I was reflecting on all kinds of different things (reflecting is required everyday when you go to Cal Lu.). I was thinking about how slow I was moving in traffic and felt like a snail (elementary teacher coming out in me) and realized that the next 439 days will be the snail feeling for me. I think of Brianna leaving and it will feel like forever til she comes back. I feel like each day will be so slow. I imagine being a snail and seeing the finish line and feeling overwhelmed by the distance and overwhelming feeling of how slow the time goes to get to that line. I have been telling myself for a long time to take one day at a time and live it to the fullest, but the goal is always at the back of my mind. I worry for Bri and think how it will feel even longer for her than it will for me.

I have found that I have a much deeper appreciation for snails now, interesting what sitting in traffic will make you think of.

Today Bri has a "farewell" party. I know that it will be a tough day in some degrees for her.

Me, I have six days til I am finished with my program and can start my life!

That's all to report right now...
thanks for checkin' in.
Brianna and Meghan

*Note for Bri!
Bri, I hope today went well. I can only imagine what you are feeling knowing that you need to say a ton of good byes today. I hope that you have some fun and enjoy yourself at the party. Enjoy every moment you can today!

Love you tons.
Your sis!

Saying Goodbye

Today I took Brianna to the airport. It was the hardest drive I have ever had to make. I think we both cried most of the way. I couldn't stop thinking about how I can't believe this is real. I knew that this day had to come but actually doing it was painful. How do you say goodbye to someone you love so much. I hate knowing that she is going to be somewhere and will have some extremely tough times and I CAN'T BE THERE! I know that she lives in Minnesota right now, but we can at least call each other and talk. Knowing that our communication will be limited will be even worse. Brianna and I don't see each other often already but this makes it worse.

I also realized that I am envious of all those in MN who get to see Bri and spend time with her, her last precious days here in the states before she goes. I wish that I could be there and see her off. This is the one thing I don't like about living so far away. I wish that we had more time.

Please keep us in your prayers- prayers to help me get through this tough time and find peace. Pray for Brianna to be at peace and for her last days in before training.

*Note for Bri!
Bri, I am so glad you came. I had a great time with you and wish we could've had more. You are my best friend and I am so proud of you. I wish I could be there to see you off and to give you all the hugs you need, especially now! Please be safe and know that I always love you! You will constantly be on my mind and in my heart. I love you tons!!

Megs

Spending Time With Bri!!!

Here are some photos of the weekend...

Yeah! Brianna finally got here (well, not today but Thursday night)! On Friday Bri came to my classroom to meet my students. They absolutely love her. She explained what she does in the military, drew little pictures, she showed how big tires on her truck are she used a student to show that the tires are bigger than him (she said, those suckers are big- my mouth dropped!). Bri was such a great sport she took a math timed test (all the facts) and only got one wrong, Bri- 7 times 5 is 35 not 32!! She took a spelling test with the kids and did a great job. She got to come up in front of half of the school and help present awards to my students. At the end of the day she even had kids doing push ups and was helping them correct their push up stances.

At the end of the day we found out that some of the boys really, really liked Brianna. One gentleman would write his spelling word then immediately look at Bri and stare. Another one tried to impress her with his push ups and his "work out" routine. Then another gentleman, who is so shy and hardly says two words would not stop talking and smiling at her. It was such a funny day!

Saturday we spent the day with the babies I live with. Chase absolutely loved Brianna. He is usually hesitant about new people but fell in love with her. He would choose her over me and napped on her twice. It was so cute!! After watching the babies we went to the Dodger game! Dodgers won in the tenth inning.

Today we went to Disneyland and California Adventure Park. Bri and I decided that we liked Disneyworld better, but still had some fun.