Andrew Goes To The Army

Ok, so as most of you know Andrew was accepted into the Army a while back. Last week Emma and I went to his swearing in. It was actually pretty cool. We watched a video on basic training - I guess to give us an idea of what he would be doing. The training is very intense, but he's excited nonetheless. We are down to the final week with Andrew in Barrie... he's begun moving his stuff into a storage unit and packing what he will take with him to Quebec. Emma's not so fond of the idea of him leaving. Last week Andrew took Emma to the military base here in Bordon to show her the tanks and helicopters (and to try to explain that he was leaving for work). I think it's important for Emma to be part of the process - I'm hoping that it aids her to understand what's happening.

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Ok, because I'm so busy and updating my blog seems to have taken a back-burner... here's the latest. Andrew left on Thursday (August 10th) for his basic training. Since his dad was up at the Gaston Family Farm, Andrew decided to take a detour. He left a day early, headed up to the farm for some one-on-one quality father/son time. In the wee hours of the morning (some where between 2am and 3am Andrew ended up driving his car into a ditch! Yep, that's right folks. And it wasn't just a minor accident... he ended up in the hospital and everything. The injuries were pretty intense (he bruised his heart, liver and kidney... he has a seat belt mark accross his chest and a gash on his forehead). The doctor told me that if it wasn't for his seat belt that he would have been dead! So for all of you reading this that don't buckle up... think twice next time you get in a car! Andrew's car jumped over the ditch and hit the bank on the other side so hard that all 4 tires were off the ground and his car was suck in the bank! It happened to have remained that way until a tow-truck got it unstuck.

I ended up driving Andrew to his basic training in St Jean, Quebec. The trip was pretty interesting. I'd like to take a moment to thank the inventors of portable DVD players. If it wasn't for you I would probabley be sitting on the side of the road pulling my hair out. However, that was not the case. Emma and I survived the long journey without a single problem. In fact, she barely looked up from her TV. Together we sat in the car for two straight days... perfectly entertained. Anyway, back to the trip. We ended up in Montreal for a night. It was pretty cool... except for the fact that the only hotels are in the downtown area (someone ought to rethink that one)! If I had more time I would have stopped by to see my sister... but it just didn't work out that way. (And sorry to Lydia too... I believe we passed by Ottawa). The trip home was a blur. I was so tired - there isn't really much to say about this part of the journey - - i put the gas pedal to the floor and next thing I knew we were home!

Any how, Andrew is at basic training. He called to update me today - so far he hasn't been yelled at or punished for anything. His testing is this week, if he doesn't pass he's fired. I'm not sure when our next update will be. I imagine that they will keep him really busy. I hope his injuries don't prevent him from "being all he can be in the army." (just love that commercial, had to get it in there.. ha ha).