Where did 2013 Go?

What a year? I have been thinking about everything that has happend since January and it has really been an amazing year filled with a ton of first and more joy and happiness than I have felt in a long time.  In January I started into the biggest adventure of my life so far. I went off to basic training.  While I was there I sprained my ankle twice, got really super sick twice, did a whole bunch of confidence courses, learned how to shoot an M-16, marched all damn day and I really learned how to take care of myself.  After I finished up that rope course, I climbed up then rappelled down a 50 foot tower...Woo... By the time I graduated in April, I was a completely different person. Those few months of 2013 have shaped my character in ways that I never would have imagined. I was one of the few Soldier in my Battery that had the privilege of being promoted at the end of Basic Training. Luckily, my family was able to be there. My mom even got to "Pin" me. 

Also on this day, I got to meet my niece for the first time. She was born in March while I was in training. I was so sad that I wasn't able to be there, but it was truly a magical moment to hold that sweet little baby in my arms for the first time. 

I came home from all of my training a changed person. I made awesome friends and truly felt like I had made a really great choice for myself. I really love the military.  I think the best part of it is all of the great relationships I formed. 

 That's my AIT bestie.  Since we graduated our last school we have gotten together twice! I love that I have friends all over the country now. 

After I finsihed with my training, I spent a couple of weeks at home before I started into my first semester of college.  I bought a car that is my own name. I feel like such a grown up for having a loan all by myself.  I got two tattoos.  I lived in Las Vegas in college dorms. I drove to Arizona for a my first Bluegrass festival solo.  I went to the Marine Corps Ball.  I drove to and from Salt Lake and Las Vegas a countless number of times. I put nearly 10,000 miles on my car that I have only had since August.  I welcomed a few friends home from a 7 month deployment.  I cut my hair and I flushed my car key down the toilet. I can't believe that in 12 short months I have done so much dang stuff!  It took me forever to put all of these picture together!