"From the North and From the South"

This weekend was another Young Marine camp out. This was a special one because Ella made Private. We are very proud of all the hard work and studying she has done to earn it. Anna is Private First Class and Logan is Lance Corporal. Soren got to go on the trip, so he may as well be Mater Gunnery Sergeant. He think he knows everything there is to know about being a Marine. He eats, breaths and sleeps Marines.
The kids got to do some shooting. Logan had a hard time because of his hurt thumb on his right hand. Soren could hardly sleep the night before he left because he was so excited about using a real gun. The girls did awesome at their shooting practice.
It was a tuff weekend for camping. I swear the wind was about 70 miles an hour. The girls tent blew over once. They all came home sunburned despite putting sunscreen on.
Olivia had a very hard time being alone with just me. Wait, I had that backwards. I had a hard time. I played barbies for hours, read about 200 books, played blocks and colored a lot of pictures. I am so used to having playing companions for her. It was especially tuff not having the girls around. I depend on them a great deal when it comes to Olivia. It was actually nice to spend some quality time with my Baby.

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The Young Marine has been a wonderful program for the kids (and Troy). They have learned discipline and to respect others. This is the Young Marines Obligation.

From this day forward, I sincerely promise, I will set am example for all other youth to follow, and I shall never do anything that would bring disgrace or dishonor upon my God, my Country, and its flog, my parents, myself, or the Young Marines. These I will honor and respect in a manner that reflect credit upon them and myself. Semper Fidelis.