Second Letter!

What a great end to a truly horrible week (stomach flu)--I received my second letter of the week from Ryan today! He NEVER writes twice a week, there's never any time to! So what a wonderful surprise it was to open the mailbox and automatically see his letter there. :)
His letter was bursting with happiness and gratitude. He received four letters two days before Valentine's Day (two of those were the Valentine pix and letters the kids and I sent to him--a big thank you to whoever else is sending him mail!). He said that it really helped him get through this past week. In his words:

"Life here was starting to change in a positive direction and then I woke up from that dream."

Lol. They recently switched from RED phase (which is total control) to WHITE, which is supposed to be a little more relaxed. He says that it wasn't two days later and people were being lazy and constantly messing up again. It's very annoying and getting old so Ry talked to his Drill Sergeant to see what he could do to help motivate those that are around him (especially since he's in charge of them now). His Drill Sergeant said that he just needs to keep doing what he's already doing. Later on this same D.S. said, without mentioning names, that there are about five people who are the examples that everyone else needs to be like. It was a compliment to Ryan without actually saying it. :) I am sooooo proud of him!!!! He's been working so hard and it is really paying off--he's able to see results in himself and feel the appreciation from others (who actually care at least). :)