Been There - Done That --Start Your Sailor A Scrapbook

[seansMoM]

I've already been where most of the new moms are now... through the initial separation anxiety, the worry and receiving "THE BOX" ....I was a BloB of nerves. My son is my only child and I had already "planned" his life for him....somebody had to (so I thought) ....He sure surprised me the day he left for Great Lakes. After that, I had taken to the bed....crying, depressed and missing my child. I didn't think I was gonna get through BC much less anything else. Until, PIR....I saw how proud and confident he was with his decision. Was I wrong for worrying ? NO....I am a MOM....it's my perrogative to be a nervous wreck. Am I proud?....you betcha !! So now, 2 years in.. ".we " have been through one deployment...readying for another.... I am still a nervous wreck...but now, I am putting most of my nervous mom energy into a scrapbook and keepsakes box for him (pictures,passes, cards, letters etc..) ...it sure has been calming. I'm not saying it's a cure for missing your sailor, but for me it has truly helped the "blues"........PNM...judy

[Navy for Moms Admins]

:) Did you know there is a scrapbook group on here?

Sincerely, CC

[seansMoM]

Thanks !! I will check it out......judy

[K]

Judy, there is this FANTASTIC site called Scrap Blog. You can do scrap book online. They have fancy papers and stickers and all sorts of neat stuff and you can upload anything you want. When you are done, you can send it off to print and they will make you a nice hard cover scrap book (or a soft cover in smaller sizes). I did this for my sister in law for her recent wedding to my brother. I was very pleased with the entire process and the finished product was gorgeous. While I will still enjoy scrap booking and like to be able to put things other then photos in the scrap book, for special occasions I really like the scrap blog option. When I return home I plan to go to the craft store and get one of those special NAVY albums so I can also start his memory book for him.

[seansMoM]

Thanks for the ideas K....I went online a while back and ordered some neat Navy pages..it included some 3-D Navy items (sailor, carrier,ships wheel etc..) Now I have more ideas !! TY...judy

[Paula]

I did this the day Brett left, he sends me his orders, pics on the phone from wherever he is. He is now on a NAvy football team and got to meet a 4 star Admiral and was in awe. Someone took a picture of them & sent it. Brett does not even know I am doing this. I have a whole bunch of them from every port he will be at. GREAT idea, I am glad someone told me to do this when he began.

Thanks!

[seansMoM]

I also had to start a "keep sakes" box ...my son wanted to save his first dixie - cup and he had coins from his deployment etc....it will be something to look back on in the future.

[Vickie - Proud Mom of Richard]

I am new to this site..sure do wish I had learned about it when my son went to BC. Anyway, he PIR 11/14/08 and I have saved everything. I am going to start a scrapbook but don't know where to start since I have never scrapbooked before.

[Sheila A]

Hi Judy: my son is in BC right now he left on 11/05 and is my only child (no longer a child, he got married on 10/25) and I miss him so much. I am worrying all the time, good thing I work full time and commute 2 hours a day other wise I would be thinking too much. I have not gotten a letter from him yet but I have been sending them every few days. I know BC is tough, both my sisters were in the Army. I am trying to think positive, because I know my son pushes himself more then I ever have. I know he will do well. Even though he has not lived at home for a while I was able to talk to him when ever I wanted to, and now I can not. I am going to try and start and do a scrapbook over the holiday, any sugestions to start it? Thanks Sheila

[Doaw]

I'm a new sailor mom. He's finished Boot Camp and A school. He came home and left this last week. I supported him writing him as much as I can. I can't get over this worry and I've told him I have much faith in him. I'm scared, sad, and full of distraught. I am very proud of him and say my prayers everyday for him. I'm getting my photo shop printer today, and thought about scrap booking. Thanks for the lovely thought, maybe it can help me get out of this emotional state. I am new to this web site and just started today. I wished I knew about this when he was in Boot Camp.

[Anti M]

Most of the major craft chains (Jo-Anns, Michaels, Roberts) have intro classes for scrapbooking.

[Alisa (Jason's mom)]

I've never scrapbooked before. My son's PIR was Jan. 2007. I kept stories from his first deployment in a binder. Don't think I have time to do anything else.

[Kathi Black-Jarrett's MoM]

Thank you Judy! I am a new navy mom - my son is DEP and will leave on May 21st. I am a wreck, but am not so in front of him. He is my only child - adopted at 3 days old - and for the last 20 yrs. he has been my life. Now I must learn about myself along with letting him go - I can do it, but the tears flow. I cherish these last days. Sounds like PIR is great & I look forward to seeing the young man he can be. We are from a small town with no offerings as to jobs & so this is a good opportunity. He will be going into Nuclear Propulsion training after BC. I have never been a scrapbooker or even a photo organizer, but his could be good for me, too!! :^)