As of March 23rd,2012 its been 1 year since I have joined the Navy and shipped off to boot camp. The year has gone by quite quickly if I might add. As well as of May 20th, 2012 I've graduated from boot camp. I've done a lot this past year. I've gone to school, 2.5 months of deployment , to San Diego, then to Bremerton for dry dock. 3 more years to go!

My daughter has just completed bootcamp at Great Lakes and is at MassCom for her A School. This has been the beginning of her life ephipany and journey. I hope to tell her story from my mother's heart. Maybe readers will recognize their own child and find encouragement.

I received a phone call back in December of 2011 from my daughter with the news that she had joined the Navy. Many of you have heard similar news. It was a shock, but upon reflection, this was her method. Most…

Even if it is only every other week or so, a Skype video call is fantastic.  Makes both of us feel better.

Any one else have a family member in Ship 02 Div 935?

I just watched the Memorial Day Concert in DC on PBS. I sniffed my way through it. I was once told thank you for raising a son who was willing to serve. I just want to pass that on the moms here. Thank you for raising sons and daughters who are willing to serve our nation. My  dad was in the Navy, and always spoke of his days in the Navy with pride and love. My grandmother spoke of waiting to receive letters and information from my dad, and treasuring those. Soon my son will leave, and I…

We are now to the last two handfuls of days. It is in our thoughts often, and wherever we go, our friends are all saying "good luck", "be careful", "we are proud of you", "thank you for serving", and "we love you" to my future sailor. (It makes me teary when people thank me for raising a son who wants to serve.) I know he is thinking about leaving soon as well. He told me that he is not a good writer, and needs to stay focused on what he will be doing, so if he doesn't write that is why.…

Ok, so things are getting better. Not as emotional as I have been. Of course, that could be from the pain pills I am taking for my broken toe! No form letter again today. The mailman is lucky I couldn't chase after him. 

I emptied Erin's box today and was looking at the shipping label. It really bothers me that our postal service is in dire $ trouble, yet our own military doesn't support the U.S. Postal Service. The box was sent Fed Ex. Just seems wrong. 

Looking forward to…

Congratulations to all those sailors celebrating their new rank today. We are all so proud of you. For those families sharing their loved one's disappointment, we join you in encouraging them to hang in there and fight the good fight again in September.

I find myself looking at the upcoming holiday weekend with little enthusiasm. Once more my son is having to accept being "Oh so close..." on the naval advancement cycle. I am sure that he is not the only service person dealing with the…

I got a letter from my Bird yesterday.  He said he was glad to be rid of P days, "they suck". lol  he hates shots and said a guy next to him fainted. He said he passed his first swim test and first physical fitness test. thank God!  He looks forward to "Chow" everyday. lol  he says the food is "legit". lol  He says he catches himself day dreaming and wondering what we are doing at home, but has to snap himself out of it cause he doesn't wanna get emotional at…

Well, the AD advancement results are out.  However, my sailor is Reserve so we're still waiting - not that he has a clue that they will be out soon, it's not something he's thinking about at the moment!  It's me that's anxious!  I'm hoping he passed, but since he wasn't prepared for the test I think it's unlikely.

 He wasn't expecting to even take the test since he was away training but he had R&R during the test time and had gone into the NOSC - they had his test for him and told…

Just sharing a quote that sums up the pride we as parents feel! John F. Kennedy said it well....

"I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and…

I am so excited!! I heard from my son today and he is officially a SAILOR! The had the capping ceremony yesterday and he graduates next week. It's been a long 7 weeks so far. The worst part was just not being able to talk to him. I knew he was okay, but I wasn't used to not hearing from him. I am so proud of him and can't wait to see my son! I can't wait to wrap my arms around him and tell him how much I've missed him and how much I love him! Only 7 more days and I can do just that! :D

I received a letter from my son.  I was so happy and proud.   He misses us all very much, but he was inspired again and has the motivation to get through and make us proud.  The only thing is that I would be proud of him if he shoveled horse manure.   I appreciate everyone's encouragement, it sure makes it a little bit easier.  By the sounds of the letter, it was from the first week.  I am looking forward to graduation - only 42 more days :)

It's been a rough 5 days.  I'm tired of water problems and torn up carpeting. My bathroom, hallways and closets in my apartment flooded Saturday while I was at work. Thought maintenance had the problem fixed, carpet dried out and reinstalled  monday evening. Tuesday, my only day off this week I spent my morning trying to fix the disaster created by having to empty out my kitchen pantry closet, all 8' ft of it and 75% of all my food and dishes. No sooner…

I just want to thank everyone for your support....When i think back to all the mistakes I've made. All i have to do is look into my daughter's eyes, and see what I've done right. <3.........I'm so happy boot camp is over. It's so nice to talk to my kid or tex her... I was sitting here cry. I went on facebook an there was a beautiful pix of her an one of her ship mate. Having fun.. It just made me so happy, to she that beauitful smile my kid has.....So proud.

MY GRANDSON HAS BEEN GONE FOR 5 WEEKS ON YESTERDAY AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A PHONE CALL I HAVE RECEIVED  LETTERS BUT NO CALLS IS THIS NORMAL

She is on the USS Abe Lincoln and I am missing her like mad.  I have sent her a care package to which she told me it will take her 3 weeks to get- does this sound about right?

How often do they go to port?  Anyone know?

I have cried so much in the past week that I thought my tear ducts would be dry by now. There not. I am very proud of the choice that my SR has made and the decision to join has been there for years. People say "Oh children leave their parents at some time or another. You'll be fine." As I should chalk it up as nothing. As I read other mothers messages on here about feeling the same as I do, I recognize that no matter their age your love is never going to change. In your eyes, they are your…

So it has been one week today or 7 days since my daughter has left, I got the box, but no letter yet. I peruse every single photo posted in the hopes of seeing her. Just a glimpse into what she is doing. She told me not to call her recruiter, which I did not until yesterday (Broke my promise)...Thank, heaven he did not answer. This baby of mine (20 year old baby) has left for two weeks to Paraguay and it did not upset me as bad. Some days are better than others. There are a lot of Mom’s and…