Looking for other moms & GF's in Ship 4, div 823

[Militarymomof2]

Hi, I am a Seal wannabe mom. Looking for other moms that are dreading Pre buds and then the big move to California for Buds after graduation.

[Brie]

Ditto--I can't wait for PIR! I walk into my son's room everyday, just to feel close to him and I can't tell you how many times I have re-read his letter...I am hopeful for another letter today!

[Militarymomof2]

Hey Bri I thought I was the crazy mom!! HAHA. I go in and straighten the comforter on his bed (like it was ever made when he lived at home) just to have an excuse to myself to go in there. I can't wait for PIR (22 Days) but who is counting and we are going to the Meet and Greet. Have you made your hotel reservations? Where should I stay. I reread his letter too but I have it memorized as it was only 8 lines long. HAHA He is a man of very few words I guess!! Praying for a letter when I get home!!!

[sdcalram]

Good morning, I have been silly too, I have not even washed the clothes they sent home in his box yet. It has been hard only getting one letter ,as I am sure he is writing to a few girls instead of mom! I know this was going to happen so I am not too sad about it but I still look for a letter mid week. Cant wait for PIR also. Not sure if we will make meet and greet but we will try. Are any of your sons worried about getting out of shape at boot camp? Glad they have pre buds so they can get prepared again. Hope everyone has a great day and we all can get a letter or call soon.

[Brie]

So Proud mom I'm guessing you cleaned your son's room too? I tore my son's room apart, washed all of his laundry, but one tee-shirt. :) I had to leave one thing unwashed--(I completely understand sdcalrmom. I almost didn't wash my son's clothes that came back either).
I am pretty sure that we will be going to meet and greet (wish you were able to go bonos mom), but we don't have our travel plans made yet. I don't know about hotels yet either. Maybe I am being paranoid, but I am thinking that maybe we should PM that info to each other. Maybe AngiefromWa Buds mom can give us some advice on that.

[Brie]

No mail for me either :(
I was going pretty strong from my son's last letter, but now I'm finding myself looking longingly at the mail box and tearing through the mail once again. I guess I can't help myself.

I took my son's last letter directly to the post office. The clerk put a flower stamp on the envelope before I could stop him. I blurted out, "I thought you would put a flag stamp on it!". I tried to explain that my son might get made fun of, but he just kind of looked at me.

[Brie]

Too funny!
My son would be the one sr to get in trouble if I sent anything other than a letter in a plain white envelope. :)

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Well, Brie, time to educate the mail carriers at that post office! Don't worry, I think your son will survive a flower stamp in his letter. :)~

To answer your previous post: I guess as a Spec Ops Mom, I would not do what this group did, but they did leave a handy list of some of the more well known places to stay so you can research them yourself:

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/where-is-everyone-staying?g...

I know more recently, there have been a couple more hotels built that have seemed to get good reviews from our members so far. Check your PIR packet from RTC too. Think there's a list and phone #'s in there too. I would definately stay away from the Red Carpet Inn and the Econo Lodge! Beyond that, it's really up to your preferences, needs and budget and how far away from the base you want to be. :) Guernee and Waukeegan are just up the road. If you don't need a suite or a swimming pool and/or continental or full breakfast buffet, then hands down, for the quiet, relaxed atmosphere, location, nice staff and unbeatable price, I would recommend the Navy Lodge! (It is on the base housing side, 5 minutes away, NOT on RTC) Nothing 5 star or fancy, but it's clean and very secure, with kitchenettes, specify that you want a full walk-in one. There is no free wifi though, and if you want a shuttle, you'd have to call a local service, as they don't provide one. A car is a must anyways to get around GL, and get your Sailor back to base on time each day, so you have to decide whether you are riding or driving on base on PIR morning.

To address your concern about posting where you are staying, I applaud your caution. These are public pages, their RDCs can read them, true, but I'm always more concerned about the "unknowns" out there to whom you would have just announced that you will a. be leaving your home empty for x amount of days and b. telling everyone publicly exactly where you will be staying, with your new Spec Ops Sailor. It probably wouldn't be a big deal in the scheme of things, but you might as well start erring on the side of caution, operating on the "less is more", "loose lips sink ships side of things now". So PM away! :)

Hope more letters are on their way for you all soon!

[Brie]

Thank you Angie! Your're like our fairy godmother, popping in with helpful advice and words of wisdom at all the right moments :)

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

ROFL well, now that's a new one Brie! :) I've been thanked and called other (mostly nice) things onsite over the past two + years, but never a Fairy Godmother! My hubby got a good chuckle out of that! =)

I originally only meant to pop in for a day and don't want to overstay my welcome, (like those annoying relatives who don't know when it's time to go home!), so I've tried to stay in the background and offer assistance when you all haven't been able to figure it out for yourselves or are hearing conflicting info. I like being able to add color commentary and read about/cheer for good news too! :)

Can't wait to hear the results of the cards received by tsmom's son. Some RDCs have a pretty good sense of humor, some don't. My son had to do 8 counts (push ups, sit ups) every time he received more than 4 pieces of mail in one day. (I wrote a letter each day) In light of their "lack" of physical conditioning level, I too figured I was just doing my part to "help" keep my Recruit in shape! LOL He apparently agreed, because he wrote "Mom, It's WORTH it, so please, keep them coming!" =}

[sdcalram]

my son's grandparents got a letter yesterday but we have only had one. they scanned and emailed it to us . It was about a day in his life at bootcamp . my parents were trilled. they put a self addressed stamped envelope into the letter they sent him . think that made it easy for him to write back imediately. I am waiting also!!! :(

[Brie]

No letter for me either yesterday :(
My son told me that the only chance he gets to write is on Sunday and he is in chapel during that time. So, I don't really hold out any hope for getting a letter this week. However, that won't stop me from going through the mail expectantly.
I think next week is the start of battle stations. My understanding is that battle stations is two weeks before PIR. I really don't know if that is accurate. Does anyone know for sure?

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Brie, they will start BS the Thurs before PIR. They take a couple of Divisions every night, except for Fri/Sat (Captains Cup on Sat am) through Weds. Thursday, the night before PIR is a last ditch, second chance night for anyone who didn't make it though. (rare, but it does happen) . The Recruits have to pass all their other tests and final runs to be eligible to participate with their Div in Battle Stations.

I know it's hard, but they are SO busy right now. They just simply have to choose to take care of/do other things, or study, during the time on Sunday they would have to write! They will as they can and make extra calls as they earn the privileges to. You can definately look forward to their "I'm a Sailor" call after BS. :)