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Comment by Marianne on April 28, 2013 at 8:39pm

Kris P: So glad that you got to see Mitch! Conor made it home for four days after Easter. He was at Pt. Mugu for training. Got called back early, but you know we will take whatever we can get! Can't wait for December 2014, when he should be coming back for a stateside posting.

Scotland sounds wonderful. It's hard enough to have all three sons out of the country, but to miss out on those grandchildren is just too unfair. I really don't think non-military families have a clue. That's why I am so grateful to have N4M (even though I am a lousy poster).

Conor is up for promotion from LTJG June 1. It should have been in May, but that darn sequestration is at play again. Anyone have ideas for a creative gift? I am going to make him a needlepoint pillow, but he won't let me start until it is official. At that rate, I'll be lucky to get it done by Christmas because summer is my gardening time.

Finally able to at least get out and start prepping my veg/herb beds. We had the rainiest April in Chicago history. Flooding is still a problem near the rivers, and it's been a week since the last huge downpour (7 in. in 12 hr.). Last year's drought is a distant memory, I hope.

Prayers for that little boy. My youngest starts on his MD/PhD in August. He is very interested in pediatric oncology, but admits that he isn't sure if he can take the heartbreak. I just told him to think about the kids he can help save.

 

 

Comment by Marianne on April 8, 2013 at 10:38pm

Welcome, June 4th!

My apologies to all, especially Kris, for reading stuff on my phone and then not getting back to replying (my phone can't do it on our plan). It seems like I really need a new computer at home because I never have time at school.

June4th - I can't really help you out except to say that there are an increasing number of female NFOs and the one female (out of 5) who winged with my son seems to be doing great per her FB. I do know my son's XO in Japan is a woman, but that isn't much of a help. Your daughter will start out training at Pensacola, where she'll probably opt for living off-base in a house or apt. with other trainees. Once she gets going on training, it will take about 2 yrs. or so until winging. Unfortunately, those two years don't count toward her ROTC payback time.

NurseNavyMom(Sheila) - Hope all goes along schedule-wise for your winging in July. My DS is a Hawkeye NFO, so we were at Norfolk, not Jax.  At NF, all the "official" stuff was on the day of the ceremony. It started @ 8 AM with a briefing, tour of the plane, and yes, the SIMS. Then we had lunch at the officers' club, the ceremony, and a brief reception with cake, etc. Most people I've talked to have had something similar. It was lovely; wear tearproof mascara! The rest is whatever your family wants to do, but be prepared for the class to go out that night. It's traditional that the newly winged buy drinks for the rest of the squadron. 

As far as presents go, my DS loved the framed pictures I got of the planes he trained on starting in primary at P'cola and on up to the Hawkeye he's on as an NFO.

Kris P. - Glad to hear that you enjoyed Scotland. I hope you'll still get to have your family get-together there as planned. having 3 sons all over has to be very tough. I'm lucky that my youngest just FINALLY made his decision to do his MD/PhD here in Chicago. I was selfishly hoping he wouldn't take his east or West Coast options.

Japan was great. The base area itself isn't very exciting, but the trains make it very easy to get to Tokyo and elsewhere. Tokyo is only worth a day or two, but I hope you and your DIL can get down to Kyoto. It is really lovely and you don't want to miss the famous street market.

We had a wonderful short visit when Conor actually got to come home for 4 days! I really had not expected to see him again until this deployment ends (another 18 mos.) He and 3 other guys from VAW 115 were scheduled to come back to Calif. for SIMS at Pt. Mugu, but we were sure that the sequestration would mess that up. Luckily, they made it in just under the wire. It was very chancy as to whether he'd be able to get the leave to come home, so we didn't even tell his dad. That was one surprised father when Conor walked in.

Hope all are well and that the craziness in NK doesn't affect our kids too much. Right now I'm more concerned about Congress and the way their intransigence is affecting the safety and careers of our children. I'm already hearing about people not getting to deploy as scheduled because of funding.

Comment by June4th on March 16, 2013 at 11:21pm

My daughter is a junior in NROTC,,,she is hoping to go NFO.  I am really nervous about this and was wondering if there are other mothers of daughters who are currently NFOs that would give me a little information about what their lives are like once they get to their training.

Comment by snowmc on January 3, 2013 at 1:21pm

DS passed his boards in December and will be home on leave next week.  Can't wait to see him!

Comment by Marianne on December 13, 2012 at 11:25pm

Dear Kris: Thanks and have a wonderful trip. We are actually leaving on the 20th (God and the North Koreans willing). I know everyone on here can understand my excitement in a way that few of my non-military friends can! When we actually got to Skype with Conor on Thanksgiving I started crying. That 6 mos. deployment on the GW was brutal. I think that we only got to talk 4 times. I take it Mitch will be with all of you? I was actually hoping to meet him. My youngest is leaving Sunday so the boys will have a few extra days together. again, have a wonderful time in Scotland.

This extended cruise led to a couple of quick changes in plans. The funniest (as an outsider) was Conor's roommate's wedding. The bride flew to Guam where, as Conor put it, he "was maid of honor, best man, and witness". They are finally getting a short honeymoon now. Of course, Conor will be looking for housing since three would be tough on the newlyweds in that little house!

Sorry I haven't been on much> I do read postings on my phone, but the last five months have been really hectic. I good friend died of melanoma four days before his youngest had to leave for college in August, and that was just the beginning of a hard streak for many people I am close to. Hope that 2013 is a better year!

Sean's mom: Welcome aboard the roller coaster. You won't find a better group of women than on this site. We, too gave our DS a sword. They are expensive, but one of those things that are going to become a family heirloom. I opted for engraving his name, but left off the rank, date, etc. He's already used it in two weddings, too! The navy tradition of forming an "arbor" for the bride and groom to walk under after the ceremony is really beautiful.

Ann, good luck to your DS at Norfolk! Be prepared - it is even more gruelling than P'Cola. I tease my DS that the NFOs should get a master's in EE when they finish. He lived in Virginia Beach, where there are a lot of nice apts. at decent prices. He and his roommate were only a block from the beach. Not sure what the situation is after the storm, though. He's also a "Hawkeye", as they call the E-2s.

I'm wishing all your sons and daughters the best. They are in my prayers.

Comment by sheriswick on October 24, 2012 at 5:30pm

Yes I saw them!!! Thank you Ann

Comment by AnnfromLouisiana on October 24, 2012 at 1:22pm

sheriswick, there are four more pictures of your sons winging on Facebook. They were added yesterday.

Comment by sheriswick on October 23, 2012 at 9:31am

Thank you Ann!!! Good Luck to your son!!!  The E2 training is very intense.

Comment by AnnfromLouisiana on October 23, 2012 at 9:05am

UNM, congratulations to your son. Off to P'cola now. My son was there for a year and is now in Norfolk for E2 training.

Comment by AnnfromLouisiana on October 15, 2012 at 8:44pm

He's so handsome. You're very welcome.

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