USS Essex Navy Moms

Forgot, that is a very handsome sailor.

Tina - so this is your sailor's new ship??  I read the article about their return and .....Ramage conducted naval exercises with five countries and completed a rescue-at-sea after finding an Egyptian fisherman adrift 100 nautical miles from land. After recovery, the ship returned him to his home county.

The ship visited 18 ports in seven different countries and participated in Belgian Navy Days, similar to a Fleet Week event. While in Athens, Greece,

TIna - from the new of where the ship was last time it ws how, he'll will have new adventures in a number of new countries.  Enjoy your last week.  Will he be in Norfolk then?

H&R Block At Home® Online Free Tax Filing Service

https://www.facebook.com/notes/military-community-and-family-policy...

My son used them.  They told him that the new home buyers tax credit was extended for military with "qualified official extended duty" outside the U.S. if he purchased by Apr.30th and closed by June 30th.  He made it by a couple of weeks.  That is a tax credit of $8,000.

It pays to have your taxes done by someone who understands their orders and tax benefits for the military.  Cost $0.00, benefit $8,000.00.

haven't been on in a bit, but that pic...Yes, it most certainly IS "Our Jesse"!!!!  feel free to "friend" me (and Jesse) on FB. He loves all his Navy Moms, and he has already adopted Momma Kyann (LOL). I am friends with some of you already, and I have many sailor kids too. Love it, and love all of you! thanks for your support. I'll try and catch up with everything here too. been busy w/work and check ups for this dang heart disease, but getting good results at check ups so that is great.

http://www.military.com/news/article/uss-essex-unable-to-fulfill-mi...

Just in case you were wondering...

KimTN - sounds great

Kim, what great news.  It is an honor.

     A year ago today, Josh finished his Battlestations and I got the "mom, I'm a sailor" call.  I'll never forget the excitement in his voice during that call!  Just thinking back :-)

    Sent a package off today...a funny valentine's card and a little box of chocolates with a picture of a dog that says "I woof you" and other goodies.  That will make him laugh.

    Mary...happy to hear your checkups are good!

    KimTN - that's wonderful news!  Congrats!

     Sharon - wouldn't that be wonderful to have him that close!  How does he know it might be Washington?  Does he get to choose?  Or does the Navy tell them that far in advance?

     Well...have a nice weekend everyone!  My parents will be down from Vermont this weekend so I'll be spending time with them. 

Cathyo, that is sweet that you remember his Battlestations date.  Am I the only mom here whose child went through the 'old' Battle stations.  The simulator was supposed to be ready for his group (took 6 more months).  He said he would not be able to stay awake unless he got to run all over the land.  They where told not to make noise at 3:00am when they where near Oprah's house.  They screamed.  I'm sure they where not the only ones.

KimTN, I live 3 hours from D.C.  Mom and dad stopped every spring/fall on way to/from Florida to visit his cousin.  I take or meet dad every year since mom died (2006).  His cousin is former navy nurse and her husband was a captain (almost admiral).  She lives in the fancy navy retirement facility.  Jonathan was always close to her and I think it is why he picked navy.  We are meeting all the cousins there this spring.   Let me know when you go.  I would love to meet you if it is possible.

Come to think of it Marianne, I am only 5-6 hours from Norfolk.  ROAD TRIP!

You too Tina, let me know when you visit. 

I will always be part of Japan.  Since my son married a Japanese girl we where added to her Koseki.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koseki

It is kind of cool to be a citizen of U.S., Canada and a registered member of Japan.  LOL.

Kim - I guess you have dual citizenship +** - pretty special!

Wouldn't that be fun to meet in Norfolk!  Of course, it will be a little while before Katie gets there.

Sent off a package on Tuesday with 5 different kinds of cookies and a little Valentine's candy.

My daughter called for a recipe the other day, so I think Alicia is baking for the sailors too.

Sharon - the only thing close to that was when a package took about 2 months to arrive.  Her letters have always arrived.

Took a CPR class this afternoon at the Pediatrician's office that I work at.  They set it up, paid for it, and paid me to come.  Hadn't taken one since 2006, so it was a good refresher course.

Most packages I have sent have arrived at the Essex in about 10-20 days. And I send them parcel post, I recently sent one of the priority boxes that you can get from the post office (just a few things in it, like Jesse's shoes he left at home, lol). It was pretty light so priority was only about $12. It's been a month now and it is not there yet.

Sharon, Jesse said "a bunch of sailors are waiting for Christmas packages still" - kinda weird.

Since my APO/FPO Flate rate boxes are filled with cookies, bars, candy, etc. and usually average over 12 pounds, it is cheaper just to use the flat rate PO/FPO boxes for me.

Sharon, not sure what your Mom can do about the lost Christmas letter/$$.

i sent hunter a box of valentine sweets plus food he likes--nothing home made this time.  he sent me a text earlier, then said let's try fb message, then he was there and then he wasn't.  he was going to ask me to do something for him, but never got it since it seemed he went away...i am bummed, like depressed.  i hate not sealing a conversation with some kind of "good-bye," "see ya," "till next time," something, but he never got to his request.  i don't always think the worst, but it's driving me insane!  ok, just had to vent, not that i feel better, but anyway...

i am beginning a new adventure today-weight watchers.  i have lost weight and gained it back, usually.  i have about 20 pounds i'd like to lose, but i fear i'm just not into it.  UGH  it's a work thing for 12 weeks.  i'd like to lose the weight before i go on the Gator/Tiger cruise, so you think that would motivate me. let's hope.

sorry to be so negative today.  i am thankful i heard from hunter!  we can text now, well, as long as he will...lol

hope you all have a good day.

kim, i agree, i would like that, too. 

all is good with hunter, i skyped him while he was sleeping.  he said he thought he sent a text back, must not have come through.  whew, he's ok.  :)

YAY! Josh texted last night.  He's done cranking.  He's happy :-).  Has not net received the ship to shore calling cards I sent through the NEX online store at least ten days ago.  I'll have to call and see if they can track them.

KimTN, you must be so excited planning a welcome home party!  Praying all works out for your husband while looking for work. 

Still enjoying a mild winter here in upstate NY!  Have a nice day!

Katie rec'd her cookies in 1 week!  The guys said they were great.  She wonder if I 'underbaked' them a little since they were all intact.

See Sasebo has a snow advisory again....always wonder how many inches they are expecting!

Jesse finally received his package!  I sent another box on Wednesday, hopefully this one won't take as long. Marianne, Jesse said your cookies were good! LOL!!  TGIF everyone!

Mary - Glad Jesse enjoyed my cookies.  I know that Katie opens her boxes in the shop and just shares them with everyone.

what is cranking?  and what does "done cranking" mean? 

marianne, i bet those cookies were enjoyed by all who had them...so sweet!

mary, glad jesse got your package. 

kimTN, how long will hans be in va?

SNOW here!!!  just a couple inches or so. 

Good luck to him, Jamie!

Kyann, all sailors have to "crank."  Either kitchen duty or laundry.  It's for 90 days.  Josh had kitchen duty - mostly while underway and then finished up in port.  He is very happy to be done and back to his normal job!

I called the online NEX store about the ship to shore calling cards.  They said it could take up to two weeks - which would be today.  So hopefully they will be there soon.

Take care!

Kyann, Josh arrived in Japan in May, but didn't start cranking until November.

Tina - So glad you hjad a nice time with Jamie home.  I'm sure he is looking forward to his new ship and the adventures he will have and the new places he will be visiting.

It seems like Katie started her cranking after they were on their first 'underway'....she did laundry.

Katie posted.....'Well the Navy knows where they want me and when. They just dont know when they want me to leave this place!!!! Still its official Im leaving!!!!'

Hi all! Been awhile since I wrote but I read frequently. Just saw a video of my son getting OC sprayed as part of qualifing for a particular duty. It was great, and he passed with flying colors!! He actually took down the "red man" in the padded suit with a wrestling hold. Everyone cheered and it was great to see. I'd seen vidios of this on YouTube and was very anxious when he told me he was going to have to do this. Very proud of him, and glad he passed.

TIna - How are you doing now that Jamie is gone and on his way?

Ann - so glad that you got to see the video.

By the way, Katie is headed to the George HW Bush later this year.

Tina - Something that I can look forward to mid-year!  Of course, I saw that his ship had returned from a 7 month deployment - so wonder if that is usual.

Hugs to you Tina. 

Marianne, where is the George HW Bush stationed?

Bush is in Norfolk

sharon-soooo beautiful!  he's gonna love it!

marianne-that will be nice to have katie lots closer!

tina-hoping hunter's time goes by fast too, not sure more for me or him.  :)

hunter said he is cranking now--in the kitchen.  said he would have rather done laundry, but oh well, he likes food.  ha ha  skyped with him last night for a while.  i told him to call me often so i don't lose it.  he was in his rack, practically asleep, but it was he who called, so we talked.  lol  he posted pics on his fb page of cooking on a grill, oysters, said it was his 1st time having them and he liked them. 

going to be a busy week for me.  i do try to read as much of this group as i can, though i can't comment all the time, but i love reading your posts and keeping up to date on everyone and their Sailors!  have a great week, all!

Hi ladies! 

Sharon, that is  beautiful!  Is that done with the Creative Memories software that you mentioned on FB?

Saturday 2/11 was a year for Josh's PIR.  Did alot of reminiscing with Navy Mom friends over the weekend.  We started together through N4Moms forums and then moved to a FB page for 2/11 alumni.  We shared pictures and stories of our sailors.  It was really nice to share our feelings and memories with those that truly understand.  Here's a picture that I made. 

Sharon, I like your idea of a photo album and think I'll look into that software that you have.

KimTN, I copied/pasted the picture of the Essex, its shield, the Sailor's Creed and Josh's picture into a powerpoint.  I then used "Snag It" to make it a jpg file so I could insert as a picture.  If you need a hand, let me know.  It would only take me a minute to swap out Josh's picture and information with Hans. 

Good luck to Jamie.

I never heard from my son when he was cranking.  They never have to do it again when they reach E5.  I don't think anyone on the Essex had to do it twice, but they can if they need them.

The change of duty station is pretty easy.  Jonathan packed his belongings and they where shipped before they got underway for spring patrol.  He was scheduled to be on vacation when they returned.  Two weeks in Sasebo and two weeks San Diego.  They never returned because of the Tsunami.  He lost some days and spent three days ship hopping to get to Sasebo, but they kept him pretty close to his schedule.  Make sure they take advantage of the Navy shipping and storing most of their belongings.  But don't ship their income tax returns.  They may need that to sign a new lease.

Nice pages ladies. 

Sharon, your son will be stateside before you know it.  I still don't see my son anymore but I can talk to him now.  I'll have to ask if he will see it.  That would be funny.

She's headed our sailors' way!

Katie was saying this AM she wishes they were at sea.

Guess katie's 'wish' will come true before March;)

I heard that too, Marianne.  Sending you PM.  thx

I am now going to delete my post, but I hope you understood what I was saying, and, again, not trying to be bitchy...just hope all the posts about the Essex will be removed and nothing further discussed until made public. thanks ladies!

I invite you all to check out the USS Family page. It is a closed group, but we would welcome anyone with a relationship to the Essex!

Hi AuntieJ - in case you don't hear back from happyclime, here's the link.  Hope this works for you....

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/groups/ussessexfamily/

Good morning everyone...how is everyone doing? The hull swap will be taking place in the near future. Hoping the Essex makes it to SD without incident...lol...our guys/gals aboard are doing great. Missing my son terribly, but leave time coming up in May for three weeks...HOOYAH! It's nice to come to a site where I can just say what I feel and know you are all out there supporting each other. What a wonderful thing! Thank you to whomever set up the page. I know how difficult it is...again, if you need further support or feel like checking out another group, you can find our group on FB, USS ESSEX/FRIENDS/FAMILY/ABOARD...specifically for folks on the Essex. Thanks for being here!

We are all waiting and wishing for the BHR to get to Sasebo FAST!!! lol...

Hi everyone. Just wanted to say hello. Had outpatient surgery yesterday morning. I'm fine, just a surgery to stop "Aunt Flo" from visiting, every month has been horrible since I am on blood thinner & aspirin every day. Doctor said I would have discomfort, but it was severe pain all day and sickness from the anesthesia.  I am off work tho till Monday.

Jesse called me yesterday morning while I was in the hospital (he forgot I was there, but that's ok). Anyhow, prayers to the Essex.

Hi Mary - Hope you are able to relax until Monday!  Take care and hope you feel better soon.  My "Aunt Flo" has been missing for  years - woooohoooooo!!!!

Hi Happyclime - yes, this is a great group and very supportive.  Stop in any time!! Love your FB USS Essex/Family/Friends site too.  Lots of information, interesting stories, laughs, and support there as well!!

So, Josh still hasn't received my ship to shore calling cards that I ordered through the online NEX store on Jan. 27.  I called earlier this week and they had JUST left SanDiego on Feb. 19...so hopefully soon!

Hope all is well with everyone!

Saying a prayer, Mary.  You have had a tough time.  I had the big H, 5 years ago.  My Aunt Flo wouldn't leave and I was needing iron transfusions every 3 months.

Jonathan told me last night that he hid candy behind a wall on the Essex and he is waiting for it to get to San Diego so he can retrieve his candy.

Who is in charge of the name change on this page?

thanks for the well wishes everyone! I am feeling much better!  Kim, Name change?!!! It is kind of sad that we won't be Essex moms!!