DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in February

Got "the Box" today! Can't wait to get the letter and an address. :)

Thank you bravegirl09!  You don't realize that I needed that so much myself!

Hello Everyone, I just read your posts here and it brought back such memories for me.  Four years ago on February 22, 2010 I saw my son off to Great Lakes and I can tell you I know exactly how you feel. We live in South Carolina and had a 1-1/2 hour drive home after he left and my husband couldn't even talk.  You see, he and my son had worked together for almost two years and our son still lived at home and now he was gone.  Our hearts were just broken, but I can tell you it gets better.  The first 45 second phone call and you know he or she is safe.  Then each day you say to yourself what's he doing, how is he coping and before you know it you get a phone call where you have time to talk and hear his or her voice and it is the most wonderful moment of your day. By the time you get that phone call you will have already received at least one letter and if you are lucky more than one.  For us, we only got the one phone call and letters until the phone rang one evening and what we heard was Mama, Dad - I'm a sailor.  We were so proud.  We hung our Navy flag at the front of our house as soon as we got off the phone and the next day we flew to Chicago for his graduation. We just replaced that Navy flag with a new one and I have marked all the special dates on the old flag and put away so he will have it to show his children one day.  Our son is doing well and since joining the Navy he has married a sweet girl and they blessed us with our first grand daughter this September.  I hope I haven't gone on too long but wanted you to know that even us veteran Moms think of you and what you are experiencing during these days and weeks to come.  God bless and I will think of you often.

 Sue(Daniel's Mom)--Thank you so much for sharing! My husband and daughter also commuted and worked together for the past 1 1/2 years. She was living at home and has always been a home body. You give me hope that one day I will feel normal again. 

Woohoo to everyone who got their "kid in a box" today!  Remember to mark a Friday off tomorrow!  For me, hopefully, 8 more to go!

KYMom59 - that is a great deal of loss all at once.  My prayers for you and your family.

Hi, all! My son was scheduled to ship to boot in April, but I got the happy/sad news today that he now leaves this coming Wednesday!! All of a sudden I'm in fast-forward mode & frantically trying to throw an "Anchors Aweigh" party together for this weekend. Any others heading to GL on the 12th? I just went through this with another son just this past August; his PIR was in Oct and he is currently in A-school in Goose Creek, SC.

Oh KYmom... I am so sorry for all your going through.  Will be praying for you and your family, and your son.  My son left on Monday and I miss him like crazy.  I have to go to IN this weekend because they are removing my dads leg due to diabetes.  Its so hard to have so much going on at one time.  We can take comfort in the fact that our boys are warm and safe and being well cared for.  Will keep you in my prayers

Collins mom... be strong.  It is hard when they leave but each day it will get easier.  Sorry you didn't have much time to plan or prepare.  You can just plan a big party when he comes home for the first time!!

Daniels mom... Thanks so much for your words! They help to know we just have bright skys ahead of us.  Me and my husband were stationed in Goose Creek in 2001 to 2003.  It is a really nice place.  Charleston is beautiful!

Got the phone call.  Oh boy...I don't know how I feel.

Encourager, It m akes me feel good to know our boys are there together even though they dont know each other...just makes me feel better....I hope you are doing ok. Its been a tough day for me...Im sorry I havent replied...just blah ! I know you understand. 

I've been offline for the last week; helping our daughter finalize things before shipping; Anchors Aweigh party on Superbowl Sunday; took her to the recruiter's office on Monday and traveled to San Diego to take her out to dinner: saw her swear-in at MEPS on Tuesday afternoon.  Her flight was canceled and she stayed a second night in San Diego. We are fortunate that, with my husband retired me on vacation, we could stay that second night and take her out for another "last meal."  We went to her hotel early on Wed to get her overnight-bag from her and give her a final hug.  I was okay up to that point but started to break down during that last hug.  Took some deep breaths and pulled it together and said goodbye (she thought it would be too emotional if we went to the airport).  We received the "I'm here" call last night at about 5:30 PDT.  I woke up at 4:30 this morning thinking about what she might be doing.  Now waiting for the box.

Hi everyone. I hope that tomorrow will be better for all of you. It is our first Friday!!! I am really doing MUCH better than I expected. I am very busy with my daughter and her activities and she is such an upbeat girl that it helps. KYMom59- I am so sorry for all that your family has gone through. It must be very hard and I will say a prayer for you. I have a neighbor who is battling cancer. His father passed away a couple of weeks ago. On Tuesday he got bad news about his cancer spreading and his mother passed away. We also have a young mom of five in town who had a stroke a few weeks ago. When I read her husband's Caring Bridge updates I tell myself that my son joining the Navy is not the end of the world. It helps  me to put it into perspective. I would be doing much better if he was not in an EOD group, of course. I just keep telling myself that worrying will not change a thing and I have to try to be happy for him.This is the hardest thing that I have dealt with in my life. However, he is so excited and I am going to try to be happy for him. Stay strong everyone and remember that they are going to take care of them. They want them to be successful as much as we do!

Busymom & Girl Chief, We had the same experience my Son was supposed to leave yesterday....we were at meps all day..he stayed another night at the marriott and then left this morning. I was really nice to have that extra time. I guess our kids will be at BC together If you would like to keep in touch friend me on here or you can find me on facebook  www.facebook.com/terri.palmerstrodtman Hope you are all doing well tonight. Its been a really long day for me.

FYI Girl Chief, I am moving to Crestline at the end of the month ;)

Well mom- deppers.... if your son/daughter arrived this week at BC we are unofficially at our Friday #9!  We're on our way!  :)

My thoughts and prayers go out to those not only going through the trials of having a child leave for bootcamp AND additional issues.  Please find comfort as lupner88 says, our children are safe, warm and are being molded into the fine sailors they will become!  Remember - one down, eight more to go! 

I LOVE the Friday counts....My son and I were talking about his sister (in BC ) and I said one of 9 fridays down! He smiled and said Mom you know she is tough and will do amazing! I am so blessed to have three great kids and  the best Navy Moms right here as support!

Got the "I'm here, call ya in 3 weeks" text last night about 9pm. His group got a late start being delayed in San Diego the day before. As sad as everyones stories have been they have actually helped. Just knowing others feel the same way and know exactly what you are going through makes quite a difference! Just gonna wait on my box and count down the Fridays until PIR! Thankful to have found this website and you lovely Navy Moms!

Tenacious - I LOVE it!  I have three dogs that have been confused all week as to why my son's door has not opened!  Took laundry in to his room to hang up and they didn't follow me in which surprised me.

Tenacious Mom - That is a great picture and what a fun idea!  I may have to figure out something similar for my son's cat!  Thanks for sharing!

That is the cutest idea Tenacious Mom!  WIll prob have to steal it also! All you moms with those Fridays still to count, hang in there!  We got this... and they are probably doing better than we are!! lol

Bonnie - Codys mom; SouthernMom; BusyMom; DOxieMom and TenaciousMom...

My son is also in 800 division -- ND... I will be sending friend requests to you -- if I haven't already

Hi everyone- My son's recruiter called today and gave me his address! So, call your recruiter. if he/she has not called you! My son is SHIP 04, USS ARLEIGH BURKE, DIV 811- Let me know if any of you find out that your child is there too! 

Carolina Mom! That must be where my son is too! Oh what good news that is!

Too cute Tenacious! Love the idea.

Ok ladies here is my next fun idea.  Since we are to count down the Fridays I am going to document it getting as many people, kids an animals to have a picture showing the number of Fridays left.  This picture is from our Cross FIt group.  I have posted a request on Facebook for all our friends to do this and post the pictures.  I am going to print the pics and mail them to Dillon.  Just a fun way to count down the Fridays.  Going to get family in other states to do it as well.

Kimba

My son is leaving out of Charlotte, NC. We've got him pretty much ready to go, I'm just working on me! We've got his wallet ready....with his license, SS card, calling card, mole skin, and a few stamps to get him started. Will you be going to MEPS Wednesday morning? I said my "see you later" to my Sailor at the hotel the night before and I think I will do the same this time. My sons wanted to take that step by themselves. Best wishes to you & your son, too!

Tenacious Mom- Great photos- Love it!!!

KYMOM59- I hope that your husband will be feeling better soon.

supermom1820- My son went to Great Lakes on Tuesday. I got the call at 9:15 pm Tuesday night.

Carolina Mom- I got my call on Tuesday around 7:40.  My son called me around 7:00 and  said he was on the bus about a 1/2 hour out.  He wasn't sure he'd have enough battery to call when he got there.  It made "the call" so much easier because he didn't sound anything like "himself" when he called at BC.  Now just waiting for "the box".  His birthday is on Thursday.  Maybe I'll receive a "gift" that day?????  One minute I'm fine and dealing with all this just fine and the next minute I'm falling apart.  It's like its on a switch- wish I could control that switch!  Does it get easier?

MomTut... it does get easier. I am on my 6th day since he left and day by day I have cried less.  There will be those little things to set you off, but it does get easier.

I went two whole days without tears but then I watched the PIR ceremony on Friday and lost it. I've been weepy ever since. 

I'm so glad I found you moms. It truly helps to share this experience with others who know exactly what I'm feeling. Thank you.

Yes, there SHOULD be a LIKE on here :)