The Cyber Sisterhood

Jasmine - did you end up coming to PIR or not??

Hey Sue- if you happen to get on here... Zach mentioned to Patrick that you guys are going to a pizza place and a bbq joint. He wanted to know what they are. Thanks!

Im hanging with the hubby in our hotel, so nice to have him here with me!!

Hi guys. The little one and I tried to go to Gurnee Mills mall and ended up headed towards Wisconsin on the toll road. Ugh. I got off, got back to the lodge and we are staying put.

Oh Beverly and all of you, I miss you all so much, but I am so happy you are with your sons and daughters. I'm so, so happy about that.

When my husband came home tonight I said, "Wow, I'm exhausted!" He said, "From what?!" I said, "I spent the WHOLE day at the Great Lakes!!"
He laughed and said, "I bet you DID!"

Soon I go back to work, but it is amazing how God gave me this past three weeks at home with our oldest son, who is 2 days into Army BCT, and he gave me last week to be here during Battle Stations and today for PIR. It's miraculous to me and my husband and I know that this precious time was sent from ABOVE. .

I must have watched my favorite PIR video 25 times today! You think I'm kidding?? I am not. They play "Proud to be an American" in it with the Sailors marching in perfect unison. It's beyond amazing. Oh, yes, and I emailed it with a nice letter to about eight of our closest friends and family. I received several replies that they are SOOOOO proud.

Well, I await word from you all. In the meantime, I am off to write a letter to our Army son even though I have yet to receive an address in which to mail it. .

P.S. JN Renee, so glad all is well. He was in good hands the whole time!

Enjoy yourselves, everyone and get back safely! God bless all of you and God bless America's Sailors and Soldiers.

Mac- Have fun!!! :-)

(((((Jasmine))))) - Sorry about bf acting like butt. I hope there is a valid reason, maybe just a misunderstanding ....but if not, I'm glad you know now and not later.

Jasmine- Oh Honey.....hang in there and I'll be thinking of you!! Everyone else...thanks for listening to my troubles....still pretty shaken up and worrying about venturing into downtown tommorrow. We cant go until 1200 as Jaime has watch in the am (damnit) Does anyone have any suggestions regarding travel??? Should I drive or try the Metra??? Do you think that will give us enough time?? roughly 8 hrs....sure wish my hubby had been able to come!!

Hi guys....checking in before lights out. LOL I'm tired....Phillip wanted Dairy Queen for his FIRST meal - he said he needed something greasy. :-) They had ice cream cakes on sale so we ate greasy food, some ate blizzards and we all dove into the ice cream cake - we were celebrating two birthdays and the graduation!! :-) We talked and laughed and talked. Then Phillip went with my oldest daughter and his dad to see Avatar. He will be with us all day tomorrow - we want to go to Legoland! :-) (All the culture in Chicago and we rednecks want to check out Legoland LOL - adults too!! :-)

I guess my favorite parts of the ceremony were the drum cadence, the prayer/blessing at the end of the ceremony and seeing Phillip just near where we were sitting. He wasn't out front with everyone standing, so I couldn't see him the majority of the time, but then he walked right by the stands where we were, he didn't know we were right above him, but I knew. My girls said I was taking pictures like a paparazzi!! LOL They are lousy pictures - part the lighting/part the photographer/part the camera - but I have the pics!! :-)

I did take a pic of every division marching in....but they look so far away I'm afraid it won't help with those of you who want a glimpse of your SAILOR - I'll post them when we get home, but I'm sorry they don't show faces well at all.

But my VERY favorite part was when they called liberty - I thought we wouldn't get to see Phillip because DIV 913 had to put away their equipment and Phillip had disappeared into a room. I didn't know if he was totally gone, and that he would call later or what, but I finally made my way towards that door, when next thing I knew he came walking out - OMGsh - I RAN to him, saying 'xcuse me/'xcuse me/'xcuse me ....... I wasn't even really aware of the poor people around I just made a beeline for Phillip - I didn't cry the entire ceremony until that point - but I lost it (tearing up a bit now remembering seeing him/hugging him). How can that little fella that I birthed and raised be that strapping young man??? He didn't really act all that different, probably because of NJROTC, but it was like the major changes we saw his junior/senior year in NJROTC were fine tuned and polished.

I sat beside Pookie and behind Edsmom. I went down to Div 95 to see Joymar - and we had a N4M reunion!!!! :-) It was so fun....all the girls talking up a storm - just like here on N4M - everyone at once. Later Phillip and I met with Pam (mom of Justin) and I got to meet Emmett :-) - we got some crazy pictures of Emmett and Phillip cutting up and on the way out I met Pam's Justin. :-)

It has been a good day and you guys are so much a part of it - those of you here, and those of you keeping the home fires burning for us. Love you all, and have a blessed night.

Beverly, LOL! I enjoyed your post so much. What you said about going to Legoland was really cute! Oh, wow it sounds as though you had a fabulous day and you have another one coming tomorrow! Thank you so much for the newsy update! 'Xcuse me, 'xcuse me, 'xcuse me....How sweet, you were so excited to get close to him and give him a hug!

Jasmine, I hope that your call comes soon. I'm sure that it will.

Rene - Personally we go a lot and I would say drive but that's just us. It's more reliable on time. Parking in downtown expect anywhere between $20-$40 though.

Jasmine - It ended at 9pm but they needed to get there at least 45 minutes early and it starts again at 8am tomorrow.

Hi everyone. I had an amazing time with Ryan today. Him being an honor recruit was a different experience. We went back to a room to see our recruits and I walked up to him shaking so bad and crying and smiling. He kissed me and hugged me and kept telling me it was ok now. He was such a gentleman all day, not that he wasn't before but more so now. WOW the ceremony was great, and yes the drum cadence was amazing.

That last one is Jaime enjoying the feel of a normal bed! He was so excited!!!

Jason the Amazing Escape artist!

Jasmine- So glad you got your call!! Jaime had watch til noon today so we got him at about 1230 and I just dropped him back off a half hour ago. It was a wonderful day hanging with all 4 of my babies. Went to the mall and the Nex...shopping fun for mommy...lol The kids say I am a Navy groupie due to all of the cool Navy Mom stuff I bought......lol Going to meet Michelle in the bar for a drink!

have fun ladies =] wish i was still there

Hi guys - checking in after another snow filled day in Great Lakes. Yesterday the weather was actually sunny, and very comfortable.....we woke to snow showers this morning and totally overcast skies. First we visited the NEX with Phillip and I found a Navy Mom tag frame and of course a Navy mom tshirt. My youngest chose a Cheerleader Bear that had a Navy cheer uniform on. My oldest daugher chose a Navy Sis bumper sticker, and two tshirts. We were going to go see the Lakes while we waited for my sister and brother in law to arrive - and we did - but it was soooooooooooooooo cold and overcast and we couldn't see the lake at all. There were some fool geese in the water, flapping their wings I don't know if they were trying to get the snow off their wings or if that was their way of getting warm.

Regarding Legoland - when we woke up to snow we looked into whether Legoland Chicago was indoors or outdoors. It was indoors - but most of the activities in the brochure seemed more for younger children. So all the kids decided at $19 per ticket, and a 30+ mile drive - it was just too dicey to risk. They said that the REAL Legoland was in CA - and that was the one they wanted to see.....so I hope Rosa, Debbie and Mel don't mind the entire family crashing at their houses when we go to the REAL Legoland. BTW: Phillip wasn't the only recruit who wanted to see Legoland. teehee :-)

We ended up going to Gurnee Mills mall (and YES I found it!!!!!) - the blame thing is miles and miles long (well maybe one mile long - but that is still gi-normous!!). Phillip got a new watch and kept asking if we needed to know the time - and he bought oodles of CD's so he said THIS is Ricky heaven. :-) My husband absolutely loved Bass Pro Shop - we took lots of pics in that cool place.

We did eat at Rainforest Cafe - which also had lots of photo opportunities.

So Phillip is back at GL and we will see him from 8a-noon - then we have to head out before the big snow storm hits Sunday night.

Its been a nice day. Sweet dreams to all of you. Hope everyone is well.

Beverly - Do you know what time the snow is supposed to start here tomorrow? I only have to drive about 2 hrs to my mother in laws but I really don't want to get caught in really bad weather.

Janie - I don't know what time the storm is coming. Watch the weather channel at your hotel to see if they give a time. Here is what weather.com says:

The winter storm will then begin to shift east of the Rockies Sunday and as it does so it will begin to tap into more Gulf moisture which will only serve to increase the snow as it spreads eastward from northern Kansas southern Nebraska, northern Missouri and southern Iowa into northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

An area that includes northeast Kansas to Moline to Chicago, especially north side and Milwaukee could see 8-to-12 inches by Monday. Other areas will be in the 4-to-8-inch range.

Flights coming out of Chicago, Milwaukee, Kansas City on Sunday night and especially early Monday will likely be delayed or possibly cancelled. Check ahead to your air carrier during the late weekend. Also, road travel will be in full winter mode with a need to use extreme caution.

By Monday accumulating snows will be possible across extreme northern Indiana, northernmost Ohio, southern Michigan and western Pennsylvania.

My oldest daughter and my sister/brother in law just got back home to N. Atlanta. They left at about 4:00 or so yesterday afternoon so it took them 11 hours.

We leave at noon. We may take two days for the trip so I'll be out of pocket and then jumping right back into a work week already in progress. Talk to you soon.

Everyone have a safe trip home!

JnRenee, momofjustin, I can't thank you all for seeing our son and talking to him at PIR. It meant so much to him. He said that you all "updated" him on his family. He said it was amazing.

momofjustin and her family took him under their wings the entire time at PIR, taking him out to dinner with them, not once, but twice and we cannot begin to express our appreciation to you and to your husband for what you did. Honestly, it brings tears to my eyes to think about what you did for him. We are forever grateful to you and to your family, Colleen. You made a world of difference to him and to our entire family.

Thank you!!

Wow that weekend was long. The meet and greet was so much fun. Can someone who got a group pic from PIR email it to me please? It was great to meet whoever I did meet. The ceremony was kinda long in my opinion, but maybe that was because I A. couldn't find Shawn and B. wanted to find him. That day was too short. Oh and so I never made it to the airport to see him off because of the snow. And he was told he couldn't have his cell phone but not only could he have his cell phone. He also had a layover in Atlanta where we live and over night liberty last night in Pensacola( or at least what I was told). It is good that he at least has a phone card to use until he gets his phone. Oh and I learned today never fly when you have an ear infection. I got back and went straight to a doctor for meds since it turned out I have a double ear infection.

Beverly- I hope you make it home okay.

Wow, that's a LOT of news! I love it! Sandra, so glad you spent that time with Nichelle, and how wonderfully the Navy handled that whole situation!

Yea Navy! Way to go to make us moms and dads, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives and kids sooo happy! Glad to hear all of that!

Yogi, sounds like a busy time for you! I bet your son is enjoying the weather in Pensacola,

Welcome home everybody.
I can't wait to hear about everyone's trip.

Hey Ya'll~ Hope all is well:)). Left Chicago...just as the snow was coming in.PIR was wonderful.I loved meeting everyone! Seeing Ed was amazing!!! I didn't want to leave him there. It is wonderful seeing the changes in him. He is very excited that his life is finally beginning.
Beverly~ Come to California anytime!! I would love to have you:)))) You are truly a very special lady.

Hey Luv~ How was the flight back. Amanda said that she will never complain about being cold in CA again. hahahaha.

I know...we were delayed. They had to de-ice the plane.

Slimsam~ Was hoping to meet you! Would have loved to have toasted our boys.:))
Mel~ Ed leaves Wednesday...was hoping to have an address for him, but that is not the case:(( I hated leaving him!

I'm terribly sorry :((. There was so much confusion, I was a mess.
I know what you mean. I am sitting at my desk trying not to break down in tears. I'm really trying not to be a "mess" about it.

Slim-I was right there with you. Everyone knew me by yogi or boo boo so thats what I kept saying. I was going to go see Shawn off but that was before we found out it was at midway. I cried for about 2 hr that night and so we were going to go give him his phone and surprise him but it was snowing. We almost didn't make it home yesterday because they had 5 pilots that needed out of Chicago to get on other flights. Plus the double ear infection I came back with is horrible, but talking Shawn at 6 am everyday now makes it better!

I am just so glad that he has a phone card until I can get him his cell. Plus I have to go give him tax stuff this weekend. So yay to me hanging out on a beach by myself. Some of the guys down there want to go bowling this weekend so I might go bowling as well. Oh and let me tell you anyone in Pensacola this morning got a nice storm from what I could hear!

I'm really proud of Sean, and I'm really happy that he's having such a terrific time!!! He and Walt actually said bootcamp was fun. Ha, ha...You don't hear that much.
He's growing up and making a good life for himself. This is exactly what I've always wanted for him, but I'm completely heartbroken that he's going to be so far away for so long!

Well we're back in CA what a week. Meet in greet was fun wish we could have meet more PIR was GREAT, to bad everyone was rushed out we wanted to meet more of the moms. Had a good time and to bad we had to come back. The fights were fun with the weather. Got back late,but we did get home and not stuck some ware.

Welcome back, moms!! Post as many pics as you can! Yes, there's been an odd sense of slight melancholy in me today too, slimsam....so glad Recruit Training is over...but they're off again.....to write the next chapter in their lives.

NUKE moms...I told Edsmom that tomorrow I will locate all of the groups that might be of interest to us and the most informative for us and then I will send you all what I find in a message. Nukes seems to have a couple of groups, maybe even more. I'll look for the one's which are most informative for us.
This weekend while y'all were gone, I had a chance to read a lot at different N$M groups.

Welcome back! I guess Beverly is not yet back to south GA and is still driving. I bet y'all might be a little tired?

We are back.....got home about 9pm. I should go to bed, have to be back at work early in the morning, with a meeting at 7:45am. :-) I'll catch up soon!!! I loved meeting everyone. I love my N4M family!! "-)

Okay, I'm back. I had a HELL of a trip from Oregon to Chicago. What could go wrong... did. Only proper preparation prevented total disaster. But that is a story for later.

Now, for a few photos of my SAILOR. He's the freaky tall one in back, LOL.

Okay, so I met Mary (AZ), Debbie (CA), Mel, and a few others. It was a total blast, And yes, I finally did cry. At the San Francisco Airport when I thought I was NOT going to get to be at graduation at all.

Here's another photo of Chris, this time with his "baby" brother Sean and myself.:

jasmine, Chris got a new cell phone (Droid) with full internet capability. We were watching YouTube videos in the cab. LOL. It's a little pricey, he will be paying $100/month for phone service and data service for the privilege. However that is what he will use while he saves up for a new laptop.

There are also usually computers for A-school students to use in the student lounges. He may not be able to get a personal wi-fi connection, but he should still be able to get online.

Oh, and Despardo,
Your son won't be allowed to have his civilian clothes or his car for at least 6 weeks. I'm pretty sure that's an A-school standard rule. So don't be in a hurry to get those to him.

Chris told me that Div. 100 will be recieving their orders tomorrow (Tuesday). I am hoping he gets to call to confirm when he is leaving. And that he got his clearance to get the school! Even if he gets his orders and reports to the school, they won't let him start until his clearance comes through.

If they have to report to their schools by the 28th, that means it is the latest possible day to arrive. Sailors are ALWAYS expected to arrive one day (minimum!) before their report date. So with a report date of the 28th, they may be leaving as early as Thursday or Friday.

Wow, we dropped off the first page of groups for the first time in 8 weeks. We all knew this would come, but it seems so odd.

Another one of Chris. He is sitting on a "rack" in the torture dungeon at Medieval Times. He said his own rack was just about as comfortable.

Disturbingly enough, the "tongs" in the background are "breast rippers" used to rip off the bosoms of accused witches and heretics. Nice place, huh? I could barely drag Chris out of there.

I hear you Rosa, Staci, and SlimSam. I kept crying in the airports. It's awful to say goodbye again! This time for a lot longer. I can't wait to get to talk to him on the phone on a regular basis. I sure hope that helps.

Love the pics too! :) :) :)
Totally awesome cake, Sandra!!! :) :) :)

Keep em coming! :)

Oh gosh, these pictures are beautiful. Thank you to everyone for posting them.
Such brave, smart and handsome young sailors! We are so proud!

Chris called at 2 a.m. last night (4 a.m. at Great Lakes). He got his orders to Corry Station IT school yesterday and was at the airport to fly to Pensacola. He should be there by now!

Chris is not too thrilled about the heat in Florida, he says he is going to get through A-school as fast as possible (his school is self-paced computer-based learning) so he can be gone from there before summer sets in.

The weather was so beautiful in Chicago, barely jacket weather (for me), I never even buttoned my coat and regretted the sweaters I packed. I gave my gloves to a young lady who was NOT tolerating the cooler temperatures very well. Chris is pretty much the same way about temperatures, but he tolerates heat better than I do

Lol, Arwen it rains more then anything. They had a pretty nice storm yesterday from what I could hear in the background. I'm going down this weekend to hang out on base since Shawn needs tax stuff. He was complaining last night about how he had to go sit in a indoc class about safe sex. They were told the record for getting in and out was 5-6 days.

Oh and I can't believe I never took any pictures while I was there. I was too busy thinking about spending time with him and trying to not be too loud since he kept telling me to be quiet. I was just so excited to see him and tell him everything. I am sure it will be the same this weekend.