I got a call yesterday and today too. He also was able to call 3 sets of grandparents. He sounded good. He said the gas chamber was awful!!! 12 days to go. OMG!!!!!
Got to speak to our son which was the greatest Christmas gift..So grateful to a town in Indiana that adopted a large group of recruits and gave them phones to use, good food and lots of love...What a blessing to have such wonderful people in this world..My son sounded great...
What are the odds my phone would mess up and his father would be in the shower. Neither one of us got to talk to our SR today. I was really hoping he would be able to call back, but no luck. =( I had really wanted to talk to him for christmas. I guess i will just have to wait until next week and hope for a call then.
What an amazing day! I agree with Bonnie need to help next year's recruits. We are in the facebook photos too (I am about to hug son, I have pink gloves). We drove to Chicago, they wanted to go out and drive, nothing open drove past Wrigley Field and to Navy Pier then back. Son bought us a very nice steak dinner at Jimmy Charhouse. I did not cry when I dropped him off!! My son and his friend spent lots of time on facebook updating and calling family and friends. It was a perfect Christmas! They are excited about Battlestations. I gave them both hugs saying these where from all N4M that could not be w/ their recruits.
My son looked like he grew taller!! He looked so handsome, can't wait to see him in his dress uniform.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhooooooooooooooo and hooooooyaaaaa... OMGosh Im just crying reading yalls posts.... I also got to talk to my boys bff Jans son today.... he called to talk to my boy and I of course grabbed the cell and put my two cents worth of love into the call! He is also at Elk in Indiana.... yes... wonderful ppl support these kids! AND YES by all means yall get together next year in November and put together an informative site for Adopting Sailors... get more facts and information and post a Blog or something! AWESOME... pay it forward moms!!!! Okay I have to post my HUG I just have to!!! Here is the famous hug that I have been waiting for for soooooooooooooooooooooooooo long!!!!!!!! Love yall!!!!
What a wonderful day!! Got a very long phone call and he sounds wonderful! Thanks to Ravenswood Pub for adopting our recruits. Snowballs were flying past his head while he was talking on the phone. He finally got to touch it! He got to call his sisters too.
Thanks to everyone for sharing everything and I am so looking forward to meeting you all.
Lydia....love the photos Just Beautiful!!
Navymom4e......Thanks for sharing with me, can't wait to meet ya.
Good Sonday morning yall- so great to read about how much everyone in surrounding communities helped the kids and treated them soo specially! Thank you to Nates Mom!!!! God Bless and Ill check in later!
Good morning everyone, Had a wonderful visit with my daughter and my newly adopted daughter, (MamaG's girl) . Both girls looked great. We didn't do much just hung out a the hotel and played games, a nice family day. We went to Jimmy's Charhouse for dinner, it was great. The girls spent a lot of time on face book and we had a video chat with MamaG's family. That was a lot of fun. We dropped them off about 6:30 and I only cried a little. This morining we woke up to about 10 inches of SNOW, so glad it held off until after we dropped off the girls. I need to check out face book to see the pictures.
My SR said, the RDC's told them to eat plenty of Fruit Loops and drink plenty of milk the morning of the Gas Chamber. That way they have a colorful ending...lol
What a wonderful Christmas!! I got 2 phone calls and pictures sent!! He looks so handsome in his uniform!!! They all sounded like they had a fantastic day....Thank you to Ravenwood Pub and all the volunteers to make it special for our kids!
Sugarscoop- so blessed to have your friendship!!! Can't wait to meet you!!!
So happy for those that got to spend the day with their sailors and for those that got calls! For those that didnt, there is always today!!! We are keeping our fingers crossed for you!
My sailor got to spend the day with his parents and there was even a picture of them on FB!!
I got 5 calls through out the day! Just over an hour of talk time :)
It was the next best thing to being there. He sounded so happy and was joking and telling stories! He was a little worried about getting back on time but I know when we see eachother hes not going to be staring off. I know neither of us is going to be able to shut up!!
Our day with our recruit and his friend was so great. I just can't even write about it yet. I did learn the answer to the question, "Why are the pants rolled up when they come in the kid in a box though." I've asked three times in letters and never got the answer.
The rest, I'll post later today when I can spend some time. Half hour after we pulled back in the drive from Chicago, I headed to work and put today's newspaper out. But I echo Ersmom -- Priceless!
Bonnie- Love the bald eagle story. If he did that in my front yard he could actually see one! One was perched in the tree a couple weeks ago about 100 meters in front of my picture window for 20 minutes. Looked and looked for the camera and it turns out hubby had it at work. No I can't wait to read everyone else's stories too.....
Awe yall are making me cry AGAIN at your posts... would we go to the ends of the earth for our children..... OF COURSE we will... And honestly .... trust me.. you will have too! So that is the attitude that will get us though this for many many years!
I asked my son yesterday as we were out to eat lunch - I said Buddy, where do you think you will be this time next year.... okay moms tissue alert........................... he said mom I want to be in Iraq... I gulped so loud I thought the whole restaurant was looking at me... I said why buddy, why there.. He said mom, I did not join the Navy to be safe, I joined to save lives... Oh gezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz my heart was full of pride, hope, love and a hell of a lot of fear... But I told him Okay then that is where you need to be! So anyway yall just keep up the love and prayers!!! Oh and my son told me to STOP saying hooooyaaaa hahahahahahaha
I got a 2 calls from my daughter Christmas Day. I felt like I was in the Christmas Story when the dad was getting the "major" award. Everything came to a schreeching halt....the phone is ringing!!!!
We had such a wonderful time talking to her. We are so proud of her!!!!!!
i am so thankful for the Rivermont Pub and all the volunteers and donors in the area that made it possible for them to give our recruits a fun Christmas day. Wonderful to receive a picture of my son with 4 of the guys and a Merry Christmas message via e-mail. Their pictures will be posted soon on the Rivermont Pub adopt a sailor program and they will be sending home a DVD of their Christmas day - Way cool! Great to talk with him on Christmas Eve and day and he was able to speak with other relatives in CT. So glad they got to actually get out and see something else other than RTC in Chicago.
10 Days to go - We need to all be in prayer for mild weather and no snow storms to hinder all of our travels for the weekend.
So proud of my son and all of the recruits! They looked so good in the picture he sent!!
Hi all! It sounds like you had wonderful Christmases and phone calls from your recruits. We got phone calls throughout the day from J and J! Thank you to the Berwyn VFW for providing such a wonderful Christmas for our family members! I am such a mess but so glad to have gotten to talk to both of them. They even got their pic taken for the story in the Chicago Sun Times on the website. There is a link on the RTC Facebook page. What an awesome and blessed Christmas. I am just overwhelmed and glad to read all the wonderful stories here. Can't wait to meet everyone! Have a blessed week and just 10 more days!
Happy Monday to all. Sooo happy for all who got visits, calls and pictures. Our recruits look so awesome in their uniforms, don't they. The transformation has been amazing. My daughter-in-law went up to GL and adopted her husband/my son. I got to see and talk to him on a video call through Skype. It was hard to hold back the tears of joy when he popped on the screen. I told him I wanted her to take some pictures of him in his uniform before he went back to RTC and he quickly informed me he was not allowed to wear his "cover" (hat) indoors. I see what Lydia meant when she said they are afraid to break the rules they have learned, haha. I was also able to find a picture of them hugging when she picked him up on the RTC Facebook page, and the tears flowed again, lol. I look forward to meeting all of you at the Meet n Greet and want you all to know I am grateful for your support and encouragement for the last 7 weeks, I could not have survived this journey without it.
Lydia- What an awesome and brave son you have! I know you are enjoying every moment with your son and daughter over the Holidays. Bravo Zulu to your "B" and as always prayers for him, you and your family. HOOYAH
Wow, now that Christmas is over I bet it is really hitting you how soon PIR is approaching. :) That's a good thing right? I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. Did anyone get ribbons? It is not too late to order if anyone still wants some to wear to PIR please let me know asap. I am still hanging with family but I will be checking in for orders and will be on here more tomorrow. If you want ribbon click on my name and send me a friend request. Have a wonderful evening. LaLa
Mrs Ampi- I am praying for good weather too, as we just drove in for Christmas. I was never so afraid in my life!!! It is NEXT week already!! HOOYAH
FYI - If any one is staying that the Fairfield Inn by Gurnee Mall- It was a wonderful hotel. The rooms were very comfortable, they have indoor pool(we were not prepared) the staff was so nice and helpful. Only 15minutes to get to base.
Hooooooooooooooooyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa parking passes.... sounds like yall are printing those. Make extras to take with you just in case! Remember directions, addresses for your GPSs, civilian clothes for the kids etc. Yall know the PIR list by now! hahahaha .... spent the day of course with son and daughter... son not feeling good... so we came home and pumped him with some vitamins from the GNC and sleep.. We watched a movie and he slept... praying he will feel better soon. Im soo excited for everyone! Woow yalls time is just flying so fast!
Hello Lydia- Clarification, I thought the Sailors had to wear there uniform not civilian clothes. I asked this question weeks ago, I was told they have to wear uniform. I suppose I can take extra clothes for her.
She probably means civilian clothes for the room. They are not allowed out of unison in public. Also if they are going swimming at the hotel they need to bring their navy issued swimsuit.
idahojeep, your ribbons were sent last week. I thought you would have them by today but the mail may still be slow from the holiday. You should get them tomorrow. :)
The weekend went by so fast. We got to Chicago on Friday night. My 3yrs. old son was tired so we went and checked in at the hotel right away. We woke up early on Saturday to pick up my husband. We got there around 8am and there was a line of cars by the main gate. I left my son in the car with my cousins and my sister because only 1 person per car is allowed to enter the building. I had to stand in line in the garage before we were allowed to go inside the Visitor building to pick up my husband. It was cold after standing outside for 15-20mins. I was so happy when I saw my husband walk out...I ran straight and hugged him so tight ;-) As we were walking close to the car, my son was playing outside of the van...he did not recognize his Daddy. He took a couple of steps back and stared at him for a couple of minutes...then he realized that it was Daddy. He ran up to Daddy and gave him a big hug. In the car to go back to the hotel, he kept on touching Daddy's face, hands, hair and said "I missed you, Daddy!" We all got tears in our eyes when he said that. My son was so happy to see Daddy. At the hotel, he kept on wanting to wrestle with Daddy and did not want Daddy to stop playing with him. My husband told us so many stories about basic training. Then we went out for lunch and came back to the hotel until dinner time. My son wanted Daddy to take a nap with him instead of me ;). We all were sad when it was time to drop Daddy off at the base. The day went by so fast but it was totally worth it!!!! Only 10 more days to PIR. They only have Captain's Cup and Battle Stations 21 left!!!
Bonnie- I did see you and your daughter sitting in the back of the car when I was waiting in line outside. I was jealous because you guys looked so comfortable sitting there ;)
Here's something that I forgot to share earlier....I work for Macy's in the HR dept and now, my husband is in the Navy...so, I told my son after dropping my husband back to base that "Daddy has to go back to work at the Navy base again. You'll get to see him real soon." My son looked at me then said "Mommy, Daddy, two work Macy's" He doesn't know how to say Navy yet ;)
LOL- When I was at our hotel - I asked the mom there if she was a Navy for Mom??? and she had no clue what I was talking about. her daughter's PIR is 1/14- so I gave her the 411 to join. LOL- my son was like OMG- you are a nut! Said hey these moms have kept me sane this whole time and gave me great info! gotta share the love!!
I can't wait to meet you all NEXT WEEK!!!
According to my friend who used to live in Chicago- she said it started snowing in Nov. and didn't stop til March! Snowed everyday she said!!! LOL-
It was nasty driving conditions. so just be prepared!
ericsmom (ship12 div033)
Dec 25, 2010
David's Mom
Dec 25, 2010
NavymomGG
Dec 25, 2010
Julie- (CVN 69 IKE)
Dec 25, 2010
rickysmom0403(ship 12 div 034)
What an amazing day! I agree with Bonnie need to help next year's recruits. We are in the facebook photos too (I am about to hug son, I have pink gloves). We drove to Chicago, they wanted to go out and drive, nothing open drove past Wrigley Field and to Navy Pier then back. Son bought us a very nice steak dinner at Jimmy Charhouse. I did not cry when I dropped him off!! My son and his friend spent lots of time on facebook updating and calling family and friends. It was a perfect Christmas! They are excited about Battlestations. I gave them both hugs saying these where from all N4M that could not be w/ their recruits.
My son looked like he grew taller!! He looked so handsome, can't wait to see him in his dress uniform.
Dec 25, 2010
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhooooooooooooooo and hooooooyaaaaa... OMGosh Im just crying reading yalls posts.... I also got to talk to my boys bff Jans son today.... he called to talk to my boy and I of course grabbed the cell and put my two cents worth of love into the call! He is also at Elk in Indiana.... yes... wonderful ppl support these kids! AND YES by all means yall get together next year in November and put together an informative site for Adopting Sailors... get more facts and information and post a Blog or something! AWESOME... pay it forward moms!!!! Okay I have to post my HUG I just have to!!! Here is the famous hug that I have been waiting for for soooooooooooooooooooooooooo long!!!!!!!! Love yall!!!!
Dec 25, 2010
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
My mommie and me waiting on the kids to arrive...hahaha
Dec 25, 2010
Sugarscoop (ship 12 Div 038)
What a wonderful day!! Got a very long phone call and he sounds wonderful! Thanks to Ravenswood Pub for adopting our recruits. Snowballs were flying past his head while he was talking on the phone. He finally got to touch it! He got to call his sisters too.
Thanks to everyone for sharing everything and I am so looking forward to meeting you all.
Lydia....love the photos Just Beautiful!!
Navymom4e......Thanks for sharing with me, can't wait to meet ya.
We are all so blessed.
Poor Julie....I'm so sorry you missed the call.
Good Night all.
Dec 26, 2010
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
Dec 26, 2010
AED's Mom (Ship 02 Div 907)
Good morning everyone, Had a wonderful visit with my daughter and my newly adopted daughter, (MamaG's girl) . Both girls looked great. We didn't do much just hung out a the hotel and played games, a nice family day. We went to Jimmy's Charhouse for dinner, it was great. The girls spent a lot of time on face book and we had a video chat with MamaG's family. That was a lot of fun. We dropped them off about 6:30 and I only cried a little. This morining we woke up to about 10 inches of SNOW, so glad it held off until after we dropped off the girls. I need to check out face book to see the pictures.
Dec 26, 2010
AED's Mom (Ship 02 Div 907)
Sugarscoop can you or anyone else please tell me how to get to the pictures on facebook. I get so lost on facebook.
Thanks
Dec 26, 2010
ericsmom (ship12 div033)
Dec 26, 2010
Sugarscoop (ship 12 Div 038)
AED.....It's U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command
My SR said, the RDC's told them to eat plenty of Fruit Loops and drink plenty of milk the morning of the Gas Chamber. That way they have a colorful ending...lol
Dec 26, 2010
Ms. Ampi USS Germantown
Dec 26, 2010
julied (Ship 03 Div 234)
Dec 26, 2010
julied (Ship 03 Div 234)
Dec 26, 2010
navymom4e (ship12 div038)
What a wonderful Christmas!! I got 2 phone calls and pictures sent!! He looks so handsome in his uniform!!! They all sounded like they had a fantastic day....Thank you to Ravenwood Pub and all the volunteers to make it special for our kids!
Sugarscoop- so blessed to have your friendship!!! Can't wait to meet you!!!
Dec 26, 2010
CarlyRae (ship12div034)
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!
So happy for those that got to spend the day with their sailors and for those that got calls! For those that didnt, there is always today!!! We are keeping our fingers crossed for you!
My sailor got to spend the day with his parents and there was even a picture of them on FB!!
I got 5 calls through out the day! Just over an hour of talk time :)
It was the next best thing to being there. He sounded so happy and was joking and telling stories! He was a little worried about getting back on time but I know when we see eachother hes not going to be staring off. I know neither of us is going to be able to shut up!!
YAAAAAAAY!!!
ONLY 11 MORE DAYS LADIES!!!
HOOOOYYYYAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!
Dec 26, 2010
AED's Mom (Ship 02 Div 907)
Sugarscoop found the pictures thanks,
MamaG the girls and I are in the last picture.
Dec 26, 2010
Ersmom CVN71/Roosevelt
25 hours in a car in 2 days
Gas $3.15 per gallon on average
Hotel bill $150.00
670 miles one way to Great Lakes
Seein my sailor for Christmas: PRICELESS!!!
HOOOOYAAAAAAAA!!!
Dec 27, 2010
Hoosiermom Ship12DIv.036
Our day with our recruit and his friend was so great. I just can't even write about it yet. I did learn the answer to the question, "Why are the pants rolled up when they come in the kid in a box though." I've asked three times in letters and never got the answer.
The rest, I'll post later today when I can spend some time. Half hour after we pulled back in the drive from Chicago, I headed to work and put today's newspaper out. But I echo Ersmom -- Priceless!
Dec 27, 2010
Hoosiermom Ship12DIv.036
Dec 27, 2010
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
Awe yall are making me cry AGAIN at your posts... would we go to the ends of the earth for our children..... OF COURSE we will... And honestly .... trust me.. you will have too! So that is the attitude that will get us though this for many many years!
I asked my son yesterday as we were out to eat lunch - I said Buddy, where do you think you will be this time next year.... okay moms tissue alert........................... he said mom I want to be in Iraq... I gulped so loud I thought the whole restaurant was looking at me... I said why buddy, why there.. He said mom, I did not join the Navy to be safe, I joined to save lives... Oh gezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz my heart was full of pride, hope, love and a hell of a lot of fear... But I told him Okay then that is where you need to be! So anyway yall just keep up the love and prayers!!! Oh and my son told me to STOP saying hooooyaaaa hahahahahahaha
Dec 27, 2010
Colorado Jody
I got a 2 calls from my daughter Christmas Day. I felt like I was in the Christmas Story when the dad was getting the "major" award. Everything came to a schreeching halt....the phone is ringing!!!!
We had such a wonderful time talking to her. We are so proud of her!!!!!!
Dec 27, 2010
Val-ACD-(ship 12 div 034)
i am so thankful for the Rivermont Pub and all the volunteers and donors in the area that made it possible for them to give our recruits a fun Christmas day. Wonderful to receive a picture of my son with 4 of the guys and a Merry Christmas message via e-mail. Their pictures will be posted soon on the Rivermont Pub adopt a sailor program and they will be sending home a DVD of their Christmas day - Way cool! Great to talk with him on Christmas Eve and day and he was able to speak with other relatives in CT. So glad they got to actually get out and see something else other than RTC in Chicago.
10 Days to go - We need to all be in prayer for mild weather and no snow storms to hinder all of our travels for the weekend.
So proud of my son and all of the recruits! They looked so good in the picture he sent!!
Dec 27, 2010
idahojeep
Dec 27, 2010
idahojeep
Dec 27, 2010
tnchell (Vinson Mom/VFA-113)
Happy Monday to all. Sooo happy for all who got visits, calls and pictures. Our recruits look so awesome in their uniforms, don't they. The transformation has been amazing. My daughter-in-law went up to GL and adopted her husband/my son. I got to see and talk to him on a video call through Skype. It was hard to hold back the tears of joy when he popped on the screen. I told him I wanted her to take some pictures of him in his uniform before he went back to RTC and he quickly informed me he was not allowed to wear his "cover" (hat) indoors. I see what Lydia meant when she said they are afraid to break the rules they have learned, haha. I was also able to find a picture of them hugging when she picked him up on the RTC Facebook page, and the tears flowed again, lol. I look forward to meeting all of you at the Meet n Greet and want you all to know I am grateful for your support and encouragement for the last 7 weeks, I could not have survived this journey without it.
Dec 27, 2010
tnchell (Vinson Mom/VFA-113)
Dec 27, 2010
ericsmom (ship12 div033)
Dec 27, 2010
ericsmom (ship12 div033)
Dec 27, 2010
Ms. Ampi USS Germantown
Dec 27, 2010
Ms. Ampi USS Germantown
Dec 27, 2010
julied (Ship 03 Div 234)
Dec 27, 2010
Ms. Ampi USS Germantown
Dec 27, 2010
julied (Ship 03 Div 234)
Dec 27, 2010
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons
Wow, now that Christmas is over I bet it is really hitting you how soon PIR is approaching. :) That's a good thing right? I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. Did anyone get ribbons? It is not too late to order if anyone still wants some to wear to PIR please let me know asap. I am still hanging with family but I will be checking in for orders and will be on here more tomorrow. If you want ribbon click on my name and send me a friend request. Have a wonderful evening. LaLa
Dec 27, 2010
becki(uss stockdale)
Dec 27, 2010
idahojeep
Dec 27, 2010
rickysmom0403(ship 12 div 034)
Mrs Ampi- I am praying for good weather too, as we just drove in for Christmas. I was never so afraid in my life!!! It is NEXT week already!! HOOYAH
FYI - If any one is staying that the Fairfield Inn by Gurnee Mall- It was a wonderful hotel. The rooms were very comfortable, they have indoor pool(we were not prepared) the staff was so nice and helpful. Only 15minutes to get to base.
Dec 27, 2010
Lydia (For B - The Sea is Ours)
Dec 27, 2010
Ms. Ampi USS Germantown
Hello Lydia- Clarification, I thought the Sailors had to wear there uniform not civilian clothes. I asked this question weeks ago, I was told they have to wear uniform. I suppose I can take extra clothes for her.
P.S. by the way you and your mom look stunning:)
Dec 27, 2010
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons
Dec 27, 2010
Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons
Dec 27, 2010
Annie
The weekend went by so fast. We got to Chicago on Friday night. My 3yrs. old son was tired so we went and checked in at the hotel right away. We woke up early on Saturday to pick up my husband. We got there around 8am and there was a line of cars by the main gate. I left my son in the car with my cousins and my sister because only 1 person per car is allowed to enter the building. I had to stand in line in the garage before we were allowed to go inside the Visitor building to pick up my husband. It was cold after standing outside for 15-20mins. I was so happy when I saw my husband walk out...I ran straight and hugged him so tight ;-) As we were walking close to the car, my son was playing outside of the van...he did not recognize his Daddy. He took a couple of steps back and stared at him for a couple of minutes...then he realized that it was Daddy. He ran up to Daddy and gave him a big hug. In the car to go back to the hotel, he kept on touching Daddy's face, hands, hair and said "I missed you, Daddy!" We all got tears in our eyes when he said that. My son was so happy to see Daddy. At the hotel, he kept on wanting to wrestle with Daddy and did not want Daddy to stop playing with him. My husband told us so many stories about basic training. Then we went out for lunch and came back to the hotel until dinner time. My son wanted Daddy to take a nap with him instead of me ;). We all were sad when it was time to drop Daddy off at the base. The day went by so fast but it was totally worth it!!!! Only 10 more days to PIR. They only have Captain's Cup and Battle Stations 21 left!!!
Bonnie- I did see you and your daughter sitting in the back of the car when I was waiting in line outside. I was jealous because you guys looked so comfortable sitting there ;)
Dec 27, 2010
becki(uss stockdale)
Dec 27, 2010
J'sBroMom'sSailor(SHIP12 DIV034)
I'm so excited!!!! And I just cant hide it!!!! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!! Yeah eeahhh!!!
We're almost there!!!! (as I do my "oh yeah, uh huh" dance) lol!!!
Now lets keep those prayers for acceptable traveling weather for all going.
Cant wait to meet you all but most of all see my son!!!
Good night and God bless Ladies!!
Dec 27, 2010
Annie
Dec 27, 2010
rickysmom0403(ship 12 div 034)
LOL- When I was at our hotel - I asked the mom there if she was a Navy for Mom??? and she had no clue what I was talking about. her daughter's PIR is 1/14- so I gave her the 411 to join. LOL- my son was like OMG- you are a nut! Said hey these moms have kept me sane this whole time and gave me great info! gotta share the love!!
I can't wait to meet you all NEXT WEEK!!!
According to my friend who used to live in Chicago- she said it started snowing in Nov. and didn't stop til March! Snowed everyday she said!!! LOL-
It was nasty driving conditions. so just be prepared!
Dec 27, 2010
NavymomGG
Dec 27, 2010