Alumni PIR 12/17/10 & 12/22/10

Uh-Oh Rose…you are SO right. I am getting confused with all of these classes now. Although I DO know it is TCNO (I always want to spell it out with all of the letters) and am trying to remember what it is an acronym for… And there are how many more??? I am in so much trouble!! LOL It can be our little secret.

We resent IB's birthday/Easter box. The USPS could not find the sub base!! I mean REALLY!! Called IB to double check on the address…it was correct, so we have resent it!! If it comes back again, I am going to be really ticked!!

As I "watch" your kids going off, it is coming home to me that IB is going to be gone for long periods of time. And since he will be under water, I think there is little communication. This is gonna be tough. I am so glad that Elizabeth and Rose will be in the same boat (tee hee) as me!! We can prop each other up. 

However, I am so thrilled that you all will get to see your kids for some period of time!! And how awesome that you will be seeing each other too!! That is a special treat! I was talking to IB today, asking about Easter plans, and he said he thinks it will be just another day… :-( Hopefully the chocolate bunny will arrive in time. HA!!

Have a wonderful Easter everyone, I will try to get back on, but we are having a crew over...

One more thing, can I ask for prayers for IB's brother, Matt (23)? He has arthritis (really bad!!) and he is having a horrid flare up and can barely get out of bed without major pain meds. Thanks so much!!

Wendi, that's great that they have a group on Oahu.  Hmmm, maybe I should join it, since my daughter's soon to be fiance (we think he's going to ask her after her college graduation) will still be there for a year.  

Nancy, my prayers will be with IB's brother.  ((hugs)).  How can you lose a submarine base, for goodness sake?.  lol  

Ok, ladies, I think my A has now narrowed it down to picking either IS (Intelligence Specialist) or CTT (Cryptologic Technician - Technical).  Please pray that he makes the right choice.  He is waiting to talk to a family friend who is a recently retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer about it first.  We are having dinner on Easter with them in Florida.  (He is actually my brother's wife's, brother in law).  They have invited us to spend Easter with them.   The same sister in law's brother is also a Navy officer and Adam is discussing it with him too. It's so nice that her family has been great about helping A.  :)  

Hi ladies! just wanna drop by to say hello to everyone! :) hope all is well.

we just got our orders to Lemoore, CA! anybody who's going there too?

we were targeting for Whidbey Island, WA (but theres only one spot that was taken)

and San Diego (working on a helicopter, but hubbs didnt take it cuz he joined the navy to work on jets! lol.)

soooo, NAS Lemoore is our 1st duty station. I think he has shore duty, and is   

attached to VF122/ F18 super hornets.

He graduates A school on June.

Wishing ya'll a good day! Take care! :)

Lemoore is really close to Hanford, so be sure to go to Hanford and stop at Superior Dairy for the BEST ice cream... maybe in the world!! At Christmas, Hanford still goes all out and decorates the town really cute (at least it did when my kids were little).

I don't know as much about Lemoore. I don't think there is a lot there. Have a couple of friends from there, will check it out.

I don't know where you are… but from Lemoore you are fairly close to San Francisco (let me know if you come!), Yosemite, the Central Coastal towns, and not too far from LA.

Thank you Besty, we are excited about our new West Coast adventure. :) Thanks you!

NDG, thanks for the heads up, ill make sure ill drop by at Superior Dairy when we get there! I love ice creamsss! <3 I heard too, that Hanford is bigger & theres more stuff to do than Lemoore. we are just try'na find a place thats close to the base and not too far from the civilization. lol. i live in Tampa, FL right now.. much of a city girl. sooo, ill miss my city! :p

Wendi, ya; pretty much what ive heard of, they said it smells like cow poop all over. wooooo, hope not! lol. :p

well ladies I am back!!Had a wonderful vacation got to spend all day Saturday with my A!!!Now he graduates A school tomorrow then he is on his way home for 10 days!!!I'm sure I prolly will not see him too much but at least he's home.

 Hope you all have a wonderful Easter with you family and loved ones!!!

Betsy, enjoy your vacation and stay safe.

Phoebe, San Diego is great. I have lived here for 14 years now....brought here via the Navy and we decided to stay. There is something to be said about sun. lol Lots to do here as well.

Welcome back Terry! Glad to hear you had a great vacation and got to see A. Tell him congrats on his graduation!. I can't wait to see my K but its going to be awhile. he doesen't graduate his A school  until July.

Nina, Lemoore will be a definite change of pace. Like Nancy said, there is lot of California to see.  Plan a few road trips and have fun.

My son E will be headed to boot camp in just over three weeks.  The good news is, this time I know exactly what to expect. He will be headed to Pensacola after graduation. He is so excited. So proud of my children and all of yours. Have a great weekend. Happy Easter!

Mochi1- thanks! im excited about the road trip. better take advantage of it, rather than be sorry that we have to drive across the country. :)

betsy- travel safely!! youre gonna love pensacola, esp the beach! enjoy, & enjoy some great seafoods! i was there last weekend. totally loved it!

phoebi- San Diego is great! wish we got stationed there. :) but i think were only 3 1/2 hrs away. so it'll work! :)

Terry- congrats on the graduation! is everybody granted a 10 day leave right after a school graduation? cuz  me & my husband were thinking to use that up to drive across the country & take our time to tour around the states were gonna pass by & for house hunting! 

happy Saturday to everyone !!  We made it to Pensacola on Thurs afternoon. Was able to meet up with S for dinner. We went to McQuires !! Oh my, how wonderful. Yesterday, hubby and I did a trial run to the beach area. When S got out of class, we ll went back there to eat at Flounders. Again a great meal. Afterwards, we went to the Cordova Mall It is huge. Dropped S off at base so he could get overnite bag and he cme back to the room with us . It is almost 8am here, and he is still sleeping !! I als was able to see Betsy as she was arriving to her room. She was excited to get unloaded and head up to NAS to A. We hope to catch up for lunch today. My crew want to head back to spend time on the beach, so will have to see if it works. Weather is hot and sunny !! Have  wonderful day everyone !!

Hello everyone! I just got back from our school trip to Europe and I am trying to catch up on all of the posts! I can relate to all of the emotional roller coasters out there! As I am reading everyone's orders, I can feel a tightening in my chest that is getting all too familiar! :(  N said the other day he just can't wait to get on his ship...and I had to just sigh!

N graduated ATT and is now waiting for TCHNO (sp?) Please Nancy and Rose help me with the acronyms! I was so sad that he couldn't come home, but I feel so much better that Lori and Drew went to Groton to see A and she has taken N under her wing! Yay for Navy moms! :)

Well love to all of you and prayers for strength for everyone! Happy Easter my Navy family!

Groton Penny

Penny, Wow, Europe!  That's exciting!  Where did you go and how long were you there?  That's so great that Lori was able to spend time with 2 sailors.  :)  

Wendi, Woohoo!  I think my A has decided on Cryptology, so I may be picking your brain sometimes.  

Donna and I were able to get together.  A and I went to the Naval Aviation Museum on Saturday and we ran into her, S and her husband.  We all went to lunch together at a restaurant in Foley, AL.  It was a lot of fun.  A and I had a wonderful weekend together.  We went to the beach, the mall and a movie. Sunday we went to my sister in law's sister's house for dinner about an hour from Pensacola.  It was just like having dinner with my own family,  :)  Her husband is a retired Navy Warrant Officer and did help A a lot with his questions about his jobs for re-classing.  

I started my drive back to NM this morning, since A had to work and I am now in Marshall, TX for the night.  
The goodbyes don't get any easier, that's for sure.  *tear.  :(

Penny-Sounds like you had fun, but I bet you were on your toes with all of the kids!! The tour groups I have seen are VERY busy!! But, what a wonderful experience for you (have you done this before) even with the kids.

Betsy-It all worked out in the end. Sounds like a really cool field too!! how nice that you had the expertise of a retired Navy person. The inside view is always powerful. Glad you had some time for R & R with your guy too!!

Happy Belated Easter everyone!  I just returned from Groton - I spent 2.5 days with A and it was wonderful seeing him.  We both needed it!  Easter with my boys was a blessing and we adopted Penny's sailor N for the day as well - what a delight.  Drew and I are in Niagara, Ontarios, CA for 2 days before returning home.  Then the count down begins as Drew leaves May 16 for BC.  ((Hug)) to each of you.

Hi everyone - been busy and trying to get stuff done as usual for work. It seems to never end. I deal with som many sad families it is unreal.   I met a Navy mom though this week. Her son is stationed in Italy he has been in for 6 years so it great talking to someone who has survivied the journeys we are on.

Easter was quit here. It was our first easter away from CJ. Been missing him ever since. I finally got an address for him. If any of you want it please PM me.

I am glad to see everyone is back home from their trips. I was pricing a trip to Japan. It would be $1800 each person for a 10 day trip there. Ugh!!!! I don't think I will be going anytime soon. Lottery here I come.  Have a great May day!

Hi everyone!!My A left last night to go back to Charleston.I miss him and I didnt even cry when he left which I was very surprised!!It was so nice to get to spend Easter with him.He was home quite a bit cuz his "friends" were too busy to spend time with him but I got that time instead!!!!

 Hope all of you had a great Easter with your families.

Lori, I'm so glad that you had a good trip with both of your boys.  What wonderful memories you will all have to cherish.  ((hugs))

Terry, that is so nice that you get your sailor home often.  

Wendi, Awwww, she looks so wonderful in her dress whites.  Enjoy your time with your baby girl.  :)  

Hello everyone!!!

GOD BLESS OUR US NAVY SEALS...They stuck with it and succeeded to catch Osama Bin Laden!!! BRAVO ZULU NAVY SEALS!!!]

Evan Anchored in Tialand on Saturday!! SO excited for him! And we have been invited to board the USS Ronald Reagan on their voyage home for a Tiger Cruise from Hawaii to San Diego sometime in September...So excited! Now must do scrimping and saving to afford the airfare to go...won't miss this!

Thanks for listening everyone...hugs to all! Love the Dress Whites Wendy...enjoy your time with her!

XXOO Cindy

Cindy, I second that!  Woohoo for our Navy!  What an awesome opportunity for you to be able to sail on the Reagan.  That is so exciting!  

Cindy, I third that!  All the rest tried, but Our Navy Seals SUCCEEDED  WOOHOO!

Wow what an opportunity to sail on the Reagan. 

Wendy, Nice picture of her in Dress Whites.  Enjoy every minute with your daughter. 

I wish to be able to visit my S.  Still saving for a trip to CT.  Miss him badly especially at Easter.  But the Easter Bunny found him... Other were jealous of the "basket" he received. LOL!! Said to his buddies they must have been bad or the Easter Bunny would have found them too..

Hi everyone! I haven't been on here in about 2 months so I will need to spend some time reading all the posts. Things are doing good on my end. D is doing very well in A school. He is supposed to graduate at the end of this month then he will start C school sometime in June. That will be another 19 weeks so I am hoping he will graduate right before Thanksgiving so he can come home before he ships out. He seems homesick since Easter. It was his first major holiday by himself. I mailed him his Easter basket and he told me he ate most of the chocolate on Easter, lol. His roommate just left for 10 days at home then is heading to Hawaii so I think he misses him too. They were in the same division in BC together so they formed a lasting friendship.

My Kaitlyn graduates high school at the end of this month so I am in frantic mode trying to get her high school scrapbook finished in time! D said he is putting in a special chit to request to be able to come to her graduation. His graduation is earlier the same morning of hers and then he will have the weekend and Memorial Day off. If he comes it will be last minute so I am not saying a word to her. That way if he is there she will be surprised but if he's not she won't be even more disappointed.

I am very proud to be a Navy Mom today. The Seals are amazing!! I hope everyone is doing well and I can't wait to catch up with everyone!

Susan

Glad to hear D is doing well Susan - I think a lot of our Sailors are feeling homesick......being apart from family is very real especially when there is a holiday to really make you realize life has changed as we all knew it.  You have an exciting year ahead AGAIN!  Never a dull moment.  Hugs to you as you getting ready for Kaitlins big day and I hope and pray D can come home.  If he surprises her it will be a very tearful moment!  Have me choked up just typing it.   Wendi - your H looks sharp in her whites!  Such a pretty girl - I'm so happy for you that she is home before heading to beautiful Hawaii!  Penny SD - you doo see very sad situations don't you - makes you thankful doesn't it!  I hope you get to see CJ in JP - that would be so awesome!  Watch those flight fares and you may get a surprise one day with reasonable fare.  Terry - glad you had a visit with your sailor; ISH - I hope you get to see your sailor soon!  Mystic is a great spot to visit when you go to Groton; the sub museum is free and outstanding!  Cindy - whoot whoot to you; glad you will take advantage of the family trip on the Reagen.  What a wonderful opportunity!  Enjoy the excitment and thrill in planning for this trip.  Glad E has arrived safe and sound in Thailand.  Drew and I are getting A's car ready for sale.  The signs are on and Drew just went to pick up a new battery and some new floor pads!  Wish us luck!   

Hello everyone...been busy but I have wanted to get on here all week! How proud are we to be part of this amazing military family!!!! Bravo Zulu Seals indeed! I was texting with N when we heard the news!!! I do have to admit however, there is a little bit of apprehension now...almost that feeling of "ok...what are they going to try now." But goodness knows we have been living with that for almost 10 years now! I was thinking about the families, not only of 9/11, but also the families of the sailors on the Cole...I remember when that happened...never dreaming that one day my son would be a US Sailor.

I'm at that rambling stage again..haha! Thanks for letting these crazy thoughts that rattle around my head come out! :)

N is talking about "Fleet Weekend" in NYC on Memorial Day weekend. Apparently many Navy ships come up NY harbor and the whole city celebrates the Navy. N says they will wear their dress uniforms and it will be a big celebration. He is so funny...he asked me if I wanted to go! Me and the US NAVY???? I'm thinking I'll let him celebrate this one without mom! haha! But it was sweet that he asked!

I love hearing how everyone is doing..

Heidi looks awesome in her whites! :)

Take care everyone!

Love Groton Penny

Hey everyone it's so nice to see everyones sailors are doing good and look amazing!!!I am also so proud to be a NAVY mom!!!

My A has this whole month of Watch Duty and will not start his next school til June.He just can't wait to get in the Fleet.Every time someone asks him if he likes it or not he will say "I don't know yet I'm not in the Fleet,just doing my schooling right now."But I know he likes being a part of such an amazing group of men and women.

Hopefully I will talk to you all soon.

Have a great mothers day!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you amazing moms! We are all missing our sailors together!

Lori...that is so awesome!!!!!! You have such good boys! I've been thinking about you and Drew's going away party! ((hugs))

Lori, What a thoughtful gift. Good luck with all that you have going on... You must be so proud to have your two boys serving our country... While at the same time missing them a lot!!

To All You Wonderful Ladies, have a wonderful Mother's Day!! Try to find some tme to talk to your sailors (I think most of us are at a point where we can still contact our kids). Not the same as SEEING them, but at least they are still a phone call away!! :-)

God Bless!!

Nancy

My sailor showed up at my door for breakfast this morning!!!!!!!!!

I turned around and there he was!!!! It was a perfect day...simply hanging out with my boys! I soooo don't want today to end!!! I told him that I was afraid that I was getting spoiled and I am worried that I won't know what to do in the fall when he actually joins the fleet!!!

I hope that all of you wonderful ladies had a beautiful Mother's Day.

Love Groton Penny

Penny!!! How wonderful for you and what a delightful Mother's Day present! You are lucky… I am hoping to see my sailor in a couple of weeks when he comes home to go to the Prom.

Thanks Phoebe…Mine was great, hope yours was good too!!

Lori-how awesome they look great and I bet they look nice at night!!!

Penny-that is an awesome mothers day gift to open the door and see your Sailor on the doorstep!!!

I spent the day with my 15 year old and my great nephew and my sailor called me then I was on my facebook and he decided to skype with me.That was a surprise as he has been doing 12 hour watch days.

Hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day!!!

Lori-have you noticed that some things have disappeared from our chat board? I left a message for you and it is gone now. And your comment is gone too.

Monday night… after 6 would be best for me. I know that makes it 9 for EST…is that OK for you ladies?

ya know, I thought it looked very idle but didn't realize comments were missing. Hmmmmm  I am proposing that we chat at the following time: 

                     9:00 EST - 8:00 CST - 7:00 MST - 6:00 PST

Sound Good?  If not, we can made an adjustment.

I am going to post this on our yahoogroups calendar when you hear back from a few more people. To remind us…I get busy and then remember when all is done. Sad..but true!!

So IB went and got a tattoo yesterday…sent me a photo of it when it was finished. His brother designed it, and got my approval before sending it on, so it looks nice. IB is happy, and that is what matters most.