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

Nancy - that is really neat that IB's bro designed and that they got mom's approval!  Can you post a pic or describe??

Here is a link to a picture. Provided by his brother. Hope it works from here.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s292/xinsangelx/Ian_Tat.jpg

He left out the "I love Mom" part of the tattoo… LOL

Nancy - IB's brother is very talented!  I can't read the writing - what is the jest of the message on the tattoo?  I'll have to show Drew before he ships - he is definitely planning on getting a tattoo and wants to do something very meaningful and respectful. 

Thank you Lori, I think so too.

IB says that it is about dealing with emotions, and how where we come from makes us who we are and leads us to where we'll go.

I don't know what language the symbols are from. I can PM you with my other son's contact info if Drew would like him to do something for him. I know that IB sent him a rough image and M fine tuned it. M has finals (which means LOTS of drawing) through this week, and graduation next week, but then he should be free…other than looking for a job. 

Hi everyone...feel like I haven't been on N4Ms in forever, sounds like everyone is doing well.  I have been on FB more so then N4Ms...wonder if there is a way to set up a member only FB page, I would love to stay in touch with everyone, you all have such a special place in my heart, you all were my biggest cheerleaders and source of strength when I needed it the most.  I would love to keep sharing our Sailor's journey's, speaking of Sailor's can you believe that they have been in the Navy almost 6 months, when I really think about it it just Wow's me.  

Nancy - I looked at the picture of IB's tatoo wow, I would love to know the meaning of all the symbols...how long did it take him to have that done?  I always like when there is a special meaning behind a tattoo and how awesome that IB's brother designed it, I admire people that can draw it is such an awesome talent...me the best I can do is stick figures..haha

Has anyone heard from Priscilla?  I wonder how her and the baby are doing, I'm sure she is loving every minute of being a mom.

I won't be home until after 7:30 pm CST - so I will check in and see if you all are on. I so wanna catch up!!!

So, is he headed to Boot Camp?

Hey everyone,

Its been too long since I have been on here, hope all is well for you all. I have a question about Pass Ports. Do they get them before they go out of the country? N is to go to Spain and doesn't have one? HELP please ????

Hi Anita,

I read early on that it is a good idea for the kids to have one. The reason being that if they are traveling Navy they don't need one, BUT if they want to come home and aren't traveling on Navy transport they WILL need one. I hope that makes sense, and I think it is true. 

A good place to double check is back in the Boot Camp area. Also, there is a mom in one of my other groups, I will check with her. Her son has been in a while.

Betsy-i was just thinking the same thing this morning!!!Cant beklieve it has been that long already.But I am noticing that mom really isnt in there daily life anymore.My son called me last night and "hold on mom I have another call,wait for a little bit,then he gets back on and says ,well I gotta go get my laundry."

Feeling a little left out but I know he is busy.I text him everyday just to let him know I am thinking bout him and tell him I love him!!Sorry going overboard with my blabbing.

Glad to hear everyone is doing good.Let me know bout the facebook thing.I am on there everyday at some point.

Elizabeth- I like IB's tattoo also, well….for a tattoo. I was not excited about him getting one, but it did make me feel better for his brother to design it. M showed it to me before sending it off to IB, not for approval or anything, but just to let me know it was OK.

The meanings come from a book that IB and his sister have read. Essentially that you can learn from life and where you have been determines where you will end up. The symbols come from the book too, so essentially they are "fiction."

I can't draw anything either. My mom and my sister were art majors in college and I am "crafty." That's nice=speak for people who can't draw. LOL 

Our boys are splitting up now. :-( as they head into A school. It's amazing how this entire process unfolds. I am beginning to dread the whole sub deployment thing. But IB could end up closer to home, so that would be nice. 

Hopefully he makes it home this weekend, last I heard he didn't know about his leave yet…talk about the last minute for Prom!! If he heads to CA I am going to drive to see him!! Cross your fingers!!

Well life is interesting for sure. CJ is calling this week every morning 3:30 am because of his grandmother being in the hospital. It has been nice talking to him but I wish it was later in the day. He is 14 hours a head of us so it is confusing. he is doing well and enjoying Japan. Getting ready to do a 6 month float. Not sure where too. Keep us posted where your boys are going. If they need a card every now and then send me their address.

Hugs to you Mochi - my youngest left for Army BCT on the 16th!

Hi...special thoughts and HUGS for Lori and Mochi...please keep us updated on how your boy's are doing...I am sure they will do great!!!!  And I have to agree with Mochi, Lori the Army/Navy game is going to crazy in your house...you'll have to find an Army jersey and a Navy jersey, cut them in half sew one half of each jersey to the other and support both teams you know us mom's aways the neutral party...to funny.

Nancy - did IB make it home for the weekend?  I can hardly believe that the boy's are only now starting A School..did IB's rate stay the same, T said some of the guy's were being re-rated (I think that's what its called) so far T has remained the same rate. 

Hope everyone is doing well and all of the Sailor's are adjusting to their new adventures.

H just landed in Hawaii

Hi everyone...feels like so long since I have been on here. Life continues to be crazy for me...I think I mentioned that I am Junior Class Adviser and this is an incredibly busy year for us. This weekend was our Junior class prom...needless to say I have been out of my mind with details...like planning a wedding all over again! Well I was really excited because N came home again...this time to surprise his brother! He was able to be here for his prom!!! :)

He said that he will graduate from Techno (sp?) On Tuesday and will finally start A School the week after. I think he is getting really anxious to join the fleet!

He is really looking forward to "Fleet Weekend" in NYC next weekend. Getting his dress whites all ready! :) I have never seen him in his dress whites!

Well just wanted to say hi. Now I'm going to read some of your post before I fall asleep from exhaustion from this crazy weekend! :)

Hi ladies,

I thought I would share this link...some of our boys are headed to NY for Fleet  week.

So where is everyone? It's been a few days since Anita posted. Hugs Anita, its so hard to let out kids go. Congrats on the new job? What do you do at the hospital? I'm just curious because I work in a hospital as well. My husband visited Rota Spain when he was in the service. He really liked it there. 

I hope you are all well. my son E has been in bootcamp for two weeks now. No one has heard a word since the "I'm here safe" phone call. Looking forward to hearing how it is going for him. But as we all know "no news is good news"!

Hey MOCHI 1 hope you have heard from your sailor by now. I know the waiting is terrible and now I am back in that position. I can only send messeges on FB we don't have his phone situation settled yet. He has calling cards where he calls us but I can't call him. I work at the TC Thompson's Childrens Hospital in Chattanooga Tenn. I work in the Neonatal Divsion with the little preterm infants and Newborns that are sick. Where do you work? We are excited about visiting Rota it looks very nice. Prayers for you and your E keep us posted. Have a Blessed weekend :)

Well here comes the long days with no communication. CJ's ships has been completing all their stuff for the 6 month float. Last time I talked with him he was a little nervous. Right now I am missing him and not hearing from him will be hard. He said communication is always sparse when they are out to sea. Hope to chat with you all soon.

Mochi - Drew started Army BCT on May 16 (ship) and the last I heard from him was his call to let me know he arrived safely at BCT following the first few days of reception.  I have received 2 letters and he seems to be doing well.  You are right - no news is good news.  He is in SC so it is hot!!!  The Army post he is at has a FB page for communication; I have started a sub page for Drew's specific company.  I reminds me a lot of Navy4Moms.  It's not limited to Mom's BUT it is mostly Moms, Wives and Girlfriends who post.  Its been a lot of fun getting the page up and running.  So many are new to the military so I think with my Navy background I can be of some help to the newbies.  I hope your son is doing well Mochi and catch us up when you hear some news! 

Penny - I bet this is a bit scarey for CJ and also difficult for you - the lack of communication can be very difficult!  Keep us posted!

Anita - I hope you have improved communication soon.  Is it difficult setting up an international plan or what is the challenge.  Let us all know so we can learn from your experience!

hi Lori,

sounds like you had a busy weekend!! I was reading your FB page

Penny, ((hugs)) to you and my prayers go out to Cj.  What a wonderful adventure at such a young age. 

Anita, ((hugs)) to you.  I will also be praying for your sailor.  My brother was in Rota, Spain when he was in the Navy and loved it also.  He said it was the most favorite out of all of the places that he went while in the Navy. 

Mochi, ((hugs))  Good luck to your son in BC.  What a crazy life you have had lately, huh?  How is your sailor doing?  So sorry that your sailor can't get to your other son's PIR.  :(  

Lori, the Army moms, gf's, etc. are so lucky to have you leading the way.  It sounds like Drew is doing great!   

Hi Nancy, how is I doing?

Sharon, glad to hear that T is doing well.

Nothing really new on my end.  We have booked our hotel for the Pensacola trip.  My husband is driving a car (so Adam can have a car down there) and I am driving my car, so it will be kinda like our roadtrip to Maryland a few weeks, except with the bonus at the end of the trip, we will see A.  :)   He is still waiting for his security clearance to go through, so he's just doing busy work on the base until his A school starts.    

Phoebe, Have a great time.  I hope you enjoy your visit.  That would be so cool to see Mary.  

For those of us who have a sailor at Corry Station, you might want to check out this video.  They did a commemoration of the Battle of Midway today there and you might see your sailor in the news video.  My Adam said he was one of the sailors standing at ease, but there are too many for me to pick him out.  At least I know he is in there.  lol   

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/pensacola/veterans-of-ww...

Wow catching up on everything.My A just spent the weekend with a couple of buddies at a hotel as one of them just had a birthday and my son was the DD.He starts his power school on the 23rd so right now he is just doing watches and things to keep him busy. Thank goodness for skype!!

Elizabeth-I know how you feel with the missing your sailor.I always want to put missing my son on my facebook status but just figure that wouldnt help him any.As long as they stay busy there is less time for them to think about home.Good luck!!

Terry, good luck to him in his power school.

Wendi, how exciting!  I'm so glad that H is enjoying it there.  Woohoo for a Hawaii trip. I can't wait to see pictures..  

My daughter has been there for about a month now (with her Navy bf) and loves it too.  She has a job in a tea room in Kailua.  (What a life, huh?)  Of course, I miss her terribly, but hope to see her in a few months on our trip out there.   

Wendi...how exciting!  Enjoy the experience, have fun seeing your daughter and Hawaii.

I'm getting ready for my trip to Groton to see Jo the weekend of 4th of July.  Can't wait!!!

Phoebe, awww, I'm so glad that you had a good trip. :) Can't wait to see the pictures.

Rose, Woohoo on a trip to Groton.  

Nancy, how is IB doing?  

Betsy....Thanks!!! 

NDG....sometimes I don't know where I have my head.  Thanks!!! And for previous experience you know I will give your hug and message if I see IB. LOL