Anyone with Sailors/Soldiers/Marines in War Zones and Combat Areas

I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your words of wisdom, words of encouragement and words of understanding. Ya'll make this process so much better. Yes, our boots are back on American soil!! Maybe this mom can sleep a little better.

Pam, congratulations!  I am so excited for all of you.

Congrats and best wishes for your warrior, Pam! and you....you are now a seasoned mom, drop by to check on our moms! 

Thank you!  And we are going to Hawaii to see him in 2 1/2 weeks!  Haven't set eyes on him since he left in January 2013.  It's amazing how much lighter I feel right now.  I was so on edge the past few days.  Phew! 

Not carrying around all that fear and tears drops the pounds, Pam! good for you on your trip!! HUG him hard from all of us!

You know I am dancing in the streets.  LOL!  I'm really looking forward to a good nights sleep.  Is that normal?  I haven't slept good all week because I knew he was on the move again.

Extremely normal!

CONGRATULATIONS Pam!!!  You made it through just fine and now you get your reward.  This experience sure makes us appreciate our kids.  Have a wonderful time in Hawaii...and give him hugs and thanks from ALL his Navy Moms.  (BTW...Don't forget about this site...there are other moms starting out on this awful road, and an understanding word from you when they are scared out of their wits will go a long way...  It has been fun watching you grow.)

I am not going anywhere.  If I can pass on any of the great advice everyone gave me it would make my day.  And yes, I finally had a good nights sleep.  Now if I can only keep straight what time zone and how many hours behind us he is right now, I'll be good.  I don't think he slept much yesterday.  He was so happy to get back and get his car out of storage. Praying for all those that are still deployed.  And for those that are waiting for homecoming... another day closer!

Pam, this is an exciting time for you so enjoy.  Time goes so fast when you are with them.  It seems to triple and zoom by.  Have survived the first deployment, post home leave, and my son has recently returned to his base.  The range of emotions is enormous but worth it.  Little did I realize when my son joined, the impact it has had and continues to have on our family.  Prayers for all,

Curleytop.

Hi girls,

I was lying in bed crying and I thought to myself, who can I talk to at this hour of the night.  My NavyMoms.  We received our weekly phone call today.  That is the way our son likes to do it since he is back on base.

When he was home on leave, he told us when he would be deploying again.  No problem.  It is months away.  So we thought we would have Christmas and predeployment leave.  No such luck!!!  I thought now that he was back in the states it would be better.  I have gotten used to months without seeing him.  I know some of you moms have gone years.  It looks like it will be a year and a half.  Maybe more,  depending on his next deployment.  We know nothing about it, just the month he is leaving(the next deployment).

It was just a lot to take in today.  I don't know why I keep expecting things to be "normal" or rational while he is in the service.  I know many moms have survived much worse.  All of you are such good listeners.  Just did not want to cry any more.  It has been one of those days.

Everyone's post have been so positive lately.  I am so thankful for every homecoming I read about.

TDM, I have hope that someday, one day in the far future, my son will be graduating from college and I can tell you about it.  It gives me hope, your son survived, and now is successful as a civi.

Hope everyone has a great week.  Stay busy.  It helps the time pass.  If we could only do without sleep, just think how much work could get done.

Blessed by all of you.

Ladies....my day wasn't a lot different than yours! weepy all day yesterday, don't know if it's the news on Iraq, or being Father's Day (my dad died when I was 6 and it's always tough) or what....so I followed my own advice, washed my face and found something to do. At least twice! 

julieb, families serve, too, don't they? One thing I realized when my son would be deployed is that not only was I worried about his safety, sometimes I just plain missed him. Just missed his face, his smile, his dirty clothes on the floor, all the stuff that comes with raising a young man....I just missed him. And that's normal and probably a good thing. Curleytop, send him a card...maybe one that just says you miss his face. Or take a photo of the backyard, and tell him about your roses blooming, something from home that only his mom could do. You're not doing it for him, you're doing for you. If he says anything, just tell him that. 

My son was like that too about being "too emotional". No we couldn't walk him all the way to the gate at the airport..."too much emotional stuff". "Mom, please don't cry when I leave" too emotional. ( I did pull that one off...his twinkling eyes ....I'll always remember how proud he looked... and thankful.) 

Curleytop, where I work  here in Austin is a parks and recreation center where our local community college does their PE oriented stuff because we have a big gym. During the school year, I see so many young vets who have returned home to go to college.  I watch them walk through the doors and across the lobby and guess which ones are vets. I'm usually right. They walk with such confidence, looking people in the eyes as they pass, always, ALWAYS acknowledge the desk attendant with a  "good morning", stand so straight and tall....They aren't my kids, but I'm so damn proud of them! I know at some point each of your sons and daughters will move forward into that phase of their lives. Moving forward. I have to tell you, I still miss him, and my daughter as well...they are very busy with their work and lives and I try not to be a nag and drag, but I miss the crap out of them...and they are right here in Texas, neither is further than 70 miles away! But I don't have that underlying fear in my heart all the time that goes with deployments. Sometimes I do, sometimes I wonder if I'm the one with PTS...worrying about whether he is okay, if he's walked away from the war zone without the nights of hell that so many come home with. He would never tell me. I know he was working at the VA clinic for the last year, so he could and would get help if he thought he needed it. 

Is it possible for either of you to go visit your sons? even for a weekend?

I know how everyone is feeling. I had a little melt down yesterday. My husband is on a business trip. I'm still "nursing" my ankle since Feb. The Dr. finally did surgery last month. I haven't been able to keep myself "physically" busy while our son has been gone. All this world news is very depressing. I know it's made me more sensitive with my emotions, and our son has had "several" delays with his return home. :(  AND it doesn't stop there. I've been worried as well with all the adjustments of him coming home. I learned a lot from his first time, I'm sure this transition will have some hiccups as well. When he left, he knew he might be getting a transfer from his home base after he gets back. He put in for 2 places on different continents. His thinking at that time was, he would like to do it now while our "oldest" son is near us on the east coast for at least 3 years. Of course, we support and stand behind where ever and what ever he wants to do and explore. He left on deployment with a broken heart from a GF, so I only hope that time healed it. Yes, many worries are on the rise not only getting him home, but also after he's home. But I can't wait until we can hug, kiss & touch him again. 

See curlytop?  You can come on here at any time, sad or glad, and receive such great support. My Sailor has already told me his next deployment date also, so there really is no "complete" happiness is there?  I will be able to visit with him in a couple of weeks, but deployment will always be there in the back of our minds.  I hate that Iraq is in such turmoil.  We had a local 19 year old marine die there back in 2006.  I hate that even more.  Was his death in vain?  I sure hope not.  And Father's Day was good for my husband, but my Dad passed away almost 10 years ago so it's always a little bittersweet. Hang in there ladies.

Thanks girls for your kind words.  After I talked with you, it was another hour or so before I could sleep but I was not crying anymore.  So around 3:00 a.m. my time, I drifted off.  I knew I could count on my NavyMoms.  Yes, the families serve as well as right along with our sons and daughters in a different way.

Pam, we were told of our son's next deployment when he was home on leave.  Like you said, 'No complete happiness'.

But even state side, on base, where I thought things were relatively safe, things happen.  I guess as mom's, we are always on alert.  Being in the military just brings all these feelings to the for front and intensives them.

Thanks for being here for me, NavyMoms.

Blessing to all.

PS....I forgot to mention I ended up watching Disney's "Frozen" for the 1st time yesterday afternoon to pull me out of my slumpy afternoon. It did make me smile!!!!

Rec'd a phone call last night, "Our Son is Home"!! I can't begin to tell you, how blessed we feel & how much we are overjoyed with emotion. He will be flying to our house in a couple of days for the weekend, as we have been storing all of his "Toys" aka/truck/motorcycle/boat.

Please Lord, Keep All Our Soldiers Safe who are Deployed and getting ready to Deploy.

Yay JerseySusan!  Enjoy the visit because they go all too fast!

What a great post to see first thing this morning!! YEA! Hug that young man for all of us, Susan!! good for you!!

Jersey Susan...You must be walking on air!!!  The next thing, of course, is to actually see him, but just knowing he is safe in the USA relieves a bigger weight than you knew you were carrying.  When my son came home, I just sat there and really didn't even say much.  I just soaked up his very presence...feasting my eyes and ears on him as though he was a famous person and I was one of his groupies.  Although, when I think about it, that is exactly what I was...his #1 fan!  lol

Good Morning Ladies, Just had to share our son came home Sat night, plopped his stuff on the corner of the dining room floor, and it has stayed there "ever since". "Everyone" knows what an organized and neat freak I am with our house, But Guess What.....it can't get any better than this!!!   ;)

K-Bug - I'm not sure I could handle two!  Good luck to your daughter and prayers for your brother.

PS, not sure why the pics went side ways, never happened like this before!!

JerseySusan - I love the seabag explosion!  Enjoy your visit.  You have a really handsome Sailor!

Yes, a handsome sailor! and love the mess....my son's room always looked like that when he was home...the dogs loved it!

Welcome, KBug's mom to the group no one wants to join! but as you can see we do have our joy filled days! Drop by anytime...and remember you're not alone.

Just wanted to share a couple wedding pics! 

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Love the pictures! 

Tamme - Is that the photographer from the contest?  That was such an awesome thing!  And really great pics. 

And after six days with my nephew, his wife and two children, one being a terrible 2, I have sent my boys text messages that I do not want any grandkids!  LOL - my house was destroyed and my dog was traumatized.  This B&B is officially closed!  I'm still in shock.

Wow!! all these weddings! such handsome grooms and beautiful brides!! Congrats and best wishes to all!! Kathy....3 days of corpsmen, as in multiples....you are a brave, brave woman!

WOW Tamme and Kathy "Beautiful" wedding pics and congratulations to your sons and new D-in-L's!!

Just so you'all know, that's our youngest...Hah..he's not our "Sailor", he's our "Airman"! Our "Sailor's" the oldest son!  :)

K-Bug Welcome to the group! You will get a lot of hugs from here.

Wonderful picture, Kathy.  I love when they wear their uniform.  Yes, this is the photographer who gave them free photography for engagement, bridal and wedding from the contest.  Also in the contest was a florist which did an outstanding job.  I will post some of their beautiful work when we receive the pics.  The best thing of all - two of the Marines from the deployment team came.  It was so wonderful and meant so much.  It was great to finally get to hug them and thank them for guarding my Corpsman.  They were so gracious in thanking us for raising such a wonderful man who truly helped them through the deployment and we just loved hearing them call him "Doc." 

Oh yes - house is totally turned upside down.  It will remain until our 2 1/2 year old grandson and my daughter leave to go back to Puerto Rico next Monday.  I dread the empty nest again. 

JerseySusan... WOW!!!  Just WOW!!!  Two beautiful pics...

I love the one of you with your son...but the mess makes it real!!!  lol  My son was the same...You would think after all the military training, they wouldn't be that way, but I bet you get all warm and fuzzy inside every time you see it.  Be sure to give him lots of hugs from his Navy Moms.

Tamme and Kathy...Congratulations on your expanding families...See...Good things DO happen, but sometimes we have to wade through the bad first.  I'm loving this...there is so much joy here right now!

2 days and a wakeup until this Navy Mom gets to see her Sailor!  It has been a very long 18 months and I am ready!  And just a little excited because the bonus of seeing my son is seeing him in Hawaii.  Looking forward to touring Pearl Harbor and all Oahu has to offer.

Peace and prayers to all those with loved ones still deployed.  For you, another day closer!  Hang in there.

Congrats, Pam.  Have a wonderful trip and thank him for us for his deployment. 

Out of pocket for a bit..... forgot my password, blah blah blah.  Anyway, things (unfortunately) are rocking and rolling on the other side of the pond right now.  My Son is good, he "ping'd" me on FB this am, however; not all is good.  My heart breaks for those who have lost their Son(s).  Anyway, that is all I can say because that is all that I know.... and you all know the drill anyway.  For those that have sons "overthere" please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and please keep me in yours.  anyone who wants to chat off line feel free to message me.... of course we will have to do a Q&A first.... ha ha!  GodSpeed to all of those boys/men and the women too that are wherever they are.

PS- can anyone help me with uploading a pic.  it says mine are too large and they aren't.  I have tried about 5 different ones.  dang it~

Nicksmom...hearts are with you. 

Don't know what to do about the pic, this web site is a little behind on the pic tech stuff!

Nicksmom, at the bottom of our screen, on the right, you can click on "Report an Issue". I had the same thing a while back with my photos. The N4M's admin can report it to "Ning" which is their social web site they use and someone should get back to you if the problem can get fixed. My issue took at least a week of back & forth communication. Then "WAHLA" it finally worked.

I had the most "amazing" one on one time with our son this past week. My hubby had to go out of town, so it was just my son & I. Warned me about a few things down the road. I'd rather have an idea and be prepared than be in the dark and deal with the unknown.

Praying for all of your loved ones still deployed. Be strong & hang in there. They'll be home before you know. Hugs to All.

Thanks for the advice.  Will look into it for sure.  Today is/was my Birthday and my Corpsman called me yesterday!!!  I was thrilled beyond belief.... was playing Golf but I actually skipped two holes just to talk to him.  He sounds ok but there is obviously tension and stress and you Moms of past deployed kids know WAY more than I what I am talking about.   Anyway. all of that aside.... I spoke to my Son and I am thrilled.  He can NOT wait to get home.... I find that a bit odd that he is saying that but he REALLY REALLY REALLY x10 wants out of there..... and to just be HOME!  I am very proud of him and of his unit and to all over there.

Happy Birthday! you sure got the gift moms love to get! so happy for you!! 

Happy 'Yesterday" Birthday nicksmom!!! I know you couldn't have asked for a better present than that phone call!! Praying for his safe return home soon!!

Happy belated birthday nicksmom and I know you were glad for the one on one time JerseySusan.  We just returned from our 12 day trip to Hawaii to visit our Sailor.  I'm not sure if I like the "green" Sailor.  He was blueside for the first two years and this whole attachment to a marine unit has changed him so much.  The first couple of days I felt like I barely knew him anymore.  However, toward the end of our visit he was much more relaxed and not as grumpy.  My goodness I'm still confused by how much he has changed.  We knew that we could not take everything personally and the carefree, smiling son that we know finally peeked out more and more. Ladies, I have not breathed a word of this to anyone else but knew that you would understand. 

Pam! I understand completely. While my son never served blue side until the last year of his enlistment when he was an instructor, his personality was a LOT different than the kid I knew before. Things to remember....he has an important job, and taking care of people is part of it. He's responsible and he feels his responsibility. It will take him a while to realize when to be the brisk, efficient, commanding Doc and when to be mom's kid. You should have read some of the emails I got when a mom would post something my son felt was against OPSEC or too much information to be shared on a public forum. Holy moly! "Mom, get that post down NOW!" And that was the nice one...

They keep their emotions in check, they are used to being with other men, for the most part and always with more military usually. He's a tough Marine now, not just a Navy Corpsman. It's a strange world they walk in, right on the line...but he's still your son, and he loves you. 

I think my son is doing pretty well at loosening up now he's out, but he is still VERY protective of those he loves. And very focused and to the point when he thinks something needs to be said or done. And usually a smile now when I tell him he can shut up now, I am in charge, not the Doc!

Thanks TDM - you have such a gift of explaining things and putting it into perspective.  I'm glad it's not just my son.

Yes, Pam I do understand.  I am living the same situation.  When we are with our son, he has changed so much, no longer carefree or happy.  He is very serious and totally different, but TDM always gives me hope that some day when he is out, he will may return a little to the son I use to know.

Oh Pam, we all understand. Our son has changed so much these past few years and it was extremely hard to keep "my" emotions in tack in front of him. Being on this site has helped me pick myself up and put my "Big Girl Mama Panties on"! I feel a little luckier this second time around. Our son had a different kind of deployment his second time around then his first which I can't disclose info on, but before he did leave, he had the same anxiety as the first, but when he came back this time, he wasn't as stressed out as his first. It's not going to be like that the next time as he already has prepared me. But, I can say, it's all been a journey and an experience for both my husband & I, our family and our son. We have all realized, yes, even our son, how much he has changed as well & how the change has affected all of our lives. I think with our son recognizing the emotions we have gone through, has helped a lot. It has been a process of slow subtle open communication for all of us, but, I also know that could change at any moment. PS, I hope I made sense with all my jibber jabber. Hugs to All  (((:)))