@ Gabe'sMom - most have prepaid phones. Have him shop minutes. Some use Blackberrys because of messaging, Chris uses WhatsApp for it. $.99 for app, texting is free. Don't need special Skype, regular will do. Fb messaging works well too, albeit when Internet working well.
Thank You so much for the inf.....:) about phone cards and the majic jack. My son call this morning he is doing ok also went to the beach today with the guys so he send me a pic....can post it???don't want be in trouble for post somebody's sailor without authorization....
Got a date for MA3 Chris W's MWD C School graduation! As my friend, Nancy C. In Miami says, " He is "Knotted Up"! Oh! My 90 year old Dad will be there too!
Donna - do they "pin" like in MA ceremony? Be great if Dad could do that for Chris.
Any fall out for our guys & girls from the violence occurring at a Bahraini funeral? There was a brief "crawl" on CNN, no note 'bout our kids.
YAHHHH!!! Christine I'm so happy for you :)) and thank you for the news. Gabe went saturday to the beach so I hope didn't go today....We're praying for our guys and waiting for more news!!
My daughter has now been in Bahrain for 3 months, I fear this will be the longest two years of my life. Tomorrow is her birthday, this has been a year of firsts all over for me. Only these firsts are not as exciting as when she was younger.
She got word that she will not be home for Christmas, so my husband and I are in the process of obtaining our tourist visas and are going to try to go and see her.
Hope all is well with everyone! Just wanted to stop by and say hello to my fellow Navy Moms that know exactly what I am feeling.
mary, what is Britt's job? My dd is looking for more friends, but her schedule is so jacked, she can't seem to meet new people. AND it changes weekly. Sometimes she's 12's, days/nights, sometimes she is 8's, her last 2 weeks was 4:30PM-12:30AM... she gets frustrated by the ongoing lack of a regular schedule.
My dd has YET to get to the beach! I said she needed to find one before she called again! LOL
@Mom2aSailor: Britt is an MA right now she is on nights, but I believe she will change to days soon. 12 hours shifts. She is very outgoing and I am sure would love a new friend. :)
Kathy B: I just might have to get some of that stemware.
Kathy B- The first year went by fast for me actually, I am hoping this next one goes as fast! I am in school right now working on my Paralegal degree and should be done before he comes home! :)
JosephsWifey- My husband is an MA and does Harbor Patrol, what about yours? I was going to visit in June too, but he is most likely coming home in July for 30 days. So I might either fly back with him or maybe Christmas time if he can't come home!
Jennyd- My husbands an MA also, but not on Harbor patrol! If you end up visiting Bahrain let me know! I could totally use a friend when I go lol he will be working a lot of the time. I will probably be going again during Christmas time too!
That would be nice, It would be so much better to make that trip traveling with somebody! That was the one reason making it that much harder for me to get there. My husband would be working a lot of the time too, so it would be nice to have some one to hang out with if their at work!
Glad Steve doing well. Italy will be great. Gonna miss you on here, glad we are FBFs! Your vaca looked like a blast! Thanks for the pics.please give Harley a skritch for me.
We leave NC on the 12th, plan on a couple days to TX. Chris told Alex that the instructional day ends at 14:00 or 14:30! Don't know what other duties he'll be accountable for related to the care of his K9 or the kennel as a whole. We want to be able to maximize any time with him we may have. Yeah, we're needy!
Dad & Fern arrive on the 16th & will go back to FL on the 19th, as will we. Chris should be on a flight back to the sand that day too. Can hardly wait to get my paws on him, will probably squeeze the dog hair off him! Probably be like his homecoming after MAA school, before Bahrain. I nailed him at a dead run at Piedmont Int. Airport, after almost jumping a small car, I nearly knocked him on his keister! Surprised the crud out of him. Will most likely put him on his butt this trip!!!!!!! Won't hurt him as bad since I'm 42 lbs. lighter, but Al says I'm faster......
Poor Chris. Two of his good buddies off to new adventures, but two wonderful pups, both of whom he's gotten attached to (literally, with Cherry lol) that may become his four legged buddy. WOW.
Great pic Heidi, what was the honor bestowed upon your son? Tell all proud Mom!
Lace up the happy dance shoes for Christine P!
Chris, too, heads beck to the sand after training. That was the deal they agreed upon. Another 1.5 years sand-side.
Chris - for some reason, I KNEW that your son is the one who handles Cherry!
My son handles Leo... He's mentioned Cherry's handler a couple of times to me! (all positive... lol!)
I've disappeared this past month b/c I've been so sick, I just haven't been up to going online... So, if I missed anything major in anyone's life - or their Sailor's - I'm very sorry. I'm going to go back a few pages tomorrow and try to get caught up!
Happy Mother's Day to all the fantastic women on this board!
Suzanne - my Chris, aka "chew toy"; is the chew-ee, Cherry is the chewer, & Santoucci is Cherry's handler! I do think my Chris is one of Cherry's fav chewees. (At this date, he's still in school to become a handler like his mentors; Donna's Steve & Cherry's Santoucci.) Chris is; Soft on the outside, hard in the inside & squeeks when you bite it! Yep, chew toy!
Oops! Can you tell it was a long day with the short people?!
Guess with graduation not till the 18th the guys will miss each other. POOH.
Thank goodness for FB, Skype, IM, cell phones, etc.
On this auspicious day I'd like to offer my Thanks for your support, humor, & caring. We've "mothered" each other through thick & thin. Y'all are great. Hope the phone calls, skypes, texts etc., roll in heavy!
We made it to Louisianna last night, another 8 hours to TX! Getting closer to hugging the dog hair off my sailor!
Day 2 with Chris. Got to spend only a couple hours with him. Disappointed, but understand. He's up at 04:00, full day, Cross Fit & then we want a piece of him. We did experience a baseline Cross Fit while he did his, full on, thing. I was happy we lived through it & surprised Al & I did as well as we did!
After exploring a gun shop, we had wonderful Mexican at Los Barrios, YUM - YUM! Owner/chef has won a couple throw downs with Bobby Flay. We concur with the judgements!
Al & I spent the evening doing a bit of laundry, eating Olive Garden LO's & pop corn.
Tomorrow; we're gonna wander a Japanese garden and .....
BTW: the Best Western a mile from Lackland is lovely! Very happy with our choice.
Donna, Glad to hear your son is almost done in Bahrain! And that 2 years will eventually come to an end! My husband just finished his 1st year so I am patiently waiting for year 2 so we can move together :)
Kathy - Am originally a native Floridian, bubble blower since 1952!
I still think Chris put a contract out on his Dad & myself! Am dreading tomorrow when all those muscles I've mistreated will seek their revenge! OUCH! Oh! & I ran a quarter mile, I don't run, ever. I power walk @ a four mile an hour pace, that's it. I think even my eyelashes are pissed off. Can't imagine why...oh, yeah, I can. Any time spent with Chris... Well, you all understand.
Went to see Avengers this evening, good flick. It was an eat in type. Beer, wine, etc., full menu, comfy seats. A first for us, cool, pricey, but cool.
Nite ladies & yes Donna, pop in. We'll be waiting!
Just said, yet another, goodbye to MA3 MWD Handler Wickline. It's official, ceremony was moving & lovely. So glad Al, my Dad, Fern & I made the trip. We got a class photo & DVD presentation to boot!
So very proud of him. On the way back to the sand tomorrow & we're headed home.
No time with the dogs. It's not allowed. GRRRRRR! Chris says the Lackland breeding program is making some of the cutest little buggers he's ever seen! If an MWD has a double lettered name, like Zzeus, it's from Lackland's program.
Special bonus! We got to change out the front brake assemblies & hoses on the loser cruiser! WoooHooo!! Too much fun there.
BTW: the "goodbyes" aren't getting any easier for us. Hoped they might,
but, no.....
Hate 'em with a passion I didn't know I could muster. Keep him in your thoughts & prayers, please?
Hi - I am new to this group. My son is training in Lackland and will be heading to Bahrain. Any thoughts about this move would be helpful. Looking for some comfort that it is not too bad even though it is in the Middle East. Thank, Cathy Lane
Jill H - wow, did they get a refund?! Gee, if the Iraqi "Navy" is anything like the Bahraini sailors on rental boats we may not have much to worry about!
Navy mom - MA Chris has been there since June 2010. He just returned there Sunday after MWD Handler Training at Lackland. He & his dog, Bubba, have met or will meet soon! He'll be there another year, one month & one day from today...but who's counting!
Your sailor will glide into the mix & do just fine. The heat & sand are a pain, but there are 2 pools! & lots of folks to share all the fun.
Hi Kathy B - my son is a Master of Arms. He is finishing his training this week and will be able to come for a bit before he leaves for Bahrain.. Thanks for the stories about your sailor's experiences. It makes me feel better. It is just so hard to know he is leaving the country and will be so far away in the Middle East no less.
Thanks to all of you who shared stories. Hearing from you helps. Thanks a lot. Glad to be part of the group.
Navymom - we all have & are in your heart & mind set. It isn't easy from where we sit & wait. I thought NAVY! Great water! Seems I forgot the sand component! DUH...
Kathy is not alone in not having her "kid with or on a camel" photo. I, too, await mine and mentioned it to Chris during our visit with him during graduation at dog school. He just grinned that grin...rotten kid...
So far, also, no pics of his first MWD K9 Bubba. Am so wanting to put eyes on that pooch!
From what I've heard from my daughter and other people I know who had the opportunity to serve there say it was a fantastic place to be and their treated like royalty there. I know my daughter will not like the hot sun or the wind storms...she cannot stand the heat but it's one of the places she was hoping to go.
I miss my baby terribly but I have felt close to her although she is in Florida and I am in California. But this, going to Bahrain, I will feel so far from her and I will probably feel a empty hole inside my heart. However, I am super proud of her and honored to be her mommy. I've watched her grow so much and become so focused. I am a single mother of 4 and not use to being separated from my children. It's been hard for me to realize they are growing up and having lives of their own.
To MommytoBritt - My son doesn't care for the heat either but he will have deal with it. I totally get what you said about feeling close although you are in CA and she in FLA. At she is in the same country. My son Adam is in Texas and I am in CT, but to think he will be 24 hours away by plane is a scary. He is supposed to come home be fore he goes to Bahrain. That will be a tough good bye. I agree I am super proud of my son too. This past Memorial Day had new meaning for me.
It can be so tough when you know they can be in harms way, but so far, this has been great duty for Chris. Way too far away for us, but good for his career. This bunch of ladies has been a god send for me personally. Ask, vent, cry, shout, moan & cheer! We've got each other. If one of us doesn't know, we know how to find out!!!! Stay open & close, the "ride" will be fine.
MomtoBritt.. I have a daughter in Bahrain now, she has been there since Jan. It really isn't as hard as i thought it would be. She calls ALOT, sometimes 2-3 times a week, we have FB and email. It was worse when she went to Bootcamp, I guess I got used to her being away and by the time she got stationed, it wasn't so bad. PLUS, with Skype and phone calls, you do hear from them alot. I know some of the moms who have sons don't hear as much from them, but my daughter keeps in touch quite a bit. :)
It is a nice place to be stationed, she will like it!
Lol, Kathy - glad we didn't have to have your DD pull rank on "Chewtoy"! He is what he is! We've gotten several texts from him of late....hmmmmm. We just had him drop ship all the components to build his own PC. That receipt was a hoot! Maybe keeping up with the ordering & shipping helped his comm skills. We don't care, we're pround SAD (sorry a__ parents) I think our visit to dog school graduation may have had an impact. Also, I think it shocked him when Alex broke down saying goodbye, he expects me to sob, but not his dad.
Wish I'd known about the BB chair dilemma. Does the PO make a big enough rip stop bag to ship it in?
Oh, his MWD is a dark Malinois...HER name is BUBBA! He affectionately calls her " Bubba-fet" (Star Wars), she's a cutie.
I'm headed on a last minute trip to Bahrain on Monday to visit my husband! I'm sooooo nervous but excited to see him :) Wish me luck! And let your sailors know if they see a short girl with a baby, be extra nice to her because she's SCARED! :)
Silvia...proud mom of Gabe's
Apr 13, 2012
chriscwick
Apr 13, 2012
Silvia...proud mom of Gabe's
Thank You so much for the inf.....:) about phone cards and the majic jack. My son call this morning he is doing ok also went to the beach today with the guys so he send me a pic....can post it???don't want be in trouble for post somebody's sailor without authorization....
Apr 14, 2012
chriscwick
Donna - do they "pin" like in MA ceremony? Be great if Dad could do that for Chris.
Any fall out for our guys & girls from the violence occurring at a Bahraini funeral? There was a brief "crawl" on CNN, no note 'bout our kids.
Apr 14, 2012
Silvia...proud mom of Gabe's
YAHHHH!!! Christine I'm so happy for you :)) and thank you for the news. Gabe went saturday to the beach so I hope didn't go today....We're praying for our guys and waiting for more news!!
Apr 16, 2012
Silvia...proud mom of Gabe's
Gabe and his friends went to the beach Saturday, his wearing the Georgia hat!
Apr 16, 2012
Mary...Brittsmom
My daughter has now been in Bahrain for 3 months, I fear this will be the longest two years of my life. Tomorrow is her birthday, this has been a year of firsts all over for me. Only these firsts are not as exciting as when she was younger.
She got word that she will not be home for Christmas, so my husband and I are in the process of obtaining our tourist visas and are going to try to go and see her.
Hope all is well with everyone! Just wanted to stop by and say hello to my fellow Navy Moms that know exactly what I am feeling.
Thank you to each and every one of you!!!
Apr 17, 2012
Mom2aSailor
mary, what is Britt's job? My dd is looking for more friends, but her schedule is so jacked, she can't seem to meet new people. AND it changes weekly. Sometimes she's 12's, days/nights, sometimes she is 8's, her last 2 weeks was 4:30PM-12:30AM... she gets frustrated by the ongoing lack of a regular schedule.
My dd has YET to get to the beach! I said she needed to find one before she called again! LOL
Apr 17, 2012
Mary...Brittsmom
@Mom2aSailor: Britt is an MA right now she is on nights, but I believe she will change to days soon. 12 hours shifts. She is very outgoing and I am sure would love a new friend. :)
Kathy B: I just might have to get some of that stemware.
Apr 18, 2012
chriscwick
Apr 22, 2012
chriscwick
(@ Donna - "Bahrainis" uh huh.)
Plus it's the anniversary of Osama's take down...
May 1, 2012
jennnyj
Today marks 1 year since my husband left for Bahrain! 1 more year to go!
May 2, 2012
chriscwick
May 2, 2012
JosephsWifey
Jennyd- My husband is there for 19 months- We have 10 months left. What does your husband do??
May 4, 2012
JosephsWifey
The second my husband gets his apartment (should be in June) I'll be buying my ticket to Bahrain!
May 4, 2012
jennnyj
Kathy B- The first year went by fast for me actually, I am hoping this next one goes as fast! I am in school right now working on my Paralegal degree and should be done before he comes home! :)
JosephsWifey- My husband is an MA and does Harbor Patrol, what about yours? I was going to visit in June too, but he is most likely coming home in July for 30 days. So I might either fly back with him or maybe Christmas time if he can't come home!
May 4, 2012
JosephsWifey
Jennyd- My husbands an MA also, but not on Harbor patrol! If you end up visiting Bahrain let me know! I could totally use a friend when I go lol he will be working a lot of the time. I will probably be going again during Christmas time too!
May 4, 2012
jennnyj
That would be nice, It would be so much better to make that trip traveling with somebody! That was the one reason making it that much harder for me to get there. My husband would be working a lot of the time too, so it would be nice to have some one to hang out with if their at work!
May 4, 2012
chriscwick
Step is lighter,
Sun is brighter,
Smile a bit bigger,
Eyes sparkle plenty,
Mood is soaring.
Our Sand Sailor called!
May 4, 2012
chriscwick
Doing well. Don't know if he's seen Cherry/Toucci at DOD K9 Trials. But figure he's made that happen. He's happy we're coming to graduation!
Looks like he & Grimm will have more work when he gets back to the sand, Scary
May 5, 2012
chriscwick
May 5, 2012
chriscwick
Dad & Fern arrive on the 16th & will go back to FL on the 19th, as will we. Chris should be on a flight back to the sand that day too. Can hardly wait to get my paws on him, will probably squeeze the dog hair off him! Probably be like his homecoming after MAA school, before Bahrain. I nailed him at a dead run at Piedmont Int. Airport, after almost jumping a small car, I nearly knocked him on his keister! Surprised the crud out of him. Will most likely put him on his butt this trip!!!!!!! Won't hurt him as bad since I'm 42 lbs. lighter, but Al says I'm faster......
May 5, 2012
chriscwick
May 5, 2012
chriscwick
Great pic Heidi, what was the honor bestowed upon your son? Tell all proud Mom!
Lace up the happy dance shoes for Christine P!
Chris, too, heads beck to the sand after training. That was the deal they agreed upon. Another 1.5 years sand-side.
May 6, 2012
Miss Suzanne
My son handles Leo... He's mentioned Cherry's handler a couple of times to me! (all positive... lol!)
I've disappeared this past month b/c I've been so sick, I just haven't been up to going online... So, if I missed anything major in anyone's life - or their Sailor's - I'm very sorry. I'm going to go back a few pages tomorrow and try to get caught up!
Happy Mother's Day to all the fantastic women on this board!
May 8, 2012
Miss Suzanne
Michael has been in Bahrain since the first week in April....so he's got a little less than two years to go! ;)
May 8, 2012
chriscwick
May 8, 2012
chriscwick
Is Steve just excited as the Dickins?! Glad he & Chris will be able to say their goodbyes. I'm sure he's been a wonderful mentor for the chewtoy!
May 8, 2012
chriscwick
Guess with graduation not till the 18th the guys will miss each other. POOH.
Thank goodness for FB, Skype, IM, cell phones, etc.
May 8, 2012
chriscwick
On this auspicious day I'd like to offer my Thanks for your support, humor, & caring. We've "mothered" each other through thick & thin. Y'all are great. Hope the phone calls, skypes, texts etc., roll in heavy!
We made it to Louisianna last night, another 8 hours to TX! Getting closer to hugging the dog hair off my sailor!
May 13, 2012
chriscwick
Glad your Mom's Day was full of love!
Have had paws & eyes on "chew toy"! He looks & feels (literally) great! Am on NAVY Mom cloud 9!
We meet later today for Cross Fit PT. Dear God...pray for me!!!!!
May 14, 2012
chriscwick
Day 2 with Chris. Got to spend only a couple hours with him. Disappointed, but understand. He's up at 04:00, full day, Cross Fit & then we want a piece of him. We did experience a baseline Cross Fit while he did his, full on, thing. I was happy we lived through it & surprised Al & I did as well as we did!
After exploring a gun shop, we had wonderful Mexican at Los Barrios, YUM - YUM! Owner/chef has won a couple throw downs with Bobby Flay. We concur with the judgements!
Al & I spent the evening doing a bit of laundry, eating Olive Garden LO's & pop corn.
Tomorrow; we're gonna wander a Japanese garden and .....
BTW: the Best Western a mile from Lackland is lovely! Very happy with our choice.
May 14, 2012
chriscwick
May 15, 2012
chriscwick
Looks like Chris will inherit Cherry, but not till Toucci leaves in August. He's (Chris) itching to get his this new life started.
Send Steve warm wishes & safe travels from us.
May 15, 2012
jennnyj
Donna, Glad to hear your son is almost done in Bahrain! And that 2 years will eventually come to an end! My husband just finished his 1st year so I am patiently waiting for year 2 so we can move together :)
May 15, 2012
chriscwick
I still think Chris put a contract out on his Dad & myself! Am dreading tomorrow when all those muscles I've mistreated will seek their revenge! OUCH! Oh! & I ran a quarter mile, I don't run, ever. I power walk @ a four mile an hour pace, that's it. I think even my eyelashes are pissed off. Can't imagine why...oh, yeah, I can. Any time spent with Chris... Well, you all understand.
Went to see Avengers this evening, good flick. It was an eat in type. Beer, wine, etc., full menu, comfy seats. A first for us, cool, pricey, but cool.
Nite ladies & yes Donna, pop in. We'll be waiting!
May 16, 2012
chriscwick
Just said, yet another, goodbye to MA3 MWD Handler Wickline. It's official, ceremony was moving & lovely. So glad Al, my Dad, Fern & I made the trip. We got a class photo & DVD presentation to boot!
So very proud of him. On the way back to the sand tomorrow & we're headed home.
No time with the dogs. It's not allowed. GRRRRRR! Chris says the Lackland breeding program is making some of the cutest little buggers he's ever seen! If an MWD has a double lettered name, like Zzeus, it's from Lackland's program.
Special bonus! We got to change out the front brake assemblies & hoses on the loser cruiser! WoooHooo!! Too much fun there.
BTW: the "goodbyes" aren't getting any easier for us. Hoped they might,
but, no.....
Hate 'em with a passion I didn't know I could muster. Keep him in your thoughts & prayers, please?
May 18, 2012
Navymom
Hi - I am new to this group. My son is training in Lackland and will be heading to Bahrain. Any thoughts about this move would be helpful. Looking for some comfort that it is not too bad even though it is in the Middle East. Thank, Cathy Lane
May 19, 2012
chriscwick
Navy mom - MA Chris has been there since June 2010. He just returned there Sunday after MWD Handler Training at Lackland. He & his dog, Bubba, have met or will meet soon! He'll be there another year, one month & one day from today...but who's counting!
Your sailor will glide into the mix & do just fine. The heat & sand are a pain, but there are 2 pools! & lots of folks to share all the fun.
May 21, 2012
Navymom
Hi Kathy B - my son is a Master of Arms. He is finishing his training this week and will be able to come for a bit before he leaves for Bahrain.. Thanks for the stories about your sailor's experiences. It makes me feel better. It is just so hard to know he is leaving the country and will be so far away in the Middle East no less.
Thanks to all of you who shared stories. Hearing from you helps. Thanks a lot. Glad to be part of the group.
May 22, 2012
chriscwick
Navymom - we all have & are in your heart & mind set. It isn't easy from where we sit & wait. I thought NAVY! Great water! Seems I forgot the sand component! DUH...
Kathy is not alone in not having her "kid with or on a camel" photo. I, too, await mine and mentioned it to Chris during our visit with him during graduation at dog school. He just grinned that grin...rotten kid...
So far, also, no pics of his first MWD K9 Bubba. Am so wanting to put eyes on that pooch!
May 25, 2012
Mom2aSailor
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/25/us/afghanistan-war-deaths/index.html
This was Charity's LPO. :( He passed last Sunday night/
Pray for the Ryan Wilson family.
May 27, 2012
chriscwick
May 27, 2012
chriscwick
May 31, 2012
MommytoBrittFaceMA3
From what I've heard from my daughter and other people I know who had the opportunity to serve there say it was a fantastic place to be and their treated like royalty there. I know my daughter will not like the hot sun or the wind storms...she cannot stand the heat but it's one of the places she was hoping to go.
I miss my baby terribly but I have felt close to her although she is in Florida and I am in California. But this, going to Bahrain, I will feel so far from her and I will probably feel a empty hole inside my heart. However, I am super proud of her and honored to be her mommy. I've watched her grow so much and become so focused. I am a single mother of 4 and not use to being separated from my children. It's been hard for me to realize they are growing up and having lives of their own.
May 31, 2012
Navymom
To MommytoBritt - My son doesn't care for the heat either but he will have deal with it. I totally get what you said about feeling close although you are in CA and she in FLA. At she is in the same country. My son Adam is in Texas and I am in CT, but to think he will be 24 hours away by plane is a scary. He is supposed to come home be fore he goes to Bahrain. That will be a tough good bye. I agree I am super proud of my son too. This past Memorial Day had new meaning for me.
May 31, 2012
chriscwick
Jun 5, 2012
Mom2aSailor
MomtoBritt.. I have a daughter in Bahrain now, she has been there since Jan. It really isn't as hard as i thought it would be. She calls ALOT, sometimes 2-3 times a week, we have FB and email. It was worse when she went to Bootcamp, I guess I got used to her being away and by the time she got stationed, it wasn't so bad. PLUS, with Skype and phone calls, you do hear from them alot. I know some of the moms who have sons don't hear as much from them, but my daughter keeps in touch quite a bit. :)
It is a nice place to be stationed, she will like it!
Jun 7, 2012
chriscwick
Wish I'd known about the BB chair dilemma. Does the PO make a big enough rip stop bag to ship it in?
Oh, his MWD is a dark Malinois...HER name is BUBBA! He affectionately calls her " Bubba-fet" (Star Wars), she's a cutie.
Jun 11, 2012
JosephsWifey
Jun 12, 2012