Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

I thought they were so cute! I still yet to decorate my Inside of my home just waiting for all to be done. spent the whole weekend cleaning dust. My poor kachina dolls we loaded with dust made me so mad. had to clean each one by hand and then some. cleaned all day Friday from sun up till about 10:30 that night and started up again sat. until 6:30 pm. was so worn took a hot shower and to bed for me. floors being put in wed. so I told them any cutting needs to be done outside and my door closed and all mess needs to be picked up and dragged away. don't have the time or strength to do this again. Ugh!

Phoenixmom- That was a great deal!! Awe I bet they look good on both!!

DoriBry, I belong to three different Navy sites and not one of them asked for a I'd. I mostly read them for the information but it was on there I found a Mom very close to where I lived and met up with her. You just need to be extra careful. The adminstration on one of my sites takes her job quite serious and will kick anyones butt off if she feels they are not being nice and trying to stir the pot. I am not on the Boot Camp one and am sure that is where most of the problem is. Emotions run high for a Mom during this time and people just need to learn to simmer down! We all handle stress differently and no one needs to criticize someone else. Thank my sweet Jesus for this site. Nothing but Love on here.

I wouldn't recommend FB until after Boot Camp really. Most of the Sailors are going in different directions after PIR and they will have closer friendships with recruits they go to school with, now this is only my opinion. I do recommend FB after PIR because it allows you information from their ombudsman that I find very helpful. If you don't feel comfortable with it that's okay too, but remember you don't have to comment back, you can just read others comments.

Shortcake-I should probably clarify.  I am being asked to send a picture ID in order to set up an initial facebook account.  I wanted to have one so I could join these private groups so I could keep up with my SR.  But after hearing from you and others that conversations on there are not so great right now, I am not in any hurry to set up an account.  Hesitant about providing a picture ID especially when I am being told they keep it on file for a year.  

Oh my word ya'll calls are going out.  There are Sailors!  Patiently, impatiently waiting!  My stomach is doing summersaults in anticipation!

DoriBry, never had to do that on FB either, I know if you want you can do a profile picture but you don't have to.

How Exciting! We are gonna Have some Sailors in the House WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOO! Cant wait!

DorIBry:  I set up an account for my parents about a month ago and it didn’t ask me for anything like ID. I know someone who has an account and uses the name Funyuns. Hmm. I am thinking you may have gotten on some kind of other site. You using an app on your phone or computer?

Ladies I will catch up I promise. I am having issues with functioning today. It’s been rough. But I wanted to comment to DorIBry.  I hate scammers and would hate to see someone scam her

Northswoodmom - what is an Ombudsman?

Shanny-Since I use my husbands facebook page I had to log out of his to sign up for a new account. So I was on the correct site.  It showed secured.  I googled to see if this is something they usually ask for and I was reading that it a picture ID is needed to confirm name.  Someone did say not to do it since they had and there identity was stolen. I am so happy I found this group and have learned so much that I am just content staying here.  

Phoenixmom- I am also waiting on some packages as well. They have slowly been coming in and I've already told the family we may have some presents to open after Xmas.  :)

That was a sweet deal you ladies got there. Dang it!! I will have to do better on that one!!!

Shortcake- so exciting. Hopefully soon!!

Shanny- No worries. At least you came on for a bit so we know you are still here. :) 

DoriBry- I'm so glad you knew that to and you didn't get your identify stolen either. I am happy you are here as well. 

Shortcake an Ombudsman is someone who helps out on their Ship. so when Your Loved one transfers to his duty station and is on a ship/carrier you can have him sign you up to the Ombudsman, at least that is what we had to do. You can email them any questions and if something was to happen they will be the first to notify you. also all sailors have an email address on their ship so get that as well from your Sailor.

A word about the emails on ship ... they're .mil, they're on shared computers not personal ones while underway, and they are screened.  It's electronic screening for key words, but there are sailors whose job it is to take a closer look.  Death in the family and OPSEC are big concerns. Your homemade codes to ask about homecoming are no match for the intel folks, really.

Ombudsman is an official liaison, and they go through training.  A good ombudsman makes ever deployment much easier on the families.

Shortcake, they are a link between the command and the families. Ours is really good in the Nuclear side and keeps us up to date on liberties and where and what our Sailor is allowed to do. Your best source of information will be your Sailor( like chits) but sometime they are just too busy and there are those that don't communicate with their families. She often post the links to graduations for us. I find her to be very helpful.

Good afternoon everyone!! I just finished decorating my Christmas tree!! I know that is halfway through Dec but I also have a Dec b'day baby so this is actually early for us, and also the first time in a few years, for various reasons that I was actually able to set up a floor standing Christmas tree and put more than a few ornaments on. So I am very happy, even if the snow is melting :(

DoriBry - I just wanted to comment about FB. If you really do not want a FB account, and your husband has one, then he can just sign up for information from the Ombudsman. I know there are some groups which are female only, but when it comes to the command ombudsman (Nuke school has one for the school, but I think that is rare, most of them are for the ships as I understand it), if your husband is connected then you can be logged in and read the posts. 

Each ombudsman may have different protocols, I don't know - ours is fairly strict and you have to know your sailor's ship email so that she can contact them via their email to verify that you should be added to their contact, before you will be allowed to join the closed FB group. 

Phoenixmom - I saw a comment that you were having problems with the site this morning. I was not having any issues when I was on earlier and it seems to be working fine now. I hope it is doing better for you. 

Hi Chipmunk I have to continue refreshing it for some reason but it is doable. Hope you having a fun time putting up the tree.

Shanny, I'm so sorry honey! I can't even imagine needing that hug so badly and not being able to get it. I know there are rules about PDA but I don't know if that applies to momma. Maybe he was just getting too emotional himself and needed to walk away. I'm so sorry! 

Phoenix, we have a collection of kachina dolls as well, many of them handed down from my husbands grandparents who traveled the southwest often and would collect rocks for lapidary. They are SO hard to keep clean! And some of our have gotten a bug or something that has eaten away at the feathers. I've thought about trying to replace the feathers but don't know if that is appropriate or disrespectful to the original artist/maker??

DallasNM both of mine are adventure seekers as well! Before covid my oldest traveled extensively for his 'career' (not sure if discussing his career would breech security for my SR or not since he is a sort of public figure). Normally he is only home for a week here and there all year round. The timing of covid worked out for him though because he's been unable to travel for the first year of his daughters life and she has had the benefit of both her parents home since she was born. 

BelovedbyHim- Here's hoping the other meds kick in before you have to take the big guns. 

That's what I told her, that you and LBF would know more about the groups and etc. I also have had my account for so long that I was wondering if it was something new or not!!

That's what I was thinking why he didn't want to hug his mom. that first visit home is always hard on them when it's time to go. 

Since mine will be Marine side he's more worried about how I'm going to handle it. I keep telling him that I will be ok, and that I don't want him worrying about me at home. Of course I didn't tell him that yes I will have my crying moments. Lol

But that I wanted him to concentrate on what he will be doing when he's deployed.  Transiting is always hard for him but once he gets there and gets into the routine he'll be ok. 

I hope we get a caring ombudsman when it's time for us.

  Anti M- Thank you for posting that. How are you feeling today?

DallasNavyMom- Hey, Glad to see you posting on here. Yes, this is why we say No news is good news, and it depends on the Navy's needs. Prays that you will be able to when it's time. 

Have a great day!!

He was really having a hard time leaving. I won't share the picture we took in front of the airport but he was visibly upset in the picture. And I was fighting the tears because I didn't want to upset him. Neither one of us are good at this stuff. I needed the hug but respected that he was overwhelmed at the moment. Plus holding his sea bag, 2 back packs and a garment bag. 10 days just wasn't enough. I just walked in my room (where his sea bag sat all week) and automatically went to step over his bag. 

mom2blondies- That was great that he got to be at home with his family, that was a blessing.

Shanny- I thought as much! Once you get to start communicating again it gets a little easier. 

Belovedbyhim, thank you for the reminder

Shanny, it could of been that the emotions were running high. I know when we went to Goose Creek to see my son he had to sign some kind of promise paper that he wouldn't engage in such activities that would jeopardize his health and those around him . Some of them were wearing a mask, not being to ride in the same car, hugging and not keeping his distance of 6 feet. With having his Commander right there that could possibly be the reason. I know that really sucks but wanted you to know about it, especially since he got approved do close to heading to his new station.

belovedbyHim: I had a rotator cuff surgery and a fusion all in the same year. They thought the tear in my shoulder was causing the problem but after 4 months of therapy and a MRI they found my 4, 5, 6 vertabre was bulging. They were going to try a less invasive surgery but they said it was only good for about 10 years. I was 50 at the time and didn't want to have to have another surgery later in life so I had the fusion done. I wouldn't wait if I was you mainly because you heal faster younger but mostly because no one should have to be in that amount of pain. I was miserable and made everyone around me unhappy because of it. The fusion was a whole lot better than the shoulder surgery and the pain is gone immediately. I know I cried and prayed for months on making that decision but I am so happy I had it done. The only side effect (I can't use my chin to help fold sheets and towels) a little sacrifice for such wonderful results. Prayers for you as you wait, I know the pain is unbearable and life is too short not to enjoy it like you should.

I decided to switch things up and so my house stuff before navy4mom - and I have yet to catch up.

Just an update on me - my #3 sailor - CSS - he gave me more info on the sub school thing. Turns out there was room for 18 sailors at sub school and he drew the short straw. The rest get to go home for Christmas. He flew commercial to sub school so will be in ROM for 14 days.

One of my sailor #1's class mates ended up getting a serious staph infection on his face from wearing his mask. His eyes swelled shut and looked like he had been punched in the face. Thankfully it only hurt for a day or two and is being treated with antibiotics.  They can't change their masks out as much as is best for them hygienically - nor change them out as hygienically as they need to - they only have so many pockets on their uniforms.

My daughter has bought more masks to use though as she was changing hers out only once a day and now she is kind of freaked out after seeing that classmate's face.

Good afternoon ladies, 

What a busy weekend! 

Welcome to all of our new Navy moms! It's a long and sometimes lonely road but we are all in this together night or day. Please continue to share and ask question if needed. No question is ever dumb as we all learn something new everyday. Our goal is to support each other as it so very tough to have our children leave our home with little communication.

BNMH!!! 

Shanny ~ I wish I could give you the biggest hug right now! That's got to be the reason that if he hugged you he may have lost it and other guys were around. It doesn't change the fact that you're hurting right now. I guess you can only relish in the time that you had together. BIG BIG HUGS TO YOU AND YOU'RE SAILOR!!! 

Belovedbyhim ~ Hello, goodness that sounds painful Are your arms still numb? I hope you can get some relief. Maybe with a heating pad and some aspercreme if you have it. I'm sure you've tried it all at this point. 

C'smom ~ I pray that your family has joy this Christmas and that your son will be moving very soon. My heart goes out to you right now with how much you must be missing your mom. You're so right about counting our blessings and be very thankful for what we do have in the midst of all this chaos. I guess things could be worse. BNMH!  

Shoosh ~ I'm glad to hear that you'll have your daughter in your arms any day now. It's good to hear that they're being counselled by the chaplain and I hope that it's helping them through this time. I wish your daughter all the best! 

Partyofseven ~ I'm so happy for you right now and loved hearing of your extra long hug! Give him an extra long one on behalf of all of us moms that long to give our sailors a hug. You won't be letting him go lol Enjoy your time!!!! 

Anti M ~  The picture of you and your husband as Santa and Mrs. Claus was so perfect and sweet. I think the idea of passing down your husband's Santa suit would make him smile down on you and your nephew would be honored. So glad to hear you're feeling better. 

Katharine ~ Hello! Glad to hear that your Sailor is coming home! Through everything that has gone on with a lost puppy, apples galore, post office snafooz, wild and crazy sailor shenanigans in holding... it's be a wild ride. I hope once your sailor comes home you can all breathe! You're surprise sounds so exciting! Enjoy! My Sailor is set to fly in Friday as well! 

Phoenixmom ~ Sounds like you had quite the weekend! I hope that the rest of your renovation is roughly dust free. Sounds like you may need a full body deep tissue massage after all this deep cleaning! Kudos to you and I hope your precious dolls and pottery safely make it to the end! 

Ladybluefire ~ I agree, too much to do and not enough time to keep up with it all! What a terrible thing for that sailor to endure! I will pass along this info about the masks to my sailor for sure! He could use a spot of dawn and was it in the sink and hang dry them overnight. Sorry to hear that your sailor won't be home for Christmas. Big stinking bummer. I hope that he's in good spirits. HUGS TO YOU ALL!

Shortcake ~ Wishing you and your SR all the best this week! We can't wait to celebrate with you! HOOYAH!!!'

Mom2blondies ~ It's beautiful to hear that your son was able to be home for the first year of his daughter's life. Now you have this nosy nellie very curious! lol That's the one thing we were given this year was the gift of time. We were able to have that extra time with our son before he departed to boot camp. Being able to go camping in the camper multiple times and getting out in nature was very refreshing. None of us had to take any time off! 

DallasNavymom ~ Hello! You never know what this crazy adventure will bring! I do hope that he'll be able to get leave sooner than later so you can get that mom son time!

HIT MY MAX! WOOHOO!

Doribry ~ Did you get the FB debacle cleared up? I don't have FB myself. Have a good evening! 

Warriorprotector ~ The sign and selfie idea sounds awesome!! He'll absolutely love it! I know all about being called extra!

For our first time being able to do a google meet... I had all of my sailor's friends and some of their parents, favorite teachers, co-workers, and family members send me a selfie of themselves giving him a thumbs up. I made a slideshow of our summer, the days before him leaving to boot camp, screenshots of the phone calls with the dates and times, pictures that marked dates during boot camp. It was loooong but he loved and appreciated it, so mom being "extra" payed off in his eyes. :) BNMH to you! 

Chipmunk ~ Hurray for decorating and feeling accomplished! You know I have a list a mile long that I want to get completed this week! I want things to look perfect :) 

It sounds like we a lot of us have Sailors with birthdays coming up. That's great! My Sailor's is Jan 15 and my younger son a week later on the 22nd :) That was always so so fun right after Christmas! :-P I was never allowed to take down the Christmas decorations until after their birthdays. That has always been a bday request. 

Good night Phoenixmom <3 Glad I was able to jump on before you had to go. Have a restful night and sweet dreams :) 

MMy daughter trying to make me laugh by putting google eyes on things around the house...this one cracked my up!

WP - LOL!

Good night ladies!  Rest well and be at peace!  Until tomorrow...

Warrior ~ Oh my gosh that’s hilarious! I need to do that LOL I have a thing of googly eyes!

Warriorprotector, that's hilarious. I miss those tactics in my house, we are empty nesters and laughter seems to have left with them. Your daughter sounds like a very loving and caring soul that her mother's laughter and smile means so much to her.

VintageGal, haha! It isn't as exciting as you are probably thinking but reading through the security rules has me a little wary of giving too much detail on our family. Is there a way to private message here in a secure way?? 

My SR has a January birthday as well. I still can't believe he is missing Christmas, New Years and his 21st birthday. But then I suppose this is our new normal and he'll be missing so much more over the next 6 years. 

This may be unpopular and I hope not offensive to any of you lovely ladies but it is how I'm feeling and I'm not sure what to do with it. I've gone from sad to mad! When I read comments, mostly on the RTC and BC facebook pages from veteran parents saying, "Your child belongs to the Navy now, there is nothing you can do." I feel angry and want to shout, "He is still my son! He does not belong to anyone but me!!! He's mine! He will always be mine!" I've read a couple today that their kids are sick or injured and they can't get any information. This is terrifying to me. How can they not allow us to go to our children if/when they need us? I'm thinking this might be part of the grieving process and I've moved from sad to angry and hopefully it will pass as I get used to this new life. 

mom2blondies - They will Always be our babies but, as harsh as those veteran parents stating that it is a bit of truth.  Our children no matter how old or what path they choose for their lives will Always be our babies but, they also are young adults who have chosen to serve their country.  So yes, they are ours but, they are also adults who are learning & serving our country.  They are the few who have stepped up to put our country above themselves & have taken an oath to serve.  We can only love them & support them throughout it all. There are no more of the calls to come pick up your sick child from class as when they were young. 

Our hearts can break over & over knowing that we can only pray they stay safe, healthy & happy.   Believe me when I say it is not easy in the least...for some of us it is terribly hard especially as one of the wonderful moms pointed out it seems to be hardest on those where it is the only child or the youngest child And yes, I'd say that is probably accurate assessment.  

My new sailor is the "baby & only boy" of my 3...each of my children were "miracle babies" which means I was always a bit more of a worry, protective mamabear throughout their lives but, I am trying to learn to let them each fly on their own wings no matter how painful it is to me.  My sailor will call his Dad or middle sister to let us know how he is when he can...and he is trying to be more independent & self-reliant I am sure.  

This path is difficult for them too & remember that no matter what they will always be your child & love you.  But they are also now a US Service member & they have chosen to put their country 1st & serve.  

Mom2blondies ~ In my opinion those words are a little harsh and we all know that they are hundreds of miles away and it is in poor taste to go busting through the gates... I don’t quite know the protocol on finding out information on their condition if they Covid or if they’re injured, but I would think that they would be able to call home if that were the case. Now, checking on Timmy while he’s in his regular Bootcamp day to day is probably frowned upon. Which we all know. I think that “your child belongs to the Navy, there’s nothing you can do about it” sounds a little insensitive to a parent who is heartbroken and grieving their child’s absence from home. I believe there are different avenues for a parent if there is an emergency. So to sum it up I believe that people need to be a little more tactful. That is why I like this board because we’re more supportive then argumentative or feeling the need to be right and here to prove people wrong. It’s about building people up and being cautious of people’s feelings when they need the facts. 

I hope this helps <3 

VintageGal- Good Evening. Yes it's been busy around here. Lol Thank you. I am always running around and getting things done before the big day.  :) 

You know how it is the last week of school before Xmas break. I love it but we are always busy and like you said busy at home as well.

I have lights on my tree but that's it. :) So I still have to do that. 

That's awesome what you did with the google meet. Sounds like so much fun.

Whoo hoo your Sailor is coming home to. Yay!!!

I liked what you said to Mom2blondies that's why I was telling shortcake I just keep on scrolling. I'm sure they mean well but sometimes they do come across harsh. Their just trying to let us know how it is. It always better to say things more positive, a little less harsh.  :) 

warriorprotector- That is hilarious!! I love it!!

Phoenixmom- Good Night. Sweet dreams!!!

Good Night Ladies another day closer to PIR for some of us!! Sweet dreams and God bless!!

Boy oh boy, that belovedbyHim sounds like one tough cookie but in all reality she is right. That being said I know for a fact that her heart and arms ache just like the rest of ours. If you note her name( belovedbyHim) her strength and her trust comes from a higher source than the Navy or her own. All this talk about letting go, how can a Mom possibly ever manage that. I can't, I actually completely refuse! I had to change my mindset to be able to survive this, otherwise I would of drove myself crazy with worry. Believe me Boot Camp is just the beginning, it barely touched the service of what we all are going to be going through. When my son left almost a year ago I had to change that old saying letting go to LETTING GOD. I know not everyone believes but for me it was my only life line. I could not turn him loose to the world, to the Navy until I gave him to the care of Jesus. This is where I find my strength, my comfort and I know many of you are the same. I feel that is why there is so much Compassion and Encouragement on this site. He designed it that way so we can help hold each other up. This is a very long journey and I am grateful I don't have to go it alone. Bless you all as you venture on it.

Good Morning Ladies and welcome to all of our new moms,

If you've just joined us please come and introduce yourselves and let us know where you are in this journey. And a journey this is with a lot of bumps, turns, cries, joy etc. This is the place to be for all the support and encouragement that you can get.

Please keep your phones on you at all times and those ringers on loud as you just never know if you will get a phone call or not.

BBH- Good Morning, This is so true!! Even after 3 plus years I have to stop and say wait a minute. I've held celebrations at different times and you just get to the point where you don't even blink an eye about it. 

They have to know that we are safe and ok so they don't have to worry about us at home while they are out there serving our country. 

Northwoodsmom- Amen!! Let go and let God!! Exactly I am so glad that I am not alone in this journey either. God Bless you.

Anti M- Good Morning, how are you feeling today?

Phoenixmom- Good Morning and Happy Taco Tuesday!!

LBF, VintageGal, Shanny, Shortcake one more day closer to PIR. Here's hoping you get a call today!! Good Morning ladies.