Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Good Morning All, Happy Christmas Eve! As Mrs. PartyofSeven mentioned keep phones close. Some may make calls from BC but not all. depends on if Phones were scheduled for them. Know there are too many in BC to have them all call.

For those in A school I would say yes but at the same time depends if duty doesn't get in the way. Just be optimistic and fingers crossed you get to face time!

Good Morning to all the New Comers, sorry I missed your welcome. But now I am welcoming you. As the women have mentioned this can be a roller coaster of a ride and emotions will be all over the place. Please stick with us as we all consider ourselves as Seasters.

May you all have a Great Day!

I will be on part day today as I get ready for tomorrow. Making some Green chili as My Grandkids called and asked Last night.....So this Nana will be in her New Kitchen!

This Mornings Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for , seeking Jesus, and finding Him to be the heavenly Prophet, Priest and King, about whom the Scriptures wrote. Thank You that I have also been guided to worship at His feet, and thank You for the sacrifice of His perfect life – in payment for my sins. It is with humility of heart and grateful thanks, that I offer myself as a living sacrifice, and pray that I will have an opportunity to bear the good news of salvation to others – to the praise of our God and Saviour, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

C’sMom:  this is the Harry’s kit WalMart has. It was $9.88 they had one from Dollar Shave Club too but it didn’t have the shaving gel. 

Shanny that is too cute, last year my daughter ordered my son a Cardinals shave set, has the team logo on it. he really LIKED IT SOMETHING TO Carry while on the ship.

PhoenixMom:  my sailor really likes this brand razor and their shave gel. (He has an electric razor he bought when he was in Pensacola but says these get a closer shave). Usually just the handle is $8. And the shave gel I think was $7.99 last time he bought it.  So I figured it was a good deal with the blades too. I know I have been very practical with ideas I come up with for gifts but I don’t know what space he will have so I don’t want to send anything unnecessary that he will either send back for me to hold onto or throw away...  

Good morning Navy mamas! BNMH!! Merry Christmas Eve <3

Happy Navy Eve to you VintageGal!

Thank You VintageGal, Not doing much, not sure if I want to go out tonight to see a friend who has been locked up inside for months, too many crazies out on the road. Tomorrow dinner with the grandkids and hoping to watch movies with them. it's always a surprise with them LOL! I'm just hoping for a Better Year next year! was thinking and it's been 6 months already my Hubby has been gone It seems like yesterday to me. Just trying to find myself and doing a lot of thinking and tying up Loose ends, to make sure all is in place.

Oh, Phoenixmom, it must have not been too many months prior to when I "met" you on here that you lost your husband!  Praying you have a fun and memory-filled day tomorrow and that that eases your missing your husband!  So many have one or more less family members this year for Christmas, not just because of Covid but other reasons, as well!    Enjoy your grandkids tomorrow!  

Shanny, thanks for the picture.  We've bought them individually before, but not together.  I won't get out to get one now until after Christmas.  Maybe they'll have an after Christmas deal just as good.  I sent out my Christmas/birthday package this morning to my sailor.  I will send out another next week with his laptop and other stuff he requested.  I will probably send his shave gear then.  But this time I'm asking him to pay for shipping.  He's been making all kinds of money.  Lol!  How is your weather down there?  The wind died down here now, but steadily snowing.  Roads are a little slick.  

Merry Christmas to everyone.  Those of you with sailors home, enjoy the time together.  I'm looking forward to face-timing my sailor tomorrow!  And everyone be safe out there.  A lot of crazy winter storms out across the country!  We will have a white Christmas this year.  There's a winter weather advisory out for today here.  

Just received a Letter from the Commanding Capt. of the Theodore stating all is well with all our Sailors, and an advancement has Happened while on the ship! CONGRATULATIONS to all on your Advancement!  So Good to know that our Loved ones are fine but tired, working crazy hours. God Please Bless these Sailors and keep them safe and the Sea calm.

This is my Sadie!  I got her to sit, but it was difficult.  She kept wanting to go through all her tricks!  Lol

Phoenixmom ~ Your Ben has to be smiling down on you and all you’ve done. I’m sending you a warm hug and I just know you’ll have a beautiful time with your grandkids and daughters. All my love to you. <3 Congratulations and safe travels to our Sailors :) 

And just to the left of her ear, you can see my Navy "No News is Good News" ornament, although not very well.  

It is very cold here today. My back door was frozen shut this morning from the rain last night and flash freeze over night!  We have some light flurries right now but the lake effect hasn't headed far enough over to get us yet. 

My sailor is expecting severe weather tonight. Storms and 40% chance of tornadoes. He texted me earlier and told me to keep am eye on his weather...  

C’smom ~ cute puppy! BNMH to you, your family, and your Sailor :) I wish him all the best! 

Shanny ~ hey sister! I got your PM and I wanted to give a better response than a flyby. We had my sons fiancé‘s parents over for dinner last night so I haven’t had a chance. HUGS!! 

Partyofseven ~ I hope you’re enjoying your morning! 

VintageGal:  I was a bit long-winded when I wrote it lol

C'sMom she is too cute! Love it and your tree.

Thanks VintageGal, I went to go see him yesterday at the cemetery (My Ben) all is good with him Mom and Lil' Brother! The Cemetery Looked so beautiful all the decorations everyone had put out, looked like a Picture in a Magazine.

I want to wish everyone a                                                                                        MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!                                                      

Merry Merry Christmas Ladies. May your DAY BE FILLED WITH LOVE, HOPE, JOY AND PEACE. 

REMEMBER JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

Thank you ladies for everything and I am blessed to have you in my life and to know you. 

GOD Bless and Merry Christmas again!!!!

Phoenixmom- I love that ornament. Will be thinking of you this holiday season. Hugs and Merry Christmas. 

Merry Blessed Christmas to all of you that helped me survive this year. You shared my tears and held me up when I couldn't travel this journey alone. You celebrated my Joy with a enthusiastic heart. You all our my Greatest Christmas Gift this year,  truly a gift from GOD.

MERRY CHRISTMAS NAVY FAMILIES!!! 

Merry Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas, the ship was out steaming, Sailors stood watch while others were dreaming. They lived in a crowd with racks tight and small,an 80-man berthing, cramped one and all.I had come down the stack with presents to give, and to see inside just who might perhaps live. I looked all about, a strange sight did I see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stockings were hung, but shined up boots at hand, as far as the eye can see.

On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land.
They had medals and badges and awards of all kind,
And a sober thought came into my mind. For this place was different, so dark and so gray. I had found the house of Sailors, who live to defend us every single day.

A Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone, curled up in a rack and dreaming of home. The face was so gentle, the room squared away, this was the United States Navy Sailor I stumbled on this very day. This was the hero I saw on TV, defending our country so we could be free.

I realized the families that I would visit this night,
Owed their lives to these Sailors lay willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate on Christmas Day. They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year, because of the Sailor, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve on a sea, far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Sailor awakened and I heard a calm voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice." "Defending the seas all days of the year, So others may live and be free with no fear." I thought for a moment, what a difficult road, to live a life guided by honor and code. After all it's Christmas Eve and the ship's underway! But freedom isn't free and it's Sailors who pay.

The Sailor says to our country "be free and sleep tight, No harm will come, not on my watch and not on this night." The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still, I watched as the Sailor shivered from the night's cold chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. The Sailor rolled over and with a voice strong and sure commanded, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas Eve and All is Secure on land and on sea”.

Anonymous

MNNavyMom:   I am so sorry he got caught up in the same area!  This quarantine stuff has been so hard on them all. Was he in BC long enough to have a mailing address and give it to you?  If you have an address,  continue to write to that address. On the bottom write *IN ROM PLEASE FORWARD*  it gives the mail room a heads up to look for for your SR in ROM. If he likes word searches or crosswords, buy a book of them and send a couple pages of them in each letter (you can probably print some as well)  it will give him something else to do. My son never did the additional ROM but I know there are many here who did and hopefully they can give you more insight and ideas. (Mine is in ROM right now but it's ROM due to travel and now he is waiting to get on his ship)  i am so sorry he is going through this. Hopefully someone with experience will be on to give more help!  BNMHs

MNNavyMom. I can't give you any advice but just wanted you to know your son and you are in my prayers. 

Good Morning everyone!!

Belated Christmas & Holiday blessings from me to you!!

Some years are busier for us & this was one of them. We had a difficult enough time just trying to set up a Zoom meet and then still missed my daughter. I said coordinating between 5 children, 2 times zones, Christmas parties and other extended family and impromptu - Well something likely wasn't going to work out and it didn't. - Then I had to deal with my own pity party and give myself a talking to (with a little help from my family), like I know my mother would share and did often. Keeping our own attitude adjusted is hard enough but when our kids don't see our need for time and attention - it is hard. 

I have done a fly by through the posts and I know I will miss something - So love and hugs to those who have been through this BC journey and I thank everyone for doing whatever part you can as we share our time here to help our new members.

For all our new members - please be sure to come share with us here, this is how we make connections, get to know you and help you via private messages if you need more assistance or help you find other groups. 

MNNavyMom- I am sorry to hear of your son's set back. This is the time when we have very little that we can do but write our letters of encouragement, saving till we can mail them, and sending our prayers and thoughts of love via our spiritual connection that we have as moms to our children. 

I agree, there are a lot of things we do not necessarily agree with how things are done, but we have no control over it and that is hard to deal with also.  I am sorry. 

I have to make breakfast as we have another busy day!

Hugs and love to all!

to clarify - my daughter did connect with us, just later due to other issues. I was also addressing the posts of some others on here. 

MNNavyMom: Please don't despair!  I know that's hard!  My sailor had to go back into quarantine a second time when he was one week from graduation.  So my situation was different than yours!  But my son also called crying when he had to go back into ROM.  It was awful because we couldn't do anything for him.  We got a letter that he wrote the next day, and he was angry.  That was a hard letter to read and did not put me in a better frame of mind!  But we got another letter that was written after being there a week, the day he was supposed to have graduated.  That day was hard for me, also.  But when we got that letter, he was much more upbeat!  He actually said that ROM was easier than the first.  Now, again, my situation is different than yours.  But my point is--don't go through the next few days thinking he is still upset and not doing well.  He may very well be bouncing back.  I know from reading other moms' comments on here at various times, they would get a letter where their SR was so down, but the next letter, they were upbeat and doing well!  So don't assume he is in that same pit of despair constantly.  You wouldn't have gotten a form letter yet.  This is where other veteran moms need to chime in.  Do you think at this point she could call the recruiter and see what address they have for him?  She could then send letters to that address with the notation "IN TOM, PLEASE FORWARD!"  Then you could send letters to encourage him and send puzzles.  My sailor also got books and read.  

I will be praying for you and your SR!  And please remember "No News is Good News!" I hung onto that phrase so much that I actually put it on a Navy ornament to put on the tree as my reminder of this year!  

Everyone: I hope you had a good Christmas Day despite what circumstsnces you might be in!  We had a good day, although it was very different than previous years because of my mom's passing and my sailor being gone!  But I saw in the news yesterday that one way to get through the holidays while grieving for a loved one is to change up the traditions.  That happened this year for us just because of the circumstances, but I believe that did help.  We were able to face time with our Sailor yesterday morning while opening presents!  He seemed to be doing well!  He had plans to BBQ chicken on a grill with about 7 other sailors.  It's so good to see him doing well!  

Happy day after Christmas!  I plan to take it easy today and not do much other than laundry and bills (now that's a fun thought!  Lol)

MNNavyMom,  that should have read "IN ROM.  PLEASE FORWARD!" Silly autocorrect.  Always gets me into trouble!  

MNNavyMom-I'm so sorry that happened to him. It has to be so frustrating and disheartening to them and such an emotional roller coaster to finally get out of ROM and mentally prepared to tackle bootcamp only to be pulled out....and not even be the one that is sick!! UHG! My SR should have come out of his initial ROM this week as well so I'm just holding onto the 'No news is good news' and hoping my phone does NOT ring! Such a strange feeling to not want to hear from my kid who I want to talk to so badly! I know there is a change it can happen to any of them but you never want your own kid to be the one. I supposed in all things there are life lessons and this process will surely teach them how to adapt to their circumstances. 

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! We were able to see a few family members and deliver gifts on Christmas eve day. The best part was spending time with my granddaughter and seeing her open and play with her presents. We went to their house for breakfast and stayed until her naptime. She is just the absolute best thing to happen in 2020 and has brought so much light to such a challenging year! Yesterday was just my husband and I. It was such a gorgeous day, low 70s, blue skies and sunshine. We decided to go for a hike and took a trail we had never taken before. We passed a few people and each of them wished us Merry Christmas. In this picture you can see the 2 rocky peaks in the very back. The one on the left is where my SR and his DEP work out group hiked a couple weeks before they left. There was snow up there at that time, it's about 9,000 ft elevation. While I would love to look down from up there, I don't think I'd make the hike  Today I'm home alone, hubby went back to work Will probably take down the tree and get the house back in order. . 

mom2blondies - Grandbabies are the best and I am so glad that you got to spend time with your granddaughter!

MNNavyMom - I really have no other advice for you. If he was only at BC for 2 days he may not have even gone through processing so that he would have been assigned an address. I don't think calling the recruiting office will help, and they are closed on the weekend at this point. I am sorry. 

So the mom of one my SR's DEP training partners who he traveled with just got the call that after a week her SR had to back into ROM due to a bunkmate testing positive. I'm so sad for him and that is the call I've been dreading getting. They were really hoping to graduate together as they have the same contract. His mom said that he thought my SR made it through processing but couldn't be 100% sure. I feel like that call can come at any time. 

VintageGal thanks for sharing with MNNavyMom about the Sandboxx App. Here is the information that one of our site admins - B'sNukeMom posted - Sandboxx App for BC

Mom2blondies - I am so sorry to hear about your friend's son. The set backs and extra ROM are no fun! And it is hard when your SRs had been hoping to graduate together. 

Chipmunk ~ I totally understand what you’re saying about wanting and needing that family time. We had a wonderful time together but I definitely had my personal pity parties LOL

C’smom ~ i’m so glad your son received his packages and you guys for it to FaceTime while he opened them. It’s so great that they have friends and they’re able to barbecue with each other and hang out. That has to make your heart so happy! I know it did mine when he was finally out of Chicago and had more freedom with friends. BNMH!! 

Mom2blondies ~ It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas with your grandbaby m :) It really was a beautiful day! Your hike looks lovely! 

We just got back from the airport and we stayed and watched him walk through security until he was out of sight. My husband and I said to each other - Who told him he was allowed to grow up and go off on his own? 
It’s so wild watching your Sailor walk away from you through an airport doing adult things, when not that long ago they were little holding your hand looking up at you. (Sigh) 

We’re so very proud of him and love him sooooo much <3 

MNNavyMom-- I'm so sorry that your SR got caught in the ring of Fire!! I hope you have an address.  If so WRITE, WRITE,WRITE!!! This is the ONLY time I would say to use Sandboxx to encourage him!  This is something that can happen to Any SR at any point so they need to find a way to get past the mental Disappointment and find a way to accept that this is life with COVID. (It's also life in the Navy... Hurry up and wait!) If you don't have an address all you can do is wait. Hopefully he will have access to books and can read his way through ROM.

Hey ladies! I hope you all had a great month filled with holiday festivities! I was just curious my sailor told me to send letters through Sandboxx and as well written send through USPS letters. Do any of you use Sandboxx, if so what are your thoughts, opinions, and how fast do they get the Sandboxx letters vs. getting them through the mail? Thank you!!