Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Vintage I am sending you Big ole comfort hugs. Someday are just hard but it is good your son is happy with his decision. Could you imagine the tow it would take on us if we knew they hated it and had to stay in for 4-6 years. My son doesn't communicate much now, I understand how difficult his school is so I am grateful for a occasional I love you Mom. I forget is your son on his ship now. Prayers to you, I know the established mom's have been trying to prepare us they best they can but reality doesn't really hit us until it's here. May our Lord be our strength.

To all of our moms and dads with sons and daughters in Boot Camp ~  it’s a roller coaster ride of emotions and we want to be here for you. Please don’t hesitate to tell us how you feel. We’re trying to tone down the chatter and open the floor for our parents with children who are just starting this journey. You’re not alone and we really do care! This site has been our saving grace since our sailors entered Boot Camp. 

(((((BNM))))))

Warriorprotector ~ Thank you for your sweet words <3 4 years and I’m sure it doesn’t get any easier! We’ll be here with you on pins and needles that entire week of PIR. I can’t even describe the feeling that I had waiting for that call. Stomach in Knots!! 

Northwoodsmom ~ Big huge hugs to you as well :) I’m writing this with blurred vision. He’s actually still in A school and graduates in February. His 19th birthday is in a couple weeks and I’m also picking which cake store on base that I want to order from to deliver to him. I wanted to order from nothing Bundt cakes of his favorite lemon, carrot cake, and their new snickerdoodle cake but they don’t deliver to the base.

So tonight It’s just me and my baby boy (13). He’s playing video games with his cousin online. I wasn’t going to send this because it was long-winded but I did copy and paste it to my notes... this was earlier in the evening....

MY RAMBLE ~ My son got his PDS orders, in the states, and I have a bit of allergies over here - in a good way though... VERY happy for him. My son is now getting married very soon and I will be packing up the things that he will want within the next couple weeks. He is getting all of his ducks in a row and just being an adult and might I say he is very good at it.

So he wrote an essay for school back in 2019. He didn’t know that I had seen it until just now. I have had a picture of it on my phone all this time and he didn’t know that I had ever seen it. When we were on the phone he was telling me about all of the things that he has been able to get accomplished with moving her out to where he’ll be and all of the logistics. So while we were talking I thought it was a good time to tell him that I had read the essay back in September of 2019. It was sort of a heart to heart conversation anyway so I sent him the pictures of it. It was about how he had come to the conclusion of going into the Navy, how it will benefit him in his life, and how he thought it would probably affect me. He said he will have witnessed me falling to my knees and cry, not knowing when will be the next time I will be able to hug him or kiss him good night.

He said -oh wow mom I haven’t seen this in a long time.

of course I was crying the whole time (quietly) but I told him it was a happy cry and that I am so so proud of him for everything he has accomplished.

VintageGal - BNMH to you.  I wanted to cry at what he wrote & for you too ... Amazing man you have there!  Think ours will graduate from A school in February too if all goes as scheduled for them.

Blessings & Prayers to each of you!

For all the moms and dads with their child at Boot Camp VintageGal says it best when she says "it's a roller coaster ride of emotions".  And everyone in this group understand and have been or are going through it too.  So don't hesitate to jump in & ask questions or just express your feelings.  We All totally understand & are right there with you.

BNMH to each of you.  And may this weekend be a happy, healthy one.  Prayers for the happy phone calls & letters that will come.

belovedbyHim-That is too funny about your treading contest! Yep, I think that is the exact reason my SR can't float, his body fat percentage is too low and his dense body just sinks like a rock! 

Initial reports on MIL are not good but waiting for final pathology report before we worry too much. We are keeping FIL in the dark about it until we know for sure.

Some good news though, I see in informed delivery that I have mail coming from my SR and his GF so looking forward to that!! 

Good Evening Everyone!!

Your posts have had this "seasoned" mom hunting down her Kleenexes tonight! If I try to reply to each, I know I will leave someone out - so just know that I am reading, and sharing in your ups and downs! Even if just quietly. 

Good Evening Ladies,

VintageGal- I am right there with you and I know even now some days are better than others. And when we have those kinds of conversations with our kids it gets your heart and tears going every time!!! BNH's to you!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR BRAND NEW SAILORS. THEY DIDN'T HAVE AN ACTUAL CEREMONY SINCE THERE WAS A DELAY!!! THEY DID IT ANYWAY!!! MAY GOD PROTECT THEM TODAY AND EVERY DAY AS THEY GO ABOUT THEIR JOURNEYS!!!!

mom2blondies- Will be keeping your mil in my prayers.

And yay for letters coming whoo hoo. We love to celebrate with you guys when you get letters!!

warriorprotector- It won't be long now. I was in such a bundle of nerves. I couldn't wait for my son's.  :)

Anti M- Hey, how did it go today?

Be safe out there ladies, sleep well and in peace.

God Bless and good night!!!!

Vintage, of course you got be bawling like a baby again. You truly have a remarkable young man there.

CONGRATULATIONS to all our new SAILORS. We are so proud of you.

For our new members Welcome. I know you have many questions and we don't want to tie up this space designed for your needs. With that being said I also think it is good for you to experience the raw emotions alot of us are still dealing with months and even years after our sons and daughters chose to serve. Sometimes our canderness  might seem uncaring but I want you to know that is far from the truth. 

Sorry I didn't mean to push the add comment yet. My son had the first PIR because of the virus canceled to spectators (parents). The Navy canceled it on Monday before graduation and I was totally heartbroken. We had our motels, flight and that long awaited hug all planned out and boom my heart was ripped out of me. A couple of us moms starting scheming how we could get down to see our Sailor anyway, the Administration and Seasoned mom's scolded us and told us we have to put the good of the Navy first. Of course we were hurting " how can these Ladies be so cruel was my thought. I didn't want to listen to them, they were heartless. Little did I know how much they loved and wanted to protect our Sailors. Now that I got to know and understand them I realize this. So it is really GOOD you see the raw emotion that still penetrates all of our hearts no matter how Seasoned or brand new your journey as a Navy parent might be. Just want you all to know there is a human behind that strength you see and want to become.

 wv2nc2015- Good Morning and welcome to our group. You have come to the right place. There is a lot of information on here and wonderful ladies on here as well. We all help each other out. No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you!! 

Please come and introduce yourself and let us know where  you are in your journey!!

I am going to post some links for you to go over and read. These will help you out a lot!!

. First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition 

 This next link is where you can sign up with the post office and see what mail is coming to you. On that note, the key is to stay busy while your SR (Seaman Recruit) is in boot camp. While they are learning we as moms are learning how to be strong as well!!

Start writing now so when you get that form letter you can mail your letters off right away!! This is an emotional roller coaster ride and we are here with you.

Welcome again!!

  wv2nc2015-

Here is another link this one talks about boot camp in the beginning. 

As always if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!!

Boot Camp First Weeks Timeline

I haven't been on for a couple days, so I'm catching and will miss commenting on some things!  

Vintagemom, you had me in tears.  What a wonderful thing to read those words from your son's heart.  

mom2blondies, I will continue to keep your MIL in my prayers!  

As I've said on here before, I'm in a different situation than all of you since my son is a reservist.  So I won't be going through what you are with your sailors going into the fleet.  But my sailor will come home and go into the police force.  The unknown right now is where he will be.  Will he be in a quiet little town, or will he be in a big, dangerous city like Detroit, or Battle Creek, or Kalamazoo, or even Grand Rapids?  And he seems so young in my eyes (he's my youngest). Is he fully prepared for this job?  I believe the Navy is helping with that.  I'm just thankful that, unlike you, I will still be in contact with him by phone and technology.  And my daughter will be moving to Austria possibly as soon as the end of the summer.  She will be there for 4 years, then come home for maybe 6 months, then go back for 4 more years (if that continues to be God's plan for her).  And that will be the plan indefinitely.  Again, thankfully, we have technology to keep us connected.  But having our kids grow up and sending them on their way is not easy on a mom's heart!  Praying for you all as your sailors move on!  

  wv2nc2015,

Sorry I forgot to post the informed delivery link. :)

Here it is:

Informed Delivery®

Morning everyone!!!  Welcome to our new members!!!!  

no huge plans here today...  I finally slept well last night and my sailor woke me up with an early morning call. He worked 16 hours yesterday and had to be up early this morning as part of that shift. Thought he should share it with me. He is so kind (yes that is sarcasm). He is making good friends and has found quite a few people from BC on his ship to catch up with and hang out with. Seems like things are going well!  Those friendships made in BC and schools will help carry them through. So while I was home crying and upset every day, he was forming those friendships and bonds. So looking back, I kind of get it now. Still don’t like it, but I understand. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful day and weekend!  The sun is finally shining here in Michigan!  I swear it’s been years since I’ve seen it-probably more like 3 weeks but still. 

Good Morning Shanny,

Yay for phone calls.  :) We are having 60's degree weather today and tomorrow!! Lol I'll take it thou since we are always so hot.

Have a great day as well!!

Good Morning Everyone!! It has already been a busy one for me and it won't stop - but I wanted to check in and say hi!! 

Shanny! I had to laugh! At your son calling you early morning.  It is not easy for us to let our kids leave but it also good to hear that they are making friends and starting a new chapter in their life. 

For those of you with kids heading off to BC or there already, staying busy is one thing we tell new Navy Moms especially. Find a new project to work on, whether craft, around the house, volunteering to help out at a USO or other airport military lounge. Filling our empty hours is good. 

How about a check-in: Who has a PIR coming up soon? 

Anyone received their form letters yet? 

I know WarriorProtector is close to PIR. 

Marc, Jennifer, Amanda, others - just checking in on you all. 

Shanny, loving the sunshine here.  We've actually had three straight days of sunshine here just north of you.  You haven't ?

chipmunk:. It was probably somewhat my fault...  I slept in. Until 7:00. Lol he was just coming off his shift. I am usually awake by 6 even on weekends. He was like “what are you doing?  You sound funny?!?”  Umm sleeping my child lol sleeping. 

C’sMom:  we had sun peek through for a few minutes but not all day!  And so far, not a cloud in the sky!!!  Makes me so happy to see the sun!  

ProudandGrateful , DallasNavyMom - How are things going? 

Share an update please because I have lost track, sorry!

Shanny - I like the sun as well and mine is leaving my work room so I need to go get busy!

Chipmunk-My son's PIR date is at the end of this month. Same as warriorprotector.  I am looking forward to the "I am a sailor" call. 

Shanny, happy you got to connect with your kid today, albeit earlier than you would have preferred! 

Vintage, that essay!! How lucky we are to have sons that acknowledge our feelings. They must feel so torn between following their own path and not wanting to inflict heartache on their mommas. During one of our tear filled discussions on his contemplating enlisting he told me he had several friends who really wanted to join but didn't because of their mothers and they regret not following their dream. It might have been during that conversation that I realized that I cannot be the reason he doesn't follow his own life path. Letting him go would ultimately be much easier in the long run than him resenting me for feeling like I held him back and cared more about my own feelings than his future. That is not the kind of mom I ever wished to be. Oh.....Navy allergies strike again!! This sure is a heck of a ride isn't it?? 

Thank you for the prayers for MIL. They had a hospital bed delivered and set up downstairs and she should be home in the next few days. 

Good afternoon ladies, 

Welcome to our parents that are new to this Navy journey! Please ask questions and let us know where your at in the process. We'd love to celebrate with you and listen to your concerns. Big Navy Mom Hugs!! 

Shanny ~ Hello! Glad you got to talk to your Sailor! 

Northwoodsmom ~ We can cry together! Holy moly this is quite the allergy season! BZ to your Sailor! 

NewMilmom ~ Thank you and BNMH to you as well! BZ to your Sailor and his impending graduation! I wonder if our Sailors have met yet? 

Chipmunk ~ Hello! BNMH to you! I know that we sure do keep the tissue brands well funded! My husband asked me how my night was and I couldn't even get my words out without crying! I just told him there was a lot on my mind of what will happen in the next few months. He said he understood... as I went for the kleenex box! Enjoy your day! 

C'smom ~ Hi! Big huge hugs to you as your children grow up and choose their paths in life. You must be so proud of these beautiful, humble, caring and driven young adults that you've raised so well. I'm so happy for you! 

Mom2blondies ~ Hi! You raised two fine young men who I bet are so thankful to have you both as their parents! I really hope that your son's friends don't have regrets and resent their parents. As they get a little older maybe they'll still make the choice to join if it's still their desire. It's so hard letting them go into this great unknown world of the military and I had a hard time with it as well. It's our job to raise them and to let them make their own choices. We did have our son thoroughly explain to us what he wanted out of the Navy without any doubts and to convince us that this was what he wanted in life. By the time he told us he had done his research and he was 100% set on it. 

It was really special to read his essay and to know that he was thinking of my feelings as well. He's my serious child who doesn't freely say I love you nor does he give out hugs. Although, we do have a great relationship and we have our mom/son language that envelopes those feelings which I cherish sooo much. So that letter was my love letter and his I love you and I'm so glad that I found it. 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!❤️

Just got back from the post office and no letters....sad! I see them on informed delivery but because someone broke our mailbox (community box with 12 boxes for our street) I have to go to the post office for our mail and they told me it takes a few days to arrive there once I see it on informed delivery. Already having an emotional day and it doesn't help that the post office is across the street from his station.....that isn't his station anymore! 

Vintage...most of my SR friends are much older than him so their window to join the military has passed and he said they do indeed have many regrets and were living vicariously through him. We had many of the same talks and I hadn't realized how thoroughly he had researched it until he started seriously considering it. He made so many great points, how could I not support him?? When he called home last Sunday he said, "I love you" first....which has not happened since he was a little boy. He will say it back to me but doesn't say it first. I know that seems like such a little thing but for me it was HUGE! 

Mom2blondies ~ those letters ought to be coming around the mountain sometime soon! sounds like your day merits a new box of tissue boxes as well! 
I’m so glad that you got that I love you. I have to say that during boot camp was one of the few times that my sailor actually said it. I’ll take it! 
BNMH!!!! 

mom2blondies - Re: The I love you's. My boy too. The first time he said it first was 2 days before he left for boot camp. Now it happens all the time. It is definitely  a very nice change. My older son (26) started a year ago or so. It is such a happy thing!!!

VintageGal- I know you can't beat that as I was writing to you about that earlier!! It truly is to be cherished.

mom2blondies and Katharine- mine is the same. He will say I love you first and I love it. It's my middle one that didn't say it a lot and now he does. It truly is such a happy thing!!!

DoriBry- Hey, it was good to see you post on here. How are you? I will count to your PIR's with you and warriorprotector. it is such a wonderful and emotional feeling!!  :) It won't be long now ladies.

Well you wonderful, supportive, caring NavyMom's have done it again! Thank you!!

For years (since he hit middle school) my sailor has Never once said "I love you" to me 1st & when I'd tell him he'd say, "love ya too or I know".... 

I have for years felt like a total failure in the mothering department as when he was small he was definitely my shadow & always wanted to be with me & would tell me all the time he loved me...

And know I find others have the same...And I don't feel soooo alone.  Big tears tonight as it is like a huge boulder has been taken off my heart knowing I am not the only momma that doesn't get the random "I love you Mom" as when he was young.

Been busy day but, yet feel like Nothing got accomplished here...but, that's what going to Costco in the afternoon on a Saturday does... even when you are just running in for a few items...before you know it trying to avoid the mass of people you see something & throw in the cart to get Massive sticker shock at checkout...then home to put away & cook for dh (dd was still at work)...dh says that counts as lunch...hey! it was closer to 4pm when he finished eating...& I started cleanup and dishes...  I think it counts as both lunch & supper!!! 

DD just walked in & says if you already ate why are you cooking for me?  I'll just pick up a salad later...I told her I'd fix her something but, she is a good loving daughter & said no she'd be fine....  But then again this is the 1 I have to worry about not eating as she gets stressed/tired & has no appetite. Opposite problem from her Momma that's for sure..

For all those Momma's who have upcoming PIR's soon! Congratulations!!!  to you & your SR.  It sure has been a journey since mine joined in midst of the co-vid & so I try to still take it 1 day at a time & the Navy Mom allergies are some days a bit less than others but, never far from the surface & often hit random times in a day.

Hugs & Prayers for All!!! 

Keep those phones ON & Ringer turned UP!!!

Keep writing those letters...even if they don't say they really appreciated them they do. 

Now to go grab a new box of tissues for me too...

NewMilmom- Hey,

You just made me smile and bring a tear to my eye. I know it is such a relief when we realize we aren't alone.

You are very welcome. When my son was home this time it was different he seemed more relaxed and he would say it first and he looked forward to our spending time together. Those first Ilu's and wanting to spend time with your momma is what I always cherish from my kids.  :)

I try to avoid Sam's and Costco on Saturday's. Lol You did good. 

Have a wonderful evening!!!

DoriBry - Thanks!! I made a note (I need a cheat sheet so I can keep up with everyone!) about your up coming PIR! 

I think one of the great things about this site is that it gives us an opportunity to meet with each other and find out that NO, we are not alone! Even if we are all dealing with Navy allergies and buying tissues, it is good to not feel alone!

Shanny & C's Mom: The random ILU's are so important!  Kinda live for them, told my first son to leave the nest it's like air to us moms. Can never hear it enough!  You are not alone NewMilMom, perhaps their dedication to protecting our nation is their way of telling us "I Love You mom!"

Oh NewMilmom you most certainly are NOT alone!! My SR was also my little buddy, my sweet, shy, mild mannered, loved his momma baby boy! Then puberty hit and the mumbling and grunting started, haha! Drove me crazy! He started to really mature around 16y/o but that is when he found his independence and started working and became more elusive. He provided minimal information/details about just everything! When we left him at the hotel to leave for bootcamp he was so caring and strong and I felt shift....a good shift! 

You are a brave, brave woman heading to Costco on a Saturday afternoon! 

Vintage...our kids seem to have a lot in common! My SR plays the uke too. He started in high school when he took a guitar class but didn't want to carry around a big guitar (after we bought him a lefty guitar!). 

Mama Bear- Good Morning and welcome to our group. We are so glad you are hear. I left a welcome for you on your my page. I am so glad you found our comment wall.  :) 

No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you. Keep your phone on you at all times and answer every call and keep your ringer on loud so you don't miss any calls.

Start writing now so when  your form letter comes you can send those letters off right away. The trick is keeping busy. Also number your letters so your Recruit will know what order you wrote them in.

I am going to post some links for you to read.  :) This link is where you can sign up to see what mail is coming especially wonderful for when we are waiting to hear from our loved ones!!

Informed Delivery®

These links below tell about boot camp and how it is during our covid!!

First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition

Boot Camp First Weeks Timeline

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!!

Welcome again!!!

Good Morning ladies and welcome to all of our new moms and dads.

 We love to hear from you and we like to check in and on you to see how you are doing.

VintageGal- We are good. Thanks for asking. Yes it does. It was great having him home and he really enjoyed being home. How is your son doing?

Yes sometimes we have a cheat sheet depending on how many are going to graduate in one week sometimes it's a lot.  :)

God Bless and have a great Sonday ladies!!!

Mama Bear:  Welcome to the board!!!  We are happy you found us!  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have!  Someone will always answer you or at least try!  If your question gets lost in the chatter please ask again as we will never ignore you intentionally!  

Just know we are here to support you on this crazy journey anyway we can!!  We have moms (and a few dads) here in every step of this journey-preparing for bootcamp, in bootcamp, getting ready for PIR, in A School and C School, in the fleet, and even some veterans!  

Once again, WELCOME!

Mama Bear - Welcome to BC Mom group! I am one of the "seasoned" Nuke Moms that sticks around to reach out to our new Nuke Moms. I will leave a message on your profile page in the comment area there. 

Mama Bear-Welcome! I just joined this group 4 weeks ago when my SR left for BC. Isn't it crazy that the recruiters have such different/incorrect information? My SR had a pretty good one because we didn't really have any big surprises and he was able to keep his DEP friends updated with what his was saying because theirs were saying much different things. I look forward to sharing your journey with you! I never thought I'd be a military momma but here I am! 

Happy Sunday Warrior Moms!

Operation Christmas Pack-Up is underway!  Need my house fresh for the new year.  Hugs to everyone!

MamaBear: Welcome to the circle of military moms!  This is a kind group and there is never a silly question.  It's a crazy ride but we are here for you! 

Party: Blessings friend! Glad you had some special moments with your son! :)

VintageGal: LOL!  You must have been sending out strong mama vibes since the song just popped in my head while I was reading posts last night.  Love the uke, brings back my Navy Brat days in Hawaii!  Beautiful memories!  Love that your son plays!  Mine played violin, miss hearing it! 

M2B: Elusive, grunting...lol.  That is just how my son was the last few years.  He's a changed person going through BC...messages of love, talking about future (and present) and confidence explosion!  He's so verbose, it's great to see him come into himself!

Ok, here is a question for everyone.....did your SR get a little 'meaner' to you after they enlisted? Nothing disrespectful, just more distant and short? My DIL asked me why he was being like that to me. I told her that I guessed that leaving was going to be hard on him and he needed to push me away a bit so he could feel ok about it. Once he was closer to leaving he started acting normal again though. 

Went to Target today for a bucket to clean out my aquarium and left with 3 bags of stuff....baby clothes were on sale....so, yeah!

Then went by an old friends house as she is getting ready to move and wanted to give me all of her scrapbooking supplies. I haven't scrap booked in a while but have been thinking of making one for my granddaughter. I had no idea she was going to load up the entire back of my car!! Now to try and get it all organized, might donate some of it to my DIL once I get it all sorted. 

warriorprotector...teenage boys are something else, aren't they, haha! My SR turns 21 this month so he has been out of that phase for a bit....other than right after he enlisted. He is my super social, happy-go-lucky kid. He'd show up to my work parties not knowing anyone and have the best time. My concern was that the Navy would turn him too serious, I can't imagine him not happy and exuberant! 

mom2blondies - It's funny, my sailor did not get "meaner". I was expecting it though. WIth my oldest two, the summer before they went to college was just awful. They were rude, unhelpful, and driving me absolutely crazy. I think it is a normal thing. Probably hormonal or biological or something. They push us to the point that we "want them to go away". Not really, but it lessons some of the emotions in the weeks before they go. It is hard to be too sad when you are still a bit angry. 

I did tear up when we finally did leave our daughter in her dorm, and I absolutely cried when we left our son and headed to the airport to fly home. WIth my sailor, it started a week before he left because he did not adequately "prepare me" with a bad attitude and grief. His twin sister is the same. She is moving out Tuesday and I have been a wreck for a week.

Maybe it does make it easier on us if they push us away and drive us crazy before they leave. In the end, it does not change how much we miss them.

Mamabear, welcome to N4M. It literally has been my crisis center and has kept me sane through this past year that my son has been in the Navy. These Ladies have counseled me through some really tough dark days. I thought myself a pretty stable strong woman, heck my husband worked out of town and I had to be both parents and take care of the home front as well as working a full-time job. Nothing in life could of prepare me for the lack of communication and endless day and nights of worry. Is he alright, is he sad, are they being mean to him, why can't I just hear his voice so I can tell. Boot Camp is the toughest, it takes time to adjust but it doesn't last forever. It is a constant battle between being so proud your going to bust to actually bursting into tears because your heart is aching. We are all here to help you. You don't need to come on the site only if you have a question, your welcome to share your feelings and your concerns. It does the heart good just to share with others that feel the same way and made it through. May you have comfort in knowing many of us actually went through a grieving process during our BC experiences. God Bless.

Katharine, prayers as you face this week. Are you a empty nesters now or do still have another home?

Northwoodsmom - she is the  last at home. She is two minutes older than my sailor, and she told us that she feels that she is "stealing our time" by staying here. I just walked by her almost empty room (she packed up most of her stuff last night) and I started crying again.

My sailor's room is how he left it when he went back to GL after his 9 days here, and still has all its furniture. His older brother's room is how he left it after his 17 day stay here and is still full of all his furniture.  His older sister's room is still full of her furniture and stuff too.My youngest daughter will be taking everything with her, and there will be no furniture of things left in drawers and closets like the others. She is a better packer, but it seems so empty already. Isn't that nice an melodramatic!!! Cue the violins.

I am torn between hurrying up with house stuff so we can move, and slowing it down so I can try to hold on. I have cried more since August than I have in the 50 years previous, combined. And this will will not be any better. Maybe I do need HRT.

I sure appreciated the comment about worrying the Navy would turn happy go lucky son too serious. One of my biggest sources of angst. Seems like a silly thing to worry about in the big picture I guess.  My son just called about half way thru BC, he sounded fantastic. Seems to be taking the negatives in stride and excited to meet interesting people and learn new things. It was wonderful hearing him sound so much like himself :) 

Northwoodsmom -- I am so sorry that we seemed so cruel. You are correct that we all cared deeply and our hearts were breaking for you and all the moms who were not able to attend PIR. We just didn’t want to give false hope that if you went you could see them (We were all silently hoping and praying that in your case it would work out) but we knew the odds were slim!! You were one of the last moms to be able to get to an airport to see their SR. Soon after the Sailors were given order to NOT see any family even if they showed and then the bases went on lock down. Now of course everything is changing for the umpteenth time and we still don’t know when our parents will get to see their kids next! Personally I think the worst thing I could do is give you false hope that you could see them at BC or A school or After A school and that it would be 100% a for sure deal! The reality is we just DO NOT know when moms will get that first Sailor hug! It was so great that so many got them for Christmas but now we are back in the dark as to when the next chance can be. For those of you waiting, Know we are all praying for you to get your hug SOON than later, but we will not lie just to make you feel better in the short term.

mom2blondies-- Praying for you all as you deal with the coming days with your MIL. Informed Delivery is both a blessing and a curse!! It’s a blessing because you can see what mail is coming but a curse when delivery isn’t the same day as notification!!

VintageGal & Chipmunk-- I sent you a PM.

Mama Bear-- When did he leave? May seems quite a ways out.

Shanny-- I didn’t realize control freak was spelled Witch!! (Or did that need a b?)

You know we don’t count spelling here!! You are still Loved!

Mine also pulled away before he left. We were dealing with the fall out from some Evil Neighbors and had just moved at the start of his Senior Year but he was just distant and kind of disconnected for the last 2 months of High school. We chalked a lot of it up to senioritis.
I remember my Older Neighbor telling my mom that she “Hated” her kids from 17-23! She said they were rude, arrogant, selfish and know-it-all’s during that age. From 23-27 she said they were semi-civil and as soon as they hit 27 they were decent humans again.

Happy Sunday!

Here's the link to the February PIR group:

PIR February 2021

BelovedbyHim:. I was trying to be nice but she definitely needed that B in there!  
i need to stop being lazy and get my laptop booted up. Posting from my phone is so hard because I can’t see the whole posting area and have to scroll side to side...