Japan Moms

For all the Moms(and Dads) with a Sailor in Japan

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  • T-Lynn

    HI :),

    Chatty are we? Maybe i need to add that to our Navy mom Dictionary.

    Navy Mom chatty - how Navy Mom gets when they all get to brag about their sailors and families.

    I remember you sharing all the hoops your sailor jumped to get that apartment in Japan. Hope your dil's visit back in Japan is a nice visit.

    Oh - Blondie - requesting a picture of you with all your kids ( IN one spot) at this wedding.

    And we here were just talking about the weather. WE too are wondering if flooding will happen when the temp goes to 40. Funny thing as we were talking about it at the dinner table - possible flood warnings for teh coming weekend came over the news. Let you know if we start floating.

    Nothing else much going on - just playing catch up with the Cub Scouts - trying to stay warm and waiting for dil to feel better so I can get my own Victoria Secret bras :).

    Sweet Dreams all

  • jansu831

    Hey to all of my Navy Mom sisters.

    I haven't caught up in a while but I wanted to stop in and share my grief over the crew members on that Navy Helicopter that went down in Virginia yesterday. One of the sailors that died - PO3 Collins - was my sailor's best friend in boot camp. They have remained close since then. His mom and I became friends and met and sealed our friendship during the boy's PIR. She is heartbroken as are all of us that knew him. He had just married in June 2013. Please keep them all in your prayers.

    I have missed you all and I will check in and catch up soon!
  • barbara10/08

    Back to normal Thursday after digging out from blizzard.  Flood warnings here too for the weekend.  Crazy.
    On a good note, I've been reading that these super cold temperatures might kill off the emerald ash borer and save some ash trees!

    .Jansu,  I was reading about that helicopter crash yesterday, my deepest sympathy and prayers for the family, and you and your son.  So very sad.
    btw-good to hear from you. 

    T-lynn, and all thanks, Nolan and Blake are a joy. 
    And yes,  Nolan has that hat and a whistle he is learning how to use.

    Blondie, lol...we have the same problem here trying to locate items after holidays.Sounds like a fun , if tiring weekend-enjoy!
    Here's a pic a lot of us can relate to :) ha ha

  • CatMom509

    Happy Friday!!

         "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;

          and the ears of the wise seek it out."

                                                       Proverbs 18:15

  • CatMom509

    jansu831,

    I've been praying for the families of the Sailors lost and injured in the Norfolk accident--that just hurts my heart a little more to know one of them was your son's newly married friend.  May our God comfort his wife and family~~

  • Kim

    Jansu, I am so sorry.  Saying a prayer for you, your son and PO3 Collins family and friends.

  • jansu831

    Thanks Barbara - I need my Navy Mom sisters today.

    Here is my sailor and PO3 Collins after PIR and then me and his mom with the boys.  I met her through N4M on their PIR group. 

    My sailor is on a train this morning to come spend the weekend with me.  I need him in my sight for a while.  This has been hard on both of us, I can't imagine what Hollee is feeling.

  • CatMom509

    Blondie,

    Have a really blessed day at the wedding with most all your kids together!!

  • Kim

    Jansu, thanks for sharing the pictures. 

  • MaggieMay

    jansu - Hugs and prayers to you and all the families.  Such a sad, sad tragedy.  Beautiful pictures....they will always be cherished

  • BADma

    Jansu... I am so sorry. I read the names wondering if I wiould recognize any of them as my son's buddies. Take care and {{{NMH}}}}dear sister ,

  • Mississippi Mom

    Jansu, my heart has just been breaking for the families of these Sailors.   Please know that I have been praying and will continue to pray these families, and you and especially your son.   I talked to my Sailor after I saw this on the news, he is in VA Beach, but his ship is in dry dock, so they didn't go out.   He said it was really sad for all of them.  Our military as whole has been hit really hard this week.  So much sadness. 

  • CatMom509

    Gals,

    Here's something on Facebook that show all 3 Sailors lost on January 8, 2014~~

  • BADma

    Thank you TLYNN and Shark!  The right color AND the right material Mama Talia LOVES the satiny material.

  • T-Lynn

    Yep Maggs - that is how they listen.  So stuck and not done eggs. In about ten more years they learn.

    hey - Barb pee alert! that pic is hilarious!  Have to share it with some friends who ride.

    So happy the packaged arrived! Shark is still asleep. so I'll let her see the pic later.  That was teh LAST one too.  Hope the baby likes it too.

    Jansu - share hugs with your son for the loss of his friend. So very sorry. Gentle hugs Jansu.

    Blondie - good to see every thing normal around your place :).  Just wish it was a bit warmer / dryer weather.  Have a good time and yes - share those pics :)

     Need to get along wish all a good day  hugs

  • BADma

     HEY....why so quiet in here??

       I have a question about leaving Japan....because my sailor won't tell me. I know when his last day is on the ship...how soon thereafter does he leave Japan?  Does the Navy provide the flight out? Thank you.

    'Nother tidbit, more like a heads up.... it was recently brought to my attention that there is an AZ Navymom...NOT a ''Pan mom....who has been scamming people via facebook. She sells military designed jewelry...people order ,then she blocks them on facebook once she gets their money. Apparently a Navymom somewhere in the Midwest has filed a lawsuit.Please inbox me for the scammer's name.

    OH,,,,'nother tidbit (or heads up)....

  • Anti M

    The Navy will fly him home when he departs.  How soon after?  A few days, although it varies.

  • Anti M

    I'm quiet because there's a lot of overwhelming stuff going on.  Not me personally, but so many people I know.  I;m conserving my emotions.

  • BADma

    Thanks AntiM.

  • pammyjs39

    Thank you BADma andCatMom509 that does help. I try to keep his spirits up but it is hard being so far away. He arrived on jan 5th which didn't help either his B-day was the 6th. I feel so bad but try not to let him know it!!
  • T-Lynn

    HI

    AS i stated - Blondie's life is back to normal. Even cannot find teh camera - see normal :). Blondie we all will wait with joy. Hugs  dear one.

    No my sailor is not in VA - in CA now. And he loves it.

    Yes, shark loves to send gifts And she is a bit upset right now. She was trying to get another turtle - she was going to try to send Jansu's grandbaby - BUT those sweet cuddle turtles - gone. So now we are looking.

    keep us posted when your sailor gets home and get that first hug BADma!!!!! Then share one for all of us.

    Anti M - your birthday is coming up soon. Peoplel need to be treating you like a queen. Sending Reiki to sooth your emotions.

    My son too had a rough time - at first in Japan.  But promise pam. As soon as you get his address - send him a birthday package. Get an FPO - APO box form the post office and fill it with birthday party stuff. ( hats - plates - napkins - party games and silly prizes. )  And presents too. then he can have a birthday party with his buddies.  Its not so much the gifts - as it is getting a feeling from home :).

    Well, its late - I have a long day with scouts tomorrow. Sweet Dreams all hugs

  • jansu831

    Oh Blondie - how I have missed your description of your days that just EXHAUST me by just reading them!

    Continue your prayers for our fallen sailors and their families.  Brian's mom is doing really well - too well actually.  She is in shock and denial.  Plus she has been in Norfolk since last week and the service for the 3 men is this coming Saturday and then Brian's memorial in California is on the 25th.  Reality will set in when she gets back home and all the activities are over.

    Speaking of my new grand baby - here's a picture of Easton and Lillian...  I'll post more soon.  (Hugs to all!)

  • BADma

    Jansu..... Easton and Lillian are beautiful!!

    The fallen sailors.....heart wrenching. Theiir families are in my heart.

    I have been organizing a soldier  homecoming! Our chapter Financial Sec'y's son is coming HOME this Saturday.I am so thankful to know that another of our sons will be reunited with his family. Such a mixture of emotions.

      Anyone else see the stories on FB about the GW,Roosevelt and Reagan will be switching ? The GW will be in VA (I thinking starting repairs). The Reagan is going to Japan and Roosevelt to San Diego.

  • dawny64

    Heard about the GW last night I can only hope that my Sailor will be on it when it comes back.

  • Anti M

    A lot of times when they swap the ships, they leave part of the crew in place and only move some of them with the ship.  Saves money if they don't move all the families.  It can be very tense waiting to find out who stays and who goes.  Fingers crossed for those who need it!

  • Grayce

    Konnichiwa!  Just found out our Sailor got Japan as his first duty station!  Excited and a little sick too.  He left for BC on Sept 11th, 2013 and about to finish up A School.  Guess I need to learn more Japanese...

    He told his Dad 4 years but told me 5. Any information would be appreciated. I'm very excited for him but want to cry too...

  • Shelly

    Janus- my prayers to the fellow Navy Mom. My heart is aching for her and the family. I hope your sailor is coping as best he can. Words cannot say what I feel in my heart for this family.
    Just waiting a few more days then I can share my news. Are you all on the edge like I am?
  • BADma

    Grayce ...Welcome!! I think  the length of time has to do with their rate (job). My son is a Machinist Mate. He had a 3 year contract.

    Shelly ...PLEASE share as soon as you can!!

  • Anti M

    LOL.  "I need a hand over here".

    Japanese is one spoken language, but it has three written alphabets, not including Romanji, which is our characters with Japanese pronunciation.  Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.  Some words can only be in one of the three, so you have to know them all.  I learned the first two and promptly forgot them.  I could recognize place name Kanji, but that was truly difficult.

  • jansu831

    Blondie - I knew you would love those cheeks.  She has "Conner" cheeks!  Speaking of which, I haven't seen a picture of him or Nolan lately!

    C'mon Shelly - no fair!

  • cbc mom

    @ Blondie -- Yes VERY soon.  Will be able to share the news!!!!  :-)  Good things happen to those that wait...  hehehe

     

  • jansu831

    cbc mom - you too????  I have got to stop staying away so long!

    I hope it's ALL good news.  :)

  • BADma

    Blondie....those are VERY funny!!!

  • CatMom509

    Funny signs, Blondie!!

  • CatMom509

    Hello~~

         "As water reflects a face,

          so a person's heart reflects the person."

                                              Proverbs 27:19

  • barbara10/08

    Glad to hear good news is in the near future:)

    Jansu, oh,  lillian is so, so precious and Easton too!  Beautiful picture, love it.!
    You only have to go back a few pages to see Nolan & Blakes's christmas pic.  I posted well after Christmas, so shouldn't be too far back.

    Continued prayers for your family and fellow Navy mom.  I'm afraid it will hit her hard Saturday. 

    Thanks, Anti-M, was wondering if the sailors went with the ships.....now that you said that, it makes sense that not all of them would.
    Dawny, hope he's on it too!

    Kathy, sounds like you found your calling:)  and sounds like lots of fun too.

    So, true, T-Lynn, about the feeling from home being more important than the package.  The turtle is so cute- good choice shark!

    Welcome, Grayce- yep, you'll feel mixed emotions quite often now.  Just come on here and share how you are feeling- we all understand:)   And you'll probably be seeing your sailor before he ships out?

    Blondie, my daughters are still wanting to keep up our tree- and it is a live tree!
    Funny thing is, it is sprouting new growth! - Lots of it! 
    Now they want to keep it and see how long it will survive!

    OMG- laughed out loud about that store sign!   Good thing nothing was in my mouth!  Think anyone alerted the store staff?

    Maggs- thought of you:)

  • T-Lynn

    I was enjoying those pics too. Especially the "... ask teh staff ..."  Good one anti M :).

    Doing what we can to stay warm.  If the humidity was not so high, it might be a bit more comfortable. But with it in teh high digits ( 93 %) we are experiencing that cold damp feeling. Just can't get warm. Maybe some Jack in my hot chocolate would help.

    OH , I was looking at those toes to kiss !!! Jansu - so sweet grandbabies.

    Hey Barb adn Blondie - more pics of the babies is always needed here :).

    Hi Grace and Welcome aboard here. 

    Ok - I'm biting! bring on the GOOD news Shelly and cbc!!!!!  Nail biting here.

     Gee that makes me think of Angel - she has to be up to something.

    And Kim - where are you? Miss check in please. Aleicia are you out there?

    Oh, this Saturday? Will light a candle ( 9 pm my time ) to honor the fallen sailors. thanks for letting me know the day.  And Jansu, I  agree - your friend will soon feel reality.  I sure hope she has family around her when she needs it. But I think you stated he was just married too ? Oh , my heart hurts.

    didn't mean to end on a sour note - sorry all

    Wish all sweet dreams  hugs

  • BADma

    Kathy.... And the roller coaster ride continues, huh? Prayers and positive vibes.

    Well, let's see how many people I can upset today. Our soldier homecoming is tomorrow. As always we want them to be a surprise or the service member but at the same time secretly alert the public. I posted it on a CLOSED group yesterday and a few hours later I was told that it was all over Facebook.. The woman who copied my post "likes" our  Blue Star Mothers page, yet she has never attended  a meeting nor contributed in any way. She is basically a Facebook busybody. I messaged her and requested that she remove the posts because it  is supposed to be a surprise.

    The whole concept of liking an facebook page annoys me.  My thought is that if you 'like' a page it is because you believe in the cause and want to contribute, not just see how many pages you can be on. Okay rant over, I am a rag and I have come to terms with that.

  • Kim

    I'm here, behind all the boxes.  I am moving at the end of the month and am very busy.  I drive up after work to get my sailor.  He is renting a uhaul one way to move all the stuff that he has stored at my house over the years.  We will also get him to move some of our stuff in storage.

    His wife never made it to Japan.  Something happened with the flight and she was going to be stuck for 3 days.  They cancelled the whole trip and I guess they are re-booking it soon.  They are still going together next Christmas, but I was hoping that she would get this month to visit her family.  I will find out tonight.  I am staying with them tonight and we are leaving in the morning.  New moms, she is from Sasebo, so let me know if you have any questions for her.

    I love all the pictures and I think you all are teasing us with these secrets.  LOL. 

    Speaking of Shark, I haven't seen any pictures of him lately.

  • jansu831

    Just an FYI - the service for the sailors is today (now!) - not Saturday.  So many reports have been conflicting!  Thanks for all the prayers and support.  Keep praying for Hollee, she's in for a tough time.

    Hugs to all my Navy Mom sisters.  :)

  • jansu831

    Blondie - this is for you!  LOLOLOL

  • CatMom509

    Kathy,

    You're welcome!  Here's another~~

         "A good name is more desirable than great riches;

          to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

                                                               Proverbs 22:1

  • Cheryl Ship 07 Div 160

    Awesome picture Maggs!  I can never get a good picture of the moon.  How did you do it?

    So I read all of what you all write, I just don't post a whole lot.  I feel the need to vent a little in a place where only you all will understand.  So a local Navy mom to me posted on FB that her son received his orders and he will be in Virginia and in bold type put NOT JAPAN.  As a mom with a son in Japan I took offense to this and PM'd her and told her that I was very proud to have a son serving in Japan and so very thankful and proud of our entire USN no matter where they serve!  Thank you for letting me vent and thank you to all of the wonderful "pan" moms and to their children who are serving or who have served in Japan!  I'm proud to be a "pan" mom!

  • jansu831

    Cheryl - good for you for taking the high road.  Always distance yourself from the nay-sayers.  It's the only way to stay sane!  For the most part, this group is ALWAYS supportive - no matter what.  The few that haven't been don't last long.  (You oldies know what I'm talking about - hee hee)  You have the best attitude ever.  Hugs to you.  :)

  • Mississippi Mom

    Hello to all of the Pan Moms, and welcome everyone that is new!  Now you are Pan Moms!   I too, like all of you have been busy.  Just trying to get caught up here at work, and also at home.  I was blessed to have the week after Christmas off from work, but we always pay for that week when we come back.    Not much excitement going on with me.  My daughter is back in school and Sailor and his wife are back in VA and doing well.   Hubby and I have been trying to exercise more, and are TRYING to watch what we are eating.  That is really hard after having all of that good food through the holidays.   He loves his Little Debbie's Snacks and that makes it really tough for me.  But at the same time, he doesn't struggle as much as I do with weight, either.  

    Jansu, praying for Hollee....all of those families have been on my heart. 

    Maggs, love that picture!  You go girl. 

    Gotta run, boss just suggested we leave early today, and I am ready to head out of here.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  We will be watching Football at my house.   I am cheering for the 49'ers and the Broncos!  I love to watch the Manning Boys.  

    Take care and stay warm.

     

     

  • Janai'sMom

    Hi Moms.  I've been a wallflower in this group since November, not contributing much but laughing and crying with all of you, everyday.  My girl is in Sasebo, and loving every minute, even after she was so nervous about going, which sure makes my life easier.  We text almost daily and talk a couple times a week, which I am so grateful for.  I know that will be changing when she ships out.  I just felt it was about time to let all you wonderful ladies that you are a joy and a blessing to have this connection with, that I follow everyday.  I love your stories, and it makes me feel closer to my daughter.  Anyway, you're all appreciatied more than you know!  Blessings all around! 

  • Janai'sMom

    Blondie, great pic!  I know how lucky I am right now to have available communication with my sailor, and how short lived it will probably be.  I'm sure I'll be a lot more active on this site after she's shipped out!

    Cheryl, it still amazes me that parents compare kids going off to college with kids that join the service.  I've chalked it up to "they just don't get it."  The pride I have in my sailor seems to grow even more with every negative comment, if having more pride is even possible...

  • cbc mom

    Ladies, I got my surprise!!!!!  My son arrived home and I got my hug.  We weren't suppose to see each other until after their training in the US but at the last minute they were given liberty for the weekend.  So off I drive for 2 hours to pick him up from base!!!!  Lots of hugging, kissing and more hugging.  But the best surprise was for my husband.  He hasn't seen him in 13 months.  He is teaching at a youth retreat Friday, today and tomorrow .  Boy was he in for a surprise.  I'll have to share pictures of that reunion!!!

    BTW, my son also surprised me with the news that he got EAWS pinned the day before he left Japan.  CO didn't want to wait till quarter awards to give him his pin. 

    What a GREAT way to end my birthday week!!!!!  :-)

    PhotoGrid_1390113037657.jpg

  • Anti M

    LOL Maggs, the cat really is out of the bag!   

  • Shelly

    Hi everyone, well my news is the same as cbc! My sailor is in San Diego for training and we drove there to meet him. We weren't expecting to see him for quite a while so this was a big surprise. We are in a hotel for the weekend and he is staying with us. We were about an hour from the base and he called and asked where we were. Then when he was ready to be picked up he called again and my husband was so distracted that he missed the exit so we had to work our way back. I can't tell you what the site of him does to me. He is not a baby any more but he is my baby forever, that first HUG was marvelous. The first thing he wanted to do was eat! We went to Olive Garden. Apparently they don't have great Italian food in Japan.
    As I sit in the dark typing this my husband is asleep in one bed in our hotel and my sailor is in the other. I am so grateful for the few hours that I will have with my sailor. I will post a picture later. Have a great weekend!