Hi, my daughter is Kendyll, she says your daughter is her "bestie" I can't wait till graduation to see Kendyll and put some faces to all these names!

Hi Lisette,

I have a son at Boot Camp, she would know him by Grams if she does.  He is the Star Board Watch for their division.  I also belong to the Facebook group that was started for us and trying to find everyone on N4M.

Yes, we will be coming the PIR.  We are planning on being their for Sarge's Meet and Greet, how about you?? 

Hello Lisette,

So glad to add a friend to my growing list of family here. Excited to here and see what everyone has to say, and help support each other through this new adventure in life!!

Hi Lisette:

Just got the form letter today - YAY! My son is in Ship 7/Div 162 - so close to your daughter! His PIR is on 5/25/12. We are really hoping to attend. We need to put in for the time from work off now that we have the date and also see about travel plans - airfare, etc. My son's recruiter was less than helpful thru this process. I'm so happy to finally be able to have an address to mail things to. Have a great day! Ann-Marie

My daughter's name is Eleni, although I have heard they never hear their first names...LOL  I can't wait for that first lette just to know they are ok..

Hi Lisette: Ann-Marie here. My son Josh arrived in GL on 3/29. We got his box on 4/3 but no letter with his ship/div info yet. We also don't know the date of the PIR. We're thinking it's either 5/25 or 6/1. REALLY hoping to get that form letter tomorrow (monday)! Easter has never been a big family day for us - other than going to services in the AM. This year marks the first year the hubby and I have been emptynesters. Our older son is attending LSU in Louisiana and couldn't make it home for the holiday this year either. Weird day. We took my great aunt to church then met up with two of my cousins and their families (one had one daughter and the other one had two of her sons) and did the buffet thing. I didn't have much of an appetite but no tears! We really miss Josh and am hopeful that "no news is good news". Good luck to you and please keep in touch. Maybe our kids will be in the same div/ship and or at the same PIR and we can meet :) Ann-Marie

another tip............send a large mailing envelope in a couple weeks. Return address and mailing address to your home.....take it to the post office with at least 13oz postage or enough to hold about 20 letters. That way, your daughter can send home letters to save but not take up space in the small storage drawer they have. I am going to keep the "kid in a box" on her bed and put the big envelopes in there for saving. The large mailer envelope will fit in a standard business envelope when folded in 3's...

They provide all the paper and envelopes. They use official Navy paper. If you can send her with a sheet of stamps, that's good. Ash has a small bible and an even smaller address book. A canceled check with the routing number and account number if she didn't get a Navy account. Ash didn't. No toiletries either. Send her with $20 or $25 dollars to buy small sized in the NEX. There is a site, callsforrecruits.org . If you email them, they will send you 6-12 emailed phone cards. It is an 800 number and then passwords. Each pin is a 20 minute call. You can also get a phone card at Rite Aid or CVS. Make sure it's more then 150 minutes. You can always send another card later or refresh. Ash is taking 2 phone cards and then the email cards. I figured she can hand them out if anyone doesn't have one. A debit card to use at O'hare as well. They each have a small locked box on their bunk to hold there stuff. Tampons and pads are stuck in a communal drawer in the bathroom. Remember, no musical cards or bright colored envelopes when you send mail. 

My house has been a revolving door of friends today. My nieces came over and we dyed Easter eggs. I am trying so so hard to not cry....