Well it was a countdown that started almost a year ago and now we are down to weeks before my son leaves for basic.  The next couple of weeks are going to certainly fly because there is so much going on between now and his ship date of July 7th.  I have been keeping my mind busy by putting together his high school graduation party/going away party.  I had to have his party the week before he actually graduates because there was no time in between graduation date of June 28th and his leave…

I don't have a special poem or anything really clever to say but just want you all to know, I celebrate YOU...for all the sacrifices and love you've given over the years. May your day be loving and reflective wherever you are.

What a precious gift the sound of a voice can be. The sound of their breathing when they slept as a baby, their first words, their voice when we thought they were lost in a crowd, the "I'm home!" when you have waited up for them to come home, "I love you" ANYTIME! And the call home from bootcamp, especially on Mothers Day. You can keep the brunch, flowers, candy - the phone call is tops! (not that we don't love the other things too :))

Old recordings of our loved ones can trigger such…

CryptoGirl and her cousin Jenn pose with their new college diplomas!

Jenn worked her way to her business degree with evening and weekend classes on campus. CryptoGirl earned the same degree via the Navy College Program and…

I Will light a blue candle and say a prayer for all our men and women. I think I will watch a movie in my sons room and remember all the fun we had before he left for BC. J- missing you soo!

I asked myself this question this morning. I am working on Sunday so not much celebration time but I think I want to focus not on me, brunch and gifts but do something that celebrates the "maternal" in me. I'm going to plant sunflowers and garden. I'll see them all summer and remember this time. Maybe a special blue and white garden. I'll tend it and think of my son. What are you doing, please share some ideas. It might be the first Mothers Day apart from your child, been there done that.…

looking for any info on what we can expect, my son graduates 6/19 before he left for BC we were told he would be going to A school, Connecticut. Thanks-67Firebird

first time ever posting, always had a flip phone but that changed when my son left. He's a Machinest-subs so if any mom can give me any advise, He is in DIV 213 no letter yet. Just booked our stay at the navy lodge, any suggestion we will be renting a car. Happy Friday to all!-67firebird

The past few months have flown by like crazy. We have went from over 8 months to boot camp when we first started to counting down at 110 days to BC. She has had senior prom, and is now heading towards her high school graduation with a 4.817 GPA and can you say proud mom because I am shouting it at the top of my lungs!! I am extremely emotional, especially when it comes to my kids, so my daughter says she is waiting on me to start crying and not be able to stop, graduation is May 28th and she…

So Good Morning all, not sure what part of the country you are in but it is finally SPRING!!! in New England. I have seen bumble bees and my hummingbird is back! Happy upcoming Mothers Day to everyone. Just wanted to post some positive thoughts, heading out for my bootcamp workout. For some it is just a power walk, for others a run, bike or even Crossfit! Whatever it is go out and do something positive for yourself today, we see our loved ones in about 7 weeks and we want to be the…

So I have never blogged before but thought I would start....trying to figure out ways to connect with my son who is at RTC. When I say connect I don't mean literally, I mean when he can't write. So I have taken on my own style "bootcamp". I run, bike, do pushups (YES!!! modified), sit up (every inch off the ground is a plus) anything physical everyday. This is when I connect with my son. I mentally send him positive thoughts, tons of love and as I have written I invoke whatever higher entity…

Hello Everyone

I had a question for anyone who has had a problem with shipping their mail/packages. My daughter is deployed on the USS Normandy, I had sent her 2 packages on March 27th. The ship has had 5 mail dispersments so far...and she has not recieved any of her 2 packages. I tracked it and it hasent updated it shows, that it is still in Great Lakes, Chicago. It has been 1 month now. I have all the information correct and included a return address. I dont know what had happened,…

My son will be winged at the end of the month.  What is an appropriate gift to give him.  Do the parents buy the wings and pin him or does the Navy give him the wing pin?