One week ago, my son swore his allegiance to serve his country with a group of men and women known as the United States Navy. I can't say that it hasn't been rough.

But for the moment, there are no tears. My heart is still lonely- aching because a piece of it is with my son.

For for the moment, I can smile to know that we have both made it through this first week.

For the moment, I can gaze at his photo, truly wondering how much he has already learned.

For the…

a photo from BOOT CAMP!!    JOY!

read all about it here~  http://sonandsea.blogspot.com/2011/09/power-of-smile.html 

Wow... just ran across a story by another mom and it hit home.  My son had been my buddy for 3 years when he was little until his sister came along and then the past 2 years it was just him and I as his brother moved out to join the Army.  They all thought he was my favorite and in a way he is.. since we have so much in common we both love Kenny Chesney music and others and whenever Top Gun comes on he and I have to watch it.  They think the little sister is my favorite because she is the…

I've been here a while and reading other mother's blogs seeing that I'm not the only one who feels the way I do. There is the numbness, sadness, fear. There is also pride, excitement, joy and anticipation.

Numbness: I feel like an empty shell trying to deal with the sadness that I can't just log onto messenger and say "HI". The fear is the worst. I am afraid he'll get hurt, that he won't be able to manage being this long away from family. I know these fears are mindless and…

We didn't actually get graduation due to Timothy not passing a test on time. We got a call on Tuesday to say he passed he is now officially a E-3 Seaman and he will get liberty from 1600 to 2000.  So we made the 3 hour trip up to see him.  When I saw him standing in the parking lot I looked at him and thought "that kid looks like Jason (my cousin)" then my husband says "that looks like Jason" and then it hit me... THAT IS OUR SON!!!!  I was so excited!  I got out of the car and he ran across…

Fleet week begins today in San Diego...remembering the Reynold's family that should have been there...Praying for Sean, that peace and comfort will come to him today as he lays his family to rest...God Bless you Sean

Good Morning...My son is now an EM3 in the US Navy.  He has a very tough few months ahead in power school , but he is determined ,, diligent, and has amazed me so far.  He will be tested to and beyond his limits.  And I have every confidence that, with God, he will do greater than he expects.  He will be able to finish strong.

In church…

A piece of my heart left just a little while ago, and what remains behind is shattered into a million pieces. My son has embarked on his journey of self discovery in the land known as Boot Camp.

For the moment, my heavy heart and constant tears outweigh my pride. It doesn't mean that I'm not proud of him because I am, but I need the time to adjust to him not being around, to the silence that his absence brings to my…

As usual, I'm awake and moving around before anyone else in the family. But I'm sure it's not going to take long for everyone to start stirring because we are down to the final hours before my son leaves to start this grand, new adventure called boot camp.

Of course, it probably doesn't help that I have a pan of frying bacon on the stove either!

For the moment, I'm okay. I can't say that my insides are at peace with all of this because my emotions are still in a constant…