I figured I would start my first blog post with how Andrew and I met. It's really not that interesting of a story, but it's OUR story. It was summer of 2009 and I was taking two classes at the local community college to make my next year at siue less stressful. On June 26, a mutual friend called me and invited me to a party at his house that night. I told him that I would not make it because I had 8am class the following morning. Honestly, it was only 8pm and I was already in my pajamas…

Airfare booked?  Check!  Hotel confirmed?  Check!  Rental car reserved?  Check!  Ready to go and see my son?  Double Check!!   I'm so excited!!  Things are falling into place - Made it through the tough days, with help from family, friends and Navy Moms!!  Received the box, and finally the form letter and now feel like I'm in a little more control LOL. 

My son has been gone from home for 15 days and I've already written as many letters!  I mailed the bulk of them off on Saturday…

Hi, everybody. I'm just writing this to see if I can get any advice from y'all. I haven't heard from my son in awhile. He doesn't answer his cellphone. I've been told by his fiancee that she was told be co-workers that the Navy changes them, and for the first year or so they're not themselves. Is any other mom out there that may know of a situation going on there? I'm just worried because it's so very unlike him to NOT call in this…

I miss my sailor...

more here... http://sonandsea.blogspot.com/

My son went to boot camp on 10/4/2011.  I did great.  We took him out to eat the night before; had a great time as a family - at a really good meal (because we knew he wouldn't be eating much after that day!).  Then when we got back to the hotel, we sat in the lobby and visited, took pictures - just mulled around.  It was finally time to say "goodnight" and I told myself not to cry.  He hugged Dad and brother, then turned around and hugged me.  It wasn't an extraordinary hug -- just a normal…

At work and got a call from home it came.  I'm happy.  This may be your day too!

When we got home tonight, Dalton's letter was waiting for me.  His PIR Date is Dec 02. He assured me he was OK and that he is looking forward to receiving our letters.  Of course, he had a few lines in there for Emilie (girlfriend) and I called her right away with the message :-)

Very glad to see his handwriting. So now we just need to start making reservations.  Each day that passes is a day sooner that we will see him!

The past couple of weeks have been the most difficult for me.  Sending my youngest daughter off to boot camp turned out to be much more difficult than I ever imagined.  I cried for days.  I kept thinking of her short 15-second phone call letting us know she had made it to GL . . . she was crying which is not at all like her.  It made me worry and constantly wonder what and how she was doing.  She left on Tuesday and arrived at GL on Wednesday.  We got "The Box" the following Monday.  My…

It's 5:30am and I've been awake for about an hour and a half just thinking and then the realization hit me...26 more days and I can see my son. I won't be seeing the boy I left at the hotel the night before he went to boot camp though. I will be seeing the man he has become. It seems like a lifetime ago since I hugged him and told him to take care of himself, but then again it also seems just like yesterday. 

I realize that this is just the first phase of him not being around, that…

My son's recruiter is just as puzzled by the lack of response for his medical waiver!  She has reapplied for it and will be on it and should know within 2 weeks.  I know that's what they said the last time - but I'm encouraged that the recruiter is getting just as aggravated as the rest of us!  So I am happy and most importantly, my son is happier!  We know that there will probably still be quite the wait until boot camp, but it's the not knowing that is the killer!  Thanks for the kind…

My son has been telling me for almost two years that he wants to go into a branch of the military.  Coming from a long line of Marines on my side of the family, I thought that was his path.  As high school graduation grew closer, Brian decided he wanted to follow in his other grandfather's footsteps and "go Navy."  Either way, any branch, I'm proud that my son made this decision.  It's definitely not an easy one and he's met some very firm resistance from members of the family, but I hope my…

If you log onto Facebook - U.S.Navy Recruit Training Command - You will find information regarding our recruits and Thanksgiving.  We can visit that day , but if we can not, our recruits will be "adopted" for the day.  It is pretty awesome!  I encourage y'all to read it :)

~Nancy