Our second son is firmly ensconced in basic training. Surprisingly, it is not quite as hard this second time around. I am still somewhat nervous but not nearly as nervous as I was a year ago. Our first child has had to go through quite a bit in his Navy experience and, after a year and three months, is waiting to see if they will force a medical separation. When he enlisted, he had planned on making this his career. He doesn't want to leave the Navy, but the choice is no longer his to make.…

Last week, my son Austin, who is a senior this year, informed us that he also wants to enlist in the Navy. WOW! Can I be more proud? Then...wow...

Can my heart handle another one??? 

Yes, yes, it can!!!

Austin filled out the initial paperwork and will go to MEPS in the next couple of weeks.

He will leave for boot camp during the summer after he graduates from high school.

GO NAVY!!!…

One week ago today, we were finishing up our time with our son. God is good!!! Of course, that goes without saying! It is amazing how much it takes for me to believe He has our best interests in mind. When I could finally relax and realize He had it all together, everything fell beautifully into place.

Last Wednesday, our third child was in the process of getting his driver's license. My husband had some questions about our insurance, so he and I had been calling each other back and…

On July 31, I knew that September 28 was a lifetime away. That first week with Justin gone to Great Lakes was a nightmare of no information from him, strange medical emergencies here at home, and the most unimaginable fear of unknown boot camp dread. I hope someday to be a support for those enduring that, because...wow.

I had senseless, unfounded (I hope) worries about what was being done to him and what his reaction would be. In a way, I believe I may have felt worse pain than he…

Forgive me if you've ever had a burden and I just stared with glassy eyes. I truly had no idea. From this day on, I will try to be more considerate of other's feelings.

It's been a week since we heard from our son...a week of wondering whether or not he is FFD and in another division...a week of waiting for the phone to ring (just in case)...a week of emotional ups and downs.

Here is the problem: everyone around me seems sick to death of hearing about Justin, or at least that's…

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

The words of that song echo through my mind today. I don't understand why it has taken so long to take up residence in the fore-front of my brain. It was a song we sang every Sunday at the church we attended in Kansas until I was eight. (We moved to Texas, making church attendance in Kansas a little tricky.)

Saturday: We received a letter from our son.…

I was home alone tonight (technically) and decided to watch the TLC special on 9/11. I watched for a while, maintaining my original (prior to Justin's going away to BC) emotional control. We have a large-screen TV, probably similar to those found in many middle class homes in America. I was lying on the couch, just watching...then...then...wow...

I glanced up to the right of the screen JUST A LITTLE...where the picture of my son hangs -- his senior picture: leaning against a tree in…

I was at church tonight and went to choir practice. Today, I felt happier than I have felt in a very long time. After practice, our director asked if I was okay. "You seem so sad," he said...and my sister-in-law agreed. WOW. This is hard, there is no denying that. As my husband so aptly said: This is boot camp for parents, too. 

When we got the form letter giving us the PIR date, we waited a few days then bought plane tickets and began planning our trip to Great Lakes. 

First…

For some reason, the week Justin left for boot camp was destined to be miserable. We returned Sunday night from a weekend working at my mother-in-law's house. It was great because we all got to be together. It was not-so-great because we were not able to be in church together. In retrospect, I should have insisted. 

Monday night, we had dinner with my parents. Justin wanted steak...so we had steak. I made two kinds of cheesecake (also his favorite). It was a really nice…