It's been awhile since I've posted to my blog. I think it's because my baby boy has graduated from boot camp. He's moved onto his new school in Charleston. He is no longer a recruit. He's actually a sailor.

We are facing him graduating from his A-school and moving onto power school in the next few days. I am truly excited about this next milestone in his life, but I can't lie and say that it doesn't scare me. Every milestone that he makes with his schooling just brings us another step…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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<3 <3 <3 My dearest son, I hope you know how very proud of you that I am. You are about to embark on a whole new chapter of your life. Our loss of your smiling face, infectious laughter, complete devotion, and unconditional love will be the gain of the US Navy. Be strong, stay safe, remain in touch as you can, and conduct yourself with Honor, Courage, and Commitment. We'll be counting down the days until we see you as a man, a SAILOR! I can't wait for PIR!! I love you heaps and heaps,… Continue

Yep, we're down to less than 72 hours before my son leaves the comfort of the home as he knows it to travel into that great abyss known as the United States Navy.

At this point, I'm truly not sure whom I'm more scared for---me or my son. Probably *me* because we've never been separated where there has never been a source of communication. I think that's what scares me the most.

Again today, I found myself crying at the most absurd moment. In the middle of public! Thank God that…

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As if the tenth anniversary of 9/11 isn't enough to set anyone into a melancholy mood, my mind is more focused on the fact that we are now into the final days before my son sets out for boot camp. And as we draw closer to his departure, I find that I burst out in tears over the most stupid, even mundane, things.

Take his laundry, for instance. He started a load in the washer and called me, asking me to please put them into the dryer for him, to be followed by another please of folding…

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Ten days. How did we get to just ten more days to go until my son leaves me for a life unknown? Wasn't it just yesterday that he celebrated his 18th birthday?

No, he turned 18 in January, and on his birthday, he joined the US Navy under the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). I've got to give him credit. He wanted to do this himself, his first major decision as a 'man', so he waited until his 18th birthday when he could sign all the legal documents himself instead of having momma 'co-sign'…

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I was asked why I want to write this blog about my son and our experience with him going through boot camp and onto A-School when he isn't even 'in' the Navy yet. That's like asking a pregnant woman why she's keeping a journal when her baby hasn't even arrived. DUH!!

It's a matter of preservation, of keeping a log of everything that's going on, the quick changes that are dealt us, the emotions associated with every step of the process.

One day, we will be able to go back and…

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My son never ceases to amaze me. From the smallest things on up to the largest things, he always gives 150%. Except where his bedroom is concerned. He can rival the most fickle of teenage girls in this area.

 

So imagine the look of complete astonishment on my face last night when he announced that he was going to clean his room. I've gone in there to pick up a little, vacuum what floor space was visible, collect stray dishes, and throw away garbage. This is no easy feat when…

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Two weeks from today, Scotty leaves for boot camp. One moment I'm the proud mom, letting my mind wander over all the special events that he has been a part of and left a smile on my face. The next, I'm a blubblering fool because, let's face it, I'm scared! He is no longer my 'little boy' although he will still always be my little boy no matter how big he gets.

 

So the countdown begins until this next new, exciting, frightening phase of our lives begins..........