Josh graduated on August 24th and is currently in A school @ Great Lakes. Thankfully, that isn't too far from us (about 5 hours) but with work, bills, etc., we haven't been able to go back to see him since graduation. While it has been SO NICE being able to talk to him on the phone, I would absolutely LOVE to see him.

His girlfriend (the little bugger) is on her way there now and gets to see him tonight. :)   I am thrilled for them and not really jealous of her (hehe); just wish that…

Well, Josh graduated on August 24th and is now enrolled in A school. He said that he and several others (probably more than just several) were all "on-hold" until some space empties up in class and, in the meantime, they all have cleaning duty. :)  

Life is somewhat back to normal... different because I don't get to see him but it has been soooo great being able to talk and text with him again!! He called me last night to ask what kind of television he should buy for his room. He is…

10 1/2 days to go until graduation and I cannot begin to explain how excited I am to see my son! We will be driving up there on Thursday (Aug. 23rd) and staying through the weekend.

I had a really bad night last Thursday and just sobbed for awhile. I had been worried about Josh all day because it was tear gas chamber day! He used to get really bad migraines and I was so concerned that it would make him sick. Then, I heard a song that just made me absolutely crumble... "Letters from…

Today, I decided to write a letter "from" our pets to my son, Josh. He has been really depressed lately and I felt the need to try to cheer him up!!

In the letters, I included pictures and referred to them as if they were the ones writing the letter. IE: our little mini weiner dog (who Josh trained to sneeze when she wants cheese) as well as our Australian Shepherd who seems to think it is okay for him to get in the trash because it smells like chicken and pizza. Words from our cat…

Well, I received another letter from Josh yesterday and he seemed to be in decent spirits and mentioned that the food is "actually pretty good", which made me feel better. However, he also made a couple of comments about being depressed over concerns that his girlfriend will not want to wait for him and lately has been regretting his decision to join. In all of my letters, I try to send encouraging thoughts and remind him to stay strong and focused but I worry that if he really starts…

The past 5 weeks have included a roller coaster of emotions for me, as my son left for Basic Training on June 28th. During this time, I have discovered a completely different outlook on the US military. However, it is worthy to note that I did not have a negative feeling about the military prior to my son joining... just a complete lack of experience with it at all.

I have since gained a whole new respect for our sailors and soldiers. I have found myself beaming with pride and tears…

Well, Josh leaves for MEPS tomorrow and then they will take the bus to Great Lakes first thing Thursday morning. I am feeling a bit better now but I am sure that I will have my days. I am taking him and his girlfriend out to dinner tonight and am really looking forward to spending a little more time with him before he leaves.

I am hoping for a break in this weather but the forecast doesn't look very promising. We haven't had any rain in what seems like weeks and the temps are…

I am not entirely sure how to feel right now. My son leaves for Basic Training in 6 days and, quite frankly, I am a mess. I am so extremely proud of who he is and the choices that he has made for himself but I am also very scared. I am going to miss him like crazy but then again, I have already missed him for a long time. He lives with his dad and for the past 2 years I lived an hour away from him. I recently (about 2 weeks ago) moved back "home" to Columbus, Indiana but now he is getting…