Leaving for Boot Camp the Week of October 25th 2010

[KLMkathy]

I thought it would be nice to start a discussion for our children leaving the week of October 25th 2010.  Welcome everyone.  Kathy   

[Lori_KingsBay_USSRI_Radio]

I looked and I don't see them; only 5 rotating pics (which are very nice by the way). Adam is such a handsome young man!

[Lori_KingsBay_USSRI_Radio]

I can now see your pictures; just not the cake picture. Yep, probably a delay for approval. Although - when I posted my pictures it was instant.

[Nancy]

Betsy and Ashleigh,
You both make good points, just seeing things from different views. I also have just two sons (step daughters, but biologically sons) and I think that boys just have different relationships with their moms than daughters do. So often, the girls are close to their own moms, and as relationships develop the boys tend to spend more time with her family.

I'm not saying that's the rule, but I think it happens often enough. I made a decision when my boys were really young (WAY before girlfriends were on the horizon) that I would be ESPECIALLY nice to any girl they dated (because you never know who they will marry LOL) as I wanted their girlfriends to be really comfortable around us. It's never been hard to do as I have really liked the girls they dated.

As Betsy says it does make things so much more pleasant, and as Ashleigh said, if you and his mom could both spend time with him it's a win-win situation. Ashleigh, your point of view is very mature, and instead of being angry, you are very understanding which in the long run will probably help you develop a better relationship with his mom (she REALLY should appreciate you...you're pretty awesome :-)).

Nancy

[Nancy]

Lori - Ian says he just found out that he is going to Groton too. I was assuming that would be the case, but it's nice to know for sure. He says he is not running as much since there is no PT... His response, mom I know you're worried cuz I'm going away, but really it's OK." Good attitude, but I would feel SO much better if he were in awesome shape for BC, not just OK. The comment about 2 weeks really hit home, I think I'm living party in denial. I will try to add Ian's photos but really I haven't been able to get MY picture on here so I'm not sure how successful I will be. Be nice for the boys to know each other by sight. and I THINK that a couple of kids from Ian's depper group also went subs. Does Adam know anyone else going into subs?

Betsy - so good to know that the weather cooperated and happy that the party turned out well. Good memories and lots of photos will be really important when the kids are off on this new journey. In talking with Ian, I think we are going to do a little family gathering...his father is having a larger party and Ian is fine if we do separate things. Then I am going to meet him in San Jose with his brother, go to the swearing in and take Ian and maybe a couple of his friends who are going in with him at the same time out to lunch...whoever's familiy couldn't make it.

Kathy - it's true, all the information is invaluable!! I noticed that last year's group knitted red scarves so they would all recognize each other from the N4M site. We should think of something. Apparently the red scarves are quite popular so we need to think of something else. Maybe stripes?

[Lori_KingsBay_USSRI_Radio]

I just read my note - I was having spelling issues - "joining" and BC not BD. Not sure what BD would be!

[NC_Susan]

Love the scarf idea!! I don't knit, but I work with some lovely women who would knit one for me!! I have talked so much about this site that last night my husband actually went onto the navy site to get some info. LOL He did read that some of the recruits won't get letters while they are away. He said he wants for Drew to let us know if he knows guys/girls not getting any and he will get our life group from church to start writing letters. It was so sweet!!
The 2 week mark has hit Drew. He says he is going to run everyday and is finally getting serious about learning everything. Thankfully he can memorize quickly! I hope everyone has a great day :))) Susan

[Donna_ship12_div029]

Hi everyone, I have been following this site for a couple weeks. My daughter Jen ships out Oct 27. So many of your comments hit close to home. As far as the leaving for college, I can definatly say its not the same, cause Jen left for college 2 years ago. We went through all the breaking the ties of childhood and her coming into being an adult arguments lol. She has been home this past year and we have become best friends. My husband and I, along with my son have all been in the army. So when I started reading this site I have to admit I didn't think I belonged here. Boy was I wrong. RAOC(love this term) are happening. Even though my brain says I know she will be fine, I know what military life is all about. My heart is breaking. I know we will all get through this and it will be amazing to see our children grow into great sailors. It really is nice to have this site to go too and how everyone is going through this together.
Have a Great Day Everyone
Donna

[Aim]

Hi everyone, i know i dont get here as often as i should. Let me fill you all in. My daughter was diagnosed with bi-polar and borderline personality disorders. She has moved back home with my 2yr old grandson. OMG!!! the guilt i am feeling on top of all the other emotions as these 2 have taken up most of my time and now its 2 weeks away from Ryan leaving and i feel like i have spent no time with him :( We had his combination graduation/going away party back in June as we did not know if he was leaving July or October. As it turns out is was October. My grandsons 2nd birthday is the 22nd so we will all have a little gathering to see Ryan off at the time. Sams club is where i got his cake and they have the Navy emblem as well. Also if any of you have a Pat Catans craft center, they have a US Navy scrapbook. I used the first page for all his NJROTC and DEP stuff. I know to send addresses and calling card but someone told me to send self addressed stamped envelopes as to make it easier to write, anyone else doing this? The recruiter has told him he needs nothing but dont they need personal hygene items (deoderan, shaving , toothbrush etc )? I have never been more proud of Ryan but i wish someone would take this knot out of my stomach :(

[Nancy]

Donna- Welcome!! You did what I did, hang out for a while,see what's going on and then join; kind of scary to dive in, but then everyone is SO incredibly helpful. I don't know what I would have done without everyone's encouragement and information!!

Hi Aim- sounds like you have your hands full. I read on another site that anything you send that the Navy doesn't want either gets thrown away, or YOU pay to ship it back. So I believe it is nothing other than what can fit in a sock (do we all agree??) and I am shooting for what will fit in his wallet!!

Susan - I too ordered my copy of When the Eagle Invades the Nest, yesterday, should be here on the 15th. Yay!!

And Lori,I like the Hot Pink scarves....seems like more of a winter freezing color than yellow for some reason Does that sound OK to everyone else?? .I can knit, but I am slow, so I better get started now. I am NOT looking forward to the weather in GL... being from CA... Really...he should have gone into BC in March!! lol

And...do we all know not to send anything birthday related AT ALL? At first, I knew it was the musical cards, and then Ian said no...nothing birthday related (he's safe cuz his is not this month) as there is apparently a certain amount of ...hmmmm...shall we call it hazing? related to birthdays. So celebrate afterwards. Just wanted to make sure we all knew to keep our kids OK.
Have a nice day,
Nancy

[pmgcakes]

Hi All - was away this weekend celebrating my birthday, Whats going on with the scarves? Im missed that one. I started reading Honor, Courage and Commitment, so far so good, Im at week two in boot camp. I've offered my son Stephen to read it first, but he said Nope!.. I wish he would read it, It gives a lot of helpful information for the recurites, as in Do's and Dont's. but I will try one more time. biggest thing I got from it so far is: Oh boy they better have good listening skills (lol, that will be a problem for us, as he has'nt listened to me since he was 2).
2 week count down, it coming too fast

[Nancy]

Happy Birthday!! Sounds like you had fun. Uh-oh, I did 't order Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Sounds like it's a good one to get too.

Regarding the scarves, we are borrowing the idea from last year's October group. They wore red scarves so they could recognize each other quickly and I thought we could copy them. However, the red scarves are very popular with other groups now, so Lori suggested hot pink or yellow.

Nancy

[pmgcakes]

Thanks Betsy, yes I did, my son and his gf bought me a Builder*A*Bear in a Sailor Suit, itis so cute and very thoughtful of them... I told him one day that one of the things I will miss the most is when he walks in the door and says "Hi Patrish", So now all I have to do is squeeze his left hand and I can hear it :)