Back from PIR!!!

[02152007navy]

Hello Everyone!!

Just back from PIR...What a wonderful time we all had!! My Son looked so happy so content in the choice he made, makes it a bit easier for me now also knowing its where he truly wants to be!!

We arrived Thursday..checked in and what not...Then we went and Visited with Deb(tupelomsmom)....oh my I love this woman I had such a great time with her...so glad we met up!! Met her Husband and her Mom&Dad very nice people. Its like I had known her for years!!

Friday morning I was up by 4am could not sleep very good way to excited. I must say it was such a beautiful ceremony to see all these Sailors come marching in..it was just breath taking!! I cheered for everyone of them, so proud of them all! They all have come a long way in 8 weeks. Spotted my son third over second row from back. I knew he would be in back he's 6'1". After it was all over and I found him and gave him the biggest hug(I did not let go first!!)crying tears of such joy and being so proud of what he accomplished. He is now a man, but he will always be my little boy. I also Met stefanie then...we didn't meet up any other time of the weekend( I wish we could of) but I got to meet her!! What a nice girl she has!!

We took him out to eat(he wanted Mexican food) if anyone is ever looking for a GREAT Mexican restaurant there is one about block away from Ramada Inn called San Luis.. 50 S. Green Bay rd. in Waukegan..not much as far as decor inside but I'm telling has to be one of the best I've been to!! After that he kind of just wanted to hang out...went back to the room and relaxed...about 7pm or so we ran him back to GL( as everyone says they are freaking out kind of about time, and not being late!!) no biggy we had him for the whole weekend!! Later that night we met up again with Deb, Amy and Gayle and her husband...had a great time..Bar got a bit loud and young!! so we all left around 9pm or so..they left and I was right behind them leaving..Had to get up the next day!!

Saturday we picked him up around 8am went to Full Moon restaurant for breakfast(nice place!!) and after that we were on our way to Chicago for the day Hard rock, Rainforest for lunch what a nice time...took a pic with him standing next to hand prints of Bobby Hull..(Big Ice Hockey fans here!!) also one with him acting goofy at rock n roll McDonalds....We went to Navy Pier took a few pics ran into one of his shipmates and took a few pics with them both. Then we went to the Shedd's Oceanarium oh that was fun took tons of pic there (he got in free, nice perk!!) He thought it was funny I wanted to go there when he was going to see tons of fish while underway!! I just did not think of that..lol!

Got back and he wanted of all places to eat Ponderosa...go figure! It was his choice so that's where we went(would not of been my choice but..it was his) went back to the room and he got in a long hot Shower comfy loungy pants and t-shirt took about an hour nap and we got him back. I wanted to give him a hug but he was in uniform(on base) and that is a no-no, He was impressed that I knew that. Thanks Sandy!!!

Next was Sunday..I knew this was going to be my worst day!! But with head held high best face on we went and got him around 9am(his idea) and took him to ihop for breakfast...that was yummy!! We went to gurnee mall..and he wanted to make one last stop to Nex, and really wanted to hang out with his buddies for the day...I was a bit disappointed but again head held high I just went with the flow and said ok honey what ever you want to do. so around 4pm or so we dropped him off. I was driving (hubby hates to drive) I could not get out of the car...I started to cry he told me goodbye and I sat there. I could not get out of the car, I thought for sure I was going to lose it if I did, and I did not want to do that so, he came around and gave a big kiss and said Mom I will call when I get to MS. I must say as much as Friday was a good day....Sunday was a bad day!! I had to leave my baby once again my heart was breaking!! He walked away with no wave (again Sandy thanks for the warning!!!)...oh how I just wanted to grab him and take him home with me, but I know he is where he wants to be and he looks so happy!!

Today I am ok, little teary eyed writing this... but ok. It was a great weekend overall and we had a wonderful time with everyone we met...mostly Deb and her family!! I had hoped to get to know Stef a bit better....next time maybe!!

Ok I'm ready for the next part of our rollercoaster!!

[Kristie]

Patty....I am so glad that you had a wonderful time....PIR is something that you cannot explain until you have experienced it.....there is no other feeling like the one you get when they raise those doors.....wow....brings back memories and goosebumps.....

Now that you are on the "Other Side" it will be a lot easier.......communication is sooooo much better....

Welcome home!

[mbnavymom]

Isn't PIR the best? The change is our young men and women is unbelieveable!!! So happy you had a GREAT time!!! http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i229/mbokan/06093E13.gif

[Mommadukes]

Patty,

I'm so happy you had a wonderful weekend and even though you had to leave him again, it was on a happier note....you will be able to communicate now and not wonder how he is or what he's up to....

Kristie.....it's 11 days...I'm so excited...I tear up everytime I read about someone coming home from PIR...I can't wait!!!:biggrin:

Thanks for sharing with us Patty!

Dawn

[NavyMomx2]

Thank you for posting about PIR. I have two to look forward to and just the thought is very exciting. I can't wait for that change I keep hearing about in the demeanour if you will in our sons and daughters. That change will be good for my son especially - he is a little trying right now.

Reading this brought tears to my eyes - thank you so much for sharing your weekend with us.

[LoriLK]

Patty- It sounds like you had a wonderful time with your sailor! Goodbyes don't seem to get any easier...at least not for me. The hardest being in January after having my son home for two weeks at Christmas. Thank you for sharing your PIR story- takes me right back to Sept. 15, 2006!

[KYmom]

Sounds like a wonderful weekend. Now to the next rollar coaster ride. Hopefully it will be a better ride. Thanks for sharing.
Did you post pics in your gallery?

[02152007navy]

It was a great weekend...and I'm going to love being on the "other side" nothing like being able to talk to him daily if I want to!! I'm loving that thought already!!!

Yes I just posted some of our photos...I did not know that was there...oh la la!! I'm loving this site more and more!!!

[Mommadukes]

Patty,

You all look so happy! I can't wait, I'm getting anxious! :woohoo:

Dawn

[02152007navy]

It was amazing...I have no words to tell you how it felt!!
your weekend is almost here... I'm so excited for you.. It goes by so quick enjoy it all!!!

[Kristie]

Patty......the pictures are wonderful...looks like you guys had fun in Chicago....

And being able to talk everyday if you want is just the best thing ever......

[Will'sMom]

So glad you all had a special weekend. PIR is a wonderful experience -- very fond memories for me. And yes, the other side is even better!!! So nice to be able to pick up the phone and talk whenever you can. Glad you all had a great time! So where is your son going on to school?

Melanie

[02152007navy]

Melanie...

Thanks we did have a good time, but oh so glad to be on this side of bootcamp!!!
He will be going first to Meridian, Mississippi. Then he goes to Groton, Connecticut.

So some very nice places that I am excited to be able to visit!!

[NCMEDIC]

Great report!! Sound like you had a good time and hit some of the major attractions.

[sodell]

Patty, Thanks so much for sharing your weekend with us. We also had a very good weekend. It was very busy. Friday's PIR was awesome. I was glad to get to meet you and your family. I hate that we didn't get to spend any time together. Seemed like the days went by so fast. By the time we took Staci back to G.L. we were exhausted. Sounds like you did much better than me on sunday. I did very well all day fighting back the tears until that last goodbye from her. I lost it in the parking lot(something I promised myself I would not do). She became tearful as well and stood there with me trying to get herself together before joining her friends in the game room. When she walked off I did not look to see if she waved. I just wanted off the base before I truelly lost it. I cried myself to sleep that night, woke up the next morning at 0345 with swollen eyes and all, packed up, and left for home. On the way home my husband and I were talking about how good she looks and how happy she seemed to be. She could not wait to get back to G.L each evening. He made the comment that he felt like she would be safer and more content there than on a college campus somewhere. Within ten minutes we heard over the radio that Virginia Tech had a massive shooting on campus. Staci has alot of friends that go to tech from highschool. Tech is only minutes from our house. When I heard the news my heart sank for those families and then I thanked god that my child was not involved. Thank goodness all her friends were fine. She heard the news today and called to check on her friend that is attending engineering classes there. I was glad that I was able to tell her all is well. I am doing much better today. I too have the whole rollercoaster thing going on. Don't know how I will be tomorrow??? Anyway, I too am looking forward to increased communication. She did say she has moved to the other side of the base for A school. She will be there until August. She said it was very nice and is looking forward to everything. Thanks to you Patty for helping me get through bootcamp! Stefanie

[02152007navy]

No Stef....we got each other thru bootcamp
with alot of help from our new Navy family!! These few people I have come to know and truly care about I owe a heartfelt "Thank you" you included!!

[Kristie]

The Navy Family is one of the best support systems I have ever been a part of...

Saying goodbye to your Sailor is not an easy thing and I can tell you it does not seem to get any easier the more you do it....we have had to do that with Brandon when we left BC graduation....when he came home for Christmas and when he came home before going to his first ship last month.....I still cried but just knowing that he is happy and becoming such a wonderful young man makes me one very proud mom and helps me to endure the seperation....

[RedRaider]

We loved PIR as well - our son Noah PIRed on 3/30. We had a marvelous time visiting - and we were so lucky that Noah's 1 year old remembered his daddy. It was definitely hard leaving on that last day - I finally had to leave the room when he was saying good bye to his son. But... now that he is in subschool we can converse frequently.

These young people deserve so much respect and appreciation for what they are doing. My husband attributes his success to his tour of duty in the Navy - and my in-laws both said it was what finally made him a man.


For those of you that have already been to PIR - BZ to all your recruits - for those of you thinking of going to PIR - GO.... you won't regret it.