He leaves in a few days

[NavyMom289]

It's almost time...
I bought him a phone card with 1500 minutes...
is that enough?

Tomorrow we get stamps.
I have a letter to write still for his wallet.

I think I am becoming a liquid pool of tears... :bigemo54:

[KYmom]

1500 should be good, if you think he is running low you can always send another one midway thru. Yeah, don't forget the stamps and a letter for the wallet.
Just try to think of it as a vacation and enjoy having the house to yourself with none of the teen worries such as when is he coming home etc.
The 9 weeks of boot camp you will know exactly where he is and what he is doing, its after that that we never know where they are or what there doing.
Just remember we all are here for you.

[Kristie]

Kay.....hang in there....I know that this is so hard.....but I can promise you that you will survive this.....

[Tricamac1]

Hi Kay, just writing to let you know you are not alone, Billy leaves in 5 days and I am a basket case. can't seem to focus on anything right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you.. Trica

[NavyMom289]

Oh good, Tricia and I will be able to end the drought of a small community!

Got stamps, got calling card, got passport in process. I have read somewhere it's a good thing to have, so we went ahead and got it. Best to have just in case he wants to travel on his vacations or if he is stationed overseas and can take a weekend trip somewhere, right?

I will write the letter tomorrow... nothing like waiting till the last minute! I just have to wonder... will the toilet go from the middle of the floor to the right spot to make it usable before he leaves? haha

Thanks for the posts ladies....

[Kristie]

Cool...you guys will most likely have the same PIR date.....that would be wonderful....it is always so wonderful that have someone else that will have someone there at the same time.....it helps.....

[MsLesho]

Hi Kay ~

You're not alone ~ I didn't write my letter to Daniel until he was asleep his last night home. There was no sleeping that night for me..I could hear him turning over in bed and hearing all the lil noises he'd make..knowing I wouldn't hear them for a long while...<sigh>. Be sure he has that calling card ~ Daniel managed to call 3X before he left for MEPS (he stayed overnight in San Diego) and then from the SD Airport, Houston, and the call from Great Lakes. Those calls meant the world to me....:) We will be here for you....as you are walking in our footsteps...and we know. I wish the best for you, your sailor, and the rest of the family as you transition into the Navy family. You'll do just fine..just give yourself time..:)

LuEllen, PNM of Daniel ~ USS Nimitz

[Tricamac1]

Ok, 2 days to go, time has flown by tooooo fast. I haven't wrote the letter yet, can't seem to get my thoughts to paper without the paper getting WET! I think we can water a country. When will I get the address in GL to write?? I am not looking forward to getting the "box" either. I wanted to spend the night with him at the Motel, but his recruiter said that wasn't a good idea. so, now my husband and I get to "drop him off at the office and then say our see ya in 9 weeks", there. not what I wanted, but I guess its what we have to do.

[Kristie]

KAY......are you doing ok.....please let me know if you need to talk!

I am praying for you!

[KYmom]

You can go to the airport to see them leave.
We need with ours.

[NavyMom289]

I am here....
We took him to the recruiters Sunday evening, then went to the hotel and met him for dinner.
Next morning we went to MEPS and saw his swearing in....

His flight out of Houston was delayed 2 hours and then they still had a 2 hour layover in Dallas (Houston group went out on 2 flights, one direct, one via Dallas). He called me from the airport and gave me flight numbers, so I kept up with it on-line, even setting my alarm to wake up when they were suppose to arrive in Chicago, which was about midnight! Then I woke up about 3:30, carrying 2 phones to the bathroom and "the" call came in as I was walking out!

An hour later I was SO sick and felt terrible until Wednesday morning. My skin was so hot, yet I was cold.

This afternoon, "the box" arrived... my baby is really and truly gone...

I spent the evening looking at Amtrack rates.... think it will be easiest and cheaper than driving or flying!

[Kristie]

ok.....whew....third hurdle has been jumped....first was him leaving.....second was the "I'm here" call and the third is the "BOX"....hang in there you will be fine...right now it is just the hardest time...the not hearing from him or being able to talk to him any time you want.....it will get easier with the first letter or phone call.....hopefully he will get lots of calls....and hopefully he will be better a letter writing than Brandon was.....we went 3 weeks without hearing from him....lol...thought I was gonna call him....Jennifer was much better....

Just think....you will be to the "Other Side" before you know it....

[NavyMomx2]

Ditto to everything Kristie said and the reward at PIR is sooo worth the wait. I'm still amazed at the feeling you get and the pride that fills you up when they open that big door and you see all those brand new Sailors walk through the door...still gives me chills.

We are here for you, every step of the way. If you need us, just give a holler.

[Tricamac1]

Well, he's finally at GL. There was so much not done, we took him to the recruiters on the 11th, at 1200noon, like we were told. there wasn't anyone there. we had to wait 45min. then we found out paper work wasn't filed.....that took 4 hrs to get completed. We did go to MEPS at Fort Dix and got to see him swear in. and then our goodbye.....bah humbug. still can't believe that hes not here. we got a phone call at 8:30 pm and he made it. what a relief. He said things were "intense". just as I was getting used to the idea that I would not hear from him for awhile.....we got another phone call at 10:30 pm. he was able to call from the airport and then from GL. wow, what a great surprise. I sit here wondering what his first day is like?
Kay, how long was it before you received the "box"? so not looking forward to that. I thinking about you!

[NavyMomx2]

Trica - he is busier than a one armed wallpaper hanger! It is super Intense right now - he is learning how to brush his teeth and walk and sleep and breath all over again, the NAVY way. He is wearing all blue - with a blue hat that says RECRUIT on it, working hard toward the one that says NAVY on it. He's fine. Tired, confused, excited, scared, proud and probably wondering what the heck he got himself into right now. He is a smart young man and will make it through just fine.

You will be so filled with pride when you see your young man as a United States Sailor for the first time, you won't be able to contain yourself.

Start writing him postive, encouraging letters today! Remind him what a great thing he is doing and what a wonderful adventure lies ahead of him. Remind him that you love him and are SO proud of his hard work and that all of us here at the Cafe' are supporting him and are here for you and your family whenever you need us. Remember to send him pictures from home, clippings of stuff (good stuff) happening in the local paper, a favorite cartoon cut out of the Sunday paper...anything that will keep his spirits up and give him a little piece of home.

I would love to write him as well - the more mail they get the better - when you have his address and if you'd like to share it, just send me a Private Message.

Hang in there - it does get easier and soon you will be giving advice to new Navy Moms going through what you are going through now.

[Lynette]

Beckie is right on the money!!.......don't be surprised if his first letter home is a little down....it will probably break your heart....very normal....but I can tell you that the letters get more and more up beat.....he will probably have you laughing at his stories towards the end.....and I will tell you this, there will be nothing like graduation day!...you will have complete chills up your spine and tears in your eyes....hand on for the ride of your life!

[MsLesho]

Hi Tricia ~

Just a quick note to say hang in there...things get better...he is doing fine...and you will see him sooner than you think. Yes those days at bootcamp seemed to fly by...believe it or not!!! It is a time for us to get used to a new way of life as well. Use your time wisely!!!! I never thought I'd be able to go the the movie theater we always frequented for our monthly "dates"...but by the third week he was gone I did indeed step inside. Aren't those surprise calls the best???!!! Once his letters started coming...well that helped me SO much. I knew then that he still needed me..:) It was a business card that Daniel sent to me that got me on these boards. Our guys and gals still think of us when they go away!"Your son may leave your home..but never your heart." Best wishes to all the new Navy moms, recruits, and the rest of the families too.....:)

LuEllen, PNM of Daniel ~ USS Nimitz

This might be helpful for those wondering what their sailors are up to:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/l/aanavybasic1.htm

[cousinIT]

make sure you pm me is address as soon as you get it, and any other Moms on here with guys or gals in boot camp right now! they need some support!

[NavyMom289]

Today the form letter came... and all he said was spread the address because he wants mail!

Tricia, box came in on Thursday, he had left Monday.

So, now I have an address! If anyone wants to drop a line or card, give me a pm!

Kay

[Kristie]

WooooHoooo......that is wonderful news Kay....isn't just the best medicine seeing those few lines they write on the form letter.....just wait till you get your first real letter.....

Please PM me with his address...

[NavyMom289]

PM sent Kristie... thank you and Jennifer for stepping up! I know he will be thrilled!
Kay

[Kristie]

Address received....will try to get something out in the next day or so.....and you now need to re-do your ticker to a countdown to PIR...lol!!!!!

[NavyMom289]

Yes, I know! I will get to work on that for you!

[Kristie]

Love the ticker.....now watch the time fly by!

[cousinIT]

I sent him a letter this morning! It may take longer because we're underway, but it should be in his direction soon!

[Kristie]

I sent him a letter this morning! It may take longer because we're underway, but it should be in his direction soon!

My little IT is such a sweetie!

Anyway....Kay I wanted to let you know I am mailing a card on my way home this afternoon....

[NavyMomx2]

DItto Kay - mine went out in today's mail.

[Kristie]

whooo hooo....hoepfully he will get a bunch when he finally gets them....

[Tyler's Dad]

" I spent the evening looking at Amtrack rates.... think it will be easiest and cheaper than driving or flying! "

Check Southwest from Houston to Midway for a decent price. Fly up on Thursday and back on Monday for the cheapest flight.

[NavyMom289]

No PIR for us, no trip to GL...
son is moving to Ship 17 and will be home in 2-3 weeks.
He called around lunch time and had not moved ships yet....

I hope his discharge is such he can try again in 6 months.

Thank you all who have sent him mail, I know he will love it!

[Kristie]

Oh....Kay....I am sorry.