St. Patrick's Day

Most of you know Patrick has always thought this was his holiday. Since he was a little boy! (smile) So, in his honor I would like to flood him with St. Patrick Day cards. If you could mail him one that would be great. It will bring a smile to his heart and face. I am sure he needs it about now.

I got another letter today. He has been very sick for 2 days throwing up every couple of hours. He misses all of us and sends his love and hugs. He said graduation is Apil 11th. So, now I can make reservations!

Thanks so much!

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I got the form letter AND a 3 page letter on my BIRTHDAY!

Just can't believe the timing! God is so good. I got the form letter that has 3 lines at the bottom for recruits to write on AND a 3 page letter! Wait til I tell Patrick it arrived on my birthday. I guess because he is still in P week they let them write home last Sunday.

He says it's tough and freezing! So glad to hear he thinks -15 degrees is cold! He asked that I tell everyone to pray for him. He can feel the prayers and has an 'unbelieveable peace' but wants everyone to continue as he starts the actual hard work. There is some talk of his Div doing Boot Camp in 6 wks instead of 8 wks but not sure. I have no idea when graduation will be now. Please be very careful what you send. They are very hard on them if they get cute, frilly or silly things. He says he is doing good but praying for this season to be over quickly! His bunkmate is also a corpsman so they will be in A school together too. He misses everyone and sends his love!

Now if you get a letter from him please post a comment on here to let us all know.

My New Business Adventure !

Along with prayer, I have been trying to come up with an idea of something I could make to offset the cost of our trip to Great Lakes for Patrick's Graduation. I was suddenly inspired with this 'great idea'. A Boot Camp & Deployment Survival Kit for Military Mom's, Spouses, & Family. It is a tote bag with the military branch emblem of choice and 25 - 30 assorted themed cards. I already have 7 orders! Just wanted to share!

The Box Came!

For those of you who don't know what that means...let me explain. When Patrick got to processing at Boot Camp the first thing he did was take off everything that he had on and put on new Navy Sweats. All of his clothes were shoved in a box that he addressed and was sent home.

I have on numerous occassions pleaded with him to 'slip' me a note in one of the pockets. Assuring him that I would check every pocket in every piece sent home! He would laugh and say 'yeah right Mom...let me just tell them that...."could you hold on here I have to write my mom a note!" ' Well, a mom has to try and needless to say there was no note! Only a lonely airline ticket, his cell phone in one shoe and the battery in the other.

I asked the Fed Ex man if he knew what was in that box. He just looked at me and then the address and said 'no ma'am'. I said well it is my son's last wordly posessions! He went to Boot Camp last week. He just said "oh Ma'am I am so sorry" and for some odd reason he left quickly!

Ok, so I had a really good cry! It smelled just like him. I didn't smell the dirty socks! I could remember that just fine. His handwriting on the box was harder than his clothes ....I think.

The next piece of news will be in the next few days. It will be a form letter from the Navy and at the bottom it will have 3 lines where he can write to us. Of course, it will be monitored.

Keep praying and writing. Thank all of you for your support to us and Patrick

I have his address!!!!

Ok, everyone start writing! I can't post his address on here but I have e-mailed it to you! The recruiter said he was in a special division. Usually you have to volunteer for it. Is ANYONE here surprised??? I didn't think so.

Today had been my hardest day. I think we said good-bye so many times that it didn't sink in. OF course the events over the last week has been busy as well.

Note: That is Patrick getting in the van to go to the airport.

Please keep all our troops in your prayers. They sacrifice so much! I will let you know as soon as I get an address so we can flood Patrick with mail and encouragement.

It's Official

They've got him! He called his "DAD" last night when he got to Boot Camp. The scripted 10 second phone call. "Dad? is Mom there? well this is the call. I am here and safe and gota go" So, it is official..he is an active duty Sailor!

Don't it just figure...we carry them for 9 months and in my case have a c-section to get him here, his first word is Dadda and when he leaves home to travel the world, his first call is to his dad!

He arrived!

3:30 pm I just got a call that he made it to Chicago after 2 flight delays today! He is boarding the bus to Boot Camp as I type! It is for real now. He is very excited.
Keep him (and us) in your prayers.

Ship Date

Well, after saying goodbye a hundred times and feeling like my cheeks were salt basins here I sit to update all the inquiring minds (our friends and family) about Patrick's adventures. Everyone who knows Patrick, knows that he comes with a story and adventures. Things are never cut and dry. So, of course I have one to tell.

Monday was the day we took him to have one last "test" and then to dinner with the family and off to the hotel to spend the famous night before MEPS. We had already cried all weekend, had a wonderful time of prayer and celebration at the church. It was an incredible send off. Can you dehydrate from crying too much?? hmmm Anyway, we find out at the 11th hour that we can spend the day (Tues) with him at the MEPS office, take pics of his Swearing In Service and say goodbye as they take him off to the airport. Did I mention that the chairs are hard and it was a 7 hr. wait? Ok, so we cried again and said goodbye. We waved as they drove away. I had a lump in my throat the size of Texas!

Around the time he should have been boarding the plane my phone rings. Ok, 3 guesses but the first 2 don't count! Yep, it's Patrick saying his flight has been cancelled. Could we bring him and the 4 other stranded Navy recruits some clean clothes, toiletries etc. By this point I am three sheets to the wind physically and emotionally and can barely see straight. But it is Patrick. Of course we would come! Nathan and I gather up a goodie bag and head to the Charlotte hotel again. We ate dinner with him and had another nice visit before saying goodbye. Now instead of tears there are smiles wondering what he will need next and if he will really be on a plane tomorrow at 12:20! Yeah, there was still a knot in my stomach as I realized soon I wouldn't be a phone call away when he needed something.

So there you have it....
until we hear from him today that he got on that plane!!