Love...

WOW, my baby really is growing up...

Well, he is finally getting mail from me, I am so happy, he was thinking we were ignoring him.

In his letters back now he has told me that he loves me and that he is also in love with his girlfriend.  I love this girl, she and her family are very good people and she has been in his life off and on for years.   I could not be happier.  He asked for information on rings and such.

I could not be happier, but I also told him he needs to slow it up some.   He and her just got back together two weeks before he left for boot camp.  I printed off information on promise rings and how people do them and what they mean.  I would be honored to have this young lady a part of our family.

I cannot believe that my young man has grown up to the point he loves the Army life, loves what he is doing and now is feeling that he wants to set up his life and future family!  She came over last night and it was so hard not to spill the beans.  :)

What he has been up to this week...

There is a photography company that follows the different companies around and I was lucky enough to get a few pics of my favorite soldier!

I know he has got to be hot with all that on and even gloves  

How tempting would it be to just drop in and cool off!  lol

I know he had to fave fun with this one...

I am so thankful for these little pics.   We are so lucky that his DS keep us updated daily with what the guys are doing.  I have been able to daily see what hes doing and just that peace of mind is beyond describable.  

Memorial Day

As bad as this sounds, I never really thought about the meaning of Memorial Day until now.   Now that I have a soldier of my own, it really jumped out at me at the sacrifice that the soldiers and their families have made.

I am watching the pictures that the drill sargeants put up and I am so filled with pride for what the boys are learning and how they are progressing.   I am honored at how my son is now a part of the elite men that made the choice to defend our country and our rights and freedoms!

:(

Feeling so alone...

Just one of those days.  Hubby and I have been fighting for weeks now, and today I just wish my boy would call or write!  Missing him horribly!

Been writing him letters and letters and yes, getting quick letters back, but feeling really selfish because all his friends are messaging me that he is writing them too, and I am like why cant mine be longer, lol...  must be getting close to that time of the month, Im either crying or angry, no inbetween!

Who would have thought...

...  I am actually doing OK with everything!  :)   I have found his FB group page so I am getting little updates as to what he is doing, I have an address so I am able to mail him letters...  

Im actually settled into a little routine and able to relax now and know he is well...

Well.. actually, yesterday they did the gas chamber, LOL   I cant wait to hear all about it!  lol

Followers Please...

OK, one more post for the night...   I have 4 whole followers...

I would love to have more women interacting with me...

I am looking for:

* Women
* Moms
* Military Family (I am a mom of a soldier, but I want Military friends if that makes sense)  i want to support my son and any future wife when that happens by at least understanding and having some great friends!
* open minded people, I am not into being lectured, nor will I ever lecture when my opinion differs from anyone

I have tried to search for blogs but Im not figuring this out very well....

Cari
Mom to 4, married (I guess when he feels like it that is) for 15 years

Future Spouses...

My son does not have a girlfriend and is not at a point in his life that he is ready for one...

but I just pray daily that he finds someone that is understanding, supportive and strong enough to handle this life he has chosen.

Reading some military wives/moms blogs I have met some amazing women and I pray that he is lucky enough to find one of these women!

As much as I miss my son, I am excited for him to get settled in his new life and to allow god to place a great lady in his life that will support him and allow him to love her.   This army life is harder than I ever imagined on families.  I guess I never had reason before to look into it much, but now I have met some amazing women and wow, the sacrafice that the women go through also is a tremendous undertaking!

Im excited for Zach, excited for the life he has, and am ready to support him (and her and my grandchildren) when he finds the right woman...  just praying he finds one of the awesome ones like I have "met" on here!  :)

2 days...

Ok, I know I am being whiney mom, I know I need to cut the cord...

But I gave birth to my son 19 3/4 year ago and in all that time, I talked to my son every day of his life...  He has been in Bootcamp for 2 days now and I just feel empty.  I have been writing and journaling, but I like seriously just keep looking at my phone waiting for it to ring or a text to go off!

I know he is safe.   I know he is being pushed.   I know he is doing something so totally amazing!  I know that he is making lifelong friends, I know hes hating things and I can picture his smile and how he is loving things.

But selfishly I am missing my baby boy!  

Finally Bootcamp...

Well, yesterday he finally got started in the boot camp process.   I am so happy that they are finally out of reception.  His best friend from home is with him and in the same unit.   I am so happy for them both....

I have it pictured as being like summer camp  :)  well, except for the yelling and such, but still, I am ready for some fun stories after!!!

Ive heard from Zach everyday (even the ones he wasnt supposed to talk, I still got letters) but now the three week of silence starts...   I can do this.   Im finally at peace and ready for this to start.   Excited for everything that is going to happen.   Ready for the packet with his address!!  :)

I have read so many army wives blogs.   I cannot wait for him to find the woman that god has for him and one that will support zach and be strong enough to be ok while he is away, ect.   The women that I read are so strong and organized and family dedicated....  ready for his life part 2!

Proudest Day!

One of the Proudest moments of my life.  My son swearing into the Army!  He changed instantly before my eyes!  

My last Hug before he left for bootcamp!

Saying goodbye to their big bro!

Oh ya, she is missing her brother!!!!

And hes off!  Saying goodbye to my little boy and they will return him a man!   

Letters...

When sending letters to your soldiers...  Do you only tell them the good things?   Do you let them know EVERYTHING or just the positive stuff.   I am stuck with wanting to keep him informed, but also not wanting to upset him on things...  Like is sending him 10 happy things and one sad ok?

I know, weird question...

Remember, most of you are military pros, and I am very very new to this...
 
As always thank  you!

2 weeks...

wow, its been two weeks now since he left...

he is still in reception, but hopefully fingers crossed, boot camp will start on Wednesday...

wow, two weeks since i have seen my baby  :(

Finally a happy call...

Tonight when he called he was so happy, I could hear in his voice that today was a good day.  he was joking with the guys in his group and just really laughing and being the happy kid I loved watching grow up  :)

Hope there are some more of these calls in the near future!  :)

Medical...

Without going into too much detail...

Having a hard time today and really praying...  got a phone call from Zach and he has some medical issues going on.   They took him to the hospital last night ans he was there several hours and had some testing done and meds, and on Monday they are doing more tests... hes scared and also now worried he may not be able to start bootcamp as planned on Weds, he does not want to be in reception any longer...  

I know he is 19, but the thought of him being far away from me and then add to the fact this is the first time he has ever been to a dr without me, and the fact he called me and hes scared and wants me...  lets just say that no matter how old they get they are always our baby...

Homesick....

I knew this experience would be hard on me, but I wasn't prepared how homesick my soldier would be.   hes doubting himself and really wanting to just come back...

Please anyone that prays, keep Zach in them and pray for some comfort for him!

Some Bible verses for Zach and I

A lady friend from my MOMS group sent these to me:


Dear Lord we pray these Your very words over Cari's son, Zach.  Please hear them and help Zach & Cari.....In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Rise up and help Zach, redeem him because of Your unfailing love.  Psalm 44:26
God is within Zach, he will not fall; God will help him at break of day.  Psalm 46:5
The Lord will stand at Zach's side and give him strength.  2 Timothy 4:17
Zach can do all things thro Christ who pours His strength into him.  Philippians 4:13
May the favor of the Lord our God, rest upon Zach.  Psalm 90:17
Strengthen Zach and help him; uphold him with your righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10
Sustain Zach according to Your promise...do not let his hopes be dashed.  Psalm 119:116
Zach always prays, he doesn't faint, quit, or give up.  Luke 18:1
My God will deliver Zach from all his fears.  Psalm 34:4
Zach will call upon God in the day of trouble; He will deliver him and Zach will honor God.  Psalm 50:15
When Zach is afraid he will trust in God.  Psalm 56:3

The Lord gives strength to Cari, the Lord blesses Cari with peace.  (Ps 29:11)

Letters....

Been writing letters and waiting to receive his address so we can mail them out...  I have gotten 4 from him, but nothing from the commander (or whatever his title is) with the address to reply...

How long does it normally take to get the address after they leave for Boot Camp?

Army Mom???

WOW, I thought the whole work at home mom and stay at home mom debate could get hairy and cause lots of hurt feelings...  but last night I was on one of the army mom support forums, and talk about a mom of a military son getting attacked.  WOW

I have been saying for the last few months that I was surprised at the lack of online support groups for Moms with children in the military, but now I know why...

OK, I get that an Army Mom could mean 1.  The mother of a child that is in the Army or 2. The wife of a soldier and has children.

I know that I for one was told at MEPS when we went to watch our son  swear in that I was now an army mom (and this was by the USO office), I was given information on a website of army moms (the type that have children in military), I had a lady give me a blue star mom pin, I was referred to as an army mom there... but according to this lady on one site (and the majority of women on that site and others) I shouldnt be calling myself an army mom, I am just the uterus that gave birth to a child who joined the military and the "label" army mom should be reserved for his future wife only.... and any mother with a child in the military that calls herself an Army Mom will most likely be an overbearing mother in law that has issues with lettting her children grow up...    

Seriously, have I done something against military etiquette by calling myself an Army Mom?   I think both definitions of Army Mom should be ok and should be used by both types of women.... Am I wrong?

Sleepless...

So of course after the phone call last night, I did not get any sleep.

Did I do the right thing?   Can he do this?

I kept the smile in my voice, I supported him, but did I do the right thing?  Ive never heard that tone before in his voice, I have never heard him that heartbroken...

I am trying to keep the faith that things will get better and that this is normal, but I cant get this pain that I am feeling for him to ease up....