Survey says......

I got another upbeat letter from Christopher today and he included the answers to the survey questions I had sent him. I thought I would share them with all of you. These answers were dated Sept 25.

1.What can I send you? Hygiene products, mail supplies, pictures, prayers and memories.

2. What has been the hardest thing in BCT so far? Being away from everyone/ thing you know and love.

3. What is the easiest? Eating or falling asleep

4. What discourages you the most? Bad news from home or the same person in the troop screwing up over and over.

5. What encourages you the most? Family, battle buddies and troop members.

6. What has been the funniest part of BCT so far? Our Drill Sergeant dancing the other day.

7. Top 5 Things you miss the most? a. my mom, b. family and friends, c. Dr. Pepper, d. having a minute to enjoy a meal, e. having a minute to just be lazy.

8. What has been your favorite meal so far? Ribs and shrimp with baked beans, chicken and rice, a salad, 2 pieces of bread, an apple and chocolate milk.

9. How much time do you get to eat? Depends on how busy we are or how mad the DS' are at us.

10. How much sleep do you get each night? Anywhere from 3 - 7 hours.

11. How often is Fireguard? Every night

12. How many people have been sent home? 2 so far.

13. How many pay phones are there? They are everywhere we just have to earn them.

14. Did you get to fire the 50 ca machine gun? Next week

15. Does each piece of mail cost you 10 push ups? Yes after a certain amount each night.

16. Have you thrown hand grenades yet? We will in week 7.

Anything else you want to include? If your son/daughter is thinking of joining they have my respect and for the first 5 weeks my sympathy. And PS you will hate your recruiter cause everything is his fault.

GO CAVS

I love the fact that any other time I get a letter he is starving to death and then he post a meal full of food. I also love the fact that I am the first thing on his list that he misses the most.

Hope everyone is having a great week. I have not heard from Micah's mom but will let you know as soon as I do.

God Bless,
Tami

Chocolate Milk and Apples

I received a few more letters from Christopher over the weekend and again today. He is sounding better and better with each passing letter. He said they were allowed to have chocolate milk and apples for dessert and that it was the best thing ever. LOL
He is starting to really count the days down until Family weekend. The only thing he has showed an interest in doing is eating, that is what he talks about in every letter. You would think the guy was starving to death.
He did say he was tired of a the same few people causing them to get smoked constantly because they keep getting attitudes with the DS' and he is ready for BCT to end.
Recently I sent him a letter with a group of survey questions and asked him to fill it out and return it and he made reference to it today so I should be getting it soon and I will post it here when I do.
I have been talking on line with another mother of a young Soldier in Christopher's troop and she sent me a message today and said that the CO called her today and her son has to have hernia surgery in the morning. She is on her way to Ft. Knox and then Micah will be coming home for 30 days to recoup. The Co told her that he is far enough along in his training that he will be able to pick up where he left off as soon as he heals. Please remember him in your prayers tonight, she said she talked to him for a few minutes and he is in alot of pain. It is so strange because just this morning we were discussing the fact that our guys are never allowed to call home and I said well if they can only call with bad news then I will deal with no phone calls. A few hours later I got the message from her and it started out Bad News. I feel so bad for Micah, he was this close to being done.
I hope everyone had a great weekend.

God Bless,
Tami

He qualified at the range and asked for laundry soap

I am constantly asking Christopher in letters if I can send him anything, I offer cough drops, band aids, moleskin, or aspirin. Anything at all that they will let you have. And yesterday he takes me up on the offer.
After a quick note saying that he has the flu and that he had to do 24 hrs of bed rest because of it and that he also qualified on the rifle range and the usual I might get to call this weekend tease, he adds Mom I need your help, I need shaving cream (gel), toothpaste (any type), black ink pens (good one's) and laundry detergent (small) and the boy even sent funds to pay for all of it with a sweet lil keep the change added in for incentive I guess. LOL
Of course I was chomping at the bit to get off work and head to Walmart to fill this request. Finally something that I could do for him. I have never spent so much time at Walmart debating over purchases of normal every day things. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect. I chose and put back more black ink pens before finally choosing the set I thought would qualify as good ones. And now there is a nice little care package sitting on the dining room table waiting for the Post Office to open.
I have to admit I am still a little bit confused by the funds he sent considering that IF I needed them, I do have access to his bank account (something that he does not have) but it did touch my heart that he wanted to pay for them himself.
Only 29 days until I see him again. Not that I am counting. (LOL) and a big HOOAH for the one more thing to mark off the list till graduation Range Qualifying.

God Bless,
Tami

Wednesday Hero

Click Image For Full Size
Yeoman 3rd Class Margret Ueberlauer

Yeoman 3rd Class Margret Ueberlauer hands out toys to HIV infected children during a community relations project at the Camillian Center in Pattaya, Thailand. The USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived. This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.

For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Army Families ~ Army Strong

I watch alot of YouTube video's now. They all seem to have something to do with the Army. I wonder why? LOL. Tonight while I was looking around I found this one. I teared up immediately the Army theme song gets me every time, and cried till the end. Just thought I would share with all of you. Remember to scroll down and pause the music player.



We also got another letter from Christopher today. As of right now, they WILL have family day in October. Keeping my finger's crossed that nothing changes. He said that as soon as we check him out we have to take him to the PX for candy. Christopher never eats candy so this is new.

Have a great weekend and remember to Thank a Soldier, Airman, Marine or Sailor.

God Bless,
Tami

Letter from Chris.

Not a happy camper this week, injuries, fights, extra duty and possible cancellation of Family Weekend. Needless to say, mom is also not a happy camper. I hate being out of control. For 19 years I have been in total control and now all of a sudden all I am is a stander byer that has to sit and wait for someone else to make decisions for my child.
Life Sucks today.


God Bless,
Tami

Wednesday Hero

L/Cpl. Jason Hanson21 years old from Forks, Washington3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary ForceJuly 29, 2006
L/Cpl. Jason Hanson died when a gasoline truck near a building he was in exploded, causing the building to collapse in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Three other Marines were also killed in the blast. Lance Cpl. Anthony E. Butterfield, 19 yrs. old, of Clovis, California; Cpl. Phillip E. Baucus, 28 yrs. old, of Wolf Creek, Montana; Sgt. Christian B. Williams, 27 yrs. old, of Winter Haven, Florida.

Hanson graduated in 2003 and joined the Marines in 2005. He married his wife just before shipping out.These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here

When then

I have "met" a mother who has a son in Christopher's troop while I was hanging out at GAP. This morning she sent me a pm and said she had called the Ft. Knox info line to see if they had any serious storm damage and was informed that yesterday there was quite a bit of wind damage and the electricity and phone lines were down.
Well then..... That explains the no phone call.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

God Bless,
Tami

Ring Ring NOT

Saturday I reported that Christopher had written and said that he thought he would be calling on Sunday and asked me to wait by the phone. So, I waited and waited and waited some more. Unfortunately the phone did not ring, well actually it did several times but it was never him. I had several calls that began with did he call? or has he called? or even call yet? Each time I had to report nope not yet.
But I am happy to report that the one thing Sunday did bring was another week gone. I am still counting the days until we pack up and head to Kentucky for a much needed Family weekend.

I hope everyone has a great week.

God Bless,
Tami

The phone might ring

The postman is my friend today because he delivered two letters from Chris.
He said that they are having alot of fighting in his troop and if it continues family day will be cancelled. So please send lots of no fighting mojo their way.
They are still in Red Phase until tomorrow and once they go to White Phase they should get phone calls.
He said he is now certified in CPR and Basic Military Medic stuff (his words) and that his entire platoon was the only one that passed the Lifesaving Course so because of that they are suppose to get 5 minute phone calls tomorrow. He told me to wait by the phone because he was calling me. (Hello child, where do you think I have been since you left? Waiting by the phone I assure you).
So hopefully I will be able to post tomorrow that: THE PHONE DID RING!!!!

Have a good Saturday,

God Bless,
Tami

HOOAH!!!! MAIL CALL

We got a letter yesterday from Christopher and he is finally getting some mail. His exact words were: Finally I am getting mail. (10 letters actually). He was so upbeat in his letter and really excited that we would be there for Family Weekend.


We also received the information letter (dated Aug 25) telling us the dates and times of Family Weekend and Graduation. At this time he is scheduled to graduate on Dec 11.


So far they have done the Gas Chamber, RBT (Rifle Bayonet Training), Pugel Sticks and a three mile hike in full Battle Rattle.


He also threw in real quick that the Pugel Sticks resulted in him sporting a broken nose that bled forever but he is fine and not to worry. (Gee thanks son).


Now that we have the dates for Family Weekend we can start the count down. I know he is excited but I am not sure he is as excited as I am.


He also told me that he received a letter from Michelle and he loves his Coin that she sent him. He thought it was the coolest thing ever.




Let us not forget those that lost their lives on this day in 2001 and the family members that carry on.





God Bless,


Tami

Wednesday Heroes!

SSgt. Andy Pena

Staff Sgt. Andy Pena performs in-flight calibrations on a HH-60 Pave Low while flying Sept. 3 over Ellington Field, Texas. He and members of the 55th Rescue Squadron deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., to Ellington Field in response to Hurricane Gustav with less than 24 hours after notification. Sergeant Pena is an aerial gunner.These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To LookThis post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Letters from Ft. Knox

We received another set of letters from Christopher yesterday. These were dated Sept 2 and he still had not received any mail, hopefully by now he has gotten some.
He was actually at the Dentist when he wrote my letter and said that they were doing the gas chamber the next day. His spirits seemed to be better and he has been made a Squad Leader. I will not pretend to know what this means but it sounds like something that might be good.
Because he still has not received any mail he has no idea that we are going to be there for Family Day next month and keeps reassuring us that he understands if we can not make it. It absolutely breaks my heart that he thinks that he will be alone that day.
Because of the lack of phone calls and not being able to get answers to questions that I ask in letters, I am lost on his time line and have no idea where he is in his training or what phase he is in. He keeps telling us that they will be graduating in Dec and originally that was the date on his orders and on the Ft. Knox website but now the web site says they are graduating in Jan. The only thing I can figure out is that maybe they will get time off for Thanksgiving and Christmas and the extra few weeks would make up for that time. Hell I dont know, this is frustrating!!!

Oh well I will continue to be ARMY MOM STRONG

God Bless,
Tami

Weekend Wrap Up

Well our busy weekend has come to a close. Our football team kicked butt 32-18 on Friday night so we were celebrating. This is our big rival game that kicks off our season every year and after losing to them the last two years, we were ready for the win.

Today, Mo and I participated in Operation Homefront's Freedom Walk. If you have never taken part in something like this, I give it two thumbs up. I was slightly disappointed in the turn out but what we lacked in size we made up for in enthusiasm.

Jacksonville Air Force Base Color Guard started us off during opening ceremonies with the presentation of Colors. I must admit that I do get teary eyed when The National Anthem is played.
These were the T-shirts that each participant received.
This is Lincoln, he was so adorable during the 1 1/2 mile walk. He actually made it half the walk before he had to hitch a ride on his dad's shoulders. His parent's told us that they did not have anyone in their family that is in the Military nor do they know anyone that is active duty. They have participated for the last 2 years because Service members do what they do so that we can do what we do and they just wanted to say Thank you.

I do not know this precious lil one's name but had to include this picture. She was so happy the whole day and considering that her family was one of the first ones to arrive around 7:00 a.m. that is saying a lot.

The guest speaker today was Deena Burnett, the widow of Tom Burnett .

The Following excerpt was taken from the Tom Burnett Family Foundation website:

On September 11, 2001, Thomas E. Burnett Jr. became an American hero. On the same morning of the terror attacks on New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the plane on which Burnett was a passenger was hijacked. He called his wife Deena from the plane several times, telling her, “We have to do something. I’m putting a plan together.” Later he said, “We’re waiting until we get over a rural area. We’re going to take back the airplane.”
Tom and a handful of fellow passengers accosted the hijackers, causing United Flight 93 to crash into a Pennsylvania field, rather than into another American landmark. All on board were killed, but no one on land perished. Tom died a hero and will be remembered the way he lived his life each day – with character, faith, courage, leadership, spirit, and integrity.

I do not have to tell you what an honor it was to hear this lady speak.

Well that about wraps up our weekend.

God Bless,

Tami

Any weekend plans?

So anyone have big plans this weekend?

We have a full schedule starting tonight. Kyle is on the drum line for his high school band and they have their opening game tonight against their biggest rival. We will be there to cheer them on. Once upon a time we had a band member and a football player to cheer for at this game each year. Now that football player is a Soldier. We still cheer for him but not from the endzone.

Saturday, Devin has catcher's training and then a birthday party to attend. He has a friend spending the weekend so I doubt there will be much rest. And Sunday, my husband Mo and I have volunteered to help with the Freedom Walk that Operation Home Front is sponsoring. You can click on the link and see if there is a walk in your area.

I am also proud to announce that I am now a member of Blue Star Mothers of America. I am so honored to be a part of this organization. If you do not know the history of this group, go to their site and check it out.



I have been a bit frustrated (to put it mildly) today because we received a letter from Christopher and he said he had not gotten any mail. Excuse me? I write to him every day and I know that other's have written to him also. I was furious, I just knew that the mean ol Drill Sergeants were withholding his mail. I threatened to go to Ft. Knox and have a talk with these DS's. But thanks to some wonderful parents at GAP, I have been talked down off the ledge and now that I have calmed down I realized that we just got his address last Wednesday. I mailed his first letters on Thursday and Monday was a holiday. He wrote this letter on Sunday so there is no way that he could have received letters by then. I guess it just seems like he has been gone forever. He seemed a little down and swears he is starving. Way to put mom at ease there Christopher. LOL

GAP has been a lifesaver for me. Once you become a member there you become family. There is always someone that has been where you are at that moment and they are quick to answer your questions and there to let you know that they and their children survived this part and so will you and yours.

I hope everyone remembered to wear their red today. I will have mine on.



God Bless,

Tami

Look what I got.

Michelle was so sweet to pass her blogging with a Purpose award on to me. I have enjoyed meeting so many people since I started blogging about 2 years ago and the people that I have met since I started this blog have been extra special.

When you are a parent, spouse or loved one of a Service Member there are times when your pride and love build up to the point that you feel like you will explode if you do not let it out, personally that is one of the reasons that I started this blog. I also wanted to document the time while Christopher was away so that he could read everything when he gets the chance to spend a little time on line.

Also, Law wrote a article over at parents zone about my two younger boys blog that they are keeping for Christopher. They do not update it as often as I wish but it is their blog and they are busy boys. LOL . Thanks Law. They will love it.

I would like to pass this on to all the other Military Mom's out there that are supporting their sons and daughters.

God Bless,

Tami

Wednesday's Hero

Lance Cpl. Ryan T. McCaughn19 years old from Manchester, New Hampshire1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force

November 7, 2006

"I just can't believe it," said Nicole Cote, mother of L/Cpl. McCoughn. "It's not supposed to happen this way. Your kids aren't supposed to leave you." McCoughn joined the USMC during his Senior year of High School. "He said he needed to do this. He said if he could keep one dad from going to Iraq and he could take his place instead, then he'll feel like he's accomplished something."Lance Cpl. Ryan T. McCaughn was killed on November 7, 2006 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. He leaves behind his mother, father, step-father and two brothers.These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People LivedThis post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Proud of my Soldier

I don't think anyone can doubt just how proud I am of Christopher. I wake up proud of him and I go to bed proud of him. But recently I had the oppurtunity to really experience pride in my son.

I am the worlds worse person when it comes to putting gas in my Blazer. As far as I am concerned E means evacuate and I always tell my husband I need gas knowing that he will go fill it up for me.

But the other day I realized that I had pushed it to far and would never make it home if I didn't stop and get gas when I got off of work. So I stopped at a gas station around the corner from my office. I wear a set of dog tags everyday with Christophers name and date of birth on them and the gentleman behind the counter saw them and asked if I was a Soldier. (believe me when I say I am in no way in shape to be a Soldier LOL), I explained to him that my son was the Soldier. He asked me if he was in Iraq and I told him no that he was just beginning his Army career. The man said no matter Iraq is my home, please tell your Soldier son that I say Thank you. I thought I was going to start crying right there. I told him that I would pass on the message and turned to walk out, there were three gentlemen behind me in line and each of them shook my hand and said tell your son Thank you from us to and tell him to stay safe. By the time I got out to the gas pumps I was in tears and one of the gentlemen walked over and took the pump out of my hand and pumped my gas for me. I thought I would bust with pride for Christopher. God Bless America.

Now when ever I walk into this gas station to grab a Mt. Dew (my idea of coffee) the clerk always says How is your Soldier Son? Tell him hello from me. I always stop and have a conversation with him and let him know that I will pass the message on in my next letter.



Now when I hear people say that we should not be in Iraq, I think of this man and I smile because I know he is grateful that we are there.



God Bless,

Tami

Another week down

And the next one has begun. And today I am not a happy Army mom. I am struggling with the Army Mom Strong thing and I am down right pouting about it.
I had hoped that since it was a long weekend maybe, we would get a phone call, but even though I stayed home most of the weekend and when I did venture out of the house I transfered all my calls from the home phone to the cell phone the phone call never came.
And of course since it is a long weekend there is no mail today so not even a letter to look forward to.
So I have spent my holiday cleaning and trying to keep my mind busy. I am sure tomorrow I will be right back to my good ol Army mom strong self.
I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday and for those in the Storm paths, please stay safe.

God Bless,
Tami