There Might Be A Bomb On The Plane

Ever get a text from your Soldier that said "Oh and there might be a bomb on the plane"?  Yup, I have.  Who texts their mother and tells her that?  LOL Yup, my Jake does.  I wouldn't want it any other way either.  So the day that this text came was the biggest roller coaster of a day.  Let me share that day and the events that led up to it and the event that followed that has made me now thankful for that possible bomb.

Jake was coming home for a visit in between training locations.  He had been at Eglin Air Force Base and was now being re-classed and assigned an MOS that trains at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.   It had been very up in the air for a few weeks on when he would be coming home and even IF he would be coming home before moving to Arizona.  Final plans were not made until just a few days before.  My emotions were pretty much on high already because of the situation that he had just faced.  He had experienced great disappointment.  The biggest of them all, he was disappointed in himself.  I wanted him home, I wanted to help him move forward to his new assignment, I wanted him here.  

He boarded a plane in Florida on that Monday morning and I did like I always do when he travels....I track him.  I know, it gets back to my previous post about not being an obsessive mother, I am an engaged mother.  But I don't have to explain myself to you mom's...you all get it and you all probably do the same thing.  So as I am watching this blip moving across the sky on my little screen it all of a sudden changed.  It gave me some funky excuse of a reason as to why it was no longer able to be tracked.  YUP, THIS MOTHER FREAKED SLIGHTLY!  I calmed myself down and came up with a million reasons that justified what had happened.  Computer mess ups happen all the time.  Satellites go down all the time.  It was nothing to worry about.  Just sit here and chill and in a bit I would surely get that familiar text from Jake that always says "just landed".  

Well that isn't exactly the message I got.  Instead I got one that said, "I am still on the plane and they think there could be a bomb on it."  YUP, THIS MOTHER FREAKED WAY MORE THAN SLIGHTLY!  

I have to be honest and tell you that he had sent me a few more texts within a short time, but I can't remember exactly what he said to me after that first one came.  I know that he told me  he would be going to Detriot.  He let me know that he was okay but they still were not sure exactly what if anything had been done in the bathroom that was, are you ready for this....in the bathroom that was DIRECTLY behind his seat.  He was in the last row directly next to the bathroom door!  SERIOUSLY?!  He was sharing this all with me as I was searching for info online for details.  I found a breaking news clip from Detriot that verified what he had told me.  I watched a news clip that showed his plane had been taken to Detriot and had landed successfully.  Okay, phew...that made it less scary.  Seeing that image of that plane on the ground and knowing that my son was sitting there inside of it at that time....wow, there are not words to describe what I was feeling at that moment. 

 After watching the news clip it was just a few minutes and I heard from Jake.  The phone rang this time!  It was his voice!  Oh Thank you God!  He called saying that he knew I was probably freaking, but that he couldn't talk long cause he wasn't really supposed to be calling right then.  He was being taken into a secure area and would need to meet and talk with someone from the Detriot Police Dept and/or the Airport Security.  That was all okay.  I was more than happy to wait til the next phone call.  Just hearing his voice was enough.  In that short amount of time I went from complete joy that my son was boarding a plane to come home, to complete fear that he was going to die, to complete happiness of knowing he was fine.  When my mind said the words, "We could have lost him today"...I just cried every time that thought came to mind.  I kept trying to replace the thought with the one that he was okay and would soon be heading home on another plane.  

He was delayed in Detriot for a while.  I could hear in his voice that the day had taken a toll on him as well.  He needed to get home as much as home needed him to get here.  The airline did get him booked on a flight later that day.  With the events of the day and with him now being delayed in arriving, it changed the plans on who would be meeting him at the airport.  Remember way back in an earlier post when I told you that our family did everything and anything together when it came to my boys.  That day proved it yet again.  Since the day turned out to be even more joyous for his arrival we ALL  went to meet him at the airport.  Because of the delay and that possible dang bomb, which by the way, it wasn't a bomb...it was a strange screwy mess up, but anyway....the delay allowed his father and grandfathers time to get out of work and all decided to ride down.  So there we were...all of Jake's grandparents and my husband and I packed into my mini van going to bring our boy home. 

 Phew, what a HUGE relief when I saw that familiar smiling face coming down the escalator.   There is never a day that a mother wonders about the love she has for her children.  But let me tell you the love I have for my boys somehow just multiplied on that day when I faced the real thought of losing one of them. 

So I have to finish up this by actually saying that I am now thankful for that screwy mess of a day and the events that happened.  That bomb scare and delay made it possible for our entire family to spend that evening together.  We picked Jake up and then all enjoyed a nice family dinner on the way home.  I don't know why things happen, but they all happen for a reason.  As it turned out that family dinner was the last one that we all had together.  My father in law died 2 days later.  It was the biggest shock and it came with such great pain and loss.  I have to look back now and be thankful for that delay that allowed us all to be together one more time.  The timing of having Jake home during this family tragedy is one that I will forever be thankful for.  Even in a week of great loss and great emotion, we made one last memory that stays with us all forever.  We made it thru that scary Monday and the rest of the week as we will make it thru every day...Army Strong...Army Family Strong.  

Sending you, your family, and your Soldier lots of love and support,
Faith

My Biggest Thanks

I am just so amazed and thankful at the amount of people who took time out of their day today to read my blog.  Thank you so much for making me realize that people really do care about the journey that Army Families face day to day.  Thank you so much for giving me support just by clicking and reading!

Love and thanks,
Faith

Favorite You Tube Videos

I am for sure an audio visual person.  I am a complete You Tube junkie!  There doesn't seem to be anything for a subject that you can't find a video for it on You Tube.  Since Jake has been in the Army, You Tube has been one of the biggest resources I have found to be helpful in many ways.  I have searched and found videos for every location that he has been at thus far.  I have watched videos for every type of training he has gone through.  On days when I just need to a "Soldier Fix" I search for videos that make me smile, cry, and laugh...sometimes all three in one video.  

While he was at BCT I would watch videos that focused on what specific training takes place.  I watched Family Day and Graduation videos of other families.  It made me feel connected to the process.  

It has always made me feel more at ease to see where our Soldier is.  I really enjoy to see it in person, which we have done thus far, but sometimes I haven't seen the Post until he is preparing to leave it.  So by searching on You Tube I can get a small glimpse and an image in my head of where he is.

Our Soldiers are trained in so many different MOS's.  You Tube is a super place to go and search for information related to them.  

Just last week my Soldier was talking about which weapons he has qualified for recently.  Well I don't know anything about weapons, but I know where to look.  It is very important to me to be able to relate and understand the things that he talks about and is engaged in.  

Some days I just want to watch sappy videos that touch my heart and wet my eyes.  

How have you learned about your Soldiers life in the Army?  What videos and/or resources do you use?  Please share with us all!

Sending you, your family, and your Soldier lots of love!
Faith

Army/Military themed cake ideas

I have been looking around online for ideas for an army/military themed cake.  I thought I would share some of them with you all.  If you have pics of ones that you have had yourself, or ones you have found, PLEASE share them with me!

This was the cake we had at Jake's going away party right before he left for BCT.

Found this one online....love it!

Perfect theme for your Soldier who works on Tanks!

So share with me your cake pics and ideas. 

Here is a picture sent to me my an Army Wife and friend, Tina Parent.  The cake was for her Husband Ken's birthday!

I Love America

My thoughts this morning I will try and write down so that they come across how I feel and mean them.  I do not want to appear that I am picking one side of the political coin over the other.  I am not Republican.   I am not Democratic.  I am American.  Last night I sat and watched the Republican National Convention.  I listened to the words being said by the speakers.  I felt their passion in which they expressed these words.  They all share one common goal.  A better America for our children and grandchildren.  I listened to Gov Chris Christie talk about the "Greatest Generation".  They were a generation that went through great hard times.  They endured a great depression, War, and still never gave up on their dream for our country.  Why can't WE become the Next Greatest Generation?  Why can't WE now work at reviving this country together?  

I have great hope that our country has yet to reach the best that it can be.  I do not believe that our better days are behind us.  Times are tough right now, but I believe that they have been tougher in the past.  WE are a fortunate generation compared to those who have come before us.  WE need to grab hold of our boot straps, move across those damn party lines, and work together to achieve a better country now!  

The core motivator in working towards a better America has to be the love of America.  If you don't love something, you surely don't care to see it flourish.    Do you love this country?  Do you love this country even with all its faults?  Do you love this country enough to say "Enough, I want something better!"  I hear people say all the time that they can't do anything about the mess the country is in.  People blame the President, Congress, and local Politicians for how our country got to be in the state that it is in.  Well I say BS!  WE THE PEOPLE are to blame!  WE need to all commit to not allowing things to go as they have. Commit to make it better one little step at a time.  

Do you ask, "What can I do?"  

Do you vote?  Do you attend local Town meetings in your area?  Do you volunteer in any way in your Community?   Fire department, local soup kitchens, food banks, schools, library, hospitals, trash along the roadways, youth programs, local and State committees, local Veterans groups, senior citizen assistance, ...what else?  Where else can you step up and make a little difference?  WE need to get involved in our country.  No, we can't all run for office and be strong law making politicians, but WE can each do our part in making a small difference one person at a time.   

The right to display and proudly wave an American Flag is something that I believe every household in this Country needs to take advantage of.  I don't want to hear the crap about it being someone's right to not do it....DO IT!   Show some respect and love for our American Flag and all that it represents.  Just that small simple display sends a message to others who see it.  Take your hat off and stand every time the Star Spangled Banner is played.  Teach and demand that our youth do the same.  They follow our role.  

Be proud and appreciative of our sons and daughters who are serving this great country of ours.  Be respectful and show thanks to our Veterans.  How hard is it to attend a local Memorial day parade and wave to those Veterans and show them your gratitude?  That is showing love of our country.  Get involved.  Get informed.  Get up and make things happen!

I am so proud to say that my son is defending and serving our great Country!  Only 1% of our population serve in our Military.  Surely the other 99% of us can do our part as well.  Thank you for reading my rants this morning.  I hope it gives you something to think about.  I hope you go display a flag if you don't already have one.  I hope you vote in November.  I hope WE are the Next Greatest Generation!  

Sending love and support to you, your family and your Soldier!
Faith.

Counting Up or Counting Down

One of the top things as an Army Mom that I do now is count days on a calendar.  I am always counting down the day til he comes home for a visit.  Counting up the days since I last heard his voice on the phone.  Counting down the days until he leaves for training or deployment.
Depending on the situation there are tricks to making the counting seem better.  For example while at BCT it was much better count down the number of Sundays left.  Anything to make the number less when I am counting to see him is a good thing!   

I would think that all of us have our "limits" of when the amount of days is too much.  One for me is I really get antsy and have to admit a tad irritable when I don't hear his actual voice a little over a week.  Texting and Facebook is so awesome for contact, but to a mother there is nothing like really the tone and expression in their voices to get a true idea of how they are doing.  Typing "Mom I am fine" is okay, but I want to hear the words to make it believable.  The longest stretch between face to face visits for me has been darn near 6 months.  I had the pleasure of going to see him at Fort Stewart this past January.  We were expecting him home around Mothers Day, then it moved to Fathers Day, but it ended up being during the Fourth of July.  

He is gearing up for his first deployment.  It is just around the corner it seems.  Sounds odd, but I am not counting down for it...with all the counting of days that I have done, I can't seem to wrap my mind around counting that.  Perhaps my conscious thinks if I don't count it down the day won't arrive?  Wouldn't that be nice if it was that simple :)  I haven't decided how I will count those days down once he is there.  280ish days, 45 Sundays, 9 months...hmmm I haven't found one that I like yet.  

I can tell you one that I do like though...63 and he will be home to visit!
Sending you, your family and your Soldier lots of love and support,
Faith

Traveling to BCT Graduation

On the morning of June 30th I thought that September seemed like a lifetime away.  Now I chuckle when I think about how easy it is to go 10 weeks without seeing him.  At that time though, it was torture.  Our family has a history of doing everything and anything together when it comes to my boys.  Traveling from Maine to South Carolina was to be no different.  Mother, father, brother, four grandparents and a girlfriend headed out in two vehicles on a Monday morning with a shared desire of one thing....TO SEE OUR SOLDIER!  

**the box on the right hand side had his PlayStation in it...pretty sure that was the toughest thing he endured in 10 weeks...no gaming!

My stomach ached the entire trip.  Not cause of traveling.  I was so anxious that every mile closer I got more and more excited.  We stayed over night in Virginia...have to admit I don't really remember where...it was very close to Virginia Tech though cause I remember my oldest son spotting the big VT in a nearby field.  To me stopping to spend the night on the way was a waste...I had a destination to get to and Virginia was not it! 

Lots of cheers for this road sign when we drove past.  We stayed at a LaQuinta near Fort Jackson.  I would HIGHLY recommend that one again for any family staying in the area.  It was super close to gate 4, clean and we had all positive contact with the staff.  We had the pleasure of having two other families stay there that I had contact with during the last 10 weeks.  It was so incredible to meet these fellow Mom's face to face!  To this day the McGuire's and Oberg's remain close friends.  

Tuesday afternoon once we checked in we rode around the area.  Totally stalked Gate 4 at Fort Jackson!  We were able to get our car passes that day.  OMG I was inside the gate!  OMG my son was somewhere inside that gate!  OMG I could barely breathe without just bursting!  It was really hard to chill and relax that evening.  We did though...and we did it with a great family :)  We had a great evening sitting by the pool with the Obergs.  It was the first real face to face conversation I had had with another Army Mom who knew exactly what we were feeling at that very moment.  

The BEST part about Tuesday evening....HE GOT HIS PHONE BACK!  He could call us without it being timed, without it being in a long loud line, and I could hear in his voice that he was just as excited to see us on Wednesday as we were him.  I went to bed that night with one thought and one thought only....we survived to Family Day.  I would see and hug him the very next day :)  Ohhhhh I can hardly wait to share with you that day!  

Sending you, your family and your Soldier lots of love and support
Faith

A Soldiers Mother - poem

I am a soldier’s mother; I sometimes march alone
And yet I stand with many, trying to be strong.
You may not recognize me as you pass me on the street;
I may look like any other that you by chance might meet.
Like any mother, in a lot of ways I still remain,
But watching my son become a soldier brought a forever change.
For deep down inside where you cannot see
My own battle rages that’s as real as it can be.
It starts with feeling pride in all he has become,
But often worry creeps in before the day is done.
Then there is his absence that never will seem right -
The days without a word that causes many sleepless nights.
And at the sight of another soldier, my heart skips a beat,
For it reminds me of my own, and that face I’d love to see.
And I have a deeper sense of the sacrifices our heroes make;
I can see the hardships on the families – the loneliness, the heartache.
But in spite of all that’s raging, this mother’s love holds strong
As I’m wrapped in God’s peace and comfort and given strength to go on.
© Cynthia Gibbs

~wow, that sums it up completely!~
Faith 

Surviving Boot Camp - part 2

Happy Saturday!  This won't be long, but I had to pass on a tip that I was reminded of yesterday when my CD player came blaring on in my van.  The afternoon that Jake left for BCT I went home and made a CD of music.  I find that music touches me.  I needed to hear music that made me feel connected and that made me feel proud of not just Jake's decision but the our country.  Now keep in mind the music selected is more important than you would think.  There are lots of songs out there that talk about Heaven needing heroes and One Way Trips....STAY AWAY FROM THOSE!  We already know and worry about the risks.  We need music that enforces the great love and pride in our hearts.  Sooooo with that being said, I list a few of my favorites that appear on my CD from June 2010 that still remains in my CD player.  When I know I need to hear it, I crank it up and sing at the top of my lungs and get rejuvenated thanks to the music.  

Enjoy your weekend :) Sending lots of love to you, your family and your Soldier
Faith

Song suggestions:
Star Spangled Banner by Whitney Houston....the BEST version out there!
The Army Theme
Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagles Fly by Aaron Tippin
Where were you when the World stopped turning by Alan Jackson
Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood
American Soldier by Toby Keith
Courtesy of the Red White and Blue by Toby Keith
Born an American by Gods Amazing Grace by Luke Strickland
Only in America by Brooks & Dunn
 
 
 
 

Siblings of Soldiers

My mind and heart have led me away from the chronicle order type post that I seemed to have started.  I will get back to that soon though.  Today I wanted to touch on the subject of sibling rivalry type of topic.  My boys are adults so I don't mean it as the type that has them fighting over who owns which Tonka truck, although I been there done that too!  As a mother we worry and think about all of our children all of the time, but I feel that I may come across that I ONLY do this for my soldier son.  I am always counting down to when Jake comes home for a visit or I am always waiting for that next phone call from him.  Last Christmas was our first one without having him home with the family.  For me the day sucked.  I didn't give a hoot that it was Christmas.  Why did I feel that way?  I had my oldest son there for it all. 

I know I love both of my boys equally.  Us mothers don't really have favorites even though our kids believe we do!  There isn't anything I wouldn't do for either of them.  When I am fortunate enough to be spending time with one of the boys I find my entire body is more at ease and calmer.  Having them both together with me is just an amazing feeling!  I have learned in the last 2 years just how special it is to have time with both of my boys together.  I regret taking that luxury for granted for so many years as they were growing up. 

Our entire family made the trip for Jake's BCT graduation.  That will be another post for sure someday!  So anyway, when I had them both together back at the hotel watching them just do a simple thing like swimming in the pool, I was just glowing with happiness.  This summer we were fortunate enough to have both boys go camping with us for a week while Jake was home on leave.  Heaven for me!   We seem to make "special" plans when he is home.  How do I know that these special plans aren't hurting my other son's feelings?  It feels special to me because of having them both around, but that doesn't mean that is how it is perceived. 

So Moms I am looking to know that I am "normal".  Yikes I might want to be careful what I ask for. Hahaha!  How do you all juggle having that constant nagging tug at you about your soldier that is away and balancing the concern and worry for your children closer to you?  I am expecting this to magnify 10X for me in the next coming few months so I need to get my head wrapped around it beforehand.  We are going to go through the entire holiday season without having Jake with us again.  How do we keep family traditions and functions going for our children that are here? 

Maybe I just need to not over think it!  Help me Moms! 
Sending lots of love to you, your family, and your Soldier,
Faith

Helpful sites for New Army Mom's

These are just some of the places that I have found very helpful...if you have others, PLEASE PLEASE share them with me so that I can add them to the list. 

http://www.goarmy.com/parents.html

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyjoin/l/aaarmybasic1.htm

https://www.facebook.com/FortJacksonLeader

The above link is for Fort Jackson.  I give it as an example of what to look for on Facebook.  Many training units have individual pages and by starting on the main page it gives you a great place to ask questions and be directed to the proper one. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp7NTykI_1A&feature=relmfu

The above link is part 1 of a series of 3 on YouTube that gives you a great hands on look at exactly what your Soldier will go thru during boot camp.

I hope you find these places helpful.  I caution that you consider the source of where you seek your information from.  There are lots of sites out there, but look for those endorsed or created by the Army itself.  There is so many questions at this point in your life make sure you seek out the official places for your answers. 

Good Luck!
Faith

Surviving Boot Camp - part 1

As I look back to my "Boot Camp" time I consider it as being the toughest weeks to date of having a son in the Army.  Letting go of him that morning at MEPS was completely heart breaking.  It felt like I had just sold him to strangers.  I didn't know these people and their rules.  All I did know was that my baby was leaving.  He was heading off to places I hadn't ever seen.  I didn't know where he would be sleeping.  I didn't know who he would be surrounded by.  I didn't know what or when or if he would eat.  How does a mother let go cold turkey?  It isn't the same as going off to college as so many of my friends meant well by telling me that.  Sorry, but NO.  I didn't get to pick out dorm furniture and bedding.  I didn't get to help move him in on parents weekend.  It is NOTHING like having a child leave for college. 

I have to admit that I have been known to be a tad obsessive with my children.  I prefer to call myself engaged with my children and any and all activities they have been involved with.  I treated boot camp as no different.  Before he even left I had learned all the A Alpha, B Bravo, C Charlie alphabet.  I had tried my best to learn all the ranks with him.  I did what I had always done with things in the past that I didn't know about...I read a book, I researched online, and I did all I could to prepare myself to be an active participating Army Mom.  

Facebook is what got me through boot camp.  I must have said a million times that I couldn't imagine how my grandmother sent her 2 son's off to the Army back in the 60's with no Facebook!  Jake arrived at Fort Jackson on June 30th and was assigned to the 1/61st group of Roadrunners!  Before he even landed there that afternoon I had found several facebook pages for families of soldiers in training.  The support and information on the 1/61st facebook page was incredible.  It made me feel like I had a connection still.  Messaging with other parents who were feeling all the same things that my husband and I were was so helpful to us.  Even without hearing from him we knew what group he was assigned to and support from them was right at our fingertips. Thank you Tina!  

Trying to stay busy during those first few weeks proved to be actually a hard thing.  Every time we would mention about going somewhere one of us would say, "What if he calls today though?" and we would end up staying home, sitting and waiting.  By the third Sunday of his departure we were determined to get out on our motorcycle and start enjoying the summer that was quickly disappearing on us.  Well don't you know that was when THE CALL came!   So there we were riding along Route 1 in Maine with the phone in my hand and it starts ringing and vibrating.  I start hitting my husband in the kidneys telling him to pull over pull over! It was our Jake!  I asked him at least 200 questions in 2 minutes...are you sleeping, are you eating, do you have friends, who does your laundry, are they being mean?  All the important things to us mothers.  I left the questions about training, guns and drill sgt's to his father.  Hearing his voice and his excitement that day changed it all for me.  I could tell in his voice that he was happy with his decision....ya he was tired and he being worked liked crazy, but he was happy.  As a mom there isn't anything else to worry about after that.  (well ok, there is...but you know what I mean)  

The 1/61st shared many pictures of training each week.  Finally on July 20th I got my first glimpse of my soldier!  I yelled and I cried and I shared with everyone who did and didn't want to see it!  There he is....back row, standing up...3rd soldier on the left.  He is standing there with another young man from Maine that we met that morning at MEPS.  That itself made me feel so much more at ease.  

Getting through RED PHASE was the toughest weeks.  Once the mail started to flow on a regular basis it seemed so much easier having him gone.  I hadn't ever had my son write letters to me.  This was something new.  I could hear and feel him in his letters.  The changes I could tell that was happening inside of him was so obvious on paper.  My husband and I treasure each and every one of those letters.  A tip for sending letters....have your soldier and you number them all as you mail the letters.  They don't always arrive in order of how they were sent out. 

Those first few weeks seem so long ago now.  At the time I thought they were the worst ever...how silly was that!?  It was during those weeks that he had someone watching his every move, making sure he was in bed at a certain time, and making sure he was eating when they told him to eat.  Here I was doing all that worrying back then for nothing.  A mother worrying isn't for nothing though...it is for her children and it is from love.  I wouldn't ever want to stop worrying. 

I would love to hear from you about how long it took for you to hear from your Soldier.  How did you keep busy during that time?  What tips can you offer to those who are just going through it?    I will be sharing a few sites that all new Army Parents should check out later today.  If you have others, please send them my way.


Sending lots of love and support to you, your family and your Soldier!
Faith

Lisa's shared story of "Mom I Am Joining The Army"

Our story starts several years ago when Richard was just 12 years old.  He stated he wanted to be a sniper. That’s nice honey, go to college and we will talk about it.

 

Fast forward, Rich attempts college and drops out after a semester. I always knew he was not going to do well in a traditional college. So, the boy went to work at a Burger King and at a Nursing Home washing floors. One day I looked at him and said…..” ENOUGH, I HAVE HAD ALL I CAN TAKE OF THIS LIFE YOU ARE THROWING AWAY, YOU ARE GOING TO KNOCK UP SOME CASHIER AND LIVE IN A TRAILOR, I HAVE WORKED WAY TOO HARD FOR YOU $%^&* BLOW IT..YOU ARE GOING IN THE MILITARY!!”…He said, “it’s about time Mom, I did not know what else to do to make you see that going in the Army directly was what I wanted.”  We drove to the Recruiter that afternoon.  

 

In one more month my son, SPC Proulx, has been active military for 3 years. He is happy with the choices he has made J

 

Yours in education,

Lisa Ferrazzano Bailey, M.Ed.

Joselyn's shared story of "Mom I Am Joining The Army"

How my son Chris announced he was going to join the Army?Well Chris had been dating his girlfriend Alexis who was still in school and well he saw the relationship was changing and thanks to good ole Face book he read some stuff that was unsettling to him.He was at work at his job at a Auto Parts Store and he walked in the door on a Thursday and said,"Alexis broke up with me via text message and told me to go get my class ring."Which he did.Having his heart broken was the absolute worse thing to date for me as a mom I could not fix.If he wanted to play football I could time him and get him into shape,If he wanted a role in the school production we would rehearses his lines,when he wanted to drive,I taught him how but a broken heart mama could not fix.So as he headed down the hallway to his bedroom I sat and absorbed it all.The next day his buddies took him out over the weekend(somethings a mama does not need to know lol) and he went to work Monday.Alexis had changed her status to in a relationship already.So Tuesday he text me and said he was coming home early he had something to tell me,I thought great he and Alexis got back together he walked in with a handful of papers and said,"Your now the mom to a Army Soldier"?Excuse me he told me he would be leaving ASAP cause he just did not want to be around here to mend his broken heart.He said he would be gone 9 weeks to train.I thought ok well he has never been away from me since birth that long but ok.After a drink he tells me actually mom it will be 5 months cause I'm going to do back to back BCT and AIT.He was anxious to leave and we were under a winter storm watch we had 21 inches of snow on the ground.So he left at around 5am 19 years old,never away from home and with a broken heart to do something and go some place unknown.I resented Alexis cause I felt he would of never joined if she had not broken up with him.My whole world just walked out the door,who would cook him grass soup when he got sick?,who would wash his clothes he never did?So for 5 months I got a phone call every Sunday and I read about Alexis having Senior Prom and graduation and we were not a part of that she broke up with us as well.We made the 1000 miles drive to FLW Missouri to family day after not seeing him for 5 months.After we shared family day we were leaving and I was crying saying that is not my son what has the military done to him?He does not smile.He did not laugh.He was well uptight.So next day was graduation and one of the proudest moments.We got home and it was music to my ears to hear the xbox,seeing cabinet doors open.After about 3 months Alexis and him started talking and I thought oh no!He sat me down and said,"Mom I love her and I will marry her some day."So they got back together 9 months later he proposed in a fairy tale proposal 10 months later they married and she is a military wife.Chris deploys for 9 months first one in Jan.I no longer feel resentment towards her breaking up with Chris she saw the grass was not greener.The Military has opened doors for school,medical,money and he is a great man as she is young lady..............Joselyn Taylor

Stacy's shared story of "Mom I Am Joining The Army"

Hi Faith,

Well here is our story of how Tim told us he wanted to join the Army…

 

It was the summer before our son’s senior year of high school. He was 17. Tim had an older friend that had just joined the army and was headed off to BCT that summer. Well Tim and Doug spent a lot of time together. As boys are they don’t tell “mom” everything. We knew that Doug joined the service and as parents of his friend we wanted to be supportive.  Little did I know that a few weeks later I would be getting the news that Tim wanted to join. 

 

Like you we had always thought he would go off to college after graduating. He was taking classes at the local college for criminal justice and had even spent a lot of time with my cousins that are county sheriff deputies.  He had always said he was going to be a police officer just like them when he grew up.

 

Well about a week before Doug left for BCT Tim called me while I was at work. I still remember the call..”Hey Mom, What would you say if I joined the Army?”  At first I thought he was kidding. I said “NO WAY” “You didn’t even like going to camp!” I told him to stop picking on me and we would talk about it when I got home. Well he was home waiting and I asked him if he told his dad. Which he had not. For some reason both Tim and his sister liked to “freak” me out before they told their dad anything like that.

 

We sat down and talked about it. With Tim being only 17 at the time we would have to “sign” the documents for him to join. He also wanted to sign right away so he could get the MOS that he wanted.  Like you I  felt there was NO WAY I was going to give my child (my baby) over to the Army. We told him he had to really think about it. We met with the recruiter a few times to ask questions and more questions (to be honest I think the recruiter thought I was a “bit” over protective).  We asked him why the Army and not any other branch of the service. His answer was “the ARMY is the only one I want to join”. Well we told him that he had to speak to the other branches of the service if he was serious and then we would discuss it more. My brother in law was in the Navy so we had him speak to him about joining and why one branch more than the other. After the spoke Tim was still 100% certain he wanted to join the Army. No the next thing he needed to do was tell us the MOS that he picked. After scoring very well on his AVBS he had any MOS that he wanted to pick from. We were thinking that he would go into MP or anything with computers. But I wasn’t so “lucky”!! One night were watching a movie that Tim picked out and wanted us to watch. He would sometimes bring movies home and say “Watch this, It is really cool.”  I would find out 10 minutes into the movie that this was the MOS that Tim had chosen. The movie was “The Hurt Locker” and the job was a EOD.  This is so NOT what I wanted to see him do.

 

After a few more weeks of me “digging” my feet in and saying pick something else, Tim said “Mom, I really want this. I want to do good out there and help people”.  He said he was going to be 18 and would just sign up then if we didn’t sign the forms. So with mixed emotions, I finally said I would sign the papers.

 

I will tell you that there have been MANY times that I wished I didn’t sign that document and other times that I am so DANG proud of the man he has become.

 

(((hugs)))Stacy

"Mom I Am Joining The Army"

It was mid-September 2009 when my youngest son, Jake, came home from football practice one evening and changed all the plans I had for him.  We were not what I would have called a "Military Family".   Sure our family had grandfathers in WWII, my father in law and uncles in Vietnam, and even my brother in law in Iraq, but NEVER EVER did I consider us a Military Family.  Jake came in and did the normal routine of changing from stinky disgusting practice clothes and devouring like a pig our dinner meal.  He starts walking towards his bedroom and casually turns and says to his father and I "Oh hey I met with a recruiter today, I am joining the Army".  WHAT? WHAT DID I JUST HEAR? 

I said to him, "No you can't, you are going to school to learn to work on computers.  You can't join the Army!"  Jake wasn't ever a fan of school...oh sure he loved playing sports and having friends, but school, noooooo.  So going on to more schooling after graduating just wasn't in his plan, but it was my plan.  So the simple "No" didn't work...so the next bright reply I gave him was, "Jake you don't even hunt!"  I have no idea what hunting for Maine deer had to do with joining the Army, but it seemed to make sense to me on that day as a good reason for why he couldn't join.  That first night it was left there.  I went to bed and cried wondering what in hek I had done to make him want to do such a thing?  Why was it so bad living here that he would join the Army to get away from it.  Surely there had to be something wrong, what kinda kid just up and decides such a thing?  

In the next few days we had many talks and conversations about the whole idea.  I learned that not only was he joining, but he wanted to join with an MOS that involved disarming bombs...EOD...explosive ordinance disposal.  Oh sure yup, that made it much easier to agree to!  Jake was only 17 at this time and wanted desperately for us to "sign him up" at that time so that it saved him a spot for this specialized training immediately after he graduated.  In my mind I needed a reason for why I would willingly sign away my baby to the United States Army.  I needed him to tell me why.  He had made it very clear that if we didn't sign the paper work for him at 17 that he had every intent of doing it the same day he turned 18.  Jake's mind was made up.  Once his mind is set to do something, there is no changing it...where he gets that from, I have no idea!  :)  So I sat him down before the recruiter was scheduled to come and pay us a visit.  Tell me your reason, why do you want to do this?  His answer was brief and simple, "I want to do something good that makes a difference."  Wow, sorta hard to argue with your 17 year old son who wants to do that.  

So there it was, on a night in October we signed him into the United States Army and we became a Military Family.  The above picture was taken on June 30, 2010 in Portland, Maine on the day that Jake left for Boot Camp Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. 

Oh by the way, he still doesn't hunt!  

Please share with me how it came about that your child joined the Army.  I would love to hear from you...either comment below or click on my email address on the upper right hand corner of the screen.  Sending lots of love and support to you, your family, and Soldier.  Army Strong!
 

Who I Am and What I Hope To Do

Introducing one self is harder than I thought it would be.  I have looked at this blank white box for sometime before starting to type.  My name is Faith and yes, I am an Army Mom and yes, I am Army Mom Strong...some days stronger than others.  I am married to my high school sweetheart.  We have in the last 24 years raised two incredibly wonderful sons.  Our oldest, Mike, lives near us and works full time for a tree cutting service.  Our youngest, Jake, joined the United States Army during his Senior year of high school.  I will share more in later posts about our specific journey of learning how to live as an Army Strong Family.  What I would like to accomplish with this blog includes helping other fellow Army Mom's out there.  I hope to share information that I have already learned first hand, as well as sharing things that I will research and figure out along the way.  Whether you are an Army Mom of one day or 10 years, I want to be able to give you a place to come and receive support, helpful information, and share your own experiences with others.  I am new to this blogging world.  I will stumble along the way.  I will succeed at times and I will fail at others.  A piece of my heart will be left in every post, photo, clip and bit of info that I share here.  I look forward to getting to know you thru my own daily journey. 

Lots of love and support to you, your families and your Soldiers!
Faith