As everyone knows our Army family journey started in October when C called me one afternoon, and asked me what I would think if he enlisted in the Army. I took a deep breath and let him know I would support him every step of the way. And... that is what I have done - what our entire family has done! You see, when you have a child enlist in the military - it does not just affect that one person... it affects everyone! You have to find ways to adjust to the new normal. As a mom (who loves to be in control), you realize that you no longer have any control and it is HARD! When your child leaves, and will be gone for 15 weeks for OSUT (One Station Unit Training), you give up when you will talk to your SIT (Soldier in Training), you take your phone with you everywhere and you may kill someone getting to it if it rings. As a mother, you realize with every letter you receive that your child is being pushed to limits beyond which you ever thought was possible. They are training to be the BEST...they are training to be a warrior!When C came home on leave, he was home for 9 days... and let me tell you - 9 days is NOT enough! We had family dinners, he had plans with friends, he went fishing, he slept late... he got to be an 18 year old teenage boy again. The happiness that comes from waking up and walking out to a den full of boys sleeping cannot be described. Some of these boys have been on road trips with our family, and have made every milestone during this journey with C. I'm talking from being sworn in, to being there the day he got on that bus, to family weekend, then to graduation, and to the airport with me the day he left. I cannot tell you how much we love them! They are FAMILY!The morning C left for Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks, AK - it was a crazy day! We spent the morning packing, I spent the morning holding back tears and soaking up every minute I had him. As we left for the airport we have several stops - the first was to sell his car, then a few last minute good-byes. We got to the airport, and I got my gate pass to continue soaking up every last minute. You know there are all of these "Army mom rules" people tell you about... #1 - Never cry in front of your soldier, #2 - It's never good-bye, it's always "see you later." - well let me tell you those 2 things are the hardest things EVER!!!! When we got to the gate, I was struggling but holding it together. When the airline started boarding the plane, I got one last hug and and "I love you mom" and I could not control the tears! I walked away from the crowd and stood in the back watching him wait to get on the plane. A lady standing not too far from me, came over and said, "Honey, is that your baby?" I said, "Yes, ma'am". She then said, "Well, he's holding back tears." With those words.... I was done - tears were streaming! Another lady walked over and just gave me a big hug - and then her husband walked over and said, "I plan on thanking him for his service, but thank you for sacrificing your family and for allowing him to serve." Yall... it was such a reminder that there are still kind people in this world! I say all of this to say, that I could not have gotten through any of this without the love and support of my family and friends! The people who have been there to listen to me whine, cry, get angry, and ultimately make sure that I am okay. My co-workers have been beyond amazing...making sure that they have my back, so I could be there with my kids every step along the way! I have watched my sweet nieces drive hours just to spend a couple of hours with C, I have watched J and K give up their own plans to soak up the time with the little/big brother. I have watched the unconditional love and support, and the pride they have for the sacrifice their brother is making, and honestly... it's been pretty awesome! I have always said it is such a blessing that my kids are close, and their cousins are more like siblings than cousins - but I must admit ... it definitely pulls at the heart strings! So.. THANK YOU to everyone who has called, contacted, showed up, sent sweet cards, or listened to me whine! YOU are greatly appreciated and LOVED!!!
As a single mom, there are many rewards and many heartaches. You get to be the one to tuck those sweet babies into bed every night, and you also get to be the one to discipline them on a daily basis. You get to be the first one to celebrate when great things happen, but you also get to be the one to wipe away the tears. As many great moments as there are, there is the moment of panic and being super proud (all at the same time) - and that is the moment when one of your babies decides they want to serve our country. For me, this was the first time I had dealt with the military at all - so, I had no idea what to expect. Yes, my brother was in the Air Force. Yes, my dad was in the Army. But...knowing those things does not prepare you in any way for your child. I had no idea what went into enlisting in the Army, until C started the process. Now... I did NOT help with this process and as a mom - it was hard (especially if you know me). But...this is also how I knew this was exactly what he wanted to do. With every test, every appointment, the day he left got closer. Then, January 16 was here and he got on a bus to Ft. Benning. As I watched the buses pull away that day, my heart was breaking. Then came the hard part...no communication. On day 10 - I finally got my first phone call - and it was a short one! But.. I knew he was okay. I wasn't really worried about him being physically okay - it was the fear of the unknown. As the weeks went by, I became a mailman stalker - I lived for a letter! And... let me just say, we should really write letters more often - they are a great thing! Then came family weekend... and I really thought I would squeeze C to death! I was sooooo excited! Leaving that time was still hard, but I knew in 5 short weeks that I would see him again. The other thing to remember in all of this - while they are in BCT (Basic Combat Training) you know they are being trained, but you also know there are live fire exercises - because they are there to learn how to win in combat situations. So, for me... that is a lot to take in. Each day was started in prayer - praying for mental, physical and emotional strength for him. The weeks have moved pretty quickly, and we just got home from the Turning Blue Ceremony and OSUT (One Station Unit Training) graduation. My sweet boy was has grown from a little boy into a man, and a civilian into a soldier in 15 1/2 short weeks. Now... we are on to the next chapter - he will be stationed at Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska (this is 3,914 miles from home). He will leave here on May 15, and start the next chapter in his life.Please continue to keep my soldier in your prayers as he makes this transition, and J and C as they prepare for their brother to make the next move. And.. just know that if you see me anytime the week of May 15 - I may burst into tears and possibly need a hug! But for now... I will enjoy each and every minute of him being home and soak up as much family time as I can! I can tell you though my new favorite four words are BOOTS IN THE HOUSE!!
