Dace
Revolution in Progress
So glad to hear that you had such a great trip! You certainly deserve it and how nice that you were able to have some special time with your boy before he leaves!
Got any pics??
Got any pics??
Bee~ Journal of then...
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Beekissed
Mountain Sage
Unfortunately, we had to leave all valuables in the car. Some folks had waterproof cameras but they rarely got a chance to snap photos...you have to hold on to your paddle for dear life as the guides do NOT like to chase around after equipment.
No pics on a camera but, as usual, many, many pics in my mind and heart!
No pics on a camera but, as usual, many, many pics in my mind and heart!
FarmerDenise
Out to pasture
Just catching up a bit here. I haven't had that much time on the computer lately.
Sounds like you had a great time with Eli. It is so worth every penny to have a shared fun activity with your kid. Especially since he is going off to boot camp.
Stepson's (DSS) has a friend who is going off to boot camp this Sunday. The boy has been filling his days with things to remember. Today he bottle fed our foster kitten. He has become ever so helpfull and appreciative. We talk to or rather with him about his feelings about having joined the army and what it all means to him.
I can see the sadness in his face about having to leave all that he knows and start a new and hard life. But I can also see the excitement, when we talk about it all.
It is hard to let them go. But they have to grow up and do their own thing.
Sounds like you had a great time with Eli. It is so worth every penny to have a shared fun activity with your kid. Especially since he is going off to boot camp.
Stepson's (DSS) has a friend who is going off to boot camp this Sunday. The boy has been filling his days with things to remember. Today he bottle fed our foster kitten. He has become ever so helpfull and appreciative. We talk to or rather with him about his feelings about having joined the army and what it all means to him.
I can see the sadness in his face about having to leave all that he knows and start a new and hard life. But I can also see the excitement, when we talk about it all.
It is hard to let them go. But they have to grow up and do their own thing.
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Beekissed
Mountain Sage
I agree. Eli is saddened and excited also. He is also filling his mind with good things from home, as he knows that they try to break you in basic. They make things very tough and take you away from everything that makes you comfortable and safe. The only place he will have room for home will be in his memory and his heart.
My youngest, Jon, is in the middle of his boot camp training and his letters have transitioned from homesick boy to ever more confident man.....he says he is having a ball and it sounds like he will be a much more responsible and mature young man upon his return.
Its hard for me to be without them, as we are a very close family. But I also am bursting with pride in the finished product of years of hard work!
Here's a little helpful clue for anyone else who has son's going into the service. Their address is a very long and complicated thing and is a real pain if you want to exchange letters. I printed several envelopes off with addresses and return addresses, for myself and for them. With each letter I write, I slip in a self-addressed (with return address) envelope into the letter.
I also made up some envelopes with their grandmother's address as well. I took more envelopes with their address, but with no return address, stamped them and posted them on the bulletin board at church for anyone wanting to drop them an encouraging word. The boy loved the envelopes! Saves us both time and helps keep the flow of love and support easy for us both.
I watched a documentary once on the postal service and letters that have type written addresses can be scanned and sorted more quickly. This means our letters may have an extra edge when getting to our loved ones.
Hope this helps someone else!
My youngest, Jon, is in the middle of his boot camp training and his letters have transitioned from homesick boy to ever more confident man.....he says he is having a ball and it sounds like he will be a much more responsible and mature young man upon his return.
Its hard for me to be without them, as we are a very close family. But I also am bursting with pride in the finished product of years of hard work!
Here's a little helpful clue for anyone else who has son's going into the service. Their address is a very long and complicated thing and is a real pain if you want to exchange letters. I printed several envelopes off with addresses and return addresses, for myself and for them. With each letter I write, I slip in a self-addressed (with return address) envelope into the letter.
I also made up some envelopes with their grandmother's address as well. I took more envelopes with their address, but with no return address, stamped them and posted them on the bulletin board at church for anyone wanting to drop them an encouraging word. The boy loved the envelopes! Saves us both time and helps keep the flow of love and support easy for us both.
I watched a documentary once on the postal service and letters that have type written addresses can be scanned and sorted more quickly. This means our letters may have an extra edge when getting to our loved ones.
Hope this helps someone else!
big brown horse
Hoof In Mouth
Thanks for the tip Bee.
My daughter's big brother is headed for Iraq at the end of the month. Right now he is stationed 15 min away, but I will definitely use that tip when he is gone!!
My daughter's big brother is headed for Iraq at the end of the month. Right now he is stationed 15 min away, but I will definitely use that tip when he is gone!!
FarmerDenise
Out to pasture
Thank you so much for that advice Bee. I will make up some envelopes tonight to give to DSS's friend. At least envelopes with our address. That way he'll know the idea behind it and can get his family to do the same.
I also warned him about family sending presents of chocolate and such to boot camp.
When I was young and a friend went off to boot camp, we sent him a huge box of chocolates. He wrote back to us, that the whole platoon was made to do extra situps for each chocolate that was sent. So better find out what is ok to send.
I also warned him about family sending presents of chocolate and such to boot camp.
When I was young and a friend went off to boot camp, we sent him a huge box of chocolates. He wrote back to us, that the whole platoon was made to do extra situps for each chocolate that was sent. So better find out what is ok to send.
Henrietta23
Yard Farmer
Yay Bee! I'm so glad you had a good time!
Blackbird
Goat Whisperer
Wow Bee, sounds like you had tons of fun.
Is four stars the highest you go?
Is four stars the highest you go?
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Beekissed
Mountain Sage
Nope! Five stars is considered the best with me.
Another tip about boot camp.....don't send anything that they can't eat in 10 min. Anything more will be thrown away or distributed amongst the drill sgt. My boy said some of the soldiers were getting around that by getting treats tucked into resealable packages of socks. He wanted me to do the same, so I did. I've yet to hear if the trick was successful.....
I think the biggest thing with them is mail call. If they don't get much and everyone else is getting a lot....well, its sort of like being the only gal in the office not getting flowers on Valentine's Day. Sort of sad and lonely and like no one out there loves you.
So....send lots of mail! Lots of funny cards and pack the care packages with newspapers from home, especially the comics and crossword puzzles. The boys love em and its a way of getting news from home in there.
Another tip about boot camp.....don't send anything that they can't eat in 10 min. Anything more will be thrown away or distributed amongst the drill sgt. My boy said some of the soldiers were getting around that by getting treats tucked into resealable packages of socks. He wanted me to do the same, so I did. I've yet to hear if the trick was successful.....
I think the biggest thing with them is mail call. If they don't get much and everyone else is getting a lot....well, its sort of like being the only gal in the office not getting flowers on Valentine's Day. Sort of sad and lonely and like no one out there loves you.
So....send lots of mail! Lots of funny cards and pack the care packages with newspapers from home, especially the comics and crossword puzzles. The boys love em and its a way of getting news from home in there.
lorihadams
Always doing laundry
We just got an email from a friend of ours, he's in his early 20s and he just lost 2 men from his battalion last week. He sent us some pics from the memorial service they had for them. It's his first tour in Iraq. His parents are so anxious. They had mixed feelings about him going but they are proud of him.
I'm glad you had a good time on your rafting trip! I knew you would, I told you it would be fun........
I'm glad you had a good time on your rafting trip! I knew you would, I told you it would be fun........
