We have Forums

I would like to invite everyone who has a soldier they love, whether family or friend, to join the new forums I have created for all of us.

Army Mom in Training Forums

If you have suggestions or comments please feel free to leave them. Always looking for ideas.

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Our Address has changed!

I purchased a Domain Name for myself for my Birthday.
This blog now resides at http://www.armymomintraining.com

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I love Cells

Nick called last night. I love cell phones! Shoulder is still hurting and the guys in the barracks seem to keep forgetting that its sore and punching it. But Nick and his buddy Mulhousen (forgive the spelling) were at each other the entire call. Its a riot listening to them. Mulhousen seems to want to be adopted by me, and thats fine. I now understand what some of these other Army moms are talking bout when they talk about their adopted soldiers. M thinks I should send him chocolate chip cookies for his birthday. When he said that I thought Nick was gonna die.. Nick tells him "Dude, you just dont know my mom" LOL I am not a betty crocker type at all, but me thinks that I just might bake some cookies for Nick and M.
I also found some notebooks at my moms that she had wrote to Nick when Desert Storm was happening. In the books she talks about what is happening and how she feels about Saddamn and war. I honestly think that her words even though written when Nick was only 3 will help him, encourage him. So those are getting sent out there as well.
I sure miss my soldier. But am proud of him beyond words.


OT but I am working on getting a php forum up for military families. I've looked for support forums and haven't found much that fits me, so I figure I can start my own.

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Wow...

I must apologize for the long period of time between entries. I've been dealing with an orny toddler, writers block, and hard drive failure... or possibility of I should say.

Nicks had a few tests the past few weeks, he's passed them all, and he even scored 100 on a trouble-shooting test. Way to go Nick. He also had live fire convoy training last Saturday. They only had 18 rifles for the company, they got issued the guns dirty, and then the Lt refused to let them turn back in till they cleaned them twice. During the cleaning one of the guys managed to loose some pin to the rifle. Well one guy thought it would be funny to tell nick it was his gun that the pin was missing from. Nick of course freaked out, and was saying a few choice words.. Well DS asked what was going on, and Nick told him, and the next thing he knew DS was saying, "Hall put that weapon down!" Nick put the weapon down and DS, already in a foul mood from being kept out on the range so long over these guns, made the wise guy clean Nicks rifle.. Now mind you I think this is what my hard of hearing butt heard. So I may have the facts wrong.
Nick was also supposed to do another PT test on Wednesday, but some how wound up hurting his shoulder a couple days before, and wound up at the clinic. He is on profile for now for tendonitis of the shoulder.
I'm hoping Nick will call tomorrow, and let me know how he is.

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Update..

and a apology for not posting sooner. Things are back to some routine here, and there too. Nick and I both had a little trouble adjusting to him being back in Az, but I believe we have both adjusted now. Nick was stressing the first week or so back due to a few things. When he returned to base, he was informed that while he had passed his last PT test, they wanted a 70% out of them, and he had missed that mark by mere seconds. So running has been a focus for him, because the DI say it is.
The flu has been rampant on base as well (yes even after they received the shot) his instructor has been out because of it, and the one who replaced him, while knowing his stuff, also doesn't have the greatest teaching skill, leaving the guys in the dark on how to do the equations. Nick and the guys were stressing about passing a test last week due to this. Good news all around on that front. Nick passes the test, and the usual instructor is back in the saddle.
Nick also had to qualify on his rifle again this past week, were he did very well, I dont remember the exact numbers, but remember that he said the course was harder than most and that he passed and did even better than expected.
Nicks got his groove back, and I may have a handle on mine.

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Pictures Finally

Its been a long week. Its been somewhat discomforting to adjust back to Nick being gone again for all of us, Nick included. But we are managing, and trying to plan when we may get to see each other again. The cell phone has been the saving grace as it allows us to talk every other day or more often. Bruce did very well with the change all in all. We did get him up to say goodbye, and since Nick was in uniform it made a huge difference. Bruce will tell you Nick is at work. Doesn't help this mom any, but hey they all grow up and leave the nest sooner or later. I just wish it would happen much later than sooner.

I did finally manage to get some photos uploaded to flickr so without anymore rattling here they are. Click the photo to go to the set.

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Blue Star Blog roll

I'm joining The Blue Star blog roll, and I am to write a post to be eligible.

The Blue Star Blog Roll means I am not alone in my journey as a military parent. That I am not the first nor will I be the last to have the honor of a child serving in the military of this great country. It means that I have the support of moms and families who have traveled before me, and with me, and that hopefully I will be able to support the families that come behind me.
The internet community brings so many together that otherwise would have never meet, and this particular blog roll brings together a unique group of people, ones who despite their differences politically and religiously still believe in this great country and are ready to defend her, and her troops.

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Happy New Year.

Though there isn't a damn thing happy about it for me. Nick left on time this morning and according to his airline his flights are on time. And so starts a long 7 to 8 months. I sobbed when they pulled out of the drive this morning. I really hate this growing up thing. Where the hell did the years go?
Will update later this week with some pictures.

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