News from Great Lakes!

I know it has been a bit since I posted anything, so I wanted to update all of you. Gavin has sent us two letters and we know that his graduation date has been set for 9/25. The date is wonderful as Stephen and I are planning on taking a week to explore the Chicagoland area, and visit with our boy. It is good for me because we are on break from school, so yay!!!
In Gavin's letter he writes, " I am ok, its nothing like I thought it would be. I like it for the most part. It is however hard at times. Like this morning we had to make it rain, that is where we turn the showers on hot and we have to work out until the ceiling drips with water. It is what it is, and that is how I am looking at it. I miss all of you. I have to have my wisdom teeth taken out next week, and I found out I need glasses. I love ya'll and hope to hear from ya'll very soon. Send lots of pics. Always your son, Gavin"

OK so first of all I was pretty upset that he hasn't gotten any of our mail, but then a very sweet lady on Navy for Mom's who has taken me under her wing, let me know that they hold mail for about 2 weeks. It is all about them depending on their new family now. While that doesn't make me all warm and fuzzy inside, I do understand the concept. The good news is our boy is hanging in there and he is enjoying it for the most part. I do however wish I could take care of him this week when he has his wisdom teeth out. It is very tough on a Momma who has been super involved in her boys lives to not be there for things like this. However, I am learning that while Gavin is in a transformation process, Stephen and I are also in one. We are learning how to let go, and trust in the things that our children have been taught, and in the individuals they have become. It is a growing up time for us too. Even though many people have said the Navy is his family now, you can see in his letter he is "always our son", and that made this momma swell with pride.
It really bothered me when Gavin first went in, and there were lots of tears, but things are getting better. We still stalk the mailman daily for any letters or news of our boy. We are attached to our phones, waiting for the second phone call that should come any day now. Through all this we are surviving. It helps a ton having Taylor at home, and though most of this is about our new lives in the Navy, I did want to let you all know about Taylor as well. He started his first job today! He is so happy and feels wonderful about himself, and has grown up over night. What a great time in all of our lives! Thanks for following us on our journey, will post more soon :)

Navy for Moms

A dear friend sent this to me today, and I thought it was a perfect piece to pass on, the author is unknown....



Mom Be Bold
I may clutch a picture of my child
Wander into his room where the memories run wild
Thoughts come with me wherever I go
Prayers often lead my way, you know
My young one has left to be so brave
The hero of my heart, gone to save
At times I want to reach out and hold
But I know his answer, "Mom be bold."
The love of my child is part of me
So strong and good, it will always be
Nurtured in life by a caring heart
This child to me is a work of art
Dear God you know my love is true
I've prayed for my soldier, more I'll do
And to mothers who live their life and I
We'll grow in support, with our flag raised high
Together we'll get through each new day
Becoming great friends, God Bless our way.

To all my new friends at Navy for Moms, thank you, you are a wonderful group of ladies. You have inspired me, and made the days much more bearable. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Address

I went by the recruiters office today to see if he could get me an address, and I had some success. We also got his box in the mail today, with the clothes that he had on and his phone. The address is as follows:

E/1 Slusher, Gavin M
Division 332 Ship 11
Recruit Training Command
3301 Indiana St
Great Lakes, IL 60088-3127

Thanks everyone for your well wishes and for supporting our boy!!!!

GO NAVY!!!!

The days go by so slow.....

The days since Gavin shipped have gone by so slowly. I find myself constantly wondering what he is doing, what they are feeding him, and how he is handling all of the changes in his life? Yesterday, Stephen and I made a trip to Walmart, and I walked by GI Joe's and started tearing up, I am wondering is this normal. Yesterday was a very difficult day for me, I went to medical office class, and the teacher started talking about hero's and servicemen, of all things to talk about in a Medical Office class... She had forgotten about Gavin leaving on Monday. I have found that although my life seems to be standing still, life around me goes on. I have never once been concerned about Gav making it through boot camp, I know he is a strong young man and he can do anything. I don't like that my kids have grown up so fast. It seems like just yesterday we were breaking up arguments over hot wheels, or going to Chuck-e-Cheese. For those of you who have kids still young enough to enjoy all of those things, cherish those moments. Even though life is hectic when they are that age, and sometimes frustrating, it all goes by way to fast.
I am so happy that I have Taylor still at home, and am enjoying time spent with Taylor's girlfriend Ashley, and Gavin's girlfriend Alyse. We are getting through this together, and girls we need to do ice cream at Bruster's with three spoons soon. Have I mentioned how wonderful my husband has been through all of this? Stephen is missing Gavin so much but we are leaning on each other, and knowing that Gavin will be so polished when we see him in October. Now if we could just get an address.....

Safe Arrival

Gavin has arrived safely in Chicago, he sounds really tired, but enjoyed his first flight. Will update again when we have an address :)

New Navy Man- It is official :)

It is official, our boy is now part of the Navy. What a tremendous experience this has been for our entire family. Fort Gillem was very accomodating to all the families that were there, and made us feel very welcome. Gavin is showing true leadership already, and is so excited and strong. He is with a group of 10 other Naval Recruits and they will fly from Atlanta to Chicago together at 5:30 this evening. They have a very long 2 days ahead of them, so keep them all in your prayers. Go Navy!!!

Sunday

Hey Everyone,

Just a quick update. We will be taking Gavin to Hapeville on Sunday at around 3. We went to the Naval office yesterday and he got his Shipper. He will stay overnight at the Doubletree with the Master Chief, and then will head over to MEPS for final inspection on Monday, August 3rd. Stephen and I will travel down on Monday morning to watch his swearing in and say our goodbye's at Fort Gillem. I will load pics as soon as we get back home. Please know that he is very excited, feels very good about his decision, and is ready to go. The Chief and Recruiter had very good things to say about him yesterday while we were getting his shipper. He went from a Deppy ( that's what they call people in the Delayed Entry Program) to a recruit yesterday. Now we will await the call after Battle Stations when he says, " Mom and Dad, I am a Sailor!" Please continue to keep our boy in your prayers, will update with more when we have new info :)

10 days to go.....

Gavin was up at 7:30 this morning, I think maybe he is trying to adjust himself to the early mornings that he is going to have in 10 days. WOW, 10 days, it seems so close now. Gavin is meeting his recruiter at 11:30 today to do his last drug test, and run his last Physical Training requirements. Next Sunday will be here before we know it, and there is so much left to do. I am glad that we are all finally feeling the excitement of this journey. We all believe that Gavin is taking the right path for his life, and we are all so proud of him.

I read a quote the other day that stated, " The only thing harder than being a Sailor, is loving one" SO TRUE!!!!

Watching my child grow into a man....

With the weeks news and our own community celebrating the life of a soldier, my household has been hit with reality with amazing force. Over the weekend we watched as a Marine from Bartow Co was brought home to be laid to rest. We rejoiced in his life, and we sympathized with his parents. He was given a Hero's burial, and the turn out was phenomenal. When we watched I felt my heart constrict a bit, and I prayed a prayer that I have prayed a lot lately, "Please God keep him safe."

I have read many stories over the last little bit, and I realize how blessed Stephen and I are to have two wonderful, healthy, loving boys. They have gotten in their share of trouble, and most would say they aren't perfect, but to me they were the perfect gift. Their personalities, demeanor's, looks, and overall being has given us a little bit of paradise.

This past week Gavin has started to take on some new qualities that I haven't seen, and it is truly like he is growing up in front of my eyes. He has been talking a lot about his finances, what he plans on doing, and the view that he will have going into this whole experience. He is so upbeat, positive, and looking forward to starting a new life. I ask him the other day if it was the fact that he would be out from under mom and dad, and he let me know he would always need us, but he is looking forward to standing on his own two feet. What an amazing gift! Several weeks ago, I had a "breakdown", and I called my mom. She talked me through everything and had her way of making me realize that he will be ok, and he will make it on his own. Yes, I still need my mom :) I always knew that no matter how old we are, how successful, how busy, we always still need our parents. It is nice that my kids know this too.

I feel very fortunate to have such a close bond with my boys. We are at 17 days and counting and I could not be more excited to see the changes in my kids. It is going to be a wonderful thing to watch Gavin walk away, head held high, knowing that he is ready to conquer the world.

20 days

Gavin is set to leave on August 3rd. We will take him down on Saturday, then go back on Monday morning to watch him be sworn in. He is excited, and happy about his decision.
Stay tuned...

Waiting and Wondering

This will be my first blog entry and I am very excited about having an outlet for my feelings, and a way to communicate with all of our family and friends. I am hoping this will make things easier for everyone to stay informed about Gavin and his adventures, as he starts his career in the Navy, as well as how we are coping at home.

A Little Background

Gavin signed up a year and a half ago to join the Navy. He has been in what they call the DEP program, and has learned so much. His original ship date was August 3rd, but after sitting around for most of the summer, he told his recruiter he was ready to leave. Last week he passed all of his physical training, as well as other testing that is required. We are now in the waiting for "the call" stage.

This Weekend

This weekend I guess it finally hit me that "the call" could come anytime, and there were still things that we planned as a family to do before he ships. Actually, when we found out that he would be leaving this summer, all of my thoughts have been to making every holiday, birthday, vacation, and family time the best that it could possibly be. In some ways I'm sure I have tried too hard, but it has all worked out, and we have made so many memories this year.

As we have traveled down this road with Gavin, we have all tried to learn as much as we could about the process, and prepare ourselves as well as Gavin for what will be taking place. His recruiter has been wonderful, as well as a website that I joined called NavyforMoms. I feel like we are all better prepared for basic, and what happens after that.

I am so excited for Gavin and the journey he is about to embark on. It is going to be challenging, but also offer him so many opportunities. I am scared and peaceful, happy and sad, excited and nervous all at the same time. I know that I have to let go, but I don't want to let go. I know that this will be a great time in his life, but I want to keep him here to keep him safe. I am so happy and proud of him, but in the next breath so sad that it makes my heart ache. Some of my medical friends might see in this the need to see a doctor :), but I can assure all of you that while my emotions are completely on this roller coaster ride, I am coping and enjoying the ride.

I hope that you will follow along on our journey that is two fold. Stephen, Taylor, and I will be adjusting to life without Gavin being here, and Gavin will be starting the most amazing journey, and growing into the man he is destined to be.

I can't promise that this blog will always be positive, happy, or funny, but I can promise that through this the goal is to help other Navy Moms, and to share with family and friends the latest news we have....