Official Midshipmen

Well yesterday we went to see our son get sworn in as a Midshipmen in the Arizona State University N.R.O.T.C. Program. It was amazing and we couldn't have been more proud. This is something my son has been talking about since he was in middle school, it was a single minded goal that he worked hard for every day of the last 5 years. Yesterday we watched him take the oath, and officially start his long journey to becoming a Commissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps. It was definitely a very emotional day for all of us but it was all good.

Capt. Borland reciting the Oath.

Our son in the maroon, pretty obvious he is the Marine Option in this picture (lol)

Swearing his Oath.

Michael's suite mates in order, Patrick, Michael, Doug and Jimmy. They skipped class to come to support Michael, I was very moved by it and I am sure it meant the world to Michael. By the way, what a good looking group of young men!

The Marine on the left was one of my hubs MSG's in Africa, he watched Michael grow into the young man he is now. We were thrilled he could attend and this is him, Michael and Greg, I don't think I have ever seen my hubs so proud.

Dear Blog, I am Sorry

Dear Blog,
I am so sorry for not spending more time with you lately. I have just been so busy with all the new changes in my life. I promise you I am not seeing any other blogs. Well ok, maybe that isn't completely honest, I have been reading others blogs, I know I am sorry....please forgive me. But I have needed to put some space between us for a little bit so I could come back to you a better "me". I am coming around, soon I promise. I won't be long...thanks for being patient.
Me

Mil Spouse Friday Fill In

1. If you could be a fugitive from the law for whatever reason, what would your crime be? (from It’s a Hooah Life)
Hmm…I wouldn’t want to be a fugitive, that would mean leaving my family, hate to be a party pooper but there isn’t one thing in the world worth that.

2. How long do you think you will be a military family? (from Julie the Army Wife)
We will always be a military family, Once a Marine, Always a Marine. I am a Marine Brat, Marine Wife and soon to be a Marine mom so I guess I am in it for the long haul..hubs has 5 years before he can even retire and I don’t think he will do only 20.

3. What’s your favorite recipe? (from Keep Calm and Soldier On)
It’s in the yellow pages under, Restaurant Reservations…sorry I don’t cook well.

4. What would you want your last five words to be when you leave this life? (from My Goal is Simple)
It’s been a wonderful ride.
5. Where do you hope to retire? (from Pennies from Heaven)

We are thinking of joining the State Department and travel the world some more. Honestly we can’t think of one place we would want to be forever.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

ONE OF THE FALLEN FROM HUBS BATTALION LAST DEPLOYMENT, NEVER FORGET THOSE THAT PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

My son and freshman at ASU White washing A

Something New...A Vent

OK, so even though I have been blogging my pity party the last few months I have been keeping up with everyone else's blogs as well. So I have come across a few blogs in reference to MyCAA that have well, kind of pissed me off. Firstly let me explain, I was not happy when MyCAA was abruptly canceled as evident in some of my blog post about it. I was also equally unhappy with the restrictions that were put out when they re-introduced it. What is really bothering me is how this has now turned into a bitch fest about how unfair it is that some wives are entitled and some are not. I think that is wrong, I think it should be open to all spouses on a as needed basis. But what is really disturbing is how some wives are turning on those who qualify (it's not their fault) and also making them feel inferior for only pursuing a certificate or an Associates. I think it is mean spirited and from what I have been reading making these spouses feel a bit like crap. It doesn't make sense that they won't let you use the funds to get a BA/BS of course, it doesn't make sense that all wives can't apply on an as needed basis, kind of like financial aid. What does make sense is that someone with a BA/BS already maybe should understand that funding is limited so maybe this program should be open to those with no degree or certificate. If you have already been fortunate enough to have finished your degree lets give some of the other spouses a chance. If you are making a lot of money in your current career, maybe we should let those spouses not so fortunate get a chance to do the same. What I really don't like is the sense of "entitlement". Of course it would be nice that DOD recognizes the sacrifices we make as spouses and how it impacts our careers. But let's be real, we chose this life for ourselves and that is part of the package. It has always been that way and it will always be that way, the mission is first and our military members must go where they are needed. I don't like how I am reading that we are "owed" anything and that the military should put family first, they can't. I have been around for 16 years, and let me tell you they are trying to make our lives easier, but mission is important. Maybe that is why younger troops are discouraged from marrying, maybe that is why so many young marriages end in divorce, I am not sure. This life is not for the weak. I am just getting so over hearing about how the wives are being screwed over by the military. This life is a sacrifice, our sacrifice is small compared to those of our spouses. I know this may anger some of my readers and for that I am sorry but really it's the hard truth. MyCAA intent was good, they screwed up, they bit of more than they can chew. But for the wife that may want to get a certificate or an Associates I say go for it! It's a start. If your goal is to get a BA/BS than use the money to get you AA/AS first and than move forward. I think what needs to be changed is the rank restrictions, but that is something we should fight as a whole and not attack those that fall into the current guidelines. Support one another, don't attack. We get enough of that from the civilian world we don't need to do it to one another.

Trying to Get Back to Me

Well my blog seems to have turned into a great big pity party for myself. That was never my intention when I started my blog. I started it to connect with people who may or may not be going through the things I am but to also find support. I must say I do get a lot of great support in my comments and I am so grateful. It is nice to know how others are feeling about something I am going through and just to hear from anyone who cares to comment. So here I find myself in the infant stages of emptynest, day one, hour 15...I know I will get through it and I know we will all be fine, what I don't want to do is wallow in misery and pity. So the question is how do I get back to me? Don't get me wrong, I have my own identity, and I know I am strong and can stand on my own. I have a wonderful husband who I love and who I also happen to like and I feel so fortunate to have him in my life. Not to mention he is dealing with his own emptynest, and in a different way. When he deploys it gives him great comfort that our son was home with me, being the man of the house, taking care of his mom. Now when he deploys next year not only will he go missing us, he will go with the worry of me being alone. Today he had to go to the field, I seen he was apprehensive about going, and I told him to go, I will be fine. That wasn't a lie, I am and of course I miss him but missing him and missing my son are on separate plains if you know what I mean.
OK I am rambling, back to the question at hand, ...how do I go from being a hands on mom for the last 18 years, to a hands off mom of a college freshman? Obviously I need to get back to me, get back to things that I can dedicate time to that I couldn't because I was being taxi mom, JROTC mom, all around there for you any time of the day mom. I worked my sons whole life. I was laid off the end of his Jr year and it was a blessing since my hubs was getting ready to deploy and I took it as an opportunity to spend some time with my son before he left home for college. I admit, I let myself go a bit. I haven't worked out as hard as I used to, I gained weight, I just plain made it all about him. I need to get back to me, I need to shift all those energy's. That's how I am going to get through this. I wouldn't change one thing about the last 2 years, well one thing maybe but that's a whole different blog post but the last 2 years giving my son my complete attention was wonderful. I am not going through this alone, it's the three of us and like always we will see each other through it. I decided I am not going to blog about this subject for awhile, not because I don't want to share but because I need to find things to blog about that aren't a "poor me" feel sorry for me subject matter. My son is doing what he should be, we are proud of him and he is going to have the time of my life and that is something to celebrate, not wallow in. I am turning this page, and even though I can not promise I won't shed a tear every now and then I am going to turn this ship around and sail it towards a more positive attitude.
Thank you to everyone who has been with me through this, and will continue to support me. Life is good, and I am a lucky woman.