April 20, 2010

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend! I know it's Tuesday but it feels like Monday to me since we just flew back home last night. Have ya missed us? Maybe just a little?

We don't normally run off and leave for five or six days without something new here on BigSisLilSis, but this past week was a crazy week for us.

Last Thursday, we all met in Chicago to attend Bry's graduation from his Naval Basic Training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL. The graduation was held at RTC on Friday, April 16th and was unlike anything I've ever attended and an event that none of us will ever forget.

Division 159 (Bry is 4th from the back in far left row)

It was a much anticipated, emotional, and fun-filled weekend for all of us. Bry wasn't able to have overnight liberty but we spent as much time as we could with him during the day. He made my birthday on Sunday even more special by being able to celebrate it with me and spend time with the family. Here are just a couple of shots from Sunday.

Bry with his proud Mom, Grandmother, and Aunt!

It took motivation, determination, and discipline for Bry to accomplish this goal and I can't even try to put into words how proud we all are of our new Sailor!

Our proud Sailor

It was pretty hard to leave Bry on Sunday without turning into an emotional mess but somehow I managed to keep a stiff upper lip. He'll be in Great Lakes for seven more months for his A Training and I'm not sure when I'll see him next, but hopefully I'll manage to get back up there this summer. He's happy, excited about his training, and looking forward to his future with the Navy so I can't ask for more than that.

While in Chicago, we managed to do a little sight seeing downtown so we're planning on sharing a couple of those photos with you within the next day or two. It might take us a couple of days to get back into the swing of things! 🙂

~LilSis

February 22, 2010

I know that sounds corny, but it's a pretty emotional day for me. Even though he is 25 years old, he's still my little boy and I know all you moms out there know what I mean when I say that.

This seems like it was just yesterday.

(Before I say more, I made a decision today to change BigT's blog nickname. All our other kids blog nicknames are their real nicknames. We chose BigT back when we started this blog because a neighbor had nicknamed him that, but that's not what we call him. We call him Bry, so from now on, BigT is Bry here on BigSisLilSis.)

Our entire family has been waiting for this day, with much anticipation, for seven months now. Bry first started the process of joining the Navy way back in July of last year. He worked with a recruiter here in San Diego for several months and when she couldn't locate a job for him, he packed up his truck, moved to Texas, met a new Recruiter on his first day there, and started the process all over again. Looks like we'll be adorning our homes with navy flags in support!

Bry has never been real sure about which direction he wanted to take down the career path until now. Ever since he started talking about joining the Navy, he's seemed more sure about it than anything ever before. He's gone through a lot of red tape, gotten into the best physical shape of his life, and is more focused and motivated than I've ever seen him.

Even though I never really anticipated Bry being in the military, I always knew that he had a big heart and would do something great with his life. Now, he's going to help defend our country and I couldn't be more proud.

I'm on an emotional roller coaster today because I don't know when he's leaving Dallas or when he's arriving in Great Lakes, but I'll feel better once I talk to him tonight. He gets a 30-second phone call to let me know when he arrives, but after that I won't be able to speak to him for eight weeks. That's gonna be tough!

Today, I'm a really proud mom and a teary-eyed, lip quivering mess all at the same time!

Note from BigSis:

I know what you mean, LilSis, about being emotional! I remember that cute little blond guy like it was yesterday too. It was a rough weekend here, with Bry moving out of my place on Friday after spending 6 weeks with me, and then his send-off party on Saturday night. I'm totally proud of him for doing such a brave thing with his life, and I'm trying not to be selfishly mopey! To keep from going nuts with worry, I'm going to keep praying every day that God will surround him with a supernatural hedge of protection to keep him safe and well! I hope that our BigSisLilSis friends will join me in praying for him, and all of our military!

~LilSis