I haven't posted since before the Half Way Point of Bootcamp. Lots of things have gone on so let's just hit the highlights (and you will see why I haven't posted in a while!)
Ryan gained weight.
Ryan shot EXPERT LEVEL and received an "Expert Badge"
Cade went to ER - throat infection, Strep and ear infection...Children's Hospital at Legacy in Plano ROCKS! We had to stay the night - it was like staying in a hotel! Excellent care and great facility - highly recommend it!
Jamie had shoulder surgery. OUCH!
Cade had his tonsils and adenoids out, but we didn't have to stay over night!
Ryan went the gas chamber...yes! Literally, the real gas chamber - you don't want to know the details - BRUTAL! Ryan said in this letter home that he now has bragging rights...anything anyone brags about, he will just say, "...SO! I have been to the Gas Chamber!" We believe that trumps just about anything?
Cade had to go back to ER. Got a tummy bug 3 days after surgery! NOT GOOD, but we did get to come home!
Jake & Jamie got "tummy bugs". Thrilling!
WE GOT PHONE CALLS FROM RYAN! His voice was almost gone for the first round of calls and he sounded really different to me...the same, but still different! I think I was in shock - I didn't even cry!
Jamie got a horrible sinus infection!
We got to see a video of the Platoon - just the recruits in their cammies standing on bleachers and the camera scanned their faces - incredible! First time we have seen him since August 31.
Ryan scored perfect scores on his oral exams! (We knew he would!)
Ryan not only survived the Crucible but he was the 1st one to reach the top of the Reaper (big mountain they had to hike at 3am, after not sleeping or eating and in the RAIN!) OOH-RAH!
Ryan ate a Warrior's Breakfast (and lots of ice cream) and was awarded his Eagle, Globe and Anchor and became a True Marine...no more Recruit - he is officially a United States Marine!
We ate Turkey!
Jake lost yet another tooth...actually, it was hurting - so he just yanked it out!??
We got more CALLS from Ryan and he got to talk to the boys and Granny & Papa! YEA! I didn't cry! YEA!
In 3 days we leave for San Diego.
On Sat. Dec 6th our Marine comes home! He will be here until Jan. 13, 2009! WAHOO! He will get to go to Sachse High School to try to Recruit...how great is that?
When we return, I will have lots of pictures to post and more details to fill in the blanks...hopefully, Ryan will be able to post as well - can't wait to hear all of his stories!
Semper Fi,
Kendra
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Inspiration from Boot Camp
The entire time Ryan has been gone, Jamie and I have been encouraging all of you to send him letters of inspiration, encourage him and pray for him....who would have thought that we would be so inspired, and encouraged by HIM and that he would be PRAYING!
We got the greatest letters from him this week...made our whole week...maybe even more!
He gave details of Swim week, which I will post later, and was so thankful and appreciative in his letter to Jamie! In his letter to me he had to tell me how good he looked in the Marine Uniform for his pictures! Ha!
He says he is more motivated than ever, his morale has never been higher and he believes more than ever that God put him there for a reason!
His letters sound mature, thoughtful and HAPPY! Did I mention that he said he is not even biting his nails now?
Recruit Ryan is a happy "camper" - and we couldn't be more excited and proud of him!
We got the greatest letters from him this week...made our whole week...maybe even more!
He gave details of Swim week, which I will post later, and was so thankful and appreciative in his letter to Jamie! In his letter to me he had to tell me how good he looked in the Marine Uniform for his pictures! Ha!
He says he is more motivated than ever, his morale has never been higher and he believes more than ever that God put him there for a reason!
His letters sound mature, thoughtful and HAPPY! Did I mention that he said he is not even biting his nails now?
Recruit Ryan is a happy "camper" - and we couldn't be more excited and proud of him!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Ryan's Latest Letter
Friends and Family,
Ryan is doing well. The last week and the coming week have some significant milestones for the platoon, 3261. This past Saturday, they had their Initial Drill. For those of you that don't know what that is, it is basically their marching formations and techniques. Unfortunately, Ryan's platoon finished last so their DI's (drill instructors) were NOT pleased. According to Ryan, the squad leaders (which he is one of 4) and the Guide, got "slayed" for 45 minutes. He says they all threw up...no joke. He says other than that things are going really well for him. He has gained 9 pounds (which you all know that he needs) and is able to do 20 pull ups. I guess the days of me kicking his butt are over!!!
This week was swim week. Ryan is a strong swimmer, so I am sure that he did well in qualifying. Next week, they pack up and head for Camp Pendleton for Phase II, or field training. Phase II last 3 weeks and then they are in the homestretch with Phase III. Anyway, just wanted to give everyone a small update. Keep writing to him, he loves it.
Jamie
Ryan is doing well. The last week and the coming week have some significant milestones for the platoon, 3261. This past Saturday, they had their Initial Drill. For those of you that don't know what that is, it is basically their marching formations and techniques. Unfortunately, Ryan's platoon finished last so their DI's (drill instructors) were NOT pleased. According to Ryan, the squad leaders (which he is one of 4) and the Guide, got "slayed" for 45 minutes. He says they all threw up...no joke. He says other than that things are going really well for him. He has gained 9 pounds (which you all know that he needs) and is able to do 20 pull ups. I guess the days of me kicking his butt are over!!!
This week was swim week. Ryan is a strong swimmer, so I am sure that he did well in qualifying. Next week, they pack up and head for Camp Pendleton for Phase II, or field training. Phase II last 3 weeks and then they are in the homestretch with Phase III. Anyway, just wanted to give everyone a small update. Keep writing to him, he loves it.
Jamie
Monday, October 6, 2008
Pen Pals
It sounds like a few of Ryan's friends have been sending him lots of letters which is AWESOME! Thank you all so much for taking the time to let him know you are thinking about him!
The one thing he "complains" about is being so shut off from the rest of the world and not being able to talk to anyone so the letters are SO important to him!
We all know what a socialite he is, so if you haven't written yet, please do! If you need envelopes and stamps, give me your address and I will send you some! :)
The one thing he "complains" about is being so shut off from the rest of the world and not being able to talk to anyone so the letters are SO important to him!
We all know what a socialite he is, so if you haven't written yet, please do! If you need envelopes and stamps, give me your address and I will send you some! :)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
GOD, Country & Mom
The most surprising part of this entire experience that Ryan's favorite part of bootcamp is CHURCH!
They were "issued" Bibles and are always being given verses to encourage and motivate them throughout the week and then they go to Sunday service.
I was so excited! Another mom from our Platoon said "it is crazy to think that we sent them to bootcamp to join a Bible Study!" Apparently several of them are praying together at night before they go to bed and it sounds like the actual service is loud and intense...Ryan says everyone is involved and another kid wrote to his mom that "there were 1500 recruits worshipping loudly!"
How great is that?
They were "issued" Bibles and are always being given verses to encourage and motivate them throughout the week and then they go to Sunday service.
I was so excited! Another mom from our Platoon said "it is crazy to think that we sent them to bootcamp to join a Bible Study!" Apparently several of them are praying together at night before they go to bed and it sounds like the actual service is loud and intense...Ryan says everyone is involved and another kid wrote to his mom that "there were 1500 recruits worshipping loudly!"
How great is that?
Here are two verses he says "actually mean something to him":
Psalm 51:1-4 & 10, 12
IPeter5:6-7
Marine Language 101
"Tell Jake there is a while different language in the Marines!"
Walls = Bulkheads
Cups = Water Bowls
Floors = Docks
Window/Mirrors/Glasses = Portholes
Pens = Ink Sticks
Pencils = Lead Sticks
Breakfast = Morning Chow
Lunch = Afternoon Chow
Dinner = Evening Chow
I think there is an entire list of more "vocabulary words" on the MarineParents.com site...click on the link I have posted under "Check out These Sites"
Walls = Bulkheads
Cups = Water Bowls
Floors = Docks
Window/Mirrors/Glasses = Portholes
Pens = Ink Sticks
Pencils = Lead Sticks
Breakfast = Morning Chow
Lunch = Afternoon Chow
Dinner = Evening Chow
I think there is an entire list of more "vocabulary words" on the MarineParents.com site...click on the link I have posted under "Check out These Sites"
Phase I Daily Schedule
Here is Ryan's description of his day in one of his first letters:
"We wake up at 4:30am, eat morning chow, then morning PT (Physical Training) we then have morning drill (marching), afternoon chow, afternoon PT, afternoon class, evening chow and evening drill, finally we have hygiene and go to bed!"
He said that his Physical Trainer is actually really cool and very motivational...he loves the physical training and thinks he actually gained a little weight. They have him on "double rats", double rations to meat on those bones!
"We wake up at 4:30am, eat morning chow, then morning PT (Physical Training) we then have morning drill (marching), afternoon chow, afternoon PT, afternoon class, evening chow and evening drill, finally we have hygiene and go to bed!"
He said that his Physical Trainer is actually really cool and very motivational...he loves the physical training and thinks he actually gained a little weight. They have him on "double rats", double rations to meat on those bones!
Famous Yellow Footprints at San Diego MCRD
Jamie asked Ryan in one of his letters, "How did you feel when you first stepped on those Yellow Footprints? Ryan's Answer...."BRING IT ON!" OOH-RAH!We've Got Mail!
The letters our finally coming from our Recruit!
They are upbeat and positive and seem to be changing in tone...a little less cocky, and a little more insightful!
I will post some more on the specific topics of his letter later!
They are upbeat and positive and seem to be changing in tone...a little less cocky, and a little more insightful!
I will post some more on the specific topics of his letter later!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ketchup!
We got the scans faxed to the Marine Doc and Ryan got on the Blankity Blank Plane around 2:00 on Monday, September 8th.
He called me from the airport and told me that he would be going through Denver to San Diego and would arrive sometime around 7:00pm West Coast Time and for me to stay up and keep my phone close because he would get one phone call to let me know he arrived safely and then he wouldn't be able to contact me again for a couple of weeks.
Well the Lord works in mysterious ways, because based on what Jamie told me about the call we received from Ryan after 11:00pm - I am so glad I was asleep and Jamie and had to answer...I was sick and hadn't slept the 2 previous nights because we were up with Cade who was also sick.
I just couldn't keep my eyes open! I told Jamie to stay close to the phone to catch Ryan when he called, and tell him I loved him!
When I woke up Tues. morning I asked Jamie if Ryan called and he giggled and said, "Yea, bootcamp has definitely started!" To which of course I replied reluctantly, "Oh God what do you mean??!!"
Jamie quotes our Recruit:
"This is Recruit Jefferies calling to inform you that I have landed safely in San Diego. The next communication you receive from me will be a letter sent postal mail. My anticipated graduation date will be December 6th. Should anything change you will be notified. I love you. Goodbye."
Holy CRAP! They made him read from a script what he could say on his one phone call and Jamie couldn't say anything before he had to hang up!
And, Jamie said he could hear all the yelling going on in the background!
Can you imagine how I would have melted down if I had to hear that and I couldn't even say anything????
So, Praise the Lord he made it safe and Praise the Lord Jamie took that call!
Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief and pray that the Recruit maintains a strong mind and strong will! WHOOO-RAAAH
He called me from the airport and told me that he would be going through Denver to San Diego and would arrive sometime around 7:00pm West Coast Time and for me to stay up and keep my phone close because he would get one phone call to let me know he arrived safely and then he wouldn't be able to contact me again for a couple of weeks.
Well the Lord works in mysterious ways, because based on what Jamie told me about the call we received from Ryan after 11:00pm - I am so glad I was asleep and Jamie and had to answer...I was sick and hadn't slept the 2 previous nights because we were up with Cade who was also sick.
I just couldn't keep my eyes open! I told Jamie to stay close to the phone to catch Ryan when he called, and tell him I loved him!
When I woke up Tues. morning I asked Jamie if Ryan called and he giggled and said, "Yea, bootcamp has definitely started!" To which of course I replied reluctantly, "Oh God what do you mean??!!"
Jamie quotes our Recruit:
"This is Recruit Jefferies calling to inform you that I have landed safely in San Diego. The next communication you receive from me will be a letter sent postal mail. My anticipated graduation date will be December 6th. Should anything change you will be notified. I love you. Goodbye."
Holy CRAP! They made him read from a script what he could say on his one phone call and Jamie couldn't say anything before he had to hang up!
And, Jamie said he could hear all the yelling going on in the background!
Can you imagine how I would have melted down if I had to hear that and I couldn't even say anything????
So, Praise the Lord he made it safe and Praise the Lord Jamie took that call!
Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief and pray that the Recruit maintains a strong mind and strong will! WHOOO-RAAAH
More Drama!
Ryan does make it to Amarillo that Sunday and I am thinking I will not hear from him again (remember, I never got the scoop on how all this S#$%^ was supposed to work so I was thinking he couldn't call me any more) but sure enough....Monday morning Sept. 8th (6 days after he was supposed to leave for the first time) I get the 1-800-CRY-MOMMA call AGAIN!
They woke up the Recruits at 4:00am to go through the final evaluation before getting on the plane, etc. and the Doc asked Ryan if there were any changes to his physical conditions since his first exam back in the spring...any injuries, etc. The Doc told Ryan that if he said "No" and they found something wrong later, it would not be a good thing for Ryan, so Ryan proceeds to tell the Doc (I call him Doc - who knows if he is a Doc, but you get the point!) that he "tweaked" his back over the summer! First of all...he didn't "TWEAK" it....a @#$%^&*() dude in the blankity blank FIGHT CLUB hurt it for him! Again...another story for a another time, but back to the Drama:
The Doc asked Ryan if he had it checked out - which he did, even had a CAT Scan - so hear this: at 6:45am-ish, the Doc tells Ryan he has to have copies of the CAT scan or "Ryan ain't gettin' on the Blankity Blank plane!
No - I am not kidding! That really happened!
So, now everyone's panties are in a wad over how in the H-E-double hockey sticks we are supposed to get our hands on those scans at this hour on a Monday morning!
Phone calls are flyin' - and the REAL Doc's office - the one with the scan results, doesn't even open until like 8:30!!!! YIKES!
At this point I am loosing Faith in our US Marine Corp! I am beside myself, all the while hoping Mr. Ryan the Recruit is behaving in an "Officer-Like" fashion and keeping his cool, etc. I am the only one allowed to SPAZ!
They woke up the Recruits at 4:00am to go through the final evaluation before getting on the plane, etc. and the Doc asked Ryan if there were any changes to his physical conditions since his first exam back in the spring...any injuries, etc. The Doc told Ryan that if he said "No" and they found something wrong later, it would not be a good thing for Ryan, so Ryan proceeds to tell the Doc (I call him Doc - who knows if he is a Doc, but you get the point!) that he "tweaked" his back over the summer! First of all...he didn't "TWEAK" it....a @#$%^&*() dude in the blankity blank FIGHT CLUB hurt it for him! Again...another story for a another time, but back to the Drama:
The Doc asked Ryan if he had it checked out - which he did, even had a CAT Scan - so hear this: at 6:45am-ish, the Doc tells Ryan he has to have copies of the CAT scan or "Ryan ain't gettin' on the Blankity Blank plane!
No - I am not kidding! That really happened!
So, now everyone's panties are in a wad over how in the H-E-double hockey sticks we are supposed to get our hands on those scans at this hour on a Monday morning!
Phone calls are flyin' - and the REAL Doc's office - the one with the scan results, doesn't even open until like 8:30!!!! YIKES!
At this point I am loosing Faith in our US Marine Corp! I am beside myself, all the while hoping Mr. Ryan the Recruit is behaving in an "Officer-Like" fashion and keeping his cool, etc. I am the only one allowed to SPAZ!
Drama! Drama! Drama!
I have finally found the "umpf" I needed to tell you all about the DRAMA we faced in trying to send Ryan off to Bootcamp...now that I know he is finally there, let me fill you in:
Remember it all started when the Recruiting Officer didn't show up at the Marine Recruiting office to meet me on Sunday, Aug. 31st for the "parent debriefing". Ryan and I both had a yucky feeling about that, but he went back to the recruiting office on Monday like he was told to do and get this....the Gunny Sgt. flipped out on Ryan and the Recruiting Officer because Ryan didn't
have his original Social Security Card.
Let's back up to about 7 to 10 days prior to our trip to Lubbock...we specifically told the Recruiting Officer that we most likely would not have the original social by the time we got to Lubbock - that is another story for another time, but we knew we wouldn't have the card and the RO said, "that shouldn't be a problem, just bring the application paperwork to show that the card is on its way and Gunny Sarge should be able to make everything happen!"
Well, Gunny Sarge said in no uncertain terms, "he ain't gettin' on the blankity, blank plane without the @#$%^&*() social security card!
So I get the "Houston, we have a problem" call from Ryan and I can hear the Gunny yelling in the background, but what in the Blankity Blank was i supposed to do about it????????
Ryan is stuck in Lubbock, the @#$%^&*() social security card is supposedly on its way to my house - what a disaster!
Finally, the @#$%^&*() shows up and I overnight it to Lubbock and Ryan is cleared to leave Lubbock for Amarillo on Sunday the 7th.
But wait!!!! There's more.........
Remember it all started when the Recruiting Officer didn't show up at the Marine Recruiting office to meet me on Sunday, Aug. 31st for the "parent debriefing". Ryan and I both had a yucky feeling about that, but he went back to the recruiting office on Monday like he was told to do and get this....the Gunny Sgt. flipped out on Ryan and the Recruiting Officer because Ryan didn't
have his original Social Security Card.
Let's back up to about 7 to 10 days prior to our trip to Lubbock...we specifically told the Recruiting Officer that we most likely would not have the original social by the time we got to Lubbock - that is another story for another time, but we knew we wouldn't have the card and the RO said, "that shouldn't be a problem, just bring the application paperwork to show that the card is on its way and Gunny Sarge should be able to make everything happen!"
Well, Gunny Sarge said in no uncertain terms, "he ain't gettin' on the blankity, blank plane without the @#$%^&*() social security card!
So I get the "Houston, we have a problem" call from Ryan and I can hear the Gunny yelling in the background, but what in the Blankity Blank was i supposed to do about it????????
Ryan is stuck in Lubbock, the @#$%^&*() social security card is supposedly on its way to my house - what a disaster!
Finally, the @#$%^&*() shows up and I overnight it to Lubbock and Ryan is cleared to leave Lubbock for Amarillo on Sunday the 7th.
But wait!!!! There's more.........
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Hanging out in Lubbock
We got to Lubbock Saturday, Aug. 30th in the early evening. We checked into the hotel and then I dropped Ryan off at the game so that he could hang out with his friends and so that I could get some work done!
I picked him back up a little later and then we had dinner together at Cap Rock - YUM! Afterwards I took him to "Old Greg's Place" and he partied it up while I enjoyed a "child-less" evening in my hotel!
Sunday morning I took Ryan, Greg and Ryan's Spring '08 dorm-mate, Carlos to breakfast at Cracker Barrel! (Greg is the one in the hat and Carlos is the one with Ryan in Maroon shirt)
Friday, August 29, 2008
Grandparents Say Farewell
Last night we had dinner with Granny, Papa, Grandma & Grandpa at Cracker Barrell...Ryan's choice of course! Although Grandma was wishing they served beer...yes, I did say Grandma Donna - we all had a great time! More pictures to come...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Recruit Jefferies...Not yet a Marine
The making of a Marine begins this weekend when I take Ryan to Lubbock this weekend to report for duty..actually to report to his recruiting officer. I have learned that Ryan is not an official Marine until "they say" he is a Marine, so he is technically not reporting for actual Marine duty, just to basic training known to us all as Bootcamp. Hopefully I will get the skinny on the rest of the official Marine rules during the parents de-briefing on Sunday. More things like: We can't dare address Ryan as any sweet nicknames we like to use, i.e., Cryin' Ryan, Slick, Honey, Honey Baby Darlin' Dear, Asshole....ya know, anything like that! Supposedly, our fun little pet names would cause a few problems for our precious Recruit??? Hee Hee
So here is a run down of what we know so far:
We leave for Lubbock Sat. morning the 30th. Ryan will no doubt party it up with his Tech buddies while I enjoy a nice relaxing evening ALONE IN A HOTEL....no screaming kid....no ringing phone....no laundry.....total control of the remote.....can you say HOTEL HEAVEN?!
Sunday we attend the Parents de-briefing and then I head back to Dallas while Ryan the Recruit gets ready to go to Amarillo on Monday and then flies to San Diego on Tues. Sept. 2nd.
Once he gets settled in, he will be sending me a letter letting me know his mailing address and any special rules for the types of things he can receive while in Bootcamp.
From what I understand, there are different phases of basic training, but it will be continuous, with no leave until it is over on November 21st. I will fly out to San Diego Wed. the 19th for a dinner...I mean "de-briefing" with the Drill Sgt. (Gotta practice my official lingo) Thurs. the 20th will be visitors day. Not sure quite what all that means but a day in San Diego can't be bad no matter what we do! Then the big graduation...when the Recruit finally become a Marine - a Private First Class to be exact! I will attend the ceremony and then me and my Marine will be on our way back home!
Ryan will be here for 10 days which means he will be here for Thanksgiving!
At the end of his leave, I THINK he will go to North Carolina? He may have to go back to San Diego first and then to North Carolina??? I am sure I will know for sure after Sunday.
I promise to post everything I learn this weekend and hopefully some pictures. Ryan will not be able to post anything to this blog while in bootcamp but once he enters active duty he can write to us and send pics...so brush up on your bloggin' skills and let's all support my "honey darlin baby punkin' Marine!"
So here is a run down of what we know so far:
We leave for Lubbock Sat. morning the 30th. Ryan will no doubt party it up with his Tech buddies while I enjoy a nice relaxing evening ALONE IN A HOTEL....no screaming kid....no ringing phone....no laundry.....total control of the remote.....can you say HOTEL HEAVEN?!
Sunday we attend the Parents de-briefing and then I head back to Dallas while Ryan the Recruit gets ready to go to Amarillo on Monday and then flies to San Diego on Tues. Sept. 2nd.
Once he gets settled in, he will be sending me a letter letting me know his mailing address and any special rules for the types of things he can receive while in Bootcamp.
From what I understand, there are different phases of basic training, but it will be continuous, with no leave until it is over on November 21st. I will fly out to San Diego Wed. the 19th for a dinner...I mean "de-briefing" with the Drill Sgt. (Gotta practice my official lingo) Thurs. the 20th will be visitors day. Not sure quite what all that means but a day in San Diego can't be bad no matter what we do! Then the big graduation...when the Recruit finally become a Marine - a Private First Class to be exact! I will attend the ceremony and then me and my Marine will be on our way back home!
Ryan will be here for 10 days which means he will be here for Thanksgiving!
At the end of his leave, I THINK he will go to North Carolina? He may have to go back to San Diego first and then to North Carolina??? I am sure I will know for sure after Sunday.
I promise to post everything I learn this weekend and hopefully some pictures. Ryan will not be able to post anything to this blog while in bootcamp but once he enters active duty he can write to us and send pics...so brush up on your bloggin' skills and let's all support my "honey darlin baby punkin' Marine!"
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