<p>Hi MOM2LOA I'll get back to you tonight. We're taking the little ones on a fun hike in a few minutes.</p>
<p>Sounds good! THANKS! And here is a pic I thought I'd share of LOLA on her way to Annapolis! </p>
<p><a href="http://brercatt.com/060106/NASSAPRT.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://brercatt.com/060106/NASSAPRT.jpg</a></p>
<p>Mom2Lola2011- SO PROUD!! Nick has wanted this since he was 13. My husband retired after 23 years in the USAF, so he was brought up around it (military). However, it was never, ever presented to him that this is the way/route he should take. He just loved the USNA.</p>
<p>He went to an academy night and talked to all of the reps there and that pretty much cemented it. He wants to go for the education, physical challenge, and differing selection of service (ships, planes, subs, etc). </p>
<p>They are a different breed. When he finally decided to get serious about this, he went on to accomplish things (AP classes, Eagle Scout, Boys State, etc) that would make him competitive. His friends just scratched their heads. Who was this guy? They teased him, made fun of him, and he still wouldn't back down from his goal. It didn't hurt that the goalie from their school soccer team (Nick plays on that team) got an appointment to USAFA, USNA, USCGA. I asked him if it bothered him when they were making fun, and he just kind of laughed and said, "Mom, they just don't understand. It's what I want and it's a lot tougher than anything they'll ever realize." </p>
<p>He wants to go for the education. That's #1. Most of the astronauts come from the USNA and I think eventually, that's what he wants to do. My husband was a test pilot and Nick wants to fly, but if he can't, he salivates at the thought of being on a ship. </p>
<p>He likes the tradition. USMA and USNA are the oldest two academies and he has been exposed to graduates of both. </p>
<p>He wants to make a difference. </p>
<p>My dad was in the navy in WWII and gave Nick his sailor uniform, so I don't think that hurt. It is sacred to Nick and no one touches it. He also looks pretty darn cute in it (he'll die when he reads that sentence).</p>
<p>Mom2Lola2011- She looks so prepared and so happy! I've got to get ours developed (I get the disk out of our camera and make hard copies to scrapbook with) then I'll try and upload.</p>
<p>NURSERYPOO! your story of Nick sent shivers down my spine.. And mostly because it is just like Lola's. We were on vacation when she was 11 in NY and we went to USMA. SHe asked the Tour Guide.. IS THERE A SCHOOL FOR THE NAVY? He told her.. THE NAVAL ACADEMY. And she said "THATS WHERE I AM GOING"... and that has been her goal ever since. Same as Nick, She has always been particular about the AP classes she took and the Extricurricular Activites she was involved in as well working since the week after she turned 15 as a Lifeguard and swim instructor. So MOTIVATED! Her grandpa , like Nick's, is a WWII Vet and has told her stories of the Lucky Arc USS ARCTURUS with involvement in both the war in Europe and in Asia and we have connections to the Navy from uncles, cousins, etc.. ALL MALES.. ALL enlisted.. I think Lola wanted to change that trend and be the first woman in our family to serve in any service and to be the first Officer. There has been something different about her since she was born and I always knew great things were to come.</p>
<p>HOW LUCKY ARE WE TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THESE CHILDREN TO RAISE FROM ABOVE!</p>
<p>Is it just me, or do girls tend to pack more luggage than boys? Why? I thought boys were supposed to be prepared (boy scout motto, right?). Or is it that girls must pack the kitchen sink due to "nesting instincts" (as my coach claims that every woman has)?</p>
<p>Dictatoranna- My guys HATE going on vacation w/me since I take the biggest suitcase and have the most stuff. However, they don't whine when I have to break out my "traveling pharmacy." I think girls tend to plan in case of contingency, which I think is particularly bright. Yeah, the Boy Scout motto is "be prepared," but tell that to the two boy scouts that went camping with my sons troop (husband is scoutmaster), passed the shakedown (equip. check), then left their tent behind. </p>
<p>I think that's why Nick had me go over the list three times w/him and made him count out the no. of sock pairs he took (which I still hope they put in the biohazard somewhere when he's done w/them). </p>
<p>Mom2Lola2011</p>
<p>We are certainly lucky, blessed. My dad was enlisted, so was my husband's. Lola is fortunate to have a mom who encourages her to follow her dreams and is willing to let her go to complete her dream. </p>
<p>What career path does she want to pursue following USNA?</p>
<p>Nurserypoo..</p>
<p>HA! The "travelling Phamacy" comment cracked me up. My mom was always like Mary Poppins with everything you could ever need in her "pocketbook".. now I think I have become my mom!</p>
<p>We girls do tend to overpack! BUT YOU MUST HAVE SHOES, PURSE, JEWELS to match every outfit! </p>
<p>I also told Lola.. DONT BRING THE WET STUFF HOME! IT IS ALL OLD STUFF (towels, extra running shoes) .. except the socks and they were inexpensive so I do hope they will all hit the circular file rather than returning to Atlanta in her bags.</p>
<p>Lola speaks German and can pass in Spanish and thinks she will do something with Language/ International/Poli Sci type major at USNA. And then would love to ultimately be a Navy Lawyer and would love to serve in some kind of International Courts one day. But that is a long way away.. </p>
<p>How about Nick? What does he plan to do?</p>
<p>And I forgot.. Where are you guys in CALI? We are in NE Atlanta but Lola was born at Silas B Hayes Army Medical Center at the Late Great Fort Ord in Monterey.</p>
<p>Mom2Lola-</p>
<p>Guys just don't understand shoes. Not every pair goes w/all outfits! Alright, so I have a bit of a fixation on shoes, but it's not like I stuff them in THEIR closet. Plus, I consider under the bed free territory. Things need to coordinate! I am so there w/you!</p>
<p>I'm hoping Nick will give his stank socks, as well as his uber gross tennis shoes, burial at sea while he's there. I really don't think his fellow passengers on the way back to Cali need to be asphyxiated by his teenage foot hygiene. Just thinking about it makes my stomach churn.</p>
<p>Nick was born in Germany and spoke very well up until he was four, then since we were back in the states, he lost most of it, but still understands when I speak to him. He's good at Spanish, but not w/his Spanish teacher. She and I have gone round and round; ultimately, and I'm not just saying this, she dislikes boys. In fact, he plays soccer w/mostly hispanic kids, so he understands them and the coaches (most are hispanic, too) and is good at the grammatical. However, he is very reluctant to speak Spanish when asked.</p>
<p>Nick would like to major in Aeronautical Engineering (see footsteps of father). He's aces in math, tutors his buddies, and thrives on science. He must have gotten the math gene from my husband, 'cause I KNOW he didn't get it from me. He'd ultimately like to fly and go on to testing. Before they test, though, they have to be tactically competent, thus learning to fly combat missions. He wants to fly/test the Joint Strike Fighter (they're working on that about five miles away from our house). However, if he can't fly, he'd take a shipboard assignment hands down.</p>
<p>We are in southern California, but north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert. My husband was stationed at Edwards twice, and decided to retire here, so Nick and our youngest could finish out their high school careers in one place (rare for a military brat). We are in Palmdale (the high desert). It's about 100 here today. Zero humidity, but still quite warm. </p>
<p>My parents had friends in Roswell. Is that anywhere close to you?</p>
<p>My son decided to serve the day of 9/11, I'm pretty sure tho he might say differently. His school dismissed early and when I picked him up he got in the car and said he wanted to be in the military. </p>
<p>Also, my step-father (career Navy - who is basically my father and is my sons' only real grandfather) has always encouraged all of the grands to serve. My son will be the third of the grandsons tho the first to go to the Academy - Lord willing. </p>
<p>I think my son would be fine there. He's bright, athletic, articulate, analytical and not risk-averse. He has an engineering brain and a heart of gold.</p>
<p>P.S. MOM2LOLA - Glitter looks great and it looks like she has the right amount of stuff. A pillow and sleeping bag are very bulky to travel with anyway. Hope she enjoys the experience and good luck to both of you with the rest of the process.</p>
<p>Sealion0101-</p>
<p>Wow! What a hefty decision to make at a young age! How old was he? </p>
<p>Your dad is sounding like mine! He wants all of the grands to serve. His oldest, 11 days older than my son, told him, "You're going to have to depend on Nick for this, 'cause that just isn't for me." I think my dad just about found Nirvana when Nick said he would apply for all four academies. He even said he'd fly up to be w/Nick, wherever he was, on I-Day (like you, Lord willing). </p>
<p>Tell me about your son. What does he like to do?</p>
<p>Hey Sealion! THAT IS SO COOL! We have such great kids! The kids at my daughters school can just not understand why she would want to be in the military. BLOWS MY MIND! Some are just called to serve and feel it in their hearts I think. Kind of like a higher calling? (Is that sacriledge to say?) Oh well.. you guys know what I mean :)</p>
<p>NURSEYPOO... the "GREATEST GENERATION" is fading away at such a fast pace. I know they are so happy to have kids like these to leave the Security of American too. and what would we do without that GREATEST GENERATION for our kids to aspire to be! :)</p>
<p>Mom2Lola2011-</p>
<p>Amen to that!</p>
<p>My son must have been in 7th grade when he decided to serve. My step-father advised USNA and we visited in 8th or 9th grade and that sealed his decision. He bleeds blue and gold now. We will probably drag him to a few other colleges for ROTC purposes. </p>
<p>He swims, runs track and xcountry (don't ask me which events, I usually don't go to the meets because of the smaller children.) He's in NHS, AP classes, works in a factory sometimes, drives a mint '94 Lincoln Continental (got it for cheap.) He boats and sails and has been teaching the little kids how to target shoot with his air soft gun (safety goggles and lectures included.) Now that's babysitting!</p>
<p>SEALION! HE SOUNDS LIKE AN AWESOME KID! BTW.. What do we call him on here?</p>
<p>OK.. We will have to get Lola, Nick and Sealion Jr Together! They sound like they came from the same Mold! :)</p>
<p>Sealion- what an awesome way to babysit! What are you going to do when he goes? My kids would have LOVED that. However, after the roof incident w/the one babysitter, I think I would have had a heart attack.</p>
<p>My second son will take over the babysitting. He's good, too - he'll be finishing his Eagle scout project this summer. I call it a successful night when the house is still standing and everone is accounted for at the end of the night.</p>
<p>Sealion-</p>
<p>What is James going to do for his Eagle project?</p>
<p>That is hilarious about when the house is still standing and everyone accounted for! What a great way to look at it!</p>