<p>127 days to go until USNA I-Day for Class of 2011. </p>
<p>Just a lil over 4 months! OK.. where did the last month go.
and wasn't Christmas just last week?</p>
<p>No, New Year's was.</p>
<p>I'm thinking it's 125 days. Is this right, MOM?</p>
<p>It is indeed now 125 days! Stop the clock! I cant take it.</p>
<p>Here, hold my hand. I'm right there in the boat with you; but I'm hanging over the side, hurling my guts and holding my hair with the other hand. :p</p>
<p>Okay, seriously, I'm having sleepless nights here thinking about it all. Not so much worrying about my son being at the Academy and the stress involved therein but also about things like the fact that his 6 yr old brother will be starting high school by the time he finishes his 5 yrs of service (If he decides to leave-I kind of think he won't), and that he won't be in town for any of his siblings' birthdays and that this will be the last season I get to watch him run track regularly and that I most likely will barely know any of the girls he dates/possibly marries and on and on.
I am SOOOO proud of my son and he has wanted to attend USNA since middle school. And, I've always thought it was such a perfect fit for him and was completely ecstatic when he got in! But, once he did, the reality of what was coming began to hit me. I told my husband this morning that I had been praying for peace about it and wasn't getting it. And so, did he think that maybe this isn't the path our son was supposed to take or did he think it was just a "mom" thing? Husband asked me, "Haven't both you and the son been praying for this like forever?". I replied, "No, I haven't been praying for him to get into USNA, I've been praying for God's direction in the situation and that, if it was God's will, he would get in." Husband's response: "Well, there you go-I think it might be a "mom" thing."</p>
<p>nickinest, I understand what you're going through, but you're putting the cart before the horse. Enjoy him while he's at home with you and don't worry about the 'what-ifs' right now. The unofficial motto of USNA parents is 'Semper Gumpy'-Always Flexible. They don't call this a roller coaster ride for nothing!! Your boy is going to be fine and so are you!!</p>
<p>I honestly feel closer to my son now that he is at the Academy. We definitely have more meaningful conversations since our ability to communicate is limited. </p>
<p>Email is truly a blessing. I send that daily expected email and I get a brief sentence back every few days......I love getting those emails!!!</p>
<p>FWIW Nickinest, I share & validate your concerns. Going to the Academy is what our son has strived for & planned for since he could string words together, but his departure will be a definitive change in our family dynamic. He is our eldest & we have 4 younger children. So as he fills out paperwork to be part of the c/o '11, I'm filling out piles of paper for our 3 yr. old to enter pre-school. And they are SO close. It will be a terribly difficult transition for our toddler. :( We've raised our kids to be mentally strong, confident & independent. Guess it's time to let them fly.</p>
<p>I'm with you on this!</p>
<p>CC07, </p>
<p>Wait until your three-year old thinks everyone in a uniform is a Midshipman and walks by an Admiral and says "Look!! A Midshipman!!"</p>
<p>It happened with my three-year old daughter last year. What a hoot!</p>
<p>"We've raised our kids to be mentally strong, confident & independent. Guess it's time to let them fly."
CelticClan007-This is so true! I only wish its application was a bit easier :) ...
We, too, have four other children, 3 of them younger: ages 3, 5, 6. There will definitely be some adjustments for all of us around here come I-Day...</p>
<p>I too had many of your same worries but we have found that we are a closer family now that he is at USNA. I see my son more than most of his other college friends see their parents, we are fortunate that we can get to Annapolis a few times a semester. He has made very good friends at the academy, however unlike civilian schools where friends begin to consume their lives, I get the feeling that at the Acadmey the entire concept of "family" becomes very important to them. He calls when ever he gets a chance, emails with just the littliest bit of news, IM's when he can. </p>
<p>My big worry was that at age 18 he would "never live at home again, life for the family would never be the same" Well, it wont be but I have to admit 7 months later it is different but equally as good!</p>
<p>And the official count of the day, MOM2LOLA, is?</p>
<p>We are almost 3 years into this journey and now it seems more natural to have our son away. That's not to say we don't miss him or love it when he gets home, but we know he's doing what he loves and that makes it okay for us. Trust me, the time goes by very quickly! It just seems like it was yesterday that we were standing in that long line outside of Alumni on I-Day and here we are, looking at houses to rent for Commissioning Week.</p>
<p>Good Morning! the official countdown is 124 days until I-Day.</p>
<p>I am truly having empty nest syndrome here already with Lola at college even if it is local and the thought of not hearing from her for several days at a time after I-Day does not make me happy. BUT.. I will know where she is and that she is safe and that she is doing what she has wanted to do for past 7 years. And what an awesome future she has.</p>
<p>Our babies are almost grown :(</p>
<p>She has been my life for the past 18 years and 1 month. So what to do next with my life is what I now need to ponder! Any suggestions? I am thinking that I need to find a 90 yr old millionaire and travel the world. HA</p>
<p>Billionaire! Don't settle for less! :D</p>
<p>Since younger son is moving into older's room probably the minute after he leaves, I'm trying to decide what to do w/the rooms (paint, etc). Keeps my mind off of June 27th.</p>
<p>I call it the "Scarlett O'Hara Syndrome." I'll think about it tomorrow!</p>
<p>Hey all you 2011 parents -
Welcome to our world!!</p>
<p>It was (and is still) difficult to let them go. Ours (c/o 2010) is the firstborn, and I truly felt like I was losing my best friend. I still get teary when he has to go back (that's always good for an extra hug!).</p>
<p>So... hang in there! I know it's tough (try not to think back too much on when they were really little - haha! That always gets to me!). </p>
<p>Keep the merlot & chocolate on hand, and remember that you'll cry when they leave, but not as much as you would if they stayed! :)</p>
<p>Cheers to all!</p>
<p>Nurseypoo .. you need to change the extra room to your USNA Memorabilia room! Did I send you pics of my USNA Guest Room? It also has old pics of WWII Vet Grandpa, USCG Cousin, Framed Nom letter, etc. Really cute and I cant wait to fill it up with USNA pics of Lola.</p>
<p>"We've raised our kids to be mentally strong, confident & independent. Guess it's time to let them fly."
CelticClan007-This is so true! I only wish its application was a bit easier " </p>
<p>OK, I confess, that's what my head says. My heart is NOT listening. I'm really trying though...........</p>
<p>LFWD dad- Out of the mouths of babes! I bet the Admiral got a chuckle too! Very, very cute story. </p>
<p>What are we down to? 123 days now? UGH!</p>
<p>I was in a party store today & right after I was assaulted by the St. Patrick's Day & Easter displays, the Class of 2007 grad party accessories are front & center. :( Hit me like a ton of bricks.</p>
<p>YES Celtic! 123 days.. Lola and I today started talking about "we have do this, we have to do that" before she goes. I dont love that conversation. </p>
<p>I think she needs to get through Spring Break and then we will get on those things. Delay it as long as possible.</p>