You Know You're an Army Mom When...

YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN ARMY MOM WHEN......


You cried when you heard the little neighbor kid sing Yankee Doodle.

Everything you've purchased in your closet lately seems to be Red, White, or Blue (or Army green/khaki).

You can understand EVERYTHING they talk about on "Army Wives".

Anything you see at the store that is camo is "so cute".

Your favorite song is now The Star Spangled Banner and you bawl like a baby when you hear it (Boy am I in trouble when the Olympics roll around next month and I don't even want to THINK about how I'm gonna get through the 4th of July parade!!!).

You start checking the Echo Company Facebook page every 30 minutes just for an update or a new photo.  (Okay...let's be realistic....if I have my phone close by then it's a lot more than every 30 minutes).

You scan those photos for hours and blow them up x100 just to see a glimpse of your soldier's roster number on the front of their helmet....it doesn't even matter if you see their face!

You stalk the mailman.

You wear a bracelet proudly engraved with ARMY MOM and the name of your soldier.

Your number of Facebook friends has grown by the dozens overnight because you realize you have a "new family" and it seems like you've known them all forever.

You start talking in acronyms; How is your SIT in BCT?  What is his MOS and where is he going for AIT?

You know NBC day is a bad thing...and that it doesn't mean reruns of Seinfeld, Friends, or ER.

You stop and look at the picture wall of service men and women every time you leave Walmart.

AND

You PROUDLY display a "Mother's Flag" (service flag) in your window and hold back tears of pride and joy every time you walk by.

Yep, I'm PROUD to say..... I AM AN ARMY MOM!!!!!!!!

HOOAH!

(Oh...and you actually KNOW what hooah means and why they say it!!  :)

I'm Loving White Phase!!!

Gotta love this new found freedom these boys are getting in White Phase.  TWO letters this week!!  HOOAH!!!

Hey Mom,

Things are good (he must've thought I'd be worried right off the bat - receiving two letters in a week!) We are qualifying on our shooting this week.  We have to shoot 40 targets; 20 prone (laying down) supported, 10 prone unsupported, and 10 kneeling supported.  My best pre-qual score has been 28.  We have to score at least a 24 to qualify.  Oh, and I got assigned to design our platoon T-shirt for when we graduate.  Drill Sergeant Weiss said it has to be the most bad a** out of the whole company or else I'm gonna pay for it!  My guess is that just mean a crap ton of push-ups.  And yesterday we had a 5 mile Tactical Ruck march.  So that was one of those days I was really glad I got to take my boots off at the end of the day.  Although I think that they're finally broken in now.  When they assign you your boots they give you a size smaller to avoid blisters, so I've crammed my feet in a size 9 1/2 boots.  OUCH!  But now they are pretty much formed to my feet.

Today is the OFFICIAL halfway mark!  BOOYAH!  It's exciting to think that Basic is half over because it's been going by so fat.  Anyways, there's been a rumor going around that Tom Brady (quarterback for the Patriots) was killed in a car accident.  It's crazy, almost like being back in the MTC - no information in or out other than what somebody overheard someone else talking about.  I can't wait for Sunday.  Some of the guys said they think they might try out church with me.  I love answering all their questions about the gospel.  Archondous even answers a few questions.  Tell his mom that he's doing great and he's a good dude.  Right now I'm just waiting for laundry to be done.  Most of my clothes are just soaked from sweat.  It's gross, but kinda funny too cause when my uniform gets like that it look like I jumped in a pool.  I stay hydrated though.  I swear I drink at least a gallon and a half of water a day.  My pee has never been so clear - ha ha!!

How are things back home?  I miss ya'll.  I can't wait for the 4th so I can talk to ya'll again when we get to have a phone call.  It's gonna be awesome on the 4th!  We are just counting the days!  Someone said we had 36 days left til graduation.  Just over a month left.  I can't believe it!  But it is starting to get hot here now.  We had a high of 105 today!  Yeah, I thought wearing a suit was bad - oh no - wearing full gear (ACU's, helmet, combat gear, vest or flick's as we call em) makes things even worse.  Even the bugs aren't out when it's that hot!  Ha Ha   When we qualify for shooting we don't have to wear the helmet everywhere we go.  That's gonna be a great day!  I've never hated a helmet so bad in my life.  And I thought bike helmets were bad!  So maybe if you really want to punish Tanner, make him wear a helmet all the time.  It friggin sucks!

I love ya'll tons and I can't wait to hear from ya.  (He must not be getting our letters because we've written 2 - 3 times a week!!!)
Love, Lance

Milkshakes, Shooting and Celebrating!

Hey Mom,

Things here are still going great! Red Phase is officially over!!  We were rewarded with a milkshake, which is super awesome since it's the first real sugar we've been able to have since we got here.  The only problem is that since we aren't used to having milk cause all we drink is water and Gatorade mix, we all ended up with super bad gas. Other than the gas, the milkshake was amazing.

So far White Phase is a little different - we have a little more control over ourselves but it also means a lot less tolerance for when we mess up.  It was great to talk to you.  You have no idea just how good it felt to hear your voice and to be able to talk.

Shooting is great!  Who knew I was a decent shot?  We get to start qualifications at the end of the week and then I don't have to wear that stupid helmet everywhere I go.  Ha Ha  I'm just excited about all sort of little things lately!  But I guess that's what happens when you don't have much control over what you do or eat or when you can sleep.  I never thought I'd be so excited to sleep in till 6!  Ha Ha!

How are things back home?  Really good I hope.  What do ya'll have planned for the 4th?  We're gonna go to the Infantry Museum.  It's supposed to be really cool.  I hope that the Drill Sergeants have some stories to share about deployments and stuff like that.  I can't believe BCT is almost half over Wednesday!  Time just flew by.  From talking to the guys at church, Blue Phase is the most fun because we'll be shooting moving targets and doing lots of cool tactical stuff, AND GRENADE THROWING!!!  Ha Ha  Can you tell I'm excited?!  Honestly, I just wanna blow something up!  I'd say I might buy a gun to have at home to go to the shooting range.  I'm sure that one scared you and your first thought was "don't spend all your money" and "you don't need one".  Ha Ha

So new information...BREAKING NEWS...This just in...another phone call on the 4th!!!  White Phase is freaking awesome!  So I get to call again after we finish up at the Infantry Museum, and this Saturday we get to have a huge celebration on the main post.  We are all way stoked about the next few weeks!

Church was good today.  One of the speakers was a kid I went to Viewmont (High school) with and I worked with him at Lowe's too!  So it was cool to see someone I know 2000 miles away from home.  I guess that's just the coolest thing about the Church; there's always some way to feel at home so far away.  I just got Nicki's letter so I'll try to write her as soon as I've got some more time.  What else is going on back home?  How are the boys?  Nicki?  Dennis?  Everybody?!  I miss ya'll a bunch.  I'll write ya'll again as soon as I can.

Love you, Lance

Fastest 5 Minutes Ever!

Remember when our son wrote that he could call sometime this weekend?  Well, I'm pretty sure I have a new ulcer just from all the anxiety of waiting and wondering!!! I made sure I stayed home ALL day on Friday.  We were going a little stir crazy on Saturday and it was so hot and yucky that everyone decided they wanted to go to a movie  (Brave...way cute...and highly recommended!).  No big deal, right?  Cell phones work in movie theaters, right?  WRONG!!!  As soon as we get into the theater I take my phone out to set it to vibrate so on the off chance that he called during the movie I could run out the door without interrupting the other patrons too much.  I was really pretty much at peace with the thought that morning that he may or may not call and I really would be fine either way.  That is until I saw all those big red bars on my phone with the words NO SERVICE printed under them.  Then I went into mild panic.   Are you kidding me?  Don't they know that babysitters can have emergencies, accidents happen, and SOLDIERS IN TRAINING ARE CALLING THEIR MOMS??? I don't think I've ever prayed so hard in my life!!  I prayed for two things....#1 I asked Heavenly Father to PLEASE randomly make this phone ring IF he called, and #2 IF he did get to call then please PLEASE don't let him call until AFTER the movie.  (And did I tell you it was such a darling movie??)  So the movie ends, we walk out of the theater to the car, turn the corner and........THE PHONE RINGS!!!  I look down and it's a 706 area code (Georgia)!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!!  We couldn't have been out of the theater for more than 3 or 4 minutes.  Once again, never underestimate the power of prayer...no matter how miniscule you think it might be!

It was good to hear his voice, even though he had a really bad cold (he tried to tell me it was nothing, but I've learned from other's moms since talking to him that a few of the boys have pneumonia!  UGH!) and hardly HAD a voice and he sounded a little reluctant to talk.  He said he was good, reassured us once again that he absolutely loved it and was excited to be there, and that he was happy to be done with Red Phase.  He said White Phase will consist mostly of shooting on the range and he's excited at the thought of being able to have Gatorade on the range.  He said he didn't really have a "best friend", but that the whole platoon is really good friends as a whole.  And he's excited for us to come out to graduation.  His only request was for sun screen that is sweat proof.  Poor kid!  He said to tell everyone hello and that he loves and misses everyone.  He did say letters are MUCH appreciated!!!  Then he said his five minutes were up..I yelled "love you Bud" and I went to say something else and he said, "Mom, it's the Army and 5 min is 5 min.  Love you, miss you, bye."  The fastest 5 minutes of my life!!!!  

Love you so much Bud!!  And since I didn't have a chance to say it on the phone.....

Be Safe - Be good - Be strong!!

Package Delivered! Thanks and Roger That!

Hey Mom,
I just go the package!  Thanks a million and like 5, because you just saved my face from 2nd degree murder by dull razors - ha ha!  That, and since I have to open my packages in front of everyone, they all have a joke about how my packages are filled with underwear.  You're awesome and I love the packages  :)  You should try to send some of the pictures that are getting posted on Facebook because we all wanna see what they look like since we can't access them.  They sound really cool and I bet it was awesome to see the things I described in my letters.  We start shooting our rifles tomorrow, and our company was specially selected to be visited by a Major General, so that's a really cool honor.  We're all stoked about it!  What's this about Hunter and the Marines?!  Come on Bud!  You gotta go ARMY if you're gonna join the military!

Hey, just a quick jump back to my last thought, but did I tell you about how our company isn't regular BCT?  We're an experiment in trying to see of other MOS's can train like infantry does.  So our whole unit is infantry - like our Drill Sergeants, Officers, and what not.  So it's cool because we're doing a lot of things that don't normally get done in regular BCT.

Lately it seems almost everyone has has been asking me about my religion.  It's been so cool to answer all the different questions that everyone has.  Somebody even asked to borrow my Book of Mormon.  Warren, he's an awesome dude from Memphis.  He's a Buddhist but he's curious about some things.  So he asked if he could borrow my book.  Speaking of which, could you possibly send me some really good church talks.  "Come What May and Love It" by Elder Wirthlin, and possibly a few others?  I wish you could send a whole Ensign but magazines are contraband.  So you can still just print off some of those talk for me.  That would be awesome!

That's really cool that you've made friends with Tepper's mom !  :)  He's an awesome dude - one of my favorites in the platoon.  He was our "casualty" during the First Aid Training so we had to carry him all over that hill! But it was still a blast - and we never even dropped him!!  I joked that for the rest of his career he doesn't ever get to be a casualty again because he was heavy enough the first time.  He laughed and joked back with me sayin he hoped he never will be!

Things here are a blast!  I can totally see why people in the Army say that this is one of the best times - well, let me take that back.  They say that about AIT, but most of the guys here are going to Ft. Sam with me.

Nicki, thanks for the sports update.  It was awesome!  I really needed that and I really hope the Thunder win the finals!  Heck, they should win just because I can't watch any of it!  I love you guys a ton!  Thanks for the letters.  Mail is one of the best things in my day.  I love hearing from you guys! :)

We've been shooting everyday this week so far.  It's been a lot of fun - well - at least when we're shooting.  When we aren't shooting it really sucks because we just PRACTICE shooting for the next 8 hours - laying in the sun watching Drill Sergeants drink Gatorade.  Speaking of Drill Sergeants, we got our new Senior Drill Sergeant back, Drill Sergeant Love.  So far he seems like a really fair guy.  He expects a lot out of us though.  So it might take us a little bit to get used to having to be at best all the time.  But I'm pretty sure we'll be all the better for it.

I just got your letter from the 15th.  Glad to know that you're gonna make it.  I don't know Landers or the other guy because most of the platoons don't like us, but that's just because we've got the best Drill Sergeants - and they know it.  haha  They really treat us with a lot of respect while still teaching us and enforcing discipline.  With White Phase coming up, it sounds like there will be more freedoms and we get to have Gatorades at the firing range!!!

Anyways, I love getting your letters!  It's great to get them - definitely makes my day some days.  I'm missing ya'll and can't wait to see you come graduation!

Love,  Lance

I Am a Soliders Mother

I Am a Soldiers Mother

By Cynthia Strong

I am a soldier’s mother; I sometimes march alone
And yet I stand with many, trying to be strong.

You may not recognize me as you pass me on the street;
I may look like any other that you by chance might meet.

Like any mother, in a lot of ways I still remain,
But watching my son become a soldier brought a forever change.

For deep down inside where you cannot see
My own battle rages that’s as real as it can be.

It starts with feeling pride in all he has become,
But often worry creeps in before the day is done.

Then there is his absence that never will seem right -
The days without a word that causes many sleepless nights.

And at the sight of another soldier, my heart skips a beat,
For it reminds me of my own, and that face I’d love to see.

And I have a deeper sense of the sacrifices our heroes make;
I can see the hardships on the families – the loneliness, the heartache.

But in spite of all that’s raging, this mother’s love holds strong
As I’m wrapped in God’s peace and comfort and given strength to go on.

Thinking of you today Bud! And thinking....I never really thought I'd be a military mom, but how proud I am to be one.  I never thought I'd loan you to Uncle Sam, but how honored I was to let you go.  These summer holidays hold a new meaning for me.  I thought I was patriotic before, but now there's a higher sense of gratitude and of love...it's nearly overwhelming.   When you told us of your big plans, dreams and desires I was excited that you knew exactly what you wanted to do!  I'd prayed for you to receive guidance and direction in your life.  Now comes the exercise of my faith and courage, and probably yours as well.  I am proud to be an Army Mom.  I'm learning what Army Strong really means. And I'm so thankful to be part of this new Army Family that we've already come to know and love.  Thank you for this opportunity to be part of this adventure in your life Bud.  And thank you so much for being part of mine!!!

Be Safe - Be Good - Be Strong

(I love you more than a million ANYTHINGS)

NBC Chamber & Family Prayer

NBC Chamber - Note:  These are NOT photos from his actual Unit

Hey Everybody!!!  

Well today was the NBC Chamber (gas).  Yeah, it totally sucked!  I didn't puke though!  They had us eat breakfast 10 minutes before we had to go in.  But...back to the Chamber...Those masks work pretty well.  The part that sucks is when you have to take them off and say your name, rank and social...that is if you can get that far.  One guy from our platoon freaked out and attacked one of the Drill Sergeants to try to get out, so as punishment we had to do it a second time.  And that really sucked!!!  I hated doing that even more than having to eat carrots!  Ha Ha!  I had so much mucus pouring outta my face, and I still don'g have a voice now.  No worries though cause it's over now, but once I get to my unit after AIT I'll have to do it once a year!  I'm already coughing just thinking about it!

We get to do Land Navigation tomorrow, so we'll see just how lost I'll end up in the woods out here.  They are beautiful though.  Tons of pine trees, but they are totally different than the kind in Spokane.  These are way tall and skinny except at the top they look like a normal pine tree.  

More MRE's for lunch today.  It seems like I've gotten the same one the last four times (Spicy Penne Pasta).  I always keep hoping I'll get the Buffalo Chicken again.  I'm excited for Land Navigation (haha I'm trying to go back to my original thought).  They're gonna give us coordinates, a compass, and a map and we have to find 3 different points out in the woods.  Kinda like the Army version of The Amazing Race.  It should be really fun!

Time here is flying, how is home?  That's awesome about Nicki and her new job at Boondock's!  And Hunter and football?!  That's awesome!  Can't wait to hear about that one!  I just got more of your letters!  Thanks for the pictures!  They're great!  haha  Frosted Flakes!!!  That one was for Nicki!  The letter from Elder Oaks was really cool.  It's been great to get all of your letters so far.  By the way...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DENNIS!!!  Thanks for all the years of advice and support!  Honestly, most of the lessons you've taught me have had application to something that I've done here.  You're the best father anyone could ever ask for!

So, back to what all I've been up to lately.  The overnighter was cool but super exhausting because we spent the whole first day rolling around in the dirt and the woods learning how to bound and cover.  That was a lot of fun.  And then we had to sleep on an ant hill.  It was pretty funny to have all the guys freak out about a bunch of ants.  Ha Ha!  Then we woke up and did it all over again all day long!  But overall time seems to be flying!  It almost feels like I never have enough time in a day.  I miss you guys, a lot! Especially at church today...They had a cool idea to have you all to have family prayer at the same time I pray so it's like we're all praying together.  I usually pray at 2130, which is 9:30 here.  So it'd be like 6:30 there  (He's wrong...it's 7:30 Utah time) and I know that's right around dinner time and all ya'll are probably super busy, but it seemed like a really cool idea.  Schwarz came to church with me again.  He's a really good guy, but he's struggling a little (he explains a little).  I'm really trying hard to help him stay positive and to try to tough it out.  I really hope he stays.  Sundays here are nice because we have church and most of the day is personal time.  So I use most of it to write letters and to do laundry.  Speaking of letters, Tanner, I got your letter buddy.  I loved the pictures - especially the Drill Sergeant.  You pretty much nailed that one...ha ha.  I have it hanging in my locker with all my family photos too!  

Red Phase isn't over as soon as I thought it was gonna be.  It won't end until somewhere close to the 22nd, so it's gonna be a little longer on that phone call.  But don't worry we haven't totally screwed up to lost that one yet!  I really hope you guys are doing good.  I love hearing from ya'll.  Tell all the aunts, uncles, cousins and Gramma and Grandpa I say hi and I'm doing good here.  Let Gramma know I got her letter.  I friggin love you guys!  I miss ya'll tons, and I can't wait to see ya'll at graduation!

Love, Lance

P.S.  The dog tag is for Tanner since he wrote me first!  (He sent a dog tag with a picture of the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on it.  It's just like the one he wears to identify his religion and whom to contact in case of emergency....except this one is plastic.  And by the way...  Mom wrote to him first  ;)