Wake up Alarm

This morning I was leaving the house for work at exactly 8:00. As I left my bedroom and got closer to the front door, I heard a sound... like a cell phone ringing. Since Aubree was at school supposedly with her cell phone and mine was in my purse, I was momentarily stumped.

Then I knew. It was Jacob's cell phone letting him know it was 8:00 (on Sunday, August 24) and time to get up. He had set the alarm to go off even if the phone was off. So I went into his room to turn the alarm off and have a little cry. I miss him.

The alarm is ironic since if what his recruiter told him is true, Jacob has not slept since Monday morning. He gets to sleep tonight.

Recruit Jacob Turley

At 4:07 my cell phone rang. I answered it to hear the following:

"Hello. This is recruit Jacob Turley. I have arrived at MCRD in San Diego safely. I will begin my training on Friday. You will receive a post card from me within two to three WEEKS with my address. My graduation will be.... (long pause during which I could hear lots and lots of other recruits saying the exact thing Jake had just said to me). If details of my graduation change, you will be notified. Bye, mom."

I tried to get an "I love you" in there but I am quite certain that he did not hear it.

Ok. I waited all day (almost) for 37 seconds of my son's voice; something I won't hear for about three months. He sounded... rushed. Also a little confused while he was waiting for someone to fill in the obvious blank where a date was supposed to be. Such is the life of a military mom.

Day One - Patience

So. Before Jacob was born, I used to pray for patience. Then the Lord sent me Jacob and I truly began my search for patience. It seems that I still have much to learn in that department.

I thought (notice the past tense) that Jacob would arrive at MCRD in San Diego sometime this morning, stand on yellow (gold?) footprints, call my cell phone, and then read from a scripted card letting me know that he was safe and about to embark on his new adventure. And to not send food or bulky items. And then hang up.

Thus far, none of the calls I have received this morning have been the one I am anticipating... waiting on... you know, being patient for. It seems that Jacob will not be the only one who grows/changes over the next 13 weeks.

Minus One Day

Today Jake left for San Diego with nine other "poolies". He begins boot camp tomorrow at MCRD which I think is Marine Corps Recruiting Depot. I get to talk to him tomorrow when he makes the one (and only) phone call telling me that he has arrived safely and will send me mail. Not email. Snail mail.

I decided that I would begin this blog so I could post his letters and have a record of the next 13 weeks. I sure hope he writes...

Even though my intent is to record Jake's experience, it will unavoidably be from my perspective. So for this, I apologize in advance for any "mom moments" of weakness. What can I say? I love my son and miss him already.