Lisa, my prayers are with your son and your family. You should be a very proud mom for what your son is doing for us. I know I'm proud and I don't even know him. P.S. IM SINGLE NOW..haha

My son is a single Marine. One thing I asked him was to try his hardest not to fall in love on another continent! I know that was asking a lot of him at 18 years old when he first left for Okinawa two years ago but . . . I just couldn't stand it if he got married and had children while on another continent!

So far . . . all is going very well in the single and no children arena! Once he gets back to the states for good (hoping that he'll decide not to take assignments {or request them} abroad) that he'll find a good woman that makes him happy. That may be a long time off though. He's talking about becoming a member of the Marine Security Guard -- those are the guys that guard the US Embassies all over the world. That would be 3 to 4 years more away from our home continent!

Thanks Nobella!

Your boy is very handsome. I bet you are so proud of him.

Lisa, thanks so much for posting the pictures of your son. I know you are very proud. This is what takes my breath away every time a see a picture posted of one of our guys or girls in the armed forces...they are so very young!! I am in awe of the courage and discipline it takes to become a part of our military. These guys accept an awesome amount of responsibility that most will never know. They have my utmost respect and also my prayers. Keep us informed on your sons progress and God Bless him for what he's doing.

i feel so badly for you. like i said in my post "say a prayer" when he gets home give him a hug for us and tell him thank you!!! he's a great person!!!!

Thanks everyone!

Both of my boys are awesome . . . Brian for putting his life on the line for other's to have freedom and Carter for waking up his sleepy mom so that she could talk to her skin son online!

Brian is concentrating on making history for democracy. What drives him is knowing that he is a part of something big in the shaping of the world. He feels he is making a difference. That is all most of us ever really hope for . . . to make a difference.

:)

WELL! WELL! WELL! those pics made this 67+ y.o. heart go pitty-pat.. LOL I say prayers for the people in uniform and also for those civilians in Iraq who are in the middle.
I can guarantee Carter gave you a B'day present that just missed the mark a few mins. My dogs always know when I have turned my puter off. I have NO speakers on it but they still know. Actually, Skylar watches for the screen to go black, no matter the reason..
Anyway, tell your son that we all hope he sees Roberts and they both leave there safely. Our prayers wre with them. And, Happy Boofday, Carter.

Happy belated Carter, Lisa a stunning little man you have, if only I was 20 years younger:)

Thanks for the big smile!!!

Roberts is my son's friend and co-worker from Okinawa. They were roommates for quite some time as well. Roberts left for Iraq a few months before Brian -- he's there with a group from Hawaii, if I'm remembering correctly. It was a toss up as to who they were going to send on that deployment - Roberts or my son. For that one, they decided to send Roberts since Roberts asked for special permission and Brian agreed to it.

From what my son said, Roberts is across the street from where my son will be. Brian will have to go across the street to train his Iraqis but then return to his side of the road to go to his quarters. I'm sure the two will meet up and they will be able to comfort each other - trading stories, etc.

I'm still waiting for the phone to ring letting me know Brian made it to his destination okay but I'm sure if they did make it, he's busy getting things set up. I know he has no qualms about calling in the middle of the night either!

Carter spends a great deal of time with me in my office - either sleeping on my LSU sweatshirt I have in a corner for him or under my computer chair. I'm sure he knows a lot more than I realize when it comes to my computer! Cooper is the same way!

:)

Your son is very handsome & I admire his courage at such a young age. God bless him & all of our men & women who put their lives on the line so that WE can enjoy all of the many things freedom brings. Where would we be without these brave ones! & to you, mom, my prayers will be with you also. I have a 26 year old son & I CANNOT imagine all of the thoughts, concerns, fears, joy, etc. you must endure each day.
I do believe God used Carter to wake you! I am sure it must be an unbelievable thrill to see your son on-line & how disappointing if you had missed him. Good job, Carter & happy birthday!!!!!!!
Please tell your son "thank-you"! & we are remembering him & all of our military in our prayers.

Thank you Rachel for taking the time to respond to the thread. It really warms my heart witnessing all the love that can be expressed in our forum. I thank my lucky stars that I have the support, thoughts and prayers of the wonderful people here!

You all have a very special place in my heart! You reap what you sow, therefore, you will all be rewarded by a higher being! There is a genuineness that has been expressed here and I can truly feel it!

:)

Lisa- You have sooo much to be proud of! I loved what you said about Brian "making a difference".... that is just beautiful! And I pray for his safe homecoming at the not too soon end of this war! As far as Mr Carter... he is your big boy now taking care of you while the others are away! You are sooo loved!

Carter has assumed the top male role (replacing Brian) until he returns home! As long as Carter keeps waking me up when Brian is online, he will remain my top dog! hehe

There are so many nights that I wake up at 2 or 3 or 4 AM and I get up to see if Brian is online. If Carter would let me know when he's online (all the time), I wouldn't have to constantly get up to check.

There are times when I'll get online and I just have a feeling that if I wait it out, Brian will show up. Sometimes it does happen!

Tara -- I have to admit . . . ya'll have all made me feel loved today!!

Happy belated b-day, Carter! Don't worry about Brian, Lisa, he will call soon enough! :D

Kimberley:

I keep telling myself that and know it intelligently but emotionally, you still wait for the phone to ring.

I know worrying and wishing doesn't make the phone ring any faster though. He'll call when he calls. I just hope that I'm home when he does have the opportunity.

:)