Happy 4th of July!

I like the caption on this photo . . . "the ultimate pledge of allegiance", so I'm posting it here in honor of Andrew and his fellow shipmates.   Thanks for keeping us safe and ensuring our country's freedoms!

I'm Catching On . . .

Yep, it's true.  I actually had this one figured out.  Guess I'm catching on!

I hadn't heard from Andrew for several days and instead of worrying about him, I thought about it, read what the moms and wives had been posting on the Navyformoms site, and figured out on my own they were in "River City".  That's when they're not allowed any outside communication.  I'm still not clear on whether they can receive e-mails, but I know for certain they cannot send any during River City.

While they're in River City, I wonder what job they're doing.  But he can't tell me . . . yet.

Here's a copy of the e-mail I got from him confirming River City.   

And saving the ship?  Wow!  Way to go, Babe!  I'm proud of 'ya for that one!

From: "GSMFN Styes" <styesa@ffg60.navy.mil>
To: "Kris Styes" <kstyes@buhlerschools.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 1:44:45 PM
Subject: RE: Earl Photo

Hey we have been in river city past few days. Everything has been going good. Found flooding in aux 3 the other day saved the ship. Then the day after I got qualified to stand sounding and security and a unch of my pqs done. So that's good. My face is starting to clear which is nice.  Hows all the company? Ready for them to leave? Gotta go back to work.           love ya

Adventures At Sea

Andrew e-mailed and said he's been doing some cool stuff lately.  He said that while he was out on the flight deck today, he saw a giant sea turtle.  His said it was at least 6 ft long and weighed 175 pounds.  


Here's a giant sea turtle photo for those of you who are like me and didn't really know what it might look like.  Duh, it looks like a giant turtle swimming in the sea! 

I love the idea that he's doing and seeing things different than what we have in Kansas!  "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore!"

Wheat Harvest Time

Yes, it's time for wheat harvest in Buhler, KS, If Andrew were at home, he would have something to do with harvest, either through FFA or friends.

Thanks to my fellow 4th grade teacher and friend, Carla G, for sharing photos she took of a farm across from her parents' house in Buhler. 

I THINK I Know What's Going On!

Here's a copy of an e-mail I sent Andrew earlier today. I think I know what he's doing, but can't post anything about it on the internet.

Hey Babe!

Haven't heard from you for a few days, and I'm assuming you're doing something and can't e-mail.

Know that I love you and I'm very proud of you.

Stay safe and communicate when you can!

Giant mom hugs and smooches!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Sleeping on the Ship

One of my mom worries has been that Andrew wouldn't be able to sleep while on the ship. I thought there might be too many people, too much noise, too much "everything". But, I was wrong!

Through e-mail, I asked him about sleeping and this is what he replied. Let me tell you, it made my "mom heart" much more reassured! And, it sounds pretty peaceful! Maybe there's room for me on the ship too! O.kay, probably not! ;o)

Here's what he said:

Actually the ship rocks at night depending on how rough the seas are. It actually is kinda nice cause it rocks you to sleep. I sleep pretty well. I wake up occasionally; my body is on a schedule now.

The seas are pretty rough today and it's raining and the wind is blowing.

Andrew's e-mail Address

Here's Andrew's e-mail address while he's on the ship. I'm not sure how frequently he can check it, but I know it works because he's sent me a few e-mails from it. styesa@ffg60.navy.mil

IMPORTANT NOTE: All incoming and outgoing e-mails are screened. So, don't write anything you don't want the US Navy to know! :o)

Talked to Him! :-)

I can't believe it! I was reading the RMD group on Navyformoms.com, and several of the moms/wives said to keep the phone nearby because they thought we'd hear from our sailors tonight. And sure enough . . .while I was reading the site, the cell phone rang. The number said, "unavailable" and when I answered, it was my guy!!!!

We had a brief conversation (less than 5 minutes), and during that time I learned he is fine and doing great. He says it's hot where they are and the engine room where he works is hot. And, he said he didn't like standing watch twice a day, but they are soon switching to a schedule that requires him to stand watch less frequently.

I told him I was getting a box of goodies ready to mail him, and he said skip the baby powder (as suggested by the ombudsman), but please send several cans of Copenhagen instead. He tried to purchase Copenhagen in Panama, and it was $10.00 a can. So, he didn't buy it. Hmmm . . . maybe he's learned something? Hope so!

Overall, it was a GREAT, albeit quick, conversation with him. He sounded just fine - a little tired, but just fine. And that makes my mom heart happy!

Can't wait til I get to talk to him again!

Now I Understand!

I tried and tried to sleep last night, but just couldn't do it. I was too busy wondering why Andrew hadn't made contact with us since leaving the Houston airport. So, I got up and did some research on the computer and posted a message on the Navyformoms site. As expected, someone on that site answered my plea for understanding! Her husband shipped out with Andrew so she had a little information to share. They did arrive safely to their ship and apparently the ship is under "river city", which means they cannot send or receive communication.

I'm not sure what his ship is doing right now, but apparently it's important and they don't want interruptions from mothers. So, guess I'll have to wait until the communication ban is lifted.

David thinks they're out fighting pirate ships, which is highly likely. But until I hear from Andrew, that's just an assumption.

Crazy!! :o(

Argh! How many days are going to pass before my guy gets to communicate with us? Now it's starting to make me cranky, and I know it's not him. I know he'd call or send an e-mail if he could because he wrote letters during Basic Training. And Andrew is not a letter-writer. So I'm convinced he'd communicate if he could.

Still waiting, wondering and missing him!!!