summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Saturday, May 10, 2014

my son sam the army man...

Samuel James....

Sam hadn't had anything from Starbucks in weeks. No coffee since February. So we brought him a cookie crumble frappuccino.

With Sam...

Paul with Sam....

Sam with Joseph, Charlotte and Camille...

We walked around the base today.

Sam hadn't been in a store in over 60 days, and he needed some supplies, like KitKat bars and coffee. He has had neither of those things since February either. So we walked to the px a few times. Sam has lost like 25 pounds, and just can't and doesn't eat as much anymore. But he sure enjoyed the coffee and the chocolate, and the subs and the Chinese food we brought him.

He is doing well, this big handsome son of mine. He was intensely homesick when he first got here, away from friends and family and all the things we take for granted, like sitting on a couch. He has grown up so much, he is so responsible and takes being a soldier very seriously. My heart aches that he has to stay on the base this weekend, just for moving his hand during his p.t. test. As soon as that hand moved, the drill sgt. terminated his test, and that was all the push-ups that were recorded. He failed by two push-ups. And he usually gets good marks on those tests. But that is life, it isn't always fair, and the Army is a perfect example of it. As Sam said, "Even the kid who sneaked cake into the barracks in his pockets got to leave the base!"

Anyway, life isn't always fair, so Sam has to stay at the base all weekend, with us visiting him there. He can't take off that hot uniform or even roll up the sleeves or take off his huge boots. But he is pretty happy to have us there, to have his phone for a few days...he talked to Ben and to his sisters today:) He is happy to have coffee, and to talk to Jonathan, and to sit on a couch.

I am tired. We spent the day there with Sam again, then came back to the hotel, and into the pool for a long splashy swim. Now we are settled down, and should go to sleep. We are checking out of the hotel tomorrow morning, visiting Sam for the day, saying goodbye to him, :(, then on towards home, 18 hours of driving....

2 comments:

Susan said...

It sounds like Sam made the best of the "grounded" situation-good for him! He looks very mature and handsome. I am sure he was thrilled that you were able to make the journey to see him.
Happy Mothers Day!

AUTISMOMMA said...

Hope you had a great Mother's Day, Della! So glad you were able to see Sam the last few days. I tried to post last night but my phone was acting all wonky.