Jordan's new address

Here is the new address for Jordan:

AR Knight, Jordan

320 A Dewey Eve

BEQ 632 Room D112 Rack A

Great Lakes, IL 60088

He is going to be at this address for the next 47 days so feel free to write to him while he is going to school.

Jordan's Graduation from the NAVY!!!

We are back from Chicago. We had a great time. We left Tuscola Thursday afternoon and headed to the Big City. Jerry bought me a Garmin for our trip and Thank Goodness because we never would have made it through Chicago with out her. Her name is "Sally" and I love her. We were traveling through downtown Chicago and the girls had quite an experience. They were a little scared. We were stopped at a stop light when this black lady with 1/2 an arm and could barely walk came up to our vehicle and knocked on the window and wanted money. It was really freaky. She was going up to all the cars. Jessica's response was. "Dad get us out of here!" We made it to our hotel and the girls spent the evening swimming. We were up by 4:30am on Friday as we needed to be at the base by 6:30am. When we got there. Wow was it weird. There were guys everywhere with hand guns and larger guns watching people as they came in. We were directed to lines where bomb and narcotic dogs circled the vehicle and then an officer asked us all types of questions. We made it through with no problems. Graduation started at 9:am. It was the most awesome thing i have ever watched. They had an awesome ceremony the they told us to look to the left as these large doors opened and the divisions came marching in one by one. I was ok until Jordan's division came through the door. Then the tears were flowing. I am not sure who was crying more. Me or Jenny. Jordan looked so grown up. I am so proud of him. After graduation, Jordan had to go check into his school because he was going to be staying in Chicago. He said when he was done he would call us and we could come back and get him. So he called about 4:30pm and when we picked him up, he told us that he got liberty for the entire weekend. So he didn't have to be back on the base until Sunday. He just had to call in at 7 am and 7 pm to check in. Girls got themselves shirts from the NEX while we were there. They say United States Navy sister. They are so proud of their brother. Friday night we went to Gurnee Mills and ate at the Rainforest Cafe and walked around the mall that has over 200 stores (I was in heaven)!!! Saturday we ventured downtown Chicago to the Science and Industry Museum. This is something Jordan and Jerry wanted to do. It was awesome. They boys got to see the U-505 Submarine. We could not get them away from it. If ever in Chicago, definitely recommend going here. Saturday night we ordered Pizza. Jordan was craving it. Our weekend ended too soon and Sunday was here. We took him back to the base because he still needed to unpack and get things ready for processing this morning. He will be in Chicago for 47 days attending school and then he will find out where he will be for his next school. He is going to email me his address so i will pass it along as soon as i get it. Also, Jordan ordered a DVD of the graduation so if anyone wants a copy of it. I will make some and mail them. Just let me know. I also have his Navy picture and i will mail one to everyone. Here are some pictures from our trip. They are not the greatest, it was hard to get good pictures in there. Jordan, We are so proud of you and the choice you have made with your life.

Jan 19th

Well, only 4 days left until Jordan graduates from basic. We are getting really excited. Jenny packed her suit case on Saturday. I would say she is definitely ready to see her "JoJo". We are leaving Thursday at about 2pm and heading to Chicago. We need to be on the base at 6:30am Friday morning to go through our security inspections and get to our seats before 8:30am. Graduation starts promptly at 9am. We are going to spend the weekend in Chicago with him. I will take lots of pictures and post them when we get back. Jordan's 2 friends Sam and Russell left this morning for basic. We went to their going away parties this weekend and they came over yesterday to tell us goodbye. They have been Jordan;s best friends since kindergarten. It was almost like sending away 2 more of our sons to basic. Well, that's all for now. Will post when we get back from Chicago.

Letter from Jordan 1/15/09

Hola Familia (Spanish), This is how Jordan started his letter. He said "I am almost done! 2 weeks left. Our RDC's are being pretty cool now. We have earned a bunch of flags and I have earned ribbons for my uniform. Monday I have to go to the gas chamber. I get tear gassed for 5 minutes. We have a couple more inspections this week and then we go to battle stations. This is a 36 hour event where we do everything we have learned in our 8 weeks. From fire fighting, to tying up the ship and repairing holes in the ship. Once we finish the battle at about 7 am in the morning, we will officially be SAILORS!!! Then we get to relax until graduation. I got to file a 9mm pistol and a 12 gauge shotgun. I did pretty good". Jordan found out that he will be staying in Chicago for his training. He might even get to come home for 1 week before the training starts and he will get to come home on weekends occasionally since he is going to be in Chicago. But after training is done, he will find out where he will be stationed. It is going to be somewhere on a ship. Jordan ordered some individual pictures of himself in uniform and we will get them when we go to graduation and then i will mail them to everyone. That is all for now. If I get another letter i will post it, otherwise, I will post pictures when we get back from Jordan's graduation on Jan 23rd.

Call from Jordan

Jordan called home tonight. He is doing great. Graduation is in 11 days. He sounded great. Said to tell everyone hello and that he sends his love. He completed his training in small arms (guns) last week. He earned a ribbon for it. This week they are doing their tear gas training. He said they completed their fire safety also. He though it was awesome learning how to put our fires. Jordan told us that after graduation he will not be going to Florida. He said that they want him to stay in Chicago and complete his training. The program in Chicago is not as long as the one in Florida. He said after training, he is going to be stationed somewhere on a ship. He will explain it all to us when we go see him in Chicago on the 23rd. But anyway, that is the update we have on Jordan and will post more when we get his letter.

Jenny's First Basketball Game

Well, today Jenny had her first basketball game EVER!!!! She is playing Biddy Basketball in Tuscola and they play other Tuscola teams and Arcola too. Jenny is #3. Her team is orange and they call themselves "Orange Crush". She did not score any baskets but she loves to go up behind the girls and steal the ball. I think she had more fun doing that. Jerry is the assistant coach for her team. She has a game every Saturday until March.

Happy New Year!!!

We would like to start off by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. I hope 2009 brings great things for you. We had a nice New Years Eve.Some friends came over and we played cards and Guitar Hero until 2am. By the way Happy Birthday Mom!!! We received another letter from Jordan yesterday.Monday he and his shipmates went to Marlins pike. It is a simulation of a real ship. They had all sorts of jobs that they had to complete on it. He said this week is going to be crazy he has 3 inspections and a test. He is also going to the firing range so he finally gets to shoot at something. He said if he is good enough he can earn his first medal. He said that their Marching together is improving and that their Chief said he wasn't embarrassed to march with them anymore.HA HA!! The Chief said they are starting to look good and finally becoming sailors. Jordan said he saw some other divisions that graduated already and that they all looked so happy. He can't wait to graduate. Jordan said to tell everyone that he loves and missed you. He only has 22 days left of Basic! Will post again when we receive another letter.