One thing most anyone can say about the Roberts' household is that it is never, ever quiet. That was, until yesterday. You all know that Jonah left for BCT (Basic Combat Training) recently. Jonah is definitely the kid of ours who makes the most noise. Constantly, he hums, thumps, sings, taps and talks. Literally, we have woken up in the middle of the night to hear Jonah thumping his hands or feet against the wall like it was a drum. He sings out loud in the shower and I stress the LOUD part. Sometimes I can hear him from inside the house as he sings (or raps!) outside, in his car, with the windows rolled up. He is usually completely oblivious to the fact that he can be heard by anyone else. When his best friend, Robert, tells about meeting Jonah in the 7th grade, he says, and I paraphrase, that Jonah sat down by him in football (or weight class, I can't remember), started talking and has never shut up since. Robert told me at the end of the class he was able to mutter the words, "my name is Robert" and that was his part of the conversation! If I had to count how many times I have wished for a quiet house, I simply couldn't do it. I never, ever, ever imagined that I would miss the sound of Jonah that normally annoys me to no end. Both Ashton and Trevor left for church camp yesterday, which in their words is "the best week of the year" and Kalyn left in the wee hours yesterday morning for California where she is spending her summer with her boyfriend and his family at their home. Though Michael and Ethan are currently living here with us, they are both working and/or out almost all of the time so it has been unusually quiet at our house.
So, while Ashton and Trevor have 'the best week of the year', Kalyn vacations her heart out in beautiful Northern California, Jonah is probably having a hate- love - hate relationship with basic training, Michael and Ethan are both out and about with friends, and Shawn is busy working on another project, I am feeling a little lonely.
I guess I'll eat a big bowl of crow for dinner and wish I'd never wished for so much silence.
But…
I was, fortunately and very thankfully, able to locate some pictures of Jonah on the Facebook page:
2nd Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment
which helps keep family members in the loop as to what their SIT (Soldier in Training) is doing. I was elated! Photos are taken randomly and posted to the page under specific companies on Sundays, all done so by volunteers. If one is particularly lucky then one might spot their loved one amidst the hundreds of SIT's. I found mine. I feel so proud of him, so I have to share the photos:
Jonah is on the left in this pic and the one directly below it.
And, here he is after being issued his rifle. He is the tall one on the right.
Jonah is doing his BCT (Basic Combat Training) at Fort Jackson, in South Carolina. Fort Jackson, first called Camp Jackson is named for 7th President Andrew Jackson / United States Army General and was created in 1913 as the United States entered into WWI. The fort was shut down and abandoned in 1922 and later reactivated for WWII where it was to have been deactivated again at the end of the war. However, when the Korean War broke out this caused the post to remain active and it functions today as the largest, most active IETC (Initial Entry Training Center) in the country training in excess of 45,000 basic and advanced training soldiers each year. (It seems the military has initial abbreviations for everything. I feel like I'm learning a new language but it's sorta fun!).
Now, you know I can't leave here without sharing some transferware that is somewhat significant to my post.
The first plate depicts Andrew Jackson as General,
while this plate by Adams depicts President Jackson's home at Hemitage, in TN.
Have a great week,
Joining:
Wow us Wednesday
Delightful Home
I know what you mean about wishing for a quiet house, and then hating it once you get what you wished for! If you're like me, you can't wait until everyone is together again! In the meantime, stay busy so the time passes quickly!
ReplyDeleteI actually thought about you Rhonda as I wrote the post. I know we've had several conversations via email and I can remember several times your mentioning how happy you would be at certain times when your kids were all coming home, for holidays, etc. I have been busy. Tomorrow morning I am having surgery on my left eye to remove a very aggressive cataract that resulted from a childhood injury (so the Opthalmologist says). I guess it's a good time to have a quiet house but I sure do miss my kiddos!
DeleteNancy
Our hearts go out to your young solider. Very proud of him for stepping up.for his country. Very proud indeed
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lexie!
DeleteNancy, we live in a almost silent home because it's just the chef and me and our sweet Sadie girl. I can only imagine the activity level with a house full of children Though I did teach elementary children for 30 years, so I can certainly relate to a room full of active kiddos. I suspect it's bitter sweet to see Jonah away at the training. They all look so young! It gives my heart a pang. I respect and appreciate Jonah's commitment to the military. I wish him well and will keep him in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, Thank you so much for your remarks about Jonah's service. I am really proud of him. Yes, it is a little bittersweet. Shawn read my post and just got out of the shower singing 'Bluer than blue, sadder than sad'. He said that sums it up! =( I can't wait to see him in a few weeks.
DeleteHugs to you,
Nancy
Hi Nancy. Awesome photos! I know what it's like to have a house full of noisy children, then noisy teenagers and then suddenly quiet. I have three boys, all early 20's now and busy doing their own thing, although all still living at home. But growing up it was as noisy and busy as a house full of 20 children. One of my son's (he's 23 now) is leaving in four weeks to commence Officer Training at the Royal Military College Duntroon. That's in Australia. Every time I think about the day when he will leave I cry, so I try not to think about it. Not that I don't want him to go because I do, I am so proud that he has chased his dreams and achieved them. I just cry because he will be leaving home for good and entering a career that will take him far away from home forever. Anyway, keep up the blog and the pictures, they are so comforting and pretty to look at.
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids were off to college everyone asked me if I was lonely- at first I didn't mind but after a white I missed all the things including the noise from my son's electric guitar playing! If takes a while to adjust? Sounds like the rest go your kids are going to be enjoying themselves! That's so great that you got those pictures of your son. He's not too hard to pick out! What a great way to be connected. Those plates are great- you have the best collection!
ReplyDeleteI have not been around as much lately, and missed that your young man enlisted. Our Charlie just finished Army BCT. It is a whole different world than our parents had, with FB. Go to graduation if you can!
ReplyDeleteI wish a safe training for your son Jonah.
ReplyDeleteI had a bad case of empty nest when I was home alone after my last child left , I know how you feel
You must be so proud of Jonah, I know I would be (actually am, as I find it so inspiring that young men and women volunteer to protect people they don't know or will never meet). My twin girls are off to college in another year, and I will so miss the very loud (I hear you) nightly singing in the shower, which one of them has done religiously since she was little. I'm told a quiet nest actually gets really appealing after a while, but I'm not convinced!! Have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteJonah is so tall. Best of luck to him in training. I have been to the Hermitage, it is beautiful. I love to tour historic homes. Have a good week!
ReplyDelete