Christmas Greetings for Him

And I taped myself, but because I am technically uninclined, it didn't work. So glad I got to talk to him so I could give him my Christmas greeting "in person."

Elvis Presley & Olivia Newton-John - Come All Ye Faithfull

Missing Missing Him Monday

So, things have been crazy! I have missed a couple of Missing Him Mondays. Shame on me! Hopefully I will get back to it next Monday, when he'll be missing the fun that I'll be having with my sister and her girlfriend here! They arrive Thursday or Friday and I am SO excited! The boys are too, though with Christmas around the corner, there isn't much that they aren't excited about!

I pray that everyone has a blessed Christmas spent with loved ones, remembering the Savior who's birth we celebrate that day. For those, like my husband who can't be with their loved ones, I pray you are kept safe, have some good food and good company, and are warmed by the memories of past Christmases and the thoughts of those to come with those you love!

Eleven Care Packages

He said:

I received eleven care packages in the mail today.

Last night I was chatting with my wife on Facebook. She'd just gone through several very stressful and hectic days, and she commented that she wished I were there (not deployed to Afghanistan) to give her hug. I wished that too---first because I sympathized with what she'd been through and wanted to provide comfort to her; second, because I personally was craving a hug. It occurred to me that the last time I had any physical contact with another human being other than perhaps a handshake was 144 days before when I said goodbye to my wife and our three boys, gave them hugs, and boarded a plane to begin my travel to Afghanistan.

Thinking on this made me realize just how wonderful it is to receive a hug from someone special. A hug can communicate so many things. I love you. I'll miss you. I have missed you. It is good to see you again. I'm sorry. It'll be okay. On and on.

So I posted on my Facebook status the fact that it had been 144 days since I last received a hug.

Then today when I went in to work, I was amazed to see that mail had come in and that I received ELEVEN, yes ELEVEN, care packages.

This is proof that God has a sense of humor.

I received a box of baked goodies from a friend. I received nine boxes from a friend's company, with help from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, full of a myriad of snacks and sweets and magazines and notepads and pens and sundry. I also received a live (Charlie Brown-sized) Christmas tree from a 2nd grade class in New York working with a local tree farm. I'm quite certain I don't know any 2nd graders in New York. Quite certain of that. I was also completely unaware that one could get a live pine tree through Customs from America to Afghanistan. I am completely perplexed as to how an elementary school in New York obtained my name and my deployment address.

On top of that, my boss also received five huge boxes of snacks and toiletries from our deployment office in Maryland. I commented to one of my team members that between the five of us, we don't have enough teeth to use all the toothpaste we received during our final month here.

We put all the boxes on a big table. My team and a group of Soldiers we are here to support had lots of fun going through all the boxes, laying claim to this flavor of fruit snack, that magazine...oh hey! Tabasco Slim Jim! It was like...well, it was like Christmas!

Several of the Soldiers were absolutely delighted by the live Christmas tree! It didn't come with a stand, but no problem. Within 15 minutes, we'd nailed two boards together, filled a big coffee can with rocks, cut the top off a water bottle, stuck the tree in the water bottle, stuck the water bottle in the coffee can, duct taped the coffee can to the boards, and wired the tree down to the boards for further stability. And five minutes after that the tree was covered in garland and ornaments.

The care packages were also full of nice letters from all the kids and the adults, thanking us for our service and our contributions to the freedom and security Americans enjoy, praying for our safe return, wishing us joy for the upcoming holidays. One card in particular struck my attention, from one of the second graders: "Thank you for saving our country."

Having served 19 years in the Navy, I've grown quite accustomed to being approached by random people thanking me for my service. I am glad the time of my service is now...so much has changed from the Vietnam era to the post-Gulf War and post-9/11 eras.

My original intentions in joining the Navy were for college money. I stayed with it because I enjoyed it. I don't think most of us, joining right out of high school, truly understand what the oath means when we take it. But it sinks in, deep down, after a few years. "I solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same..."

It means that we love America, whether we agree with everything or not. We love the freedom Americans have. We love our way of life. We love knowing Americans can rest safely within our borders. We will aggressively pursue anyone and anything that threatens that freedom and that safety. We will sacrifice our time, endure hardships, endure separation from our loved ones, sacrifice our very lives because we know the collective sacrifice of our fellow Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen --- past, present, and future --- helps to ensure the continuance of our great country and our way of life.

Yes, those are often vague and lofty ideals, perhaps a bit esoteric even. But those are the ideals we hold deep down in our hearts, giving us the honor, courage, and commitment to face each new challenge.

Those ideals remind me every day of why I serve.

And when some random stranger stops me in a bar to buy me a beer, or approaches me in a store or the airport to say "thank you for your service"....or better yet, when some random 2nd grader from a New York city I've never even heard of takes time out of his life to help raise money to buy a Christmas tree and to send a card saying "thank you for saving our country" to a random Sailor half the world away in a city in Afghansitan he's never heard of...well that reminds me just who I'm serving for.


I received eleven care packages in the mail today.

John Denver and the Muppets - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

For him...I can't wait until we are together again, once the fates allow! =) Love you soooo much!

A Day That Will Live In Infamy

He posted this on facebook and I thought it was important enough to repost here...

‎69 years ago today, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and awoke a "sleeping giant." Just over 9 years ago, terrorists supported by an extremist Afghan government made the same mistake. Please remember today the sacrifice of those Americans who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, and especially to remember those who answered the call to arms in the aftermath, to fight for American security and freedom.

As my mother-in-law said, thank you isn't always enough. We pray for them everyday!

Missing Him Monday

Our oldest son is a Cub Scout - a Wolf Scout to be exact. This is the second year that he has participated and he likes it very much. Last year his dad took him to the meetings and it was a fun time for the two of them. This year I take him (at least until his dad gets home). It is fun, but it is also lots of work because I also bring my two other boys along. Sometimes it's hard to be in one place trying to focus on one thing (the meeting) and having my energy diverted by an enthusiastic 4 year old and his 2 year old mimic brother. =)

Anyway, the Scouts sell popcorn every year as a fundraiser. Both years our oldest sold quite a bit of popcorn, though I am sure by other gung-ho scouters standards, it is nothing to put on the record books. This year he sold enough to earn a marshmallow shooter. Sounds fun! My husband and I each made a purchase to help with the number of sales that our son makes. I have put quite a dent in the popcorn I purchased (along with two other eaters in this household). He, however, is going to wait to get home before he gets to enjoy his.

And so, missing him today is...



And yes, honey, I promise not to gobble it up (won't even open it) until you get home. I can make no promises about what the 7 and 2 year olds do (the 4 year old can't partake due to food allergies)! ;)

Missing Him Monday

Today I got to shovel the first real snow of the season, though admittedly it wasn't all that much. Perhaps a half an inch to an inch of accumulation. Still, shoveling is his job and one I am not the best at. I feel silly trying to look like I know what I am doing! =)

So, missing him today is...

...and so is my back. Ha!

Missing Him Monday

We are a game family. Before we had children, he and I would play board games regularly. We hadn't owned game consoles for a long time, but we did enjoy computer games often, too. Now that our boys are getting older, they enjoy playing many games. We mostly play dice games now, unless you count the many hours enjoyed playing on our Playstation 2 and Wii. Our oldest boy loves Super Mario and Tetris. He also plays Lego Star Wars. It's fun to watch him playing, mostly enjoying himself (though sometimes getting frustrated) and getting better. He (the hubby) enjoys these games, as well. I really enjoy watching him play, mostly because he is good at them and I am not, and the games are nearly as entertaining to watch as movies are sometimes.

So, for today's Missing Him Monday, missing him is...




We are so looking forward to him being home, all of us playing games together as a family! There are just about 2 months left to go on this journey now! Yahoo!

Missing Him Monday

I love my minivan. There was a time, not that long ago, when I refused to have a minivan, but I have been converted. In fact, I have a hard time imagining myself driving anything else! Having said that, sometimes it is nice to be the passenger. To just sit and enjoy the view. To just stare at nothing and get lost in your thoughts. That kind of thing.

He doesn't leave his base and doesn't have any need to drive. I don't know if he misses that or not. But, missing him this Monday is...



And the passenger seat misses him to. He also loves to sit and get lost in his thoughts, or enjoy the view, or sleep! =)

Missing Him Monday

This post doesn't need much explanation...

The beer hasn't been touched since he left. I am pretty sure that this is what he may miss most...well, a distant second behind his wife, children, extended family and friends. ;)

Little Pirates

There is no end to what creativity can come from a pile of leaves.

We have such funny boys! =)

Missing Him Monday

A Monday with few words...

Our new toothbrush holder is missing his toothbrush...and so is my toothbrush! =)

(By the way, Honey, I changed toothpaste type since you left).

Missing Him Monday

Fall is in the air. The boys are super excited about Halloween. The two oldest boys have the week off for Fall Break. We will be doing some fun things, hopefully, as the week goes on. One thing on the agenda, however, is something I have been putting on hold because it just isn't something I love doing as much as I used to. But he does enjoy it. And so missing him today is...

...3 uncarved pumpkins that have been living in the garage waiting to be carved. Two of them were living on the front porch until another of their bretheren was partially eaten by a hungry squirrel (he was replaced by the cute pumpkin on the right). And so, this week they will be carved by a mom and her boys, wishing their dad was here to participate in this fun yearly event!

So You Think He Can Dance?

Our youngest, dancing at a Cub Scout Halloween Party...enough said.

Missing Him Monday

Today's Missing Him Monday post is brought to you from the Denver Zoo. The two little boys and I went last Friday with a new friend and her two sons. It isn't a picture, but rather a video of an animal that he especially loves seeing at the zoo...

Yep, all the animals missed him that day, but especially this guy, who was swimming back and forth for our enjoyment! All the animals were being so fun (and most were out rather than hiding away out of the heat) as the weather is cooling off and the breeze was blowing. It was a lovely day!

Happiness is...

reuniting with a loved one after a long absence. I am so happy for the Chilean miners and their families as they are FINALLY, steadily being reunited, one miner at a time. Two months is a long time to not hug a loved one. Yay for them!

And now my reunion is just 3 1/2 months away. Time is flying! Yay for me!

Thank you God for these beautiful miracles!

Missing Him Monday

So, it goes without saying that the boys and I miss him every minute of every day that he is away from home. And I know that so many family members and friends are missing him, too, and praying for his safe return.

Well, I decided to dedicate Mondays to the inanimate objects in his life that are missing him (and I am sure he is mising them, too). Not only is this fun for me to do (a creative? outlet) and perhaps fun for him to see, it is also a regular post, since neither he nor I are regular posters. Ha!

And so, without further ado, missing him on a daily basis is...

...his coffee mug, and the pot that only brews 1/2 a pot now, instead of 1-2 full pots daily! =) "Can't wait until he drinks from me again!"

2 out of 3 ain't bad

Three videos for your (but especially for her sister's) viewing enjoyment:

I LOVE THESE BOYS (and I LOVE BOY #3 - poor baby needs some video time, too)!

Top 10 Ways...

...To Tell That She's Stressed

10. No matter how tired she is, she can't go to sleep at night.
9. She calls her sister more than 3 times a day.
8. She starts talking with her hands and fluttering her eyelashes just to get the thoughts out.
7. She begins each day with the mantra, "Today has to be better."
6. The pantry door remains permanently open so she can see what her next snack will be.
5. Dinner consists of McDonald's, Taco Bell, hot dogs or scrambled eggs.
4. The laundry stays in the dryer until it has to be run again so it can be worn.
3. She has to do the dishes after 3 days of laziness...luckily there aren't many to do because dinner has consisted of McDonald's, Taco Bell, hot dogs or scrambled eggs.
2. Her feet just never stop wiggling!

And the #1 way to tell that she is stressed...

She single-handedly keeps the local ice cream establishment in business!

WALKING AROUND AFGHANISTAN

He said:

You know, you just don’t realize what a fantastic thing lunch is...until you go a whole month without eating it.

That was the situation I found myself in this afternoon. I have been in Afghanistan for over a month and a half now and have been at my base for a week less than that.

I arrived at my base sometime around 2200 (10:00 pm to you non-military types), in the pitch black dark of night on a blackout FOB. After dropping my bags at the tent that would be my temporary lodging, I grabbed a quick burger from the dining facility. Then, as my schedule here was to be straight 12-hour night watches, I went immediately to work until almost 6:00 am, turning over and receiving training from the guy I was replacing and who was scheduled to depart in three days.

And that has been my schedule since: wake up around 7:00 pm, walk through the dark to the shower (the sun sets around 6:30 pm), chat or skype with my wife if our schedules line up between my shower and her taking our oldest to school, then head to work for the 8:00 pm shift change. Somewhere between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am, I go grab a take-away meal from the dining facility. As the leftovers from dinner are typically not very appetizing, my midnight meal is usually a cheeseburger or grilled cheese sandwich, fries or cheese sticks, sometimes mashed potatoes or rice, every once in a while a somewhat decent-looking pasta salad, and two bottles of cranberry juice or gatorade.

Work continues, with sometimes a break for breakfast between 5:30 am to 7:00 am, or sometimes waiting for breakfast until after 8:00 am when the day watch folks come in. Breakfast is always scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, bacon or sausage, fresh honeydew/cantaloupe/pineapple, sometimes a biscuit and gravy or hashbrowns, and always a yogurt on those lucky lucky days when there is actually yogurt available. Oh, and some combination of orange juice, cranberry juice, and mechanically recombined lowfat milk.

Following breakfast or the end of my shift, I return to my room, try to chat or skype with my wife again before she goes to bed, then either read myself to sleep or put a headphone in one ear and play solitaire on my laptop until I fall asleep. Sleep usually happens quickly, but unfortunately I always wake up an hour or two later. I'll go to the restroom, maybe snack on some pringles or something. And then I repeat the process of trying to fall back to sleep. Eventually it works. And then eventually, I wake up again after only an hour or two. Repeat as above until it is time to walk through the dark to the showers again.

So that has been my routine for over a month now with very little variation. The majority of what I've seen of Afghanistan has been a few ugly looking hills/mountains which surround the base in the distance, and lots of drab tan plaster buildings located between where I work and where I eat. One of those buildings, almost perfectly in the middle, is the drab tan plaster building where I store my belongings and attempt to sleep during the daylight.

I'll admit that is quite the boring routine, and of course it is conspicuously missing key things like exercise and three healthy meals each day. My problem has been that after breakfast and chatting with my wife, I WANT to go to sleep, rather than do anything else.

And unfortunately, not being able to go to sleep easily means that I likewise don't want to wake up early enough to go do things like exercise or eat a sensible sit-down dinner. Between the time I wake up and shower and the time I have to be at work, there is typically just enough time to grab a take-away meal tray, if I choose. Unfortunately, by the time I get it to work, listen to the shift change brief, conduct turnover with my daytime counterpart, log on to my computer to launch all the applications I use each day, then finally turn toward my dinner...well, by that time my food is glaring at me coldly from the styrofoam take-away tray and doing its best to assume an inedible appearance. So my choice is usually to devote those extra minutes to sleep or chatting with my wife rather than waiting in line for a take-away dinner that I'm probably only going to poke at anyway.

So now that you understand my routine, back to my original point: you just don’t realize what a fantastic thing lunch is until you go a whole month without eating it.

I have been meaning to visit the bazaar on base and scope out gifts for the loved ones. Two days ago my daytime counterpart offered to take me over there and show me around, so we planned for today. I took a break from work to eat breakfast early, returned quickly to my room after shift change to skype with my beautiful wife, then headed back just before 9:00 am to meet up for my bazaar tour.

It was about a third of a mile walk to the bazaar along one of the almost-outer perimeter roads. At the bazaar we browsed through several booths of DVDs, assorted knives and gun holsters, carved stone bowls and pitchers and tea sets, carpets, and finally --- lots of pre-made jewelry and even more raw or loose gemstones. The idea is to select the ones you want and have the jewelry custom made, either here or back in the states. I was there to simply browse and get ideas so did not make any purchases.

My wife has been asking when I am going to post pictures of Afghanistan, and my response has been "when I ever get around and see anything worthy of photographing." My counterpart had to return to work while I was still browsing the bazaar, so upon finishing, I found myself standing alone on a far side of the base I had not previously visited. During daylight. With my camera.

Two futures suddenly appeared ahead of me. In one, I returned to my room to play yet again the game of falling asleep, waking up, falling asleep, waking up, and so on. Simple and predictable. In the other future, I did not return to my room to play the waking/sleeping game. So, "two roads diverged in a wood, and I..."

...I went walking around Afghanistan.

Do not be alarmed by this. I know it sounds alarming, so I want to caution you to not be alarmed.

I am quite strictly confined to my base unless I leave it by air, with prior authorization. And I value my life and really really value returning safely to my family. So do not be alarmed.

Having seen so little of the base and the surrounding hills, I decided to walk the perimeter of the base. It was hot and dusty walking along the gravel roads, but I walked as much of the outer roads as I could tell I was authorized to walk. I did not go walking down any roads that looked like they left the base or otherwise did not go anyplace I had business being. I took pictures on one side of the base where the air was clear, and did not take pictures along the other side where vehicles passing by on a main road kicked up so much dust into the air you could only vaguely see the mountains in the distance through the haze.

I saw a lot more of the familiar tan plaster buildings, and tan military tents, and tan military vehicles. I also saw some trees, some butterflies and flowers, and more and more of the line of hills/mountains surrounding my base. For the most part, I still think they are ugly.

My legs especially, but my whole body overall, were grateful for the exercise. I don't know how far I went, but like a very slow Forrest Gump, I just kept walking. And as well as I could, I went walking around Afghanistan....all the way around my little piece of Afghanistan.

I digressed from my original point. After about an hour of walking I returned back to the vicinity of roads and buildings I recognized.

I looked at my watch. Once again two futures appeared. In one, I walked an additional quarter-mile between drab tan plaster buildings, back to the one where I store my belongings, and I played the sleep/wake/sleep game.

In the other, I walked the short distance across the street to the dining facility, where the servers had just finished a short break and were hurrying into the door, knowing that the first lunch patrons would be arriving for the 11:30 am opening time.

And so it occurred to me: you just don't realize what a fantastic thing lunch really is until something happens to bring to your attention the fact that you've been sleeping (or tossing and turning) through lunch every single day for the last 40-some-odd days.

So for lunch today I had shepherd's pie, and french fries, and a wonderful little cucumber-tomato vinaigrette salad that I smothered with shredded ham and cheese, and oh-so delicious chicken noodle soup just like Mom used to make on the stove right out of the Campbell's can, and a great big soft chocolate chip cookie, and a can of A&W root beer. And oh everything was so delicious!

And I was tempted to have a non-alcoholic Becks, just to remind myself vaguely of the flavor of beer, but then...why deprive myself of the opportunity to write about the way you just don't realize what a truly fantastic thing beer is until you've gone over six months without one???

And I had this strange feeling, as I walked the short distance back to the drab tan plaster building where I store my belongings and often attempt to sleep...I had this strange feeling that my body was extraordinarily grateful for the long long long walk and some sensible food other than eggs, yogurt, and fruit.

So that is my tale.

Today I went walking around Afghanistan.

Today I ate lunch.

And that has made all the difference.

Randomness

It's been awhile since I last posted. Life has been busy. The boys and I went on a 3 week long vacation in late July. We went to San Antonio. If you haven't been, you should go sometime (preferably not in the highest heat of the summer, though)! While we were there we stayed with my aunt and visited lots with my sister, her girlfriend, another aunt and cousin, and several friends. Plus, he got to join us for the first weekend, which was unexpected, wonderful and bittersweet, as we had to say goodbye again.

Since the boys and I got home, I met our oldest son's new teacher (he started second grade a little over a week ago!). We have spent lots of time with family here (his family, and I am so glad I became part of them when we married). I look forward to seeing some of my family next week! This week I get to meet our second son's new teacher (he starts pre-K next week!).

I have recently recommitted myself to Weight Watchers. I have done very well on it in the past but always seem to become complacent and slide back into old habits. I have also started a 21 day-challenge through Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home series. She is fabulous! I only have one of her DVDs so far, but I know it will become one in a collection. I feel good about doing this because when I am healthier, I am happier. AND, when I am happier, I am a better wife and mom!

His base recently went through a failed (praise God) attack by some terrorists, including some on a suicide mission. I didn't even know it happened until he alerted me to it. It aggravates me that Paris Hilton's cocaine arrest garnered more news than something that happened to my loved one, many other's loved ones and all of us here at home who do love them! On the other hand, I have purposely not been watching much news in order to avoid giving myself ulcers.

The boys and I went to my husband's aunt and uncle's 40th wedding anniversary. They are a lovely couple and I was so happy to be a part of their celebration! My husband and I celebrate our 10th anniversary this Thursday. I am of course sad that we won't be together for it, but we are planning a cruise next summer, so we can celebrate our union and our reunion!

I guess, for now, that is all. Today I pray for everyone on the east coast, that Hurricane Earl may slow down and just give them a nice rain and a cooling down from their hot days!

Day by day

He came home last Thursday and we had a great few days together. We had family over for a barbecue on Friday, cleaned the garage and spent a nice afternoon at the park with our boys on Saturday. Then on Sunday morning we drove him to the airport and expected to have to say goodbye after he got his gigantic dufflebag checked. But, surprise and joy, because he is military we were able to accompany him to the gate and say our goodbyes there. It was SOOOOO hard. Watching each of the boys hug their dad nearly broke my heart. And then I had to say goodbye, and it did break. But, I am faithful and prayerful that he will return to us safely in just over six months' time.

And now we take each day as it comes. I try to fill our time up with fun activities. We are leaving for a three week vacation tomorrow to spend time with my family in Texas. The boys and I will get to spend most of our time in San Antonio. We will also go to the coast. I am so looking forward to our time there.

I know we will get through this time apart, even if we have to do it day-by-day or minute-by-minute. I pray I can stay strong for my boys, enjoying each minute I am blessed to have with them, remembering their funny little ways so I can pass that along to their dad who is missing this time with them. I am thankful for webcams (which we tested out tonight) so I can see his handsome face and so he can see how our sons are growing.

Yesterday and tomorrow

First of all, new rule: Unless the post states "He said," she's writing.



Yesterday I took the boys to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. We met a good friend of mine there. It was so nice having an adult to hang out with for a bit! And the boys had a really good time seeing the animals and playing in "My Big Backyard." Here's a picture of me with them:

And best of all, tomorrow HE COMES HOME for a visit before the real tests begin! =)

What is it?

She said:
This morning my two oldest boys and I played a game called What Is It. My oldest, who is 7, started it off by giving clues to what he was thinking of and then asked the title question. We had so much fun. I especially liked when the two boys gave clues to something that they had just made up in their heads and I had to guess the funniest name to call it before I "got" it right.

Now, just a few things I have been thinking lately...

What is it with men and going to the doctor? I happened upon my 80 year old neighbor yesterday who had just had a bad fall and he had a badly bumped and bloody head. He insisted he was okay and it wasn't until I insisted he needed to go see a doctor (who he finally called) that he let me take him on in. Three stitches and a gigantic bandage later, he was good to go.

What is it with Murphy's Law? Just wondering.

What is it with The Situation? Who on earth is he and why exactly is he famous enough that I hear his name from time to time?

What is it with me and my pessimism? I have a great life and am a mostly happy person. Will I ever be a glass-is-half-full kinda person?

Oh well, enough of this crazy, not-sure-what-to-write but feeling the need to post post. Ha!

When it rains...

She said:
So as the saying goes, when it rains, it pours. He left last Saturday. On Sunday I went to start my car and it was dead, dead, dead. Luckily I have very kind neighbors and one was able to charge my battery for me. Then on Monday morning our youngest woke up sick. On Tuesday my computer completely stopped working so I took it in. Some miscellaneous hooha created a Trojan horse that attacked my hard drive. My computer was several years old, so it was determined that it would be better for me to just purchase a new one. Yay for unexpected expenses. On Wednesday our middle child became sick. Wednesday night our oldest woke up with said sickness. Thankfully all boys are better now, only suffering from some congestion.

On the bright side, I have good neighbors, great family nearby, 3 children who bring me joy daily and a beloved husband whose phone calls brighten each of my days. I may have to deal with dead batteries, illnesses and Trojan horses. But he has to deal with sweltering heat, training in full combat uniform, and simulated flipping Humvee while missing us and trying to hold meaningful conversations on the phone with boys who aren't always interested in that sort of thing. I may have to remind myself of it often, but I know I have the easier part in this deployment journey. I am blessed - even when it is raining.

Narmy

He said:
Today I officially became a member of the "Narmy." That's one of the catchy t-shirt slogans they have here for the Navy folks going through combat training with Army Drill Instructors. "Here," by the way, is South Carolina.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Oh and did I mention? Hydrate. That's the mantra. It is hot and humid and the mantra is "hydrate, hydrate, hydrate." I appreciate the color-coded charts at every urinal and toilet that help you determine your hydration/dehydration level by the color of your urine on the spectrum of dark yellow (bad) to clear (good).

Today was gear issue and we sat outside in the sweltering heat and humidity taking inventory of all the things they said we needed. I was appreciative of the sun block they gave us as I sat in a small patch of shade and mosquitos ate away at my legs. Not for the first time, I wondered why no one has yet invented a combination sunscreen/bug-repellent. Deep Woods Coppertone. Or Tropic-Off. Something. Just invent it, someone. Who needs two bottles? Especially if you already have three Sea Bags full of useful things like a shovel and cold weather gear. Okay, one Sea Bag of that crap, with the other two actually having the good stuff like body armor and a camelback.

Speaking of camelbacks. Went into one of the buildings that might once have been a fast-food snack shack to get ice for my new camelback. I was amused to find, afixed neatly to the top of a corroded and pitted and rusted sink, a sign with instructions on "how to keep your new Brandname stainless steel sink looking new." Or something to that effect. I'll have to take a picture.

Anyway. Hot and sweaty and stinky. Outfitted with all my gear, or "battle rattle", and ready to begin the process of training to fight like someone in the Narmy.

I'll take it, cuz its my job. And I volunteered for it. And I love my country and am prepared to do what it takes to defend her at home or abroad, and to defend the cause of freedom for those not fortunate enough to have it and not capable of fighting for it themselves.

I'll take it. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't rather be sitting at the dinner table, supressing a laugh and exchanging one of those smiles with my wife, as we listen to our boys talk about poop.

Not exactly an appropriate dinner conversation, and I'm sure I'd have said something to that effect had I been there. But I'm not. I'm here learning about the Narmy. And she's there probably thinking, "I wish he could have been here to hear that." Besides, that's what boys are good for anyway. Talking about the really important things and keeping life in perspective.

God bless them.

Life with 3 boys

The conversation at our lunch table today consisted of these three levels of wisdom:

From our 4 year old, "Momma, food comes out as poop and milk and drinks come out as pee."

From our 7 year old, "Actually, food goes into your mouth, then down your throat through your esophagus, into your stomach, through your intestines and then poop comes out."

From our 2 year old, "Poop!"

Thank God there is never a dull moment around here! Lord help me to remember these funny things so I can tell my husband all about the entertainment he is missing.

And so it begins...

Today marks the start of our journey. He left this morning awfully early. I have been awake since a little after 4:00a.m. He was up even earlier. He is flying east for training. I just fed our 3 boys blueberry pancakes with strawberry syrup. His new normal begins and so does ours. Thankfully, and prayerfully, it is only a temporary new normal. He will get to come home in about three weeks for a weekend and then he will be gone again, not to return until next year. He will work diligently, doing what he loves to do for the country that he is so proud to call home. I will maintain our home, care for our boys, visit with family and friends, keep my chin up...all the while, missing him like crazy.

Today's prayer: Lord, watch over those brave men and women, here and abroad, working so hard to keep us safe so that we may enjoy the ways of life that we are so lucky to have. Amen