Happy birthday to me Happy birthday to me, here I sit still in the same place passing time and it seems my birthday. Truthfully I did not even think of it until I got a card from my parents a few days back. Then yesterday after I returned from my road trip I received one from my wife and then a Box came from my uncle Robert. I do not think my uncle intended it to be a birthday gift but I took it that way and am very greatful for all of the wonderful things he sent and the cards I received. This is still one of the worst birthdays ever but my day has been enlightened by these things.
When we first arrived I put reminders in my outlook calendar for my three soldiers birthdays. This place is hard during holidays and it is especially hard during the birthdays, if people do not remember. It showed as SGT T’s birthday rolled around several months back. He works nights so he is hard to catch up with. So when my reminder popped up that morning to tell him happy birthday he was not in the office. I told everyone in the office to help me remember to tell him but we all forgot. SGT T came to the office that day and said “Chief you are not even going to wish me happy birthday?” I felt bad for having forgotten but when I showed him the reminder I had put on my calendar and told him what had happened his face seemed to brighten up since I did not really forget. The small things make the biggest difference it seems.
So today I am 42 years old, on my 41st birthday I ran 9 miles in about an hour and 20 minutes. Tomorrow which is my birthday back in the US I will run 8 miles. Life is good.
Today I would like to add a family to the pray for list. This family as far as I know is not a military family. Todd has a very difficult math class but all year he has managed to stay on top of his grades and learn this often difficult subject. His math teacher left to have surgery and was replaced by a substitute. Although this substitute is a retired teacher it seems that she is unable to get the kids to learn as effectively as the regular teacher. Yesterday his regular teacher passed away from complications. I would like to send out a special prayer request for her family and hopefully they know just what she meant to the children in her care. May God bless them.
Praying for the 18
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Been a while
It has been a while since I have written, We are still here. The days have gotten longer. I get up with the sun shining and go to my room with it still shining. The sunlight hours are from around 0500 till 1800 (6 pm). We have been working to ensure things are ready for our return home.
So two weeks ago I ran 8 miles at a snail’s pace. I decided that I would continue this 8 mile adventure every week until we leave. So this last Saturday we ventured out. It was HOT. We began our run and I felt great, the air, the dust, the car exhaust smoking me out as I struggled for a fresh breath. At the three mile point, I was losing steam; by 4 miles, I was completely finished. As I walked a little, ran a little, for the 4 miles back my mind began to wonder high up in the mountains where there is still visible snow. I wanted to cool off but couldn’t. I poured water on my head but it was not long before it had dried and I was back to being hot.
Out of the group I run with, I still finished third but this run a little, walk a little is something I am not used to. This Saturday I will be more prepared. More water the day prior and perhaps some sun screen since my arms were a bit sunburned. Will I miss this place when I Ieave? I can say most definitely not. Will this be my last deployment? I hope so but probably not.
So as I sit here, road trip pending, thinking of home, I know that I have aged here. The day to day stresses are almost painful at times. The people here are hard to deal with, both the ones in uniform and the ones not. The units below me call on me to do the dirty work because they know that I am in this for them, but it has worn me down. It is TIME for the JAR TO BE EMPTY.
Praying for the 18
So two weeks ago I ran 8 miles at a snail’s pace. I decided that I would continue this 8 mile adventure every week until we leave. So this last Saturday we ventured out. It was HOT. We began our run and I felt great, the air, the dust, the car exhaust smoking me out as I struggled for a fresh breath. At the three mile point, I was losing steam; by 4 miles, I was completely finished. As I walked a little, ran a little, for the 4 miles back my mind began to wonder high up in the mountains where there is still visible snow. I wanted to cool off but couldn’t. I poured water on my head but it was not long before it had dried and I was back to being hot.
Out of the group I run with, I still finished third but this run a little, walk a little is something I am not used to. This Saturday I will be more prepared. More water the day prior and perhaps some sun screen since my arms were a bit sunburned. Will I miss this place when I Ieave? I can say most definitely not. Will this be my last deployment? I hope so but probably not.
So as I sit here, road trip pending, thinking of home, I know that I have aged here. The day to day stresses are almost painful at times. The people here are hard to deal with, both the ones in uniform and the ones not. The units below me call on me to do the dirty work because they know that I am in this for them, but it has worn me down. It is TIME for the JAR TO BE EMPTY.
Praying for the 18
Sunday, April 17, 2011
So this is where I am
So this is where I am. The mountains have just a bit more snow than what is pictured. I am not allowed to take pictures on the flight line. This is a picture on found on the Air Force Web site. I flew on one of these for six hours returning from leave. It was a long loud trip that left me vibrating and deaf for hours after our arrival. That being said I am so looking forward to my next trip on one of these as it means we are getting closer to having “an empty jar”. I cannot wait to go home and stay home for a while.
Praying for the 18
Friday, April 08, 2011
Today Was Payday. . .
I am fortunate to have a wife who understands the value of a dollar. For most of my married life I have been given an allowance. Yes I am the one who makes the money at this point. The only income but she is “My Banker”. Now 22 years later I can say that we do not live paycheck to paycheck.
However that does not mean that being a world away doing my job in harm’s way that I am willing to do this for free. I love my country. I will stand and defend her “against all enemies foreign and domestic” but my country must provide me with the support I need for my family. A PAYCHECK.
In a speech in Iraq one of the highest members of our military said if the government shuts down we will receive a 1 or 2 week paycheck and if the shutdown continues we will not get paid.
My country sent me to a Combat Zone away from my family to support a war that to me is kind of questionable. I do not question my orders, I do as I am told and now I face the threat that my paycheck will end, for a while.
We, my family, will be okay but my young soldiers might not be. Some of them have families at home who depend on this paycheck to arrive as scheduled. This is more reason for all involved to know politics, study the candidates and make educated decisions on who you want controlling our government.
A friend of mine has a picture showing the US FLAG flying upside down. When I asked why I was told that it represents the direction our country is heading. The flag flying upside down is a sign of distress… right now MY COUNTRY is in distress…
Praying for the 18
However that does not mean that being a world away doing my job in harm’s way that I am willing to do this for free. I love my country. I will stand and defend her “against all enemies foreign and domestic” but my country must provide me with the support I need for my family. A PAYCHECK.
In a speech in Iraq one of the highest members of our military said if the government shuts down we will receive a 1 or 2 week paycheck and if the shutdown continues we will not get paid.
My country sent me to a Combat Zone away from my family to support a war that to me is kind of questionable. I do not question my orders, I do as I am told and now I face the threat that my paycheck will end, for a while.
We, my family, will be okay but my young soldiers might not be. Some of them have families at home who depend on this paycheck to arrive as scheduled. This is more reason for all involved to know politics, study the candidates and make educated decisions on who you want controlling our government.
A friend of mine has a picture showing the US FLAG flying upside down. When I asked why I was told that it represents the direction our country is heading. The flag flying upside down is a sign of distress… right now MY COUNTRY is in distress…
Praying for the 18
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Peacefull Bliss
As I walked through the airport looking for her, I noticed people who really seemed oblivious to the world around them. Some were arguing about dumb things like taking their dog on the plane and about their coffee being improperly made. Freedom is not free and my forefathers, and I can proudly say, I, have fought for these people’s rights to complain about coffee and pet rights. I am happy to be home.
As I come to the escalator overlooking the baggage claim area I began to scan. I know she is here but where is she. As I start down the escalator I spot her. She is wearing a zebra striped dress with long boots that disappear under the bottom of the skirt. OMG I thought I was going to fall off the escalator. Eight long months since I have seen her.
We went to one of Todd’s friends house to pick him up. Rosario was being a bit stingy when I told her when I was coming home and left Todd there. He has gotten so tall. He is about an inch taller than I am and still only 13 years old. Kind of wonder if he will ever stop growing. I have a great family that I sometimes forget just how lucky I am. Thankfully, the good Lord let me come home.
We spent the first full week visiting all over the state. The only family we did not manage to squeeze in was the Amarillo family, will do that upon my return in a “half a jars worth” of time. Saw everyone who lives off I-20 from Ft Worth to Abilene to Odessa.
In Ft Worth spent time with MoM and PoPs and Sheri and Perry and family. I made Sheri’s kids a deal that if they made straight A’s I would give them 50 bucks. Well before I left Jacob beat me out of 50 and Brenden got it done just prior to my return, so I had to pay up there too. Hope they will continue on the path of Good Grades. I am sure little Ms. Emma will beat me out of 50 as well. My parents are doing well and I was introduced to the newest member of their family. The long eared Rat. I think she can hear people talking in the next city with those monstrous ears.
In Abilene I met my newest granddaughter, Brianna, for the first time. She did not cry when I held her, I was so thankful for that. I was really worried she would be afraid of me. She really is a beautiful baby. I am so proud of my son and daughter-in-law. Life seems to be coming together for them. I also was able to spend lots of time with Amorina and Ryan. Ryan is a little man. He has learned short sentences that Rosario and I spent the week using. Like “what r u doin” and “I don know”, spelled that way on purpose. It was so awesome. Rina is growing like a weed. Russ will most definitely have to stick with it to ensure she grows up to be a good little girl. I love my grandkids.
The last week home was spent taking care of some small honey do’s and lots of time spent with my wife and Todd. I did not want to spend a minute away from Rosario or Todd. Wish he would have been out of school for both weeks but it did give Rosario and I some time together. Rosario has done a fabulous job decorating our house without breaking the bank. The one thing that I did not get done for her prior to leaving was hanging some more decorations on the walls. That is MY JOB so I will get that done upon my return.
As time started winding down I began to feel the effects of “crap I gotta go back”. Kind of like swallowing a basketball. Just a constant swollen spot deep in your gut that cannot be swallowed. The only way I could get around it was to keep busy.
My MoM and PoPs came down for the weekend and we had a great time going to junk sales, I mean Garage Sales… did not buy a lot but that is something I really enjoy doing and it is good quality time spent looking at other people stuff. At one Garage sale I volunteered to help a lady move her 46 inch “old style” TV from the second floor of her house down to her garage sale. I believe that PoPs and I both injured ourselves but we are both too hard headed to let it show too much. That was one heavy TV and I regret offering to assist, but we did get our 2 dollars worth of stuff for free. Not really worth it though.. haha.
Boarding call for flight blah blah, to DFW, I turned and looked at my beautiful wife who I had come to know again over the last two weeks and said, “This is not going to be a long good bye”. I got up and walked to the gate after a couple of kisses it was over. I had a great leave and really cannot remember a happier time in the last two years. As the TV commercial says, “I LOVE THIS WOMAN”.
Life is good
Praying for 18
As I come to the escalator overlooking the baggage claim area I began to scan. I know she is here but where is she. As I start down the escalator I spot her. She is wearing a zebra striped dress with long boots that disappear under the bottom of the skirt. OMG I thought I was going to fall off the escalator. Eight long months since I have seen her.
We went to one of Todd’s friends house to pick him up. Rosario was being a bit stingy when I told her when I was coming home and left Todd there. He has gotten so tall. He is about an inch taller than I am and still only 13 years old. Kind of wonder if he will ever stop growing. I have a great family that I sometimes forget just how lucky I am. Thankfully, the good Lord let me come home.
We spent the first full week visiting all over the state. The only family we did not manage to squeeze in was the Amarillo family, will do that upon my return in a “half a jars worth” of time. Saw everyone who lives off I-20 from Ft Worth to Abilene to Odessa.
In Ft Worth spent time with MoM and PoPs and Sheri and Perry and family. I made Sheri’s kids a deal that if they made straight A’s I would give them 50 bucks. Well before I left Jacob beat me out of 50 and Brenden got it done just prior to my return, so I had to pay up there too. Hope they will continue on the path of Good Grades. I am sure little Ms. Emma will beat me out of 50 as well. My parents are doing well and I was introduced to the newest member of their family. The long eared Rat. I think she can hear people talking in the next city with those monstrous ears.
In Abilene I met my newest granddaughter, Brianna, for the first time. She did not cry when I held her, I was so thankful for that. I was really worried she would be afraid of me. She really is a beautiful baby. I am so proud of my son and daughter-in-law. Life seems to be coming together for them. I also was able to spend lots of time with Amorina and Ryan. Ryan is a little man. He has learned short sentences that Rosario and I spent the week using. Like “what r u doin” and “I don know”, spelled that way on purpose. It was so awesome. Rina is growing like a weed. Russ will most definitely have to stick with it to ensure she grows up to be a good little girl. I love my grandkids.
The last week home was spent taking care of some small honey do’s and lots of time spent with my wife and Todd. I did not want to spend a minute away from Rosario or Todd. Wish he would have been out of school for both weeks but it did give Rosario and I some time together. Rosario has done a fabulous job decorating our house without breaking the bank. The one thing that I did not get done for her prior to leaving was hanging some more decorations on the walls. That is MY JOB so I will get that done upon my return.
As time started winding down I began to feel the effects of “crap I gotta go back”. Kind of like swallowing a basketball. Just a constant swollen spot deep in your gut that cannot be swallowed. The only way I could get around it was to keep busy.
My MoM and PoPs came down for the weekend and we had a great time going to junk sales, I mean Garage Sales… did not buy a lot but that is something I really enjoy doing and it is good quality time spent looking at other people stuff. At one Garage sale I volunteered to help a lady move her 46 inch “old style” TV from the second floor of her house down to her garage sale. I believe that PoPs and I both injured ourselves but we are both too hard headed to let it show too much. That was one heavy TV and I regret offering to assist, but we did get our 2 dollars worth of stuff for free. Not really worth it though.. haha.
Boarding call for flight blah blah, to DFW, I turned and looked at my beautiful wife who I had come to know again over the last two weeks and said, “This is not going to be a long good bye”. I got up and walked to the gate after a couple of kisses it was over. I had a great leave and really cannot remember a happier time in the last two years. As the TV commercial says, “I LOVE THIS WOMAN”.
Life is good
Praying for 18
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