Perpairing to come home!

I had a great chat with my smart and beautiful wife the other day and she came up with the suggestion that we should start to perpair for my coming home. When I went to basic training I had a hard time getting back into the husband/father roll and it made for a not so easy relationship between us. I was very selfish and was hard to stop that mind set anfter 6 months of not having them around. Eventually things got better and then I had to go overseas and now we are in the same boat with me coming back but I am determaned not to fail this time as a husband and father. I want to be as prepaired as I can be for the coming home in just a few months. We are going to work on things through e-mails and phone calls and so when I get home we can make that as painless as possible. We are very open to suggestions and would love to hear from others about maybe what they have done or would do in the situation. Anyway I was so glad to hear her tell me all of her concerns which means we are one step ahead of the last time this happened.She is such a wounderful woman and God as truely blessed me with the greatest gift in the world. I love you honey and can not wait to get home and be able to haold you in my arms and spend time with you and Katelyn as much as I can before I have to go back to working again. I will be doing alot of praying and reading to stay as focused on this goal as I can. I promise this time honey I will not fail you and show you just how much I truely love you and how important you and Katelyn really are to me.

War Isn't realy War any more!

I was thinking lately about the war I am supposedly fighting right now in Afghanistan and all the hype I hear about it getting worse over here and it makes me mad. Everyone is saying it is getting worse and the numbers are higher but it is really about the election and not the war. If there was a pole done and people that are talking all this hype about it actually came over here and fought the fight would find out that this is the season for Afghanistan to get alittle more dangerous. The media runs this war and we can not do anything with out there hands and cameras in it. The military is so scared to get in trouble with the medias eyes that we are doing things with hugs and kiss's and not going in and taking care of the bad guys like we all were trained to do. I think that both of the guys running are going to use this war and that is going to decide what happens for the next 4 years of my military career. I personally do not like either of there veiws and they should be over here if they are going to use the war here to win there election then they could talk about what they want to do with the war. Other wise they are just talking alot of BS and alot of people are going to fall for it but not me. They say McCain served well that is good but has he served this war because all wars are differernt and you can not win a war you have no clue about. And Obama has visited troops in the war also good but has he gone outside the wire and got a first hand veiw of what the conditions are like or just words from other soldiers and media. If there was less media in the war we would have less boys and men dieing. Soldiers are so affriad to shot the weapon they were trained to use for fear of being on CNN and going to prison that it has made for an Army full of sissy soldiers instead of super soldiers. I would love to retire from the military but with the way things have been running it looks like things are going to get a lot worse because the media and polotics seem like they know more than they soldiers foighting the fights right now.It would be awsome for the media to post the good things that are going on over here I have been here and have not fired my weapon once since I have been herein the last 6 months. I feel wanted here and safe and the people here like what we do for them. Where is that media and plublicity for the war that we are in nowhere because bad media is good for ratings and that is the publics fault to because we tune in more for the bad stuff than the good. Well I am done venting but I just want to say one moe thing to my In-Laws if you could be over here you would be proud and maybe change your mind about what the military deos because yes I carry a weapon but it is like a missions trip and the people are very happy to see us like a paraide every day when we leave and come back fron the wire kids and adults waving and cheering the whole way. Safe is what I am here and I am glad that I do what I do here but they should really try to show the good evry now and then for what we do over here. Well Thanks for taking the time to read this and maybe it might open your eyes to the BS you might be seeing on the TV all the time. Pray for the soldiers that they all try to get home safe and do not forget that we are here so you can live and be free there. I love being a soldier and doing this for my counrty even though I miss my wife greatly and my daughter so much but I manage and will see you girls sson.

Vacation to Qatar!

I had the chance to go on a four day pass to Qatar which is an Island off from Saudi Arabia. I had to be at the LZ( landing zone) for the helicopter pick up at 0200 and that sucked. We got picked up around 0500 and got to BAF aroound 0600 and had to wait at the air field till 0730 till the roads opened up again because they close the roads for people to do there running in the morning. That is the dumbest thing I ever heard in a combat zone before but what ever right. So we get there and find out that we are leaveing for Qatar around 1400 the next day. There are so many rules for BAF(Bagrahm Air Field) it is rediculous salute on the FOB wear PT belts at night even if you are in your uniform who ever heard of that in a combat zone. Anyway so we get to the PAX terminal and wait till like 1600 till we finally leave on a C-17 (ARMY plane) and it takes till 2000 to get to Qatar and really it was 1830 ther and the humidity was at like 100% my eyeballs hurt it was so hot even at night. We go through customs which was really fast and then we sat for around 2 hours till we finally got our briefingand was told we could start our day 0 tomarrow since it took so long for them to get us in. So that was vey cool of him to do and we got to get our things and go to the barrics and then the guys and I decided to go check out the pool and then hit up the top-off which is the bar and grill on post. The poll was so nice to ust swim and hang out they also had a hot tub there by the pool too and a Chilis right in front of it too. I don not really drink but it is ok anyway they only have a 3 beer limit and I do not like beer. They had music and bowling lanes and pool tables so it was a cool place to hang out at. We got up the next day and hit the pool right away and did that most of the day and ate at Chilis with there endless tostitos and salsa I bet ther hated us for that. It was nice to get waited on though so we ate there quite a bit. We also checked out ther Big gym which had a hugh gym part to it with everything you could ever want and more for a gym. They also had bikes to rent for free a mini golf coures for free a room with computers and phones to use for free a spa, adairy ueeen wich also served protein shakes, a video rental store for free, a game room for video games, and a movie theater. I was like the greatest thing i have ever seen on a base before. The next day we decide to sign up for the off post water sports in the persain gulf for $25 so the guys and I did and we had a blast. They had jet skiis, a bannana boat, and a viper raft. They cooked us lunch and we got to swim all day. The food was good and they had Hummus which is my wife and her mothers favorite dip. I will wwarn all of you though you would think that all water is cool and refreshing but no not the Presain Gulf it is the total opposite. It felt like swimming in warm maple surup but not sweet very very very salty. But never the less we had lots of fun and it was the only thing we ended up doing off post we spent the rest of the time at the pool and the USO and we still had a blast till we had to come back oh and the day that Stine had the runs he didn't have fun that day but the rest of us did(sorry Stine). On the way back we hadto be at the Pax terminal by 0200 and were ther till 0500. And got to Baf around 1130and were told we had to be ready at the Pax terminal ther at 0345. So we went to our tent and it was like 100 degrees so I went to the MWR movie theater and slept through 2 movies and yes I called my wife everyday I was on vacation and flying. Anyway I finally went back to the tent around 2300 and these guys had the light on in the tent so after an hour of listening to them talk I asked them to turn out the lights and use ther flashlights if they need too. At that piont I really didn't care what ther rank was and they did it anyway with no questions asked. Then around 0200 an announcment came over the loud speakers that we all had to go to the main road and pay our respects to the fallen soldiers then they cancaled it. So we all went to the PAX and waited ther till around 0630 and went to the chopper and layed ther on the runway till around 0900 till the clouds cleared. Apparently these choppers can not fly in clouds who knew. Afetr that the chopper would not start so we waited till around 1100 till we got a new chopper and headed out. We made a stop and let some people off then we made another stop to get fuel. That is when the second chopper wiht us broke down and we waited for it for 3 hours til around 1430 then we left ther and got back to Methar Lam around 1500 and I went straight to sleep I was so tired. All and all I had a great time and would do it again but the traveling really sucked you would think with it being R & R they would fly you at a decent time like mid morning or early afternoon. Oh well live and learn and I got to visit a new Country and had fun although I would have rather gone home but that is a hole other story. I will post pictures of the trip on here when I get time to do so.

A special gift!

I thought that I would share with everyone a little bit of a special gift that I recieved from my wounderful daughter. When I got a 4 day right before I got shipped over seas to Afgahnistan I got to spend 4 days with my wife, daughter, mother, father, and brother-in-law. We decided to stay in N.C. at a beach house and it was a wounderful time together. At the end it was sad to leave but I recieved a special gift from my daughter and keep it with me always. My daughter and I have a love for cheese and she found a rock that looked to her like monster cheese our favorite cheese to eat together. she found 3 or 4 of them but I kept the first one that she gave me. I have kept it in my right pocket ever since the day she gave it to me and everytime I reach in to my pocket I feel the rock and remember my daughter and how much I love her. I have not gone a day with out haveing the rock in my right pocket and I will not stop doing it till I get home and am safe with her again. Why the right pocket you might ask. Well ther is no real reason for it except that was the pocket I chose to put it in and just stuck with it. Now my wife and I share alot of things to but I keep her in my heart always and never leave with out putting her there every day.(I have my daughter there too.) I love them so much and can not wait till I see them again.

Fourth of July!

Yestarday was the fourth of July and I am in Afghanistan but we still celibrated with decorations in the chow hall, and July fourth food. At around 2100 they let off 20+ lum. round out of the cannons. I forgot for a few sec. so I ran out of my hut and looked around to see what was going on and then I relized it was July fourth. So I slowly walked back to my room and listened to the rounds go off one after another for like 10 min. I have been doing very well over here the days are very hot and the nights are just hot. We do have air conditioning though in our rooms so it is not to bad unless we go out on missions which we usually do but have not done to much lately. I hope things pick back up so that the time goes by just a little bit faster. I have however been at the gym alot more now that I have more time. I even had a few interpretors come up to me and tell me that I was looking good ewith all the wieght I lost and they hardly know me. That makes a person feel reallly good to hear that and I get it like every day so I am feeling really good about myself these days. I even have people coming up to me and asking advice about working out. Me of all people I just tell them what I have been doing that is about the best advice I know to give them. Anyway I will be leaving for Qatar for a few day of R and R at the end of this month. It will give me a break from here and they have lots to do there I am told. Well that is all I have for now.

My plans for the future!

Bea and I have been talking about what I am going to do when I get home. Weather to go to college or work as a recruiter and we have come up with a plan. We have decided that I will fill out my app. to be a recruiter and I will take online college through the military to get 30 credits and then I am going to go to OCS(Officer Canadit School) to be an Officer. I have always wanted to be an Officer and if I get some college credits I can then go to school to be an Officer. And then after that I will either get a full-time job with the ANRG or the regular Army we have not yet decided that but that is in like 2 years or more after I get back to worry about that now. I love my wife and am very glade she is around to be able to help me out with decision like this. I am truely blessed with a wounderful and smart wife. I also am blessed with a child who has the same qualities as her mother and I know ahe will do very well in school as it will be coming up very soon for her. I miss you girls so much and can not wait to see you around Christmas time.

Who Let the Dogs Out!

I have not blogged in a while but I have much to tell. The other day one of our RTOs (Radio Transmit Operator) had simpoms of a heart attack so he go Life flighted to BAF and then to Germany. Now we as the TAC have to do 2 days each as an RTO to fill in for him while he is gone. But I think it will be till the end of our tour because I think he is not coming back. Anyway I had to do it for the last 2 days and the second day the TAC had a mission with the Military dog. I did not know that they used dogs in the military but guess what they do. And the dog is trained to find bombs and protect his handler. I did not get to go on that mission but I heard there will be more like it in the future because the dog will be staying here till the end of the tour. I found out the dog is very nice but was told not to run toward the handler or the dog will attack. Anyway it is so hot over here now that the dog can only work for 15 to 20 min at a time and then have to brake for like 30 min. so the missions will be long but theyare good. I have been very blessed to be where I am at because the other areas more south of here are very bad and lots of lives are being lost every day. I only spent 2 days in the TOC and the net was non stop in those areas for IEDs and fire fights. I would like to thank all the people who are praying for me and keep up the good work because God is keeping me safe. I miss home and can not wait till I get to see Bea and Katelyn again I bet she has grown so much since I last saw her. I on the other hand have shrank since she last saw me and I hope she still will know who I am when she see's me. I have been doing alot of writing and reading laterly and finding myself enjoying it but that will probably only last till I get home. I am not usualy one to like to read but since I have some time I have been. I also get to call home alot and e-mail to when I have time to do so. I was talking to bea yesterday and she is sick these are the times I wish I were home to be able to take care of her and Katelyn. Also Tonya and Joey are moving to Ralston I hope that it is a good move for them. Bea helpped with the move even though she is sick now that is a true friend and some one who put others before themself. I am truely proud of my wife and hope that she get better soon so that she is not so miserable and can relax.

My truck!

The Balls that our truck has!
The SKULL yes our truck is Awsome!

I was thinking to myself about what to wirte next on here. Then we had a Blackout. Which is not a good thing at all. It means that someone has died and they shut the phones and internet down till the family is notified. But in that time it gave me some thoughts to write about on here. About a month ago my TC/ platoon Sgt. found a skull while we were out on a mission. So we stopped and he picked it up. Now it is on our truck in the front on the grill. And just the other day he got a set of swinging tusk balls to put on the back. It is to funny to see the reactions from all the people as we drive by. We also had to put a blanket over the eyes and nose of the skull which is a donkey skull by the way. The locals get upset if they see the eyes and nose of the dead so if they are covered then it is not dead to them. He also got a little set of blue balls which he hung up in the front drivers pit in the mirror. I love driving in our truck my platoon Sgt. is the coolest. I will post up pictures of this as soon as i get the chance to. And to geen my brother this truck outs a tonka truck to shame I will get a picture of it to show you. Today I also sent out like 15 letters because I finally had time to write everyone who has written me. I love you all.

Slow days of summer

The days have slowed down here for most of us. We were really busy until the last week it has been slow. I think from here on out it will stay pretty slow because we have done a while lot already. I got time to write people back that wrote me that was very nice. I got to run and lift today which is a rear occasion. I also got to visit with my friends down in the inturpretors tents talking and drinking Chi which I have fallen in love with sorry honey. I also have more time to write here and call my wife which is always nice to do. I have been having trouble sleeping lately so if it continues I might go see the Doc for some sleep aide. Not much else to blog about today although it was like the hottest day today and will only get hotter. I hope that with the slowing down the days do not drag on.

It's Like Christmas!

I have been having trouble lately getting to sleep. Last night I layed in bed from 130 till 3am tring to fall asleep. I have no idea what time I finally fell asleep but this is like the third day in a row that it has happened. Anyway I got woken up at 9am and handed mail. Oh how I love mail letters, packages, anything is nice to get when the choppers come in. Which has been like twice a week lately. But for a while there it was like coming every 2 weeks if we were lucky. The moral of this story is that even with the lack of sleep a soldier will get energized when he knows people still remember him and care. Also if you haven't been doing it and know someone over seas send them a letter or a care package it does wounders for there spirits. I know that it does because I have a loving wife that sends me letters and packages on almost every chopper I have one or two pieces of mail. I love you babe!

Night Life Can Be Fun!

Today we did not do much but I did get to hit the gym for my daily workout. That is always a plus and I got to relax alittle too. I am part of what is called the TAC which is a squade of guys made up to do tactical missions and sometimes we are a taxi service too. Later in the evening we went out and did a TCP with the ANP(Tactical Control Piont and the Afghan National Police) at one of there check points. A TCP is like a DUI check point except we are looking for shady people that have weapons and stuff to make bombs and things of that nature. Anyway it was done at night so we had to use our NOD's(Night Optical Devices) or night vision for those not in the military. As the gunner I had front security and that is very important because I might have to shoot if the vehical does not stop luckily I have not had to do that yet. At the end of our TCP the major of the ANP invited us for Chi so some of us including me sat for some Chi and sweets. This is an honor to do with a high ranking offical and he was very nice and is always very nice to us. I hope to continue to work with these guys as we are not allowed to search the locals so they do it all as we pull security and watch them. Anyway all in all we had a great night and all is well. On the way back our lead vehical wanted to take a different way back he drives a humvee and I am a gunner in an M-RAP. Which is like way larger than a humvee. Anyway all the road back to the base are dirt and bumpy and narrow sometimes. We went down a hill and the truck leand pretty far I got down in the gunners hatch just incase of a rollover but we didn't. I am back at the base and have survived one more day in Afghanistan. And also so if any of you do not already know I am 8 and 1/2 hours ahead of the East coast. So I am going to bed now till tomarrow then see you all later.

Army Life!

This is my first time blogging but I thought I would start since alot of people I know are doing the same thing. I might be able to get more responce from this than e-mails too. My own wife blogs here and does it more often than e-mails. Well as most of you know I am in Afghanistan and the weather here is around 140+ and it is not even the hottest summer months here. I have been busy up until now and the time seemed to go by fast. My job is a gunner on what we call an M-RAP which looks like a monster truck. But I love to stand up in the gunners hatch and see all the beeautiful sights in Afghanistan. The people are for the most part nice around here and I have been safe thus far. I also have been working out alot on my time off and have lost over 40lbs. I am very proud of that and hope to come home a new man and keep up the fitness. I will post pictures on here at a later date. Thr=ere is alot of things to do here on my time off. The MWR is for the soldiers to go and play games. They have 2 pool tables, ^ big screen tvs with playstation 2s and xobox 360s. They also have a computer and phone room the internet is free but the phones you have to buy a card forwhich cvomes out to 4 cents a min. We also have a basketball court and a volleyball court and on the ANA(Afgan National Army)side they play soccer which I play too. The chow here is good and all the snacks you could ever want 24 hours a day and it is free for us. I miss my wife and daughtervery much and can not wat till I start home around Thanksgiving time and home in time for Christmas. Well I hope to keep this updated daily but you never know what could happen over here. Love to all my family and friends that supported me and even the ones how don't I still love you too. I miss you all and will retun in a few months.