Almost Home

Well I know I have not written in a while. Sorry about that lot going on around the world.
I am almost home, as of know I am about 2 weeks away (maybe some change). I am more than ready to get home. I missed my brother-in-laws wedding (congrats to him and his bride) (wow that is different), but I seen pictures on the web of the kids. Wow how they have changed. Mason looks almost grown and is handsome as ever and Savannah is more of a princess than she was when I left. 4 months is hard to be away I could not imagine 12-18 months.
I have enjoyed my time here for the most part. I had a lot of work going on, but without my team and a few others we would not have prevailed as we have. There were a lot of changes made for the betterment of the troops and I am proud to say "I am proud to be deployed with a team who cares about the betterment of others, and sweats blood and tears to make comfort for them a #1 priority".
I have got to go off base and see the country. Wow how different it is from home. The people here are nice for the most part, but live very poor in most areas. I am on a trip coming up to go to the orphanage. This should be a humbling experience I am excited to have the opportunity to play with the children.
Well that is all I have for now. I hope everyone has a great October beginning and I will see you all soon. God Bless.
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - I Love and Miss You More everyday.

Half way there

YEAH I just hit the half way mark. Half done is a good feeling, of course not as good as DONE. But hey baby sets.
The last week was eventful. We (my squadron) adopted a village named Jany Pakhta. We help out at the community center and the school. Wednesday we went done and carried 45 desks up 3 flights of stairs to replace old desks in a computer class room. We also got the chance to hand out new school uniforms to the local school kids. We raised the money to pay for the uniforms and then got to had them out to the kids, what an experience.
We had a bag full of candy we handed out to them. They were happy about that. We had box lunches and after we got done eating I took every ones things they did not want that was not opened and handed it out. Then the fun came, we had an ice chest with our lunches in it and there was ice we were going to throw away. Yep you guessed it I handed it to the kids and you would have thought it was Christmas morning. They played with that ice until it melted. I have never seen kids have that much fun with a piece of ice. Then I found out they have never seen ice like that, well that explains the craziness over the ice.
We picked up trash at the community center. Went to eat supper and then back to the base. It was a wonderful day. It makes me appreciate what I have at home. There were no restaurants, gas stations, not many cars, smelled really bad. The farm animals roam wherever they want to. This place is a very sad, poor, poor place but the kids were happy. I guess it is safe to say you don't know if you didn't have it in the first place.
Well all else is ok. Missing the family more everyday and ready to be home with them.
All have a great week and please pray for our troops.
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - Love and Miss You - Me

And another one down

Well all another week is done and I am that much closer to going home. You know I get excited about going home since I am only here for 4 months and I have 2 more to go. BUT I look in the eyes of the troops coming thru going down range for a year and see fear in some, determination in some, pride in some, and just plain "WHY AM I HERE?" in others. Now I am not one to stand back and watch them go thru here without talking to a few if not all of them. I ask where they are from, how they got into the Armed Forces, why they joined. All those questions are answered proudly but when you ask "Did you leave anyone behind?" The expressions change, there heart beats faster, they look at the ground and say "Yes sir, a wife and baby/babies" Then it seems time just stops, (What do I say next? Should I say something? Oh man why did I ask that?) but the only thing I have found to say that works for the both of us is "God Bless you solider, you are in our prayers, have a safe tour", and wow the response I get from that. Only one word, but it brightens their face as well as mine "HOOAH SIR". HOOAH pretty much stands for "HEARD and UNDERSTOOD" and then they press on with life.
Some of these young troops enjoy the visit others really don't care. But the talks are nice. On the flip side when I talk to the ones coming home, the stories they tell. I've heard about gun fights, ambushes, and just plain war. They don't say much about those they lost and I don't ask. If they want to talk about it they will. No need to relive tragedy of a fallen brother.
The reason I am writing this is I have now been here for 2 months and I always say something about pray for our troops. This time I wanted to give you a bit of inside on why you should pray for those in harm's way and those out of it as well.
Today in church we had the Lord's Supper. It was a great ceremony. There were 3 people that shared their testimony and then we had the Lord's Supper. What a great time, and for those who ask "No I did not fall asleep".
Well I hope all is doing well. I cannot wait until October to see everyone especially the family. I could use 3 hugs right now and everyday I have been gone and have left.
P.S. I am anticipating the hugs from Shelli, Mason, and Savannah. I Love and Miss You - Me

Yeah getting closer

Well everyone it is once again another week down. I would like to say time is flying by but it is really not going all that fast. I am though closer to getting to my loved ones than I was last week.
Things has not changed all that much in a week. I have not been off base so nothing to report there. I cannot say alot about what is happening on base so nothing to report there.
I guess this blog is a short one. I am sorry I do not have more to say this time. Please continue to pray for or troops and their families. They are doing an awesome job where ever they are.

P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah I Love and Miss You EVERYDAY. - Me

And another

Yeah ANOTHER week down. I think the weeks maybe getting a little faster. I am so busy throughout the week I barley notice the date. Kidding I know exactly how many days I have left believe me I am counting.
Here is the same ol same ol. Work, Work, Work all day long and a short time to relax. I guess it helps to pass the time when all you do is work. I am read to get home and relax with the family. I miss them more and more everyday.
The other day I got a package from the family, which was awesome to get. Anything from home is great. I thank Shelli for keeping looking forward to packages and cards from her and the kids. Anyways, she sent me some Bottle Cap candy and we ate them together on the web cam from two different parts of the world. That was amazing and I think the kids enjoyed it as well. We even ate Cheetos's together. Wow the technology today.
I do not have much more to report this time maybe next time I will have more to say. Keep praying for the troops and their families.
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah I love and Miss You -Me

Another one down

Well we made it another week. I think time is going faster than at first. It seems like just yesterday I wrote the last blog.
This last week was eventful I actually went off base to play golf. Yep your right my game here is as bad as it is back home. So much for me beginning a world tour. Even though my game was not all that good the day was enjoyable. We played 9 holes. The longest fairway was about 500+ yards. The course had some of the pretties views of the mountains.
I hope all at home are doing well. I get to talk to Shelli and the kids everyday and it sounds there are times I need to be home to safe her and from going completely crazy. I think sometimes between the kids and me being gone she can get a little on the edge of crazy. So if you have a chance please call her and make sure she has not gone crazy. Thanks.
This week has been pretty slow at work but is gradually picking up, which is good it makes time go faster. I now the busier I am the faster time goes.
Well I don't have much more to discuss so I will go for now. Remember to pray for OUR troops and families.
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - "I LOVE AND MISS YOU"

Settling In

Well I think I am finally settling in. It has been three weeks away from home and really not getting any easier. I am kinda in a numb state, I am adapting to this area physically but my heart and soul are still half way around the world. I am thankful for cell phones and computers because I get to talk to my heart at least twice a day.
I joined the Base Honor Guard team to help pass the time. I did my first detail today. We posted the colors for a Wing Awards Ceremony. I held the Air Force flag. It was awesome I had a good time. I plan to do as many details as I can and maybe go for the Honor Guard member of the month I have not decided yet.
Also to pass the time I have been exercising. I have been running to include watching what I eat. Of course I have not started loosing weight I just started. But I hope to lose at least 20 lbs before I get home. Maybe more (I hope).
"Happy B-Day" America. This weekend is Independence Day to include my father-in-laws B-Day on the 4th. Happy B-Day. I will miss the ribs, chicken, brisket, and trimmings he cooks every year. I hate that I am going to miss it, the 4th is one of the days I can say I don't know when to stop eating. I think they will have a little something here. No fireworks though, but that is ok, we all know the BIG town of Greenwood will have a super duper fireworks show. Hope all enjoys.
Our commander mentioned to us about the contract we signed when we joined the USAF. I did not think of it this way but we signed the Constitution of the Unites States. If you get a chance to read it this weekend please do, that is what each Air Force, Marine, Army, and Navy member signed when he/she decided to say I will serve and protect the United States of America. So if you know, see, or run into an American Solider or Airman please give them a hug, shake their hand, and or simply say a prayer. Those of you who have never left your heart halfway around the world do not realize what a solider and their family feels. Please say a prayer for each and everyone of them because "I Do and I Have".
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - I Love and Miss You.

One week down

Well it has been one since since I have arrived here. It was a pretty long week trying to learn how things operate here. All the training I have had did prepare me for some of my task but not all of it. I am busy throughout most of the day. There are a few moments of down time but not so much. I feel as busy here as I did back home.

The Internet has been down for the last few days and it has been hard not seeing the family. I did bye a cell phone so that Shelli and we have a way to communicate so that is good for us. BUT NOT seeing the kids is hard. I enjoy watching them as well as her on the web cam. It is good to be able to see the smiling face of the family.

I think I am settled in for the long haul of the next 3 and a half months. This is a pretty small base but there are plenty of things to do and keep me busy during down time, which is one day a week. The rest of the week I am working 7am-7pm. Wow what a shift.

I am the Lodging Supervisor and that is all I can say due to Security Operations will not allow me to discuss mission sensitive information. Sorry about that.

I have met alot of nice people from all different areas of the world. The networking with others here is interesting, finding out who they are, where they are from, how they got here, it is a neat experience.

Well that is all I have for now I will write more as the days continue to count down until I am home. See you all later, PLEASE pray for our troops they need all they can get.

P.S. I Love and Miss You Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - Me

Made it

Well I finally found a way to write. Sorry to keep all waiting.
I finally made it here on June 17 after two days in Germany. The plane was hit by lighting on the decent into an Air Base, Germany. Found out that the nose had a hole in it. So they had to replace it. But that was ok we got to see a little bit of the country. We went to a town called Trier, the oldest town in Germany. Lots of history dating back as far as 300AD. Loved the area.
Here at my new home is not bad. The sleeping quarters are ok. I can not complain due to the places some of the others are sleeping. The food is not Shelli's, but it will do for the next four months. I would really like to have a home cooked meal prepared by my precious wife that I love so much. Honey I cant wait to get home and have some real cooking.
I have an opportunity to meet some really great Soldiers. I cap the word "Soldiers" because the ones I have met deserve it. Please pray for them daily. I know back home it seems sometimes that that phrase is over used (Pray for our Soldiers). After being here for just a few days that phrase meets you with a brick wall. So please everyday PRAY for them and their loved ones. THEY NEED THEM.
After leaving Baltimore on the 15 of Jun and landing here on the 17 of Jun was a long and interesting ride. Some of the views I saw were amazing. The sky would be early dark (evening) on take off and daylight in the matter of just a couple of hours (3). That was strange. And then the mountain view outside my dorm everyday is just breath taking.
I will close for now. Everyone please take care and I will continue soon.
God Bless and PLEASE pray for our troops.
P.S. Shelli "I LOVE AND MISS YOU" - Me

Made it to Baltimore

Well it is 2am and of course I can't sleep so I decided to write. Day one is down. It was hard leaving the airport this morning. Mason was hard to let go of along with Shelli and Savannah. Though it had to be done it was still hard.
I made it to Baltimore around 3pm. Got in the hotel around 4pm and have hung out here since. I talked to the kids a lot today. Web camed the family about twice to ten times or so. It was good to see them. The best thing we did was get the lap top for communication. Wow what a change from the past when we had a pay phone and calling cards every three days.
Well this typing has about wore me out so I will sign off for now.
To Shelli, Mason, and Savannah "I love and miss you".

Good start towards the journey

Well last week and this week has been a good start toward the journey. I have had the last two weeks off to spend time with the family and it has been awesome. The kids and I hung out Mon-Wed. We went to the nature center, Savannah and I had a date night, Mason and played golf, we went to see the NEW HANNAH MONTANA movie. I was impressed, it was a good movie. Yes Jackie, I cried like a little girl.

Shelli's last day was Wed so Thurs we went to Rogers and did Build-A-Bear. Mason did a military camo Panda and Savannah did a Bear in dress blues "Air Force". I did a voice recorder message that goes in the tummy and each time they press a button they can hear my voice talk to them. It is pretty neat. Something for them to hold on to till I get home. Then we met my cousin Meghan for lunch at MAD PIZZA in Rogers. That place is awesome. It is across from the Wal-Mart next to the interstate in Rogers. Try it out you, won't be disappointed. When you get there tell Mark I sent you.
I had drill Fri and Sat but Sunday we went to church, had a fellowship lunch after an awesome Sunday School class that John C. taught. Thanks to all of those that showed up.

I would like to thank my wife for putting together the fellowship for me and everything else she has done and is going to do. Babe you are the GREATEST I live you with all my heart. Thanks for putting up with me all these years and many more to come. God did a great match when he lead me to you.

I'm Back

Sorry everyone I have been out of pocket for a while but I am back in the saddle and ready to ride. I have a long road ahead of me and I would like to invite all to join me on a journey half way around the world. I am scheduled to deploy with the military in mid June to Kyrgyzstan and I plan to write about my time there. So please set back pop some popcorn and enjoy a journey from half way around the world. I will start posting as time gets closer. Wow this sounds like a great movie premier. (Roll Credits).

Well today has been a great day. It started yesterday when Shelli and I planned to have a garage sale and decided not to. I had taken off work half a day to have the sale and since we did not have it I decided to go ahead and stay home and hang some light fixtures int eh house we had bought some time back. Of course I decided to hang the lights because my wonderful wife asked me to. I would have gone on to work instead had she not mentioned it. Anyway I hung the lights and then Shelli and I had lunch with Savannah and I went on to work.
THEN that night I took my precious wife on a date. We had dinner and went to the mall to walk around. It was nice to have each other to ourselves for a change. Do not get me wrong I enjoy every moment with the kids but sometimes it is nice to have some time with the one I love the most and had a GREAT TIME.
Today we got up after sleeping in a short time and Savannah went to a b-day party and Mason had baseball practice.
Now our little man is in the first year of kid pitch. At practice Coach Travis Bartlett was pitching to the kids for batting practice. he did really good until it was Masons turn. Travis had not hit a kid once but when Mason got up to bat he hit him 3 times. Twice in the leg and once in the gut. Yep TWICE in the leg not to mention almost the exact same spot. I decided to pitch at him for a change so I told Mason I would not hit him. So what did I do? You guessed it I hit him in the helmet. I guess Travis tries to cripple them and I just take them out. He is ok, he is walking around good I think he will be bruised for a few days. But his ego will be bruised for a while. He told his mom that he wants to play ball but only in the field and not bat. Poor guy has had a rough day.
The third week of P90X is OVER. Only 2 months and 1 week to go. I am still enjoying it. I want to thank the guys for hanging in there with me. We will be looking good in no time (I HOPE).
Invite someone to church. Tell your wife and kids you love them.

Just blogging

Sorry I have not blogged in a while, been busy.
Well we finished week two and are into week three. I feel tons better knowing that I have finished two weeks of "TORTURE". I have lost 13lbs and feel that my chest, arms, and abs are tightening up. That is a good feeling I hope I keep it up for the rest of the time.
We have added a few folks. Eric Goodwin, James Carter, Gary Don Curry, Eric Martin, Travis Bartlett, Michael Lajohn, Grant Lowe, and Steve Tedford. I want to say thanks and good job for hanging in there.
I also want to send a good job out to Jackie Dolan, Scott Houston, and Nelson Brock for hanging in there with me.
Now on to better things. Savannah got an award for the HIGHEST spelling grade in her class for the last 9 weeks. Mason passed his AR test and met his goal. Good job guys I am VERY PROUD of you two. Thank the good Lord you got your mom's smartness.
Mason is part of a group called Destination Imagination and had a competition last weekend and placed 3rd out of 6. This was the first challenge for this group ever. CONGRATULATIONS!
Savannah had a cheer competition and did not do so well. But it does not matter I am proud of her regardless.
Well I am going for now. Remember to invite a friend to church. Keep yourself healthy.

Week one COMPLETE

Well our first week of P90X is officially complete. According to the scales I lost 4lbs. I can not believe how much better I feel during the day now than before. Yes it is a hard work out by it is also refreshing. I would love for more to join us a 5am at the ROC Sunday - Friday for about an hour at a time.
I would like to welcome so good friends of mine to the blog. Mason and Amber Pope from Crossett, AR have a blog that I recently found out about and I added them to my Friends section. Mason was a Civil Engineer with the Department for several years and he and I did some jobs together in the Van Buren area. He has since moved on and finally made it back home were he has settled down with his lovely family Amber his sweet wife, and two beautiful girls Anna Kate, and Grace. This couple is an awesome couple to call friends, thanks for the friendship.
Well I will go now so once again come to work out with some P90X and remember to invite a friend to church on Sunday.

Week one of P90X "COMPLETED"

Well we have completed week one of the P90X. The information I have gathered is the "P" stands for "PERFECT". That is a bunch of bull. The "P" should stand for "PAIN", and the "X" is truly "EXTREME".

Actually I am loving this program. I feel better throughout the day like I have more energy. I think sometimes I can conquer the world. Short trip.

Mike says his back is getting better. Awesome he is on his way back. Nelson did better this morning, he didn't nearly pass out. Good job Nelson. Proud of Jackie and Scott for hanging out during the Arms and Chest routine we did this morning. Great job guys.

All I have to say is that if you say you want to start getting in shape, but don't do anything about it I think you are a wimp!! For the past 2 years 3 or 4 of us has been getting up at 4:40am and walking, jogging, or playing Bball from 5am-6am. I have never felt as good as I do now because of P90X.

Well I am going to go and Ice My ACHING Body. I wish I could get a hot tub for days like this. It maybe pain, sweet, and tears we are going through but so far it is well worth it.

So suck it up and come join us at 5am at the ROC for some good ol' fat burning-grease releasing-pain retching FUN with the P90X. FREE.

By the way Invite someone to Church. Do the dishes and some laundry for or with your wive. And tell her and your kids YOU LOVE THEM. They need to hear that from you.

P.S.

Chuck Norris is so tuff he can make P90X hurt.

P90X (What?)

P90X, what was I thinking. Yep, along with Jackie, Mike, Scott, Ronnie, and Nelson I too am doing P90X. And all I have to say is OUCH, PAIN, and anything else that goes along with these words. I never thought I could get my body in positions the way this program gets me into. And I NEVER thought I could hurt places I hurt. In fact, I did not know I had muscles in places I hurt.

I will say this I am proud of each of these guys for hanging in and continuing the program. Who's to say maybe in 90 days we may have the PERFECT body. People say we are crazy doing this and they don't want to come because they are SLEEPING at 5am Mon-Fri. But let me say when I look like Rocky in 90 days they will be jealous and their wives will be in love with me even more then they are now. Sorry guys truth hurt and so does the P90X.

Come join us at the ROC 5am in the multi purpose room.

Valentines Day

Valentines Day ; ). Today is Valentines Day and I wanted to write about my Valentine. I know I haven't blogged in a while so I thought I would write about the best thing in my life "MY VALENTINE".
Around March 20-25, 1991 was my first date with this cute 9th grader. I picked her up around 5-5:30 on a Friday night and we drove to Fort Smith and I took her to a nice dinner at McDonald's (on Towson Ave). Then we walked across the street to play putt putt. After playing a game of putt putt we drove back to Greenwood via Fort Chaffee to look for deer. I dropped her off around 9 or so and I went to the square (down town) to hang out with my friends, which I did often.
See at that time of my life I was 18 and indestructible (so I thought). I found someone to hang out with until I graduated high school and then I was going to join the Air Force active duty. That is the reason I found someone to just "hang out with". Once I left for basic I was not coming back so I did not want to get attached to anyone.
Well graduation came and I did not make it into the Air Force active side because I could not pass the test. I came within 1 or 2 points each time. Needless to say I was pretty upset that my dream was shot. Being a re-fueler on a KC-135 was not going to happen for me. Instead I joined the Air National Guard.
Believe it or not that cute 9th grader hung on to me for the next two and a half years until she was a senior in high school. Then she broke my heart and told me that she wanted to make sure I was the "one" for her and broke up with me. We keep in touch some for the next year and one day GOD was shining his light on me, I ran into her at Food Plus (an old grocery store) and asked her out and she said "YES". I thought I had died because I asked her many other times and she said "NO NO NO". So I took her out to dinner, no not McD's some place better but I can not remember where.
Well a year and about 3 months later we married yep that is right the cute 9th grader was my precious wife Shelli. And 14 years, a little house, two kids, and two dogs we are still together.

Shelli, I want to tell you "Thank You" for all that you are. I know sometimes I am a bear to live with and I know I am not always what you would like for me to be for you and/or the kids. BUT, THANK YOU for believing in me and not giving up (though sometimes it would be easier). THANK YOU for standing beside me through all the good and bad times. THANK YOU for the wife you are to me and the mom you are to the kids. I could not ask for a better wife and differently not a better mom for the kids. You give us unselfish attention even when you have no more attention to give. And most of all THANK YOU for the Godly women you have become. I thank Him everyday for you and for creating you for me. He knew exactly what I needed in a wife, friend, and companion when He molded you and gave you to me.
I am sorry for what heartaches I have put you through. But I will do my best not to let that occur and I will stay focused on the ONE thing God gave me that was hand crafted with His hands ONLY.
I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART and THANKS FOR BEING MY GIRL :).

Back to normal routine

I would like to start out by saying "Yes Meghan I do spell check I just do not reread the blog and make corrections" "Thanks for the call out on my dumb writing abilities" this comes from a 3'-9" grade school teacher from NW Arkansas.

Now on with the show. The kids are back in swing with school. CHRISTmas new is wore off and I am wore out due to the Basset named Chewy we got. He howls all hours of the night wanting to go potty. I think I will patten a colostomy bag for dogs for overnight hours. (I am thinking change$$$). Mason is still enjoying school, his 3rd grade teacher is off for a while due to medical issues please pray for her. She was my 3rd teacher as well. It is neat that he and I had the same teacher in 3rd grade. She is definitely a God sent teacher to put up with us both but more me than him. Savannah is also enjoying school. Her 1st grade teacher was also Shellis 1st grade teacher, that is pretty cool as well.

The Upward basket ball program has started at church and is going great. I love this program, kids can play ball and parents can learn the word of God at the same time. Everyone wins and has fun doing it. There are approx 300 kids in the program K-6th grades. Wow how uplifting this program is to me and I guess that is way I am so involved. If you have an Upward program near you PLEASE drop in and watch a game or two you may learn something.

The year to come

Sorry everyone that I have not taken the time to write lately. it seems that I have had to much on my plate or that I am to lazy to write, you pick.
First I want to say hey to my cousin Meg for checking out my blog. She and are one in the same I think. Our lives seem to to the same paths in most areas. So hey girl and I love ya.
Now on to the Year to Come. I hope and PRAY this year goes well for all. I do not think we are starting out right by people wanting to take out "So Help Me GOD" when the new president swears in. I mean what in the world is this about. The next thing they will want is to take out "Holly" from the Holly Bible, or maybe take the word "GOD" out of the bible. I think they need so much help that "So HELP ME GOD" is what they need. maybe we can get the words changed to "SO HELP THEM GOD, PLEASE THEY NEED ALL THEY CAN GET, ONLY YOU CAN FIX STUPID." Now let's hear the president swear that in.
For me and my year I plan to spend more time with the family. Trying to be more of a dad to my kids instead of a discipliner. I want to raise my kids and not raise my voice. I want to love my wife in more ways then just saying it. Help more around the house, with the kids, listen to her when she has something to say, hug her when she needs it, and hold her hand without her asking me to. No I am not whopped and no I am not in trouble and trying to get out of it. All these things are from the heart and is what I really want to do.
I hope you have made so high goals for yourselves as well. Lord knows we need to hold ourselves responsible and not someone else.
Well I need to go and spend sometime witht the family.
Oh here is an extra large cup of coffee to Jackie, John, and Scott for the fun I am having playing basketball at 5am. Thanks for the entertainment.