R&BKing

The signs are beginning...deployment is getting closer to being over. Do you remember my "Ryan pills"? You can now see the bottom of the container! Fridays are my favorite because I can document another week down. We are in the single digit count. The chain link fences near the airfield start to fill up with welcome home sayings made out of cups. Exciting times mixed with anxiousness!

Etta helped me find this Christmas gift for Ryan (a variety pack of mustaches). I think it's a winner!

                 I had a really nice weekend which all began Thursday night in celebration of "Great H's" 87th birthday. Jen made the cake. Friday we ran lots of errands and set up the church for the baby shower. We ended Friday night by watching Money Ball and having a grand match of Dominos. Saturday was the big day. A wonderful celebration for "the kid" (our baby's first nickname). We used the bowls that Hannah made and ate delicious food (bagels, cream cheese, fruit and cheese). It was a great turnout and lots of fun (imagine 40 ladies all talking about babies).  Of course we remembered to feed the boys! By Saturday night some of us were wiped out! Thanks mom and dad for making it a special weekend. "The Kid" is spoiled and he/she hasn't even arrived. I received many great gifts and especially loved this book (perfect for Ryan). And in case you are curious to see...h...

I received an email today that made me smile. They announced the mail cut off date to Afghanistan, January 20th. It's kind of weird to be super excited about sending my last package and writing my last few letters but it means that deployment is drawing closer to the end (yippee). It's also a little sad because I have come to enjoy that part of deployment. My letters have been my journal, venting soundboard and my way of communication to update Ryan on all my adventures. I've also spent the last 10 months searching for items to add to packages. Now I have to find some other projects to occupy my time! Thank you to everyone for sending him notes, pictures, cards, letters and packages. He has enjoyed getting tons of mail.

The signs that deployment is getting closer to the end are finally starting to arrive. I had to register on a Fort Drum website so I can be updated on flight and ceremony information, I am sending out Ryan's last package today, I received a homecoming packet, I get to attend a redeployment brief the beginning of February, and as one of my friends said, "We can finally say our hubbies are coming home THIS YEAR!!" Today marks week 42 of deployment. 10 more to go!