R&BKing

Ryan made it another step closer to home. He's now in Kandahar, Afghanistan. This area is better than the FOB but still it's not home. What makes this place better? Two things, a PX (post exchange) where he can buy candy and lots of airplanes and helicopters. He actually got to fly in a Black Hawk. He shared with me the experience. The flight was about 30 minutes and there were 11 guys. Since the helicopter was full of men a second one had to follow with all their bags and equipment. They arrived before their stuff so they had to wait close to the runway. All the guys thought it was pretty cool but Ryan especially loved it. He said he was "the guy with the big grin on his face". It almost got him into trouble; he was distracted watching the airplanes and helicopters instead of focusing on getting the bags and equipment.

A few days ago Ryan left his COP to head to the FOB, supposedly to begin his journey home. I liked the comment one of his buddies said to him as he was leaving, "It kind of feels like we're breaking up man!"

Do you remember the tune, "This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend?" 0r how about the McDonald's happy meal toy that's a wooden box and when you shake the box it says, "Excuse me, excuse me, will somebody let me out of here?" That's how I currently feel about deployment. Ryan and my sanity is being tested to the max!! To help me get through today my mom came up. We sewed, had some good laughs (mostly about my mishaps) and brightened up the house with orange rose buds. We survived another day!

Today I had a little friend keep me company at church. Her name is Lydia, she's 4 years old and she thought it would be nice to sit with me during Sacrament meeting. We were talking about the baby and I asked her what his or her name should be.  She said, "Mary Elizabeth is nice or you could use Rainbow Unicorn. And for a boy how about Jack or basketball." Her kindness and comments made my Sunday brighter.

Baby is definitely growing!

Last night the first group of soldiers from 3rd Brigade arrived home. Here's the news clip. http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/Spartans-Welcomed-Home-138632204.html Soon it will be our turn!

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!