What a memorable and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Wow!!! Can't believe Thanksgiving has come and gone and at the moment I'm sitting with the love of my life cuddled up next to me (I LOVE MY ZEKE!!) and Kati is at the other end of the couch curled up with her head on the pillow watching Because I Said So. Diana is sprawled over the loveseat reclined reading a book. She's already finished one while she's been here...I hope it hasn't been boring here for them, I sure know I've had a BLAST!

So the trip started with Thursday morning going to chapel and then thanksgiving meal in the hospital chow hall...






Friday we slept in, had homemade pancakes, then went to Adventure Crossing Mini Golf followed by Arcade Games!!






In the evening we went to Lights Of The South and took a 20 minute hay ride through the woods getting to see ALL kinds of different Christmas Lights...IT WAS AMAZING!

Please dont forget about me...

"Why is it that when you deploy your family seems to never get what its like for you. Tey seem to allways go about there lives as if you never left. Your children are growing up with out you and you don't have a clue whats he or she is doing. Your family doesn't think that time when he did that funney thing is important. To them its just another funney thing. But to you those things keep you going. They put a smile on your face sometimes the ony smile you will have all day. Or remind you why your in the Army fighting and risking your life. This time I feal pretty safe I meen I'm a Fobit. No senes in trying to make it something its not. But when I look around at the infantry guys and the MP's I for the first time understand when they say that they feal all alone. I realize that most of the time when families break down from deployements its because Soldiers leave and life goes on with out them and sudenaly its not there family anymore. They remember what there family was like but it will never be that again. But that other family (there Unit) Never leaves them they stay with them, they risk there lives, they tell them every little detail, They cry with them, They even rejoice with them on ocasion. But back home is these other people that once did all that. But no longer do. Dont be that family. Keep in touch, tell them all the stupid little stuff that you don't think matters. Trust me it matters. And listen to your soldiers. Even if you don't have a clue what there talking about. For Gods sake flipen listen and give a damn."

This a quote from a very wise man's blog. It was dated 11 Nov 07 and written by SGT Victor Goltz of the US Army, Chaplain Assistant. When I read this, I cried. Someone finally knew how I felt while I was isolated, I mean stationed in Korea. Its like we live duo-lives. Those in the military know what I mean, and I'm sorry I dont mean the silent ranks of the wives or family members even though I know they face their own obstacles back home. I'm so very thankful for the family and friends I made while in Korea. I really truly am. The hardest part was, and still is, that I know I'm missing out on the "little things." Laughing with Amy at silly things Nevaeh does, smiling with Kandy over the wonder and amazement that Jackson brings to our lives. It hurts. Bad. knowing I'm missing it, I missed my cousin graduate highschool, another small thing to some. I cried the day he graduated. I've missed weddings, funerals I should have been at to support friends...and I know I'll miss more. So here's my challenge if you know a military family, ask for their service member's address, email, or what-ever. Take the extra effort, just to send them something and talk about the little things you do throughout the day, what you encounter, especially if you're back at their home. I receive someof the greatest mail once a week, every week, since I left for basic training. My pen pal Peggy, sits down once a week, she asks me a few questions, then she just shares whats going on in her life. When Zeke was back there, she'd tell me how when she walked past he would be outside barking. Zeke is my world as most of you know (my dog) I could visualize him out there barking, and it would bring the biggest smile to my face. Its funny, my most favorite thing in Korea was hearing Zeke bark in the background when I'd be on the phone with mom. Share the little things with your loved ones who are away. They miss you, and are out there for you fighting or whatever their duty entails so that you can enjoy the little things. Take care of those you love, their the ones who will be there for you in more ways than you can ever comprehend.

Thankful...

Well its one of my favorite times of year again, my birthday has passed, we payed tribute to our Veterans...and now its time for Thanksgiving. Looking back on the year, man do I have SOO much to be thankful for. I'm thankful first and foremost for the birth of my nephew Jackson, he's the light of my life. I'm thankful for being back in America, Korea was a rough year we all know that. But I have to say now as I've been reflecting, it wasn't all bad either...I got to see ALOT of another culture, and country that I NEVER would have. I understand my family more, particularly my father as I experience Active Duty life and encounter Soldiers every day away from their families or even here with their families. I'm thankful that I'm broke, because if I wasn't broke, I'd be wasting my money on random things, and I'd be without Zeke. Life is so good just even having him around. I'm thankful that in 6 days I'll be picking up Kati and Diana from the airport for a few days of just them and me....how awesome is that?! I can't tell you the last time that I got days on end with just them and I, oh wait, thats NEVER happened. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!! We get to spend one of my favorite holidays together in my apartment!! YAY! I could go on and on about everything I'm thankful for, but above all I'm thankful for my Freedom and for my brothers and sisters that are out there enduring the heat, the sand, the wind, the enemy so that I can enjoy time with my cousins, so that my nephew can rest peacfully and continue to grow into the wonderful man I know he will become. I'm thankful for my brothers and sisters that are out there spending Thanksgiving alone all around this world, ensuring that we can all gather on that day and eat and enjoy our families...So brothers and sisters my heart goes out to you all, know that you will be in my prayers on thanksgiving as much as your always in them everyday...I may not know your name or your face, but your spirit for America and for freedom is forever engraved upon my heart. Thank-you for your sacrifices. Know that you're loved.

Ok everyone...SOUND OFF...what are you thankful for this year?

The Big 2-4

Well that special day has come and gone, and this year was nothing short of AWESOME!
I awoke with a great big birthday kiss from Zeke (ok I had to coax it outta him, but I got it none the less.) Then I got to be a bum for a few hours before I had to be in uniform and at one of the Chapel's on post. I volunteered to be the Chaplain Assistant working a wedding with one of our hospital Chaplains. I know I"m nuts for working on my birthday...but the way I see it, I could be a bum all morning before I started getting ready for the party orrrrr I could share one of my special days with someone else's special day! So I chose the later. Then I came home and showered, played with the dog, and then started preparing for the tacos. Around 5:00 the Steeb's showed up...Lauren, Dan, Crimson, and Eli (Dan is my supervisor)

I had a blast playing with their 18 month old daughter Crimson, and talking and playing with 2 month old Eli. They are such sweet kids! Around 6:30 Kadie, Brice, and Shirley all showed up...
From there I started the taco meat. And soon after Shafer showed up. We had tacos for dinner...that I made! Followed by not 1 but 2 birthday cakes...My barbie one that Kadie made, and the Irons' bought an oreo ice cream cake! We played some truth or dare Jenga, and had a GREAT time!! I got a really cool present from Kadie and Shirley too... Can you believe it?! My very own wrestling ring and John Cena and Shawn Michaels wrestlers!!!

and...one more thing...

5 Days til my Birthday!!! Saturday the 10th I turn 2-4!!!!

One busy week...and we call it Pastoral Care Week!

Well we did it! Our team survived our first Pastoral Care Week...man, it was intense! We had something going on every single day! We kicked it off with visitations to staff and patients...followed by a bowling tournament, then we set up a table of religious literature for lunch, next came a worship service, and ice cream social, and on our last day...we promoted our newest Soldier, PFC Irons to SPC!!! YAY IRONS! I've gotten to meet and get to know more of the staff and Soldiers at Eisenhower because of this week. I am proud to work for the team that I do. I finally feel at home here with my crew, I have an outstanding group of Chaplains and a few very fine Chaplain Assistants as well! Here are some of the pics from this week!

Zeke isn't Pastoral Care Week, but he's just too darn cute!



The hospital Chief of Staff COL Baumchek, and the Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care Chief CH (COL) Groseclose, cutting the cake!


Bowling fun! Shirley, Kadie, and I the 3 SPC Amigos in my office!



SGT & SPC Woodard...possible family?!?! Dont know...the girls think they see some resemblence in our faces...what do you think? I think our noses look close!


Kadie & her Gumby cookie!! Shirley, Kadie, and I decorated cookies for our office for Halloween!


Ministry at the table! (It was halloween...hence why Kadie and I look weird!)


The Ice Cream Team...a lil dark, I know...sorry!


Congratulations SPC Irons!!