I'm ready to come home. It won't be long now. I get a few weeks off in less than a month. I can't wait to see the family and eat real food. I've started running a lot. I run 3-4 times a week which is really exciting to me. That is something I have never looked forward to before now. I'm running another 5k tomorrow. It will be my fourth 5k in about a month. It's good to run with other people and they are all for good causes. I hope I keep it up when I get home.
We are over half way through. Things are still picking up for us. It's not bad. It keeps me busy. It does seem that the stupidity is growing though. I'm glad it's not contagious or we would all be in trouble.
I sure can't wait to see the boys and Nicole. I miss them so very much. I'm so glad to have the technology to talk to them everyday. It really makes my day to get to talk to them before my day begins. Caden will graduate from kindergarten in a few days. I can't believe I have a first grader now. Liam is getting so big. He is really becoming his own person now. Nicole has passed her last Praxis exam. She will be able to start her student teaching in the fall. I'm so proud of her. I think she has found her place in the world which is great. She has had so many obstacles to overcome and she has done it. Now get a job and make daddy some money. lol Just kidding.
Well I need to get some sleep so I can get another day behind me and I can get closer to coming home.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
It's Been A While
Like the title says... Things here have been good. What has happened since I last wrote... a lot, but really not that much. We had a audit of the account I manage here. We passed with flying colors. That was really great. The last unit that was here failed the inspection and we only had 3 months to get it back in good shape. Not to brag but the auditors said it was in really good shape. Hats off to the guys for getting the account in great condition again. This is the largest account here in country and one of the largest in the world and to shape it up in 3 months was truly amazing.
Well it looks like I may be getting to go to Arizona at the end of the month for a conference. It has to do with the job I do here. It will be work but at least I get to be back in the US for a couple of days. I'm excited to be back in the "Homeland" for a little time. Then I come home for my R&R in June. That is Super D Duper! I can't wait to see the family. We are planning a trip to Hotlanta for a few days. Gonna check out the Georgia Aquarium and a few other things.
Missing Caden's second attempt at t-ball. He has started again. He plays basketball and loves it, t-ball not so much. I really want to see him play but it's not in the cards this time. He's growing so fast and so smart ( I tend to think that comes from me, Nicole doesn't agree). I can't wait to see Liam. I see in the pictures how much he has grown. Wow what a big boy. He's all over the place now. Then for my beautiful bride.... what can I say? It will be so nice to hold her again. I miss my family so much.
I miss home but in a way I'm glad to be here. I'm not sure what kind of difference we are making here but I can see the difference my unit makes. It is great to be a part of the greatest Army in the world from the greatest country in the world.
I'm not sure if I've put in my blog what it's like here so here goes. Dusty! The roads on my post are mostly unpaved. It's starting to get hot and will only get hotter. I live in a tin can. It's like a tractor trailer without the wheels and not as long or high. There is 2 of us in my room. I work in a building made of wood surrounded by concrete barriers. There is an airfield here and something is flying all the time and I mean all the time. There are a lot of people here (I can't get into numbers due to security). I support a large portion of the country with the product I have ( I also can't tell you about what I really do either). We have a lot of secrets! There is about 5-6 chow halls, none of which are great. We have a "boardwalk" that has shops and places to eat. We even have a TGIF (also not that great and expensive). There are activities going on all the time. Most of which I don't participate due to work. They have fun runs all the time. I don't understand fun runs, what is fun about running? They should call them tired runs. Well there are other things but I'll save them for another time.
I hope all is well with everyone. I love and miss ya'll!
Well it looks like I may be getting to go to Arizona at the end of the month for a conference. It has to do with the job I do here. It will be work but at least I get to be back in the US for a couple of days. I'm excited to be back in the "Homeland" for a little time. Then I come home for my R&R in June. That is Super D Duper! I can't wait to see the family. We are planning a trip to Hotlanta for a few days. Gonna check out the Georgia Aquarium and a few other things.
Missing Caden's second attempt at t-ball. He has started again. He plays basketball and loves it, t-ball not so much. I really want to see him play but it's not in the cards this time. He's growing so fast and so smart ( I tend to think that comes from me, Nicole doesn't agree). I can't wait to see Liam. I see in the pictures how much he has grown. Wow what a big boy. He's all over the place now. Then for my beautiful bride.... what can I say? It will be so nice to hold her again. I miss my family so much.
I miss home but in a way I'm glad to be here. I'm not sure what kind of difference we are making here but I can see the difference my unit makes. It is great to be a part of the greatest Army in the world from the greatest country in the world.
I'm not sure if I've put in my blog what it's like here so here goes. Dusty! The roads on my post are mostly unpaved. It's starting to get hot and will only get hotter. I live in a tin can. It's like a tractor trailer without the wheels and not as long or high. There is 2 of us in my room. I work in a building made of wood surrounded by concrete barriers. There is an airfield here and something is flying all the time and I mean all the time. There are a lot of people here (I can't get into numbers due to security). I support a large portion of the country with the product I have ( I also can't tell you about what I really do either). We have a lot of secrets! There is about 5-6 chow halls, none of which are great. We have a "boardwalk" that has shops and places to eat. We even have a TGIF (also not that great and expensive). There are activities going on all the time. Most of which I don't participate due to work. They have fun runs all the time. I don't understand fun runs, what is fun about running? They should call them tired runs. Well there are other things but I'll save them for another time.
I hope all is well with everyone. I love and miss ya'll!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
CrossFit
Well I've went back to old faithful....the CrossFit workout of the day! This something I've done off and on since about 2004 (mostly off I hate to say). I turned on to this by a good friend Jason. He has been an inspiration to me in more ways than one. He knew how to workout (and sometimes I thought he was going to kill me). He is also a man of God! Thanks Jason for all you do.
Needless to say this week has been painful, but fun. Me and Chris started last week and now we are recruiting. We both have a passion for it. Our bodies don't, but we need it. Once again I hurt in places I forgot I had. It has been awesome. This is one of the most awesome workouts created. I hope we continue to workout and I hope I continue to have drive.
Well it seems tomorrow I'll have a new home. Nicole will close on our first house. Our children will have a house. It is really important to us. Caden and Liam deserve it and we have waited long enough. I won't get to see it for a few months but I'm so happy for them. There is some work that has to be done before they move but they'll have a house. It's exciting and nerve racking to say the list. It will be something for us to be more proud of. A house is a house but home is where the heart is.
Nicole is still working towards her degree. I'm so proud of her. She has worked so hard even with two children. Hopefully in about a year she will be done or really close.
Well things here are crazy as usual. It seems a Soldier at another location attempted to destroy some religious materials and the locals found out. Needless to say, they weren't thrilled about it. It hasn't effected us here yet but I foresee a fall out! I hope they realize it was a mistake or at least not the thought of all of us. I don't agree with they're religion but what would God want from us? We can't reach them by making them angry. God doesn't want us to be angry so doing something to make them angry can't be the right answer. A holy war is coming. I'm glad I'm on the right side.
Well I better go and get back to "living the dream" here in good ol' Afghanistan! ROLL TIDE ROLL!
Needless to say this week has been painful, but fun. Me and Chris started last week and now we are recruiting. We both have a passion for it. Our bodies don't, but we need it. Once again I hurt in places I forgot I had. It has been awesome. This is one of the most awesome workouts created. I hope we continue to workout and I hope I continue to have drive.
Well it seems tomorrow I'll have a new home. Nicole will close on our first house. Our children will have a house. It is really important to us. Caden and Liam deserve it and we have waited long enough. I won't get to see it for a few months but I'm so happy for them. There is some work that has to be done before they move but they'll have a house. It's exciting and nerve racking to say the list. It will be something for us to be more proud of. A house is a house but home is where the heart is.
Nicole is still working towards her degree. I'm so proud of her. She has worked so hard even with two children. Hopefully in about a year she will be done or really close.
Well things here are crazy as usual. It seems a Soldier at another location attempted to destroy some religious materials and the locals found out. Needless to say, they weren't thrilled about it. It hasn't effected us here yet but I foresee a fall out! I hope they realize it was a mistake or at least not the thought of all of us. I don't agree with they're religion but what would God want from us? We can't reach them by making them angry. God doesn't want us to be angry so doing something to make them angry can't be the right answer. A holy war is coming. I'm glad I'm on the right side.
Well I better go and get back to "living the dream" here in good ol' Afghanistan! ROLL TIDE ROLL!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Missing Liam's Birthday
It has been a little while since I last updated. Things are good....as good as it can be. I can't complain. I've had a few eye openers over the past week. Some I'll talk about others were just for me. One thing I know is that I'm truly blessed.
I missed Liam's 1st birthday over the weekend. It was really hard. He changes so much. Every time I talk to Nicole there is a new update on him. He is so smart and beautiful. I'm lucky to have him as my son. I understand a lot of the things that my parents told me now. I've always said you can't tell someone the joys of parenthood until you are one. That is so true. I've had so many joys with Caden and Liam and could not imagine life without either of them.
Nicole on the other hand.....just joking. I'm much too blessed to have her. I don't deserve her. (don't let her know that, I don't want her to get any ideas). This deployment is hard on me but I can only imagine what she goes through from day to day. She takes it like a champ and never questions my commitment to my country. I think she understands that I do this for them.
We are getting ready for a inspection at work. I have a lot of trouble focusing lately. I have lost my appetite and have began losing sleep. Please don't worry about me I'm ok it's just part of the adjustment. Chris and I started working out again and it is killer. I think this will help on multiple fronts. It will give me drive.
It is really strange the situations God puts you in and how he opens your eyes. I'm so thankful for his sacrifices for me. I don't deserve them.
Well I had pizza the other day from a new place that just opened. It was really good. Almost like home,,,almost.
I missed Valentine's Day once again. Missed my Valentine. I know she missed me too. Well have to get ready for bed again. It's great because that means another one down.
Peace Out and ROLL TIDE ROLL!
I missed Liam's 1st birthday over the weekend. It was really hard. He changes so much. Every time I talk to Nicole there is a new update on him. He is so smart and beautiful. I'm lucky to have him as my son. I understand a lot of the things that my parents told me now. I've always said you can't tell someone the joys of parenthood until you are one. That is so true. I've had so many joys with Caden and Liam and could not imagine life without either of them.
Nicole on the other hand.....just joking. I'm much too blessed to have her. I don't deserve her. (don't let her know that, I don't want her to get any ideas). This deployment is hard on me but I can only imagine what she goes through from day to day. She takes it like a champ and never questions my commitment to my country. I think she understands that I do this for them.
We are getting ready for a inspection at work. I have a lot of trouble focusing lately. I have lost my appetite and have began losing sleep. Please don't worry about me I'm ok it's just part of the adjustment. Chris and I started working out again and it is killer. I think this will help on multiple fronts. It will give me drive.
It is really strange the situations God puts you in and how he opens your eyes. I'm so thankful for his sacrifices for me. I don't deserve them.
Well I had pizza the other day from a new place that just opened. It was really good. Almost like home,,,almost.
I missed Valentine's Day once again. Missed my Valentine. I know she missed me too. Well have to get ready for bed again. It's great because that means another one down.
Peace Out and ROLL TIDE ROLL!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Snow Day
Well it's been a few days since I've updated. I'm still excited about Alabama's 14th National Championship. Just wanted to throw that out there. ROLL TIDE ROLL! Things have been really good. I've been extremely busy. I have worked until midnight for almost a week and one night/morning I didn't get off until about 4 in the morning. No big deal, it's what we have to do.
Today was interesting. I snowed this morning. It was crazy to me. It wasn't cold enough to stick but the flakes were huge! I didn't expect it. It had rained and rained after but a big snow for about 30 mins. The flakes were wet and hard. When they hit you it felt like big sleet.
Everyone says we are at the begining of the rainy season. I'm not looking forward to that. The roads are mostly dirt and they all turn to mud. Messier than the dust that is everywhere.
I talked to Paw Paw Gauldin today. It was great to hear his voice. Today was Aunt Sarah and Uncle Franklins' birthday so I'm sure he had mixed emotions. He told me he prays for me everyday and I'm sure he does. I talked to Mom and Dad too. I got to Skype with them and they were excited to see me. It is funny to see them on Skype. Their like two kids fighting over attention. I love and miss them all.
I miss my whole family.
This week has been hard on me for that. One of our Soldiers lost his 3 year old son this week. It really made me want to just hug both of mine. I can't imagine what that must feel like. And to be away too. It must have been and still is horrible. I hope everyone has had a better week than that.
Well I'll get until next time.
Today was interesting. I snowed this morning. It was crazy to me. It wasn't cold enough to stick but the flakes were huge! I didn't expect it. It had rained and rained after but a big snow for about 30 mins. The flakes were wet and hard. When they hit you it felt like big sleet.
Everyone says we are at the begining of the rainy season. I'm not looking forward to that. The roads are mostly dirt and they all turn to mud. Messier than the dust that is everywhere.
I talked to Paw Paw Gauldin today. It was great to hear his voice. Today was Aunt Sarah and Uncle Franklins' birthday so I'm sure he had mixed emotions. He told me he prays for me everyday and I'm sure he does. I talked to Mom and Dad too. I got to Skype with them and they were excited to see me. It is funny to see them on Skype. Their like two kids fighting over attention. I love and miss them all.
I miss my whole family.
This week has been hard on me for that. One of our Soldiers lost his 3 year old son this week. It really made me want to just hug both of mine. I can't imagine what that must feel like. And to be away too. It must have been and still is horrible. I hope everyone has had a better week than that.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
14th National Championship for UA
Today, WOW, today has been a good day. It did start very early this morning. I had to wake up early to go into work. But little work was to get done this morning. Hmmm....Why did I go in early this morning? Oh...I remember. There was a game on, a football game. It seems the team I root for did well. OK...OK, So this morning (morning in Afghanistan, night back home) Alabama played LSU for the BCS National Championship game. 21-0 was the final score. Alabama's Defense is the best defense I have ever seen and they totally dominated LSU for 60 mins. This was my belated Christmas gift. I don't think I was as excited 2 years ago (and those who know me, know I love some Alabama football and I was excited). Although I would like to have seen a few more touchdowns I believe this was one of Alabama's most complete games they had this season. Total and I mean total domination. I'm so proud to be an Alabama fan. This deployment isn't easy, but to get to be brought home, if only for a little while, was worth it. The crystal football is headed back to T-Town, it's rightful place. You can have your Heisman, we'll take the Coaches Trophy any day. It's about the team and Alabama is the best this year. ROLL TIDE ROLL! After the game it could only go down hill. But the excitement stayed. It's so surreal, it doesn't even feel like it has really happened yet.
Like I said today has been a good day. Work wasn't bad. This time of the month we aren't as busy. It gets crazy in our office deeper into the month. I had a few meetings today. I went to the Far East Defac. It was crazt it seems everyone likes shrimp and rice day. It was so packed. This was the first time I had went there. I'm glad everyone else liked shrimp and rice day, me not so much. It wasn't bad and it was good for a change but....I'm not in a hurry to get back. I got to talk to Nicole, Mom, and Dad this morning, which was great. I miss them so much. I want to talk to Max and Joanie. They are Close friends of ours and huge Bama fans. It is really good to talk to family and friends. It helps keep things in prospective. Well I hope all is well. I love and miss everyone. I blog more in a couple of days.
Like I said today has been a good day. Work wasn't bad. This time of the month we aren't as busy. It gets crazy in our office deeper into the month. I had a few meetings today. I went to the Far East Defac. It was crazt it seems everyone likes shrimp and rice day. It was so packed. This was the first time I had went there. I'm glad everyone else liked shrimp and rice day, me not so much. It wasn't bad and it was good for a change but....I'm not in a hurry to get back. I got to talk to Nicole, Mom, and Dad this morning, which was great. I miss them so much. I want to talk to Max and Joanie. They are Close friends of ours and huge Bama fans. It is really good to talk to family and friends. It helps keep things in prospective. Well I hope all is well. I love and miss everyone. I blog more in a couple of days.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Jan 8 2012 Afghanistan
Well I started a blog. This is something I've never done before but many people have suggested I write down my "adventures" from Afghanistan. I've been here a month and nothing, so here I am. I guess this really for myself and my family to be honest. Just so I can remember and they can know what is happening. I won't be putting in anything that I can't tell (I'll tell those stories to you all later). I hope to write every few days just for updates.
Today was a good day. I went to work like normal (well a little late because it's Sunday). We weren't very busy today which is good. I went to a chow hall that I don't usually get to go to which was good because it changed the scenery and it is better. I went with some friends; Chris, Howard, Henry, and Paul. We drove down the dust road and had some good chow (for us anyway). We went back to work but it still wasn't very busy. Chris and I looked through some paperwork then I called it a day about 1700hrs. Chris went back and I came to my room and watched Wedding Crashers. I think that is one of the funniest movies ever.
I really miss the family. Nicole is getting ready to buy us a house. I know that will be a lot on her but she can handle it. We are very excited about it. We so want to have a house for our boys to grow up in. I'm glad it will be a reality. Roll Tide Roll!
Today was a good day. I went to work like normal (well a little late because it's Sunday). We weren't very busy today which is good. I went to a chow hall that I don't usually get to go to which was good because it changed the scenery and it is better. I went with some friends; Chris, Howard, Henry, and Paul. We drove down the dust road and had some good chow (for us anyway). We went back to work but it still wasn't very busy. Chris and I looked through some paperwork then I called it a day about 1700hrs. Chris went back and I came to my room and watched Wedding Crashers. I think that is one of the funniest movies ever.
I really miss the family. Nicole is getting ready to buy us a house. I know that will be a lot on her but she can handle it. We are very excited about it. We so want to have a house for our boys to grow up in. I'm glad it will be a reality. Roll Tide Roll!
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