Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...

Well this is my second Christmas in Iraq. I didn't do anything interesting like last time. I got to talk to Randi and the kids though and that was really cool. The kids moved in at Toys R Us. But hey, after the year we've had they deserve it. I love you guys.

Look at This Group of Good Looking People...

Randi hit the jackpot with these pictures so I had to show them all to you. This collage is up in my office right now and everyone has been coming in over and over to look at them. What can I say? I have a great looking family!

One Down, Like 7 More to Go...

Well after eight weeks of the first course of the Command and Staff College online distance course, my five page final exam essay is submitted. Course two starts in about a week so there is no rest for the weary. I hope everyone is well. Take care.

What A Support Group...

With Colby home and getting well I was thinking about the last six months as a whole. It's been quite a ride. Randi and I have been on an emotional roller coaster but it truly seems like the ride started at the bottom of the hill and has been steadily climbing ever since. When we first found out that Colby was going to face many challenges with his heart we knew that was going to affect all aspects of our lives. The amazing thing is there has always been a cast of people waiting to help at every turn. Our parents and families have been there to care for Brady and Abby for long periods of time. This has meant a lot to me because it has really helped to limit the stress on them. They have been allowed to be happy kids and it shows with how easily they love Colby, without resentment or jealousy of the added attention he requires. Our friends have been there with meals, to babysit, with a shoulder to cry on and to make us laugh. My squadron has been amazing. Despite an impending deployment, they took up any slack I left behind while I was gone, bent over backwards with my work schedule and most importantly treated me like family. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with. I'm sure not many in the military that have been through such a trying time at home have received so much support from a unit that is forward deployed. Last but certainly not least, for the staff at UNC Children's Hospital, nothing can be said beyond thank you. You all feel like part of the family because of how much time and love you have given to my son and our family. Thank you.
P.S. Sorry for the NG Tube in the picture... Needed to be a picture of all three of them.

Colby's Home Safe & Sound Without a Tube

Here is our handsome little boy without a tube on his face. We are so thankful for him and the many people who care so much about him. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for Colby. I love you Buddy.

Posting problems...

I know many of you have tried to post to the blog without success. I'm sorry about that and without being there to see the problems you've had I'm not sure how to help. I guess we will just have to stick to my postings and your comments. Please comment though and let me know how you are doing, if you have any questions about this place or Colby and the kids, or if you want to see a picture of something specific.

Well, it's Sunday night here and tomorrow Colby has his next surgery to put a feeding tube surgically into his belly. It is a relatively simple procedure, and I keep reminding myself of that. But almost 7,000 miles of distance between us, his Mommy having to wait in the waiting room by herself, and the prior complications he has experienced are all weighing on me right now. Thankfully my Mom is watching Brady and Abby, thanks Mom, and the hospital staff has pretty much adopted us as family so Randi won't be completely alone. I know it will all go well and Colby will no longer be forced to eat through his nose and suffer through emplacing and taping down a tube on his handsome face. Here is the last picture to be posted on here with an NG tube on his face!!

Back to the Night Time...

Well last time I was in Iraq I spent almost the whole time on the night shift. It's that time again. I like the nights. It's quiet, and busy which makes the time go by. I have added a couple of clocks on the right to show the time difference. The other benefit of being night crew is my shift lines up better with East Coast time.

This is my favorite picture of Colby. It says "Chicks dig scars." He is going to have another surgery on the 17th. They will be placing a feeding tube in his belly that will replace the tube you see taped to his face. Finally, the tape that irritates his face will be gone. It's hard being 6,000 miles away knowing that he about to have another surgery, but I do know that the Chief of Pediatric GI surgery and the Chief of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Anesthesia will be performing the operation. At a medical facility of the caliber of UNC, when the best of their best are called in it is really something.

Here is another great picture. Abby and Brady just hanging out on the nature trail enjoying the day and each other's company. Randi, you are still Super Woman. I love you all.

Here's a Picture of Me After a Mission

One of my Crew Chiefs took this picture after we landed the other day. I just shifted to night crew so I won't be standing in the daylight next to a plane for a while. I spent most of my time on night crew last time I was here so hopefully it will feel like old times. I have received cookies, candy and lots of other goodies. Thank you for those care packages, they really mean a lot. It's been a busy deployment so far. My new job as the Assistant Operations Officer for the squadron comes with long days but I still get to fly a lot. Being in the plane is my stress relief and as long as I get to fly I don't mind the work. Thanks for everyone checking up on Randi and the kids. They are doing well and Randi is Super Woman. She put some new pictures on Colby's Carepage so check him out when you get a chance. They are great and Brady and Abby have been doing awesome. Thanks to Randi's hard work we may soon only have one baby in diapers! Col Roszak just wrote to me and let me know that I will be the Hokie Hero for the November 22nd Tech football game against Duke. That is pretty cool. I hope all are well. Take care.

Landing in the Desert

Who says you need to see to land a plane? We have special instrumentation onboard that allows us to land in a dust cloud... but this was a good one. This may look like a crash but I assure you it was as smooth of a touchdown as you've ever felt. It just looks crazy from outside the cloud.

Colby Laughing!

I don't know if this video is too big to post or if my computer here is just too weak. Click here to see the video of Colby laughing. I really loved seeing it and couldn't have been more excited afterwards. Today was a long day in the plane but that made it all better. Thanks Baby.

Posting to My Blog

Okay, so I've finally got a few minutes to spend on here. The set up for this site is a bit different from before so I think even if I gave you permissions before to post here. Therefore, I have resent invitations to everyone who had permission before. If you view this blog and would like to post (And I'd love everyone to), please comment on this post or send me an email and I will have an invitation sent to you.
A second on posting... I don't really want to set rules but to make it the most fun it can be, please comment on individual postings with your related thoughts and start your own posting for new topics of conversation. Feel free to add pictures, in good taste please, and I promise to start adding as many of them as I can as well.
The bottom line is I'd love there to be lots of different posts on here from everyone with pictures of family and friends so we can all comment to each other and keep up on the crazy lives we all lead.
Also, just like Yummy does, if any of you have your own blog then please let me know what it is and I will put a link from this blog to yours.
Take care and I hope to hear from you all soon.

Living in a Can

I basically live in one third of a metal trailer. Well my roommate and I do. Right now I am sitting in a foldout chair next to our trailer with my laptop using the internet. It's quite a site in the desert. The weather has been getting cooler which is nice. I'm actually wearing a fleece pullover. Randi and the kids seem to be doing great. Actually they seem to be doing better without me, which kinda bums me out a little. Brady, Abby and Ironman, Daddy misses you a lot. TV must stink back home. We only get a few channels and they are all showing election or financial bailout stuff. I did get to see a small part of the VT vs NEB game. Go hokies # 20 in the AP. They are looking pretty good right now. Well, hope everyone is well. I am hoping that my schedule will get more routine soon and I will be able to post more often.

On Deck

Here are a few pictures of my trip into country this time. One of my last junk food and one of my C-17 flight.

Now that I'm here again, I'd say it hasn't changed that much. Still lots of sand, some funny looking creatures, lots of sand, weather is terrible and there is a lot of sand. Randi has posted an update on Colby's page and some new pictures, so make sure you check that out. I will try to post another update soon.

I don't dig packing

If there was one part of deployment I hate the most it is packing. I should hire someone to do it for me. A certain Eagle Scout named David comes to mind...

Some Pre-Deployment Fun

I haven't left yet, but I wanted to share a bit from my day today. Colby's surgeon came to the air station and flew the simulator today. I truly hope he enjoyed himself.
I have added a link to Colby's Carepage on the side bar so you can check my page and his at your leisure.
Just like before, I hope this blog can be a conversation among friends and family. As I see people join the blog I will be updating permissions to allow you all to post messages. That way we can all keep up and share funny stories.

Deploying Again

It's that time again. I haven't used this blog in about 2 years but I hope to reinvigorate this site and stay in touch with family and friends again this way. My deployed email address is eric.j.keith@aa.mnf-wiraq.usmc.mil. I will let you all know on here when that is active. Hope to hear from you all soon.