A New Outlook on Things

The last 6 years of my life have done a lot to define who I am. A break from deployments and a focus on home is the order of the day when this one is over. It's time to grow up with the kids and make sure Randi knows just how amazing she is... a break is in order for my Super Woman. 5 open heart surgeries for Colby, 4 straight deployments, 3 kids to raise, 2 parents missing one another, leaves 1 girl that deserves to come first in my life. I miss you Baby.

I'll Miss You Grandma

I am very sad that you had to leave us, but am also very thankful that we shared so many happy times together. I will always cherish these pictures of you with my children. We will always love you.

Home At Last...

Well that was a very long deployment.  I came home for about a month on emergency leave and was still deployed for over 7 months.  It feels so good to be home with the family.  The kids have been my little helpers with projects around the house and we've had fun.  We've built a vegetable garden, picked strawberries, and gone to the park for the day.  They are happy I'm home and letting me know it.  Colby is a moose.  He really is huge.  I'm not sure what Randi is feeding him sometimes.  Randi is still Super Woman.  I can't keep up with this place yet and she was doing it by herself.  Hopefully I'll get the swing of things.

Getting Back to Some Kind of Normal...

Well, we are home and Colby is doing well. I can't wait to get the kids this weekend so we can all be together again. I do however, have to return to Iraq to rejoin the squadron and finish this deployment. Once I get back over there the time should fly by. On another topic, I ran just under 5.5 miles yesterday. I have totally caught the running bug and am hoping to shed all the extra weight I have been carrying. It sure feels good to start getting back in the shape I was as a kid. I said start getting there... as long as that journey may be.

No More Ear Infection...

Well Colby is over his ear infection. We still have to find out if they are good with his surgery date, but it seems like they will be. Getting his surgery cleared through Tricare (our insurance) was a nightmare. It boggles the mind, but at least it's done now. On a different note, I started going to the gym the last two days. Ran 2 miles yesterday and 3 miles today. For those that know me recently, not when I was a kid, that is way out of the norm. I feel so much better. I've had such an aversion to running the last few years and I really don't know why. It seems like all I did as a kid was run. Anyway, hopefully I can keep it up. I won't leave Colby while he is in the PICU. I couldn't last time and I don't plan on it this time. Once he is in the CICC and doing well I will check out the gym in the hotel and maybe work out with the Marine ROTC on campus. Actually, let's just hope for a short hospital stay and then it won't matter. Last time was such a long drawn out nightmare that I guess that is how I think about that place. This time will be different and he will be a champ and get recovered quickly!

One Week Delay

Well I'm home with the kids and Randi. They all look great, but the kids are fighting colds. It turns out Colby has more than a cold, he has an ear infection and that means no surgery until he is healthy. For now that means his surgery will be on the 10th of February. Please keep him in your prayers.

Home, Well In Atlanta...

After a KC-130 flight to Kuwait, thanks to my friends in VMGR-252, a little bit of layover with the Redpatchers at Kuwait International, a 15 hour flight from Kuwait to Atlanta, and about an hour to get through customs I am soon to board my flight to Jacksonville. Haven't slept (except a few catnaps) in three days, but that won't matter when I get to see Randi and the kids! Hope everyone is well. I will be turning my phone back on soon so hopefully I can talk to you all soon.