Ever hear of the ‘Traveling Gnome’? It was the subplot of one of my favorite movies, Amelie. I thought I would take a different yet similar approach. So, the Daddy Doll is going with us everywhere now. We even took him to the Zoo today.
Tim is a bright guy! [...]
As we look up in the evening sky, we notice that the bright moon is leaving its full phase.
Iconically, the moon has represented different phases, milestones, and meanings in my life.
College (circa early 90’s) - one of my favorite courses was Astronomy. I’ve always enjoyed physics, constellations, and the evolution of our celestial surroundings. [...]
I have little news other than we are finally climbing our way out of a very deep hole. I have been covered in human fluids for an entire week. I have left the house once.
I have found myself at the exact same moment having such empathy for my children and [...]
As if Barfapoolza wasn’t enough! My conveniently-located, second floor washing machine started leaking causing a decent sized flood. Perhaps it was just tired after the numerous loads of wash today. I believe I have changed each bed three times by now which doesn’t include all of the towels, clothing, bath mats, etc. [...]
I remember having a nightmare before Tim was deployed that everyone got sick at once. In the dream, in order to regulate the cleanup, I put everyone on a futon mattress on the tile floor in the basement. The nightmare came true, unfortunately I neglected to follow through on the keen strategy. [...]
Thank you daddy for my presents. I really like the map of IRAQ. I got another 100% on my spelling test. Actually 101% because I got the bonus word. I love you daddy. Thank you for the chewy bubble gum too. I can’t wait until you send us more stuff. I’m gonna be [...]
It is safe to say that I had no idea what it meant when I was told that Briggs made a two-point conversion but I sure high-fived him like I knew. I am learning.
I’m not convinced Briggs thoroughly enjoys organized sports…he would much rather play backyard sports…he is such a homebody! [...]
I was flying into Baghdad again yesterday, and had front row seats to an Iraqi Air Show.
I was inbound and a few minutes out, when I looked to the left and saw a 58D (small attack helicopter) dive, from above my front left, towards the ground. I craned around to see the [...]
First day of school for Gage! Of course, I had to photograph him next to the “Gage Tree” which should be fun to compare years later by not only the growth of our little guy but our Honeysuckle Lotus. I loved that he had to take a leak before we got on our [...]
Someone asked me recently how I was REALLY doing…and it got me thinking. The kids and I are doing well…we have adjusted to life without Tim’s presence…but he is ALWAYS in our thoughts, prayers, and conversations. We are in a routine of sorts. But I do miss my buddy when the house is [...]
I have been wanting to do the tub message to Daddy for awhile. Finally got around to it last night. It was fun for them but caused me not only some frustration but some ceiling damage!
HI DADDY!
TOTAL ATTITUDE
Notice the total attitude from Briggs in this video. I guess [...]
I receive the warmest email messages and phone calls weekly asking for specific items our friends can send Tim. Honestly, he is a simple man. He really feels like he has everything he needs for the time being. However, I went to a family meeting yesterday with other wives of soldiers and [...]
Briggs and I had Date Night! I took these goofy pictures on my phone camera. We went to dinner, did a little shopping, and then saw “Mr. Beans Holiday”. He has been needing some undivided attention. I needed a night out. And, to be honest, I sometimes miss the time [...]
We’ll…you simply cannot complete your combat tour - without the obligatory mortar rounds coming into your base and yesterday, we “checked that block.” It was mid-day when we received the first two rounds - just north of our position and inside the base. Then two more rounds to the south and on the perimeter.
After the [...]
Yesterday was my first flight into Baghdad. Most sane people would not intentionally fly into Baghdad, but for us, the patients we transport, and MEDEVAC mission - it’s a must.
We were originally scheduled to fly in at night, under night vision goggles - but the aircraft we intended to fly had some mechanical difficulties and [...]
So, I set off on a road trip from Indianapolis to St. Louis on Friday afternoon. I carefully planned the departure time to coordinate with the nap schedules of my three youngest children. I packed snacks, sippy cups, extra bottles of Vitamin D, lots of books, a few movies, and plenty of wet [...]
Lots to add from our weekend getaway to St. Louis to visit the Parker’s. It is all kinds of fun traveling with four kids alone and then spending a weekend with eight kids eight and under. I am working on a post entirely devoted to this.
When we arrived home I immediately [...]
I think I may have confused some of our readers with my last post entitled First Combat Flight. I had previously written about flying over the desert and seeing Bedouin, camels and miles of sand. My previous flights in the desert were in Kuwait - not Iraq. Kuwait is not considered a [...]