I love the Midwest for many reasons. But most importantly because we get to witness the changing of the seasons. The Autumn happens to be my favorite time of year, especially as I have grown older. I love the vibrant colors, the crunchy sound the leaves make when you walk over them, [...]
We have truly given new meaning to the phrase “within earshot” at the Stoner household.
As I was dressing Gage, he told me he had to use the potty. Apparently, it was more urgent than I realized because the next thing I knew Emerson, who was sifting through a box right next to [...]
Everyday here starts, and ends, the same - I walk to and from work.
Everyday I do similar jobs; manage and direct chaos, or fly the mission.
The workday can start at a variety of different times - depending on the upcoming missions or workload. Whenever it starts, 5:00AM or 2:00PM, it continues for approximately 16-18 [...]
This is too funny of a story not to share.
Tim has been trying to send the kids little gifts now and then. I imagine whatever he can find in the Exchange on base. They have received a can of Cheetos, Spiderman fruit snacks, a coloring book, a map (a very special one), [...]
I’ve been asked, over and over, what I think about the situation here.
It may sound odd, but I rarely think of it in terms of “whether the surge is working, or whether we should be here or not.” The job I have to do is MEDEVAC!
With MEDEVAC; there are no politics, no [...]
Okay…Tim finally sent some images. Let me get the gooey stuff out of the way first OR for the male readers…just skip to the picture collage below.
My partner looks HOT! With the exception of a short visit in late-July, I haven’t laid eyes on my husband in nearly six months. He looks [...]
Tiffany alluded to the phrase I said recently, when I told her of a pretty rough experience a few days ago.
I was at one of the hospitals - taking care of some MEDEVAC process and procedural business when a patient arrived in the ER. The patient was a local national and screaming from the [...]
Today was a rough day…we can have those every now and then, right? It is just such a disappointment when they come after a really great day.
The boys and I drove to Nashville, Tennessee to visit Tim’s brother, Mark, and his family. We camped out on the most beautiful Tennessee farm [...]
Just as my children are learning…I am along with them in equal measure. Recently Briggs has been caught cheating and cussing. Now before I go into the details…let me assure you I think he really is a fantastic kid. I don’t believe in bad kids, I believe kids make bad choices. [...]
Happy Birthday to our youngest son, Gage!
Tim is sure to observe tremendous changes in his best buddy Gage when he returns. He talks well and talks back now. He has opinions on his wardrobe…it has to either be camo or Spiderman red. He has a favorite sister he plays with [...]
I am a visual person…clearly! I have been waiting (patiently) for some pictures of Tim and his surroundings. When I finally got a few pictures…they were of camel spiders! Go figure. Apparently though the camel spiders love the shade that the Blackhawks provide, they can be as large as a man’s palm, run very fast, [...]
I made a quick visit to Cincinnati to see the newest addition to our family. My cousin, Betsy, had her first child…a beautiful baby boy named Andrew “Drew” Hannen. He is already sleeping better than Campbell through the night (do you detect a a twinge of jealousy in my writing?).
Drew has [...]
It occurred to me as I was driving along the highway this weekend that Tim and the rest of the soldiers probably haven’t seen puffy, white clouds against a solid, blue sky since they left. It seems as if we have had days of perfect weather…although quite a bit hotter for this time of [...]
Another volley of mortar rounds came into the perimeter last night. We had two aircraft landing - when the mortars began to hit. The aircraft were not damaged and no one was injured.
This may sound crazy, but when the first bombs began to fall - I walked inside the office - pulled out a Fuente [...]
I remember when Briggs was an infant I caught glimpses of myself as if I were looking into my own eyes. I have never really seen a whole lot of Tim in Briggs. Unfortunately, Nate claims Briggs inherited my temper…too bad that Rowe Family temper will continue to trickle down!
But boy did the [...]
Thanks to all who lovingly donated their stuffed animals to the children of Iraq. I know some of them were hard to part with (see note below from Katie).
They will begin to make their long journey to the desert this weekend. I have six large garbage bags full of fuzzy creatures that [...]
I was reminded of what a great city downtown Indianapolis is this weekend. I immediately wanted to share it with my kids. I vowed I would get my children out more often. Typically they are better behaved when we are out than when we are home. So, you would think I [...]