Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day. I am not sure "happy" is the right word but not sure what to put in front of it. Maybe I use the word happy because many think of today as a day off, a day for a picnic, a day for a barbeque, a day for a sale. For some, I imagine it is a rather somber day that holds more meaning than any of us will fully realize. Maybe it should be viewed as a day of remembering and celebrating the lives of all of those who have served to let us enjoy what we have today. For me, Memorial Day is a mixture of sadness, pride, and thankfulness. There is not a week that goes by that you don't read about a soldier giving up his life in Iraq. I think about those families and the families from previous wars and wonder how they "remember" today and feel sadness for their loss. Then I think of my husband in Iraq and my father who served in Vietnam and feel incredibly proud to have them in my life. Then I am thankful. After hearing stories and seeing pictures of what life could be like, I am thankful for those who have served to defend the rights and liberties I enjoy everyday. And I am especially thankful for those who are serving with Doug and together they will come home safely.

It’s funny – I talked to Doug today for 30 minutes and completely forgot to ask him how his unit spent today. Did it seem like another day? Did they have a service? How did they remember? Perhaps like many of us, they did not have any formal event but reflected upon themselves as to what today meant to them. Although we did not talk about Memorial Day, Doug recently copied me on an email he sent to our Pastor that I hope he won't mind me sharing. "These guys are the true heros and am truly a believer in the quote from John saying that 'Greater love has no one than this, that he who lays down his life for his friends.' I think that if you ask any Marine, he'll tell you that's the reason he's over here."

Remember Memorial Day


Freedom Isn't Free 

Hmmmm Beer

There is one thing that I really have missed these past 7 months. I can give up the coffee, the caffeine, the diet coke (for the most part), but beer, I miss beer. Especially now that it is getting hot in Austin - hit upper 90's all of last week - I really miss beer. I have to admit I have tried several non-alcoholics which aren't too bad and am rather fond of the Amber O'Dules. So when the girls "pizza and beer night" rolled around, I did not feel too terribly cheated - I was getting pizza after all. And more importantly, I was making myself not work for one evening and enjoy good company. So I stopped by Central Market on my way to my girlfriend, Holli's house. Unfortunately they did not have my favorite kind of beer and were not overly helpful with suggestions. I picked up a 6 pack of whatever was cold and headed over for pizza and my non-alcoholic Aspen Edge Beer. Once I arrived, I was set up with my pizza and started pouring my beer and noted to someone beside me that it was non-alcoholic and actually tasted pretty good (so as not to look like a delinquent mom to be). Most of us opted to sit on the porch, as Holli has a gorgeous view of the city. I was thoroughly enjoying just relaxing and then started not feeling so good. My heart was beating too fast, I felt a bit lightheaded and a bit jittery. I thought maybe I was just tired? Maybe I had done too much? Then it hit me. I did not actually read the label on the beer - I just remembered that it was non-alcoholic. I casually got up and went and looked at my empty bottle and sure enough it was not non-alcoholic but was low carb. I knew I remembered it for a reason - just the wrong one. I also knew it tasted pretty good. So Nugget indulged in his first full beer at 30 weeks of age careful to watch his carb intake. Aside from the side affects (I am a lightweight to begin with), I think I enjoyed it more than he did. I was hoping he at least he would sleep well but no such luck.

Hodge Podge

I keep thinking that I will post updates when I have the pictures to go with the update. But since I have the 35mm and Doug has the digital, my pictures seem to come a bit late. So for now, I will update the events of the past week and send pictures later.

Baby G Update
There is nothing like a baby shower to make you realize that you really are going to have a baby. There are still days I wake up surprised to find that I have a watermelon growing in my belly. Last Sunday my two sisters and mom hosted a wonderful baby shower for Baby G. Between all of the goodies received and all of the goodies my sisters no longer need, this little guy is well on his/her way to being set.

We had our 29 week appointment on Thursday and fortunately for me the kid is not taking after his father in size, yet. The doc did not tell me how big nugget is but did say we are right where we should be size wise. At this point he should be about 3 lbs and around 17" long. He is definitely getting bigger and stronger - as his feet have happily found my ribs.....

Doug Update
Iraq is still Iraq. We have definitely crossed it off of our list of places to live when we retire. The temperatures are hitting around 105 these days, which Doug claims have not been too bad. I emailed him early this week with the simple question, "What do you think about a puppy?" Within 5 minutes I had the response, "What kind of happy hormonal statement is that?" - along with a demand that I explain myself. Mind you he never responds to my emails that quickly. I responded that I had not already brought a new family member home, but was merely thinking about it.

Below are a few pics of Doug's abode and some pics of him in the Iraqi streets with the kid that helped him with his Arabic (the one in the white shirt) which I thought I'd share.


Doug's Abode 


Doug & Iraqi kids (the one in white helped Doug with his Arabic) 


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Sand Storm

I had mentioned a few weeks ago that Doug and I were cut off due to a sandstorm. Here are a few pics of the storm as it rolled through Al Asad and then the last one is the storm in Hit.


Sandstorm 1 


Sandstorm 1 


Sandstorm 3 


Sandstorm 4 


Sandstorm once in Hit 

Operation Matador

The past few weeks several of you seen in the papers stories on Operation Matador – which was a major military offensive near the Syrian border – supposedly one of the largest American campaigns since militants were driven from Fallujah 6 months ago. The operation involved over 1000 Marines with the hope of driving out insurgents in the area that had become a safe haven and training ground for foreign guerrillas from Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, and other countries. From all news accounts, they consider the effort to have been a success. A large part of the forces were part of company from Columbus, Ohio that Doug deployed with early this year. Unfortunately, there were casualties with two of the Marines coming out of Doug’s San Antonio unit - Sgt Aaron Cepeda and LCpl Lance Graham. As with all of the Marines, please keep their families in your thoughts and prayers.

I have talked to Doug this week a few times via email and we talked on the phone today. All is as well as can be expected over there. His unit is stationed at three locations in Iraq. One is Haditha Dam, another is Al Asad and the other is a Camp outside the City of Hit. Roughly 50 miles separate the three. While as you can imagine, no place is “safe” in Iraq, things have been a bit more quiet in Hit the past few days – something I always like to hear. Doug actually went to deliver medical supplies to a clinic yesterday. While there, a kid helped him with his Arabic (with his Arabic book in hand) and in turn Doug was able to hand out a soccer ball. It is stories like this that make the day hopeful.

Doug cc’d me on an email he recently sent to one of the Key Volunteers in San Antonio– which is a group set up in San Antonio to serve as a resource a support network for families of deployed servicemen. I thought I would share a portion of his email to you:

I would also like to let you know that these Marines are motivated and dedicated towards serving each other and towards getting back home to the ones they love. They are in a harsh place and are doing their best to confront the true enemy while safeguarding those who wish to live in peace. I know in my heart of hearts that everyone back home can be proud of what these men are doing. They are serving with distinction and with honor. I hope that this allays some of the concerns that the Marines or the families might have.

Please also tell the families and friends that their support through e-mail, letters and packages have their effect. You should see the face of a Marine who receives a package from home. Also, for you and the other KV's, I appreciate the time that you dedicate in your now busier lives to keep the families informed and involved. I realize it is not easy with two companies spread all over the place but your efforts as well have a real impact.

Third Trimester!

Had my first mothers day this weekend - I imagine next year won't be as quiet. My sweet husband sent me flowers on Friday and Baby G gave me a necklace today (that my nephew picked out for him). My in-laws came in town this weekend to help out on the Round Rock house and we were able to steel away for mothers day breakfast with my parents at Kirby Lane. I was even able to squeeze a nap in today.

As of last week I am officially in my third trimester. Hard to believe! Poor kid still has no nursery but that will come hopefully in June. Apparently, a pregger friend of mine, Rhonda, has informed me that my 24 week belly picture is very dated. Now that I think about it that picture was actually at 22 weeks - so this is what nugget was looking like around 26 weeks. He is getting me well prepared for motherhood - can't sleep unless I indulge in Tylenol PM, can't eat without tums, back is killing me.......but it's all worth it.


26 weeks 

Care Packages & Iraq Update

A friend of mine, Rhonda, was kind enough to start up a donation box at work to send some goodies to Doug and the troops. We ended up sending 18 boxes out today to Iraq!! I was going to tell Doug that I was sending him a few baby books but did not want to scare him too much. A few of the boxes Doug will hang onto for himself and the rest will go to some of the guys who don't have family. We're doing our best to keep them well fed.

After a few weeks of failed attempts at talking on the phone, I was finally able to talk to my boy last Sunday. All is still going well. They have been busy filling 50,000 sandbags and these large earth holding bins called Hescos which are seven feet tall and protect against all kinds of nasty things. They continue to make their base safer and continue their patrols to keep the city safe. He says that time is going quickly - 4.5 months down and 5 months to go. I think it has been a rough couple of weeks over there and visions of a vacation with "the family" are sounding pretty good. "The family" - that is a new one for me....