HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

How was your Thanksgiving?  I had to work until 5pm, so dad got everything started.  He deep fried a turkey and had the kids set the table.  Actually Rocky did the table.  The others cleared up around the house.  When I got home all I had to do was beat the mashed potatoes, heat up the green beans, warm up the rolls and finish up the giblet gravy.  It wasn't fancy, I guess we've kind of gotten away from that over the years.  It was a great meal though, we missed you and talked about you all through the meal.  It will be good to have you home for Christmas.

Tonight we will have elk stew.  Okay, its not the big harvest feast we usually have.  I had to go in to work at 5:45 this morning and knew I wasn't going to be up to cooking when I got home, so we're holding off on the big feast until you get back.  You know, we still have all those dove in the freezer!  That should be some good eating!

Dad is out with one of the guys from work, his son drew an elk tag so he'd their guide for the weekend.  I don't envy him either.  Its not snowing yet, but boy is it cold!  This is those folk's first time out, that poor kid is going to freeze his butt off!  Maybe they'll shoot something early and call it a season today!  Hahahaha!  Nobody is that lucky!

I talked to Shannel the other day and gave her your address.  She said you better see her when you get in town.  And you know... you BETTER come in to see everyone at work... here AND the Vu or you'll be strung up for sure.

Well, I better get started on the stew.  I wish I hadn't missed your call yesterday.  Dad said I had just driven away when the phone rang.  Your timing sucks, as usual!  Hehehehe!  Kidding!  Can't wait to see you again,

Missing you, loving you,

Mom

HAYZ 2 U GABE

GABE THE HOUSE IZ EXTREMELY QUIET WITH THE FISHES IN THE OLD COMPUTER ROOM . BANDI IZ ALWAYZ GOING STRAIGHT 2 UR OLD ROOM . AND THE HERMITS R THE USUAL THEM . . . SLEEPING . . . PEOPLE ARE GETTING ME MAD AT SKOOL NOW AND I KAN'T FIGHT THEM OR ELSE I WILL GET SUSPENDED . DON'T KNOW WHY SKOOL SUSPENDS THAT JUST CUTS BAK ON THE LEARNING . AND THE SNOW IS CRISP 'N WHITE . :: MOM U KAN'T READ THIS :: GABE I HAV A PET BLACK WIDOW I AM KEEPING IT AWAY FROM MOM SO SHE DOESN'T TELL ME 2 PUT IT IN THE BACK . LOL . :: OK MOM YOU CAN READ AGAIN :: GABE YOU ARE MISSING ALL THE FUN WHEN YOU COULD BE HERE IN A NOCE COZZY HOUSE THEN BEING IN A TRAINING CAMP LEARNING THE MOST DANGEROUS JOB IN THE WHOLE ARMY . ~TEAR~ AND THEN YOUR GOING TO IRAQ . BECAUSE OF BUSH . BUT I WOULD RATHER HAVE BUSH THEN THAT TREE HUGGI'N KERRY ANY TIME . YOU ARE MISSING ALL THE FUN STUFF . MY FIRST DANCE WAS HORRIBLE .

 

                                 YOUR LOVING SISTER  

                                 REBECCA    

HOMELESS!

Hey Gabe,

     Well, I'm officially displaced.  The room is still a mess, but most of my stuff is in the garage and Zack is just waiting for the floor to be picked up before he starts moving his stuff in.  Needless to say I'm not too happy.  I don't think your dad even gave me and all of my stuff a thought when he told the kids that they would have rooms to themselves.  Where on earth did he think I was going to put all of my stuff I wonder?  Oh well, as usual I guess it doesn't matter.

   It snowed again today.  I tried to stay mad about the room, but I can't be mad when it snows.  There is something so calming about it.  I went to the store with your dad and when we came out to the parking lot I just stood there for a second, with my eyes closed.  I love when it snows.  It can always turn my mood around... ALWAYS!  So anyhow, standing there with the snow falling down on me, I forgave your father for giving away my room and making me move all my stuff into the garage.  To his credit he did offer to let me take over the den, but hey, I couldn't do that to him.  Besides, I like the den, its like the most cosy, comfortable place in the whole house, wouldn't you agree?

   I hope your knee is feeling better. Are you taking asprin like I said?  Asprin now, not Tylenol or Motrin.  Asprin is the best.  Besides, its good for your heart.  I hope you're over that bug as well.  We've had something bouncing around the house, some kind of stomach flu or virus.  I'll be glad when summer gets here only because when school is out we don't seem to get sick.

Well, its late, and I have to work in the morning.  I'll probably be late again because I'll have to scrape snow and ice off of the car windows, and I always forget until the last minute... which is a bad thing since it takes so long to do that... as well as warming up the engine.  I guess that was one good thing about living in North Carolina, I never had to scrape the windshield or warm the car up.  Man, those were the days, weren't they?

Missing you, loving you!

Mom

Thanksgiving and Christmas

Dear Gabe,

   I bought a Thanksgiving card for you yesterday, but haven't been able to write it yet.  Its weird knowing that you won't be here this year for the feast.  I don't even feel like cooking.  I'll be working until 5 on Thanksgiving day, and then from 5:45am until 12:45pm on the day after... that kind of kills the spirit.  We probably won't celebrate until Saturday, but you know we'll go all out with all the elk, deer, dove and trout.  Dad will be frying a turkey as well.  Can't believe we actually have to buy a turkey this year.  Nobody went turkey hunting this year.  Heck, nobody went hunting period!  That is just way too weird!

Kaleph is working as a cart pusher again, but only until the end of the year.  He goes to MEPS for the Air Force at the beginning of December, then goes to basic for the Air Force at the end of the month.  He hasn't changed.  He'll be a good airman, I'm certain of that.  You guys are good guys.  I'm so proud of you all!

We took the kids to see the Austrailian Pink Floyd, did I mention that before?  They loved it, of course.  It was so cool to see your brothers and sisters singing along with all of the songs.  I know everyone around us was impressed.  A bunch of guys in front of us started smoking pot, but your dad just reached over, squeezed one of the guys' shoulder's and told him 'don't do that again' and they didn't light up again.  It really was an awesome show... if you ever get a chance to see it I recommend that you do.  But a word of warning, it costs just as much to see as it would to see the real Pink Floyd!  I couldn't believe we paid $30 to see some wannabe's!  The next concert we will probably go to will be the Trans Siberian Orchestra.  I wish you could go with us, I know you would love it, but they are only here for one night, and you will still be in training.  I'll get the cd though, so you'll get to hear what you missed!  Oh my gosh, you will love their music, I know you will!

Well, I better get the little ones to bed.  Miss you, love you!

Mom

Dear Gabe,

I'm getting so excited about you coming home for Christmas.  I think your dad is too, but he'll never say so.  He's so proud of you.  I hope he's said so in all of his letters to you.  You know, he never writes to anyone.  His mother had to send him self-addressed envelopes so he would send her something, anything!  I think I have maybe a dozen letters from him from all of his times away over the years.  You have been gone what... 3 weeks? and you have already gotten... 2-3 letters?  Thats got to be some kind of record.  And its also a testament of how much he cares for you buddy.  I know there have been times when you have wondered how much he really cares for you, and I've told you then that he cares a lot... but perhaps now you will believe me.  And that you are following him in his footsteps, working to serve your country in a time when he no longer can... He is sooooo darn proud!  Always believe that, no matter what he says or does.  (its a guy thing, you should know that by now!)

Well, supper should be done by now.  Zack is cooking, so its pizza-bites (your favorite if I remember correctly!)  Miss you, love you!

Mom

SNOW!

Hey, guess what... its snowing again!  Its beautiful outside.  I love when the snow is on the ground, our yard looks just as pretty as everyone elses for a little while at least!

We just got a letter from your commander explaining what we can and cannot send you (no sweets or goodies of any kind, perishables will be conviscated and eatten!)  Since the two schools have been combined, graduation won't be until February, so now dad is thinking about just doing the roundtrip plane deal.  That will save you a whole lot of time traveling.  All of your friends are getting so excited about you coming back.  I'm already looking ahead to what happens AFTER graduation.  I hate the unknown.

Well, I've got dishes to do since my dishwasher is in basic training clear across the country.  Miss you, love you!

Mom

BAD TIMING but good news

You always call when I'm at work.  Whats with that?  Glad to hear you got all of the letters though.  I was so worried that you were thinking we hadn't been writing.  I got my leave request signed for the trip to Kentucky so its official.  We will be there for your ceremony. 

We STILL haven't moved the rooms around.  I don't know who's going to be where when you get home, but you can sleep where ever the futon is unless you want the sofa.  I'm sure your friends are going to want to kidnap you for a little while too.  Just keep a day for us and a day for all our friends.  We'll going to fly you back so you can have an extra day or two with everyone before AIT, or what ever it is that follows.

Well, gotta get ready for work.  Miss you, love you!

Mom

WRONG ZIP CODE, and soldier without bootlaces.

We got your letter this afternoon and were shocked to read that you had not received any of our letters yet.  Dad immediately compared the return addresses on both of your letters and discovered that they had different zip codes.  A quick call to your Aunt Kesi in E-town confirmed that your letter today had the correct zip code.  I hope you get the other letters eventually, but in the mean time everyone sat down and wrote to you again so we could get our love to you asap.

I cried when I read about the recruit without his belt or boot laces.  I am so sorry that you had to witness that and relive such sad memories.  But perhaps there is some good in it.  I hope that if you ever encounter that soldier again that you can give him some support and encouragement that we were unable to give Nolan when he was going through his ordeal.  Always treat the weak the way you would want others to treat a weak member of your family in your absence.  Compassion my son.... it can make such a big difference.  Nolan would still be alive if he had been shown any.  Always remember that.

We saw the movie The Incredibles today.  Its the cartoon about a retired super hero and his family.  The guy... the super hero Mr. Incredible... was so 'fluffy', and out of shape, he reminded me so much of your dad... but in leotards!  It was halarious.  I hope you get a chance to watch it some time.  Its a cartoon, but its fun.

Once we get confirmation that you are getting our mail I will send you a checkbook and your debit card.  You'll need to send me your password for your card so I can activate it here first.  Well, I better shut down for now.

Miss you, love you.

Mom

NEW PRESIDENT... AGAIN

Dear Gabe,

I really thought the election would drag out like it did in 2000.  I'm glad it didn't, and I've formed a new respect for Kerry for not raising a fuss.  I guess you can imagine how pleased we were with the results. 

It snowed Halloween night, but not again since.  We will probably get some more this weekend though.  Your dad is taking me to see the movie 'The Grudge' tonight, so long as Rocky isn't too sick.  This is her 3rd day home from school this week.  The first two days were for a cold, but now it seems like the stomach flu.  We're hoping she feels better tomorrow because we want to take the kids to see The Incredibles. 

Well, just a short one, I have to go pick up Zack and take him to the doctor for an appointment.  Write soon!

Miss you,Love you.

Mom