HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Too bad you couldn't stay a little longer, but I'm thankful for the time we did get.  It was nice, and my how you have changed in such a short period of time.  So mature... but you still have a potty mouth!  If you don't watch it I'll be showing up at your graduation with a bar of soap!

Guess what... that bottle of Coke you left in the room... well, Art opened it and it was an instant winner... it said 'YOU HAVE WON A SONY PS2 SYSTEM'  How cool is that?  Art said you told him he could have anything he found in the room since he was nice enough to give up his room for you while you were there... and that would include the winning bottle cap, but he has decided that you should get the game system since the kids already have one.  The others agreed.  See, as bratty as they are, your brothers and sisters do love you!

I'm down with a cold again!  This makes 3 in the past 4 months, that really bites!  I guess I'll be toasting to the New Years with a shot of Niquil instead of tequila as planned.  Dang, what a waste of a perfectly good reason to celebrate!  We were supposed to have Morla and Sunnie over but I cancelled, I just feel like crud!  Unfortunately if I'm not feeling better by Sunday I'll still have to go in to work or forfeit my holiday pay.  Oh well, if thats the case, all I have to do is work 4 hours, I'm sure I'll be able to handle at least that much.

I hope you have a good New Years.  Just a couple more days and its back to the grind stone.  This should be better than basic training, there might even be a few fun times thrown in.  Let us know if they let you have 'luxury' items or goodies and we'll start sending stuff your way.

Miss you, love you,

Mom

RUNNING OUT OF TIME

Hey Sugar-Booger... I was just thinking... we only have 5 more days and you're gone again.  Whats even worse is that I have to work every single day.  Thats okay though, I'm saving my time off for your graduation in February. (Richard and Marilyn, Christmas 2004)

 

How crazy was it that you would get in a wreck while home on leave?  I just freaked when I heard your dad talking to you when you called.  The snow and ice on the roads are the only things I don't like about winter.  I'm so grateful that you weren't hurt.  Or the other kid for that matter.  Wish I could put a protective bubble around you to keep you safe where ever you go.  I can't so I will just strengthen my faith in your judgement and the Great Father above.  Be safe my boy.

Love Mom

YOU'RE HERE NOW!

Woo hoo!  It was such a nice surprise to see you at work yesterday.  I knew you were coming to see me, so I don't know why I was surprised, I just was!

Its great having you back Sugar Booger.  What a wonderful Christmas present!

Love you,

Mom

1 MORE DAY!

Are you here yet?

I saw Becky in the store yesterday, she says 'Hi' and for you to go see her at her mom's while you're home.  She's not working right now so she's there a lot.  And poor Chris is already calling for you, so you better call him first  thing!

Are you here yet?

8 MORE DAYS!

Got your message on the answering machine, I hate that nobody was there to get the call, but I was at work and the others were up in the mountains cutting down a Christmas tree.  Sorry to hear you were sick, but I'm glad you had enough common sense to go in to sick call.  I'm sure by the time you get to read this you will be done and over with what ever bug you had, so for what its worth... get well soon!

Ran into Rick from across the street at the old house... he sends his best wishes.  He says Michelle is just waiting for the promotion freeze to be lifted so she can get promoted.  She'll be coming home for a visit about the time you have to fly back.  She's stationed on the Ronald Regan, cool huh?

Well, I better get back to work, seems lunch time is the only time I can write in here, all the other times everyone else is harassing me... yes, your dad too!  He's always standing behind me going 'click click click click!', it drives me nuts!  He's just jealous cos I can type faster than he can!  (not for much longer though, he's getting a lot faster with all that Government Geekish stuff he does at work and his college classes... )

Miss you, love you!

Mom

Private Navakuku!

Oh, I just love this picture!  And check it out, you don't look scared or mad!  I took the picture in to work and showed it off, all my young cashiers were drooling over it!  But NO, I won't tell you who!  Hehehehe!  I'm hoping you've gotten the e-ticket by now.  We're getting soooo excited.

We're going to the Trans Siberian Orchestra tonight.  Its going to be a great concert I'm sure!  I bought their DVD the other day so you can watch that when you get home.  I'm sure it won't be anything like the live concert, but I know you'll enjoy it.

Well, its time to get Rocky up for school, that child would sleep for 12 hours a day if we let her!

Miss you, Love you,

Mom

17 DAYS!

Dear Gabe, we will probably go after the perfect Christmas tree this weekend.  The mountains are beautiful this time of year as you can imagine.  The peak is almost pure white!  Do you remember this picture?  It was taken in 2002, during our Christmas tree hunt.  Last year we had to buy a tree from Walmart since the rest of the gang was in Kentucky... I remember you trying to set the tree up in the corner and Kayle was just sitting there laughing at you.  Ohhhhh no, major sadness coming on... quick, change the subject!

Shana and Christy send their love.  I haven't seen Amanda and Shannel lately but they always send their best when we do talk.  I suppose you'll want the car when you get home huh?  You've got a lot of friends to look up in a very short period of time.

The girls are counting down the days until you get home.  All the kids miss you so much, even though they can be such a pain in the butt when you're with them they love you.  I hope you get Carson when you're finished with your training.  Only bad thing about that is they are going to deploy in March.  I just heard from one lady who's son went through Basic in August... he's in Carson now, as a Cav. scout and he will be going.  It doesn't seem like enough time for any real training.  I pray that the elections in January bring some sort of peace and organization to the region.

Oh dang!  I've got to be at the school in 15 minutes to pick Zack up for his appointment.  I'll write again later.  Miss you, love you!

Mom