Dear Gabe,

I wish you could have been with us today.  We visited Memorial Park.  It was so beautiful there today.  Its been very hot lately, but even the sun seemed to be paying its respects.  I said a prayer for your friends who are no longer with us.  I also said a prayer for those who are recovering, and those still in Iraq.  The memorials there represent so many lives that were lost in the service of our country.  I wish the list of names would stop growing, right now... for ever.

I guess it will be hard saying goodbye to your son again and getting on the plane tomorrow.  I should know, I seem to be saying 'goodbye' to my son pretty often here lately.  Can't wait to see you tomorrow.  There's just a few days left before you have to return to your mission.  Hey, I have an idea, why don't you finish your mission early so you can come back home early? 

Yeah, I know... it doesn't work that way.  Well, at least you're already past the hump and on the downward slope.  It won't be too long before you'll get to come back for good.  In the meantime, I'll settle for tomorrow.

Have a good flight.

Love you always,

Mom~

WHILE YOU'RE BUSY BEING A DADDY...

Dear Gabe,

I can't believe I'm having to write to you again, so soon.  This isn't the way it was supposed to be.  This time last week I was looking forward to spending time with you AND my Grandson.  I hate that things didn't work out and Zachary wasn't able to come out here.  At least you were able to visit him, that's the important part.  I'll settle for more pictures for now, so take as many as you can.

And at least I got to talk to him today.  He sounds adorable!  I kept telling him to tell mommy that she needs to bring him out to visit Grandma Jo, and I repeated our phone number over and over so he can call me any time... once he learns what numbers are. 

Tomorrow we are going to Old Colorado City for the annual Territory Days.  We can't stay long since I have to work in the evening.  Ugh!  I hate the thought of working.  Don't get me wrong, I love the job (and the $) once I get there, but I hate having to give up other stuff to do it.  I got spoiled last summer.

Dad put a swimming pool on layaway.  Hopefully we'll be able to pay it off before the winter freeze.  We may get to use it as an ice skating rink before we can ever swim in it.  Actually that would be kind of fun, so long as you don't run into the sides and flip over the edge.  That would be a 4 foot drop!

I suppose I should get some sleep now.  Dad wants to get up at 8am.  Sleeping in is the best part of summer, and he has to go and ruin it by making me get up early!

Give Little Zack a big kiss for me.  Enjoy your time with your son.  Love you as always,

Mom~

FINALLY!

Dear Gabe,

Its so good to have you back home.  I am so glad that the war has not killed your sense of humor, impaired your judgement or deminished your strong belief in family and friends.

So now, in order not to waste time dreading your inevitable return to Iraq, I have a new arrival to focus on... Little Zachary's!  Hopefully he will be here by Wednesday afternoon.  Now that will be a family reunion to remember!

Hmmmm, I wonder if they make these in ACU green?

Lifetime friends Brinton and Amanda and her friend Dale in the process of kidnapping you for a game of pool.  You probably don't remember having this picture taken, as you described it you were a little 'unsober'. 

ARE YOU GONE YET?

Okay, today is the day son, but you still need to be careful.  May the Great Spirit guide your way safely home.  Hopefully your little one will already be here waiting for you when you arrive.  As for me, I'll be doing the happy mommy dance in the middle of the airport, you can count on that!

Love you as always,

Mom~

YooHoo, Gabe...

3 DAYS AND A WAKEUP!

4 Days and a Wakeup!

Dear Gabe,

4 days son, can you believe it?  I hope you have good connections all the way.  That would be soooo cool! 

I'm trying not to make any committments for you, but your friends are all getting so excited so I imagine you will have the phone stuck to your ear for the first day or so when you get back.  I haven't spoken with Kayle lately, we'll probably give her a call so we know when to expect her and Zachary.  I still have to baby-proof the house.  I hope I don't hug him too tight and scare him!

Don't forget to pack the laptop, cos I want to see your pictures and videos.  We still have a bunch of your clothes here so you really only need what you're traveling in.. and shoes.

Till then, be safe.  Miss you, love you always!

Mom~

8 DAYS AND A WAKEUP!

Dear Gabe,

I'm practicing my happy dance over here, I should have it perfected by the time you get home.  We don't have any plans for you, who knows, we may all just sit around the supper table and stare at you the whole time.  No, really, we're just going to play everything by ear when you get here. 

I'll still be working while you're here, but they've cut my schedule for that time.  Dad will be off the whole time though.  I'm not sure when Kayle and Zachary will be pulling in. I've got a special 'grandma happy dance for when they get here.

Just a week left buddy and you'll be on your way.  Keep your head down til then.  Missing you more than ever, love you always,

Mom~

10 DAYS AND A WAKEUP... Part 2

Dear Gabe,

Its a real misty morning today, its beautiful!  The fog is so thick its like a slow rain.  Everything is wet.  I wish I didn't have to drive in it though.  I have to get Big Red registered before the cops discover that my stickers are expired.  Yike!

Rocky did great at the talent show last night.  She has a beautiful voice, her new choir teacher is actually trained to teach choir, she's not the gym teacher teaching the kids how to sing 'Its a Small World' like before.  Becca and Rocky put on a private show for Dad and I later while we were waiting to see some test firing (some kind of rockets) on Carson.  The night fire got canceled but we enjoyed the music.  I'm going to try to figure out how to post a video so you can hear it.  If not, you'll get to hear them in a real short while!

Be careful, as always.  Miss you, love you.

Mom~

Dear Gabe,

Check it out, less than 2 weeks, give or take a day or two... and you'll be making your way back home.  Don't forget to get lots of pictures along the way.  And take your laptop, dad was able to get online at a couple of the airports when he was traveling.

Marilyn called and said that the Memorial Day Blackpowder Shoot has been canceled due to the fire ban.  It doesn't seem too bad out here, but I hear the forests are real dry.  Over 4000 acres burned back behind Walmart, all the way down to Venetucci's Pumpkin Farm.  This could be a bad year for wild fires. 

So anyhow, Marilyn sends her love.  So does Peggy, the department manager from Pets when you were there, do you remember her?  I saw Christy yesterday.  You better remember to see her when you're in town, okay?  And Nick keeps on checking to see when you're coming in.

I saw the sweetest thing today.  An older woman was checking out in my line when she spotted a couple of soldiers.  She shouted out 'Thank You Heroes' and started clapping, but they didn't hear her and walked away.  She turned back and acted embarrassed but I clapped for her.  I told her 'And I applaud you for your support.'  We talked for a little while and before she left she said to tell you 'thank you', and that she was praying for you. 

So, if you are ever out there, far from home and find yourself wondering if its worth it, the answer is: Yes, it is worth it, and there are so many people who appreciate what you and the others are doing, and they are praying for your safety and eventual return to your home, people you have never met and may never know, but Patriots just as you are.

And then theres your family... your brothers and little sisters, impatiently watching the calendar, your dad who doesn't say much but is just as excited as your goofy old mom, who can't seem to figure out just exactly how many days it is before you begin your journey home.

So, as always, be safe Son.  Miss you, love you.

Mom~

12 DAYS AND A WAKEUP, or something like that.

Dear Gabe,

I hate waiting.  I've never been any good at it.  Patience is not one of my virtues.  Hmmmm, I don't think I have any virtues, but if I do, patience is certainly NOT one of them.  So anyhow, I'm getting so antsy over here.  I should be putting this nervous energy to work for me, like cleaning up and childproofing the house for when Little Zachary gets here, but I can't seem to get my body to obey my mind's commands.  So, put me out of my misery, come home early if you like, thats fine alright by me!

Till then, be safe, as always.  Watch your buddies' backs, and always ALWAYS remember who you are and why you are there.  Miss you so much, can't wait to see you again... SOON!  YIPEE!

Love,

Mom~