I SAW YOU!

Dear Gabe,

What a blast to find you online yesterday, and on webcam too, how cool!  I only wish I could have saved it and played it back later for the kids.  They were disappointed to have missed you.  Rocky scolded me, she said I should have woken her up, even if it was only 3:30 in the morning.  I was a little late to work, but nobody minded because they know...

I'm taking Zack for driving lessons today.  He's going to the same place you took your test at.  They have a quick course and hopefully he will have his license when he leaves on the 1st.  He's been pretty good about getting everything he needed to do done, this is the last thing.  He still has to get a laptop.  We'll be doing that today as well.  He's getting a Dell from Walmart.  We tried a cheaper computer but it crashed about 5 days after he bought it so now we're getting him the good one even if it is a little more expensive.  He's got a cell phone too, I'll send you his number later.

Christmas is coming up on us real quick.  I can't wait to start shopping for the Grandbabies.  I hope the girls don't mind me sending all the kids stuff again this year.  I love shopping for babies, especially my grandbabies!  I just read online that all packages for the troops should be sent out by October 31st to get to you guys by Christmas, thats just crazy!  Oh well, I guess I better get shopping.

Missing you always,

Love Mom~

THINKING ABOUT YOU

Dear Gabe,

There's snow atop of Pike's Peak.  Not a whole lot, but definitely enough to remind us that winter is on its way.  I had to scrape frost off of the windshield the other morning.  Brrrrrrrrrr!

Art and Becca leave for Fort Collins tomorrow after school for the State Marching Band Finals.  They are currently in 8th place in their division.  Yay Mesa Ridge!  Your friend Valerie's baby sister Megan is a drummer.  She remembers you from the video you guys made for class.  That was what, 3, maybe 4 years ago?  I wonder if Valerie still has that video.  I'll be it would be fun to watch.

Dad is still at elk camp but should be back sometime today or tomorrow.  We haven't heard from him since last week when he left so I'm thinking he probably hasn't dropped anything yet.  He has the ultra mag so you know if he can see it he can shoot it!  He's out in Glenwood Springs or someplace like that.  He got my flu just before he went up there and it snowed so who knows how much hunting he actually did.  Bert is with him along with a couple of other guys from work.  I call them the Geriatric Hunt Club.  They're probably all sitting around a propane heater at camp, drinking frozen beer while waiting for an elk to walk into camp.  Hehehehe!

Drop us a line when you can.  In the mean time know that we are all here praying for you and missing you as always.

Love Mom~

ARE YOU THERE YET NOW?

Dear Gabe,

The nights are getting colder now but so far no frost on the windows in the morning.  Still, there's no doubt that winter is on its way.  I love this time of year, with the warm sun and a light breeze.  I was thinking yesterday how nice it would be if it were like that year round.  Can you tell I'm dreading the snow?  I love snow but dang I hate driving on it.  Grrrrrr!

Guess who Rocky's student teacher is for Art?  Wrong... its Christy!  Our Christy!  How cool is that?  Christy is still teaching cheerleading on the side, she owns her own instruction school now and her squads seem to be doing pretty well in competitions.

The excitement is really building up about Zack's homecoming Saturday night.  We have so much to do when he gets back.  He needs to get a cell phone, a laptop, a driver's license, his wisdom teeth pulled.  And he has a whole menu of stuff he wants me to cook for him.  I miss him, but I'm glad he has taken this huge step towards independence.  I'd be sad if I wasn't so dang proud of him.

Send us a mailing address as soon as you get one.  We're all itching to start sending stuff out your way.  I promise I won't get too carried away and bog you down with useless stuff.  Besides, the important stuff.... like prayers and well wishes, don't take up any space at all.  Let us know what you need and I'm sure we can find a way to get it out to you.

Be safe my son.  Missing you, Loving you always,

Mom~