Friday, May 30, 2008

HOME SWEET HOME

Dear Gabe,

You're finally home, and I know I should be concentrating on your time here but I can't help dreading the moment when we have to take you back to the airport so that you can rejoin your buddies back there.  I wish we had more time but that would only prolong the inevitable so I guess this is for the best.

I hope you can relax during this time and enjoy your little family.  Kimmie has been such a trooper during this time.  She has never acted worried in front of me, she never complained about being on her own.  I don't think she knew what she was getting herself into when she moved away from her family but she hasn't given up.  She is a very strong woman and you should be proud of her.  I know her mother must be.  I sure am.

I still remember when you were just a tiny baby.  Never did I imagine that one day you would be flying off to fight a war in a distant country.  Watching you grow as you have has just made me realize that there are no limits to the amount of pride or love a parent can have for their child.  It is not something one ever grows out of.  I am sure you are already realizing this of your own sons.  But their greatest accomplishments will come much later.  Do not hesitate to let them know how much you love and respect them.

I love and respect you son, for all you've done, for all you have risen above and for that which is yet to come.

Love always,

Mom~

Saturday, May 24, 2008

TOMORROW

Dear Gabe,

When you wake up in the morning you will be in Kuwait.  And then its just a hop, skip and a jump till you're back here with us.  Have a safe trip.  See you when you get here.

Love you always,

Mom~

Thursday, May 22, 2008

2 DAYS AND A WAKE UP!

Dear Gabe,

We are all getting so excited over here for your visit.  Kimmie and I were supposed to get you some clothes after grocery shopping yesterday but we lost each other, so I guess you'll have to walk around nekked while you're here.  Not really, but dude... boxers or briefs?  Hehehehe!

Not too sure if we'll be going to the Memorial Day Shoot this year.  Marilyn's mom is pretty sick so she and Richard are on stand-by for a trip out there if the mom get's admitted to the hospital.  There is also a stage one fire restriction in Fremont County where the camp out is held.  That means no open fires (camp fires) and no smoking outside.  If it goes to stage 2 there will be no fires of any kind, not even charcoal grills or propane stoves, and more importantly no black powder blasts so we're bracing ourselves for a possible cancellation.

Brinton might be making his way back home soon.  I don't think he'll be staying with his folks but you know Brinton, he'll find a place.

We're going to have a full house for a while.  Kesi and the kids should be here sometime in June, probably after you leave.  I think the change will do her good.  I just hope she's strong enough to take that big step.  Dad is going to drive out to pick them up.  If Kimmie still wants to go back to Ohio he'll probably drop her and the boys off then drive down to Kentucky.  I wish she would stay but I know its got to be really hard here for her.

I'm not sure if Little Zack is going to be coming out here.  Kayle isn't due until mid June but she doesn't think she's going to wait.  Or maybe she's just hoping she doesn't have to wait.  That poor thing is so uncomfortable and its got tobe muggy as hell out there.  At any rate I'm sure Connie is going to have to be there for her and the little ones.  We'll have to wait and see how that plays out.

2 more days and your boots will be in the air.  Woo hoo!  Till then, be safe!  Love you always,

Mom~

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

hurry home daddy

Thursday, May 1, 2008

23 DAYS AND A WAKE UP!

Dear Gabe,

Check it out, just over 3 weeks to go!  Its going to be weird not having you here at the house, but I think you're going to like the apartment.  Kim keeps it so clean.  I don't know how she does it with two toddlers running around.  Ayden has this thing about chairs.  He can't stand them standing upright, so he makes it his mission in life to over turn every chair he can.  The dining chairs are too heavy so he leaves them alone, but the two little Spiderman chairs... on their sides.  The fuzzy Spiderman papasan chair, upside down.  The baby's bouncer, upside down.  I don't want him to get bored so I'll set them all back upright and within minutes they're all tipped over again.

Ryott is getting so big, you won't recognize him.  He's trying to stand.  Kimmie said he can say 'Mama' now.  He's just the cutest, chubbiest little thing.  You'll have to watch him though, he watches, and he listens... very intently.  I'm not sure what is going on in that little head of his but I guarantee this, he's up to something!  I'll bet he already knows how to walk and rocks out in the crib thingie when we're not looking!  That's how Ayden was.  One minute he couldn't walk, the next minute... whoosh!  He's every where!

Well son, I guess I need to wrap this up and get busy.  Its already after noon here and I haven't done anything except to drink coffee, which isn't a bad schedule for my day off, but I'm supposed to be cleaning out Big Red and daylight is burning.  Take care, be safe and see you soon!

Love always,

Mom~