MEME...MY FIRST TAG!

How long have you been blogging?
I just started blogging a few weeks ago.

What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?
My sister Devin. I have checked her blog almost daily since she told me about it. I love keeping up with my neices and nephews this way...

Are you trying to make money online or just doing it for fun?
Just doing it for fun...and so my husband can peek in on us while he is deployed. **(Hi Baby-miss you like crazy!!)

What three things do you love about being online?
Hmm...3 things?
1. I like being able to search for anything online. From current news and weather to what the heck "Apple Bottom jeans" are...you know the song!
2. I love being able to keep in touch with family and friends via email since I rarely have enough time to actually call...
3. With my busy life I love being able to shop online.

What three things do you struggle with online?
I'm very "internet challenged" sometimes...

Tag three people.
I don't know 3 people so I will tag Mary Helen!!

Safe and Sound

I got word today that David has made it to his new home for the next 7-8 months!! He made it there safe and sound. It was a long, tiresome trip. He spent 4 days in a holding pattern with a total of 4 hours of sleep!! Hopefully he will continue to have email access and I can keep you all updated during his tour.

Thanks again to all of you who have prayed for our family and who have sent me such encouraging words...David and I appreciate your kindess!

Cool Cousins

Auntie Devin and Uncle Jimmy invited us over for pizza, popcorn and s'mores. We certainly enjoyed the visit. I was tired of feeling sorry for myself and the unlimited entertainment was priceless. The kids always LOVE seeing their cousins!!

I don't think I'm ready for this!!

Oh my...where do I start?? My 8 year old daughter is learning so much from her classmates. Some of the "life lessons" she's learning aren't so...shall I say...accurate. And, some of them are very R rated if youaknowhatImean. So after a very long talk today about certain aspects of the birds and the bees, I felt certain she was still my little girl who still loves to play dress up and sleeps with her favorite American Girl doll. That is until...she got a pimple!!

Ugh! Just when I thought I had salvaged a few more moments of her being a little girl she shows me this teensy-weensy, teeny-tiny, little whitehead right smack dab in the middle of her nose. Oh, the hearbreak!! We talked about if for a minute and decided that it was totally NOT a big deal! We go on with our day. You can imagine my surprise at dinner tonight when she looks over at me with those big beautiful brown eyes and says..."Mommy, I need Proactive!"

Freeport Flag Ladies

During the final conversation I got to have with David he told me about a group of women at Bangor International Airport who meet the service members and take their pictures. They give each a small gift and wish them well on their tour and one last THANK YOU before heading over to the war. You can learn more about these women at www.freeportflagladies.com.

They are pictured above in the second photograph with David. For those of you who haven't met my husband...he doesn't meet a stranger and...has a "way" with the ladies!! In the first photograph he is on the very right about to have a conversation with me!

There are 17 pages of pictures of the Marines that flew over with David. It's interesting to see all of them on their cell phones hoping to get one last "I love you" in and to hear the voice of the ones they have to leave behind. As you will see, they look great. A little tired maybe-but great.

**To go directly to the pictures of the Marines with David: from the homepage select Meeting the Troops in Bangor then click on January. Scroll down to the last line (written in red) January 9, 2007 Marines. Once there you will see they are really for Jan 2008. There are 17 pages of photo's.

Who me??

I was on my way in to work today, taking my usual route, when a truck pulled next to me and sort of hovered. I didn't want to look over, but you know what it's like when someone is watching you and you can feel it. So, I glance over to find a gentlemen waiting for me to look at him. He kindly nodded and then did something I never expected...he saluted me!! At first I was taken by suprise. Why on earth would he salute me?! I began to wonder if I had misread his salute. Did he give me the "other" salute?? Nope...it was an honest, thankful salute.

Once I realized it was a kind gesture the waterworks began. Just when I needed a little reminder of faith the Lord put one out there to keep me on track. I know in my heart what this sacrifice means. I know that families do it every day and some do it for years and years. Who am I to complain? My husband is home the majority of the time while others spend years away from their loved ones. But I was feeling a little sorry for myself this morning until this gentlemen reminded me to pull up my boot straps and continue to march.

So your probably wondering why on earth this guy would do this out of the blue. Well, I have a magnet on the back of my car that reads:

"Half my heart is in Iraq"

and a USMC emblem on my back windshield. So like the rest of us commuters, he was just sitting in traffic, taking in the sights, and doing whatever he could to pass the time while we hurry up and wait on the roads.

I wish I had realized his act of kindness sooner. I missed the chance to thank him as he took the very next exit and was gone. So-to the guy in the champagne colored Ford truck who saluted me...all my thanks. You have no idea how much your gesture means to me.

One last goodbye...

David had this past weekend "off" just as they guys finalized deployment exercises and prepare for their mission. He called with the news and with the help of my brother-in-law, I was able to fly out to see him.

He was in great spirits and had a very calming "calm" about him. It comforted me more than you can imagine. His demeanor showed me he is ready for these next 9 months. He and the other Marines are healthy, rested, well trained and ready for this assignment.

We had some much needed couple time. We got to eat at grown up restaurants, watch a movie that wasn't G rated and had adult conversation...uninterrupted conversation! We even got to stay out late! We got to eat with each other, at the same time, and nothing was spilled or dropped. No one had to get up to go to the restroom, no one was upset that someone ate the last bite of whatever, and no one gave us that goofy "Oh my gosh, how many kids do ya'll have??" look that we love to watch on the faces of the poor patrons who have the pleasure of being seated next to us.

But, as with every weekend getaway, it had to end. The final goodbyes stink! They really, really stink and the heartbreak that comes along with the last few minutes and the long walk away is unbearable. You find yourself wanting to run back, to grab hold and never let go. You know you can't and you fight the urge with all you can. I guess what I mean to say is...grab a strong hold on your loved one. You may never know if you will see them again. Grab tight and tell your loved one each chance you can what they mean to you.

Special thanks to Jimmy. You have no idea what your donation of frequent flyer miles meant to us. You gave us a couple of more days together and with our situation, we don't want to pass up any chance to be together.

Battalion Commander's Message to the families-Jan '08

Battalion Commander’s Message
LtCol F.W. Charlonis

Well, we are now in the final stages of our time in 29 Palms. The Marines and Sailors have returned from leave and are now in the final preparations before heading to Iraq.

The past several months have seen the transformation of the Marines and Sailors of 2/24 from a good Battalion to an excellent Battalion. On December 20th we completed Mojave Viper 03-08, our mission rehearsal exercise. I am very proud of these fine young men, they have worked extremely hard and by all measures their performance was equal to, and in many cases exceeded that of an active duty Battalion.

In Iraq, we face a situation that is very different from the last time this Battalion deployed. Right now there is significantly less violence than there has been in the past. This is a transitional period in Iraq. Many of those who once opposed us have joined us to rid Iraq of those seeking to undermine the legitimate government. Our efforts will be focused on developing the Iraqi Security forces, providing a secure environment for local economic development and allowing the political process to take root. Your Marines and Sailors are well trained to accomplish this mission. We will be out amongst the people, because the best way to defeat an insurgency is to get close to the people and isolate the people from the terrorists.

I know many of you are worried about the months ahead. Rest assured your Marines and Sailors are well led, well trained and have the best equipment the Marine Corps can provide. I will say that the Marines and Sailors of the Mayhem Battalion are by far the best I have had the pleasure to lead in my 22 years in the Marines Corps.

Once again I thank you for your support. Your Marines are doing well, they are working hard and rest assured they will be ready for any mission. God Bless and Semper Fi!

Care Package Notes

Many of you have asked for care package ideas for the Marines. I don't have a list of wants/needs at this point. I feel certain that once they reach their "home" they will have a better idea of what is available and what isn't. I can certainly tell you David's favorites, but would like to also list those of other Marines who may not have friends/family sending care packages. I can't imagine being there, sacrificing for all of us, and never getting a package!!

I haven't figured out how to reference another post yet...so the address is in a previous post.

Here are some things to remember when sending care packages:

What can be mailed to deployed Marines/Sailors?
The following items are PROHIBITED:
Illegal substances, Alcoholic beverages, Explosives, including fireworks. Offensive or obscene materials, including photos, drawings or any other material which may have the potential to offend members of the opposite sex, members of another race, background, nationality or ethnicity; anything which would make uncomfortable, someone who is deeply religious, conservative or modest

How to Send Care Packages:
Keep the packages small (no bigger than a shoe box). Larger packages take longer to be delivered and are more cumbersome for your Marine to haul around. Smaller, more frequent packages are likely your better option. The U.S. Postal Service offers FREE boxes for Priority Mail. You can also order free boxes from the USPS online store (for use with Priority Mail shipping ONLY). The recommended size is the #4 or #7.

Packaging Tips:
Use plastic bags with zip-style closures for everything. They keep out sand, they keep out rain. Resourceful Marines are re-using them for all sorts of things. Quart size are great to keep their wallets and personal photos with them, in one of their many pockets, and they stay dry. If you're shipping a liquid (shampoo, eye drops), or items that are likely to melt or drip (Chapstick, deodorants, chocolate) be sure to pop it into a tightly sealed plastic bag first. That
will help keep the rest of the items from getting gooey or ruined, just in case. Additional info can be found on the web at:
http://www.usmcmccs.org/deploy/sendingmail.cfm?sid=ml&smid=6

A tip from a previous deployment:
Wait until your Marine or Sailor tells you what necessities he needs and don’t have multiple family members send the same items or they will have too many duplicates and not enough room.

From a friend...

SILENT PATRIOT

A woman for all seasons
A woman for today.
She grows to meet the challenges
And grows along the way.

Her life is not an easy one
With many loads to bear.
She proudly serves with her husband
Yet the uniform he wears.

Although she didn't take the oath
To preserve democracy
She's there each day on the home front
To keep our country free.

She's foreign-born or a country girl,
Diversity you will find.
But to be a Military wife
It takes a special kind.

She's one who keeps on going
Through adversity and pain.
She's the steady, strong foundation
When nothing stays the same.

She's the one who sheds a tear
As Old Glory passes by,
But couldn't give an answer
If you were to ask her why.

Throughout the years, she marches on
Through tears and joy and strife.
She's America's unsung hero-
She's a Military wife.
-Author Unknown

Address for David in Iraq

Some of you have asked for David's address while in Iraq...

1stSgt DYESS DM
2/24 H&S CO
UNIT 43495
FPO AP 96426-3495

Special Thanks

I would like to thank everyone who has commented with their prayers and heartfelt words of encouragement for David and our family. While each and everyone brings tears to my eyes, I find them quite comforting. It has already become a form of therapy for me and each of you have become a "friend" reminding me that our country still supports our troops and their families. So please-accept my heartfelt THANK YOU for your words of support.

I also have to let everyone know about the latest exciting news. My 4th grader, Bailey, and all of the 4th grade classes in his school have adopted David and his battalion as a part of their STARS program!! They have already begun to gather items for care packages to the guys. Thanks so much to Bailey, his teachers and the entire 4th grade class!!!

A friend told me today she thought a lot about me over the holidays. She had flown to be with her ailing father who just so happens to be a retired Marine. I have never met her dad, and with his failing health, I never will. After a conversation about military life and the hardships that are occasionally endured when you have a spouse that serves, a life he knew all too well, he shared this with her:

Tell Gina she is his lighthouse. It symbolizes the beacon of light that will show him the way home during this trying storm. That her light will shine brightly each day and night guiding him...until he has returned to her safely.

Thank you for those thoughts, sir. And thank you for your many, many years of service to our country. You are in my prayers.

Here we go....again!!

So my sister turned me on to the blog thing. She has been blogging for quite some time now and I check her blog almost daily to keep up with her and the goings on in her family. I have found it a very clever way for her to document the day to day life of being a mom to her six, yes s-i-x, kids. She does a great job, being mom (and the MILLION tasks that requires) and blogging, and I love being able to check on my nieces and nephews any time I want.

So I have decided to give it a try myself. While I can't promise to be funny, clever or interesting, I can try to keep this blog alive with the updates on my husband for you and updates on the kids for him while he is away. He leaves for Iraq in late January and is expected to be gone until the end of August. This is his 3rd tour to Iraq. He spent back to back tours in '03 and was gone for 14 months. Thankfully he is only supposed to be gone for eight months this time (cross your fingers) and will return home in one piece. He is a United States Marine and just recently celebrated his 20th year with the USMC!!

Okay...lets give some background. We have 6 children combined. His, mine and ours. 17, 11,10,8,8, and 18 months. (I know! I have no room to talk about my sister and her six kids right?) I work outside the home and, for the most part, lead a very boring life. Let's see what the next 8-9 months will bring us...and by the way...it will not be another baby!! ( I know you were thinking it!)