Poor Girl!!

One of my bonus daughters, Daylee, is sick with pneumonia!! She is rarely sick and never misses school. She is a straight A student and is a very gifted girl. She is losing all of her little girl features and is turning into a very beautiful young lady...which makes her Daddy very proud, but very nervous!! She stayed home last week with an ear infection and never could get rid of her fever, so when she went back to the doctor today she got the dreadful news...TWO shots at the same time!! Poor Daylee, your bonus mom sends you well wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery.

No Mom...I really do have a tummy ache!!

Poor Bailey...Mom just knew he was using it as an excuse!! Bailey was moving a little slow Friday morning and he told me he had a tummy ache. I thought it was an excuse for not getting dressed in a timely manner. Turns out, he wasn't kidding. He threw up on the way to school and I quickly called Libby to let her know he wouldn't be there. Then he threw up on the way to Mom's work...and I drive 1 hr each way...and one final time at Mom's work. Oh did I feel so bad for the way I went on...and on...and on...and on about being responsible for your actions and not using a tummy ache as an exuse.

My Valentine

David and I rarely celebrate Valentine's Day...as we feel like we celebrate our love and relationship daily. I hear every day how beautiful he thinks I am and how much he loves me. So-while we don't celebrate the day-I was really sad that my Valentine was so far away.
This year, the day reminded me of how everyone around will be celebrating their relationships and having their loved one so close. I wasn't feeling sorry for myself, just a little frustrated with the fact that September is still so many months away. All I wanted for V-Day was to hear his voice.
Now, for those of you who have that true connection with your partner, you know how to read each other. Whether you are an inch apart or a bizzilion miles apart, you can feel what the other is going through. David has the amazing ability to know exaclty what I need and when I need it. So...you can imagine my delight when I received a phone call yesterday and heard the sound of his voice on the other end of the line..."Happy V-Day Hunee!" Yep, that's just one of the many reasons why I love him to pieces. Thanks David-for ALWAYS being there even if you aren't physically able to be...all my love,always!!

For those of you who know David...isn't this classic??

Can someone please call Extreme Home Makeover??

David's bed for the next 8-9 months....

His beautiful armoire from overseas...;-)


But don't let the accomodations fool you...below are some pictures of the fine cuisine prepared by none other than my husband for the guys over there. I am so thankful they get to eat good food. He wasn't as lucky on his first 2 tours!!

More game time pics

Our cheering crew...

Bailey at the free throw line...and he made it!!

06 0001C FEB 08
Dear Family and Friends of TF Mayhem,

Just a few minutes ago, 2d Bn, 24th Marines, TF Mayhem completed the transition of authority (TOA) with 1st Bn, 1st Marines, TF Chromite. We have officially relieved TF Chromite of their responsibility for the Area of Operations.

During, the past several weeks we have been in the process of assuming the ground that 1/1 has been operating for the past several months. The turnover with TF Chromite has been the smoothest I have ever seen or experienced in my previous deployments to Iraq. The Marines and Sailors of 1/1 have done a superb job and will shortly head back home to see their families. I wish them God Speed and a safe return home.

For the Marines and Sailors of TF Mayhem we are executing the mission we have spent many months training for. Over the course of the next several months your Marines and Sailors will be challenged in many ways. The challenges are different than what many of them experienced in their last deployment. But, your Marines and Sailors are up to the task.

Your Marines and Sailors are occupying Combat Out Posts (COPS), Patrol Bases (PB’s) and Joint Security Stations (JSS’s). In many cases, your Marines and Sailors are living and working side by side with Iraqi Police (IP) and what are called the Provincial Security Forces (PSF). Some Marines are operating on Police Transition Teams, which embed at Iraqi Police Stations and others are partnered with IP and PSF units at the JSS’s. The majority of the Marines are operating out of COP’s in support of the IP, PSF and another group called the CLC or Concerned Local Citizens (CLC). The CLC are Iraqi’s that are standing at checkpoints in their communities, they are very much like the neighborhood watch but, they stand out at a checkpoint for hours at a time and keep the likes of Al Queda, Iraq away. The reason that AQI has been neutralized is because the Iraqis who are part of the IP, PSF and CLC have stood up and taken their communities back. Our mission is assist the IP, PSF, and CLC assume a greater role in the security of there homes, neighborhoods and towns.

I get to visit with the Marines and Sailors every day as part of my duties of working with the Shiekhs, Local civic leaders, the IP, CLC and PSF leadership. Your Marines and Sailors are motivated and many of them have really adapted to working with the Iraqis. Some of them have grown mustaches and have developed a taste for the local cuisine. Many of the IP, PSF, and CLC stood up and fought with us during some of the more dangerous times. Many of them have lost family members to the outrages of AQI. I am amazed at the level of cultural awareness and Arabic language ability of many of the Marines.

You all have much to be proud of; this is a difficult mission and is not without risk. Last week, for example a vehicle carrying Marines to one of the COP’s was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The IED caused some damage to the truck they were riding in but, there were no reported injuries. This is a testament to the quality of the equipment we are being issued. Many of the Up Armored Hummers (UAH) are being replaced by the new Mine Resistant Armored Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

I hope that you have heard from your Marine or Sailor since we have arrived. Most of them have indicated that they have called or written home at least once. These are some terrific young Americans doing a very difficult and, often times, dangerous job. They are well trained and are ready to do great things. Thanks for your support. Semper Fi and God Bless…..From AO Mayhem. FWC


SgtMaj Anthony C. Carter
I&I Sergeant Major
2nd Battalion, 24th Marines
"Chicago Marines"

No junk in the trunk here...

For those of you who know me personally, you know that I suffer from a not-so-rare genetic disease known as Noassatall Disease. Oh yes, you can look way down my geneology line and see that this disease has its thumbprint all over my DNA (thanks Dad).

Now I know most of you must think I am crazy for complaining, but really? who is happy with their bodies?? I have tried my entire life to gain a nice backside. I have begged for hips, prayed for nice arms, and all but bought panties with built in pads to improve my "tiny hiney". I just knew that having babies would improve my boyish figure...and guess what?? No luck (sigh)! And I am not even going to mention my Praying Mantis arms...

SO! I have decided to actually (ahem) go to the gym that takes it's dues from my small little bank account each month. Yep, I am working out!! But oh...do I feel the pain. How can my tiny little hiney have such major pain?

We'll see how it goes. Hopefully I'll update in a few months that I finally got some junk in the trunk...and not my car trunk!!

My Hannah Montana Fan...

My Ashlyn got to go see the Hannah Montana 3D movie with her cousin on Sunday. Ashlyn is a Hannah junkie. She talks like her, walks like her, dresses like her, and does a very good karoake version of her too. Let's just say she can probably quote any line from any episode at any given moment. To top it all off they now share the same middle name!! Can you believe how cool her father and I are now for naming her??? (Let's see how long that lasts!!)

EEeuuuwww!!

Our Little Angel has decided it's rather fun to take off her socks, pants, shirt, wings, halo and her diaper, at nap time. Now, she knows better. She has tried this at home and we nipped that fairly quickly, but Granny (sitter) isn't as strict as Mommy. This is not the first time I've heard of her exhibitionism but this time she was really a stinker. Umm...I really do mean STINKER!!

She decided to leave a small token for Granny in her crib today...more than once. Now, she will be 19 months in about a week...and potty training is going well...but I KNOW she knows that "poo poo goes in the 'polly'( potty)" because we talk about it all-of-the-time. Poor Granny! How on earth do I get this little girl to stop taking all of her clothes off? I know it's a phase and I have 2 older children who I'm sure did this too. But really, I don't remember this phase so well...so if you have any ideas PLEASE send them my way!!

Update from Camp Habbaniyah

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings From Camp Habbaniyah!

After a grueling 23 hour flight from California to Kuwait, Task Force 2/24 has now finally arrived in Iraq and has begun to turnover with 1st BN, 1st Marines (1/1). 1/1 has done a superb job over the past 7 months of their deployment and we are fortunate to be relieving such a fine Battalion. The turnover of Forward Operating Bases (FOB's) and Combat Out Posts (COP's) is progressing well. The Marines and Sailors are undergoing required training before they are allowed off of Camp Habbaniyah.

The Battalion is aboard Camp Habbaniyah. Camp Habbaniyah is approx. 40 miles west of Baghdad and was at one point a British Airbase. Habbaniyah was, at one point, a stopover for flights to/from India. Camp Habbaniyah sits across the road from Al Taqquadam Airbase and is nestled between the Euphrates River and a canal that feeds into Lake Habbaniyah.

If there is any one constant to life in Iraq, that would be change. As we relieve 1/1, Regimental Combat Team (RCT) 1 has relieved RCT-6 as well as I MEF will relieve II MEF. The last year has seen significant progress and significant change in Anbar Province. Your Marines and Sailors are prepared for the months ahead.

Congratulations to all the Key Volunteers on being selected for the DOD Family Readiness Award recipient. Your hard work and effort has set the Gold Standard for Family Readiness. To the entire Key Volunteer network my heartfelt congratulations.

I also want to take this time to say thank you for your continued support to our Marines and Sailors. They are able to do the great things they do because of your support. I know that this deployment is not only challenging for the Marines, it is a challenge for you as well. There are people who can help, all you need to do is ask. The KV's will help you get the assistance that you need. We will make every effort to keep you informed of what is going on and to keep you posted on the good things your Marines are doing.

I am privileged to serve with your Sons, husbands, and brothers. These are by far the best Marines and Sailors I have had the honor to serve with. They are going to do great things here in Iraq.

Kudo's to the following Marines for a job well done over the last month:
Cpl Castenada, Cpl Peterson, LCpl Sobek, GySgt Cortese, Cpl Wayerski SSgt Weix, LCpl Hughes, Cpl Cabrales, Cpl Macias, LCpl Abernathy and LCpl Vandervinne

God Bless and Semper Fi.

From FOB Habbaniyah

Mayhem 6

Game Time

This season Bailey decided to switch from city league sports to the Upwards program and Ashlyn decided she would like to try cheerleading for the same program. Both kids are really enjoying themselves. Bailey is doing very well in basketball this season and has improved so much since last year. Ashlyn absolutely loves cheering and practices ALL the time. Each of them win some sort of award after each game and the focus is definetly on the kids and not who's winning...
I wasn't able to make it to todays game because Dayden is feeling a little under the weather...but I am there in spirit. Go Bailey-Go Ashlyn!!

Sending Angel Kisses

We lovingly call our 18 month old "Angel" as she is an angel to us. She kisses Daddy's picture each day before we leave for daycare/work. The pictures are on the fridge right by the back door. Often times she asks to give more "ki-ki's" to Daddy when she helps me get dinner ready. Such was the case this evening when she requested some "waler" (water) from the fridge door. We have been doing this since he left in September to begin his training, so it's quite a morning ritual, and if I should be rushing out the door and forget...she always reminds me to give Daddy "ki-ki's". She does the cutest little bottom lip pout when she wants a kiss...and her Daddy loves it!!

Phone Call

I got a call from David today. He is doing well. He is getting settled and says things are going as expected. Internet isn't always working, but it seems to be much better than the first time he was there. He does check out the blog-so leave him a comment!!