Now...Hockey Season Begins

Last night marked the official beginning of the 2010-2011 hockey season for the Jenison/Zeeland Varsity Hockey Team! Taylor's team started the season off with a win--9-3! It started off a bit rough, but when they got together as a team, they started to put the puck in the net. His next game is tonight on their home ice, so hopefully, they will add to their win:) New socks made the uniform a bit more exciting--vertical stripes! Hopefully, the next step is to get the names on the back of the jerseys.

Tennis, Tennis and more Tennis!

Well..I've been a little busy with work and need to update a few things on the blog. My goal is to get more organized with the blog in the last few months and really document more of our life while Tim is away.

I have to say the last few months have been busy and full of excitement for our family and our son, Taylor. His tennis team did an awesome job this season which ended in an undefeated season. The Zeeland East Varsity Tennis Team won the OK Green Conference title for the first time and they placed second at the Regional competition. This earned them a chance to go to the State finals. They competed very well and ended up with being place 13th in the state--not bad at all. I'm guessing that there are at least 200 schools in Division 2 in Michigan, so placing 13th is mighty good:)

On a personal note, Taylor and his doubles partner were OK Green Conference Champions and ended their season with a overall record of 24 wins and 10 losses (they were 6 wins and 1 loss in the conference matches). This also broke their own record from last year of wins and losses. It was an amazing year of tennis! And to top it all off, Taylor and his partner were named to the Holland Sentinel's All Area Boys Tennis Team! Way to go, Taylor!!

Happy Veteran's Day

We want to wish all the veteran's a very special Veteran's Day today. We appreciate your service to our country. I especially want to thank Tim for his sacrifice by being in Afghanistan and giving of himself for these last 8 months. We appreciate your sacrifice and know that you and our family will be better for it. Not much more to go and you will be home for good. Enjoy your day--I hope there's some fun, even in Afghanistan, on this Veteran's Day!

Roommates

One of the absolute necessities in a successful tour in Afghanistan is having good roommates since there are three sharing a space 8 feet wide and 17 feet long. I have had 8 roommates in about 6 1/2 months. My most recent were (left to right) Army Major Brad Bowman and Army Major Alex Fuerst. Both are great guys. Alex is from Alabama, is active duty Army and Afghanistan is his second deployment after Iraq. When he gets in the room at night, we discuss the day and his day usually involves him asking me some philosophical question about the war, etc. He is also wicked smart and leaves his two alarm clocks ringing until they shut off automatically after about 15 seconds. Not a big deal. Speaking of wicked smart, Brad received an MBA from Yale paid for by the Army. He left Afghanistan for DC 17 October and despite being in the Army for 15 years is getting out. Having these two in the room made me feel mentally challenged!

Happy Anniversary

Happy 25th anniversary Sweetie!! Thanks for saying yes 25 years ago when I got down on one knee at the Black Swan in Kalamazoo. You've made me a very happy man over the years.

Love you much!

Happy Birthday Darling

Just wanted to wish you a big happy birthday Sweetie! Don't forget to open your card that's in my closet downstairs. I'm sorry I cannot be with you on your special day but know you are in my heart and thoughts on this wonderful Saturday. Take some time for yourself and enjoy the day because you have earned it!

Hugs and kisses!

R&R and Malkin

Well, I am back in Kabul after a wonderful time spent with family in Holland. The travel there and back was a little tiring (don't want to spend over 10 hours in the Atlanta airport ever again) but to be honest, I would have made the trip to see the family for one day. While home, I got to see lots of Taylor's tennis matches (he and his doubles partner, Kevin, were ranked No. 1 at conference after sweeping victories), a hockey practice, movies with Kelly, time with Turner, my sister and dad, mowing the lawn, washing and waxing the 4Runner and just enjoying our wonderful home and my wonderful family.

The highlight was a Red Wings and Penguins hockey game in which Afghanistan helped me to have Taylor meet his favorite NHL player...Evgani Malkin (via photo). Have you ever seen Taylor smile so wide? When I get home in March, we'll try and make some other memorable moments, too.

Thanks for a great leave family! I love you! Less than five months to go!