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!

Let the countdown begin...

Well as of today Tim has 10 days until he is home for his leave from Afghanistan. He will be leaving Kabul on Wednesday and then it is several destinations after that--Bagram Air Force Base, Kuwait, Germany, Georgia or Texas, Chicago or Detroit and then...finally...HOME! Can't wait to see what he looks like:) Although we skype at least 3 times a week, it is not the same thing as seeing him in person. Taylor and I are very excited. Tim will be here for 2 weeks and then it is back to Afghanistan. I hope we can cram a lot of things in, in the weeks that he's home. Fortunately, Tim will be able to see a few of Taylor's tennis matches (they are still undefeated) and he will go to a few hockey practices, too. He plans on making a trip to Chicago for the day and a few trips to see his dad in Fenton. Otherwise it will be time with family--going to movies, out to eat and hanging around home:) I know he is looking forward to going to Barnes and Noble and mowing the grass--but I think he's most excited about driving a car and going anywhere he wants without having to wear body armor:)

Summer is almost over:(

Today Taylor and I went to the beach--the last day of August. It was a rough one out there today. Although the water was a good temperature the waves were a bit rough and the undertow too strong. It was still nice to hear and feel the waves as we sat on the beach. These are the times that I try to remember when it is snowing and cold here in Michigan. I know that summer will be here again--it just takes a little it of time.