Critters

So with all the creepy crawlers and things we don't like so much around here I found one I would gladly let live under my trailer any day of the week.

4th of JULY

So while most of you this year enjoyed your usual 4th of July norms, I did something a little more exciting. Instead of fire works, BBQ's and parades I traveled up North. There was a large Reenlistment ceremony being held up there and I took 13 of my Soldiers to participate in this. For those of you who don't know when you join the Army or other Armed Forces it is for a conditional length of time. All these Soldiers were nearing the end of their term of agreement and decided to reenlist or extend their time. It was absolutely gorgeous. It was held in one of Saddams palaces.

By the way Aunt Carolyn this is where we left our dear Cam in this beautiful palace. For those of you who don't know who Cam is, he is our cousin that passed away some years ago and our Aunt has had pictures of him sent all over the world. The one previous to this was left in my home country of South Africa so it just seems fit that I was honored enough to get the next picture. Thank you Carolyn.

The week was ended off in the most beautiful sunset

Army Days in the Heat and Dust

So as most of you know we are finally here. A lot of you have heard Justin's analogy of how to experience and average day of heat out here. Just for fun I am going to reitterate it. First get a hairdryer out and put on full blast on the highest heat setting, then to make it really realistic go and get a coarse beach sand and throw it up into your face and especially the eyes then you know how our average windy day is here.

There is simply just us and then the main desert. If you have ever seen movies where you see a wall of sand headed towards you like in the Mummy or Hildago that is pretty acurate.

You know how Florida has huricane season we have a season call Shamal season which we are in right now. Search google under shamal and see some pictures

Other than that we get to stay together which at first did not seem like a reality but now it is and we could not get any better.

I have a group of pictures attached to let you get a look at where we live in detail I thought it could get some laughs.

I will update you further on what we are up to and try to load some video. Here is the outside of our trailer and us.

Inside Our trailer

Not too shabby just a bit small

Our Bed we took two twins and made it one; this gets interesting if you forget and slip through the crack in the bed, usually it is poor Justin going through the two halves in the middle of the night.

A little computer time. No internet yet but we are working on it.

Note the fashion accessory the safety belt can't go anywhere without it. Wow does he look good or what

Look we even have a fridge and microwave and it works really well this is also great so we can have popcorn.

Gearing up to make it through the sand storm.

Who could it be now (ok you guessed its me)

Noni for Cody and Jake (thanks Cody for spoiling us)

We ran into a friend whose Wife used to work at TNI in the middle of the desert!!!!!

Of course the bathroom doll! Save the best for last we recently improved this and will post our pictures of our renovation. Who would have thought we would have a flushing toilet and a shower in the privacy of our own room this time WOW. Last time it was port o Johns shared with 500 men who wern't the best at aiming (if you know what I mean) and hand constructed showers???? I feel like I am living in "luxury".

This is our good friend who took all our pictures and made this BLOG possible thank you so much we owe you one.

Off to the Sand Box

On the out here we stopped in Ireland I wish we could have stayed a few more days instead of hours. It was so lush and green.

We were lucky and got to sit next to each other in the plane in the bulk head seats. We had great leg room.

So when we got here we weren't as lucky as we are now and had to live in the mass tents. The positive thing was they have exceptional A/C and we had to use thick blankets and sweaters. This was Justin's tent the females lived seperately in another tent.

Tulsa

Just before we left we were able to make it up to TULSA OK. We went to See Scott and Laura and Brooklyn. We were spoiled to see Melanie and Jason as well. Thank you so much for seeing us it was lovely to see you all before we left. You are all so gracious to us. Hopefully we can see you on our way home!!!

I goofed and forgot the camera so no pictures. Oh dear.

Happy Birthday Chevy

So I actually had an awesome Birthday this year not only did Justin spoil me as always, but I got promoted to Sergeant First Class. Talk about a Happy Birthday.

Later that evening we had a swinging party in my honor..... ok it was really our farewell BBQ from FT Sill but it was my Birthday.

What a Life Saver

So one of the best training times we have is Combat life Saver (in my opinion). It is training learnt for the basic skills in order to provide medical aid. Justin did really well and even graduated as the honor grad I am so proud of him. He can give me an IV any day.

The hero of the day patching his good friend.

And all is well and done. Good job honey. Justin and I weren't able to be battle buddies but I also had my share of the IV fun.

Here are some other fun pictures of Justin tormenting some of his other buddies.

This is cousin 'Kooter' does he not look like one of our long lost cousins?

Play Time

So while we where training state side we were able to get a break and have some fun. We went to SIX Flags in Dallas.

I made Justin ride all the rides. There were no lines that day so we hit a lot of rides. Poor Man got worked, even I felt a bit queasy at the end of the day.

Justin taking back Gothum city with his charms and smiles.

I had no idea Justin had such a crush on Scooby but who doesn't right.......

San Antonio

To continue our time off we were able to get a four day pass. Justin and I went to look at the fine city of San Antonio TX. It was such a lovely trip and what a gorgeous town it is. Of course we had to go to the Alamo. It was very humbling to stand in a Historical site.

We were able to go to Sea World. They had a fantastic Mililtary day and there were many service members from the US Armed Forces there. Thank you Mr. Shamu

We also dined out at some of the most lovely resturant and in tribute to our friends who took us out thank you Bryn and Clan. Also our other friend who is just up the road from us here will really appreciate these next pictures.

Three Years and Going Fast

Recently we celebrated our Third anniversary(01 April) , it was definitely not your typical day filled with romance like you would think. Justin and I spent the day training, flying and shooting, we saw each other a few times in the air from one anothers aircraft. Justin made it a Romantic day after all and got me beautiful flowers and a really great pair of new jeans and a shirt. He is a super star!!!!

Queen of the Convoy, King of the Castle

So Chevy was asked to run the Convoy training for the pilots and crewmembers. She was one of the lowest ranking and the only female (she was able to pick her team with the exception of Justin he was already called for) but still put in charge because she knew her business. The instructors were commenting on her skills and were amazed that she knew so much and ran such a tight ship. Justin was able to see her a few times because he was assisting a LT in running another group on the same course. Justin is still taking time to cheez it up with his home slices. He is always hanging at all the birthday parties, still working on his popular vote.

Easter Dinner

We wanted to make sure that we enjoyed a fancy Easter Feast. It isn't South African Lamb or Honey covered ham but it was really nice to something other than chow hall food. It was even better to have a time together without everyone else on top of us.