Kyle and Brad

Nothing quite like a familiar face when you are far away from home. Brad, a college roommate of Kyle's, is currently stationed in Afghanistan. He came to Iraq for a PT conference. Medical conferences in Iraq...who knew? Kyle and Brad were able to meet up and catch up in Baghdad where they took this picture! Looking good gentlemen!

Kyle is ALMOST home for his two week block leave. The process is just taking a bit longer than anticipated. He was bumped from a flight in Baghdad. Then his flight was delayed out of Kuwait, 3 times! But he is in route and scheduled in tomorrow afternoon. A solid 5 days of travel for Kyle. Ugh! Keep your fingers crossed that his itinerary doesn't change AGAIN! Because if Uncle Sam tries to delay this process any longer, there might be a throw down!

Marathoning

The Chicago marathon was this weekend. I went out to cheer for my big brother. I'm very proud of him, he finished in just over 4 hours. However, since he is not a blog reader...he gets no further shout outs.

The marathon got me to thinking and reminiscing about marathons past. I came to the conclusion that Kyle's overseas experience, for both he and I is like a marathon.
Here's how:
At the beginning you're good. You feel empowered and able to complete the task ahead. You've prepared, you made plans, your well rested. As you continue, you are supported by those on the sidelines and those cheering for you from a distance, but helping you along nonetheless.

At some point during a marathon, it just becomes about making it to the next water station, checkpoint, the next Chicago neighborhood, and eventually just the next step. Just like the deployment. At some point it's just the next package in the mail, the next phone call, the next email, and the two weeks R&R leave that we could have had already been here if our close friends (Tony and Gilian!) had chosen to get married in late summer or early fall rather than late October...but I digress. Sure there are a few spots along the way where it's quite, your supporters are somewhere out there in the distance and it seems like your further away then when you started. It's the hardest part of the race for sure. Its only the anticipation of the finish line, the achievement, the accomplishment and the euphoria that follows that keeps you taking that next step. In the end the race takes a hefty physical and mental toll, and it takes time to heal. You're stronger for it, and you may even want to do it again (that part only applies to the marathon though, we don't want Kyle to deploy again).

Kyle and I have successfully finished three marathons together, holding hands at the finish line (except in 2006 when Kyle ditched me for a better time) and if we can do that, then we will knock this deployment out of the park with the finish line in sight.

Congrats, to all the Chicago Marathoners! Especially, my brother James, his 7th marathon (ok, one more shout out. Maybe it will get him to read this WHOLE blog entry!).

A fallen Soldier

Although Kyle and Spc. Paul E. Andersen did not know one another, their lives crossed in a way that will never be forgotten.

http://www.fox17online.com/news/fox-17-michigan-soldier-killed,0,4725671.story

My prayers and thoughts are with the men and women that were effected by the attack on Oct. 1, 2009. Especially, with the family and friends of Spc. Paul Andersen. A fallen hero who will always be remembered.

Hello My Name is...

I think it started with my car. I always named my cars. First, there was Sally, then came Monty, and now we have Ben. I always refer to my car by its name and never by its make or model. B.K (before Kathy) Kyle's vehicle didn't have names. This didn't last long. The name game doesn't stop with just cars. Anything Kyle and I own (or will own eventually, after just a few more payments!) has a name. For example, Kyle's flat screen tv, is Sam (because it's a Samsung), Kyle affectionately calls my engagement ring "little Harley," there's Dusty the treadmill, and the list goes on and on.

Its just like the army, which also affectionately names its enemies, soldiers, equipment. In WWII German soldiers were "Jerry," in Vietnam the VC and NVA where "Charlie," and today in Iraq and Afghanistan its "Haji." US soldiers have always been called "Joe," riding in vehicles like the "Brad" (the Bradley armored fighting vehicle) and carrying weapons like the "Ma Deuce" (the M2 .50 caliber machine gun). Even the popular civilian Hummer is derived from the nickname given to the Army's M1024 HMMWV (Highly Mobile Maneuverable Wheeled Vehicle) which was nicknamed the HumVee.

Simba's Adoption Day

I started campaigning for a dog in 2004. I knew for me, someone that isn't much for having my sleep disrupted, that I needed Kyle behind me for this decision. Seeing as though he would be responsible for those early morning walks! So in the fall of 2005, we had a weekend with absolutely nothing planned. When I realized this, I announced, after almost a year on the campaign trail that, TODAY IS DOG DAY! 1 Breeder, 2 Pet Stores and 4 humane society's later, we found him, OUR DOG!

Simba was officially adopted into our family on Oct. 16, 2005 (because we don't know his actually birthday we celebrate this day instead). We recently learned that Kyle's leave was pushed back 8 days. Ugh. This means Kyle won't be home for Simba's day. Its ok though. Seeing as though he will only be turning 6, we decided that he's not old enough to know and we will just have to celebrate a few days later:) As Kyle and I discussed Simba's birthday this year, you know the usually; What was on his birthday list this year, what the plan was for his party, ect. Ok, I'm exaggerating a little, we're aren't that crazy. Kyle said in a very somber voice, "Do you think Simba will remember me?" OF COURSE HE WILL. How could he forget?! What Simba really won't understand is why Kyle will be sleeping on his side of the bed!

Kyle will be home for his leave in less than two weeks! Approximately Oct. 20:) Woo hoo! Invitations to Simba's birthday party to follow...jk:)

Halloweens Past

Kyle's leave being pushed back a few days does have a few positives. For example, now he'll be home for Halloween! YAY! A fun costume for us both is in the works:) Below are a few photos from Halloweens past. 2002 and 2004 elude me. I can't remember what we dressed up as and I can't find a photo...But here are the rest!

Our First Halloween Together, Hippie and Coyote Ugly Girl, 2001

Inmate and Firefighter 2003

In 2005 Kyle was a Slim Jim and I was a Smarty Pants. I can't find a digital version of this photo...
K-Fed and Britney 2006

2007 We were both Hawaiian Punch

Pilot and Flight Attendant 2008

Sand + Sweat = Mud!

Kyle got caught in a bad sandstorm while he was out running the other night. He got hit by a wall of sand for the last mile to his room. By the time he got there his eyes were almost swollen shut and he was hacking up a lung. The lesson learned here...Sand + Sweat = Mud...ewww

Is that mud mask exfoliating?