11 Days and a Wake-up

Well it has been 5 weeks since I have left the homestead for the wastelands of Yuma, AZ. The countdown is now at 11 days and a wake-up till I catch a bird back to the East Coast. Yuma is a different place to say the least, a town were desolate landscapes collide with striking mountain views and the social scene includes the dirtiest dive bars, fancy night clubs and tons of karaoke. The training we have recieved out here has been tough with weird hours and a lot of field work...but we wouldn't have it any other way. Our days consist of mission planning, a helo ride to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere, execute, and catch another flight back to the HQ. I must say that I am anxiously looking forward to November 3rd when I reunite with my girls...you are some tough women and I want you guys to know how much I love you. I have to give a shout out to Kelly who has done an amazing job managing everything going on at home...Babe, I feel blessed to have you as my wife.


I remember when I first got this job after becoming an officer, I wasn't really feeling the whole air traffic control thing, I mean it just didn't seem to be the roughneck bit I had envisioned...but I had forgot one major factor...we Marines do everything a little bit different. Too my surprise I was wrong and I have included some pics and a few short videos of some of the stuff we are doing out here.

Lastly, I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers especially those for the military family members who carry on in our absence.


This picture is of our class, two of these cats were talking to the C-130 in the background 7 seconds before the picture was taken giving him clearance to land at the expeditionary airflield we set up.

An AH-1 Cobra attack helo landing to get some fuel at forward postition we had established.

SSgt and myself controlling another division of AH-1's as they approach our position.




A couple of Devil Dogs getting dusted by a CH-53 while performing ops.



Flyover of UH-1 Huey

Nothing crazy, just a little look at what's been going on. I'm out until next time...

Wilson Street

To the Owner of the House on Wilson Street,

I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. I am the crazy lady in the blue Honda that drives by your house four times a day. See this little girl sitting in my backseat?

This is my daughter, Mackenzie. She refers to your house as the "big pider house" or the big spider house. We are HUGE fans of the 6 foot, inflatable spider sitting on the roof of your house. My daughter can easily navigate her way to your house by shouting directions from her carseat..."dat way mama" or "dis way mama." Please don't be alarmed or call PMO (military police). We promise to stop stalking you as soon as you take that spider off your roof.

Your Friends on Adams Drive,

Kelly & Mackenzie

Ouch

Mackenzie woke up crying around 5:00am. I lay in bed listening to the monitor for a few minutes until I realize that she has no plans of falling back to sleep on her own. I walked into her room and the first word out of her mouth is "Daddy?" Nathan has been gone for a little over a week and we are feeling it.

I took her into the bedroom with me and she proceeded to tell me that "Daddy go bye-bye." It's breaking my heart. Despite being up two hours earlier than normal, she had a good day at school (or so that's what they tell me). On the way home Mackenzie started chanting "See Daddy!"

I realized today that Mackenzie truly believes that Daddy is still in town and they just keep missing each other. How I wish that were the case. Hurry home Daddy.

That hair

Mackenzie FINALLY has enough hair that requires me to do something with it. I'm not complaining, I'm actually very excited about it! Unfortunately, she is not allowed to wear any bows or clips in the pre-toddler room she is in at the daycare because there are some young ones that still put everything in their mouth.

This is what she looked like this morning.

And this is her hair after a nap, the poor thing has my wavy locks. You can just imagine what she looks like after a day at daycare. Note the new "cheese" face she's been giving me, I'm sure we'll be seeing this a lot.

We flew into Indiana yesterday and I swear all this girl has done is eat! Not that she is too upset about it. We're getting to spend some time with my parents before I return to work and life gets crazy again. Mac calls my mom "Gigi" and my dad "Bubba". I'm not sure where Bubba came from, but I think it is hilarious. Nathan flies in next week for our 10 year high school reunion.

Who takes priority?

It was nearly two years ago that Nathan and I sat on our front porch with a bottle of wine discussing our future with the Marine Corps. It was a fall night and we could hear one of the local football games being held in the distance. We were settling into our new role as parents, Mackenzie was only a few months old. I remember looking at Nathan, most likely through teary eyes, asking him how he would make our family a priority if he went back in. I had no concept of military life, but it seemed miserable. He had a great answer, I just can't remember it because I was busy refuting everything he said in my mind. It was during this conversation that I began to feel that anxious, nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach because I knew this was the path we would take. So who does take priority these days? Well, most of the time we do. What I didn't understand that night sitting on the front porch is the amount of pride I would feel towards my husband, the military and our country. While this doesn't make up for the time spent apart, it does make it a little easier. Nathan gives 110% to this family, all the time. There are trips to the pool, trips to the park, trips to the aquarium, trips to the beach, trips to the grocery store. And if the trips weren't enough, there are endless refills of juice, numerous episodes of Dora, books before bed, Hello Kitty bandaids, and the list goes on. I guess he does know what he's talking about every now and then.

Someone please remind me to read this post in a few months when he's gone.

Yum

She is so sweet.

Why I love summer

Fingerpainting outside while dad grills dinner.

A weekend with good friends.

Meeting Boston Blake, he is adorable!

Watching dad make everything better when a big wave

washes in a scared toddler.

Big smiles on the boat ride out to Shackleford Island.

Enjoying a 4th of July parade with a bag of Cheetos.
Does it get any better?

How about enjoying the parade with a bag of Cheetos

and a fly swatter?