Leavin on a Jet Plane

Hello Friends,

I had every intention of updating the blog while I was home from the 23rd-27th, but it just didn't happen. It has such a blessing to be at home these last few days and celebrate Christmas with my family. The time has just flown by and I leave tomorrow for my deployment. I don't want to go, but am anxious to get there and get started so I can come home again. I'm hoping to be able to update the blog while I'm gone.

I hope you all have a very happy New Year and that 2010 brings you much joy and happiness.

Love,

The Abom...er...Adorable Snowmonkey

Looks like we're in for a record! According to weather reporting, the eastern seaboard is experiencing the largest accumulation of snow on record in December in many towns, Alexandria, VA included (see video below)!

That said, I am thanking God for the common sense of Amber's Army brothers and sisters in New Jersey! She had been conducting some field training and was supposed to be in an encampment for a total of six days...in relative comfort as camping goes, but in the field nonetheless. As Amber and I were on the phone last night, the order came across for them to break camp and move back into their barracks. Just in time too! Avery and I awoke this morning to a foot of snow on the ground, and here we are at noon with nearly two feet, and there's still no end in sight! A quick text a short time ago from Amber indicated they're getting more of the same where she is. All's well up there from the sound of things, but Mamma's ready to be home; not long now! :-) Thanks to all of you out there thinking of her!

Avery was interested in jumping into the cold stuff as soon as he woke up! Two feet of snow can't stand up to the Abom...er...Adorable Snowmonkey! He and I ventured out into the blizzard (no exaggeration there!) for a jaunt through the parking lot in the cold stuff:

The Snowmonkey, waiting to pounce.

Can't wait until he's old enough to grab a shovel instead!

OOOOOOhhhhhhh!

Caught him...see, he DOES exist!

Only four days left Mamma! Can't wait to see you!

-T.P.

Daddy's Turn!

Hello world! Well, at least those of you out there as lucky as I am to know Amber...I'm just a little luckier...I happen to be in love with her too!

As many of you know, Amber is currently away "playing G.I. Jane" as she calls it. Which is just to say, that she's training...hard. Avery and I have been blessed to get to talk to her most days while she's away, and to Skype with her on the days when she's got a little extra time (and the younger soldiers aren't on-line gaming!). But I do know how she misses her little monkey; and so I've promised to keep up with the blog, because when she leaves for the desert later this year, well, we're not sure how often we'll be able to chat.

One final note before the Avery show must go on: Despite having a calendar day all to themselves, bosses are seldom given the credit they are due, particularly in this day and age of economic woe and uncertainty. It is the men and women Amber and I work for, and serve with, that I want to thank right now. Despite the difficulty of this short-notice deployment for Amber, the leaders we work for have made an awful situation, as bearable as it can possibly be. It's because of my boss' understanding and compassion that I was allowed time off to help Amber prepare for this ordeal, an invaluable gift that had immeasurable meaning. And it is because of Amber's boss, who took time out of his schedule to call her from 3/4 of the way around the world, that she will likely be able to come home for Christmas before she departs in earnest on deployment. For our part, Amber and I are very blessed to continue to be able to work hard and honorably, and we pray for all souls out there less fortunate than us. And it is in no small measure that we are grateful to the people we call "Sir" for the small gestures they have made.

And now...on with the show!

Hi Mama, we love you!

Avery loves watching his Mama. We recorded Amber reading his favorite stories ("Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb" is up in the picture I believe), and he giggles when he hears Mama's voice...and it's wonderful to see him interact with her as if she's right there with him. Amber...if you have any doubt that he might forget you while you're away...I can tell you in no uncertain terms: Avery loves you too much! :-)

I set a trap to catch that stack of money with the googly-eyes and all I caught was this monkey!

Avery loves playing in the ball pit at Little Gym. I love that Avery loves playing in the ball pit too...it means at least three hours of nap time at home later!

A-man loves his football. I've already taught him how to play full-back out of the I formation!

Amber, Avery and I hope the fires we have burning for you at home in our hearts keep you warm in the cold of Jersey, and comforted when you most need it.

I love you...

-T.P.

I'm Alive

Hello! Just wanted to stop by and say hello and let you know I'm alive. The internet access here is challenging to say the least.

We're moving along in our training, so that's good. This week we had to practice getting out of a rolled over HUMV...NOT FUN! But necessary.

I'm reading over everyone's blogs and am jealous of all the Christmas festivities going on. It's hard to feel that here. But I bought a Christmas CD yesterday so hopefully that will get me going.

Thanks for checking on me and praying for us.

I love cell phones!

Tony has been sending my pictures via cell phone and I'm so grateful! Here's my cutie from yesterday...ready for a walk. He loves the scarf LaLa made him. He's so funny putting it on and taking it off. :)

I'm off to a great start

So, yesterday was our first day of training. It went pretty well, but was a lot of "hurry up and wait." (which is pretty standard if you're familiar with the military at all)

It was a long day but not a bad one. We had a bag check scheduled for 8pm. (they want to make sure we brought everything we were supposed to.) So, I went to dinner, laid out all my items for the bag check and then laid down on my bunk to read for a little bit. Apparently, I slipped into a coma. (well, not really a coma) I fell asleep and did not hear them knocking on my door. They were looking everywhere for me and almost reported me AWOL. (absent without leave) Seriously! They must not have knocked very hard on my door or something. They finally banged on the door and I woke up. So yeah, I'm off to a great start! :)

Today was a pretty good too, but I'm really tired. I guess I'm making up for not being able to sleep before I got here. I'm doing good; it's really not that bad here. I just really miss my boys.

Checking In

Hello friends. I made it to New Jersey. Today was I think the hardest day I've ever had. I had to say goodbye to my little man and it just about tore my heart out. I've heard it said that when you have a child, your heart now beats outside your body. That is so true. It was no picnic saying goodbye to Tony either.

But I'm here at my temporary home for the next 30+ days. It's like dorm life, but worse. :)

Today is move in/out day and it is a 24-hour mass of movement. It's kind of cool. I got a little bit of sleep and am now up again because my roomies are done with training and headed to the desert. It was a good reminder for me that the sun never sets on those who defend our freedom. When we sleep at night, there are men and woman all over the world working hard for us.

Thank you for all your support and prayers. It means more to our family than you know.