Congratulations Becky and Danny, I love you both!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Congratulations, Becky and Danny!
My sister got married last month. A beautiful ceremony in California, right on the beach. Becky and Danny are incredibly happy and expecting their first baby next spring!
Congratulations Becky and Danny, I love you both!
Congratulations Becky and Danny, I love you both!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Muffin Tins!!! WHO KNEW?!?!?
My friend Shaney told me about this great thing! Have a picky 2 year old? Serve him his food in a muffin tin! Heaven only knows why it works, but so far for us, ((KNOCK ON WOOD)) it HAS!!!
Example:
Breakfast: grapes, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, watermelon, banana, and wafers! (He really likes fruit...)
Dinner (tonight): Mac and Cheese, banana, broccoli, grilled chicken, ranch for dip, and some triscuits!
It's also fun for me because I have to think of 6 different things to fill each space, it gives him a good variety and it fills his little tummy!!
YAY for muffin tins!!!
Example:
Breakfast: grapes, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, watermelon, banana, and wafers! (He really likes fruit...)
Dinner (tonight): Mac and Cheese, banana, broccoli, grilled chicken, ranch for dip, and some triscuits!
It's also fun for me because I have to think of 6 different things to fill each space, it gives him a good variety and it fills his little tummy!!
YAY for muffin tins!!!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Some pictures from Ty.
These first pictures are from when Tyler and his Unit went into a neighboring Christian city. Tyler said the difference between this city and Mosul was incredible. Here, there is no police, no military, just a "beefed up neighborhood watch". Here's an email Ty sent telling me a little bit about it.
Kelly, no need to wonder what I'm doing. I'll send you the photos as soon as I get a chance and you can see the good stuff happens more than the bad. Most of the good is just so ordinary that it doesn't get mentioned. Really, though, yesterday was the best day of the deployment for me. To have an entire town swarm us thanking us and wanting to chat was incredible. The older women did this really high pitched howl/whistle thing and other people banged drums and were just having a party. It was great. The best part was how I told you that they take care of their own town. No cops or army, just beefed up neighborhood watch. I have no issues fighting to help those people. They know what freedom is and anyone who tries taking it from them is an enemy of mine. I wish I could better explain how it was to be with those people. I got watery eyes walking the street trying to comprehend the huge difference in the people there and the people in Mosul. I miss you,Ty
These next pictures are of Tyler in his Unit in Mosul.
Kelly, no need to wonder what I'm doing. I'll send you the photos as soon as I get a chance and you can see the good stuff happens more than the bad. Most of the good is just so ordinary that it doesn't get mentioned. Really, though, yesterday was the best day of the deployment for me. To have an entire town swarm us thanking us and wanting to chat was incredible. The older women did this really high pitched howl/whistle thing and other people banged drums and were just having a party. It was great. The best part was how I told you that they take care of their own town. No cops or army, just beefed up neighborhood watch. I have no issues fighting to help those people. They know what freedom is and anyone who tries taking it from them is an enemy of mine. I wish I could better explain how it was to be with those people. I got watery eyes walking the street trying to comprehend the huge difference in the people there and the people in Mosul. I miss you,Ty
These next pictures are of Tyler in his Unit in Mosul.
Tyler's SWAT friend.
Tyler, Thanks for the pictures. I miss you and I think of you every minute. I can't believe that we're almost done with this thing! just about 5 months from now, you'll be home. I can't wait.
Love you, and praying for your safety,
Kelly and Josh.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Letter from CPT Schlosser
I received this letter from CPT Schlosser this morning in my email. Just thought I'd pass it along to everyone and this would be the easiest way to do so. The italic area is talking about Tyler's group, the PSD Unit with LTC Johnson.
Dear Families,
Greetings from sunny Mosul! We’re well past the half-way point now, and also past the worst of the heat. Our daytime highs are “only” reaching about 110 now, and our lows are getting down towards 80. It sure feels like it’s cooled off more than that.
I wouldn’t exactly call Mosul safe just yet, but attack levels have stayed down for quite some time, so I guess it’s for real. Some people are starting to feel safe enough to talk to us, and that’s a real improvement. Our day to day lives haven’t really changed, and we haven’t let our guards down, but the city is starting to feel different. That one extra car, almost like running a yellow light, is squirting through an intersection as we approach, a sure sign that normal Iraqis feel safer, and therefore more brave around us. The market areas don’t turn into ghost towns when we come around. Instead of disappearing with an “I’ll come back tomorrow” attitude, people just keep a healthy distance and go about their business around us. Mosul definitely has more life than it did when we got here, which is proof of the good work your Soldiers have done.
A story was published recently by LT Foat about the “Team Crow” security unit that we put together to help our civil affairs team get around and do their jobs. I really think that this is some of the most important work over here. The minimum needed to bring Iraq back from anarchy is the security that we’re working to provide and show the Iraqi security forces how to provide. The next step beyond making Iraqi civilians feel safe enough to try to rebuild their lives is giving them a hand. The work I’ve seen civil affairs do in this regard is quite impressive. They’re getting small businesses compensated for accidental and incidental damage caused by American forces getting after the enemy, working to increase the capacity of water purification systems to the level where everyone has clean water to drink, getting impassable roads repaired or rebuilt, and doing a dozen other little things to show normal Iraqis that there’s hope for their future, and an alternative to terrorism. Your Soldiers are making sure that civil affairs is able to go where they need to go and keeping them safe while they work.
The scout platoon continues to outfox terrorist and insurgent leadership, capturing two or three big fish and a good dozen smaller ones every month, almost always without incident. The mortar platoon is still working with Crazyhorse Company, providing much-needed infantry to a tank company that wouldn’t be able to handle things without more boots to put on the ground. The PSD continues to shuttle LTC Johnson around to work with the Iraqi leaders who really are the key to this country’s future, as well as allowing him to visit Soldiers from all over the battalion as they go about their missions out in the city.
The medics and the fire supporters are continuing to support all of the companies. Of course, nobody goes on a patrol without a medic along. It’s good that the battalion has enough that they don’t have to go out more often than anyone else, but they are literally getting into every corner of the battalion area of operations. The fire supporters are doing something of a nontraditional job for them, and doing it extremely well. The Army doesn’t provide for an intelligence section at any level below the battalion, which is a shame because it’s the companies and platoons that have the most access to our greatest source of information, the people of the city. The fire support teams in the companies have stepped into the role of “company intelligence cell” and are doing a fantastic job piecing together assorted bits of information into usable intelligence, both for their companies, and for the battalion. The staff still works the longest, most thankless hours ensuring that everyone has all of their supply, administrative, and information needs met. Soon, they’ll start to lay the groundwork for all of us to turn this city over to someone else and get us and our stuff home. I’m sure you’ll agree that that’s the most important task over here!
I recently received a briefing on some surveys that were done a couple of months ago. These surveys were designed by some mental and behavioral health professionals to get an accurate picture of how the Soldiers are doing. Well, the results were good. There were a few indicators that some of us leaders need to do better at some very specific things, but in spite of that, it showed that Headhunter morale and emotional health were well above average (and above the rest of the battalion) for people in our situation, and had actually improved since the previous assessment in February. I think this has something to do with the improved outlook in the city of Mosul, and a lot to do with the support that your Soldiers, especially those in the junior leadership positions, give each other. That’s not to say that none of us over here are under any stress, but I think we’ve built an environment where we take care of one another.
I’ve heard an endless stream of rumors regarding when and where we’re going from here, whether it’s Afghanistan in October or home in December. Well, that’s all there is to it, they’re rumors with absolutely no grounding in fact. There are some people working to get us home a little sooner, but it would be a couple of weeks, not a couple of months, and there’s no reason to believe that they’ll be successful. As far as anyone over here knows, from several levels above battalion on down, we’re going to be here fifteen months, no more and no less. I’d rather plan for fifteen and possibly be pleasantly surprised than latch onto every rumor that comes along and be disappointed.
That’s pretty much everything that’s going on over here. I’m proud of each and every Headhunter. Continue to pray for us, and we’ll see you in just a few more months.
Respectfully,
CPT M. Schlosser
Dear Families,
Greetings from sunny Mosul! We’re well past the half-way point now, and also past the worst of the heat. Our daytime highs are “only” reaching about 110 now, and our lows are getting down towards 80. It sure feels like it’s cooled off more than that.
I wouldn’t exactly call Mosul safe just yet, but attack levels have stayed down for quite some time, so I guess it’s for real. Some people are starting to feel safe enough to talk to us, and that’s a real improvement. Our day to day lives haven’t really changed, and we haven’t let our guards down, but the city is starting to feel different. That one extra car, almost like running a yellow light, is squirting through an intersection as we approach, a sure sign that normal Iraqis feel safer, and therefore more brave around us. The market areas don’t turn into ghost towns when we come around. Instead of disappearing with an “I’ll come back tomorrow” attitude, people just keep a healthy distance and go about their business around us. Mosul definitely has more life than it did when we got here, which is proof of the good work your Soldiers have done.
A story was published recently by LT Foat about the “Team Crow” security unit that we put together to help our civil affairs team get around and do their jobs. I really think that this is some of the most important work over here. The minimum needed to bring Iraq back from anarchy is the security that we’re working to provide and show the Iraqi security forces how to provide. The next step beyond making Iraqi civilians feel safe enough to try to rebuild their lives is giving them a hand. The work I’ve seen civil affairs do in this regard is quite impressive. They’re getting small businesses compensated for accidental and incidental damage caused by American forces getting after the enemy, working to increase the capacity of water purification systems to the level where everyone has clean water to drink, getting impassable roads repaired or rebuilt, and doing a dozen other little things to show normal Iraqis that there’s hope for their future, and an alternative to terrorism. Your Soldiers are making sure that civil affairs is able to go where they need to go and keeping them safe while they work.
The scout platoon continues to outfox terrorist and insurgent leadership, capturing two or three big fish and a good dozen smaller ones every month, almost always without incident. The mortar platoon is still working with Crazyhorse Company, providing much-needed infantry to a tank company that wouldn’t be able to handle things without more boots to put on the ground. The PSD continues to shuttle LTC Johnson around to work with the Iraqi leaders who really are the key to this country’s future, as well as allowing him to visit Soldiers from all over the battalion as they go about their missions out in the city.
The medics and the fire supporters are continuing to support all of the companies. Of course, nobody goes on a patrol without a medic along. It’s good that the battalion has enough that they don’t have to go out more often than anyone else, but they are literally getting into every corner of the battalion area of operations. The fire supporters are doing something of a nontraditional job for them, and doing it extremely well. The Army doesn’t provide for an intelligence section at any level below the battalion, which is a shame because it’s the companies and platoons that have the most access to our greatest source of information, the people of the city. The fire support teams in the companies have stepped into the role of “company intelligence cell” and are doing a fantastic job piecing together assorted bits of information into usable intelligence, both for their companies, and for the battalion. The staff still works the longest, most thankless hours ensuring that everyone has all of their supply, administrative, and information needs met. Soon, they’ll start to lay the groundwork for all of us to turn this city over to someone else and get us and our stuff home. I’m sure you’ll agree that that’s the most important task over here!
I recently received a briefing on some surveys that were done a couple of months ago. These surveys were designed by some mental and behavioral health professionals to get an accurate picture of how the Soldiers are doing. Well, the results were good. There were a few indicators that some of us leaders need to do better at some very specific things, but in spite of that, it showed that Headhunter morale and emotional health were well above average (and above the rest of the battalion) for people in our situation, and had actually improved since the previous assessment in February. I think this has something to do with the improved outlook in the city of Mosul, and a lot to do with the support that your Soldiers, especially those in the junior leadership positions, give each other. That’s not to say that none of us over here are under any stress, but I think we’ve built an environment where we take care of one another.
I’ve heard an endless stream of rumors regarding when and where we’re going from here, whether it’s Afghanistan in October or home in December. Well, that’s all there is to it, they’re rumors with absolutely no grounding in fact. There are some people working to get us home a little sooner, but it would be a couple of weeks, not a couple of months, and there’s no reason to believe that they’ll be successful. As far as anyone over here knows, from several levels above battalion on down, we’re going to be here fifteen months, no more and no less. I’d rather plan for fifteen and possibly be pleasantly surprised than latch onto every rumor that comes along and be disappointed.
That’s pretty much everything that’s going on over here. I’m proud of each and every Headhunter. Continue to pray for us, and we’ll see you in just a few more months.
Respectfully,
CPT M. Schlosser
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Best Sister in the WORLD!
To my surprise, I heard a knock at the door this afternoon with this on the other side!! The card said, "Thanks for being a great sister! Love, Beck."
Becky, you're so awesome and I love you so much! Thanks for making my day, and thanks for everything you do for me! I just don't know what I'd do without you.
You really are the best sister in the world!!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Photography by Josh
I caught Josh with my camera and saw that he had been taking some pictures. Here are some of the many pictures he took.
Prints are available for a nominal fee. ;)
enjoy.
Prints are available for a nominal fee. ;)
enjoy.
Thanks Chad, for scaring the crap out of me!!
So- my brother in law, Chad, sent this email to Tyler. As you know- curiosity kills the cat, and since it was a video of a snake, it perked my interest...
Not only did I fall out of my chair, but I also found my inner truck-driver roots (thanks Grandpa Dave) and uttered a foul word...
See?!?!?! Told ya!!!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Strep Throat!!
AUGH! My poor little guy!!! He still wasn't any better today, in fact- he got way worse over night. Tyler called this morning and after explaining what was going on with Josh, he told me to just run him down to the Dr (which is the ER on weekends) to get checked out. I'm so glad I did.
Here's a picture I took of him while we were sitting in the ER waiting room...
you can tell that he is SOOOO sick. poor guy...
Josh has Strep. They gave him some Tylenol with codeine while we were there, and they gave him a prescription for Zithromax and Motrin for the next few days.
Currently, he's zonked out on the couch. Which really is the best thing for him since he woke up at 4:30 this morning and had all that medicine in him today. I'm still trying to figure out how he stayed up as long as he did- he didn't fall asleep until 5pm, and that's with no kind of nap in between. I'm wondering if he'll just sleep all night. It wouldn't surprise me.
Now I just need to call my Dr on Monday and get in to see if I have strep too. Blah.
Ty, thanks for taking such good care of us even while you're so far away! We love you and we miss you and we wish you were here so you could be sick with us!! ;)
Here's a picture I took of him while we were sitting in the ER waiting room...
you can tell that he is SOOOO sick. poor guy...
Josh has Strep. They gave him some Tylenol with codeine while we were there, and they gave him a prescription for Zithromax and Motrin for the next few days.
Currently, he's zonked out on the couch. Which really is the best thing for him since he woke up at 4:30 this morning and had all that medicine in him today. I'm still trying to figure out how he stayed up as long as he did- he didn't fall asleep until 5pm, and that's with no kind of nap in between. I'm wondering if he'll just sleep all night. It wouldn't surprise me.
Now I just need to call my Dr on Monday and get in to see if I have strep too. Blah.
Ty, thanks for taking such good care of us even while you're so far away! We love you and we miss you and we wish you were here so you could be sick with us!! ;)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Sad day!
Joshy's sick!! :(
He woke up around 2:30 this morning with a fever. I gave him some Tylenol but all he wanted to do was "Nuggle on the couch, Mom!" so- we came down here to the couch and TRIED to get some more sleep. He finally fell asleep around 3:45, and I kept dozing off too.
He was ready to watch some cartoons around 5:45 but I was SOOO tired, so I just kept dozing on the couch. Poor guy, he really doesn't feel good.
I finally get up to check the email and start breakfast and wouldn't you know it... I missed an Instant Message from Tyler this morning at 6:44am. I'm so bummed!!
Josh still has a fever of 102.1 if it doesn't go down with this next dose of Tylenol, looks like I'll be calling his Dr.
The only thing that has gone right so far today is, I guess if you're sick it might as well be rainy. and it is.
I think going to the Dr. is the only chance we have of getting out of our jammies today.
Hope your day is better than ours,
Kelly and sicky-Josh.
He woke up around 2:30 this morning with a fever. I gave him some Tylenol but all he wanted to do was "Nuggle on the couch, Mom!" so- we came down here to the couch and TRIED to get some more sleep. He finally fell asleep around 3:45, and I kept dozing off too.
He was ready to watch some cartoons around 5:45 but I was SOOO tired, so I just kept dozing on the couch. Poor guy, he really doesn't feel good.
I finally get up to check the email and start breakfast and wouldn't you know it... I missed an Instant Message from Tyler this morning at 6:44am. I'm so bummed!!
Josh still has a fever of 102.1 if it doesn't go down with this next dose of Tylenol, looks like I'll be calling his Dr.
The only thing that has gone right so far today is, I guess if you're sick it might as well be rainy. and it is.
I think going to the Dr. is the only chance we have of getting out of our jammies today.
Hope your day is better than ours,
Kelly and sicky-Josh.
Monday, August 11, 2008
I love flowers!!!
As some know, the days seem to be getting harder and harder for me to get through lately. I think we're all just kinda sick and tired of Tyler being away. Tyler was able to call this morning- it was so nice to hear his voice. It had been a few days, so it was just such a relief to hear from him. Josh even talked to him!! All by himself, Josh got on the phone and said, "Daddy!! Miss you!!" then he went on to talk about diamonds and circles... then he even told Ty that he needed "Daddy hugs". He's so awesome.
After talking to Ty, I went to the grocery store this morning to get some things for a pot luck I went to today and saw these roses. I figured that if Tyler was home, he probably would have gotten them for me anyway... riiiiight??? :P
So......... Thanks honey!!! You're always so thoughtful and sweet!
And I just LOVE that you even got my favorite color, too!!! ;)
You're the best.
love you! and I can't wait for you to call again. stay safe,
Kelly.
After talking to Ty, I went to the grocery store this morning to get some things for a pot luck I went to today and saw these roses. I figured that if Tyler was home, he probably would have gotten them for me anyway... riiiiight??? :P
So......... Thanks honey!!! You're always so thoughtful and sweet!
And I just LOVE that you even got my favorite color, too!!! ;)
You're the best.
love you! and I can't wait for you to call again. stay safe,
Kelly.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
You're FIRED, MOM!!!
Yes, this is what I've been hearing all morning. At first I didn't think I was hearing him correctly, so I asked him to repeat himself... he said, "MOM!!! You're FI-ERD!"
ahhh, ok. Now I understand.
HUH?
"Joshy, why is Mommy fired?"
"It's 'cause you're FI-ERD!"
and off he went to kick his ball....
just now, while getting ready for church, I hear spongebob playing downstairs....
Mr. Crabs: "Patrick!!! YOU'RE FIRED!"
Patrick: "But, but... Mr. Crabs, I don't even work here!"
Mr. Crabs: "Patrick, would you like a job? Starting just this minute?"
Mr. Crabs: "Patrick, would you like a job? Starting just this minute?"
Patrick: "SURE!!!"
Mr. Crabs: "Good! YOU'RE FIRED!"
ahhh, ok. NOW I understand.
No more spongebob today...
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Scooter 101.
Well, today I thought I would take Josh outside to play on his scooter. I got it for him a while ago, but with all the travel and busy stuff we've been doing- we haven't had much of a chance to go really try it out.
What a fun idea!
after about an hour outside- I was pretty sure he was done... after all, he didn't really want to ride it anymore... Obviously, coming inside was NOT the most popular idea.
Sound asleep. :)
I'm sure he'll get the "both feet" thing next time.
Friday, August 8, 2008
memories.
I had the opportunity of having my grandparents visit this last week. It was fun to talk with Becky and Grandma over dinner the other night about pieces of our childhood. Specifically, chickens.
This picture was brought up in conversation. This is me, as a little girl with my favorite chicken. I'm not exactly sure how they got those coveralls on her, but I do remember how much fun it was.
Just thought I'd share. :)
I had a great childhood.
This picture was brought up in conversation. This is me, as a little girl with my favorite chicken. I'm not exactly sure how they got those coveralls on her, but I do remember how much fun it was.
Just thought I'd share. :)
I had a great childhood.
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