GOT MILK?

Well, now Rick will. Rick recently told me that the one thing he misses most is real milk, and cereal. I guess the milk they have to choose from in Iraq is not good milk, it's either powdered milk, or goat's milk, neither he cares for. It was the one thing he missed most his last deployment (besides us, of course), and looked forward to having when he came home.
SO- after doing some research on milk, I discovered that they have something called, SHELF STABLE MILK. The link shows just what the difference is between regular milk, and shelf stable milk. The difference is that they process shelf stable milk at a higher degree than regular milk, killing more bacteria. The milk is still the same but processing the milk at a higher temperature makes it shelf stable. The milk unopened has a shelf life of aprox. 190 days. Once opened it has to be refrigerated and has to be used within 14 days, lucky for Rick he has a refrigerator to keep his milk in. All the ingredients in shelf stable milk are exactly the same as normal milk. The only noticeable difference is the way it is packaged. It is packaged in tetra packaging, similar to the packaging soy milk, rice milk, and almond milk is packaged. There are several different brands, Hershey's who also makes chocolate and strawberry flavored shelf stable milk in individual packages, Borden's and the brand I found Gossner Foods Premium Milk, it is made near by in Logan, Utah.
After looking at Costco, Wal-Mart, and a few other stores, and even having my S-I-L Jenn looking for it in N.C., where did I find it? DOLLAR TREE, a dollar store. I had thought I had seen the little individual packs there at one point in time but thought it was peculiar they were selling milk not refrigerated, now I know why. So Jenn had found it in N.C. for approx. $3 for 32 oz, Dollar Tree sells it for $1 for 32 oz. What a bargain, and the expiration date is 9 months from now...........but just to convince ourselves before we sent some to Rick, Katelynn and I had to give it a taste test, the verdict, tastes just like milk, because it is milk, it is best chilled, and will be perfect for hot chocolate, cereal and even to drink some with cookies. So he soon will be able to enjoy some cereal and some milk after a long day just as if he were at home.

Boots Down.

Rick has made it through a month long training in Camp Shelby and after a very loooong day+ of flying from Georgia, to Ireland, to Kuwait, he has made it to Baghdad.
He was originally told that they would be in Kuwait for about 10 days, but, needless to say they landed there and was only there for a few short hours before they sent him on to his station which is in Baghdad. He is currently staying near the Perfume Palace. A little history on the Perfume Palace, well instead of trying to explain that it used to house the Hussain's families mistresses hence the name "PERFUME PALACE", I came across this blog, of a soldier who describes it pretty well. It is a beautiful place.

I also am icluding a picture of the palace and borrowed this one from google images.

Rick will also have a much better job assignment this time around, without going into to many details he will be doing PERSONAL SECURITY DETAIL for any dignitaries that come to visit Iraq. He has already completed one mission, but cannot share any information on what the missions entail or who he may be guarding, but I know he is enjoying it so far and will have many great stories to share when he returns home.

On a lighter note, the day Rick arrived to Baghdad, they had a great USO tour lined up in the evening for the guys, some of the famous people included, Robin Williams, comedians Lewis Black & Kathleen Madigan, Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, & country music artist Kix Brooks. I will soon have some pics to post as soon as they are up on the USFI website.

Saying our goodbyes.

So today we said good by to a wonderful husband, friend, and daddy. Rick left for Mississippi today where he we be training for Iraq. He will be there for 30 days. I have been told this training will be intense because they are training them for a WAR ZONE in such little time. Rick will not come home to visit before he goes to Iraq.

Last night we had some good family fun. The kids wanted to have a WATERMELON eatin' contest. It was very funny. Katelynn was taking her little girl bites being careful as not to get messy, and then there was Nicholas........Oinkin' and chowin' down, not worrying that he is getting watermelon everywhere. He reminded me of Randy from the movie CHRISTMAS STORY when his mom is having a hard time getting him to eat his meatloaf and mashed potatoes, when his mom asks him "show me how the little piggies eat" that is how Nicholas looked and sounded we were all laughing so hard. (Take Note of Rick in the background-he was laughing so hard!!)

_________________________________________________________________________




At the airport the kids had to say good bye. I was fine, until Katelynn started crying, then Rick starting crying and then there was Nicholas, Mister Half glass full boy. "You guys will be fine, Daddy will be home in a Year" saying it all peppy and happy. We couldn't help but giggle through the tears.


It was a tough drive home fro Katelynn. I don't think Nicholas really understands the time frame of what a year will be. But I know we will be fine. I have an extremely supportive family here, I know they will help me through, and Katelynn will probably be spending a lot of time with her Na-Na.

One of Idaho's Own.

I know I promised some post of projects. But this story is hitting close to home. Idaho Soldier PFC Bowe Bergdahl went missing in Afghanistan on June 30th. Soon after he was sold to/or captured by the Taliban.

I just want to ask everyone to keep this soldier and his family/friends in your thoughts and prayers. Bowe comes from a close knit community in Ketchum, Idaho.

Having a husband in The Idaho Army National Guard this hits especially close to home. This is one thing families hope and pray does not happen but unfortunately it has. It is any military family's worst fear come true.

Our soldiers in all branches of the service are OUR TRUE HEROES.

Here is a Video from You Tube Regarding Bowe's capture.



Again keep Bowe and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Along with all of our service men serving this great country here and abroad.

7 cycles

I came across this on a blog on myspace and it really does ring true in so many ways. I am feeling much like the pre-deployment stage..........I am glad to see others feel this way too.

The 7 Emotional Cycles of Deployment
By Jennifer L. Hochlan

Despite the many who claim otherwise, the military spouse leads a different life from most. This harsh truth becomes most evident when your family prepares for a deployment. A deployment is a scary, emotional, yet liberating journey for the spouse left behind to take care of a home, finances, and a family. There are 7 identifiable stages that the majority of military spouses go through.

Pre-Deployment: Anticipation of Loss Your spouse is working late to ready the unit and you are left at home knowing he or she will be leaving. You are moody and depressed, and this causes friction between you and your spouse. You are a tight little ball of stress and anxiety, and hate yourself for feeling this way. You and your spouse are at each other's throats even when you know in your heart you should be cherishing each day left together. Whether you're a man or a woman, it is PMS multiplied by a factor of deployment.

Pre-Deployment: Detachment and Withdrawal As the final week before deployment approaches, all those feelings you have had for weeks rise to a peak. You can think of a million and one final things to do before the deployment, but can find neither time nor energy to complete even the smallest tasks. All the arguing has taken its toll on your level of intimacy. You appear to have lost all interest in physical contact with your spouse and have more interest in actually sleeping between the sheets than anything else. You distance yourself from your spouse without consciously knowing it. These emotional times happen. The important thing to remember is that you are human. We all want the final weeks before a deployment to be perfect, but life seems to throw us a different fate. But the closer you come to understanding each cycle and its inevitable side effects, the closer you come to changing certain aspects of your life. If there is time, take part in some of the services offered to you on base. There are always people on base who can assist you. Reach out to your unit chaplain for guidance and support.

During Deployment: Emotional Disorganization After your spouse leaves and all the initial tears have been shed, you wake up. The house is all yours. Even if you have children, it is yours. You can stay up late, eat cookies in bed, and watch your favorite TV channels all day without a single complaint from anyone. It's almost like a vacation. This is a fun time, a chance to do all those things you didn't have time to do before. There are no uniforms to wash, no entertaining, and no work-related phone calls in the middle of the night. Relief! The first few weeks have flown by. All that time you thought you would be crying, you were enjoying yourself. Then you look at the unmowed lawn, the pile of clothes in the hamper, the refrigerator with only ice cream and diet cola inside, the stack of bills on the desk, the car that needs an oil change, tune-up, and car wash, etc. Then guilt sets in. Here you are having a grand time while your spouse is possibly in harm's way and you seem to have lost sight of your household responsibilities. You sit in a heap on the floor in the kitchen and sob. You suddenly feel alone.

During Deployment: Recovery and Stabilization Your two favorite words! By this time, you have probably heard from your spouse via e-mail or telephone. The phone calls and e-mail inspire you to find strength you never knew you had. You take on all your newfound responsibilities with passion. You are now able to fix that broken dryer, you bake cookies and write letters. You make Martha Stewart look like she hasn't a clue. This time is an opportunity that is truly a gift of the military lifestyle. During this time, you will discover your independence, your abilities, and your enduring strength.

During Deployment: Anticipation of Homecoming The few weeks before the deployment comes to an end, there is excitement, along with questions. You fear your newfound independence will vanish once your spouse steps through the front door. You wonder what changes will happen and where your marriage will fit into the equation. You are happy your spouse will be home soon, but there is much concern about the homecoming. There may be only sporadic phone calls or e-mail, leaving you too much time to worry about the future. You begin to do things just to keep your mind occupied. You clean like mad. You organize financial papers, get the budget back into shape, get the kids ready for school, juggle doctor appointments and soccer practice. The final days before homecoming are full of phone calls to other spouses, to the Key Volunteer, and to the party stores. Decorations and signs are made and you are giddy with excitement and anticipation.

After Deployment: Renegotiation of the Marriage Contract After the initial joy of having your spouse home, reality sets in. Changes need to be made to the lifestyle you had just become used to, and they are not easy. You feel stifled, at first, over the loss of your independence, but the feeling will pass in time, with some adjustments. Communicate openly with your spouse about your needs and wants, and use any marital services available on base that can help you both reconnect after your time apart. In time, loving intimacy returns and you find a way to work together again as a team.

After Deployment: Reintegration and Stabilization Breathe a sigh of relief -- stability has returned. By the time the first couple of months post-deployment have passed, you and your spouse have hammered out the details of your marriage. You are used to having him or her home and actually enjoy the fact that they still hog all the blankets in bed. You feel relief knowing you are not solely responsible for the household chores anymore. Knowing you can fix the dryer by yourself is liberating, but not having to fix it is another story. It is on one of those days that you glance at your spouse sitting beside you on the sofa, reading the paper, and suddenly all you can remember about the deployment was being in his or her arms the day they left. It feels like it was yesterday.

Random thoughts

imikimi - Customize Your World!

A few people have asked me how I am feeling about what is about to happen at the end of the month. For those who don't know my husband is a member of Idaho Army National Guard. He is a E-4, Or a Specialist, he is one of the lucky few who is the team leader of his squad which is typically a position that is given to a E-5/Sergent or higher. He has recently found out he will be leaving the 1st week of June for training, then shipping to Afghanistan (we are thinking). He will receive his Mobilization orders at the end of the month. From there those orders tell him where he will be training. For the first month they will send him to one of 4 states for training that will prepare him for deployment over seas. The 4 places that he may end up at are California, Texas, Mississippi, or Kentucky. My hopes are that he ends up in California for his training, so then I may be able to travel with the kids to go and see him one last time before he deploys over seas. The month here in the states counts as part of his what will be 1 year deployment. But if he does not end up in California, I will still travel to go see him before he deploys, the other areas are just longer distances, and will be a harder trip to make with the kids.
SO how am I feeling about all this? Well, we knew this was part of what he was signing up for when he re-signed with the Guard for 6 years. This was not only a decision he made, but our whole family makes. We knew that being deployed was a possibility, and we just have to deal with it. It is not a bad thing, it is a thing that we all chose to do. He did not make this decision alone to be in the Guard. We made the choice because it was the best for our family. I give him all the props in this world for choosing this, he has chosen not only to be in the Guard but also defend this wonderful country we live in, he along with everyone else in the military are the reasons why we have so many freedoms here.......and the best thing of all he enjoys what he does and wishes he could do more.
I know the transition will be hard, especially the first 2-3 months, there are things that you get used to your other half to doing. It will be a change, but with our move a few moths ago, things are easier now, not as much to up keep with the house etc. I know I will miss having him around to take out the trash, mow the yard and to watch the kids when I need to go somewhere for a bit, bu those are all things that I will adjust to doing. I think the hardest part will be the kids adjusting, Katelynn is 8 and old enough to understand what daddy is doing. Nicholas however is only 5 and does not understand yet that daddy will be leaving for a year. All he will know is that after a few day's of daddy not being home he will ask "where is daddy"? He is a daddy's boy, and I am sure will miss him a lot while he is gone.
I have an extremely supportive family, and know they will be here to help me if I need it. I thank god that I am here in Idaho with my family while he is away. I know if I need support I have it right here.
All I ask is that everyone keep Rick in your thoughts or prayers as he gets ready to head out on this journey in his life. May he have the strength to stay strong, and be safe. NOTHING BUT POSITIVE THOUGHTS, that is the way I am looking at this.

On another note, for those of you who do know, I have been under the weather for about a week. I had laryngitis and couldn't talk, well now my voice is back, my throat is not a sore anymore, all I am dealing with now is a bit of chest congestion that is slowly getting better, thank god for salt water rinses, and Mucinex.

on ALERT

So last week my husband revived a call from his SGT stating that his National Guard unit he is with is on ALERT. What does this mean? Well this means that their unit is capable of a mission, but does not mean they are about to deploy.
The alert gives them a chance to train more, prepare equipment in case they are put on active orders.
I called his SGT and asked him how concerned should we be at this time that they be deployed, and he had told me not to be to worried about it right now, that it will be a few months before they/if they deploy.
I am hoping that if they are deployed that it happens after Nov, so Rick can go active with the army, and get started with DI school.

But, if it happens before then, maybe it will be a good thing, because I will be here close to family and friends.

I will keep everyone informed and updated when more info comes to us.