Below are some pictures from when Rob was home. I have a lot of them, too many to post here. Thank you to Lisa for sending these to me. If I get any more I will try to put them up.
Niki
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
I'm back!!!!!!!!
My leave was great. I had the chance to help my family move to a new house, and moving is so much fun, as we all know. Seriously, I had a great time, mostly just spending time with my family. I saw and did some things that I will never forget. For example, I saw a lobster fly 50 feet in the air at a rock concert. I learned what a tree trunk does to a 2000 GMC Sierra, when you try to push it with the driver’s side door. I found out that 7-11 is really on the side of all things good and holy, with the invention of a giant Oreo cookie donut. I found out that you might be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but you can’t teach a 26 or 28 year old woman to dive. I got to meet my wife’s younger sister for the first time, which was great. I found out that my daughter is really a 16 year old valley girl, trapped in the body of a 5 year old southern belle. All in all it was great to be home.
Unfortunately, I have no photos to show but, I bet Niki has some that she will be willing to post if we ask her real nice.
It was hard to watch the news and think about all my friends still here while I was at home. I think I now understand what it is really like to one of you, who have a loved one over here. How agonizing and frustrating it must be to have to hear all the news all the time. I really appreciate all of you back at home, and thank you for all you prayers and concerns. I know there many out there who are very unhappy with the war, but I saw nothing but support for the individuals who are sent over here to do a job. The support for the Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Seamen was overwhelming. I was amazed. Keep up the support and keep praying for us to return home safe and be successful in making this a peaceful, safe place for millions of people.
There are a few organizations I want to thank. I want to say thanks to the people in the Atlanta and Orlando airports who made my journey special with everything from free first class seats to a standing ovation. To the staff and cooks at Emeril’s in Orlando, a big thank you. Niki and I went to Emeril’s in New Orleans on our honeymoon, so we thought it would be nice to go again. We were completely blown away by the food, but the service made it a night we will never forget. Thanks to Cary who helped to arrange that dinner. Thanks to Chris for giving Niki the time off from work to spend with me, I wish we could have hung out more, but we have to wait until I get back. For that matter thanks to everyone at Quiet Flight. Thanks to Pastor Tim and the entire congregation at Edgewater Alliance. God gave me an opportunity to speak to all of you and you were so kind and receptive, what a great church. I am proud to be one of you. I thank God for all of you.
Lastly, I wanted to take a minute to say thanks to many of those I was blessed enough to be able to spend time with. Spencer, for flying all the way from LA just to see me, I love you and pray for you. Courtney, Dave, Ana, Izzy, Christian and Seamus – my other family, I love all of you. Thanks to Andy and Lisa for driving down to let me know how much you both care. Also thanks for bringing Megan. Megan, thanks for coming, I know you didn’t have a choice, but it was great to get to know you, you are a great girl with tons to offer the world. I can’t wait to get to know you better in the years to come. Thanks to Kerry for being a great mom, and having such a good heart. I love you like you were my own mom. Thanks to Sara for being a dork, but I love you any way, you are my sister and I love you. Thanks to my mom and dad. There are not enough words in the English language to thank you. Mom you can back me up on this, you are after all an English teacher. Isaiah, my son, you are so great, and can be such a joy to have around. I look forward to watching you grow up and take on the world. It is going to be funny. Lauryn, I love you and I am so happy at how you are growing up to be a sweetheart. You have just enough personality to know that you won’t get pushed around, but are sweet enough to know that you won’t be pushing others around either. You and your brother are both proving yourself to be so smart, and I love watching you two play together. Niki, what can I say that I have not already said. You are the greatest woman I know. I can not thank the Lord enough for you.
Unfortunately, I have no photos to show but, I bet Niki has some that she will be willing to post if we ask her real nice.
It was hard to watch the news and think about all my friends still here while I was at home. I think I now understand what it is really like to one of you, who have a loved one over here. How agonizing and frustrating it must be to have to hear all the news all the time. I really appreciate all of you back at home, and thank you for all you prayers and concerns. I know there many out there who are very unhappy with the war, but I saw nothing but support for the individuals who are sent over here to do a job. The support for the Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Seamen was overwhelming. I was amazed. Keep up the support and keep praying for us to return home safe and be successful in making this a peaceful, safe place for millions of people.
There are a few organizations I want to thank. I want to say thanks to the people in the Atlanta and Orlando airports who made my journey special with everything from free first class seats to a standing ovation. To the staff and cooks at Emeril’s in Orlando, a big thank you. Niki and I went to Emeril’s in New Orleans on our honeymoon, so we thought it would be nice to go again. We were completely blown away by the food, but the service made it a night we will never forget. Thanks to Cary who helped to arrange that dinner. Thanks to Chris for giving Niki the time off from work to spend with me, I wish we could have hung out more, but we have to wait until I get back. For that matter thanks to everyone at Quiet Flight. Thanks to Pastor Tim and the entire congregation at Edgewater Alliance. God gave me an opportunity to speak to all of you and you were so kind and receptive, what a great church. I am proud to be one of you. I thank God for all of you.
Lastly, I wanted to take a minute to say thanks to many of those I was blessed enough to be able to spend time with. Spencer, for flying all the way from LA just to see me, I love you and pray for you. Courtney, Dave, Ana, Izzy, Christian and Seamus – my other family, I love all of you. Thanks to Andy and Lisa for driving down to let me know how much you both care. Also thanks for bringing Megan. Megan, thanks for coming, I know you didn’t have a choice, but it was great to get to know you, you are a great girl with tons to offer the world. I can’t wait to get to know you better in the years to come. Thanks to Kerry for being a great mom, and having such a good heart. I love you like you were my own mom. Thanks to Sara for being a dork, but I love you any way, you are my sister and I love you. Thanks to my mom and dad. There are not enough words in the English language to thank you. Mom you can back me up on this, you are after all an English teacher. Isaiah, my son, you are so great, and can be such a joy to have around. I look forward to watching you grow up and take on the world. It is going to be funny. Lauryn, I love you and I am so happy at how you are growing up to be a sweetheart. You have just enough personality to know that you won’t get pushed around, but are sweet enough to know that you won’t be pushing others around either. You and your brother are both proving yourself to be so smart, and I love watching you two play together. Niki, what can I say that I have not already said. You are the greatest woman I know. I can not thank the Lord enough for you.
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