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Ryan is an absolute blast. It's so hard to think of him as a “toddler.” He's still my little baby. He's growing so fast and so is his attitude. He's becoming so independent! He's so curious about everything and has to be involved in everything Matt and I do. It's so neat to see him imitate everything we do. We find ourselves laughing at stuff we shouldn't, realizing we're encouraging the behavior, but it's so hard not to sometimes!

Feelings About Leaving the Army

I am officially on terminal leave. Sounds kind of depressing huh, like I'm dying of a disease? Most people prefer to call it “transition” leave. To me, who cares? Either way, it means I am on my way out of the Army. I know I should be relieved to have the threat of another Iraq trip behind me, but I have a lot of mixed feelings about leaving the Army. It was an easy decision to leave but one that weighed heavily on me for a while. I've had met some of my closest friends in the Army, I've traveled the world (some places not as luxurious as others but traveled nonetheless) and been paid to live and work in Europe . Most importantly, if it weren't for the Army, I would have never met Matt. And then of course, there would be no Ryan or Sydney!

In the Army we had Matt's accident, separation from each other while in Iraq , the injury of a good friend in Iraq and the death of another close friend in Africa . After all of that, many people wonder how anyone could even entertain the thought of staying in. Well, I entertained the thought for several reasons. Probably the number one reason was for my fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. The military creates a unique bond that brings people of all different backgrounds together. These “GI's” as we are affectionately called, volunteer to serve their country. They also volunteer to go into harms way for their country and fellow comrades. I will miss that camaraderie very much. I hope to continue to work with former military folks because I know they share the same sense of pride and patriotism that Matt and I do. I want to thank everyone, friends and family who have supported us throughout both of our careers. Just hearing those simple words, “thank you” for what you do for our country means more than you will ever know. So, the next time you see a member of the Armed Forces, thank them for me.

Iraq Stories

January 2004

I had the opportunity to visit several of Saddam, Uday, and Kusay's palaces while over there. Those three were absolutely disgusting; I wouldn't even classify them as humans. The palaces were unbelievable; everything was trimmed in gold with ungodly chandeliers. They lived so extravagantly while their people were surrounded by filth and garbage. I saw first hand while we flew over Baghdad in Blackhawks just how their people lived. The evidence of abuses uncovered over there would make all of you sick. The world is a much better place now that they are no longer in power.

Let me just tell you how much respect I have for all the military folks serving overseas right now. They are without a doubt some of the most professional people I have ever met. As most of you know we traveled to several places throughout the country. In our travels we had to the opportunity to work with the 82^nd Airborne Division and those guys are awesome. Prior to any ground movement, a convoy brief is given. I had to participate in them daily while in Bosnia and Kosovo. Well, I have never heard a convoy brief like the 82 nd 's. Every Rule of Engagement (ROE) I was ever briefed on involved, pushing through fire as fast as possible and regrouping at a rally point. Well, not the 82^nd! Their ROE's were to engage the fight and eliminate the threat. Our convoy came under sniper fire when traveling to Fallujah one evening. Well, they did exactly what the 82 nd trained for. We were driving up and down sand dunes looking for the enemy while A-10 aircraft searched from above. Looking back now, it was pretty awesome, but at the time it was very scary. Well, that was one engagement for me; those guys do that every day while over there. God Bless them and I hope they continue to stay safe.

Funny Story

I will tell you one funny story. Well, the toilet accommodations were of the non-flush kind so we were forced to use the wonderful port-o-potties (p-o-p for short). My first major experience with the p-o-p involved my 9mm pistol. I had a belt holster and when I undid my belt, the weight of the pistol took over. My holster came off with gun and all, just nearly avoiding the blue sea of death! Could you imagine, having to sift through there to retrieve my weapon! That was on day 1 in country! My second p-o-p experience came in Air Ramadi. The p-o-p's filled up pretty quick and sometimes a pile would rise above the blue sea. Well the stench can be pretty unbearable on a hot day. When I entered I noticed some matches, well great for me right? Wrong, stupid me lit the match and just threw it in the blue sea to put it out, well the sea had parted into a mound of toilet paper which promptly caught on fire! I closed the lid as fast as I could and bee-lined it out of there. I went back to my hooch almost in tears because I was laughing so hard!