Two Months Down

Tomorrow Drew and I will celebrate two months down and ten more to go! It feels like we just celebrated our one month. Time can fly as fast as it would like to. I'm not stopping it! This past week at home was great. I was able to see tons of good family and friends. As many of you know, one of the exciting highlights from last week was that Drew was interviewed on Fox News. It was a spur of the moment thing but luckily we had a little bit of time to start a phone chain so many people were able to catch it. He did great! I don't have a link yet but I have it on VHS which I will convert to a DVD soon. My camera is not letting me download it so I ended up sending my copy to Drew. I also sent him the cute and thoughtful video that we made over the numerous Christmas parties between our families. I'm sure he will love it and I'm guessing some parts will make him laugh!
On Christmas Day, Drew earned his combat patch. A picture of the ceremony is below. Drew was able to have the day off and did some much needed relaxing. Or in Drew's words from Fox News - chilling out. :) He was also able to open presents with us on Christmas morning which was amazing!! He really just hung out while we opened presents. And of course, you know Drew, he added his funny little side comments which made everyone laugh. It was a different kind of Christmas with not being together but it was definitely still a special one. Thank you to everyone for your warm wishes and generous, thoughtful presents!
Drew's team of three has the day off tomorrow. His Sgt is a big GA football fan and wanted to watch the game this evening. The game this evening means in the middle of the night for them so Drew was going to wake up and watch part of it with him and catch up on sleep tomorrow. It's kind of fun they can do that!
It's hard to believe that a new year begins on Friday. We are looking forward to the new year and all it has to bring- especially Drew coming home!

Here are pics of the combat patch ceremony.

The guy in the corner is the same reporter who interviewed Drew.

I sent Drew pictures all week long. He loved seeing everyone! Here are some of them:
Dinner with the girls.

Gram and I waving hi to Drew.

Here are Sarah, Wade, and Drew on Christmas morning. Sarah has her arm around Drew. :)

A couple of boy cousins.

The Girl Cousins (Missed you Colleen!)

Can't wait for Drew to be in these pictures next year! And can't wait to see you all again soon!

Home for the Holidays

Today I am heading to St. Louis for the holiday week. I'm excited! I am also already looking forward to next year when Drew can join me. Today is a quick post but wanted to share these pictures. I look forward to seeing many of you soon!

This is the group of guys that Drew is in his vehicle with almost everyday. They did a serious picture and a smiling one.


I like the smiling one better. :)


This is Drew inside his vehicle.


Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas is in the Air

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This weekend I hosted an ugly Christmas sweater party. Not so much that the sweaters are ugly, but we wanted to go all out for Christmas. We of course wish our husbands could have been here but as I have said before, the show must go on. We had a blast!! I had about oh twenty people here maybe. We had Army wives but we also had neighbors which included husbands and kids. I have never really planned a party quite like it. But boy did we get decked out to deck the halls this year!! We played lots of games with prizes included and laughed the entire night away. I have tons of more pictures to share but my camera cord for downloading is in St. Louis so more on that later. Before everyone arrived it was myself and two other wives that I am close with. We raised our glasses and I simply said here's to six glasses next year. That was enough said. We are happy with three but cannot wait to have our better halves next year. You can point out an Army party from a mile away. We all had our cell phones out and one wife had my laptop out in case her husband got on Skype. Around 11 o'clock (7 am their time), Drew was the first to call me and all the other ladies followed suit. We talk to those men any chance we can get!! Drew called while I was in the middle of a game where you have to put marshmellows in your mouth and still sing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. (Pretty fun- I would highly suggest it.) Needless to say, I had to disqualify myself by spitting out the marshmellows so I could talk him. :)

Here are the Army wives that were in attendance:

Drew is doing well. I have sent him a few packages with things he has asked for from here. We have been surprised so far that it has only taken about 6 days to get there which isn't too bad. Drew ended up getting a third roommate but luckily he is an easy-going guy. And, as always, we are learning to be flexible so we talk with a combination of speaking and instant messaging so that Drew can try to talk to me without everyone hearing his stories. He has been working hard over there! He enjoys his missions and has continued to spend some time working on his vehicle. We don't have anything too new or exciting to share but I did want to show you some pictures from Thanksgiving. (These are not Drew's pictures but another soldier's.)

Looking at this Thanksgiving spread makes me realize Drew wasn't kidding when he listed out all of the food they ate!! It's comforting to know they are welll taken care of over there on the holidays. I'm curious to see the Christmas spread. (Sorry for so many but I enjoyed looking at them so thought you might too.)

Kid Rock and Carlos Mencia visited a couple of weeks ago. Drew thought Carlos (a comedian) was hilarious! He only stayed for a couple of the Kid Rock songs then went home. It's neat they do that for them.

I'm heading home for Christmas on Saturday! Can't wait to see my family and friends but also my dogs!! Grandma and Grandpa are already getting them in the holiday spirit. They are so excited. (Yeah right!) :)

December

It's hard to believe it is already December! And nearly a week into December at that! Time continues to go by quickly. Drew has put in long days this week with early formations and PT, patrols and missions, and more meetings and training at night. He was hoping to have the day off today but had to push on with getting their gear and plan in place. He likes it though and knows they have to put the time in now so they have a smooth transition when the teams that have been there leave. They are now in the lead as they transition the other guys out. Drew enjoys investing the time and taking full accountability for his vehicle, gear, and guys. He has some neat stories about the culture and city of Kirkuk too. Talk about an experience!!?! (I know I always say that but I am always thinking that!) He is there working among the locals and interacting with them as they go about their daily routines. He says it is quite different but is surprised to find similarities as well. Bad news is that he found out he might be getting a 3rd roommate...UGH. They have more guys joining them and have to make room for them. We are hoping that it does not happen but when they tell you to move your furniture around to make room- I would say that implies someone else is moving in. Drew does not want another roommate, not only for the glaring downside of lack of space, but he enjoys having his down time and his privacy. With another guy that chance of privacy decreases. But that is okay. We will be flexible and it will work. Privacy and downtime at this point still includes his singing roommate in the background so clearly we learn to adjust. :) Our fingers are still crossed that they have other rooms for them. We'll see. In the meantime, Drew continues to work hard and we continue to talk as much as possible.

I returned home to GA on Monday and was happy to be home. As I told my mom, it was great to be there and it is great to be here. I feel lucky that I feel so settled here but also have such a great place to go back home to. I have been busy getting ready for Christmas. Drew was able to take a tour of our house and our Christmas decorations via Skype and he approved. He also approved of the tree and has been helping me with ideas for presents. It is sooooo nice to feel connected. Next weekend I am having a Christmas party which should be a good time. We all wish our husbands could be there but we are looking forward to next year. As I told my family this week, the show must go on. Drew would not have it any other way. We are looking forward to having a Merry Christmas and will celebrate while we keep Drew in our minds and our hearts. Love that man. Here is another picture of him on Skype. His camera is dead and he is waiting for guys to send him the pics they have but this is what I have for now.