Now that this deployment is complete, we will no longer be updating this blog. We have started a new family blog here if you are looking for family updates:
Wee Blog: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/spenc148/wee/
Thanks for your support before, during, and after the deployment!
A few months ago, the Minnesotan's Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF) sent out an email asking for some photos of our troops so they could put together a little multimedia presentation. I sent in a few photos of Amy and Josh. I never really thought anything of it and in fact, I forgot that I'd even emailed them some photos.
Tonight, I got an email reminder of the annual Military Appreciation Day Run/Walk that will be in Minneapolis this September. (Unfortunately, it is on a day when we have some mandatory National Guard training to attend so we won't be at the run/walk.) I decided to go to the MMAF website just to see what they've been up to and to my surprise saw a photo of Amy right on their main page! It was here: http://www.thankmntroops.org/MMAFhtmlindex.html
And if by the time you read this post they have changed the photo to something else, you can check out the multimedia presentation that includes Josh and Amy here: THANK YOU, MINNESOTA
Just thought I'd share!
I just wanted to reassure our friends and family that we were NOT involved in the I-35W bridge collapse that happened in Minneapolis today. While it is a route that we have taken recently, we were NOT on the bridge when it fell. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who can't get ahold of their loved ones at this time.
The deployment is finally over. I picked up Josh at the Bloomington Armory yesterday. You might've seen us on the Fox 9 news yesterday - we made the 5:00pm and 9:00pm news broadcasts. Here are some photos and video clips from yesterday.
Leaving Fort McCoy, Wisconsin:
The soldiers on the bus:
The soliders on the bus smiling (some of them):
Looking out the front window of the bus while approaching the St. Croix River:
The St. Croix River (between Wisconsin and Minnesota):
Welcome to Minnesota:
Meeting up with The Patriot Guard (on motorcycles) who will escort the bus to the armory:
Just a few exits before getting to the Bloomington Armory - at this time, the police escort has joined the convoy and is leading the way:
Meanwhile, at the Bloomington Armory, excited families wait for the troops:
The Patriot Guard had volunteers holding flags along the road in front of the Bloomington Armory to welcome the troops:
Amy waits in front of the armory for Josh to arrive:
Although hard to see, her shirt says WELCOME HOME DAD - AND THE OTHER RED BULLS!:
Kelly was there too:
Josh's view from the bus as they arrived at the Bloomington Armory:
And here's what it sounded/looked like from Kelly's perspective as the bus rolled into the armory (you can hear the motorcylces of The Patriot Guard and Kelly comforting Amy, who was scared of the loud motorcycle noises and cheering):
Josh took a couple photos of Kelly and Amy after being reunited:
Josh, Kelly, and Amy are finally together (thanks to the Fox 9 news guy who took this photo):
To answer some questions: Although Josh is home, there exists the chance that he could be deployed again, since he does plan to stay in the Minnesota Army National Guard for at least another year. At this point (and with the current world situation), it seems likely that Josh should be home for at least 2-3 years before he deploys again. For now, however, he is home and this deployment is complete. THANK YOU RED BULLS (1/34 BCT - Josh's unit) FOR A JOB WELL-DONE!!!
Some photos taken over the past couple of weeks by Josh.
A dust storm rolling towards Tallil Air Base (in Iraq):
A stop in Ireland:
A stop in Maine, where local volunteers greet the troops who come through:
Arriving in Wisconsin:
Photos of Fort McCoy, Wisconsin:
Josh made it safe and sound to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin! He will spend the next 10 days or so out-processing there (attending briefings, meetings, filling out paperwork, getting health check-ups, etc.). Once he's done there, he will be allowed to come home! YAY!
He also made it on the news! If you check out the 26-second mark on this video clip, you will see Josh's not-so-smiling face (typical Josh - ha ha) when they pan around the airplane, right in front (he is not interviewed, but at least you can see him there as proof he did arrive in Wisconsin):
http://wcco.com/video/?id=28922@wcco.dayport.com
It is SUCH a relief to know he's back in the U.S. and it won't be much longer until he's HOME in Minnesota! Yay!
Wow - I read this and it sounds VERY VERY familiar: Mother, toddler await soldier's return from Iraq
Only Josh and I were married in July 2005 - today is actually our 2nd anniversary. It is also the 2nd one he's missed. (Last year, Josh sent me flowers with a note that said, "Next year will be better - I promise!" That was before the extension. Oops. He owes me one for that!)
I found out I was pregnant the day after he left for training down in Mississippi (although we had a hunch I was pregnant right before he left). He's only seen Amy for 2 weeks, back when she was 5 months old. She's changed a lot since then.
Now Amy is just over 13 months old. She can feed herself. She says UH OH and HI and WOOF WOOF (when she sees a dog) and VAROOM (when she sees a car - or NASCAR). Just this week, her very first tooth appeared! Dad missed out on all those firsts, but it seems like he may be back in time to catch her first steps. Amy can pull herself up and cruise pretty well while holding onto the coffee table or couch, but she can't quite get going on her own yet. Hopefully, she is saving that "first" for when Daddy comes home - which should be in the next few weeks.
Much like the family in the above article, we already have plans to vacation up north as a family (just Josh, Amy, and me). We didn't find a place that will let us stay for free, but at least they are willing to give us a military discount which is better than nothing.
It is an amazing feeling to know that he is probably on his way home somewhere in the world at this very moment. I don't know if he's left Iraq or if he's stuck in Kuwait or if he's actually in Wisconsin by now. I don't know where he'll have to stop on the way or how long it will take him to get from one place to the next. For security purposes, I'm not allowed to know the details. I just know that the end of this deployment is coming soon. And I am ready to have my husband - Amy's Daddy - home.
Well, summer's finally here.
Josh is preparing to head home. We expect him to be back in Minnesota by mid-August or so (give or take a week or two). He's registered for classes and is all set to return to the Carlson School this fall. We hope he'll be home in time to introduce Amy to the milk booth at the State Fair.
I am dealing with some medical problems but I'm hanging in there. I have a series of tests scheduled for next month. I hope to have some answers from my doctors before the end of July. We'll see...
And Amy won a photo contest! She was the MAY 2007 winner in the Robeez Monthly Photo Contest! She won a free pair of shoes! Check her out here: http://robeez.com/en-us/previouswinners.htm?PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US
I think that's about it from here! We're just taking it day by day, looking forward to when Josh will be home - which should be just around the corner!
Amy celebrated her 1st birthday today!
The latest on Amy's development:
- She can say MAMA and HI and EIEIO. (She loves saying HI and waving at people.)
- She still has no teeth.
- She is crawling everywhere and can crawl very fast!
- She can pull herself up and "cruise" (i.e. walk while holding onto stuff) around the room by herself.
- She can crawl up stairs!
- She nods, claps, and dances to music.
- She takes one or two 1-2 hour naps per day.
- She enjoys going out and meeting new people.
- She doesn't cry when Grandma and Grandpa come over to babysit and Mommy leaves.
- Her favorite foods are bananas, avacados, and whatever Mommy is eating.
- She's sleeping in her own crib, in her own room all the way through the night (9-10 hours in a stretch most nights).
- She doesn't use bottles anymore and enjoys drinking whole milk from her sippy cup.
- She likes to chase and toss her ball around, play with toys that make noise, and have books read to her. She will crawl over with a book in her hand when she wants you to read to her.
- Her favorite stuffed animals are her tiger, polar bear, spider, moose, and owly.
I really am a very lucky Mom! I had some medical problems earlier this month and even when I had to be in the hospital a few days, she was great for Grandma, Grandpa, and our friend, Theresa! I'm truly blessed to have such a great little kid! I can't wait for Josh to come home and share in the joy (notwithstanding the occasional stinky diaper).
Photo taken at the Camp Adder Memorial Wall
In April, Amy and I moved to a new apartment. If you are a family member or friend who wants our new contact info, please send me an email. (I don't want to post it here for privacy/security reasons.) It was exciting to move everything with a 10-month old crawling around, but we did it! I had lots of help from Josh's parents and from some friends.
Several veterans and college students from the group COMFORT FOR COURAGE at the University of Minnesota came over one Friday and moved ALL my furniture! That was really great! They wouldn't let me pay them for their services, so I highly encourage anyone who feels generous to donate to this group - they are doing great things for vets at the U and in our community! (Go to the group's website to find out how to make a donation: http://comfortforcourage.org)
Josh's deployment continues. He's registered for fall classes at the Carlson School, so that's a good sign that perhaps he will return before Labor Day. I'm hoping that he'll be able to take Amy to her first State Fair this year, but we'll see if he's home in time. For now, here's a photo of Josh taken a couple weeks ago near the Ziggurat of Ur:
As for Amy, she is crawling ALL over the place. She's pulling herself up using anything she can find. I expect her to take her first steps any day now. Her 1st birthday is at the end of the month! I've posted some videos of her on the web to share with family and friends.
- Amy crawling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_TIppx82r8
- Amy is ticklish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvQzYBvsPZA
That's the update from here! Now that moving is done and my spring semester class is over, I'll be spending my summer settling into the new apartment, getting Amy used to having her own room, and preparing for Josh's return!
Here is a photo from several weeks ago of Josh with another officer from his Brigade:
Not much new from Josh. Same ol', same ol' with him!
On the home front, we are mourning the loss of one of Josh's grandmothers. She passed away in Florida earlier this month. She was 92. She was very loved by all of us. We miss her very much.
In April, Amy and I are moving! Amy is getting bigger and more mobile and it is time that she had her own room! It will be quite the task to move everything here, but we hope to be settled into the new place before Josh returns at the end of the summer. That's all for now. Happy spring everyone!
February 27th is International Polar Bear Day! So be sure to hug your polar bear today!
Josh celebrates Polar Bear Day year-round, as you can tell here: The Iceblog
Ha ha ha.
This week, Josh was promoted! Here are some photos from the promotion ceremony:
Congratulations to Josh!
Josh recently visited a base north of his usual location. Here he is with a couple other soldiers standing in front of a mural on the base:
