Dear Emma,

I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday. Im sorry I cant be there for you on your special day. I am so sorry that I have a job that takes me away from you. But please know that I do this job for you. I do it so you can be safe and have all of your wants and needs in life. I do this so you can have the future that you want. I know you are too young to really understand what is going on but I promise you that I will make it up to you. I want you to know that I will ALWAYS be here for you and that I love you more than you could ever imagine.

Love, mom

Almost done..

It's FINALLY come to the end of my deployment. I am so ready to be home. This has been the longest 6 months of my life. Don't get me wrong, this has been a good learning experience for me and it was a big eye opener. I've learned alot about myself and about others.

I've had a few accomplishments out here. For example, I picked up Corporal, I re-enlisted, and I read the WHOLE Book of Mormon AND the New testament.

I am so looking forward to being home. I miss my husband and my little girl like you couldn't even imagine. I have big plans for us when I get back. I plan on being the best mom and wife I can be. I want us to start doing simple things like just going to a park or to the beach and just have more quality time together because it seems like our time together is always short. I also plan on learning new things. Like how to make home made bread and cinnamin rolls and things like that. So we will see how this all turns out when I get home.

Oh, I can NOT believe how big my Emma has got since I left! She has got so smart too!

Playing Marine

(sigh............) 40 days to go.........

MY AUNT KERI

Well my aunt keri is pretty much the best ever. she has done sooo much for me lately that i need to find a way to thank her.

1st off, she is more of like an older sister to me. she use to always do my hair, and give me her mand-me down clothes, and always take me school shopping. Keri always let me ride on the 4-wheeler with her so I wasnt left at the house by myself. She always helped me get ready for prom and for my wedding.

Keri has always been there for me, and i am so greatful for her. she was willing to step up and take care of Emma when i deployed. Even though she just had her second baby, she still wanted to help out. It is a big stress reliever knowing that Emma is in good hands.

So THANK YOU Keri for everything you have done and are doing right now for me.you will never know how much i apprieciate this. I LOVE YOU!

My Life In AFGHANISTAN

Well life over here isnt at all what I had expected. The environment is so different. Everything is the same ugly color. we started off living in tents and sleeping on cots, but then we moved into buildings called cans and now we have real beds with real mattresses. and its alot less dirty. We at least have running water so I am very thankful for that.

The food is good sometimes. it seems like the longer you are here, the better it gets.

We have to walk everywhere, which isnt too bad. (at least im staying in shape)Things arent too far spread apart so it not too much of an inconvinience. Its also pointless to try and stay cleane because its just not going to happen. we have to walk through moon dust and the stuff gets EVERYWHERE!

I dont do a whole lot of work. most days are extremely boring. and its gotten to the point that the High Mars and controlled detonitions and gun fire doesnt even phase me anymore. its just a natural thing for me now.

The only thing I really hate about being over here is how much I miss my family. It was so hard to leave Tj and Emma. and now our phone over here doesnt work so i've only been able to talk to them once this month for only like 5 minutes. you never realize how good we have it until you have to leave.

LEGOLAND

seeing how lego land was only like 15 minutes away from us, we decided to take Emma. we went with some of the guys i was deploying with and there wives. it was pretty neat to see everything built out of legos. it is definetaly a place for kids thats for sure. the aquarium was closed that day but its suppose to be really awsome.

4th of July in Idaho

It was really nice to go home for the 4th. I love being able to go spend time with all my family. I sure miss them all. This was a very fun week though. we took Emma for her very first ride on a horse. she was more amused with the saddle than the horse. We also aught a new trailer for Tj to live in. I wish I could have stayed.