Grass

I remember taking my kids to the park in Hawaii and meeting a family that had just moved to Hawaii the night before. The child (I can't remember if it was a he/she) was experiencing sand for the first time in his/her life. I enjoyed watching this child play for a few minutes. Then our family moved to Illinois and I saw my kids react to seeing snow for the first time in their lives. It took me back to that child in Hawaii at the park. Well last night I took my kids to a free concert that was held outside on our dentist's lawn. He just built his office and it is absolutely beautiful inside. What I never realized was how beautiful it was on the outside too, especially for Tucson, Arizona where it is all desert. The kids could care less about the country music group that was playing. All they cared about was running around barefoot on the nice, lush grass (and eating free hotdogs and popcorn.) It has only been a year, but you would think they had never seen grass before. I do miss grass (and the beach).

Yum!

The kids and I have been enjoying Mario's present that we gave him right before he deployed...a waffle-cone maker. When my friend, Lisa, was in town, she showed me how to make them even better...melted chocolate and nuts. I can't eat them without the chocolate and nuts anymore. I feel bad that we've used Mario's gift so many times without him. But, it makes a good dessert for compassionate service meals, etc. How many times has someone brought you homemade waffle-cones with a half gallon of ice cream? Erin and I made some today for dessert but the twins will have to wait until tomorrow to have theirs since they weren't reverent in Primary today. They told me they would have been reverent if they would have known we were making waffle-cones. I have often wondered if it is even a good punishment if we give it to them the next day anyway.

Come for a visit and we'll make you some waffle-cones with chocolate and nuts too!

Combat Training Part II

Hi Terri,

We're back safe.

Attached you'll find a couple pictures from yesterday's shooting event. I know it's hard to see in the pictures, but it was a very beautiful scene.

The training was pretty cool. We practiced turning and shooting. In other words, we walk in a line and the instructor yells out which way the enemy is and we all turn and shoot. It was definitely one of those times it was good to be able to delineate between left and right. We
also learned how to shoot using a vehicle as cover. We pull up, jump out, and start shooting over the hood, through the door jams, and around the doors.

While we were there, there were some shepherds close by tending their sheep. Some of the boys came to check out what we were doing, and to ask us for dollars mostly. They weren't one bit afraid of our weapons. The Marines with us shooed them off, but they kept coming back. Then
some Afghan Army soldiers drove up and notice the shepherd boys hanging around. The Afghan soldier drove to where they were, nearly running one of them over, got out and started beating the oldest boy, slapping him around. Of course, we all stopped shooting to watch. It was pretty weird. I've heard the Afghans, or Easterners in general, are a pretty violent and physical people and I've seen it for myself.

I love you,
Mario

Pedigree Dog Food Only

I found out the hard way that you should never give Buzz a pork bone. Every time I put my carpet cleaner away today, I had to get it back out. Finally I just left it out and then locked Buzz into the kitchen. He will be sleeping there tonight. I am glad it was me that gave him the bone and not the kids or Mario. I had no one to be mad at except myself today. Buzz will be on a strict Pedigree diet only for now on. I took a picture of the first mess and emailed it to Mario, but I will spare everyone reading my blog.

I really miss Mario especially when I have a mess like that to clean up. I told the kids they can't throw up until daddy gets home. He has always gotten up with the kids in the middle of the night and cleaned up the mess. I remember Mario following me into the bathroom about 13 years ago. He was cleaning up since I didn't make it to the bathroom in time. I felt so bad that he was so willing to clean up after me and that I am not so willing to clean up his messes. I can't remember him throwing up in our 16 years of marriage. He probably has but made it to the toilet in time. I do recall when we were dating and thinking about marriage, he said he wanted to see how I would treat him when he was sick. Fortunately he didn't get sick during our 5 month courtship or he may have not agreed to marry me!

Horseback Riding at the Grand Canyon

I recruited Missy and her kids to join us at the Grand Canyon in early June. I think I even talked Missy into going riding with Erin. I have a terrible fear of horses since falling off 6 years ago. I booked a room at a resort in Phoenix with a water-park so that should break up the long drive there. The kids and I are excited about our summer vacation. The best part will be getting through the summer so Mario can come home! We miss him so much. We are looking forward to our trip to San Diego with Mario in late September. Hopefully we can talk Grandma into joining because Zach loves his long beach walks with her.

I think Eric is awesome

he is so cool

Lisa and Jessie

I was thrilled when I got an email from my friend, Lisa, from Monterey asking if she could stay with us for the weekend. She was in town for a family wedding and reception. Her older girls were in Austria visiting Lisa's sister, so it would just be Lisa and Jessie. It was so nice to get the boys and Jessie together again. They played together often in California and frequently fought over who would get to marry Jessie (too bad she doesn't have a twin). We took the kids to a small indoor waterpark in Sierra Vista which is about an hour south of us. Then we went to church on Sunday and made a big dinner and played Settlers. It was so nice to see them and I hope we can visit again over the summer. We plan to meet them in San Diego in October again this year but maybe we can get together over the summer too. I like hanging out with Lisa. She is very relaxed and calm. I tend to not relax as much as I should so it is nice to hang out with people who have a calming effect on me. Thank goodness Mario has that effect on me too. (affect or effect? Too bad Eric isn't here to tell me which one to use.) I will post pictures of the Jessie, Nathan, and Zachary when Lisa emails them to me.

Good Morning

Mario has been gone for about 5 1/2 weeks now. So far, things have been running pretty smoothly and the time seems to be going pretty fast. Some days are obviously better than others and today is one of those good days. I wish the next 145+ days until Mario comes home would go as well as this morning. First thing this morning, I woke up to an email from Mario telling me that he will finally be able to Skype. Then I was greeted in bed by Zachary and Eric. Zachary tried to tell me that Eric had his time to "be my kid, now it was his turn." Eric and I got a good laugh. Then I went downstairs, Erin was up and showered and practicing the piano. Nathan and Zachary were busy at work writing postcards and letters to dad. Eric was busy styling his hair since he got a haircut yesterday. Erin was in a good mood so I enjoyed walking with her to her friends house up the street. I came back home and the boys (without being asked) were busy at work in their math workbooks. I looked in the family room where I was expecting to find a big mess from a clubhouse from yesterday. To my surprise, the boys had cleaned up the family room last night before going to bed.

What a great morning! Maybe I am dreaming and I am about to wake up to the normal chaos of getting ready for school in the morning. Or maybe the kids think its Mother's Day or my birthday. Whatever the reason, I will look back on this blog when the morning isn't going as well and remember that some days are better than others.

Golf-n-Stuff

To finish off Spring Break, I took the kids to Golf-n-Stuff. I don't usually take the kids to parks like this but they missed out on going last week when it was free for families of deployed military. Nathan was scared at first to try the bumper boats and the go-karts, but he quickly got over his fear. All the kids loved the golf, bumper boats, and go-karts.

Then it was time to leave and meet Lisa Trawick so we could bring Jessie home with us while Lisa attended a wedding reception. I overheard Nathan saying he wanted to kiss Jessie. There will be none of that for my 6-year-old.

Email 3/19/10

Terri,

Hey, do you recall that I was asked to speak in Sacrament meeting today? Well, do you remember that High Council speaker in our ward a few months ago that misplaced his notes and got stuck and flustered. He kept repeating, over and over again that he lost his notes for about the whole time he was allotted to speak. Well, guess what happened to me... No, just kidding. I remembered to take them. I think the talk went well. I'll be sure to keep the talk and recycle it when I get back if the Bishopric asks me to speak. I've attached it if you'd like to read it.

So, when does Eric go on the temple trip? Many times I think of going to the temple with you and sitting in the celestial room. It's one of those things that I look forward to doing with you. I also like when I'm sitting in the endowment session and look over at you and catch you checking me out. Just like when you were checking me out at West Palm Beach 16 years ago. I remember it vividly.

I made my first purchase at the Camp Eggers bazaar today. It's a little pocket knife similar to the one I always carry back home. I brought that knife, but since it has sentimental value to me, don't want to carry it. I'm afraid that with the putting on and taking off my battle gear I'll lose it. The new one I got today says Gerber (it's a knock off) just like mine, but has a wooden handle. Pretty nice! I talked the vendor down to $3 and then he didn't have change for my $20 bill so he gave it to me for free. I insisted on leaving it and getting it next week but he was adamant I take it. Grant, my home teacher, says it's their culture to give you the item if they don't have change. Relationship is much more important that money. Next week I'll go with a $100 bill and see how much free stuff I can get. Just kidding. I plan to take the vendor his money next week.

I love you very much. Check out the picture of me with another dog. The Lt in the photo works for me... very good guy. There is also a picture of us checking our truck before we leave the compound. It looks like we could put some good captions on this one to make it funny.

Love,
Mario

Grand Canyon

I made reservations for a vacation to the Grand Canyon in early June. The kids are excited about a KOA cabin. They have such fond memories from the one we stayed at near Palmyra. Erin's dream is to go horseback riding at the Grand Canyon but the boys aren't old enough. So she may not get to do that, but I am sure we can find another fun activity. I wish Mario could join us but we can always go again with him.

Spring Break in Florida

The kids and I returned last night from our Spring Break in Florida. It was so nice to see the cousins get together. Unfortunately they don't get to see each other often since we live so far away. We chose the right week to go because the weather was beautiful most of the days. Unfortunately the water was still very cold but the kids enjoyed it anyway. We stayed at Melissa's home this time and she tried hard to make us feel at home. I am sure it wasn't easy having so many extra people in her home especially when Josh works nights and needs to sleep during the day. It is nice that Missy and my mom live on the same street and we can walk between the houses. My mom worked hard making meals for us every night. I am surprised I only gained 2 or 3 pounds during that 10 days. I don't usually eat such big meals and big desserts each night. Unfortunately, now I have to go back to doing all the cooking and cleaning.

The first night, we went to Billy's house for swimming (he heated the pool) and pizza. It was so nice to see his family since most of my kids haven't seen them for years. Zach was the only one that saw them last year at Poppie's funeral. Billy and Kristen spent a lot of time with us during our stay which I really appreciate since I know they are extremely busy. Erin got to have a couple sleepovers with Gabriella. That was a real treat since we don't do sleepovers. But we made an exception for cousins. Erin spent every night except one at Grandmas. I think she enjoyed helping Nonnie and Grandma in the kitchen and getting away from all the boys at Missy's house.

Tuesday we went to the Venice Beach and had some pictures taken. The kids didn't cooperate too well but they had fun looking for sharks teeth on the beach. Wednesday we went boating in Venice. I loved the boat ride because it was nice and slow. The kids got to play on a small island for a long time too. I miss not living close to a beach.

We went to the mall and Eric and Erin saw Alice and Wonderland. Nathan wanted to see it and when I told him that Eric said it would be too scary, he responded with, "Eric thinks Dora is scary!" He was trying to prove a point to me that Eric isn't a good judge of scariness. I didn't give in. Friday was pretty yucky weather and I don't even remember what we did that day.

Saturday we were supposed to go boating, but couldn't because of a small craft advisory. So we went to Ponce de Leon park and had a bbq with the whole family (minus Charlie, Margareth, and Mario) instead. The kids enjoyed running around the park even though it was pretty windy. Here is a picture of all 8 cousins.

On Sunday, we went to church and then took the kids to a little park to play. Then we had a big dinner together and celebrated Nonnie's 90th birthday early since we won't be there on her real birthday, March 20. Plane tickets were way to expensive to fly back any later than March 17.

On Monday, we went to Englewood Beach. Zachary has been looking forward to a long beach walk with Grandma. That was his favorite part of San Diego 6 months ago. So they walked over 2 miles collecting shells while Nonnie and I watched Nathan and Justin play at the beach. They played so nicely together. We found that 2 get along a lot better than 3. That statement that three is a crowd is definitely true when it comes to Nathan, Zach, and Justin.

On Tuesday, my Aunt Carol flew in. Billy took the kids, Nonnie, Carol, Grandma, and I back to Venice beach for a boat ride and tubing. Eric, Erin, and Zachary enjoyed the tubing. Nathan begged for Erin and Zachary to get off of it. He was very nervous for them. He never mentioned being scared for Eric. I found that kind of funny. Billy was a good sport and took the kids boating even though it was windy and cold. The kids had a great time even though they were thrown into very cold water.

On Wednesday, we endured 12 hours of travel time to get back to Tucson. All the flights went well and the kids were pretty good. It was nice to crawl into bed last night after rushing to get Buzz from the kennel, unpacking, paying bills, going through the mail, and waiting for Mario's call. I think I fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.

We appreciate all the sacrifices everyone made to make our visit enjoyable.

Soviet Bone Yard

Here's a picture to prove Mario really is in the military. For 12 years, we have been so fortunate to have Mario home with us. It was almost like he wasn't even in the military. But this picture is proof that he really is Air Force.

This picture was taken at a Soviet tank bone yard. These are the remnants of the tanks the Soviet Union rolled through Afghanistan in the 1980's when they were occupying the country.

A Crack on My Seat

Hi Terri,

I found a chair yesterday. There is an ironing board by the bathroom on which people put things they don't want anymore. Generally, there are books and magazines on the board. Occasionally I find snacks or toiletries. Well, yesterday there was a chair next to it. I took it.

It's a plain chair, made of wood with a maple finish. There is a small crack in the middle of the seat that threatens to compromise its structural integrity if it gets much bigger. I put it by my bed. There isn't much room for it and it makes it a little difficult to open my cabinet. I sat on it, lining up the cracks. Mostly I stack things on it, such as other items I've claimed from the donation area.

I also put the Ensign on it. Now I can see it and it will remind me to read. I should read the First Presidency message first. I've been assigned a home teaching route. Not even war excused the priesthood from home teaching. There is only one brother on my route. He works in my office. I see him about 12 hours a day, every day. To make sure I know how well he is doing, I will schedule an appointments with him, turn my chair about 90 degrees, and share a message with him. Interestingly enough, he is my home teacher as well. This should be easy. One month he makes the appointment and I give the message. The next month we'll switch off. We should both be 100% on home teaching.

I wonder if watching a movie together counts for home teaching. We're watching Miracle right now. I'm sure you've heard of this movie. It's about the 1980 Winter Olympic gold medal bid by a young US hockey team. I think I've seen it. The whole office is watching it. They're very excited. If I'm home teaching now and non-members are present I think this counts as missionary work.

Missionary work is important. I invited a guy in my tent to come to church. He said he has a friend that used to be a witch and worshiped the devil. Why do people think of witches and devil worshiping when I invite them to church? He respectfully declined my invitation. He moved out of the tent the next day. He never even got to see my new chair.

I love you,
Mario

Cereal for Dinner

Hi Terri,

I hope b-ball went well for the boys. I hope they were able to finally break the tie.

I wasn't terribly hungry for dinner so when I got there and saw the slop, I opted for cereal. They have small containers of soy milk and tons of pre-packaged cereal bowls. Most are sugar cereals, but I found special-K and honey nut cheerios. I happened to walk in at the same time the district presidency was there and they invited me to sit with them. Apparently they have their presidency meetings on Saturday nights (in lieu of dates with there spouses).

Two of the three have been here for years. They're contractors and not involuntarily sent. I don't get it. I would never leave my family for years voluntarily. Anyway, they are very cool and dedicated.

We met a dog in the parking lot. It wouldn't get out of the driveway when we were coming back in. So, I just rolled forward to shew him along. He moved, but slowly. At a couple points I couldn't see him I was so close. He finally moved. When we got out he came up to us and
he reminded me of Buzz. His movement, ears tucked back, sitting and begging while wagging his tail, and he was about the same size. Tell Buzz I miss him too.

It was a good day. I'll be sleeping in tomorrow morning just a bit. I'll call you at about 9:00 your time.

I love you and miss you very much.

I love you,
Mario

Droid Eris

I have given up hope that Verizon will get the iPhone anytime soon. I am unwilling to give up Verizon's network for AT&T's. So I caved into the advertising and bought a Droid Eris. It took a lot of convincing for me to believe it would be as good, if not better than iPhone. But now that I have had it a few days, I am not seeing anything that makes the Droid inferior. I am really liking it. When I told Mario about the barcode scanner, he asked if he could get one too. I love it! I even wrote this blog on my phone.

Memory Loss

I think I gave away all my memory and thinking skills to my kids through the umbilical cord. Since having children, I no longer have a good short-term memory. I no longer balance my checking account down to the penny. My kids are always asking me if I remember something. Of course, I don't. They often get upset with me when I forget things. But I try to tell them, don't blame me, it is actually their fault for taking it all from me when I was pregnant with each of them. Maybe I should have taken my prenatal vitamins after all!

The four of them have such good memories. Eric could tell you details from a book that he read years ago. I can't even remember details from a movie I watched last week. Erin memorizes every phone number that she hears. I just recently memorized my sister's phone number that I have been calling for years. I still couldn't tell you Eric and Erin's cell phone numbers. Zachary is always recalling memories from a year or two ago. I recently found out that Nathan is no different. We had to change our alarm code on our house after Nathan paid attention and memorized it (probably not a good idea to have a 6-year-old running around the neighborhood knowing the code and not knowing that he shouldn't share it with everyone...he didn't do this, but I could imagine him telling a friend.) Then when I was at Verizon the other day, I had to give the employee my password for the account. I didn't think Nathan was paying attention (because he was acting liking a monkey and not behaving at all). But hours later, without saying a word to me beforehand, Nathan decided to try my password from Verizon on my ipod touch. I have to lock the ipod because the kids will get on it all day long if I don't. Imagine his and the other 3 kids' excitement when he tried my password and it worked. It wasn't an easy pattern to memorize so I was shocked. It was even more shocking that he put it together that I may use the same password for multiple things. Darn it! Now I have to go change all my passwords because all four of my kids know it now.

I just remembered something that Eric often forgets and that is too take out the trash!

Missions

Mario must have a lot of time on his hands to think about the future and what he wants. In our phone conversation today, he was asking me if I would be ok with serving missions about every 3 years once our kids all leave home. It is a bit early for me to commit to something like that already. I told him that I definitely want to serve a mission, but wasn't sure about every 3 years. Also, we don't know what will be going on with our kids at that time. Who knows, Erin may get her wish and have triplets just at the three year mark and time for us to leave again on missions. I told Mario that leaving at a time like that wouldn't be a good idea. He made me laugh when he said, I think it sounds like the perfect time to leave. Maybe he's right!

Anyway, I look forward to serving missions with Mario. I am sure we will serve many considering how much Mario is looking forward to it. We may even leave for one at the same time as my twins. Maybe that would distract me and I wouldn't cry everyday about the empty nest. Not a bad idea the more I think about it.

It seems like the more days Mario is gone, the more I miss him. I got all choked up in our family morning prayer today. Then when I was hanging up from him, I got really sad so he called me right back. I am grateful that his is only a 6 month deployment. Mario was telling me that his slot will become a year remote after he leaves. I think maybe Heavenly Father sent him now so that he wouldn't have to do the 1 year, at least not for awhile. Mario is trying to get the year credit from this one since his orders have him there for 181 days. Anything over 180 counts for a short tour I guess and puts you on the bottom of the list to go on a year remote. So hopefully Mario will never have to do a year remote but we never know. The Air Force is starting to do a lot more 1 year remotes.