Birthday

I threatened to cancel my birthday yesterday. I figured that I should just wait to celebrate when Mario gets home so I won't be disappointed if the kids misbehave. But Erin was excited to bake me a cake (the kids threw a fit when I told them that we would just order one at the restaurant. They wanted homemade, ugly cake since they said "It tastes much better than bought cake." Erin made the cake and then asked if she could decorate it with horses (like Mario did for her birthday cake last August.)

When I woke up this morning, there was a note slipped under my door that asked me to not come downstairs until at least 6 am. When I finally came out, this is what I found:

Mario had sent streamers in my care package. So Erin decorated the house and she baked some popovers for breakfast. That was her first time making them and they came out perfect. I had never had a popover before but I loved them especially with the honey butter that she prepared. Mario called during breakfast and his whole office sang Happy Birthday to me.

After breakfast, the kids gave me my gifts. I kept telling them that all I really wanted was for them to get along and do what I asked without complaining. I guess giving me other gifts is easier. Nathan gave me Eric's Pooh Bear from when Eric was a baby and a picture he colored. Zachary gave me a teddy bear from an Easter party and a picture he colored, and a painted rock. Erin is making her gift at school but it isn't done yet. Eric asked if he could take me to Subway for lunch. Then I opened the much anticipated present from Mario. He sent me a necklace with green stones and an Omega watch. They were gifts from the "Exotic Asian Bazaar" in Afghanistan. Of course the watch was a knock-0ff (they sell Rolex brand too so if anyone wants a Rolex, let me know) but still very nice. The necklace was very nice too.

The big kids practiced piano without complaints. Erin emptied the dishwasher and the boys helped me with the laundry. The twins helped me pull weeds in the front yard and the only complaint came from Nathan when he told me that "We are supposed to do fun things on your birthday."

So now I am off to take the boys to school and pick up Eric so he can take me to Subway for lunch. I was teasing him this morning and asked him if I could get a soda and chips with my sub too since he always asks me for those things when I take him to lunch. What begins as a $5 lunch turns into an $8 or $9 lunch.

Mario has sent me at least a half dozen emails with different titles trying to trick me. Then when I open them, they all say Happy Birthday all over them. Very sweet and I fall for them every time.

I guess I am glad I didn't cancel my birthday. I will post later if the kids keep up the sweetness this afternoon and evening.

Update...The kids and I enjoyed a delicious (and cheap) meal at Texas Roadhouse. I had a coupons for 2 free kids meals and a free appetizer. Plus if you eat before 6 pm, the adult meals are only $7.99. The waitress brought out a saddle and made me sit on it while they sang a birthday song. After dinner, we came home and ate Erin's very yummy chocolate cake. I am so full now that I don't want to move. Someone will have to roll me up the stairs to bed.

It was a great day and I look forward to Mother's Day.

Acupuncture Appointment

I wondered the whole time I was driving to my appointment if acupuncture could really work. I read reviews on the internet. I found a lot of believers as well as many skeptics. But I already know that you can't believe everything you read. So I tried to go in with an open mind. I figured worse case scenario...I was out $60. But could that really be the worst case scenario? I found myself thinking back to the time that I had Erin. All my friends wanted me to get the epidural. They told me how they each had several and no complications. I reluctantly agreed to one and then had the needle hit the wrong spot and pain shoot through my leg. Then I had to lay down for a week and pray I didn't get the spinal headache. It took a couple weeks for me to walk normal again. Needless to say, I am a little nervous when having medical procedures.

I went in, answered several questions and the dr wrote down my answers in Chinese. So I have no idea what she wrote. Then she told me to lay on the table. That is when I informed her that in the past, I had been terrified of needles. I think after four kids, I am a bit more brave...at least I hope so. She told me to take a deep breath and then she stuck a needle in my hand. Then after more deep breaths, she stuck me in each foot, the right knee, and then about 6 needles in my left knee. I was really wishing I could reach my phone to take a picture. I could barely feel the needle go in. It felt more like someone had just touched me. The dr then attached some wires to the needles in my knee. She called it "electric steam." Then she put a lamp of some sort of my knee. The dr then asked me to close my eyes and relax. I could feel some pressure in my knee, but it wasn't too uncomfortable. I could have taken a nap if I was laying on my stomach. The treatment lasted about 45 minutes and then when she was done, she removed the needles, checked my knee for inflammation, and then rubbed some kind of oil on it. She told me that my knee was pretty swollen and that I should take a vitamin supplement to help lubricate the joints, I shouldn't lift anything heavy, and to get plenty of rest...don't walk on it more than necessary.

So, being the absolute worse patient, I took my kids to the zoo today. My knee is feeling about 80% better than it was on Wednesday when I could barely walk. But I'll see how it feels tomorrow after not following directions. I did buy the vitamin supplement and began taking those. So that should count for something.

I have no idea if acupuncture will work. I have to see her once a week for the next 4 weeks, so maybe I will know more after those 4 treatments. I am a little more optimistic after reading that the military has started using acupuncture to treat injured soldiers. Maybe it is becoming a little more mainstream.

Birthday Care Package

Mario told me that he sent me a care package for my birthday but that I couldn't open it until my birthday. Mario and I both hate surprises so we often give each other our gifts early. But since he is not here, I didn't think that I could talk him into opening it early. Today when it arrived I was very curious what could be in the box and wondered if I could possibly wait until next Wednesday to open. But upon further inspection, I noticed a US Customs form. Listed on the form are the contents of the package...candy, dvd's, and watch. Then under the total value, it says $10. I didn't know they had a Dollar Store in Afghanistan.

Acupuncture

I guess you know I am desperate for a solution to my knee problems when I resort to needles. My walking partner is from Taiwan and she recommended that I give acupuncture a try. She said that it helped with problems she was having with her ankle. If you would have asked me 15 years ago if I would try acupuncture, I would have laughed. But now after giving birth to four kids, how bad could it be? I have an appointment tomorrow so I will update you on how it went.

Immobile Again

I re-injured my knee (same knee-third time) last night. I am not sure how since I haven't done anything strenuous recently. But today I am able to move around the house with about the same amount of ease as when I was 9 months pregnant with my twins. Ugh! Last year when I injured my knee for the second time, I had Mario around to bring me breakfast in bed and take care of all the household chores and kids. Now that he is gone, I have Zachary to take his place. Nathan doesn't believe a knee injury should keep me from making him cinnamon toast for breakfast. Zachary gladly said he would do it for me. Zach has been my little assistant this morning and I am very grateful for such a compassionate son. I just wish he could drive and take care of all my errands today. Mario thinks I should just cancel everything including take the boys to school today. I have to make dinner for someone that just had twins last week. Thank goodness Erin will be able to cook for me.

I called the doctor and because several doctors are deployed, I can't be seen on base. They wanted to send me to urgent care which is pointless because urgent care will tell me to take Motrin, rest, and see my regular doctor as soon as possible. I told the apt line that it was a waste of my time to go to urgent care. So they said they would send me a referral in about 4 days so I can call a doctor off-base when I receive my referral. So maybe sometime in May I will get to see a doctor. If this is any indication of what life is going to be like under Obama, than I can only pray for a change in government soon. I am going to push hard for the surgery this time so I can have this torn meniscus taken care of once and for all. I am just not sure how to have knee surgery while Mario is deployed. Recovery would be impossible.

I did get some good news today. An NCO in Mario's office told him today that Air Force can't keep them in Afghanistan for longer than 193 days. So Mario should be leaving a few days earlier than I thought. I think he has to depart by August 26. So if flights are quick, he may make it home by last day of August. I won't hold my breath. At any time these regulations could change.

Mario's New Employment

Terri,

At the same time the US has been telling me my service might not be needed and the AF is threatening to cut me from the service, I've been feeling like I can do much more here for Afghanistan. I keep looking for a way to get more involved in the fight against the insurgency. I
finally found a way to stay employed. I joined the Afghan National Security Forces. The first picture is me in the ranks. I'm now ready to kill Taliban!

Well, as you know, fate dictates my path. After the Afghan generals noticed my commitment and eagerness, they immediately promoted me to Brigade Commander. The second picture is me giving the troops a motivational speech before we deployed to the front line. I'm not sure
how much they understood since I only know a few Dari words and they only speak a few English words.

Salam Malekum,
MARIO "Mohammed" PEREZ, Colonel, ANSF
Commander, 4th Mountain Brigade

Graffiti in Afghanistan

I had the opportunity to teach my boys about graffiti as we watched the maintenance man clean the skate park yesterday. I told them that it was wrong to write all over something like that. Then today, these are the pictures Mario sends me.

Here's the message with the pictures.

"Isn't that romantisy (Erin's made-up word) of me to write a love note to you for the world to see?"

Care Package

Terri,

I got your cards; one from Nathan, one from Zachary, and one from you. None from Eric or Erin (zero). Zach's is cute. He said "hav a nise deploment." It's weird that I still haven't gotten your care package. I was starting to think the mail stopped coming, but then I noticed everyone else is getting packages. They look so happy.

Thanks for writing.

Love,
Mario

1 Year Anniversary and Google

Today marks our one year anniversary of being in Tucson. I remember this day well last year. We started off the day at Sea World in San Diego. We left about lunch time and grabbed some fast food on the way out of town. Then we drove 7 or 8 hours to Tucson and arrived at the Davis Monthan AFB inn around 8 pm that night. The next day we started looking for rental houses and just when I had given up on finding a house for the day, I came across a little sign written on a Subway box at a busy intersection. That is how we came to find our great house. We signed another year contract on it so we should be here for at least one more year but hopefully longer if we are still in Tucson.

On a separate note, my boys discovered Google today (I wonder if one of the big kids taught them.) So now they are having fun googling all their interests. I am not sure I like their new hobby. No telling what they will find. I better keep a close watch.

Silly Game

Here's a video of my kids playing a silly game where you spray someone in the face if they give you a wrong answer. I declined the invitation to play (for obvious reasons!) They were teaching Eric's friend Matt the game. You can see in the background how my family room looks like a tornado went through. Also, you get to hear my twins and their potty humor. I don't know what

to do with those two.

Lego Day

I came to the conclusion yesterday that I need to stop worrying about this whole reduction in forces thing with the Air Force. Stressing about it won't change it, so what is the point. I really hope that we are able to stay in because I have really enjoyed the last 12 years. I told Mario last night that while I will support whatever decision he makes, at this point, my vote is to stay (if he doesn't get cut.) I have decided to focus all my attention on the kids and get through this deployment as best we can (We can focus on the RIF if and when it happens.) Nathan seems to be struggling the most with Mario's absence. He has been misbehaving a little more and often asks when Mario is coming home. I asked Nathan what he misses most and he said playing Legos with dad. I committed right then to play Legos with him. So this morning, after schoolwork, the boys and I headed to the skate park so Zach could ride his skateboard. Then we spent the remainder of the day, that they weren't in school, organizing and playing Legos. We are trying to put together all of the old sets. I can't remember a more fun day. I have really enjoyed my time with the boys today. With all the attention I am giving them, there hasn't been any fighting. It has been a great day! I am so lucky to be a stay-at-home mom. I need to show my appreciation by making my kids (and not the computer) the top priority. It really doesn't matter that my family room looks like a tornado hit it. It really doesn't matter that I haven't read the news today. I will have plenty of time to keep a clean house and to read the news. Actually, maybe not if I am lucky enough to have lots of grandkids!

Pictures from Kabul

Mario's office...Mario is in the back by the wood. He says the wood is where a window is supposed to be but the army doesn't like windows. From his tone, I am not sure Mario likes the army very much.

Ruins of Queen's Palace

Easter

Here are some pictures from Saturday at the Easter Egg Hunt at Purple Heart Park. Nathan really wanted a picture with the Easter Bunny. I think he was scared of him when he was younger. Also, pics from our traditional Easter Bunny cake, and the boys in their new Easter suits. Zachary has been begging for a suit for at least a year. I was trying to hold him off, but when the suits went on sale at Sears, I decided to get all three boys new suits. Nathan and Zachary are so excited about their new suits that they are wearing them to Sister Park's house today to watch conference.

2 more weeks

I found out today that the commander over Mario likes to extend everyone's deployment by 2 more weeks. Time to change my countdown on my blog . Only good news to this is that he will definitely get his short tour credit.

Inspirational Thoughts by President Hinckley

As I was searching for Mario's Patriarchal blessing today, I found a quote that he carries with him in his binder. It was a quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley. I can see why Mario carries this quote with him. It is obvious to me that he tries very hard to live by this advice:

"Let us not live in a life that would bring regret. It is not going to matter very much how much money you made, what kind of house you lived in, what kind of car you drove, the size of your bank account---any of those things. What is going to matter is that dear woman who has walked with you side by side as your companion through all of the years of life and those children and grandchildren and their faithfulness and their looking to you with respect and love an deference, and kindness."

"The only things you will take with you, when all is said and done, are your family relationships. God bless us to be good fathers, good parents, and good husbands to our good wives."

Reduction in Forces

The military is looking for 30 percent of the 42 Communications officers that were commissioned in 1998 to voluntarily separate. If they don't get enough officers to volunteer, they will have to cut them. If you volunteer, you get twice the severance pay. Mario is fairly confident that he wouldn't get cut because of his dual career fields, 2 Master's degrees, IDE credit from NPS, and his deployment credit. But he sees this as possibly an opportunity to separate and not face the chance of frequent deployments over the next 7 or 8 years. He feels (and rightly so) that these next 8 years are highly crucial to our children and he wants to be around even if it means forfeiting his retirement. So he is contemplating volunteering to separate. There is no guarantee that they will accept it because he still owes 2 more years from NPS. So we probably wouldn't get the full severance pay. So the money offered really isn't a factor in the decision.

I have such mixed emotions. I don't see how he will possibly find a job on the outside making what he makes in the military (especially considering all the benefits and retirement.) But on the other hand, I wouldn't mind moving to Florida and having the guarantee that he will not have to deploy ever again. Every single active duty officer in his office is deploying this year. The Air Force is starting to do more frequent year long deployments too. The thought of Mario leaving us for a year is almost unbearable. But I know we would make it through and be stronger in the end. I know we could make it through separating also, but it will take a lot more faith. It also would make us stronger. But I worry that we will have regrets down the road.

Best case scenario for me if we separate is for Mario to get a job at South Com in Northern Miami. It would be nice if he could get a job similar to what he was doing here in Tucson because he likes it so much. We just have to find a job opening. I am grateful for fasting and prayer. I can't imagine making this big decision without the knowledge that we can have help from our Heavenly Father.

Kindergarten One Mile Run

The kindergarten has been practicing for the one mile run for months now. I sometimes forget to send the kids in tennis shoes on days they practice (oops! I am sure the teacher hates parents like me.) They finally had the official run yesterday and the boys begged me to come watch. I always forget my camera, but fortunately I had my new phone with me.

I was so excited when I saw Zachary take the lead after the first 1/4 mile. So when he got to the half way point, I figured I should run with him to encourage him to keep going. I had earlier planned to run with Nathan to keep him motivated (he usually comes home and tells me he walks the run.) Zachary won the race and while I was busy congratulating him, I almost missed Nathan run in third place. The last time I saw Nathan, he was in the middle of the pack. So I was so impressed that he passed so many people and kept running. Way to go boys!

They don't usually dress as twins to school, but it was a chilly day and they needed warm clothes. Those are the only comfortable pants and jackets that they have for running. So they got to be twins for the day. I miss the days when they dressed alike everyday.