Don't Watch the News

Everyone gives me the same advice, "Don't watch the news." Last night while checking the news online, I saw that there were 2 huge explosions and heavy gunfire in Kabul. Eric quickly yelled at me for reading the news. I wasn't worried because the news made no mention of Mario's camp. But when Mario called a few minutes later, he was surprised I didn't mention it. He told me, "You might hear about an explosion here in Kabul, but I am fine." He said it woke him up and he had to report to his office immediately.

It's been a tough week for Mario. His office is overcrowded. I think it went from 2 guys to 7 or 8. So there isn't sufficient computers, desks, chairs, etc. They had to start working 12 hour shifts and having a day shift and a night shift just so they had some space to work. Mario wanted to see both shifts so he was going to try to work 10 am to 10 pm. But that only lasted one day. He hated it. So he is back to the 8 am to 8 pm shift. It would have been nice if he were on the night shift so then we'd be awake the same hours. But his commander wanted him on the day shift since he is the OIC. Mario is tired and not feeling well. He is cold at night in a tent and apparently 1 of the 13 of his roommates doesn't like the heat on.

Mario got our first package and is asking for more. I really don't know what to send. I offered to order a desk and chair off Amazon.com and have it shipped to him. Then he could just bring his personal little Acer computer into work and set up his little work station. He got a laugh (only time I have heard him laugh since he left.) He suggested maybe some big white buckets, one for a chair, one for a desk. Hopefully his shop will get a new office next month. But with the increase of troops, their new office may have to get converted into sleep quarters. I also hope that Mario gets a container soon, last I heard, he was 29th on the wait-list.

Battleship

Yesterday when I was cleaning out the game closet, I came across the game Battleship. I was surprised to find that it was rated for ages 7 and up. I thought about pulling it out and showing the twins how to play since they will be approaching 6 1/2 soon. But then I remembered how much I don't enjoy playing games with young kids. I know that is terrible to say, but it is so much more fun to play with Eric and Erin who don't require any assistance and they can play adult games. So I quickly shoved the game back into the closet and thought to myself, "I will wait until next year to teach them."

But then Zach asked me the dreaded question this morning, "Will you play a game with me?" Since my kids have become addicted to electronics lately, I felt that I should play a game with them so they don't ask to play with my ipod, the computer, or wii. So I asked what game. He responded with Life. Oh my gosh, I hate that game. It is so much more complicated than what I remember as a kid. You have to stop to pick a career, then a salary, then get married, then buy a house, etc. I have played it a few times with the kids but it is not fun with 6-year-olds. So that is when I remembered the Battleship game from yesterday. The boys were excited to try a new game...best part was that it is only a 2 player game. So I figured I could teach them and then walk away. I helped with the first game and then walked away while they started their second game. It didn't take long before Nathan tried to cheat. He decided he didn't want to play anymore so Zach asked if I would play. I admit, I wasn't excited about it. But it actually was really fun. I thought that I would destroy Zach in the game because I had a good strategy. Apparently Zach's was much better than mine, because he "killed" me. He had sunk all 5 of my ships in the time it took me to sink 2 of his. So much for my "no-fail" strategy.

What's wrong with this picture?

Mario put up this great pot rack for my pots and pans. Unfortunately he uses it for a dryer for his Camelbak also. Mario doesn't do much to annoy me, but this really irritates me because he leaves it there for days to dry. Now Eric seems to have followed in his father's footsteps. I can punish Eric though. Hehehe (as Nathan would say)

Braces

Well, I have had my braces for about 8 months now. I have no regrets other than I should have done this years ago.

Today was an exciting day for me. Dr. Leber filed down the rough edges. He asked me if he could do the top teeth too even though I don't have braces on top. I can't believe the difference that it made. My teeth are straight and now they are working on evening out the bottoms and also my bite. I wish I could get them off before Mario comes homes in August, but it probably won't be until closer to Christmas. But it is not bad because the only time I remember that I have braces is after I have eaten and I can feel the food stuck in them.

Quiet Sacrament Meeting

Let me start out by saying I would rather teach a child to read than teach him/her how to tie shoes. That has always seemed like a task that is better left to Mario. But with him gone and one 6 year-old still not tying shoes, it was left to me to teach Zach. For some reason Zach chose Sacrament meeting to learn. I looked over and noticed him practicing. So I tried to quickly show him the "bunny ear" method. That is not the way I learned but I assumed it was the easiest. He just was not getting it. But he was very quiet (unfortunately not reverent) while practicing over and over again. Finally I decided to teach him my method (the right-handed way and Zach's left-handed) and he got it right away. He spent the rest of the meeting perfecting his new skill. Hurray! No more tying shoes.

On separate notes, Eric is the new Deacon's Quorum President and our ward has a new starting time...8 am. Thank goodness I am a morning person.

Countdown

Crazy day today. I needed to be in 3 places at once. So my twins missed out on a Chuck E Cheese party. Before you feel too sorry for them, we have been there at least 5 times in the last 8 months.

Only 176 days, 4245 hours, 254729 minutes, and (the twins favorite one) 15283761 seconds until Mario leaves Kabul. One day when I figure out how to put a countdown clock on my blog, I will.

As far as seconds goes, my twins are constantly asking me how many seconds in a year, or 10 years, or 100 years, etc. I never know, so I am not sure why they keep asking. I can't wait until they learn how to multiple and they can figure it out themselves. By then, I am sure they will lose interest.

Friday

I just wanted to let you know I beat you in our race to "legally" bring a firearm into sacrament meeting. Church was a blast (Mario had to explain that this was meant as a pun because of them all packing heat at church. Despite what he says, I am not planning to carry a firearm to church.) There is a small group of us but everyone is super friendly.

I upgraded my room to a hard billet. That means I'm now in an actual building and out of the tent. I felt only a slight inkling of injustice when I was packing up and moving out when there were a few others in the tent that have been there for weeks. But you know me, I don't settle and I was very assertive. Really, the NCO I helped get on base yesterday felt inbebted and managed to find an open bunk for me. He also helped me drag my bags over to the new room. I no longer have to walk through mud to get to the latrine. A good example of taking care of the troops and they'll take care of you. The new room, however, is packed with almost 30 of us in an area the size of our family room (with our luggage too). I feel bless to have it.

I had the thickest cheese burger of my life today. I also had a large bowl of dark chocolate ice cream; Baskin Robins, no less. I can't wait for another bowl after dinner.