Almost Home

I regret missing last week but I was in the midst of final goodbyes and final packing. Sunday was my last full day on the New Embassy Compound; I started it like I did all summer- with an early trip to the gym, breakfast to go and heading to the pool with Candace. We enjoyed our poolside brunch, a little lounging and then our last sidestroking session. The only thing different from our other Sundays was a duck and cover alarm just after our swim- we hit the deck but thankfully nothing else did. We had always thought of the pool as our escape from Baghdad so it was a bit of a bummer. Still, my real escape was only one day away so we shared a laugh as we huddled on the deck and waited for the all clear. Candace is only a week behind me, and if I am lucky, I can get her to Columbus sometime for a visit.

Late Sunday afternoon, I joined my Energy Services Division colleagues for our awards ceremony presided over by our J9 Director, MG Buchanan. Once you hit your awards ceremony you know you are close to leaving so it is a major milestone of sorts to reach. The majority of our division departs before the end of July, with just two remaining as Liaison Officers to the Embassy until the end of their tours. I was awarded the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. MG Buchanan introduced me with an Ohio State football dig, followed by some kind and generous comments, he then posted the award (meaning we came to attention and the award was read) and then turned over to the me for my comments. I took the opportunity to remind him of another football related memory- the time my forehead met his nose. We all enjoyed a laugh (yes, even him) before I went on to sincerely thank my leadership and colleagues for a really rewarding joint, inter-agency experience. I also shared how grateful I was for what I have come to think of as my mid-life reflection.

Early on, I jokingly referred to this mobilization as my "Mom Sabbatical". No dirty dishes, no family laundry, no house to clean...that was all positive and I embraced it. But of course so much was missed this past year and that is the true sacrifice. I can't help but feel like I have kind of lost a year of Noah and Amelia's life. That may sound overly dramatic, and with our almost daily phone calls and weekly skype dates- I am incredibly grateful to have stayed so connected. My greatest fear before deploying was how this would affect the kids. I can vividly remember sitting in Mr. Bowser's office (Amelia's Principle)with tears welling up, and a few spilling, as I shared with him my concerns. He assured me with confidence that they would be just fine, and thanks to Adam and so much family, friend and school support, they really have been. I am so proud of their resilience and so thankful for the support we have received. The from the bottom of my heart kind, the good stuff!

Because I was separated from family and other normal commitments, ironically there was an opportunity in Iraq to take care of myself in a way that does not present itself so freely at home. I am happy to report that I took that opportunity. And while I may not have everything mapped out, after my "mid-life reflection," I am certain that I am coming home more sure of what is important to me and feeling physically stronger and healthier than I was when I left just over a year ago. That feels like a gift to me and something special to give back to my family- because after all, they have had to contend with dirty dishes, laundry and so much more!

This is my sixth day in Kuwait; I left the Embassy and started my journey back last Monday- what a great birthday present. I leave tomorrow and I am beyond excited; I am moved to tears pretty easily but they are not the sad kind. I think they are a mixture of joy and relief. I have spent the last few days attending the Navy's Warrior Transition Program. Attending is probably not the best word because they do their best to ensure there is a lot of freetime. The idea is to slow the pace down and enjoy time off after working at a pace that is not quite normal. It has been nice, and I think very worthwhile, but I am ready to get stateside. I will head back to where I first reported, Gulfport, Mississippi, to do my demobilization. I know I have one great mexican dinner in my future but mostly it will be a race to check all the boxes so I can head home. Fingers crossed, the next post will come from home. And by just typing that, there are the tears again.

Much love,

Krista

Photos: About to leave the Embassy with Frazzure on my birthday, my Navy shipmate LCDR Jen Forbus after the award ceremony, my Army buddy and confidant LTC Jill Buchanan, my award ceremony, Kuwait bound on a C-130.

Farewell Season

As I have mentioned many times before- we say a lot of goodbyes here. On the military side, people are always rotating in and out. But on the State Department side, the turnover is massive in the summer months. So it is farewell season, and happily, my departure date is right around the time my Embassy colleague Eric's departs. Actually, mine is a week earlier but as he likes to point out, he will beat me home. I have that extra week "vacation" in Kuwait. Nothing like the desert in July!

This past Friday night, I joined the Embassy Econ Section for an official farewell celebration. The evening included a bountiful spread of Iraqi food, kind words for all, and a few nice parting gifts too! I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work so closely with, and learn from, such a talented Embassy staff. As a Naval Officer, joint duty (inter-service)is valued but one of our latest buzz words is inter-agency, during my time here I have had the best of both worlds.

But it is time to wrap it up, so I have really made an effort this week to do just that. I went through and cleared out office drawers, shredded lots of paper and made more piles of things to pass on, donate and toss. With a significant amount of people moving, finding boxes takes a little persistence but I think I have almost everything in order for my departure. As may be expected with our draw down in military forces, I do not have a replacement coming in behind me. In a lot of ways, this makes my last week here much easier. No effort required to train someone up, just have to make sure my office and CHU are cleared out and paperwork is all completed. So this last full week (LAST week, can hardly believe it myself...) will primarily be spent dotting i's, crossing t's and saying goodbye.

I am excited to get home for the last few weeks of summer vacation. Time with family and friends, trips to the pool and pulling tomatoes off the vine- I am just so pleased that it is all within reach.

Love,

Krista

pictures: My super Embassy colleagues, John and Eric, a picture with my boss, Air Force Colonel "Z". Over six feet something, he was making a deliberate effort to be in the same frame with me.

Happy 4th of July!

I arrived back in Baghdad on Sunday afternoon, just in time for the fourth of July festivities on Monday. I started the day early, 3:30 am early, thanks to jet lag. Got unpacked, did two loads of laundry, watched a bit of tv and even got a run around the NEC in before 7am. I was actually returning from switching clothes out of the washer to the dryer when I ran into Candace and Anne as they were heading out for a run. Quick change from a robe to shorts and a tee and we were off. The temperature felt mild and with overcast skies, it was only 90, for summer that is pretty mild here. It climbed as the day progressed but it was a nice start and fun to catch up with the girls.

The early wake up did me in later in the day but we were on a rare light work day for the holiday. I was out of the office by lunch and took advantage of the afternoon off to get in a good nap. The common areas of the NEC were decorated for the 4th, the DFAC featured traditional BBQ items and MWR sponsored a few special activities including a dunking tank and snow cone machine. Not sure who got dunked since I slept away the afternoon but efforts were clearly made to mark the holiday. We were just all hoping for no fireworks. That, and not being with family, made the day a little different than years past.

I was really lucky to catch up with Adam, Noah and Amelia at Lake Cumberland. I enjoyed introducing them to the delegation, but mostly was just so happy to have some time together. I think we all felt like it was bonus time, and a nice prelude to my real homecoming. After Wolf Creek I headed back to Nashville and flew to St. Louis for our last visit, this time to Clearwater Dam in southern Missouri. I learned a lot on the trip and came away feeling like it was a really great exchange for the Iraqis too. In between the presentations and site visits, we shared many memorable, light hearted moments and interesting, frank discussions during long car rides. It was not hard to say good bye, it was time, but I will certainly think of them in the future and wish them all the best.

Most importantly, coming back meant going home. I have a few loose ends to tie up and some packing to do before leaving the NEC on the 19th of July. I have taken pictures down, brought boxes in and started to fill them. You can tell it is final stretch time! With only two weeks to go, I feel like I have plenty to keep me busy. I am not feeling particularly nostalgic but I am also not feeling desperate to leave, just ready. And for now, that seems like a pretty good place to be.

Happy 4th of July.

Love,

Krista

A Visit Home

It is hard to believe that it was only a week ago that I last wrote about my first day in Amman. Since then, I spent another day touring the city, travelled to Chicago, spent four days in West Palm Beach and have now enjoyed an afternoon in Nashville, Tennessee. It certainly feels much longer than a week!

The second day in Amman was as enjoyable as the first. Anne and I headed out early to tour the Roman Ruins at the highest point in Amman, this area had been inhabited from the earliest settlers until the late 1950's so we got to see remnants of all periods. The sun was getting hot so we began our descent down winding side streets, and nearly hidden steps, to a wonderfully preserved Roman coliseum at the bottom of the valley. A busy street runs in front of the coliseum and we decided to explore for a bit. We came upon a wonderful market in full hustle and bustle. Vendors called out their wares and we were greeted with "welcome to Jordan" as strangers caught our eyes. The guidebooks had said this would happen but the welcomes still took us by surprise.

The market had pretty distinct areas and as we wound through the stalls, we came upon produce, household goods, and my favorite- spices, beans and grains. I have always loved a market, but more than that, it was the type of authentic experience I crave when visiting a foreign place. We then hopped a cab back to First Circle in search of a cafe recommended in a book. No luck finding it, but we did end up having a wonderful lunch at the Nature Cafe. We intended to cab it back to the hotel but the traffic seemed backed up so we just started walking. What was meant to be a little walk until traffic eased turned into a pretty challenging walk to our hotel at Fifth Circle. There is a slight incline the whole way, uneven pavement and curbs well over a foot and a half; we arrived at the Four Seasons drenched in sweat and confident that we are probably their first guests to make that walk. Frankly, we are lucky they let us back in! But we cleaned up a bit and then headed to the pool for some well earned relaxation before our fast approaching travel day.

Anne and I parted ways at the airport. I met up with my Iraqi delegation just before departure. The eleven hour flight was direct to Chicago O'Hare, we arrived late afternoon and finally settled into our hotel rooms just before seven. I struggled to keep my eyes open and quickly feel asleep before being awakened by a banging on the windows that made up two walls of my corner room at the Airport Hilton. A fierce storm had arrived- both wind and rain pelted the glass in such a way that I turned on the news and considered closing myself in the bathroom. Fortunately it moved out as fast as it had arrived and I quickly settled back to sleep.

The next morning I learned that hundreds of flights had been cancelled and passengers had been shepherded to the underground tunnels as winds as high as 86 mph ripped across the airport. It was quite a welcome for my foreign guests. Nonetheless, they were happy to be in Chicago and have been pretty taken with their surroundings throughout the trip. One told me, "Madame Krista- one set of eyes is not enough, I need a set to put in the back of my head so I do not miss anything." It has been a privilege to witness their sense of awe and curiosity. Between frequent stops for pictures and smoke breaks, it has been a challenge to remain on schedule but we are managing!

The trip to West Palm Beach was to see the ongoing construction at Herbert Hoover Dike. Cut-off wall construction is the primary focus of this technical exchange and we were able to tour two sites utilizing different methods to accomplish the same end result. The group was enthusiastic and fully engaged with the on-site engineers and project management. The heat and humidity made for a very long day but it was just the type of exchange of information that I had hoped for. We concluded the briefings on Friday evening and that left us with Saturday open for a bit of touring. With the encouragement of our USACE senior engineer, we made our way along the ocean, and then I-95 for a walk on the beach and lunch at South Beach, Miami. The amazement this time was at bikini engineering, but it was also a chance for them to roll up their pants and dip their feet in the Atlantic Ocean. As a group, I am sure we were quite the sight ourselves.

And finally, we flew and arrived in Nashville just before noon today. Tomorrow morning we will head to Wolf Creek Dam on Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. Everyone got to stroll around town today, and I even managed a run through the historic district, across the pedestrian bridge and around the Tennessee Titans stadium. It is a neat city, and my first visit. I would love to come back and spend a bit more time here. Another time. Next up is an early departure in the morning and a pre-planned breakfast stop at Cracker Barrel. Kitschy Americana at its best, and my personal favorite- Momma's French Toast Breakfast await. Welcome home Krista! The day holds even more promise- a visit with Adam, Noah and Amelia who will join me at the State Lodge for two nights .

So much to share thsi week but I am fading fast. Five more days to enjoy. It is great to be stateside but I also know that my real return home will only come after I get back and finish up in Iraq.

Love,

Krista

p.s. I wish I could share pictures of my group, but for their security, I am not comfortable posting them on the web. Pictures include the market and ruins in Amman, me above the Cumberland River in Nashville and our two site visits to Herbert Hoover Dike.

Ahhh Amman!

I am switching things up a bit this week and typing my blog post up from the comfort of a suite at the Four Seasons Hotel in Amman, Jordan. CHU 8 is great, but this is a welcome change of pace! So why I am I here? My job as Strategic Water Officer is ending with a real bonus; I am escorting five Iraqi engineers to the states for a 9 day technical exchange at three United States Army Corps of Engineer sites. Because this trip involves quite a bit of travel it quickly became apparent that having an Escort Officer from beginning to end was pretty essiential; I was a willing volunteer and have enjoyed coordinating many details of the trip. A special bonus is that I do not actually meet my delegation until just before the flight stateside so my time here in Amman is mine. A limited flight schedule out of Baghdad meant arriving two nights early. The Four Seasons was kind enough to honor the government rate and then kindly upgraded me to a suite. Life is good.

Even better, I am here with my friend and running partner Anne. By crazy coincidence she just spent a few days with her husband at a resort on the Dead Sea; he left today but she has until Tuesday before catching a flight back to Baghdad. When discussing my trip at our last movie night, we quickly realized we were both solo in Amman over the same two nights. We met up at the airport this morning as she dropped her husband off and are now enjoying our Four Season stay in downtown Amman. The only thing that could have made this deal better was if we had Candace along, she is a normal part of our exercise trio and we miss her.

After an early check-in we strolled the area around our hotel. Amman is a pretty modern city that is divided up into districts that are referred to by what circle they are near. We are staying just off the Fifth Circle, literally a round-a-bout that you can view from the hotel balcony off the lobby. Referring to our first venture as a stroll is a stretch, this area is not very pedestrian friendly. But it felt great to be out walking without the limits of a wall. We picked up some hummus, fresh flat bread and strawberries along the way and enjoyed a little picnic before heading to the pool.

The pool is gorgeous; it sits two floors above the ground and is quite a serene setting in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the Fifth Circle. I have to say, my time in Baghdad has taught me to enjoy relaxing in a way that I could not before. Normally I am the cabana girl- up and down, struggling to sit still for too long. Not anymore, now I can let a few hours go by and it feels very carefree and wonderful. Of course the fact that we had the nicest pool attendant today to bring us complimentary bottled water and ice did not hurt; he said it was his pleasure to serve us in anyway, and he said it with genuine sincerity. At least I thought so, and it only added to our enjoyment poolside!

Late afternoon, we hopped a cab to the First Circle and enjoyed a walk around. Our destination was a small shop written up for the best falafel. A gentleman scoops it up and cooks it right at the front of the small shop. They toast a delicious sesame dotted bread in a pannini press and then fill with fresh falafel, a few pickle slices and a light yogurt sauce. It was delicious, and only 650 dinars- the equivalent of just over one dollar. I don't quite understand how the money works but it seems there is 1000 units to one dinar- so it was 650 of whatever those units are called, not actually 650 dinars. We settled on a bench just across from the little shop and enjoyed an early dinner. As I waited for our sandwiches to be prepared, he kindly handed me one hot falafel ball to enjoy while we waited. We walked around the area a bit more and then headed back towards the hotel, but not before picking up a few sesame cookies and a stringy wheat something dripped in honey. One dinar for dessert; both Anne and I commented that Amman would be friendly to a student's budget. We got to the third circle before hopping a cab to the fifth. The seven circles are in somewhat of a line but a slight curve in the street off of the third circle had us a little perplexed. A quick cab ride was a fine, and easy, ending to a really nice day.

Tomorrow we will do a walk that is recommended in one of the guide books we brought along. It will take us up to the Roman ruins I caught in the picture above. And, more pool time, but not to worry- I will be under the umbrella or covered poolside lounger. Having a full two day vacation is pretty significant relative to my Baghdad schedule. I will make the most of it and then look forward to heading stateside before finishing up in Iraq.

And the biggest bonus, it looks like I am all set for a quick rendezvous with Adam and the kids in Kentucky mid-trip. I will be escorting my group but look forward to introducing my family and sharing at least dinner and two nights with them before I move on to the final stop of our robust itinerary. We have Father's Day and Adam's birthday to celebrate. Both will be just a tad late but rescheduling holidays is a regular occurance in our family, particularly with Adam's ever changing flying schedule. Anyways, today is Father's Day and Adam has definately earned a special shout-out this year! He has always rocked the Dad thing, but in my absence, I am particularly grateful for his perfect balance of love and nurturing while doing the harder bits of parenting. Having him at home has made it so much easier to be away. So a much deserved Happy Father's Day to Adam.

Love,

Krista

The Boonie Hat

This past week was a bit gut wrenching with the loss of six service members and many more injured, primarily in one awful instance. The unpredictability of the attacks makes it feel very random, and with that a fear of just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The reports that I have seen are very factual but of course the reality is that there is much emotion attached to those facts.

My work is pretty steady and more often than not,the changing weeks are marked more by who is coming and going, rather than a single event. There is always a countdown going on in the office. Sometimes it is for R&R, sometimes for the end of a tour. The transient nature of life here is interesting. People come and go all the time; I have watched so many leave and now it is almost my turn. Kind of hard to believe but very welcome.

When I arrived in mid August the temperatures were steady around 115-120, but had dropped from highs around 130. Now we are on the climb and it just keeps getting hotter with the occasional respite after a dust storm. But that is not much of a break, I would take heat over dust. On the really hot days it feels like your skin is cooking a bit. To ease this feeling on my face, and ears, I have changed to the boonie hat. When I put it on, I feel like I am going fishing or putting on a shower cap. Both seem kind of silly but the wider brim offers a welcome bit of shade so I think I will be wearing it till the end.

I also continue to beat the heat and enjoy a break from my normal workdays with my regular Sunday morning visits to the pool. Candace and I not only got a chance to relax poolside today for a couple hours, we also got a generous amount of laughing in while side stroking up and down the pool. It was a great start to a new week. And with another one past, only five to go before I say goodbye to Iraq, and shortly thereafter, hello to home. Sounds so nice.

Love,

Krista

Happy Birthday Amelia!

Today is a really special day; it is Amelia's ninth birthday. She celebrated with a few good friends on Friday night. A themed movie night at Theater 1410 was orchestrated by Amelia and pulled off with generous help from Adam, Sharon, Tom, Lisa and Betsy. All pitched in to make it a memorable and happy birthday; BIG thanks from Baghdad! Adam sent me so many great pictures, compliments of Lisa, that I almost felt like I was there. No small feat when you think of the miles between us. I missed most of year eight but I am really looking forward to being home in time for most of nine!

Getting home now feels so within reach. If this were a race, the finish line is right around the corner. I feel a renewed energy and sense of optimism as I start to plan my last weeks and journey home. It is a bit of a process with a stop in Kuwait for a mandatory Warrior Transition Program. A cool down period of sorts, ironically in the desert heat, that starts the demobilization process. Then medical exams and administrative checks in Gulfport, Mississippi, and finally that last flight home around the 1st of August.

I have adjusted my routine a bit as the temperatures rise here. I stopped running a few weeks ago as the temperatures climbed and remained above one hundred. I am now hitting the pool for laps on my old run nights and am enjoying swimming laps with Candace on Sunday morning rather than laps around the NEC. Nice change, and relaxing as we drag it out on Sunday morning to include time on pool side loungers. There are a few palm trees around the pool so I find the illusive spot of shade and almost feel like I am somewhere else. I know this image of hanging out at the pool shatters most war zone stereotypes but that is life on the Embassy compound. There are reminders that it is still Iraq, for example cabanas are replaced with bunkers and helos buzz overhead, but it is such a welcome opportunity to get outside and escape the heat with the occasional dip in the pool. It feels great, and oh so normal. Normal is the best!

So on this special Sunday, thinking of my little girl, and looking forward to a family trip to the pool. Just around the corner!

Love,

Krista

Memorial Day

As you would probably expect, we receive operational reporting for attacks throughout Iraq. When I receive them, my eyes quickly scan the report to see if the attack is being considered effective or non-effective. Effective often means someone has been hurt. And if that is the case, my next scan is to find out who- Iraqi military, Iraqi civilians or US forces. Our casualty figures are low, but still, one always feels like one too many. When the attack affects US Forces, there is an acknowledgement among colleagues but also a seemingly concerted effort not to dwell on it too long. At the time of the initial report, those hurt are unnamed, but still, you know they likely serve among friends, and certainly have loved ones at home. If they are injured you hope the injuries are not too bad, and if they were killed, for me it is an almost automatic, involuntary shake of the head. And then, I just move on to the next e-mail. I imagine, and hope, this is a measure of self protection, best not think about it too much while in Iraq.

But for me, being here brings new meaning to Memorial Day. I am serving in a theatre where fellow service members have given their life for this operation. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, is very humbling. I am grateful for the relative safety I feel here in Iraq but with this holiday upon us, I feel a renewed desire to reflect and honor those that have died while serving their country, past and present. I want the holiday to be marked by more than a long weekend, more than getting the kids ready for, and off to our sweet Grandview Parade. I hope it can mean more to them too, but I want to communicate this without instilling fear. I hope for an acknowledgment that people have served and sacrificed for causes greater than themselves; and that is something remarkable, worth remembering, on this special day each year.

When I left last July, I was really touched by all the offers of support from family, friends and neighbors. Early in my mobilization, I wrote about Noah's birthday, and all the efforts of others to make his day special in my absence. I am reminded of that this week, as Amelia's birthday is just around the corner. The school year ends just shy of June 5th so she was able to choose a day this week to bring a treat to share with the class. While home on R&R, Amelia and I brainstormed most of the details for her birthday, down to asking my good friend Lisa if she would mind baking cookies for Amelia's class. She was all over it, and on Wednesday of this week- Lisa, Amelia and Betsy baked a bundle of snickerdoodles. I heard the baking was fun, and the cookies delicious but for me the sweetest part is that it is another touching example of those stepping in to be there for me, and for my family while I am deployed. Thank you Lisa, thank you all!

All the best this Memorial Day.

Love,

Krista

Pictures: Amelia and Betsy, Snickerdoodles!, Amelia and Lisa, Noah atop a truck in Grandview's Memorial Day Parade

Big Ten!

Another busy week in Baghdad, this was a good one. I was pretty immersed in work but I still managed to get in all my workouts, and on Wednesday, I had a special visitor. My "Battle Buddy" from Ft. Jackson is stationed at Balad Air Base but a temporary assignment has brought him to nearby Victory Base for a few weeks. Lucky for me, Jason's work required a trip to the International Zone for a morning meeting, and the promise of an Embassy Burger was enough to get him to the NEC for the afternoon. He hung out in my office killing some time,and being the good sport he is, even helped out with a few tasks before we headed to dinner.

Our fellow classmate, and my running companion, Candace joined us for the "best burger in Iraq" and then we drove Jason to the rendezvous spot for his convoy back to Victory. A dust storm was rolling in but he made it back without incident. It was great to catch up and a fun break from the norm. And it is neat to think that next time I will see him will be on our way home. We will spend a few days trudging through the sand in Kuwait as we attend our mandatory warrior transition program. I am looking forward to seeing Jason and meeting up with other folks we went through training with.

Speaking of going home, today I hit my ten month mark. I celebrated by spring cleaning my CHU during my Sunday morning off. Packing to head home seems within reach and since I have accumulated quite a bit of stuff, a good, thorough review was in order. As people leave, items are kindly transferred, this is how most of my stuff was acquired. I made four piles: garbage, shred, Jen & Candace (now roommates), and a box to put in the bathroom with a "help yourself" sign. Extra toiletries, power strips, books, plug adapters...time for it all to go as I get closer to going myself! Even most of my extra furniture has been claimed by shipmates that will stay, but it will not move out until I do. The spring clean felt like another step in the right direction, another step towards home.

Love,

Krista

Pictures: Jason in warrior mode, Candace and Jason with dust storm rolling in.

Final Stretch

Another week down. This past one went fast, I am busy with a few projects so the days are flying by. But as fast as the time is moving, I am noticing a weariness that has started to accompany the passing weeks. Over ten months into my mobilization, I am definitely less patient, not with things like standing in line at the DFAC, but with people. My tolerance level seems to be dropping markedly. Recently, I recall someone saying how tired people look by the time they go- I don't think my energy level, or hopefully my appearance, reflects this but my attitude is starting to.

Really it has been a good year. Thinking about some of the things I have done- it has been such an amazing, once in a lifetime (should be) opportunity. Eye opening in some areas and reaffirming in others. A lot of time alone, spent reflecting where I come from, what I am doing, and where I am going in the future. If I saw things in black and white before, I am now seeing gray. At home there is not so much time to think and I am grateful for the mid-life reflection.

Adam and the kids have done so well, I am so proud, but I can hear the same weariness in his voice and words. Even with amazing support at home, single parenting is getting old. A year is a long time.

With all that said, I am going to work hard to embrace the last two months and make the most of it. Maybe writing the words down will be enough to snap out of this funk. I will let you know.

Love,

Krista

George Rossy

On Friday, our Commanding General took a moment at the end of a brief to remind all to remember Mother's Day and offered the "Moms" in theatre a special shout-out in advance of today's holiday. It was thoughtful recognition of our sacrifice, and that of our children at home. I once referred to this year as my "Mom Sabbatical," and while it is true that I have wholeheartedly embraced skipping dishes and laundry, it is also true that I really miss taking care of my family and sometimes can't shake the physical ache that comes with missing them.

But I have found ways to feed my soul by nurturing in, and from, Baghdad. Little things like making those Easter Baskets, bringing my cube mate Jill breakfast, hosting our girl movie night, or setting up the occasional "party" for my J9 family. All feels very appreciated and there was some really nice recognition for us Moms today. Lots of "Happy Mother's Day" from our male coworkers, a little gift waiting on Jill's and my chair from a kind gentleman that works down the hall, a card from a colleague's spouse and church and a candlelit dinner at the DFAC with a rose for each Mom. We will have to remember to be as sweet on Father's Day!

I am particularly grateful to have my colleague and friend Jill to share "Mom" stuff with. Being in earshot of each other's calls home, we can both give a pretty solid summary of each other's children's lives. Jill's girls are in college and her son will soon graduate from high school. Jill heads on R&R later this week and will be home for Brandon's graduation. We commiserate with each other on the fears that accompany not physically being home or a part of their daily lives. Jill's son has started to drive so her phone calls are peppered with reminders to wear seat belts, not to drive through water and of course, keep off the phone! My calls home in the morning too frequently end with "don't forget your helmet" and "watch out for cars." I have learned that it takes a leap of faith to mother from afar; I certainly now have a little more understanding and patience for my own Mom's concerns.

By coincidence, just this week, Jill and I were treated to watching a ruffled baby bird go from perched in his nest, to standing perilously at the edge, and then finally taking flight. We actually missed the flight part and arrived to work one morning to find his nest empty. It caused some anxiety around the office- well, anxiety in our office! But George Rossy, named by my State colleague Eric and Amelia, made his way back to the nest, putting our minds at ease. His Mom seems comfortable just stopping by for the occasional regurgitation. And to think, we were willing her back every time he stepped to the edge of that nest! We readily admitted that we could learn a little from our morning dove and his Mom, but it is easier said than done.

So let me end with a big "Happy Mother's Day" to my Mom Vicki, to Adam's Mom Sharon and to my fellow Moms at home taking it one day at a time. I am not suggesting anyone enjoy the dishes, but definitely enjoy the hugs!

Bye Bye Dave!

There is not a whole lot to report this week. It was busy early in the week but really slowed down by Friday. The Embassy had a three day weekend and have been off Friday through Sunday, so it has been pretty quiet for the past few days in our building. The timing was perfect with two big activities on Friday. One being the nuptials of William and Catherine and the other being an acoustic Toby Keith concert on the adjacent base.

Both were taking place about the same time so I had to choose which to attend. Although I was aware that the wedding was coming up- really I did not feel a sense of excitement until I woke on Friday morning. The weather was beautiful here, it felt like a perfect wedding day, so my mind was made up- I would "attend" the wedding. We have a bank of clocks in the office; with help from my friend Dave- we reset the clock to London time and labeled it the "Royal Wedding Clock." We are two hours ahead of England so it was easy to watch all the activities throughout the day. We put out a platter of English biscuits- ok, really Girl Scout Cookies, and enjoyed tea- iced tea from the Green Bean (our on-base coffee shop). Lots of improvising in Baghdad! We have a wall mounted tv that normally plays BBC on mute so that was easy; we turned off the mute and turned up the volume, we were ready for the big event. There was lots of eye rolling from the guys but it was pretty fun for a Friday at work, and even if they weren't into the wedding, they were into the cookies!

The Toby Keith acoustic set got great reviews and I couldn't help having a tinge of regret for choosing the wedding, particularly when I could have watched it all online after, but it was only a tinge and I did have a super day watching it all live. We get the occasional musician, but more often, it is NFL cheerleaders and comedians that stop by. In Baghdad, these MWR or USO sponsored events normally happen at the larger Victory Base but in this case, Toby Keith was kind enough to do a short set here in the International Zone and then a larger concert with his band Friday night on the big base. Country fans or not, everyone that went loved it and appreciated his enthusiasm.

On Saturday night, we had a planned social outing (pizza on base) for my Army colleague and friend, Dave. Dave has worked with the Treasury folks at the Embassy; he is a Comptroller for the Army and has been hard at work here figuring out all kinds of implications of the Iraqi budget. He has been part of a small Army contingent that always seemed to enjoy time at the Navy table during chow. Meal time is definitely our social time and as our numbers have dwindled- there really is not a "Navy" table anymore but we sit together a lot and he is always willing to chat, share a joke, and a smile. I will really miss him but am happy that he is heading home to his girlfriend Whitney, and his four kids.

As I get closer and closer to July, I am able to imagine me getting ready to go. It is a pretty nice feeling. But for now, I am keeping to my routine and taking it day by day. Still buoyed by the morning calls home, correspondence from friends, and grateful for the friendships here.

Love,

Krista

Pictures- Baghdad and Royal Wedding time, my friend and colleague Dave

Happy Easter

After three weeks, I am back in my pre-R&R routine! I am sleeping well, finally waking up before my alarm clock and getting my workouts in. It feels really good to be back on schedule. This has been a productive week professionally and personally.

I am working a few projects and wrote my first FRAGO this week, stands for Fragmentary Order, and in the joint staff officer world it is something I should know how to do. The FRAGO is an order from headquarters that assigns tasks to get things accomplished at headquarter, division, brigade, battalion or lower level. Bottom line- if you want something done by someone else, you are going to get asked for a FRAGO. It is not that it is hard, but it requires a very standardized format and distinct wording, neither that I was familiar with. But now I am- nice check in the block and a sense of accomplishment!

I also got in planning mode for a fall trip that Adam and I will take to Belgium. Having a few things in the future to focus on is helpful here. With R&R behind me, I wanted something special to daydream about to get me through my final three months. A trip for the two of us fit the bill perfectly, and now we have a week of biking around Ghent and Bruges to look forward to. Not the exercise kind, the European strolling around town kind of biking with a stop here and a stop there- think chocolate shops and breweries! It may be months away but I am already excited.

My week ended with a really nice Saturday and Sunday. I got two packages on Saturday that were packed with Easter candy and Dunkin Donuts coffee. The unexpected and generous packages were from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus. Adam's Commanding Officer's wife Jeanine put me on their troop care package mailing list. Pat was Adam's CO when we were stationed in Mildenhall, England. Both Pat and Jeanine took really good care of us then, so it is not a stretch, but it is so sweet that they are still 15 years later. The timing was perfect, and with so much Easter candy in hand, I decided I would make some surprise Easter baskets for my colleagues. I had to get a little creative but managed to make 12 "baskets" to distribute on Easter morning. Big thanks to the Shermans and the parishoners at St. Pauls for making it possible!

I took Saturday afternoon off and in addition to filling in for the Easter Bunny, I spent some time giving my CHU a good cleaning. We had another dust storm this week, EVERYTHING in my room had a layer of dust. That, and I was hosting movie night for my friends Jill and Jen, another good reason to tidy. Movie night was fun- it felt like a Saturday night, instead of just another night. I got to sleep in a bit and then got a run and lift in with Ann, it is kind of becoming my standard Sunday am. After my workout, I enjoyed a slow morning and then headed in to work. Mid afternoon I got to check in with Noah and Amelia who had a great Easter in Athens with Sharon and Tom. I loved getting to hear the excitement in their voices as they described the morning's activities. I wrapped up my day celebrating Easter dinner with friends at the DFAC.

Wishing everyone at home a wonderful Easter too!

Love,

Krista

Pictures: Easter basket assembly line, left to right: Jill (Army LTC), me and Jen (Navy LCDR) at the DFAC this evening

Red Zone Reflections

It is Sunday evening and I am sitting at my desk, rested and relaxed after enjoying Saturday afternoon and this morning off. My Saturday included a movie night with my friend, and shipmate,Jen. We watched Secretariat, and even though both of us were 99.9% sure Secretariat won the triple-crown, we sat at the edge of our seats until he crossed the line at Belmont. Still, it was good anxiety as far as anxiety goes, and fun to be at the racetrack rather than in Baghdad for a bit. Sunday morning started with a short run after a little more sleep than normal. It is getting hot again, just one lap around the NEC and I was starting to drip. The rest of the morning was more leisurely, ending with a much needed pedicure, particularly after a week of flip-flops in Mexico. So I start this week well rested with pretty pink toes- I'd say I'm off to a good start.

This past week included a trip into the Red Zone for a meeting. A trip into the Red Zone requires a weapon, helmut, individual body armour and a protective security detachment; you don't just drive to the Red Zone, it involves a lot of planning and coordination. The particular route we took gave me a good look at Tafir Square (currently a popular protest spot) and two downtown thoroughfares. I love the opportunity to see what living looks like across the river, outside of the International Zone.

I wish I could say that it looks good but this trip left me reflecting, wondering really, how it could still look so dilapidated after years of reconstruction. Many buildings have gaping holes and shattered windows, visible scars of the bombings and secretarian violence that have rocked Baghdad in recent years. Amongst these seemingly abandoned buildings there are signs of life- businesses that spill out of ground floor stores onto the sidewalks. Just past Tahir Square were a few blocks of shops, all seemingly devoted to hospice care. Industrial beds, wheelchairs and other items for the infirm lined the streets, block after block. It was an all too visible reminder of a war torn nation needing to tend to those worst affected by years of violence.

Saddened by what I saw, I sought out and talked to an local Iraqi colleague later that day at lunch, I wanted to know how it feels for him to have his capital in its current state. We started with the businesses and he shared that it was common for areas to specialize in shopping catagories. However, when the secretarian violence became more frequent and people became wary of travelling to the other sections of town. Neighborhood entrepreneurs began to open independent specialty stores or stores carrying a broader range of merchandise. As we talked, I realized that this had been evident as we drove through Karrada, a suburb of Baghdad.

Same rough buildings, appearing even more disheveled with electrical lines running in every direction along the buildings' facades. I don't think I can do it justice to describe. Try combining a spiderweb with what a ball of yarn would look like after a cat had an hour with it. Everytime I see it I think that can not be safe, and according to my colleague, and common sense, it is not. But beneath the haphazard power lines were a multitude of stores featuring electronics, furniture, bedding, meat, baked goods and produce. Amidst the rubble and chaos there are striking signs of order. The fruit and vegetable stands offer perfect pyramids of fresh produce- colorful and visually appealing. Nothing like the surroundings but still, they belong. This is a part of daily life too. I try hard to notice the bright spots.

We come upon children spilling out of school at noon, wearing backpacks and smiles, some holding an ice cream purchased on the way home. Seeing the kids makes me happy, it is just great to see children, and I hope for a better future for them. Just past the children, we slow and I read some political posters featuring a catchy cartoon like design and the letters U-S-A vertically placed. Next to U- Unfair, S- Sinister, and A- Americans. The hopeful, warm feeling of watching innocent youth engaged in such a normal activity as leaving school is replaced with the reality of what a complicated place this is. I want the kids to read yet I hate the idea of them reading these posters. Behind the glass, I know there is nothing I can do at that moment but hope for the best. All the money, all the effort, and all the sacrifices; you just want it to mean something, something good and something lasting.

Love,

Krista

Baghdad in Bloom

After writing how hot it was on my return, just the next day we had a duststorm and cooler weather followed. Not that it is anywhere near cold, it is beautiful. Feels like lovely spring days with a touch of summer when the sun hits your back.

As the week wore on and I recovered from my jetlag, I began to notice the little changes that had occured since I left on R&R. Most of them involved the landscape. The grass is a bright happy green, and many things are in bloom. From blossoms on cacti looking plants to azalea bushes I recognize from home- there is a lot of flowering going on. Amelia and I would only be in the planning stages of our garden at home so it is a bit of a surprise to see all the plants showing off in early April. But common sense, and a visit to the Gardeners' Almanac, would surely prove that I am in a far different gardening zone here. When tomatoes ripen in late July and August in Ohio- they would be roasting on the vine here in Baghdad. So I am enjoying the color and trying to take it all in; I remember very little "living" when I arrived in late summer. I snapped a few pictures this afternoon of the more unusual plants and a date palm without the dates. Those do come later- I remember stepping around them on the sidewalk!

Otherwise, not much is new. I have been hard at work. Easing back was not much of an option since Eric, my Embassy colleague, left on R&R a few days after my return. His Boss, who would normally cover part of his portfolio, is delayed returning from his R&R. So with both of them gone, I am chasing down things in Environment, Science, Technology, Health and Water this week. No Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning off this week, maybe next. But, on the bright side, the week flew by, I am learning some new things and meeting many new people. The only real hiccup was a twenty-four hour stomach bug on Thursday; and sadly it involved a lot more than a hiccup. Grateful to be over that!

Love,

Krista

R&R and Back

I am just a couple days away from it being a month since my last post. I started my trip home on R&R on Friday, March 11th,arrived in Columbus on Sunday the 13th, and finally made my way back to the Embassy Compound on Friday, 1 April. The travel, as anticipated, was pretty painful but worth every second at home. As much as I have photo-documented my time in Iraq, you would think I would have a picture of the reunion but some moments just have to be lived. The priority was getting those first hugs, not a picture. I know that I, in particular, am a sucker for a reunion scene at the airport but I am pretty confident that we caused a few tissues to be pulled from pockets and purses. Thanks to Skype, I have watched teeth come in, hair grow, get cut and grow again, so it was not shocking to see the kids- just wonderful! I got a second greeting and balloon bouquet from Lisa and the Jones' kids outside of security- it was a great homecoming!

I ditched the uniform as soon as I was home and enjoyed a few shopping trips and being in civilian clothes until the morning of my return. Unexpectedly, for the first few days, my feet ached as I slipped into my "normal" flats and flip-flops. It seems that my feet have grown accustomed to my very supportive combat boots. But other than that, I really settled right in at home. Admittedly, I was relieved of most domestic duties in the spirit of it being my vacation. Good thing since I struggled to find my way around the kitchen! So the "settled in" refers more to just how nice and natural it was to be at home and in the rhythm of the kids' school schedule that first week.

A particular highlight was getting to go to Amelia's Third Grade Wax Museum where she came to life as Wilbur Wright with a ring of a bell. She attacked the preparation and performance with her typical abundance of enthusiasm, I am so glad I did not miss it! For Noah, I was a day late in seeing him receive a gold and silver medal for his particular events in the Science Olympiad. That was a bummer but I got a great review and am so impressed with his accomplishments. Adam, with amazing support from his Mom and Tom, and a cast of special friends, has clearly made the best of our situation and has all well under control. I will not be volunteering to extend, but honestly, I could not be prouder or more appreciative of how well all have managed on the home front.

On Saturday the 19th we hopped on a direct flight for Cancun and enjoyed a week at our annual destination of Akumal on the Riviera Maya. Akumal is a sleepy village compared to many vacation spots around, and south of, Cancun but I love it for the long relaxing days, blue skies, fabulous fish tacos, and bit of a rough edge in the form of potholes,dusty roads and roadside food carts. Of course, all that was enjoyed from the luxury of our six bedroom villa with a dreamy pool at ocean's edge so we were certainly not roughing it. We all enjoyed time in hammocks and the kids made great use of the pool throughout the week. The kids saw a record (for us) six sea turtles when they went snorkeling in the bay on our first day. As was the case much of the week, I settled in under the shade of a palm tree, wiggled my toes in the sand and relaxed as they hit the water. Guided by Adam, I was fondly reminded of the school scene in Finding Nemo, only he returned all six of his students safely home at the end of a very successful snorkel excursion. Lots of smiles as they all reported on their sightings. The rest of the week went just as well, with the small exception of a fishing trip where no fish were caught. But Adam and I made one quick trip to the locals' fish store and we had dinner as planned!

We returned home on Saturday afternoon and I was able to enjoy a few more days at home before departing on Tuesday morning. Time with Adam, Noah, Amelia, family and friends was a wonderful reminder of all I have to look forward to in August. I am really touched and want to say thanks for all the efforts to make my welcome home special; from gatherings of friends, dinners, yellow ribbons, plates of cookies and a platter of brownies- all very sweet and appreciated. Thank you! Some visits were too quick, and conversations too short, as I tried to catch up with so many. I will be happy to settle back at home and make the most of the time I will have upon my demobilization and return to Columbus.

Of course the highlight of my R&R was my time at home but I had a special experience worth sharing on my way home and my way back. On the way home I spent one night in a "transient quarters" tent in Kuwait. After being assigned a tent number just before midnight I collapsed into my rack that Friday night. During the night I heard the woman in the rack next to mine's phone ring. She got up and took the call outside. Really it was not much of a distraction as there are frequent loudspeaker announcements, and it is common for people to come and go at all hours in transient quarters. It is not a place to expect a restful night's sleep. Anyways, in the morning we got to chatting and it turned out my tent-mate was a Navy Captain; that middle of the night call was to tell her that the official announcement had just gone out that she had selected for Flag (Rear Admiral). She is the first Naval Reserve female from the Surface Warfare Community to make Flag. I was so excited for her, and should mention, that she gernerously took her time to mentor me before letting me know what the middle of the night call was.

On the way home, I collapsed in my rack again, but this time did not make any acquaintances... my highlight was getting to sit in the flight deck of a C-130 during my final flying leg from Kuwait to Baghdad. A very hospitable flight crew from Little Rock, AR got me on a headset and amicably answered all my questions and even let me sit at the Navigator's desk for a moment. The C-130 has been a work horse for the Air Force and it was really neat to experience a flight from the cockpit. Some like to say NAVY stands for Never Again Volunteer Yourself, I can not tell you how many neat things I would have missed out on if I subscribed to this theory. I paused for a second when our bus load was asked for a volunteer, but only to ensure someone junior might not be interested. When no one raised their hand, I was pretty thrilled for the opportunity and gladly piped up. It was a great way to end my trip.

So, I am back on the NEC and struggling a bit to adjust to the dramatic change in time zone. I am sure it will take a few days. Someone also turned on the heat while I was away. There is a clear difference in temperature and just the feel in the air- dry and hot. The thermometer was just below 100 when I walked into the DFAC for lunch today. It is a sign of things to come. And when it is 130, I will fondly remember 100. This whole experience has a way of reminding me, over and over, that all things are relative.

Much love,

Krista

p.s. Pictures from top to bottom: Amelia as Wilbur Wright, Noah chillin in the hammock, Amelia and Adam at our breakfast fav- Turtle Bay Bakery in Akumal, Noah's picture of me in Mexico, the kids: Amelia, Mimi, Noah, Manny, Willis and Ross, last leg to Baghdad in the C-130 at the Navigator's Desk.

Uniform Modification

One week! If all goes according to plan, I will be home ONE week from today. Just the idea of it is exhilarating. I am mentally prepared for things not to go as planned but hopeful that they will. The journey home should take almost two days, a chunk of that will be spent in Kuwait and the other big chunk is, of course, the long flight home (about 14 hours total). I recall sleeping soundly on each of the three legs over. Each time the plane got to altitude my eyelids got heavy and then, as if sprinkled with a fairy dust of sorts, I was out. I was amazed but later took it to be a sign of emotional exhaustion. So, the question I'm pondering now is will I sleep on the way back or just be too excited? If I had to put money down- I would probably say no sleep, but at the same time I know just being here takes a toll, so maybe (hopefully) I will.

My countdown to R&R was assisted by a very busy week. My colleague Jill was out of the office from Tuesday to Friday so I played Deputy to our Boss in addition to my normal duties. On top of our regular battle rhythm, a recent attack on the Bayji Oil Refinery had us scrambling to put together briefs and coordinate a visit. Forget daydreaming out my new window, the week flew by! I was happy for Jill to return yesterday morning and after a debrief of sorts I disappeared in the afternoon for my Saturday half-day. A little nap that has become part of my Saturday afternoon routine turned into a three hour slumber. It felt good and now I am ready to tackle this coming week.

In addition to work, I have two planned targets to hit these week before getting on the plane. The first is a six mile run with the girls on Tuesday night, and the second is a JPME test before heading to the airport. Both are milestones I wanted to reach before R&R, so fingers crossed they go well. The run will require almost four laps around the NEC, one more lap than my current high. And the test will mean my remaining downtime is spent studying, same as it has been for the past couple weeks. It feels good though to make progress on both goals, and I know it will be a great feeling to head home with both ticked off.

I did have one very humorous moment this past week. On Thursday afternoon a dust storm rolled in turning the blue sky orange. Not wanting to venture back and forth, I stayed a little later than usual so that I could get dinner and then just head to my CHU for the night. It was so bad by the time I was ready to leave that I decided I had to fabricate some kind of protection from the insidious dust. I was not worried about my clothing getting dirty, just my lungs! A properly prepared military member would have had their issued cover-up, but no- I did not. A dust storm was forecast for Friday, not Thursday. So I took an available bright blue wash rag, cut a little slit in two of the corners, and then my friend Dustin rigged some 550 parachute cord through the slits to create a pretty nice veil that hooked over my ears and completely covered my nose and mouth. I added my sunglasses for eye protection- I was looking good! Admittedly, not professional, but I justified it as resourceful and necessary to prevent a future trip to medical. Not only did I amuse myself, but my coworkers got some good laughs too and insisted on capturing the get-up on film. The sledgehammer, well, they just thought it fit the look. And, in case you are concerned, issued protection is now in my cargo pocket, I am ready for the next dust storm!

Love,

Krista

Anticipation

It has been an interesting week. The focus was on Friday, the scheduled "Day of Rage" for Iraq. Lots of speculation, lots of planning and an abundance of precaution for a day that ended up being relatively quiet. The "Day of Rage" was billed by organizers as an opportunity for all Iraqis to peacefully express dissatisfaction with a number of things; primarily government corruption, lack of essiential services (electricity and water), and high unemployment. As others jumped on the bandwagon, it took more of a secretarian flavor and opposition to the "occupation" got added too. The contradiction in title and intent only increased uncertainty as to what the day would bring.

Officially, we referred to it as "the day of planned protests," that sounded a bit better to me. Some fed on the uncertainty, and seemed almost optimistic about the chance for some excitement. Call me boring, but I was just hoping for a day where Iraqis could freely express disappointment and dissatisfaction in a fundamentally democratic way, without fear for their safety and without harm to the police and miltary forces assigned to keep the peace. In the end, the protests numbers were very low and although not always peaceful, in most cases the government's response seemed relatively controlled. My personal disappointment was the GOI's (Goverment of Iraq) harsh restrictions on press coverage and the leadership's encouragement for people to stay home. In the end, it is hard to say why the protests were small. Was it late calls to reschedule, some parties pulling their support for the demonstrations or ominous government warnings for citizens' safety?

Here on the NEC, everyone seemed exhausted by the end of Friday. The emotional highs and lows of anticipation and apprehension seemed to take the biggest toll. We limped into Saturday and are all ready for a new week. But, with the current state of unrest throughout the Middle East, who knows what this week will bring.

But here I am, another week closer to R&R. As I thought about it today, I realized that at this point, I might beat any mail I send home! That is a milestone of sorts- one I am happy to meet.

Love,

Krista

A Cubicle with River Views

I moved offices this past week. As is to be expected with a drawdown of such magnitude- people are shifting around. The majority of our J9 front office staff are now based and working at Victory Base. That freed up their desk space,so in an effort to consolidate, my coworkers in the Energy Services Division (Oil,Gas,Electricity and Water) and I moved down the hall and now occupy some of their desks. For me, and my coworker Jill, that meant a move to a larger cubicle with two windows, each offering a beautiful view of the Tigris River and further out, the Babylon Hotel, framed by date palms on the NEC. When the sun shines- the Tigris shimmers, it is very pretty and admittedly, a temptation for daydreaming. I am going to have to figure out how to share a picture without comprimising security.

So the upside is a very nice cubicle and cube mate, the downside is the departure of many of my Navy shipmates. I miss some workday chats, and it is a little lonely at meal time but I am trying to focus on work and personal goals. That helps, but the biggest boost comes as the days till R&R are ticking off in somewhat rapid succession. In the past when I have gone away for "Navy stuff" I feel like I compartmentalize pretty well and just get on with it without too much preoccupation with home. At some point during the process, I would start to wonder what kind of Mom I am to be so comfortable away from the kids? But then, and I have been through this many times, the day before heading home I start to get really excited. Inevitably I am wide awake at four in the morning on the day of my departure, thinking of nothing but home. So over time, I have come to accept that this is my way of dealing with separation, and for me, it works. So I am a bit taken aback by my current obsession with R&R. My thoughts are completly preoccupied with going home and seeing family and friends. I have been like this for over a week and still have just under three weeks to go before I get on a plane to begin the long journey back to Ohio. I guess I am testing my tolerance for seperation with an eight month absence. It is time to head home for R&R!

My preparation for R&R has started to include list making. I will have fifteen full days to savour and my instict is to plan each one. But heeding the advice of the required Chaplain briefing for R&R, I am resisting my urge and trying to just make a few special engagements and then just enjoy the downtime. They include dressing up for a dinner date at a favorite restaurant with Adam, a day devoted to each Noah and Amelia, where they get to plan "their" day, and a much needed haircut! I am lucky that my trip will coincide with a few special things at school too. Have I mentioned that I can't wait?
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So in the spirit of living in the present, I will tell you that I had a nice week highlighted by Valentine's Day. I took some teasing for the "Wall of Love", but it was clearly appreciated, as were all the Valentine' treats. Jill and Jen helped me put together two platters that we set out for all to enjoy. And for me personally, it was a nice day too. I am now sleeping with an adorable, pretty large, very soft puppy that Amelia sent me. Noah picked out a heart shaped box of mini reeses' cups and I got a thoughtful, kind valentine from Adam that I really appreciate. It is good to love and feel loved.

Hoping it was a good week at home too, and wishing you all the best this next week.

Love,

Krista