Holidazed and Confused ...

Today I’m in Afghanistan “celebrating” my 33rd birthday. What’s funny is this isn’t even my first birthday at Bagram Airfield. Three years ago, I turned 30 here. The Army guys I was stationed with at the time bought some biscuits from the Popeye’s Chicken here and that was my cake. This year, we had pizza the night before as this year, like every few years, my birthday falls on Thanksgiving Day. So for me, today isn’t especially about my birthday, but rather, celebrating that a year ago today I asked Jennifer to marry me and she said yes. Believe me, I’m still just as shocked …

The day started early for me too. The aerial photographer on our team, Staff Sgt. Mike Keller, is flying in an F-15E Strike Eagle over Afghanistan today. It’s the first time something like this has been done over here, so it’s really cool that it’s our team involved. What’s also cool is that he’s flying with the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., my first duty station. But Mike had to be at the squadron at four in the morning, so someone had to bring him. But it’s okay because he’s taking Yoshi up on the flight with him. Seriously, the next Mario Kart game needs to have a Strike Eagle as an unlockable vehicle. Missiles > turtle shells …

Driving back to the office, I saw someone running. Now, it’s great and all to want to stay in shape, but for cryin’ out loud, it was 4:30 in the morning, really windy and 25 degrees outside. Then I saw another runner. This one was wearing shorts. And that’s when it hit me. I don’t like *anything* enough to do it at 4:30 in the morning in 25 degree weather. I don’t even like cuddling with Jennifer that much. But then again, her feet are usually about 25 degrees …

And to be honest, I actually miss her cold feet. I miss the boys jumping on us as we try to sleep in on the weekends. I miss having to take the dog outside. And that was my second revelation for the morning. Even the less fun aspects of family life, it’s still my family life, and I really can’t wait to get back to it. So for my birthday, I don’t want candles; I’d rather light a fire in our fireplace. Because sooner or later, Jennifer will inevitably attack me with her freezing feet, and then I’ll know I’m home …

Peanuts, Cracker Jack ...

We’re heading into the bottom of the seventh inning on this deployment. Just a few more weeks to go and I’ll be heading home, or as Jennifer calls it, “Back where you belong.” Can’t really argue with her on that. A little bummed, however, as no one sang “Take Me out to the Ballgame” for us …

But we did have lots of treats. My team had some extended downtime between missions for the first half of November, which was nice because we’ve quick-turned from one mission to the next for a while now. And when we got back from Iraq, I had a bunch of care packages waiting for me from family as well as my contacts from AnyAirman.com and Operation Write Home. And yes, we even had thematically appropriate seventh-inning stretch snacky snacks …

Jennifer sent lots of Halloween treats like stuff to decorate our own cookies and lots of candy. So while I didn’t get to dress up and go trick-or-treating with my sons this year (one of my top five regrets during this deployment), I did get to celebrate my favorite holiday a little bit. She also sent a pirate piñata. I swear my intentions were good and I wanted all nine of us in the combat camera section to get a turn to swing at it. But I went first and, armed with a baseball bat, in one swing showed the pirate why ninja are better …

The time was also really good for our family. Jennifer and I did a lot of pre-reconnecting - talking about things we want to do once I get home and even settling of some old arguments. Difficult at times, wonderful at others, positive all the way around. Marriage at a billion miles from each other is a lot more difficult than either of us thought it would be. But we’re growing and making progress as a wedded couple. Despite the times when we want to choke each other, we are still good about acknowledging our love for one another and maintaining the goal of resolving our disagreements. Even when I’m not as correct about things as I usually think I am …

Right now I’m hoping to get home a few days after Christmas. I asked Zachary point blank if he wanted to open presents on the 25th or wait until I got home. Without missing a beat, he made the family decision for us and said he wants to wait until I get home. I’m really proud of him for that decision and it means a lot to me that he's willing to wait so we can enjoy the day as a family. Being a dad from a billion miles away is just as trying as being a husband and the time apart has been really difficult for the boys, too. And really, all I want for Christmas is to be with my family again. Santa better come through for me on this one too. He still owes me for that LEGO train set I always wanted. And if not, well, he can ask the pirate about my batting skills …

Home Stretch

JG's homecoming is way overdue if you take into account how much the kids and I miss him. I've gone back and forth between feeling anxious and excited about the day he comes home. In some aspects the distance has made us stronger, but in other ways weaknesses are quite apparent. More than anything else I crave proximity.

Now some random thoughts.

Until last night, I forgot how much I enjoy the Burger King fish sandwich. You have to remmeber to order it with cheese. It comes with lettuce. It's the size of a Whopper. Yum.

I hate checking the mail, mainly because our mailbox key needs to be inserted and turned "just right." Also, more than 90 percent of it is junk mail that clutters the house.