Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero,
Oh what a marvelous day! First I talked to you and it was quiet in the background. How amazing to be able to really talk. Then I talked to your mom and told her we decided the girls could go to summer camp with her. I think she was thrilled.
I made my favorite brownie/banana and peanut butter dessert for church. I also made four trays of meatballs for meatball subs. I am starving thinking about it.
A couple of other great things happened. I woke up to an encouraging message from a friend. Then I got flowers today. All the package said was from another Army spouse. No idea who they are from. I am not even allowing myself to guess.
I love you babe,
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero,
Grace just called for me; she wanted me to pray with her and Jason. She said they have a hard time praying for daddy. She said Jason prays you will be home tomorrow and does not understand it will be a long time. She said when they prayed last night her nose tingled and then she cried. She said she could not pray for you without crying. So I prayed with them. Jason prayed you would be home safe tomorrow. Grace prayed that when you got home we had a safe move (I guess they have heard us talking about wanting to move). She said it would be hard to move with everyone and we needed help. I love these children and their hearts.
AWANA went well tonight. I miss being in a class but it is nice to be able to set and chat with Lindsie. Tonight was so funny because James was overly jealous. If another baby was near me he would try to move them out of the way. When he got in my arms he took both of my hands and wrapped them around him so I could not move them.
We have been listening to the kid’s music in the car. It is so funny hearing how all the kids sing it differently. Every now and then James would scream YES SIR, I have to giggle.
I love you babe and cannot wait to talk to you again.
Love,
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear hero,
We had a good day. I lost it with the rental property management but they got it figured out.
The kids had a great day. Hope and Grace did well in school. I mean better than normal. I got laundry put away. I also found a couple boys to get the back yard in shape. I am excited to get it done and be able to enjoy the yard. I think I made it sound like more work than it is. I just know I do not want to stack the wood but I want us in a good starting spot for summer.
Today I was snappy with you on the phone and I am so sorry. I have got to get better about walking outside when you call.
Okay, this is going to sound crazy but the phone just rang. It was someone from scouts. She said instead of her boys getting paid to come and do yard work the troop is going to come over on Saturday and do yard work for us. I was and am in tears.
I had so much to say but right now I am going to head to bed. I cannot even think I am so in awe with thankfulness and amazed at others generosity.
I love you,
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero,
Today has been a good day. I wish you were home tonight. The laundry is actually caught up and put away. Wait, maybe there is some clothes now that the kids are in pajamas.
I finally broke down and asked Rachel to start helping me every other week. I just realized I can either be irritated that I cannot keep the house up or I can ask for help.
I am so excited for tomorrow. First I am taking Abby to the Vet to be fixed (what is it called when it is a female dog). The kids are having a fit that we are not ever going to let her have puppies. Then I am going shopping for summer clothes for the kids. I am going to try not to go overboard. Heck who am I kidding, when you have 6 kids anything is overboard?
I told Michael you got his e-mail. I wish you could have seen the smile on his face. He told me today that he can hook his IPOD up to his computer and attach pictures to his e-mails. So who knows what you will be receiving.
Oh Rob, your girls were a mess today. Hope and Grace were playing Polly pockets and then Grace said “I use breast feed my babies but then I moved to California and now I cannot”. No idea where she comes up with this stuff.
I am going to try to buy two new shoe racks tomorrow to hang inside the boys closet. I am ready to start getting rid of things again. Every day I look around and see something we do not need. Two copies of a book, extra school stuff. Even dare I say it, kitchen gadgets?
Okay, I guess I better go. I need to make sure I put the dog’s food away. For that matter I better put away the cat’s food and the guinea pig food.
I love you baby and miss you more than I can explain. I hope you are getting settled in. I cannot wait for you to have a address so I can mail things to you.
Love,
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero,
Michael is doing good in boyscouts. I am trying really hard to make him more organized with scouts.




Michael had a chance to help a friend work on his eagle scout project. They re built picnic tables at San Lee park. I cannot wait to go out when the weather gets warmer so we can use the new picnic tables. Thank you for finding us such a amazing troop. These boys work so hard to get things done.
I cannot believe Michael is going to two scout camps this summer. He is constantly telling me what about what merrit badges he is going to do.
I love you,
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero,
Oh what a day it has been. I bet you thought I was nuts. So I took the camcorder to Best Buy and guess what they did not have a battery. I looked at camcorders and just knew I wanted a flip cam. They are so cute and look fun. The only problem is they do not have zoom. So I bought the next thing. I honestly left with this purchase but was not excited. So the first e-mail I sent you explained which one I bought.
Then I saw a batteries plus. You did not say I needed to go to batteries plus but I stopped. They had our batter for $60. So I bought it and e-mailed you again saying I bought it.
Then I decided I should explain the differences between the old and new camcorders. What I thought about them. So you received a third e-mail.
Then we drove to the girls running program. As I was driving all I could think was we are in a great spot financially and why did I just spend $275 on something we did not have to have. So I wrote you a fourth e-mail. Can you imagine if you were in town? I would have been calling you every 5 minutes. Oh wait, no I would not have, you would have been here to decide what to do for us.
I miss you, i guess I do not have to keep saying it but I do and saying it makes me feel better. Jason has dressed up like a soldier for the last 2 days. He will not take his costume off.
Oh and in case you were wondering I paid $3.70 for gas today. Oh and it was 78 degrees. It was beautiful.
Oh and one more thing. Grace has taken great pride in the fact that she has worn James 18 month shorts all day. These are button shorts not even elastic. She is crazy thin. Sometimes I still worry.
Oh yeah one more thing, well maybe two. The dog just jumped on my laptop and ripped off my W key. Do you know how often W is used? Did they give you ambien when you were flying? A friend said they gave her husband ambien so that when he got home he was well rested.
I love you babe and I am heading to bed, yes with that stinking dog.
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero,
We miss you so much. We try to talk about you as much as the kids want. Some times we put flatdaddy on the couch with us while we do devotions.
So glad you are able to call and talk to us. It makes so much difference when the kids can hear your voice.
Love,
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Letters to my Hero

Dear Hero,
I am so sorry, it seems like I hardly write you anymore. The days seem to run together. Nothing bad just crazy busy.
We have had a good week. I babysit for Lindsie and Jeremiah last night for a couple of hours. When they picked up the kids things went fun and wonky. Jeremiah took about 20 minutes to wrestle with the kids. They had so much fun. I wish you could have been here to hear the laughing and giggling. Wait, if you were here then Jeremiah would not have needed to wrestle them to the ground.
The kids are doing well. I think we are finally over the sore throat stage in our house.
I noticed yesterday James has a new molar on the bottom left. That explains the runny nose. This morning Jason looked outside and was worried that Abby could not see to walk around the yard because of the fog. It is really thick this morning.
Would you believe I have left Michael and Hope sleep until 9am this morning? Everyone went to bed by 9pm. I figure if they are sleeping they must need it.
The girls have their running program today. Did I tell you I found someone to run with both of them? I have to be honest and tell you I am a little disappointed in the program. I think I thought it would be more physical. It is my fault for not researching it more. The girls are loving it!
I love you baby and cannot wait to talk to you.
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Good morning love,
Another Saturday alone without you. I almost do not know what to do. So far it seems normal. I am awake, way before everyone else. Well except for the cat and dog who thought it would be fun to fight at 6am. As I type this the dog is trying to get under the table at the cat and all I hear is her whimpering because the cat keeps smacking her. I took the dog to get her nails trimmed yesterday. They did a good job but not as good as our vet. I have got to stop taking her other places when I know what a great job our vet’s office does.
We do not have a lot of plans today. I really want to work on those blankets. Michael is supposed to go help on an eagle project. I may run a couple of errands while he is there and then go back and let the kids play on the playground. I am anxious to try out this new camera. I did not buy a new camcorder. Maybe in a couple of months.
Can I tell you how excited I am you got a cell phone? I know it is pricey but so worth it to hear your voice.
The kids are doing well. Yesterday was a great day. The weather was awesome so we played outside a ton. I opened the windows. The wind was crazy wild but I do not mind. I love airing out the house.
I cannot wait to take the girls on Tuesday to GOTR so I can take pictures of James on the playground. He is so cute. He runs and smiles and laughs. I love hearing it so much.
I found someone who is willing to make me a clothe envelope system. I am so excited. I have torn up our current one. It will also be fun to carry something around that looks more like a girl wallet than a leather binder.
Did I tell you I bought Faith new dress shoes? Size TEN, she is getting so big! Every day is something new with her. She loves the running program. She started Science this week and finished up History. She is loving science. I need to order the things for science projects.
I got my nails done yesterday. I had them put a yellow ribbon to remind me of you. Not that I need help but it is like my little tattoo.
Okay, well while writing this the boys have woken up and are ready to eat. I guess you can’t come home and cook breakfast. Speaking of coming home, yesterday Grace asked me if you would give permission for all of us to drive to you for a visit. She said we could all fit in the van if we do not bring Kerri.
Oh, one more thing, I know I always go on and on. Yesterday when I went in to have the dogs nails done a funny thing happened. I only had 2 kids with me. A lady walked in and said “are you the lady with that big family”. She saw the back of the van.
I love you,
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero,
Well it has been over a week. A week since I hugged you, a week since I saw your face. A week since I conned you into changing a diaper. I feel like we did not get an official good-bye. Things got crazy and I did not get my traditional good-bye. I guess it gives me something to look forward to.
This evening I went grocery shopping at wal-mart (yucko). I can now say I officially started working on my first care package to send you. Now if only I can get an addy to send you things.
When we were driving to Wal-mart Grace saw cows standing up and told me that she missed you because the cows are standing and that means it is a good fishing day. Then walking through Wal-mart she pointed out something else that makes her miss you. I like when she talks about you. I try really hard to keep communication open and going.
Well I guess I better get in bed. Mornings come early. I love you babe!
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero
Woo, what a wonderful day. What a busy day, what a crazy day. I got everyone up early and took Michael to the Chapel to work. I came home and got everyone dressed and did school with Hope while Faith did school.
Then we headed back to post to pick up Michael and here is where it gets totally crazy. We picked up Michael and headed to Cingular (okay AT&T) to turn in your orders. The wonderful employee that we like was there. She called the company suspend you account and this is where things go crazy. She has done this a million times. AT&T said that they looked on the DOD website and you are not deployed you are in basic training. She explained over and over that she has met you and you have been in 19 years and are most definitely not in basic. We were there over an hour. They did not even want a copy of the orders because they knew they were right. She finally faxed them the orders and hopefully got it straight. I am calling the company today to pitch a major fit.
After that we went to Sam’s for lunch. Seriously where else can you feed seven kids for $12? Can you believe I left only spending $45? I needed some spices and 5 milks.
Then we ran Kerri back on post to her mom. Then I took Jason in for his urine test. Oh my word I wish I had a video camera watching us. I explained to Jason that he was going to Pee in a cup and he went nuts with excitement. When I finally had him setting quietly the lab tech called him up and said “do you need to pee, can you pee in a cup for me, and will you please pee in a cup for me”. He went nuts again jumping up and down saying “I get to pee in a cup; I am going to pee in a cup”. Cracked me up and everyone in the office thought it was funny. He did fine.
Then we rushed home for Michael to change for scouts and headed to scouts.
While he was at scouts I took the three youngest to McDonald’s. I even splurged and bought happy meals. Would you believe they hardly ate there food. Then we went back to scouts. The meeting did not end until 8:45. Luckily there were lots of scouts running around to help. Let’s just say the kids had a great time.
We finally came home about 9:15 and crashed. Tomorrow will be crazy but in a much quieter way.
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero,
I love you and I miss you and I cannot believe we are doing this again. I think I have lied to myself for the last several months. Lindsie called me the day you left and asked how I was. She was surprised I sounded so well. I was honest and said I try to pretend it is not happening.
It is harder to do now. Jason was behind the chair this afternoon and I heard him say I miss daddy. It is like for whatever reason he realizes this is for a long time. He told me you needed to come back and get pizza with dipping sauce. He has loved on me all day.
We have had a good week. I think everyone but me is on the mend. I have no clue why you and I cannot get rid of this throat thing.
Abby is doing okay, although she did take a bowl of cereal from the baby this morning. Today was a quiet day. I cleaned up the kitchen this morning. Made cupcakes for church, took a nap, well laid down to nap. Everyone was fed and bathed by 5pm. I put pork chops and potatoes in the crockpot. I have got to make sure I am cooking daily.
I am going to run to the pet store tomorrow and pick up a new dog bowl for the dog. I love you so much, have I said that. I can tell this deployment is still new because I keep leaving my phone laying around.
I talked to your mom today, she was folding laundry. She sounded like she was doing better.
I cannot wait to start mailing things to you. If I keep these girl scout cookies in the house another day I know I will eat them.
I love ya babe and cannot wait to hear from you again.
Pamela

Letter to my Hero

Dear Hero,
It has been a couple of crazy, busy crazy days. There are days I wish we had a video crew following us because we could surely make money.
Friday night I watched Courageous with the kids. I said no electronics while we watched it. Grace cried through the whole movie. I love her heart. I cried through a lot of it even though I had seen it. I cannot wait for you to see it. I am really wishing we had someone we could leave the kids with over night or someone to stay at the house while we went away for the night. Can you imagine a night in a hotel, ordering room service and watching a movie and then sleeping in. oh that sounds amazing.
Saturday we stayed home and did not do a lot. Well that is not totally true. By 9am we had the whole house straightened up and I made eggs, sausage and biscuits. I tried to make gravy but it did not turn out. I did make Hope a skirt. Which was not fun; since I have no ironing board but that is a story for another day?

Sunday was a day to remember. First I realized I forgot the babies’ cup so we stopped at Wal-mart to pick up one. I also picked up Vitamin water because it was by the register. Did I tell you I have completely moved him to straw cups and that I no longer give him one at nap or bedtime. It is amazing how few diapers I change now.
So we get to church and within a 15 minutes Michael came in and said that the battery in the van had died. Cody charged it after church. This was a awesome reminder that when someone says they will help while your soldier is gone that they will.
During the service (right as everyone was shaking hands and walks into the foyer) the nursery workers came to get me. I wish I would have taken a picture of this. They literally put James in a Rubbermaid container and two workers carried it into the bathroom. They had one hand on him and one hand on the bucket. He was standing up and had bowel all the way up his back. Of course it felt like half the church saw him. I do not know if it was the vitamin water or just something that happened. He has not had any problems since.
After church we went back to wal-mart and bought Hope a pair of tennis shoes. I know this does not sound like me but I almost did not buy them because they looked very generic to me and I did not like them. I know that sounds weird coming from me.
I stopped by auto zone and they said the battery is fine. They did suggest we go ahead and have a second one installed.
We came home and went to bed. Everyone laid down or was at least quiet.
Last night we went to AWANA. The kids had fun. Hope has to have the best teacher in the entire world. He has been so patient with her. We only have two more financial classes left. I forgot to tell you I went on Dave Ramsey’s site and ordered us a new wallet book. I have really torn this one up. The one I ordered has plastic pages so I am hoping they do not tear as easily. When I picked up James they had all the toddlers lined up on the wall and the teacher would say 1, 2, 3 and James would scream GO and take off running. I was so excited. I had not heard him say go before.
We came home and went straight to bed, everyone was ready for bed.
I have so much more to tell you but I will wait. I do not want to over whelm you.
Love,
Pamela