Rough Couple of Weeks

I know it's been a long time since I've posted...but it's been a hard couple of weeks. CJ has been out on the range and communication with him has been very minimal. Kevin you know is at boot camp and we can't have any communication with him except by letter. A little over a week ago, Kevin wrote to inform us that he was seriously ill. He had pneumonia in both lungs and was put on bed rest. We had to wait out several days wondering if we were going to get a phone call letting us know that he had to be rolled back to another platoon making his graduation date much later. So far, no phone call. We are praising the Lord for answered prayer! We believe Kevin is back with his original platoon and training hard.

In two days, Curt and I will be making our way to Twentynine Palms, California to see CJ. He will be deploying to Afghanistan sometime early April for approximately 1 year. We are so looking forward to seeing him, on the other hand, not so happy about saying good-bye. This should be CJ's last deployment, he is scheduled to be done serving in the Marine Corps July 2009. He and Curt have some dirt bike riding planned while we're in California; I plan to do some reading, journaling, scrapbooking, and enjoy some much needed quiet time alone.

My Mom will be staying here with all the kids while we're away...keep her in your prayers! ;) We will be gone over Easter which means she will be coloring eggs, fixing little girl's hair, and getting everyone to church on time (or at least close to it).

Curt and I are so blessed to have this time away together...it's been almost 13 years since we went anywhere alone.

I'll fill you in on our time with CJ when we return. Hopefully my computer will allow me to post some pictures, it's been acting up lately.

Huge Privilege!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight we received a phone call from Kevin. I'll be honest, I was very nervous when I heard it was him on the phone. Normally there is absolutely no contact with anyone outside of boot camp once you start training unless there is an emergency. Well...there was no emergency, he just got to call home because he "earned" it. They were fighting with pugil sticks; he hit his opponent in the head and knocked him out of bounds. His drill instructor told him to get up there and do it again, and if he did...he would get a phone call home. What an incentive! He got right up there and did exactly what he was told, thus we were blessed by hearing his voice. He sounded great, well his voice is gone from yelling, but his spirits were up. He said it is very hard sometimes, but he's managing. He also went on to tell us that he has been promoted from squad leader to "guide". This is the highest position you can hold in boot camp. Curt asked if there was any competition and Kevin said that there were a couple guys who want it. We gave him lots of encouragement and told him to hang on to it. This position can be given and taken away many times during training, but we're hoping he can graduate with honors. It really comes down to your drill instructors and what kind of mood they're in that particular day. Kevin could keep this position all the way up to the day of graduation and then the DI could decide to give it to someone else. Either way, we are thrilled and so very proud of Kevin. Just had to share my excitement with you;