DEc. 28, 2008 From Mom

Hi Honey,

Mother loves you.

I’m still aggravated at this phone, but we’ll get a chance to talk again.

Went to Brandon and Laura’s for Christmas. Laura’s family was there so it was a festive occasion. I think Dad said he was in the shower when you called. I had the phone in my pocket and kept checking it and turning it back on, but you called in between checks.

A friend of mine sent me a $50 gift certificate to Amazon and I won some contests so I have another $45 to Amazon. I think I’m going to order the books I’ve been wanting and maybe a Celtic cd.

Samantha is crawling now. She did very well at opening packages. Of course, then she wanted to eat the paper and Daddy kept taking it away from her. She got the most surprised and annoyed look on her face. Then she’d just go back to unwrapping packages and get her another piece of paper to chew on. She got lots of clothes, but was a lot more interested in chewing on the hangers. Needless to say, Laura’s family showered them with lots of gifts. Samantha isn’t allowed in the kitchen so when she’d crawl over to the edge of the carpet, Brandon told her no and threatened to slap her hands if she went in there. She’d hold up her hand like she was thinking about whether she really wanted to go in the kitchen or not. Then she’d put it back down and turn around. I think Daddy has been disciplining the child.

She really is a good little baby. She’s so happy and smiles all the time. Her hair is even longer now, of course, Laura had it up in a pony tail with a bow. It’s just odd to see a seven-month-old baby with a ponytail that long. I hope Laura will send you the Chirstmas card with the pictures.

That surprises me they cooked Mexican food. Was it good?

I’m glad you only had to work half a day, but sad some of the others were out on Christmas.

Glad the guys like the cookies. There isn’t much I can do, but I will bake cookies.

I’ve given up on KBR. I should have pushed harder to get a job last year, but the lawyer didn’t really want me leaving the country until the divorce was over. I still applied, but I should have been more aggressive.

Not sure I want to be in Iraq after they start turning all those prisoners loose anyway. That seems like a disaster looking for a place to happen.

I want a home and some land desperately, but Iraq and Afghanistan are off the table.

I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned dates and times on convoys. You haven’t to me, anyway and I don’t want to know. The least I know the less I have to worry about.

I didn’t get the Christmas stories done, but I think I am going to do some short stories anyway and post them. Plus I have some old ones I am going to put up.

I’ve been concentrating on Paladin. I will finish the last chapter tonight and then add in some bits and pieces I left out. I need to change a few things to tie up loose ends. By the end of January, it should be in good shape. Not sure it will be a number one, but I do think it will sell. The story is solid, I just worry about the storytelling.

Brice put up a new website you might like to look at. http://bbroaddus.com/home.html

He’s such a talented artist and a nice guy.

I found the monitor box. Unfortunately, I threw away the Styrofoam. I am working on some other packing. I will try to get it off in the mail Tuesday.

You never gave me an answer on the books. Do any of the guys over there read and if so, what? I have several boxes here, but I can donate them to Books For Soldiers if y’all don’t want them.

Do you have room for a picture frame?

I may send Katie my camera until I can get her another one. She needs to be taking more pictures of the baby. I need to get this car stuff paid for so I can drive again. I had hoped we might be getting some kind of tax rebate like last year, but from what I am reading the big tax help plan is going to cut a few dollars in taxes off each check. That will cost the country billions in taxes and amount to a few Cokes for the taxpayers. I wish they’d keep the danged money and pay down part of the debt if they’re going to do that. Anyway, need to get that car situation taken care of so I am just going to send her my camera until I can buy her one.

Speaking of taxes, did Katie send you that form?

I hope all is going well for you. I pray for all of you every night. I keep Katie and Little Man in prayers also. He is such a beautiful baby.

Ah, before I forget, look what I found.

http://www.ansgeulaiche.co.uk/index.html

He’s a member of the writer’s forum. It’s not Ireland but it’s close and we might be able to find something like that in Ireland.

Also:

http://www.scottish-master-of-wedding-ceremonies.co.uk/handfasting.shtml

Not sure if you’d be interested in that, but it’s intriguing. They can also do a dedication ceremony for a baby.

Well, sweetheart. Going to ship this off to you. Going to go get some paper this week so I can write letters. Emails are quick, but they are not permanent.

Love you so very much.

Take care of yourself. Tell Sarge hi for me. Do you like oatmeal cookies?

Love,

Mom

Dec. 28, 2008 From Mom

Hi, sweetheart,

Just a quick line to let you know I got your email. Will respond more fully later.

No, I wouldn't put out any information, about times, dates or where you are. I didn't even put sarge's name in the last post.

I figured the KBR jobs were dead. I found a total of four in Iraq today and one in Afghanistan. I want a home desperately, but that isn't going to be the route. Where one door closes, another always opens so something else will come up.

Well, it's almost 3:00 am and I am going to try and finish this chapter tonight.

One more chapter to go and it's done. Yay!

Love you, honey.

Mom

Sunday Dec. 28, 2008 From Will

Hi Mom

I hope you had a good Christmas. I tried to call Dad too. Guess he didn't hear it. I'll try and call again soon.

I had a pretty good Christmas. We only worked half the day. Our guys were out on the road and another left Christmas day so I guess it could have been worse. They served Mexican food for the dinner meal. That was great.

I got your snickerdooles. Everyone loved them. I keep them on my desk.

I was going to try and call everyone but there was a line at the phones and I went at midnight. So I'll try and call Cody and Brandon in the next couple of days.

It would be hard to get a KBR job. We're pulling out of all the cities and by January they want to Iraqis to take over a lot of the jobs. That's awesome oh, and there also releasing 12,000 prisoners. I was going to tell you if i say anything about our convoys or anything about times or dates you can't put it up on the blog. OPSEC stuff. Who knows?

Go head and send the monitor just wrap it really good and what ever the post cost I'll pay you for it. Well I need to get on to work. I love you mom. Tell everyone there I said hi. I'll talk to you later.