Are you crazy?

With Grant active duty we have double coverage with health insurance.  We decided that we needed to get all 3 kid's wisdom teeth out while it didn't cost us anything.  People thought I was crazy to do them all at once, but the more I thought about it the more it made sense.  Why take care of hurting kids three weekends in a row when I can do it all in one weekend?  Of course they poured half my cement the same day they got their teeth out. It was insane at times. First was Austin...Here he is being escorted to the lounger by the nurse and there is Bre making fun of him.  They were hilarious.  Angela, my niece, came to help me get them into the car and home safely.  She was a doll.  We laughed the whole time because they were so out of it and they were saying the funniest things.

Here is Austin right after.  He looks so peaceful.

Next was Marissa.  She was the funniest.  She kept smiling and saying how fun it was.  She asked for her phone and started texting. The nurse asked her who she was texting and she said she didn't know and started to giggle. We found out later it was her dad.

Bre is ready to go!

Here Angela and I are giving Bre our support before they put her under.  The doctor said she was a light weight.  The minute he gave her the medicine to sleep she was out within 10 seconds. He said she was the quickest and Marissa needed the most medicine to go under. The oral surgeon was so kind.  Of course I didn't know it until I got there, but I went to school with  him and even dated him a couple of times.  It was a nice surprise. He took good care of my kids.

After Bre gets her teeth out. 

Poor Bre...she threw up the whole way home and into the afternoon.  She just couldn't handle the stuff they gave her to knock her out.   She is now recovering quit well along with Marissa and Austin. It hasn't been so bad.  We have just watched movies and slept for the last 3 days.  It's great for me, but not so fun for them.  But at least it is over.

Getting the yard ready!

With Grant gone to Afghanistan I decided to try and get the yard done on my own.  That includes sprinklers, fence, pool, grass, and a ton of cement.There have been many times that I think I am way in over my head, but it will be worth it in then end.  The more I work on this house the more I love it. Here are some pics before they poured the cement and after.  The rest will be poured next week. More pictures to follow. Of course I got a little help from Grant all the way around the world.  He is my biggest cheerleader.

Here he is sporting his war outfit in style.

Grant in Afganistan

Hi Friends and Family,


Here are two emails from Grant. I thought it would give you an idea of what he goes through. I have also attached pictures of him. We love him so much and we are so proud of he willingness to put his life on the line for our freedom.


Hi Linda,


We had another significant attack against the city yesterday. Terrorists had what is called a "complex attack" and 17 people lost their lives.Among those was a cousin of our interpreter. There is a good resiliency of the people to make this a safer country but as in all things this takes time. We are focusing on getting the government to pass laws making terrorist acts a criminal act. This will allow prosecutors to go against them regardless of religion, tribal affiliations, or race. Sounds simple but they currently do not have any laws for this type of evil. My roomate and I pray daily that their will be good change in the future.


Love, Grant




Hi Linda,
I have had a different feeling for a couple of days. Maybe because I have been on the night shift. Things have been tough, missing home, missing you, wanting to spend time with the children, etc....So I am thinking things will get a bit better. It is Friday, which is our Sunday and got into bed and a descent enough time last night to get some sleep before church. I was just drifting off to sleep when an explosion went off. This was the biggest one I have experienced and could feel it shake the window. Marcus was in a deep sleep and bounced out of bed so fast I thought he was going to hurt himself. I immediately called in to work to let them know we were ok and we heard some gunfire.Found out later that was outside the base but on our side. I did not want to go to the bunkers or the office because we would have to walk outside which is on the 2nd floor and would not want to be in view of anyone from a distance that could do us harm. A few minutes later the base was locked down and we were told by "Giant Voice" that we must stay in our buildings and only essential personnel should be moving about. I think this all really hit home because I definitely had thoughts about my safety, you, and the children. I was able to get back to sleep awhile later and Marcus stayed in the
room until he woke me up for Lunch and Church. Going to church today gave us an opportunity to talk to others about what happened and feel the spirit through the talks and lessons that were given. We talked how
our weaknesses can be our strengths even If Heavenly Father does not take those trials from us. It was good to hear about the trials of Alma and Paul and how those can help us in our lives today. I came back, sent you some email and texts and then finally made it back to sleep. When I woke I spent some time reading the scriptures and the book "Putting on the Armor of God" I am just kind of typing away and do not know what else to say. I look forward to a good life together.


Love ya.

Humanitarian Mission in Afghanistan

Grant was invloved with a humanitarian mission to help the local Afganistan people.  Here is the article that was written about it.

As Operation Mushtarak continues making progress in the Helmand province, missions as important in helping Afghans survive continue here.


Servicemembers and civilians working with NATO Training Mission Afghanistan stationed at Camp Eggers participated in a humanitarian volunteer community relations mission Feb. 20. The goal was to distribute needed supplies to refugee families living in Kabul.


“The VCR program accepts donations from people like clothing, school, supplies and blankets and distributes them to displaced families around Kabul,” said Army Maj. Sam Sok, operations research systems analysis and mission commander for the VCR mission. “We then sort the items into individual care packages for each family, and smaller bags with toys and school supplies for the children.”

As the volunteers arrived at the camp, they were not met with cheers and happiness as past VCR missions encountered. The children were in their orderly lines, but clinging to one another for comfort. The weapons and body armor worn were not what was causing the fear.


"The Afghan government has asked us to leave this land,” said Lalagh Samwngul, a refugee mother living with her family. “The children think the Soldiers are here to move us from our home.”
Samwngul tries to consol her daughter who is patiently awaiting her turn to get her bag. They have been living in the camp for a year, seeking refuge in a safer area.

The camp is home of an old Taliban training center at the base of snow-covered mountains. It is now the home and safe-haven for approximately 60 families; all displaced refugees. Some fled the country 30 years ago when Soviets invaded the area and are now returning home. Others like Samwngul, were looking for a way to start again.The aid is critical over the next two months until the spring comes and the cold winter is left behind, according to Nooragha, the town elder. “When the Spring comes, more work will be available for the people. Then the money that comes in will help support the families.”Right now families can’t even afford a tent to move off the camp as the government is requesting, Nooragha said. Their only help is right now is the U.S. military and international community.“Without the aid from the international community and the military this town would not survive,” Nooragha said. “Thank you brothers! We will never forget it.”On the way back to Camp Eggers, volunteers discussed their experience.

(Here is Grant handing out candy from Austin's Eagle project!)
“My first impression was very sad,” said Senior Airman Brian Ybarbo, NTM-A public affairs photographer deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. “It is not something I am not used to seeing. This is the worst I’ve seen; not a good feeling at all. You don’t want that for any family; not to be living like that. But, then it was a good feeling to see their faces light up as they got their bags and quickly ran away to go play with their toys.”“I think the VCR missions are another way to fight the Taliban,” said Sok, deployed from Fort Belvoir, Va. “It is another way to contribute not only to our mission here in Afghanistan, but to simply help people.”

The VCR program dates back to the beginning of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and serves as a means to distribute the contributions from home. This mission provides a very personal medium to show U.S. and coalition concern for the poor and displaced.The Camp Eggers’ chapel office conducts the VCR missions as often as possible with a goal of weekly missions, averaging about 40 missions a year. The servicemembers work with a local Afghan humanitarian aid organization, Sozo International, identifying 150 locations around Kabul with families displaced due to the ongoing war, according to Sok. As the volunteers finished up their mission and prepared to depart the camp, the mood changed dramatically. An Army captain finished up an impromptu soccer game with an Afghan boy excited to get the ball as one of his gifts. Other members say goodbye with the universally recognized high five.


Yet still tears flow from Samwngul’s daughter’s eyes. This time though, the tears were tears of joy as she hugged her new baby doll and stuffed animal.


Here is what Grant thought about the mission:


Last Saturday I was able to go out on a VCR (Volunteer Community Relations) mission to a location where the US Forces first dropped bombs on the Taliban located in Afghanistan. The area is now nothing more than a small refugee camp that is housing some families who were previously in Pakistan waiting for an opportunity to come back to their homeland when US Forces occupied the area making it more safe. Many people here are in the same situation (left Afghanistan when Taliban took control and are now returning from different middle eastern countries). It was a wonderful opportunity to serve but ironic that we had multiple Guards and Vehicles watching over us while the locals had nothing.