Hey Brad:
Hey you! How are you doing? Tonight is your last night of actual training and you probably just finished your 15k march. What a champ you are! I'm hoping that you'll be able to call me tomorrow since you'll be doing out processing and have more free time. I'll have my phone with me all day, but it will be off while I'm flying to Utah and my flight leaves at 11:35 CA time. Anyway, now that we are confident that you are going to graduate on time I emailed Sgt. Williamson and asked him if he could give me your final AIT day. He emailed Sgt. Bishop and then Sgt. Bishop emailed me and let me know that your tentative AIT graduation date is December 14th.
So, now that I know that, I've been looking at cruises a little more seriously. The one that we were looking at is pretty much all booked up (only expensive rooms left), but don't worry, there are lots of other good ones. There a bunch of good ones that start on December 16th, but I think that is cutting it too close. Plus, you wouldn't be able to spend any time with the girls. The one I am the most excited about is on the Princess cruise line, it leaves on December 23rd, it is a 7 day cruise, it goes to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, we'll be on the ship for Christmas and our anniversary, we'll be gone from CA right when Dan and Danni are going to be here for Christmas, so it won't be too crowded, and the best part is it is pretty cheap, especially for being a cruise over Christmas. The reason it is so cheap is because I just found out yesterday that cruise lines give a military discount. Cool, huh? We really need to remember to take advantage of that little perk. I'm also getting a military discount on my hotel room in Lawton next week. Anyway, this cruise is only $600 per person with the military discount, normally priced at $900 per person for an inside cabin (the cheapest room) crazy huh? Anyway, I have all of this stuff written down and when you call me (hopefully sometime in the next couple of days) we'll discuss it and then book the cruise. I am so excited!!!!
I thought that I would include a great quote from the season finale of the second season of the Office, Casino Night:
Michael: “Oh, and another fun thing. We, at the end of the night are going to give the check to an actual group of boy scouts. Right Toby?”
Toby: “Actually, I didn't think it was appropriate to invite children since it's uh you know there's gambling and alcohol and it's in our dangerous warehouse and it's a school night and you know Hooter's is catering. Is that enough? Should I keep going?
Michael: “Why are you the way that you are? Honestly, every time I try to do something fun or exciting, you make it not that way. I hate so much about the things that you choose to be...”
Maren has started doing the kicking the leg thing that Jane used to do in bed where she picks both legs up and slams them down. Hers is not quite as loud or as crazy as Jane used to do it, but she's getting there. It's pretty funny. I also just got out the next size of clothes for Maren and it is so crazy because it feels like Jane just barely grew out of the clothes that I am getting out for Maren.
Jane is getting really close to being able to say “I love you”. I called your house and talked to your mom today and she put Jane on the phone and she talked to me a little bit and I heard your mom tell her to say “I love yoU” and what she said sounded pretty darn similar, especially for a 17 month old. I will work with her on it and then get her to say it to you on the phone. She is so adorable. I haven't heard heard her on the phone in awhile and her voice is so high and girly, I'm getting a tiny, tiny perspective of what you have been experiencing.
I was talking to my mom today about her migraines and asking her how she gets through every day with so much pain. That got us talking about how we are actually capable of more than we know. I know that I have gone beyond what I was I used to think I was able to do and that I have done it well, which is so amazing. It also makes me think about all that you have accomplished at boot camp. I bet that you have done things that you didn't think were in you, like running 2 miles so fast. Every time you get more push ups into that two minutes, and every minute you tolerate foul language or exercise patience with your Drill Sargent, I bet you didn't know you had that much in you. You are so amazing Brad, I am so proud of you I just can't even express it. I know that Heavenly Father is helping you and me through this experience and that it has made us stronger and better. We can do anything together and it's exciting to think about. I love you more than an airplane loves the sky.
Love-Jess
P.S. I'm going to be in Oklahoma one week from today! Wahoo!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
10-16-07
Hey Brad:
How are you doing sweetie? How is everything going with your camp out? I'm really interested to hear about these last few days and about what your final rite-of-passage experience was. I also hope that once you are done on Thursday that we will be able to talk on the phone more. If we are then I probably won't send you a letter every day. I also probably won't send many letters next week since you won't really even get them before I am there with you! My being there in person is going to be SO MUCH better than a letter :)
I was thinking about how our family is pretty spread out right now. Daddy is in Oklahoma, Mommy and Maren are in California, and Jane is in Utah.
Anyway, I got another great letter from you yesterday. You talked about being excited for track and school which makes me really happy. You also talked about Private Fisher's memorial service and it sounded like it was a pretty nice experience. Hopefully it helped you guys get a little closure about the experience; especially your battle buddy. Well, actually I don't remember if it was your battle buddy or your bunk buddy or what, but I remember that you told me that one of your buddies was the one firing the gun and that he was having a really hard time with this whole thing. How is he doing now? I was thinking it might help him to hear about your experience with Steven. You probably have already shared it with him if you guys are friends, but it's kind of the same situation where you feel some personal responsibility even though it was totally out of your control. Anyway, I'm just so proud of you and how well you have handled every challenge and responsibility that has come your way so far in this whole boot camp experience and it is about to pay off. You are almost done! Can you let me know when you know for sure that you are going to graduate (I know that you already know that you are) so that I can have Sgt. Williamson find out when your last day of AIT will be. Before, when I asked Sgt. Williamson what your last day of AIT would be he said that he wouldn't be able to know until he knew that you were going to graduate from Basic Training.
The lyrics for today are from an episode of the office. The beach day one where they take a bus and Pam walks across coals and Andy floats away in the giant sumo suit. They sing this song on the bus on the way to the beach. It is Kenny Roger's “The Gambler”:
“On a warm summers evenin' on a train bound for nowhere, I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep. So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness 'til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.
He said, son, I've made a life out of readin' peoples faces, and knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes. So if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces. For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice.
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow. Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light. And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression. Said, if you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run. You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table. There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.
Now ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin' is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep. Cause ev'ry hands a winner and ev'ry hands a loser, and the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.
So when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window, crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep. And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even. But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run. You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table. There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.”
I wanted to tell you about the things that I am going to bring to you for you to have while you are in AIT and you let me know if there is anything else or if I don't need to bring some of these things. I'm planning on bringing you a cell phone and wall charger. I'm also going to bring the iPod and a wall charger for you. I'm also going to bring you some extra civilian clothes for you to wear on the weekends in AIT. It's so exciting that we are even able to start talking about this and planning for this and that it's all going to happen next week! I love you so much Brad and I can't wait to see you again. I love life with you! I love you more than Santa Clause loves Christmas...
Love-Jess
P.S. I just bought your iPod wall charger today on Amazon.com for $5; pretty cool huh? Since I'm going to Utah on Thursday I had the charger mailed to your parents house.
How are you doing sweetie? How is everything going with your camp out? I'm really interested to hear about these last few days and about what your final rite-of-passage experience was. I also hope that once you are done on Thursday that we will be able to talk on the phone more. If we are then I probably won't send you a letter every day. I also probably won't send many letters next week since you won't really even get them before I am there with you! My being there in person is going to be SO MUCH better than a letter :)
I was thinking about how our family is pretty spread out right now. Daddy is in Oklahoma, Mommy and Maren are in California, and Jane is in Utah.
Anyway, I got another great letter from you yesterday. You talked about being excited for track and school which makes me really happy. You also talked about Private Fisher's memorial service and it sounded like it was a pretty nice experience. Hopefully it helped you guys get a little closure about the experience; especially your battle buddy. Well, actually I don't remember if it was your battle buddy or your bunk buddy or what, but I remember that you told me that one of your buddies was the one firing the gun and that he was having a really hard time with this whole thing. How is he doing now? I was thinking it might help him to hear about your experience with Steven. You probably have already shared it with him if you guys are friends, but it's kind of the same situation where you feel some personal responsibility even though it was totally out of your control. Anyway, I'm just so proud of you and how well you have handled every challenge and responsibility that has come your way so far in this whole boot camp experience and it is about to pay off. You are almost done! Can you let me know when you know for sure that you are going to graduate (I know that you already know that you are) so that I can have Sgt. Williamson find out when your last day of AIT will be. Before, when I asked Sgt. Williamson what your last day of AIT would be he said that he wouldn't be able to know until he knew that you were going to graduate from Basic Training.
The lyrics for today are from an episode of the office. The beach day one where they take a bus and Pam walks across coals and Andy floats away in the giant sumo suit. They sing this song on the bus on the way to the beach. It is Kenny Roger's “The Gambler”:
“On a warm summers evenin' on a train bound for nowhere, I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep. So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness 'til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.
He said, son, I've made a life out of readin' peoples faces, and knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes. So if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces. For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice.
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow. Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light. And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression. Said, if you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run. You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table. There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.
Now ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin' is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep. Cause ev'ry hands a winner and ev'ry hands a loser, and the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.
So when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window, crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep. And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even. But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run. You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table. There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.”
I wanted to tell you about the things that I am going to bring to you for you to have while you are in AIT and you let me know if there is anything else or if I don't need to bring some of these things. I'm planning on bringing you a cell phone and wall charger. I'm also going to bring the iPod and a wall charger for you. I'm also going to bring you some extra civilian clothes for you to wear on the weekends in AIT. It's so exciting that we are even able to start talking about this and planning for this and that it's all going to happen next week! I love you so much Brad and I can't wait to see you again. I love life with you! I love you more than Santa Clause loves Christmas...
Love-Jess
P.S. I just bought your iPod wall charger today on Amazon.com for $5; pretty cool huh? Since I'm going to Utah on Thursday I had the charger mailed to your parents house.
Monday, October 15, 2007
10-15-07
Hey Brad:
Hey sweetie! Thanks for calling me yesterday, I loved talking to you on the phone. I know you started your final camp out today and I've been thinking about you all day. It's crazy to think that this is your last big thing of boot camp; that by Thursday you'll be done. It has taken forever, but it also seems like it has gone really fast. I'm glad that Basic Training is almost done and that all we have left is AIT because I think AIT is going to be a lot better and easier and it is going to go faster. You are going to have more freedoms and it is going to be so much shorter than boot camp. Almost half the length of boot camp. Also, let me know what you think about me bringing the girls to visit you in El Paso at Fort Bliss.
Here's another poem:
I took your family to the airport this morning and Jane went with them. I already miss her so much. I can't imagine how you are feeling, missing your girls. Jane is doing so great. On Saturday we went shopping and to a little farmer's market. Jane was in heaven because there was a bunch of fruit samples. Then your parents bought some really tasty peaches and Tim handed her one for a bite and she basically devoured the whole thing. It was really funny! She ate it so fast and there was juice dripping everywhere.
The lyrics for today are Chantal Kreviazuk's “Feels Like Home”: Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself; makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms. There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast. Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life. If you knew how lonely my life has been and how long I've been so alone. And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along and change my life the way you've done. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong. A window breaks, down a long, dark street and a siren wails in the night. But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me and I can almost see, through the dark there is light. Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me and how long I've waited for your touch. And if you knew how happy you are making me. I never thought that I'd love anyone so much. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way the back where I come from. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong.”
Like I was saying on the phone, I like to imagine what our reunion will be like too. The last letter I got from you described what you thought it would be like. Like I was saying on the phone I think it will be like when we saw each other for the first time after your mission, only 10 times better. I can't wait to just be with you again and be in your presence. When I have a hard time falling asleep at night, I lay there imagining what it will be like when we are together again. I can't wait to hug you and kiss you and smell you and touch you...
Love-Jess
P.S. If you get a chance, I think that underwear that you found that you told me about on the phone yesterday is a great idea.
Hey sweetie! Thanks for calling me yesterday, I loved talking to you on the phone. I know you started your final camp out today and I've been thinking about you all day. It's crazy to think that this is your last big thing of boot camp; that by Thursday you'll be done. It has taken forever, but it also seems like it has gone really fast. I'm glad that Basic Training is almost done and that all we have left is AIT because I think AIT is going to be a lot better and easier and it is going to go faster. You are going to have more freedoms and it is going to be so much shorter than boot camp. Almost half the length of boot camp. Also, let me know what you think about me bringing the girls to visit you in El Paso at Fort Bliss.
Here's another poem:
It seems we began this separation so long ago.
There is never enough time when saying goodbye.
I'm being stretched beyond my previous limits,
Being apart from my love affects me to the core.
Our love is my strength and it fills in the gaps.
My Savior also buoys me up.
I am about to be with my lover again.
We will be together for a short, but precious time.
I wish everyone had what I have and was as lucky as I am.
There is never enough time when saying goodbye.
I'm being stretched beyond my previous limits,
Being apart from my love affects me to the core.
Our love is my strength and it fills in the gaps.
My Savior also buoys me up.
I am about to be with my lover again.
We will be together for a short, but precious time.
I wish everyone had what I have and was as lucky as I am.
I took your family to the airport this morning and Jane went with them. I already miss her so much. I can't imagine how you are feeling, missing your girls. Jane is doing so great. On Saturday we went shopping and to a little farmer's market. Jane was in heaven because there was a bunch of fruit samples. Then your parents bought some really tasty peaches and Tim handed her one for a bite and she basically devoured the whole thing. It was really funny! She ate it so fast and there was juice dripping everywhere.
The lyrics for today are Chantal Kreviazuk's “Feels Like Home”: Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself; makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms. There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast. Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life. If you knew how lonely my life has been and how long I've been so alone. And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along and change my life the way you've done. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong. A window breaks, down a long, dark street and a siren wails in the night. But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me and I can almost see, through the dark there is light. Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me and how long I've waited for your touch. And if you knew how happy you are making me. I never thought that I'd love anyone so much. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way the back where I come from. It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong.”
Like I was saying on the phone, I like to imagine what our reunion will be like too. The last letter I got from you described what you thought it would be like. Like I was saying on the phone I think it will be like when we saw each other for the first time after your mission, only 10 times better. I can't wait to just be with you again and be in your presence. When I have a hard time falling asleep at night, I lay there imagining what it will be like when we are together again. I can't wait to hug you and kiss you and smell you and touch you...
Love-Jess
P.S. If you get a chance, I think that underwear that you found that you told me about on the phone yesterday is a great idea.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
10-09-07
Hey Sweetie:
I got such a great letter from you today, it made me so happy! It was the letter about Private Fisher's accident and your experiences with that. I'm so grateful to you for sharing your testimony with me of the Atonement and families being together forever. I really felt the spirit while I was reading your testimony. I know it's true and I know you know it's true and I couldn't ask for anything more.
I'm also glad that you remember my wishbone wish that I wished you will die of old age and not any other way. But, since you got the bigger half of the wishbone when we broke one right before you left, I'm going to make your wish come true which means we will be alright while you are gone. So, in order to make my wish still valid I made my same wish again over my birthday candles. So, as long as you do your part and Heavenly Father does His part, I think we are good to go.
The lyrics for today are Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Trees because that is the song that has been coming to my head lately when I want to sing something to the girls; especially Jane, she likes the actions: “I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apricot tree! Spring has brought me such a nice surprise. Blossoms popping right before my eyes. I could take an armful and make a treat, a popcorn ball that would smell so sweet. It wasn’t really so, but it seemed to be. Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!”
Ok, now it's time for an update on the girls. Maren has a few new developments in her life. She has started talking instead of crying when she first wakes up which is always nice. When they are still newborns they usually just wake up crying. Also, think she is going to be ready to eat solid foods soon because she has starting anticipating things with her mouth. Like when I'm about to feed her and I get close with the bottle she will open up her mouth before I touch it to her lips and she does the same thing with the binky. The last new development is that she cries real tears now when she cries sometimes. It used to just be mostly noise when she cried, but now she gets tears on her cheeks. It's sad, but really cute too. Jane is now saying “hello mama” as her second two word sentence, with “no mama” being her first. She calls the Daddy book, “Daddy!” and really seems to enjoy looking at it and finding you. She has been sleeping so great the past couple of days. She has been going to bed at like 7:30 and getting up at about 9 am. Then she has only been taking one nap from about noon to 3 or 4 pm. She is such a love!
I'm going to try writing a poem (but it doesn't rhyme) too, let me know what you think:
I love you! That's all there is to it. I also miss you and can't wait to see you in only two weeks! Luckily, October has been going by very quickly and I think it will continue to go by quickly seeing as your family is coming tomorrow, then I'm going to Utah, then I'm coming to you. I hope it's going fast for you as well. I imagine that it is since you guys are now in blue phase and you only have like one and a half hard weeks left then out processing. Life is so good Brad, I just can't wait for it to get even better when we are together again. I love you more than a piece of birthday cake loves a scoop of ice cream.
Love-Jess
P.S. Here's a tongue twister for you. Try to say this three times fast, it sounds really funny: “Bob Loblaw's Law Blog.” It ends up sounding like “blah blah blah blah blah”
I got such a great letter from you today, it made me so happy! It was the letter about Private Fisher's accident and your experiences with that. I'm so grateful to you for sharing your testimony with me of the Atonement and families being together forever. I really felt the spirit while I was reading your testimony. I know it's true and I know you know it's true and I couldn't ask for anything more.
I'm also glad that you remember my wishbone wish that I wished you will die of old age and not any other way. But, since you got the bigger half of the wishbone when we broke one right before you left, I'm going to make your wish come true which means we will be alright while you are gone. So, in order to make my wish still valid I made my same wish again over my birthday candles. So, as long as you do your part and Heavenly Father does His part, I think we are good to go.
The lyrics for today are Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Trees because that is the song that has been coming to my head lately when I want to sing something to the girls; especially Jane, she likes the actions: “I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apricot tree! Spring has brought me such a nice surprise. Blossoms popping right before my eyes. I could take an armful and make a treat, a popcorn ball that would smell so sweet. It wasn’t really so, but it seemed to be. Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!”
Ok, now it's time for an update on the girls. Maren has a few new developments in her life. She has started talking instead of crying when she first wakes up which is always nice. When they are still newborns they usually just wake up crying. Also, think she is going to be ready to eat solid foods soon because she has starting anticipating things with her mouth. Like when I'm about to feed her and I get close with the bottle she will open up her mouth before I touch it to her lips and she does the same thing with the binky. The last new development is that she cries real tears now when she cries sometimes. It used to just be mostly noise when she cried, but now she gets tears on her cheeks. It's sad, but really cute too. Jane is now saying “hello mama” as her second two word sentence, with “no mama” being her first. She calls the Daddy book, “Daddy!” and really seems to enjoy looking at it and finding you. She has been sleeping so great the past couple of days. She has been going to bed at like 7:30 and getting up at about 9 am. Then she has only been taking one nap from about noon to 3 or 4 pm. She is such a love!
I'm going to try writing a poem (but it doesn't rhyme) too, let me know what you think:
You are constantly in my thoughts, with me always.
I feel I'm merely breathing you in and out.
I crave your embrace, ache to be held
Where all my adventures begin and end.
When we're together again it will feel so good.
To once again to be in your arms, so close.
We know our family will forever be together
And our joy can only continue to grow.
I hope you know how you save my life every day.
You are my happy ending, my safe return.
I feel I'm merely breathing you in and out.
I crave your embrace, ache to be held
Where all my adventures begin and end.
When we're together again it will feel so good.
To once again to be in your arms, so close.
We know our family will forever be together
And our joy can only continue to grow.
I hope you know how you save my life every day.
You are my happy ending, my safe return.
I love you! That's all there is to it. I also miss you and can't wait to see you in only two weeks! Luckily, October has been going by very quickly and I think it will continue to go by quickly seeing as your family is coming tomorrow, then I'm going to Utah, then I'm coming to you. I hope it's going fast for you as well. I imagine that it is since you guys are now in blue phase and you only have like one and a half hard weeks left then out processing. Life is so good Brad, I just can't wait for it to get even better when we are together again. I love you more than a piece of birthday cake loves a scoop of ice cream.
Love-Jess
P.S. Here's a tongue twister for you. Try to say this three times fast, it sounds really funny: “Bob Loblaw's Law Blog.” It ends up sounding like “blah blah blah blah blah”
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
10-03-07
Hey Sweetheart:
How is the love of my life? How are your PT tests going? Did you find out about your expert marksman status? Is it going to count? I sure hope so! Guess what? I found a rockin' dress today to wear for your Boot Camp Graduation. I look foxy in it and I'm excited for you to see me in it.
Today I went ocean swimming for my exercise and it was so fun! I like to get a variety in my exercise and I was supposed to go running today, but I stayed up too late last night to get up early to run. So, later in the day when the girls were sleeping, James and I went down to the ocean and swam to the pier and then ran in the shallow water back so that there was resistance on our feet when we were running. It was very fun and worked us hard. I was a little afraid to go alone which is why I asked James to come with me. This was the first time that I had been in the ocean since I have been living here and it was freezing cold, but it felt great.
I loved your pictures in the last letter, and if you have time when you write letters, I would love more pictures. I love what you draw, I think you are so talented. That red wavy design in the last letter was amazing, it must have taken a long time. Even though I'm not getting letters every day any more, when I do get a letter it has several days worth or writing in it and I just love it. I'm going to try and answer some questions and address some topics in your last letters. You asked me if the days are going quickly and they really are. I still miss you so much, but it is much easier now than it was at first, I'm pretty used to it now. But I can't wait until we are together again.
Do you know how I often say funny things? Like the Seven Years In Tibet comment? Well, here's another one. I used to think that the song “The Farmer in the Dell” was actually “The Farmer and the Dale.” Isn't that silly? You married a smart one, I'm telling you. I must have a degree or something :)
So, in honor of this new knowledge, the lyrics for today are The Farmer in the Dell:
“The farmer in the dell. The farmer in the dell. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The farmer in the dell.
The farmer takes a wife. The farmer takes a wife. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The farmer takes a wife.
The wife takes a child. The wife takes a child. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The wife takes a child.
The child takes a nurse. The child takes a nurse. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The child takes a nurse.
The nurse takes a cow. The nurse takes a cow. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The nurse takes a cow.
The cow takes a dog. The cow takes a dog. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The cow takes a dog.
The dog takes a cat. The dog takes a cat. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The dog takes a cat.
The cat takes a rat. The cat takes a rat. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The cat takes a rat.
The rat takes the cheese. The rat takes the cheese. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The rat takes the cheese.
The cheese stands alone. The cheese stands alone. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The cheese stands alone.”
While Parker has been here we got out a lot of my old books and toys that I used to play with when I was a kid. One fun book I've been reading to Parker and Jane that I remember reading a lot when I was little was James the Jaguar. Parker has also been listening to Power Tales which are books about important people like Florence Nightengale and Louis Pastuer, but they are written for kids and then we have tapes that go along with them. It is all so fun and it reminds me a lot of my childhood. One of my favorite things that I used to play with, that I want to see if my mom will give me for our girls, was a thing called MapleTown. We had all these little families of animal figurines and my mom made us houses and things to make roads, and furniture and everything. I know that they have it stored in a box somewhere, I think it's in UT. So with this move I'm sure it will be found and I think it would be really fun for our girls.
I don't know about you, but I want our next baby to be a boy. I've found out from Jen that there are ways, timing wise with ovulation, that you can increase your chances of getting pregnant with a boy. I won't go into details here in this letter, but I'll tell you on the phone later. Anyway, speaking of having a baby boy, my dad is going to give us this really cute set of baby pictures of my uncle Bruce that I think will look so great in the nursery when we do have a boy. I think it will be appropriate since Bruce will be our son Bruce's namesake. So I'll be bringing them home with me. I've been getting lots of fun treasures while I've been living here...
I'm very excited for conference this weekend. I've been needing some spiritual enlightenment. I'm sure that you aren't going to be able to watch. So, we'll have to catch up once you are back. I also missed the Relief Society Broadcast last weekend, we just completely forgot to watch it. So I need to catch up on that too. Everyone is leaving tomorrow, my Mom, my Dad, Jen, Todd, and Parker. So, I'm going to be alone for like six days until your parents get here next Wednesday. But it's a lot easier this time then the last time I was alone, right after you left. I think I'm actually going to enjoy some alone time. I need a break from being parented. My parents are doing great with me living here, but they can't totally resist giving me advice and being my parents. It's kind of a challenge to go from being on your own and actually being parents, to living with your parents again. But it is also such a blessing, so any challenges are worth it.
Well, I better wrap this up. I love you so much!!!!! I hope that everything is going really well with you. Keep up the great work and I can't wait to talk to you on Sunday!
Love-Jess
P.S. In your letter you mentioned that you felt like you didn't even recognize Maren anymore. I can't wait to see your face when you finally get to see her again.
How is the love of my life? How are your PT tests going? Did you find out about your expert marksman status? Is it going to count? I sure hope so! Guess what? I found a rockin' dress today to wear for your Boot Camp Graduation. I look foxy in it and I'm excited for you to see me in it.
Today I went ocean swimming for my exercise and it was so fun! I like to get a variety in my exercise and I was supposed to go running today, but I stayed up too late last night to get up early to run. So, later in the day when the girls were sleeping, James and I went down to the ocean and swam to the pier and then ran in the shallow water back so that there was resistance on our feet when we were running. It was very fun and worked us hard. I was a little afraid to go alone which is why I asked James to come with me. This was the first time that I had been in the ocean since I have been living here and it was freezing cold, but it felt great.
I loved your pictures in the last letter, and if you have time when you write letters, I would love more pictures. I love what you draw, I think you are so talented. That red wavy design in the last letter was amazing, it must have taken a long time. Even though I'm not getting letters every day any more, when I do get a letter it has several days worth or writing in it and I just love it. I'm going to try and answer some questions and address some topics in your last letters. You asked me if the days are going quickly and they really are. I still miss you so much, but it is much easier now than it was at first, I'm pretty used to it now. But I can't wait until we are together again.
Do you know how I often say funny things? Like the Seven Years In Tibet comment? Well, here's another one. I used to think that the song “The Farmer in the Dell” was actually “The Farmer and the Dale.” Isn't that silly? You married a smart one, I'm telling you. I must have a degree or something :)
So, in honor of this new knowledge, the lyrics for today are The Farmer in the Dell:
“The farmer in the dell. The farmer in the dell. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The farmer in the dell.
The farmer takes a wife. The farmer takes a wife. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The farmer takes a wife.
The wife takes a child. The wife takes a child. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The wife takes a child.
The child takes a nurse. The child takes a nurse. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The child takes a nurse.
The nurse takes a cow. The nurse takes a cow. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The nurse takes a cow.
The cow takes a dog. The cow takes a dog. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The cow takes a dog.
The dog takes a cat. The dog takes a cat. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The dog takes a cat.
The cat takes a rat. The cat takes a rat. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The cat takes a rat.
The rat takes the cheese. The rat takes the cheese. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The rat takes the cheese.
The cheese stands alone. The cheese stands alone. Hi-ho, the derry-o. The cheese stands alone.”
While Parker has been here we got out a lot of my old books and toys that I used to play with when I was a kid. One fun book I've been reading to Parker and Jane that I remember reading a lot when I was little was James the Jaguar. Parker has also been listening to Power Tales which are books about important people like Florence Nightengale and Louis Pastuer, but they are written for kids and then we have tapes that go along with them. It is all so fun and it reminds me a lot of my childhood. One of my favorite things that I used to play with, that I want to see if my mom will give me for our girls, was a thing called MapleTown. We had all these little families of animal figurines and my mom made us houses and things to make roads, and furniture and everything. I know that they have it stored in a box somewhere, I think it's in UT. So with this move I'm sure it will be found and I think it would be really fun for our girls.
I don't know about you, but I want our next baby to be a boy. I've found out from Jen that there are ways, timing wise with ovulation, that you can increase your chances of getting pregnant with a boy. I won't go into details here in this letter, but I'll tell you on the phone later. Anyway, speaking of having a baby boy, my dad is going to give us this really cute set of baby pictures of my uncle Bruce that I think will look so great in the nursery when we do have a boy. I think it will be appropriate since Bruce will be our son Bruce's namesake. So I'll be bringing them home with me. I've been getting lots of fun treasures while I've been living here...
I'm very excited for conference this weekend. I've been needing some spiritual enlightenment. I'm sure that you aren't going to be able to watch. So, we'll have to catch up once you are back. I also missed the Relief Society Broadcast last weekend, we just completely forgot to watch it. So I need to catch up on that too. Everyone is leaving tomorrow, my Mom, my Dad, Jen, Todd, and Parker. So, I'm going to be alone for like six days until your parents get here next Wednesday. But it's a lot easier this time then the last time I was alone, right after you left. I think I'm actually going to enjoy some alone time. I need a break from being parented. My parents are doing great with me living here, but they can't totally resist giving me advice and being my parents. It's kind of a challenge to go from being on your own and actually being parents, to living with your parents again. But it is also such a blessing, so any challenges are worth it.
Well, I better wrap this up. I love you so much!!!!! I hope that everything is going really well with you. Keep up the great work and I can't wait to talk to you on Sunday!
Love-Jess
P.S. In your letter you mentioned that you felt like you didn't even recognize Maren anymore. I can't wait to see your face when you finally get to see her again.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
9-26-07
Bradley:
Happy Birthday to me! Today has been the greatest day, mostly because of you. I can't even tell you how much it meant to me to be able to talk to you on the phone. And, we got to talk for 50 minutes which is more than we've ever been able to talk since you left. I loved hearing your voice, you sounded so good. It sounds like you are really getting more adjusted to the lifestyle that you're living and the things that you have to put up with. I'm so happy for you Brad and so proud of you. I also loved hearing about all of the great missionary experiences that you are being blessed with. I am so grateful to you for serving a mission and what a great asset it is to know how to share the gospel easily with the people around you. The gospel is the greatest gift that we can ever give anyone and you are at least introducing it to all of these guys who could really use a little light in their lives.
Anyway, like I was saying, I have had a great birthday. I got to sleep in this morning; then we went to Del Mar and I spent that gift card and went to Cafe Mimosa (see the menu on the back of this paper) with my mom; then I made peanut butter rice crispy treats and relaxed some more in the afternoon; also, the girls were wonderful all day; then I got to talk to you which was amazing; then we had a really yummy dinner of mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and BBQ flavored meatballs (Sara, Luke, and Ben were there for dinner in addition to the usual group of Mom, Dad, Jessie and the girls); then we got the kids into bed and played some games (Spades) while we waited for Jen, Todd, and Parker to arrive; then James got home from school and had some dinner; then the Shumards arrived and we had the ice cream cake that Sara made for me and they sang to me and I got to blow out candles. Do you want to know what I wished for? The same wish I made over the wishbone that we broke together right before you left... I wished that you would die of old age :) I just have this really good feeling that that wish will come true. So, now I'm 23, YEAH!
They lyrics for today are exciting, they are Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's “Let's Make Love”: “Baby I've been drifting away and dreaming all day of holding you, touching you. The only thing I wanna do is be with you as close to you as I can be. Let's make love all night long until our strength is gone. Hold on tight, just let go. I want to feel you in my soul. Until the sun comes up, let's make love. Do you know what you do to me? Everything inside of me is wanting you, needing you. I'm so in love with you! Look in my eyes. Let's get lost tonight in each other... Let's make love all night long until our strength is gone. Hold on tight, just let go. I want to feel you in my soul. Until the sun comes up, let's make love.”
I have been staying up kind of late (even though I have been trying to go to bed early) and still waking up early. There are two main reasons why I have a hard time going to bed early. The first one is that I don't have you to help me get to bed right now, and, when I do go to bed, I go to an empty bed and that's no fun so I delay going. The second thing is it is my free time from being a mommy so I like to live it up and work on my projects and get lots done while the girls are asleep since I don't get much done while they are awake. I guess there are three reasons...the last reason is it is always hard to get up early in the morning no matter how late or early I go to bed. It is probably a little easier to get up when I go to bed early and I feel more refreshed, but I always wish I could sleep longer. I have my cell phone alarm set to go off every morning at 6:30 and I always feel so good once I get up, it's just hard to get up. I like to get up at 6:30 so that I can get all of my morning things (yoga, scripture study, breakfast) done before the girls are awake. Anyway, my goal is to go to bed around 10:30 and then get up at 6:30 so that I get 8 hours of sleep because I know that no matter how I feel that is the best thing for my body.
Here is a journal entry about Maren from my Mom's journal: “The miracle of new life is at our doorstep. Even though Maren will be our eighth grandchild, each birth is uniquely joyous and precious. She is due on Grandpa Lindorf’s birthday. Even though we don’t know how much longer we will have Grandpa with us, it is sobering to expectantly wait for one life to join us while another is in the process of leaving. Like the surf on the ocean, each of God’s children naturally falls into the rhythm of one going out and the next coming in. Yesterday at the beach, as I felt the spray of an astonishingly beautiful, fresh new wave upon my face and heard its thundering crash demanding to be heard, I thought of the infinite creation God allows us to witness and relish with each new child He intimately brings to us. Life can never be taken for granted.”
I love you so much Brad, thank you for giving me two beautiful little girls!
Love-Jess
P.S. Have you noticed the scent of this letter? Homesick yet? :)
P.P.S. I found out that there is a temple in Oklahoma City and I will find out what we need to do to get there...
Here is some really interesting information that was just emailed to me about the annual fatalities of military members while actively serving in the armed forces from 1980 through 2004:
1980 .......... 2,392
1981 .......... 2,380
1982 .......... 2,318
1983 .......... 2,465
1984 .......... 1,999
1985 .......... 2,252
1986 .......... 1,984
1987 .......... 1,983
1988 .......... 1,819
1989 .......... 1,636
1990 .......... 1,508
1991 .......... 1,787
1992 .......... 1,293
1993 .......... 1,213
1994 .......... 1,075
1995 .......... 1,040
1996 ............ 974
1997 ........... 817
1998 ............ 826
1999 ............ 795
2000 ........... 774
2001 ............ 890
2002 .......... 1007
2003 ......... 1,410 ----- 534*
2004 . .........1,887 ----- 900*
2005 ............ 919*
2006 ........... 920*
Happy Birthday to me! Today has been the greatest day, mostly because of you. I can't even tell you how much it meant to me to be able to talk to you on the phone. And, we got to talk for 50 minutes which is more than we've ever been able to talk since you left. I loved hearing your voice, you sounded so good. It sounds like you are really getting more adjusted to the lifestyle that you're living and the things that you have to put up with. I'm so happy for you Brad and so proud of you. I also loved hearing about all of the great missionary experiences that you are being blessed with. I am so grateful to you for serving a mission and what a great asset it is to know how to share the gospel easily with the people around you. The gospel is the greatest gift that we can ever give anyone and you are at least introducing it to all of these guys who could really use a little light in their lives.
Anyway, like I was saying, I have had a great birthday. I got to sleep in this morning; then we went to Del Mar and I spent that gift card and went to Cafe Mimosa (see the menu on the back of this paper) with my mom; then I made peanut butter rice crispy treats and relaxed some more in the afternoon; also, the girls were wonderful all day; then I got to talk to you which was amazing; then we had a really yummy dinner of mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and BBQ flavored meatballs (Sara, Luke, and Ben were there for dinner in addition to the usual group of Mom, Dad, Jessie and the girls); then we got the kids into bed and played some games (Spades) while we waited for Jen, Todd, and Parker to arrive; then James got home from school and had some dinner; then the Shumards arrived and we had the ice cream cake that Sara made for me and they sang to me and I got to blow out candles. Do you want to know what I wished for? The same wish I made over the wishbone that we broke together right before you left... I wished that you would die of old age :) I just have this really good feeling that that wish will come true. So, now I'm 23, YEAH!
They lyrics for today are exciting, they are Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's “Let's Make Love”: “Baby I've been drifting away and dreaming all day of holding you, touching you. The only thing I wanna do is be with you as close to you as I can be. Let's make love all night long until our strength is gone. Hold on tight, just let go. I want to feel you in my soul. Until the sun comes up, let's make love. Do you know what you do to me? Everything inside of me is wanting you, needing you. I'm so in love with you! Look in my eyes. Let's get lost tonight in each other... Let's make love all night long until our strength is gone. Hold on tight, just let go. I want to feel you in my soul. Until the sun comes up, let's make love.”
I have been staying up kind of late (even though I have been trying to go to bed early) and still waking up early. There are two main reasons why I have a hard time going to bed early. The first one is that I don't have you to help me get to bed right now, and, when I do go to bed, I go to an empty bed and that's no fun so I delay going. The second thing is it is my free time from being a mommy so I like to live it up and work on my projects and get lots done while the girls are asleep since I don't get much done while they are awake. I guess there are three reasons...the last reason is it is always hard to get up early in the morning no matter how late or early I go to bed. It is probably a little easier to get up when I go to bed early and I feel more refreshed, but I always wish I could sleep longer. I have my cell phone alarm set to go off every morning at 6:30 and I always feel so good once I get up, it's just hard to get up. I like to get up at 6:30 so that I can get all of my morning things (yoga, scripture study, breakfast) done before the girls are awake. Anyway, my goal is to go to bed around 10:30 and then get up at 6:30 so that I get 8 hours of sleep because I know that no matter how I feel that is the best thing for my body.
Here is a journal entry about Maren from my Mom's journal: “The miracle of new life is at our doorstep. Even though Maren will be our eighth grandchild, each birth is uniquely joyous and precious. She is due on Grandpa Lindorf’s birthday. Even though we don’t know how much longer we will have Grandpa with us, it is sobering to expectantly wait for one life to join us while another is in the process of leaving. Like the surf on the ocean, each of God’s children naturally falls into the rhythm of one going out and the next coming in. Yesterday at the beach, as I felt the spray of an astonishingly beautiful, fresh new wave upon my face and heard its thundering crash demanding to be heard, I thought of the infinite creation God allows us to witness and relish with each new child He intimately brings to us. Life can never be taken for granted.”
I love you so much Brad, thank you for giving me two beautiful little girls!
Love-Jess
P.S. Have you noticed the scent of this letter? Homesick yet? :)
P.P.S. I found out that there is a temple in Oklahoma City and I will find out what we need to do to get there...
Here is some really interesting information that was just emailed to me about the annual fatalities of military members while actively serving in the armed forces from 1980 through 2004:
1980 .......... 2,392
1981 .......... 2,380
1982 .......... 2,318
1983 .......... 2,465
1984 .......... 1,999
1985 .......... 2,252
1986 .......... 1,984
1987 .......... 1,983
1988 .......... 1,819
1989 .......... 1,636
1990 .......... 1,508
1991 .......... 1,787
1992 .......... 1,293
1993 .......... 1,213
1994 .......... 1,075
1995 .......... 1,040
1996 ............ 974
1997 ........... 817
1998 ............ 826
1999 ............ 795
2000 ........... 774
2001 ............ 890
2002 .......... 1007
2003 ......... 1,410 ----- 534*
2004 . .........1,887 ----- 900*
2005 ............ 919*
2006 ........... 920*
* Figures are Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom fatalities only.
“Does this really mean that the loss from the two current conflicts in the Middle East are LESS than the loss of military personnel during Mr. Clinton's presidency? Were we at war? Are you confused when you look at these figures? Especially look at 1980 when Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jimmy Carter, was President, there were 2,392 US military fatalities. What this tells me is that the media and (some) politicians pick and choose, and they tend to present only those facts that support their agenda driven reporting.”
“Another fact the media and politicians like to slant is that these brave men and women losing their lives are minorities. Wrong again - The latest census shows the following:
European descent (white) . 69.12%
Hispanic ....................... 12.5%
African American ............ 12.3%
Asian .............................. 3.7%
Native American ................ 1.0%
Other ............................... 2.6%
The fatalities over the past three years in Iraqi Freedom are:
European descent (white) .. 74.31%
Hispanic .......................... 10.74%
African American ..... ..........9.67%
Asian ................................. 1.81%
Native American ... ............. 1.09%
Other ................................. 2.33%
Monday, September 24, 2007
9-24-07
Hey Sweetie:
Well, this morning Jane woke up at like 7 am (which is unusual for her) and she actually woke up before Maren did, which is the first time that Jane has done that in Maren's whole life! Crazy huh? For the past couple of mornings Maren has been waking up for the first time at like 7:30 and 8:00 am and it has been wonderful!
Tonight we had our ward FHE deployment dinner which my mom was in charge of because she is the compassionate service leader. Basically, it was just a potluck dinner for all of the families in the ward that have a member of the family who is either deployed, on active duty, or will be deployed soon. It was fun and a good chance to get to know other military wives. I'm trying to find out information to help me see what our future might be like and it looks good so far. I think it's going to be such a fun adventure! Also, your three girls wore our new t-shirts so that everyone would know why we were there. Because “My Daddy (Husband) Defends Freedom in the US Army!” The girls look so cute in their shirts and I got some pictures that I will send you as soon as I get them printed.
I got two awesome letters from you today and now I know why I didn't get very much mail from you last week, because you wrote several days worth and then mailed them because you were so busy. Should I expect the weeks to go more like that now since you are so busy? That is totally fine if that is the case, I just need to know what to expect then I get less disappointed if I don't get a letter. I was so excited in your letter when you told me about being an expert marksman. I am SO proud of my man! I really hope that you get the award for the personal physical test as well. I know how hard you have been working on that and I know that you can do it. I can't wait to see you in your Class A's. I also liked when you talked about wrestling in your barracks and choke holds and teaching our sons how to fight. Let's also teach our girls how to fight too (especially since that's all we have so far) because we don't want them to be clueless and vulnerable either. I love life with you Brad!
I have my first window washing job this weekend. On Saturday I am going to wash Sharon Thornton's windows. She lives in this building and I've washed her windows before. She thinks I'm pretty great and she thinks our girls are adorable. She's a sweet lady... Anyway, I think it will be fun to wash windows again and it will be fun to get a little extra cash. Also, if I spend a little time on this window washing thing I would definitely win the Lindorf Challenge :)
The lyrics for today are Anna Nalick's "Breathe (2 am)":
"2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake. Can you help me unravel my latest mistake? I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season. Yeah we walk through the doors. So accusing their eyes, like they have any right at all to criticize. Hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason.
'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable. And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table. No one can find the rewind button girl, so cradle your head in your hands. And breathe, just breathe, whoa breathe, just breathe.
May he turn 21 (in your case 24) on the base at Fort Bliss (in your case Fort Sill). Just today he sat down to the flask in his fist. Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year. Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while, but, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles. Wanna hold him, maybe I'll just sing about it.
'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable. And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table. No one can find the rewind button boys, so cradle your head in your hands. And breathe, just breathe, whoa breathe, just breathe.
'There's a light at each end of this tunnel,' you shout. 'Cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out. These mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again if you only try turning around.
2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song (in my case writing a letter). If I get it all down on paper, its no longer inside of me, threatening the life it belongs to. And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud. And I know that you'll use them, however you want to.
'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable. And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table. No one can find the rewind button now. Sing it if you understand. And breathe, just breathe, whoa breathe, just breathe, oh breathe, just breathe, oh breathe, just breathe."
When I was in UT last month I bought a coupon Timpview card to support Anna Marie. It's a great date card and I wanted to send you a copy of what's on it so that you can get excited about the dates that we are going to go on when we're together again. Speaking of dates, I can't wait to kiss you again! I'm having a hard time remembering what it is like to kiss you. One kiss that does stand out in particular is that one time that you helped me to bed and I was like totally asleep. Then you were just kissing me good night and you got a little carried away. That was such an amazing kiss! Then we got a little carried away :)
I just got this quote in an email, “God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.” The journey is going to be hard, God never said it would be easy, He just promises that it will be worth it. Here's more from the email, “Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain.... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall; But God's always ready, to answer your call.... He knows every heartache, sees every tear, a word from His lips, can calm every fear... Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, to give you His grace, and send you His love..."
Well I guess that's all for now. Have you got my package yet? Did you get a hard time from your Drill Sargent about it? I hope not...I love you sweetie!
Love-Jess
Well, this morning Jane woke up at like 7 am (which is unusual for her) and she actually woke up before Maren did, which is the first time that Jane has done that in Maren's whole life! Crazy huh? For the past couple of mornings Maren has been waking up for the first time at like 7:30 and 8:00 am and it has been wonderful!
Tonight we had our ward FHE deployment dinner which my mom was in charge of because she is the compassionate service leader. Basically, it was just a potluck dinner for all of the families in the ward that have a member of the family who is either deployed, on active duty, or will be deployed soon. It was fun and a good chance to get to know other military wives. I'm trying to find out information to help me see what our future might be like and it looks good so far. I think it's going to be such a fun adventure! Also, your three girls wore our new t-shirts so that everyone would know why we were there. Because “My Daddy (Husband) Defends Freedom in the US Army!” The girls look so cute in their shirts and I got some pictures that I will send you as soon as I get them printed.
I got two awesome letters from you today and now I know why I didn't get very much mail from you last week, because you wrote several days worth and then mailed them because you were so busy. Should I expect the weeks to go more like that now since you are so busy? That is totally fine if that is the case, I just need to know what to expect then I get less disappointed if I don't get a letter. I was so excited in your letter when you told me about being an expert marksman. I am SO proud of my man! I really hope that you get the award for the personal physical test as well. I know how hard you have been working on that and I know that you can do it. I can't wait to see you in your Class A's. I also liked when you talked about wrestling in your barracks and choke holds and teaching our sons how to fight. Let's also teach our girls how to fight too (especially since that's all we have so far) because we don't want them to be clueless and vulnerable either. I love life with you Brad!
I have my first window washing job this weekend. On Saturday I am going to wash Sharon Thornton's windows. She lives in this building and I've washed her windows before. She thinks I'm pretty great and she thinks our girls are adorable. She's a sweet lady... Anyway, I think it will be fun to wash windows again and it will be fun to get a little extra cash. Also, if I spend a little time on this window washing thing I would definitely win the Lindorf Challenge :)
The lyrics for today are Anna Nalick's "Breathe (2 am)":
"2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake. Can you help me unravel my latest mistake? I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season. Yeah we walk through the doors. So accusing their eyes, like they have any right at all to criticize. Hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason.
'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable. And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table. No one can find the rewind button girl, so cradle your head in your hands. And breathe, just breathe, whoa breathe, just breathe.
May he turn 21 (in your case 24) on the base at Fort Bliss (in your case Fort Sill). Just today he sat down to the flask in his fist. Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year. Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while, but, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles. Wanna hold him, maybe I'll just sing about it.
'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable. And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table. No one can find the rewind button boys, so cradle your head in your hands. And breathe, just breathe, whoa breathe, just breathe.
'There's a light at each end of this tunnel,' you shout. 'Cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out. These mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again if you only try turning around.
2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song (in my case writing a letter). If I get it all down on paper, its no longer inside of me, threatening the life it belongs to. And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud. And I know that you'll use them, however you want to.
'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable. And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table. No one can find the rewind button now. Sing it if you understand. And breathe, just breathe, whoa breathe, just breathe, oh breathe, just breathe, oh breathe, just breathe."
When I was in UT last month I bought a coupon Timpview card to support Anna Marie. It's a great date card and I wanted to send you a copy of what's on it so that you can get excited about the dates that we are going to go on when we're together again. Speaking of dates, I can't wait to kiss you again! I'm having a hard time remembering what it is like to kiss you. One kiss that does stand out in particular is that one time that you helped me to bed and I was like totally asleep. Then you were just kissing me good night and you got a little carried away. That was such an amazing kiss! Then we got a little carried away :)
I just got this quote in an email, “God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.” The journey is going to be hard, God never said it would be easy, He just promises that it will be worth it. Here's more from the email, “Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain.... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall; But God's always ready, to answer your call.... He knows every heartache, sees every tear, a word from His lips, can calm every fear... Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, to give you His grace, and send you His love..."
Well I guess that's all for now. Have you got my package yet? Did you get a hard time from your Drill Sargent about it? I hope not...I love you sweetie!
Love-Jess
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
9-18-07
Brad:
Hey you! It's funny, now that I've written a couple of letters instead of typing them I think I actually prefer writing them. The main drawbacks are that it takes me a little longer and I find that I am not including lyrics and P.S.'s and stuff because I'm not able to see how it's going to space out like I can on a computer. When I write it, I just have to stop when I get to the end of the paper. Anyway, the main thing that I really like about it is it feels more personal. So I will probably be writing the majority of my letters from now on, but I think I'll send a typed one here and there just to shake things up.
Well, Jen had her ultrasound yesterday and she is not having twins, just one healthy baby. I was hoping for twins for Jen, but hoping for one baby for Todd. I think twins would overwhelm him a little bit. Anyway, I'm just really glad that her baby is healthy. They are coming into town next week for a couple of weeks and they will be here on my birthday.
I got all of our stuff figured out for “The Ten Talents Game”. I have invested your $200 ($100 from us and $100 from Dad) into an ING CD ladder. CD stands for Certificate of Deposit and the ladder just means that you invest different amounts of money for different lengths of time at different interest rates. For example, I put $100 in for 6 months earning 5.15%, $50 in for 9 months at 5.25%, and $50 in for 12 months at 5.25%. Then at the end of the first CD, after 6 months, the original $100 and whatever interest you earned is rolled over into the next CD, the 9 month one. Then 3 months later when it's been 9 months, all of that money is rolled over into the last CD. Then at the end of the year you have all of that money to choose to either reinvest it in more CD's or just use the money. So it's the perfect thing to do with your money for the family investment game because it can just sit there and earn money while you are gone. I've also started your blog on the “10 Talents” website and I chose a reward for you to offer. You can let me know if you want to do something else, but I was thinking you could make a CD mix for whoever chooses your prize. Then they could choose the theme and you could pick the songs and burn them onto a CD and mail it to them. Or, if they don't want to pick the theme then you could just surprise them with what is going to be on the CD. Let me know what you think. For my business I am going to wash windows. My prize is going to be 2 dozen baked goods mailed to whoever chooses my prize.
The lyrics for today are “I'm Singin' In the Rain” by Frank Sinatra. This song reminds me of when we watch “Singin' In The Rain” on Sunday afternoons. It also reminds me of when we had that argument about which notes the funny guy (Cosmo, I think) on that movie sings when he sings, “...watch my mouth...”:
“I'm singin´ in the rain, just singin´ in the rain. What a glorious feeling, and I´m happy again. I´m laughing at clouds so dark, up above. The sun´s in my heart and I´m ready for love.
Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place,. Come on with the rain, I have a smile on my face. I´ll walk down the lane with a happy refrain. Just singin', singin' in the rain.
Dancing in the rain. I'm happy again. I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain. Dancin' and singin' in the rain.”
I was just thinking about something and I wanted to make sure that you were keeping all of the letters and the little things that I am sending you so that I can put all of our letters together in a letter journal. I just got the letter yesterday that had all of your letters from while you were camping and they were wonderful. I'm glad that you can get packages with food now. I'm going to put one together for you in the next couple of days and probably mail it out by Friday or so. I'll update you on that, I was waiting for your go ahead to send you food. Also, I know that I told you that I got a bunch of new pictures printed last Saturday, but I accidentally sent them online to the wrong Costco to print them up. So, when I went to the Costco in Dana Point they weren't there. I sent them to the Irvine Costco and my parents are going to pick them up after their temple shift on Friday. So I will send a bunch in your package, including ones of the girls in their Halloween costumes.
The little silver necklace that you gave me that I always wear broke this morning. It made me a little sad, but we'll just have to get me a new one when we are together again. It has actually already broken once and I was able to fix it so I'm actually going to try that again first. I hope it works because I subconsciously keep checking for it around my neck, like I do with my wedding ring. Anyway, I am going to close this letter with an inspirational quote from President James E. Faust in his talk “Eternity Lies Before Us”:
“A basic eternal truth of this Church is that families may, if they are worthy, have an eternal relationship; for us it would not be heaven without our parents, our grandparents, our eternal companions, our children, and our posterity. This union of families comes through the sealing power exercised within the hallowed walls of the temples under authorized priesthood authority. An eternal family begins when a young couple kneels at an altar in the holy temple of God and make covenants with each other and with God and receive His greatest promises. This sealing is preceded by each making and receiving covenants which, if they continue worthy, will bless them in this life as well as in the life to come. The father and mother are equal partners with different roles in nurturing and teaching their family members on the journey to immortality and eternal life. To have full meaning, how can life be other than an eternal process?”
I'm so glad that I have an eternity ahead of me with you, I love you Brad
Love-Jess
P.S. Your parents are coming to San Clemente for UEA and they are staying in 401! I'm really excited because my parents are going to be out of town for conference and during the time that your parents will be here so now I won't be alone. You have a great family Brad!
Hey you! It's funny, now that I've written a couple of letters instead of typing them I think I actually prefer writing them. The main drawbacks are that it takes me a little longer and I find that I am not including lyrics and P.S.'s and stuff because I'm not able to see how it's going to space out like I can on a computer. When I write it, I just have to stop when I get to the end of the paper. Anyway, the main thing that I really like about it is it feels more personal. So I will probably be writing the majority of my letters from now on, but I think I'll send a typed one here and there just to shake things up.
Well, Jen had her ultrasound yesterday and she is not having twins, just one healthy baby. I was hoping for twins for Jen, but hoping for one baby for Todd. I think twins would overwhelm him a little bit. Anyway, I'm just really glad that her baby is healthy. They are coming into town next week for a couple of weeks and they will be here on my birthday.
I got all of our stuff figured out for “The Ten Talents Game”. I have invested your $200 ($100 from us and $100 from Dad) into an ING CD ladder. CD stands for Certificate of Deposit and the ladder just means that you invest different amounts of money for different lengths of time at different interest rates. For example, I put $100 in for 6 months earning 5.15%, $50 in for 9 months at 5.25%, and $50 in for 12 months at 5.25%. Then at the end of the first CD, after 6 months, the original $100 and whatever interest you earned is rolled over into the next CD, the 9 month one. Then 3 months later when it's been 9 months, all of that money is rolled over into the last CD. Then at the end of the year you have all of that money to choose to either reinvest it in more CD's or just use the money. So it's the perfect thing to do with your money for the family investment game because it can just sit there and earn money while you are gone. I've also started your blog on the “10 Talents” website and I chose a reward for you to offer. You can let me know if you want to do something else, but I was thinking you could make a CD mix for whoever chooses your prize. Then they could choose the theme and you could pick the songs and burn them onto a CD and mail it to them. Or, if they don't want to pick the theme then you could just surprise them with what is going to be on the CD. Let me know what you think. For my business I am going to wash windows. My prize is going to be 2 dozen baked goods mailed to whoever chooses my prize.
The lyrics for today are “I'm Singin' In the Rain” by Frank Sinatra. This song reminds me of when we watch “Singin' In The Rain” on Sunday afternoons. It also reminds me of when we had that argument about which notes the funny guy (Cosmo, I think) on that movie sings when he sings, “...watch my mouth...”:
“I'm singin´ in the rain, just singin´ in the rain. What a glorious feeling, and I´m happy again. I´m laughing at clouds so dark, up above. The sun´s in my heart and I´m ready for love.
Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place,. Come on with the rain, I have a smile on my face. I´ll walk down the lane with a happy refrain. Just singin', singin' in the rain.
Dancing in the rain. I'm happy again. I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain. Dancin' and singin' in the rain.”
I was just thinking about something and I wanted to make sure that you were keeping all of the letters and the little things that I am sending you so that I can put all of our letters together in a letter journal. I just got the letter yesterday that had all of your letters from while you were camping and they were wonderful. I'm glad that you can get packages with food now. I'm going to put one together for you in the next couple of days and probably mail it out by Friday or so. I'll update you on that, I was waiting for your go ahead to send you food. Also, I know that I told you that I got a bunch of new pictures printed last Saturday, but I accidentally sent them online to the wrong Costco to print them up. So, when I went to the Costco in Dana Point they weren't there. I sent them to the Irvine Costco and my parents are going to pick them up after their temple shift on Friday. So I will send a bunch in your package, including ones of the girls in their Halloween costumes.
The little silver necklace that you gave me that I always wear broke this morning. It made me a little sad, but we'll just have to get me a new one when we are together again. It has actually already broken once and I was able to fix it so I'm actually going to try that again first. I hope it works because I subconsciously keep checking for it around my neck, like I do with my wedding ring. Anyway, I am going to close this letter with an inspirational quote from President James E. Faust in his talk “Eternity Lies Before Us”:
“A basic eternal truth of this Church is that families may, if they are worthy, have an eternal relationship; for us it would not be heaven without our parents, our grandparents, our eternal companions, our children, and our posterity. This union of families comes through the sealing power exercised within the hallowed walls of the temples under authorized priesthood authority. An eternal family begins when a young couple kneels at an altar in the holy temple of God and make covenants with each other and with God and receive His greatest promises. This sealing is preceded by each making and receiving covenants which, if they continue worthy, will bless them in this life as well as in the life to come. The father and mother are equal partners with different roles in nurturing and teaching their family members on the journey to immortality and eternal life. To have full meaning, how can life be other than an eternal process?”
I'm so glad that I have an eternity ahead of me with you, I love you Brad
Love-Jess
P.S. Your parents are coming to San Clemente for UEA and they are staying in 401! I'm really excited because my parents are going to be out of town for conference and during the time that your parents will be here so now I won't be alone. You have a great family Brad!
Friday, September 14, 2007
9-14-07
Brad:
Hey sweet cheeks! How is everything going? I've been loving your letters. I especially liked the letter I just got from you with diagrams of your buildings and where you live. Now I feel like I can better picture where you are and what you are doing. I've decided that in this letter I'm going to give you a day in the life of Jessie (it was actually my day yesterday because it was more eventful than today) so that you can better imagine what your sweetie is doing during her day. If you get time, and you feel like it, I would really like you to do the same thing for me, a day in the life of Brad.
This morning I woke up about 4:30 am with Maren and I fed her a bottle then changed her diaper. She was still hungry so I fed her another bottle, which she didn't finish. Then she pooped so I changed her diaper again, swaddled her up, and then laid her back down in her bassinet in the laundry room. My alarm on my cell phone is set to go off every morning at 7 am in case Maren hasn't already woken me up for the day. So I went back to sleep (obviously) and then ignored my alarm at 7 am, but Maren woke up at about 7:15 anyway. I got up with Maren, but my mom was up to. So she fed her and changed her diaper while I did my yoga and woke my body up. I was starving so breakfast was the next priority. Waking up so hungry kind of scared me because it hasn't happened in a long time and it usually only happens when I'm pregnant or nursing. But don't worry, I'm not pregnant. We've been apart for a little over a month (you left CA on the 9th of August) and I've had absolutely no symptoms... Anyway, I ate frosted shredded mini wheats with bananas and studied my scriptures. It wasn't too long before Jane started calling to us, in her own little way, to come rescue her from her play pen. I walked in to get her and said, “Jane, put your binky in the bed.” and she immediately did. My mom, who usually walks with me, wasn't feeling good so she went back to bed. Once I changed Jane's diaper and got her going on breakfast, I was able to get Maren back down for a nap. Then Jane and I both got dressed and ready for our walk. Sara and Luke came with us and we put both kids in the double stroller since I was leaving Maren at home, sleeping, with Mom. We walked to North Beach and back and then stopped at the park because the kids were pretty bored and it is their reward for enduring the time in the stroller. We had the park to ourselves and Jane and Luke did some swinging, some sliding, and played on the playground. After awhile we headed back up the long hill home. Maren and Mom were awake when I got back and Mom and Dad were getting ready to leave to go check out a truck (they want to buy one for Oregon) in San Juan. So I took over mommy duty of Maren and my parents left. I then made Jane a snack (cream cheese and jam sandwich and grapes) while Maren chilled on her floor mat. Then, after a diaper change, Jane was ready to go find her binky in her bed and take a nap. I watched a little Lost while I fed Maren another bottle, then checked her diaper (it was ok so I didn't change it), then put her back down for another nap. Then I spent a little time getting the house clean and organized because the cleaning lady comes every other Thursday and we wanted it to be ready for her. Then I showered (should have shaved my legs, but didn't), got dressed (wore a pair of old jeans for the first time in a while because they fit now), and did my hair (back in a pony tail with some snappy clips). Then I watched a little more Lost and got some work done on the computer. In the next little while both girls woke up again and we all ate lunch (chicken nuggets and string cheese for Jane, formula for Marne, and a meatball sandwich for me). Then I turned on Hook, while Jane went through drawers in the kitchen and I picked at Maren's peeling scalp. Then Ramonda, the cleaning lady, came over and started working on our house. My parents got home a little while after that and they did not buy the truck. Then I got out tons of clothes because I decided that today was the day that I was going to put away the clothes that were too small for the girls and get out the next size. We had so much fun doing this because Jane is such a girl and loves to play dress up. I kept trying different clothes on her and she was putting on hats and shoes and necklaces and carrying socks (she is walking so great these days) and shoes all over the house. Then Sara and Luke came over and joined in the fun. So basically the living room was a wreck because it was strewn with clothes and toys, but I was still able to get them all organized and the right sizes folded up and in the right bins. Then Mom watched the girls while I cleaned up the back rooms of the house and got them ready to be vacuumed. Then I vacuumed the back area of the house so that we could put Jane down for another nap (she isn't scared of the vacuum anymore and doesn't cry while it's in use) while I vacuumed the front. So Jane (and eventually Maren) slept while I vacuumed the front, finished getting all of the clothes put away, and everything back in it's place. While I did this my parents did their companionship scripture study so that they could get the mail (that's the deal they made to help them get it done every day, my dad has to do his personal scripture study before he can check his email in the morning and they have to read together before they can get the mail, it seems to really work for them), and my dad cooked the pizza for dinner (that pizza thing I told you about in my other letter didn't end up happening that night, but we did it tonight instead). So, both girls were still asleep while we had dinner. Luke and Sara came over and joined us since James was still at school. Then Maren woke up and my mom fed her while I cleaned up dinner. Then I gave Maren a bath and Jane was still asleep and it was like 7:15 pm. So I went and got Jane up and she ate her dinner while I finished up Maren's bath, got her dressed, and cut her finger nails and toe nails. Then my mom held Maren while I got Jane cleaned up from dinner, gave her a bath, got her dressed in pajamas and cut her finger nails and toe nails. While all of this was happening we were also watching Twister. Maren fell asleep in my mom's arms so I went and laid her down in her bassinet for the night unswaddled (she's kind of transitioning away from being swaddled, but still likes it sometimes). Then Jane had a bottle and watched a little more Twister with us then I laid her down with two binkys (one for her mouth and one for her to play with) and she went right to sleep too. So now I was off mommy duty. I got all of the girls clothes and bath stuff cleaned up then I worked on this letter for you. Then James and Sara came over with ice cream and we all had ice cream and finished Twister. Then (while the movie was still going) I rearranged a huge beautiful bouquet of tropical flowers that we got at the funeral and split it into two and made one arrangement for our house and one for James and Sara. Then the movie was over, James and Sara went home, and my parents went to bed because they have to get up at like 4:30 am for their Friday morning temple shift. Then I got all ready for bed, watched a little more Lost and finished this letter for you. Then I checked on the girls, said my prayers, took off my glasses, climbed into bed, shut my eyes, and fell asleep.
Love-Jess
P.S. My next letter will be hand written. Your wish is my command. I love it when you give me specific requests like that of things that I can do to make you happy...keep 'em comin'. :)
Hey sweet cheeks! How is everything going? I've been loving your letters. I especially liked the letter I just got from you with diagrams of your buildings and where you live. Now I feel like I can better picture where you are and what you are doing. I've decided that in this letter I'm going to give you a day in the life of Jessie (it was actually my day yesterday because it was more eventful than today) so that you can better imagine what your sweetie is doing during her day. If you get time, and you feel like it, I would really like you to do the same thing for me, a day in the life of Brad.
This morning I woke up about 4:30 am with Maren and I fed her a bottle then changed her diaper. She was still hungry so I fed her another bottle, which she didn't finish. Then she pooped so I changed her diaper again, swaddled her up, and then laid her back down in her bassinet in the laundry room. My alarm on my cell phone is set to go off every morning at 7 am in case Maren hasn't already woken me up for the day. So I went back to sleep (obviously) and then ignored my alarm at 7 am, but Maren woke up at about 7:15 anyway. I got up with Maren, but my mom was up to. So she fed her and changed her diaper while I did my yoga and woke my body up. I was starving so breakfast was the next priority. Waking up so hungry kind of scared me because it hasn't happened in a long time and it usually only happens when I'm pregnant or nursing. But don't worry, I'm not pregnant. We've been apart for a little over a month (you left CA on the 9th of August) and I've had absolutely no symptoms... Anyway, I ate frosted shredded mini wheats with bananas and studied my scriptures. It wasn't too long before Jane started calling to us, in her own little way, to come rescue her from her play pen. I walked in to get her and said, “Jane, put your binky in the bed.” and she immediately did. My mom, who usually walks with me, wasn't feeling good so she went back to bed. Once I changed Jane's diaper and got her going on breakfast, I was able to get Maren back down for a nap. Then Jane and I both got dressed and ready for our walk. Sara and Luke came with us and we put both kids in the double stroller since I was leaving Maren at home, sleeping, with Mom. We walked to North Beach and back and then stopped at the park because the kids were pretty bored and it is their reward for enduring the time in the stroller. We had the park to ourselves and Jane and Luke did some swinging, some sliding, and played on the playground. After awhile we headed back up the long hill home. Maren and Mom were awake when I got back and Mom and Dad were getting ready to leave to go check out a truck (they want to buy one for Oregon) in San Juan. So I took over mommy duty of Maren and my parents left. I then made Jane a snack (cream cheese and jam sandwich and grapes) while Maren chilled on her floor mat. Then, after a diaper change, Jane was ready to go find her binky in her bed and take a nap. I watched a little Lost while I fed Maren another bottle, then checked her diaper (it was ok so I didn't change it), then put her back down for another nap. Then I spent a little time getting the house clean and organized because the cleaning lady comes every other Thursday and we wanted it to be ready for her. Then I showered (should have shaved my legs, but didn't), got dressed (wore a pair of old jeans for the first time in a while because they fit now), and did my hair (back in a pony tail with some snappy clips). Then I watched a little more Lost and got some work done on the computer. In the next little while both girls woke up again and we all ate lunch (chicken nuggets and string cheese for Jane, formula for Marne, and a meatball sandwich for me). Then I turned on Hook, while Jane went through drawers in the kitchen and I picked at Maren's peeling scalp. Then Ramonda, the cleaning lady, came over and started working on our house. My parents got home a little while after that and they did not buy the truck. Then I got out tons of clothes because I decided that today was the day that I was going to put away the clothes that were too small for the girls and get out the next size. We had so much fun doing this because Jane is such a girl and loves to play dress up. I kept trying different clothes on her and she was putting on hats and shoes and necklaces and carrying socks (she is walking so great these days) and shoes all over the house. Then Sara and Luke came over and joined in the fun. So basically the living room was a wreck because it was strewn with clothes and toys, but I was still able to get them all organized and the right sizes folded up and in the right bins. Then Mom watched the girls while I cleaned up the back rooms of the house and got them ready to be vacuumed. Then I vacuumed the back area of the house so that we could put Jane down for another nap (she isn't scared of the vacuum anymore and doesn't cry while it's in use) while I vacuumed the front. So Jane (and eventually Maren) slept while I vacuumed the front, finished getting all of the clothes put away, and everything back in it's place. While I did this my parents did their companionship scripture study so that they could get the mail (that's the deal they made to help them get it done every day, my dad has to do his personal scripture study before he can check his email in the morning and they have to read together before they can get the mail, it seems to really work for them), and my dad cooked the pizza for dinner (that pizza thing I told you about in my other letter didn't end up happening that night, but we did it tonight instead). So, both girls were still asleep while we had dinner. Luke and Sara came over and joined us since James was still at school. Then Maren woke up and my mom fed her while I cleaned up dinner. Then I gave Maren a bath and Jane was still asleep and it was like 7:15 pm. So I went and got Jane up and she ate her dinner while I finished up Maren's bath, got her dressed, and cut her finger nails and toe nails. Then my mom held Maren while I got Jane cleaned up from dinner, gave her a bath, got her dressed in pajamas and cut her finger nails and toe nails. While all of this was happening we were also watching Twister. Maren fell asleep in my mom's arms so I went and laid her down in her bassinet for the night unswaddled (she's kind of transitioning away from being swaddled, but still likes it sometimes). Then Jane had a bottle and watched a little more Twister with us then I laid her down with two binkys (one for her mouth and one for her to play with) and she went right to sleep too. So now I was off mommy duty. I got all of the girls clothes and bath stuff cleaned up then I worked on this letter for you. Then James and Sara came over with ice cream and we all had ice cream and finished Twister. Then (while the movie was still going) I rearranged a huge beautiful bouquet of tropical flowers that we got at the funeral and split it into two and made one arrangement for our house and one for James and Sara. Then the movie was over, James and Sara went home, and my parents went to bed because they have to get up at like 4:30 am for their Friday morning temple shift. Then I got all ready for bed, watched a little more Lost and finished this letter for you. Then I checked on the girls, said my prayers, took off my glasses, climbed into bed, shut my eyes, and fell asleep.
Love-Jess
P.S. My next letter will be hand written. Your wish is my command. I love it when you give me specific requests like that of things that I can do to make you happy...keep 'em comin'. :)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
9-13-07
My Dearest Bradley:
Hey sweetie! How are you doing? I hope very well. I think that you finished your camp out today, I hope it was fun. Also, I just got the email from Fort Sill with a bunch of information in it. I found out that you can expect to go onto Fort Bliss within 24 hours of your graduation ceremony even if it will make you arrive earlier than your report date. So that information will help me book my flight to OK. I also found out from Sgt. Williamson that they can't project an AIT completion date until you start AIT because they have to be sure that you are going to graduate from boot camp first. A few days after you start AIT they will be able to tell you what day you should finish. So we'll just have to wait until then to book our cruise, but my dad said that would be ok. We should still be able to get a great cruise booked and we might even get a better deal on it since we're waiting till the last minute.
The lyrics for today are Celine Dion's “I Want You to Need Me”:
“I want to be the face you see when you close your eyes. I want to be the touch you need every single night. I want to be your fantasy and be your reality and everything between. I want you to need me, like the air you breathe. I want you to feel me in everything. I want you to see me in your every dream. The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you. I want you to need me like I need you.
I want to be the eyes that look deep into your soul. I want to be the world to you; I just want it all. I want to be your deepest kiss; the answer to your every wish. I'm all you ever need. I want you to need me, like the air you breathe. I want you to feel me in everything. I want you to see me in your every dream. The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you. I want you to need me like I need you.
And I need you more than you could know. And I need you to never, never let me go. And I need to be deep inside your heart. I just want to be everywhere you are.... I want you to need me, like the air you breathe. I want you to feel me in everything. I want you to see me in your every dream. The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you. I want you to need me like I need you.
I want to be the face you see when you close your eyes. I want to be the touch you need every single night. I want to be your fantasy and be your reality and everything between. I want you to need me like I need you, like I need you...”
I had the wonderful experience of going to the temple last night for our Ward Temple Night. My mom stayed home with the girls and my dad and I went to the Newport Beach Temple and did an endowment session. I haven't been to the temple since we went to the San Diego temple right before you left and it's exactly what I needed. I'm back on track now. I've been feeling a little off lately and had a lack of motivation and inspiration, but I really feel like I'm back and it feels good. My dad and I got to the temple early so we were able to do some initiatories. I felt the Spirit so strong and I probably cried a lot (surprise, surprise). Also, in the last part, there are some really cool promises about wearing your garments and keeping them sacred and keeping your temple covenants and I couldn't help but think of you. I'm so glad that we got special garments for you to wear to boot camp because we can't afford to not have them protecting you. Anyway, we then did a session and I again thought about you pretty much the whole time (I find myself doing that a lot). I just haven't been to the temple very many times without you and I want to keep it that way. I got to sit by this cute girl who just got married and this was her first time back to the temple since she received her own endowments. It was a sweet experience to help her with her clothes a little bit and kind of unofficially lead her through the session. Afterward we had a chance to talk and I could tell she was a little overwhelmed so I reassured her that it gets easier and better ever time and told her to just keep coming back. It was a cool experience overall.
Brad, I know sometimes you wonder why you are doing this at all, why we have to be apart, and why we are doing one of the hardest things that we have ever done. You have to try to remember that this is absolutely the right thing for our family right now. You are leading our family down a great road and I am so proud of you and so thankful for you. I really feel like I just couldn't ask for more in life than to have you as my husband, my friend, my soul mate. I know that this experience has made and will continue to make us stronger and make our marriage stronger. Our Savior is with us and He knows exactly how we are feeling and what we are going through. If we keep Him on our team and in our lives then there is nothing that we cannot accomplish. I know that this experience is teaching you great things and that it will be so worth it in the end. Even if the only real thing that gets accomplished is that you are able to totally overcome your trial forever, that would make all of this and anything else we might ever face worth it. Keep working hard, it makes the time go faster. I'm so proud of your goals and that you are achieving them. We will be together soon!
Love-Jess
P.S. In the email I got today from someone at Fort Sill says that I can send you packages with food in them once you are no longer in red phase. What do you think about that? In the email it said that white phase starts on September 16th, just so you know.
P.P.S. The Office starts September 27th just so you know...
Hey sweetie! How are you doing? I hope very well. I think that you finished your camp out today, I hope it was fun. Also, I just got the email from Fort Sill with a bunch of information in it. I found out that you can expect to go onto Fort Bliss within 24 hours of your graduation ceremony even if it will make you arrive earlier than your report date. So that information will help me book my flight to OK. I also found out from Sgt. Williamson that they can't project an AIT completion date until you start AIT because they have to be sure that you are going to graduate from boot camp first. A few days after you start AIT they will be able to tell you what day you should finish. So we'll just have to wait until then to book our cruise, but my dad said that would be ok. We should still be able to get a great cruise booked and we might even get a better deal on it since we're waiting till the last minute.
The lyrics for today are Celine Dion's “I Want You to Need Me”:
“I want to be the face you see when you close your eyes. I want to be the touch you need every single night. I want to be your fantasy and be your reality and everything between. I want you to need me, like the air you breathe. I want you to feel me in everything. I want you to see me in your every dream. The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you. I want you to need me like I need you.
I want to be the eyes that look deep into your soul. I want to be the world to you; I just want it all. I want to be your deepest kiss; the answer to your every wish. I'm all you ever need. I want you to need me, like the air you breathe. I want you to feel me in everything. I want you to see me in your every dream. The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you. I want you to need me like I need you.
And I need you more than you could know. And I need you to never, never let me go. And I need to be deep inside your heart. I just want to be everywhere you are.... I want you to need me, like the air you breathe. I want you to feel me in everything. I want you to see me in your every dream. The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you. I want you to need me like I need you.
I want to be the face you see when you close your eyes. I want to be the touch you need every single night. I want to be your fantasy and be your reality and everything between. I want you to need me like I need you, like I need you...”
I had the wonderful experience of going to the temple last night for our Ward Temple Night. My mom stayed home with the girls and my dad and I went to the Newport Beach Temple and did an endowment session. I haven't been to the temple since we went to the San Diego temple right before you left and it's exactly what I needed. I'm back on track now. I've been feeling a little off lately and had a lack of motivation and inspiration, but I really feel like I'm back and it feels good. My dad and I got to the temple early so we were able to do some initiatories. I felt the Spirit so strong and I probably cried a lot (surprise, surprise). Also, in the last part, there are some really cool promises about wearing your garments and keeping them sacred and keeping your temple covenants and I couldn't help but think of you. I'm so glad that we got special garments for you to wear to boot camp because we can't afford to not have them protecting you. Anyway, we then did a session and I again thought about you pretty much the whole time (I find myself doing that a lot). I just haven't been to the temple very many times without you and I want to keep it that way. I got to sit by this cute girl who just got married and this was her first time back to the temple since she received her own endowments. It was a sweet experience to help her with her clothes a little bit and kind of unofficially lead her through the session. Afterward we had a chance to talk and I could tell she was a little overwhelmed so I reassured her that it gets easier and better ever time and told her to just keep coming back. It was a cool experience overall.
Brad, I know sometimes you wonder why you are doing this at all, why we have to be apart, and why we are doing one of the hardest things that we have ever done. You have to try to remember that this is absolutely the right thing for our family right now. You are leading our family down a great road and I am so proud of you and so thankful for you. I really feel like I just couldn't ask for more in life than to have you as my husband, my friend, my soul mate. I know that this experience has made and will continue to make us stronger and make our marriage stronger. Our Savior is with us and He knows exactly how we are feeling and what we are going through. If we keep Him on our team and in our lives then there is nothing that we cannot accomplish. I know that this experience is teaching you great things and that it will be so worth it in the end. Even if the only real thing that gets accomplished is that you are able to totally overcome your trial forever, that would make all of this and anything else we might ever face worth it. Keep working hard, it makes the time go faster. I'm so proud of your goals and that you are achieving them. We will be together soon!
Love-Jess
P.S. In the email I got today from someone at Fort Sill says that I can send you packages with food in them once you are no longer in red phase. What do you think about that? In the email it said that white phase starts on September 16th, just so you know.
P.P.S. The Office starts September 27th just so you know...
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
9-11-07
Bradley:
How is everything going? I've been thinking about you these past couple of days on your camp out and I hope that you are having fun and that it is going well. Are you in white phase yet? As you know, today is September 11th. I can't believe that it has already been 6 years since that horrible day. I hope nothing like that ever happens again. I am so proud of you Brad, that you have chosen to protect our country against evil men like those that are responsible for September 11th.
Today has been a sick day for our familia. Jane and Maren both have fevers. Maren's isn't that bad, but Jane has had a fever of like 102 or 103 degrees all day and she threw up. Luke had a fever and threw up last week so I think that Jane got it from him and I think that Maren just got a mild case of it from Jane. I'm hoping that I don't get sick because that makes it hard to take care of the girls. But with Luke it just lasted like 24 hours so it should be over soon. One thing that is fun about Jane being sick is she is much more snuggly. Like we watched a movie today and she sat on my lap and laid on my chest for most of the movie.
Something that I discovered today that was really funny was that Maren likes TV. Since Jane was sick we were watching The Fox and the Hound and Maren was in her bouncer and she had her head to the side and was staring straight at the TV and she looked at it for a long time. Then later, when my mom was taking care of her back in their bedroom she told me that Maren was glued to the TV for quite awhile. So, unlike Jane who has very little interest in television, it looks like Maren might be our very own little couch potato. Just kidding :)
We have been having a contest with putting down the toilet seats. Girls have to put the lid down after they are done, and boys have to but the seat and the lid down after they are done. Mostly, it's in between me and my dad. We used to have this contest when I was home for the summers in college. The main reason is because my dad forgets to put the seat down all of the time and I think it's gross so we turn it into a competition then he tries harder. The prize for the winner is a pizza, decided after a month of tallying the score. Basically the loser (the gender who forgets to put the lid down the most) buys the winner (the gender who remembers to put the lid down the most) a pizza. Anyway, my dad lost last month so he's buying me a Costco pizza tonight and we are going to rent a movie...we're living it up! Speaking of toilet seats, I want to tell you what a great job you do always putting the toilet seat and lid down. It's not a big deal, but it makes me happy. It's the little things in life, right?
The lyrics for today are “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours”. I wish I could say that line to you, “...here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours...”:
“Like a fool I went and stayed too long. Now I'm wondering if your loves still strong. Ooh baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. In that time I went and said goodbye. Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry. Ooh baby, here I am signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours.
I've done a lot of foolish things that I really didn't mean. Hey, hey yea, yea, didn't I, oh baby. Seen a lot of things in this old world. When I touched them they did nothing, girl. Ooh baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Oh, I'm yours.
Oo-wee babe you set my soul on fire. That's why I know you are my heart's only desire. Ooh baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours.
Hold my hand, let me know you can. Hold my hand, let me know you can. Tell me what you want me to do. Hold my hand, let me know you can. Here I am baby, baby. Hold my hand let me know you can. Here I am baby, baby. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am pretty baby, here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am pretty baby, here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am pretty baby, here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Sing a little more. Baby, baby, baby. Here I am pretty baby.”
I started to tell you this on the phone, but decided that I didn't want to tell you the whole story then. I want to tell you about the whole ear piercing experience. I decided to get my ears pierced while you were gone as a surprise. That was one of the reasons, the other was that I've decided that I want to be beautiful. I feel very pretty and cute (don't worry, I know you think I'm beautiful and I feel beautiful), but I haven't felt really beautiful for awhile. So, I'm growing out my hair, losing some weight, getting back into my old clothes, getting my ears pierced, starting to wear a little make up again, etc. These are all just little things and I'm not making a big deal out of them, but I'm just having fun. I don't want you to worry at all, I'm still your girl, I want you to be excited because I'm looking hot. The main problem that I'm having is that even though I have lost some weight, I still have a lot of skin that is stretched out from being pregnant so that is just going to take time to tighten back up. Anyway, I got off topic. So, I decided to go get my ears pierced, but, without thinking, I told my dad right before we (me and Erika) went to do it. I forgot how strongly he felt against getting ears pierced and he got so sad that I had decided to do it. Now he definitely wouldn't have stopped me because I'm my own woman, but I could tell that he was just really broken up inside about it. I couldn't figure out why it was having such an effect on him. Erika got her ears pierced when she was 18 or 19 and it didn't seem to bug him too much. Then, I figured it out, the reason he was having such a problem with it was because right now he is my dad because I am living with him under his roof and he is taking care of me and our girls. So I was going to just do it anyway, but instead I decided not to do it right now while I'm living here because he is doing so much for me and our girls that I owe it to him not to break his heart like that. It doesn't mean that I'll never do it, but I think it won't affect him as much if I wait and do it later when we're not living together. Anyway, long story short, I think I will get my ears pierced some day, and I'll probably still try and surprise you, but it won't be while you're at boot camp and while I'm living with my daddy.
Well Brad, that's the end of this letter. I pretty much think that you are the greatest that there is out there. You are perfect for me and I find that so amazing. I love life with you...
Love you lots! Your Jessa Bear
P.S. Here's a joke that Parker likes to tell: “Why didn't the skeleton cross the road? Because he didn't have the guts!” ha ha ha ha... it's funnier when Parker tells it...
How is everything going? I've been thinking about you these past couple of days on your camp out and I hope that you are having fun and that it is going well. Are you in white phase yet? As you know, today is September 11th. I can't believe that it has already been 6 years since that horrible day. I hope nothing like that ever happens again. I am so proud of you Brad, that you have chosen to protect our country against evil men like those that are responsible for September 11th.
Today has been a sick day for our familia. Jane and Maren both have fevers. Maren's isn't that bad, but Jane has had a fever of like 102 or 103 degrees all day and she threw up. Luke had a fever and threw up last week so I think that Jane got it from him and I think that Maren just got a mild case of it from Jane. I'm hoping that I don't get sick because that makes it hard to take care of the girls. But with Luke it just lasted like 24 hours so it should be over soon. One thing that is fun about Jane being sick is she is much more snuggly. Like we watched a movie today and she sat on my lap and laid on my chest for most of the movie.
Something that I discovered today that was really funny was that Maren likes TV. Since Jane was sick we were watching The Fox and the Hound and Maren was in her bouncer and she had her head to the side and was staring straight at the TV and she looked at it for a long time. Then later, when my mom was taking care of her back in their bedroom she told me that Maren was glued to the TV for quite awhile. So, unlike Jane who has very little interest in television, it looks like Maren might be our very own little couch potato. Just kidding :)
We have been having a contest with putting down the toilet seats. Girls have to put the lid down after they are done, and boys have to but the seat and the lid down after they are done. Mostly, it's in between me and my dad. We used to have this contest when I was home for the summers in college. The main reason is because my dad forgets to put the seat down all of the time and I think it's gross so we turn it into a competition then he tries harder. The prize for the winner is a pizza, decided after a month of tallying the score. Basically the loser (the gender who forgets to put the lid down the most) buys the winner (the gender who remembers to put the lid down the most) a pizza. Anyway, my dad lost last month so he's buying me a Costco pizza tonight and we are going to rent a movie...we're living it up! Speaking of toilet seats, I want to tell you what a great job you do always putting the toilet seat and lid down. It's not a big deal, but it makes me happy. It's the little things in life, right?
The lyrics for today are “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours”. I wish I could say that line to you, “...here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours...”:
“Like a fool I went and stayed too long. Now I'm wondering if your loves still strong. Ooh baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. In that time I went and said goodbye. Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry. Ooh baby, here I am signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours.
I've done a lot of foolish things that I really didn't mean. Hey, hey yea, yea, didn't I, oh baby. Seen a lot of things in this old world. When I touched them they did nothing, girl. Ooh baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Oh, I'm yours.
Oo-wee babe you set my soul on fire. That's why I know you are my heart's only desire. Ooh baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours.
Hold my hand, let me know you can. Hold my hand, let me know you can. Tell me what you want me to do. Hold my hand, let me know you can. Here I am baby, baby. Hold my hand let me know you can. Here I am baby, baby. Here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am pretty baby, here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am pretty baby, here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Here I am pretty baby, here I am baby, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours. Sing a little more. Baby, baby, baby. Here I am pretty baby.”
I started to tell you this on the phone, but decided that I didn't want to tell you the whole story then. I want to tell you about the whole ear piercing experience. I decided to get my ears pierced while you were gone as a surprise. That was one of the reasons, the other was that I've decided that I want to be beautiful. I feel very pretty and cute (don't worry, I know you think I'm beautiful and I feel beautiful), but I haven't felt really beautiful for awhile. So, I'm growing out my hair, losing some weight, getting back into my old clothes, getting my ears pierced, starting to wear a little make up again, etc. These are all just little things and I'm not making a big deal out of them, but I'm just having fun. I don't want you to worry at all, I'm still your girl, I want you to be excited because I'm looking hot. The main problem that I'm having is that even though I have lost some weight, I still have a lot of skin that is stretched out from being pregnant so that is just going to take time to tighten back up. Anyway, I got off topic. So, I decided to go get my ears pierced, but, without thinking, I told my dad right before we (me and Erika) went to do it. I forgot how strongly he felt against getting ears pierced and he got so sad that I had decided to do it. Now he definitely wouldn't have stopped me because I'm my own woman, but I could tell that he was just really broken up inside about it. I couldn't figure out why it was having such an effect on him. Erika got her ears pierced when she was 18 or 19 and it didn't seem to bug him too much. Then, I figured it out, the reason he was having such a problem with it was because right now he is my dad because I am living with him under his roof and he is taking care of me and our girls. So I was going to just do it anyway, but instead I decided not to do it right now while I'm living here because he is doing so much for me and our girls that I owe it to him not to break his heart like that. It doesn't mean that I'll never do it, but I think it won't affect him as much if I wait and do it later when we're not living together. Anyway, long story short, I think I will get my ears pierced some day, and I'll probably still try and surprise you, but it won't be while you're at boot camp and while I'm living with my daddy.
Well Brad, that's the end of this letter. I pretty much think that you are the greatest that there is out there. You are perfect for me and I find that so amazing. I love life with you...
Love you lots! Your Jessa Bear
P.S. Here's a joke that Parker likes to tell: “Why didn't the skeleton cross the road? Because he didn't have the guts!” ha ha ha ha... it's funnier when Parker tells it...
Sunday, September 9, 2007
9-09-07
Hey Brad:
How are you doing? I hope very well! You seemed pretty good on the phone today and I was so happy to be able to talk to you. I think we'll be pretty lucky if we get to talk on the phone again tomorrow, but a girl can dream. Anyway, I have a joke for you:
“What did one snow man say to the other?”
“Smells like carrots...”
I'm so glad that if you are reading this then it means that you got to go to church! Don't let your Drill Sargent talk you out of it, because you need to be uplifted and have that dose of the Spirit every week. I got a letter from you yesterday after we talked asking for more conference talks, and I actually forgot that I had sent you that one. But I'm so glad that I did send it and I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. I will try to send you a variety of things like that along with my letters so that you have some good literature.
I got an email yesterday about supporting the troops and I thought it was very good. Keep in mind that at first it seems anti-war, but it isn't. Also, that there were lots of pictures and the text was all colorful, but I'm just sending you the text of the email:
“A mother asked President Bush, “Why did my son have to die in Iraq?” A mother asked President Clinton, “Why did my son have to die in Saudi Arabia?” A mother asked President Bush, “Why did my son have to die in Kuwait?” Another mother asked President Johnson, “Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?” Another mother asked President Truman, “Why did my son have to die in Korea?” Another mother asked President Roosevelt, “Why did my son have to die in Iwo Jima?” Another mother asked President Wilson, “Why did my son have to die on a battlefield in France?” Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, “Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?” And yet another mother asked President Washington, “Why did my son have to die on a frozen field near Valley Forge?” Then long, long ago, a mother asked, “Heavenly Father. Why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?” The answer is the same, “So that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness, and freedom.” If you are not willing to stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them!”
Well, I need to go to bed, but I wanted to tell you how happy I am that you are the head of our family. I know that we have a great life ahead of us with the Lord by our side. I wanted to share a quick experience that we had with Jane today during family prayer. We have been trying to have family prayer every night right before Jane goes to bed since her bed time is a little more predictable than Maren's. Anyway, Jane is getting really good at folding her arms for prayers and she sits there pretty quietly most of the time. Tonight, as soon as she could tell we were praying she got so happy and calm. We were all kneeling and she was standing with her arms folded. While I was saying the prayer I would add extra emphasis to the words that she knew like “Please bless DADDY and MAREN.” and “We're grateful for GRANDY and GRANDPA PAUL, DOGGIES, and DADDY.” And she would repeat each word that I emphasized. Again, she was all smiles the whole time, but still pretty reverent. Then at the end (and sometimes right in the middle) she threw her hands up in the air and says, “'MEN!” Then she leans toward you and is ready for kisses. It is one of the most precious things I have seen and I can't wait until we can hold our family prayers again. Take comfort in knowing that we are doing so well and that we love you more than anything!
Love-Jess, Jane, and Maren
How are you doing? I hope very well! You seemed pretty good on the phone today and I was so happy to be able to talk to you. I think we'll be pretty lucky if we get to talk on the phone again tomorrow, but a girl can dream. Anyway, I have a joke for you:
“What did one snow man say to the other?”
“Smells like carrots...”
I'm so glad that if you are reading this then it means that you got to go to church! Don't let your Drill Sargent talk you out of it, because you need to be uplifted and have that dose of the Spirit every week. I got a letter from you yesterday after we talked asking for more conference talks, and I actually forgot that I had sent you that one. But I'm so glad that I did send it and I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. I will try to send you a variety of things like that along with my letters so that you have some good literature.
I got an email yesterday about supporting the troops and I thought it was very good. Keep in mind that at first it seems anti-war, but it isn't. Also, that there were lots of pictures and the text was all colorful, but I'm just sending you the text of the email:
“A mother asked President Bush, “Why did my son have to die in Iraq?” A mother asked President Clinton, “Why did my son have to die in Saudi Arabia?” A mother asked President Bush, “Why did my son have to die in Kuwait?” Another mother asked President Johnson, “Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?” Another mother asked President Truman, “Why did my son have to die in Korea?” Another mother asked President Roosevelt, “Why did my son have to die in Iwo Jima?” Another mother asked President Wilson, “Why did my son have to die on a battlefield in France?” Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, “Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?” And yet another mother asked President Washington, “Why did my son have to die on a frozen field near Valley Forge?” Then long, long ago, a mother asked, “Heavenly Father. Why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?” The answer is the same, “So that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness, and freedom.” If you are not willing to stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them!”
Well, I need to go to bed, but I wanted to tell you how happy I am that you are the head of our family. I know that we have a great life ahead of us with the Lord by our side. I wanted to share a quick experience that we had with Jane today during family prayer. We have been trying to have family prayer every night right before Jane goes to bed since her bed time is a little more predictable than Maren's. Anyway, Jane is getting really good at folding her arms for prayers and she sits there pretty quietly most of the time. Tonight, as soon as she could tell we were praying she got so happy and calm. We were all kneeling and she was standing with her arms folded. While I was saying the prayer I would add extra emphasis to the words that she knew like “Please bless DADDY and MAREN.” and “We're grateful for GRANDY and GRANDPA PAUL, DOGGIES, and DADDY.” And she would repeat each word that I emphasized. Again, she was all smiles the whole time, but still pretty reverent. Then at the end (and sometimes right in the middle) she threw her hands up in the air and says, “'MEN!” Then she leans toward you and is ready for kisses. It is one of the most precious things I have seen and I can't wait until we can hold our family prayers again. Take comfort in knowing that we are doing so well and that we love you more than anything!
Love-Jess, Jane, and Maren
Saturday, September 8, 2007
9/8/07
Dearest Jessie,
I just hung up the phone with you and I felt like I sounded really sad while we talked and I wanted to tell you that I am doing really well. I am happy most days, some days just get hard. I need to just relax and let it go.
I know we already discussed it over the phone but I just wanted to say again how bad the gas chamber is. I was pretty freaked out when I saw what happened to the first 2 groups of privates. Then I got up to the line and I knew the only way out was to just do it. I yanked it off and it seems like the gas was already in my lungs because the first breath I took was only half of one because I was cut off by a pretty painful cough adn it just got worse. I could barely see anything and my eyes where on fire. They then yelled at us to move and then stopped us for 10 seconds in front of the door. It was the most horribly painful thing that has ever happened to me.
I am really looking forward to church tomorrow. I have been reading the Book of Mormon and really praying every night and it feels really good. I think I should carry around that little Book of Mormon everywhere when I get home so I can read all the time. I read King Benjamin's address in Mosiah last night, "For the natural man is an enemy to God and has been from the fall of Adam and will be forever and ever unless he yields to the enticings of the holy spirit and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the Atonement of Christ and becometh a child, submissive, meek, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him." That is all I remember off hand. I'm down here in the laundry room putting every one's junk through the machines with a couple other guys. Here is the type of building I am living in.
So that is the type of barracks we have, each floor has fifty privates which makes up a platoon. 4 platoons make up a battery and 6 batteries make up a brigade. Our brigade has 1200 privates training at different stages. There are (I've seen) about 8 or 9 of these buildings as we've walked around and there is probably more. Some of them are empty because the number are so far down. No one wants to join during a war that has been going on for 6 years. It's kind of sad. Some of the drill sergeants say that the government is really close to issuing a draft because they are so desparate.
I just read all of the letters in the wonderful package you sent. I loved everything. You are so perfect. I will definitely reread that letter you wrote me many times.
I love you so much and that's it.
Brad
I just hung up the phone with you and I felt like I sounded really sad while we talked and I wanted to tell you that I am doing really well. I am happy most days, some days just get hard. I need to just relax and let it go.
I know we already discussed it over the phone but I just wanted to say again how bad the gas chamber is. I was pretty freaked out when I saw what happened to the first 2 groups of privates. Then I got up to the line and I knew the only way out was to just do it. I yanked it off and it seems like the gas was already in my lungs because the first breath I took was only half of one because I was cut off by a pretty painful cough adn it just got worse. I could barely see anything and my eyes where on fire. They then yelled at us to move and then stopped us for 10 seconds in front of the door. It was the most horribly painful thing that has ever happened to me.
I am really looking forward to church tomorrow. I have been reading the Book of Mormon and really praying every night and it feels really good. I think I should carry around that little Book of Mormon everywhere when I get home so I can read all the time. I read King Benjamin's address in Mosiah last night, "For the natural man is an enemy to God and has been from the fall of Adam and will be forever and ever unless he yields to the enticings of the holy spirit and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the Atonement of Christ and becometh a child, submissive, meek, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him." That is all I remember off hand. I'm down here in the laundry room putting every one's junk through the machines with a couple other guys. Here is the type of building I am living in.
So that is the type of barracks we have, each floor has fifty privates which makes up a platoon. 4 platoons make up a battery and 6 batteries make up a brigade. Our brigade has 1200 privates training at different stages. There are (I've seen) about 8 or 9 of these buildings as we've walked around and there is probably more. Some of them are empty because the number are so far down. No one wants to join during a war that has been going on for 6 years. It's kind of sad. Some of the drill sergeants say that the government is really close to issuing a draft because they are so desparate.
I just read all of the letters in the wonderful package you sent. I loved everything. You are so perfect. I will definitely reread that letter you wrote me many times.
I love you so much and that's it.
Brad
9-08-07
My Bradley Neal:
Hey sweetie! How's the love of my life doing? Guess what? Jane has eleven teeth now, pretty exciting huh? A couple of days ago I found two more molars on the bottom. So, now she has two molars on the bottom, two molars on the top, four top front teeth, and three bottom front teeth. What a big girl! It's really helping her chew food and she loves it. We went to the beach yesterday with Erika, Jen, Todd, Grandy, Grandpa Paul, Jane, Maren, and a bunch of the other cousins. It was quite fun and Jane loved it! We are going to have so much fun taking her to the beach when you get back. She isn't afraid of the water anymore or of getting dirty. She waddles and crawls around in the surf and the water comes up and gets her wet then goes back down. Also, she gets totally covered in sand and just loves it. After awhile we took a break to have snacks (and this whole time she has been eating sand off her hands left and right). Jane had a Cheeto in one hand and a dried mango in the other and she was dipping them in the sand and then licking the sand off of the food. It was so funny! Needless to say, I just changed a very sandy poopy diaper. I gave her a bite of something I was eating so she got sand on it. Then when I took a bite, I ended up eating some sand. It was so gross and I was trying to figure out why it doesn't but kids more when they eat sand. Then I figured out that it doesn't bug kids as much because their teeth don't bite together like ours do and that's when it bugs us, when the sand grits between our teeth. But, since they have so few teeth, it doesn't bug them as much.
I feel like I haven't been talking about what you are writing me in your letters and I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your letters. I got two in the mail from you yesterday and it made me so happy. Your letters are very entertaining and you do a good job telling me about what's going on with you and asking me about what's going on with me. Also, thank you for your scripture insight like I asked for, but I want you to know that you really don't need to stress about that. I know that your time is limited and I'm just so glad that you are able to write me anything at all. I get a letter from you just about every day, and when I don't get a letter from you one day, I usually get two the next day. You are the best husband a girl could ask for.
The lyrics for today are Dashboard Confessional's “Dusk and Summer” in honor of summer ending:
“She smiled in a big way, the way a girl like that smiles. When the world is hers and she held your eyes out in the breezeway down by the shore in the lazy summer. And she pulled you in, and she bit your lip, and she made you hers. She looked deep into you as you lay together quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer. But you've already lost, when you only had barely enough to hang on.
And she combed your hair, and she kissed your teeth, and she made you better than you'd been before. She told you bad things you wished you could change in the lazy summer. And she told you, laughing down to her core, so she would not cry as she lay in your lap. She said "nobody here can live forever, quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer. But you've already lost, when you only had barely enough to hang on.
She said, "no one is alone the way you are alone." And you held her looser than you would have if you ever could have known. Some things tie your life together, slender threads and things to treasure. Days like that should last and last and last. But you've already lost, when you only had barely enough of her to hang on.”
Last night Erika and I went shopping without the babies and it was very fun. It was fun to be a sister and a girl instead of a mom for a little while. Our main goal was to get business clothes for Erika because this weekend is her first business trip and she has to dress very professionally. However, she was not very successful, but I was. I got a lot of cute clothes and everything I got was on sale. I'm excited for you to see them. I got some shirts, some sweaters, and a skirt. Everything I bought was at Old Navy and I was really excited about the deals I got.
I love you so much Brad. I'm so glad that I have you in my life. Being with a lot of your family last week and then a lot of my family this week has really helped me see how lucky we are. We have such great families, and we are a great family. I feel so lucky to be able to have a family with you, I can't wait to see what adventures our life holds. Good luck with everything and let me know that I am thinking about you every second.
Love-Jess
P.S. I was just about to finish this letter up when you just called me on my cell phone and we got to talk for 30 minutes. That was so wonderful, I'm so glad that you passed your test so that you could have that talk time. I'm sorry you had to buy another calling card, since I just bought one. You would have had the calling card if your package had come. I'm pretty upset with UPS for not following through on that. I already called your parents and they're looking up the tracking number and we'll get it figured out. We'll get that package to you ASAP. Anyway, in case it doesn't come before you run out of minutes again, I printed up the calling card and I am including it in this letter.
Hey sweetie! How's the love of my life doing? Guess what? Jane has eleven teeth now, pretty exciting huh? A couple of days ago I found two more molars on the bottom. So, now she has two molars on the bottom, two molars on the top, four top front teeth, and three bottom front teeth. What a big girl! It's really helping her chew food and she loves it. We went to the beach yesterday with Erika, Jen, Todd, Grandy, Grandpa Paul, Jane, Maren, and a bunch of the other cousins. It was quite fun and Jane loved it! We are going to have so much fun taking her to the beach when you get back. She isn't afraid of the water anymore or of getting dirty. She waddles and crawls around in the surf and the water comes up and gets her wet then goes back down. Also, she gets totally covered in sand and just loves it. After awhile we took a break to have snacks (and this whole time she has been eating sand off her hands left and right). Jane had a Cheeto in one hand and a dried mango in the other and she was dipping them in the sand and then licking the sand off of the food. It was so funny! Needless to say, I just changed a very sandy poopy diaper. I gave her a bite of something I was eating so she got sand on it. Then when I took a bite, I ended up eating some sand. It was so gross and I was trying to figure out why it doesn't but kids more when they eat sand. Then I figured out that it doesn't bug kids as much because their teeth don't bite together like ours do and that's when it bugs us, when the sand grits between our teeth. But, since they have so few teeth, it doesn't bug them as much.
I feel like I haven't been talking about what you are writing me in your letters and I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your letters. I got two in the mail from you yesterday and it made me so happy. Your letters are very entertaining and you do a good job telling me about what's going on with you and asking me about what's going on with me. Also, thank you for your scripture insight like I asked for, but I want you to know that you really don't need to stress about that. I know that your time is limited and I'm just so glad that you are able to write me anything at all. I get a letter from you just about every day, and when I don't get a letter from you one day, I usually get two the next day. You are the best husband a girl could ask for.
The lyrics for today are Dashboard Confessional's “Dusk and Summer” in honor of summer ending:
“She smiled in a big way, the way a girl like that smiles. When the world is hers and she held your eyes out in the breezeway down by the shore in the lazy summer. And she pulled you in, and she bit your lip, and she made you hers. She looked deep into you as you lay together quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer. But you've already lost, when you only had barely enough to hang on.
And she combed your hair, and she kissed your teeth, and she made you better than you'd been before. She told you bad things you wished you could change in the lazy summer. And she told you, laughing down to her core, so she would not cry as she lay in your lap. She said "nobody here can live forever, quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer. But you've already lost, when you only had barely enough to hang on.
She said, "no one is alone the way you are alone." And you held her looser than you would have if you ever could have known. Some things tie your life together, slender threads and things to treasure. Days like that should last and last and last. But you've already lost, when you only had barely enough of her to hang on.”
Last night Erika and I went shopping without the babies and it was very fun. It was fun to be a sister and a girl instead of a mom for a little while. Our main goal was to get business clothes for Erika because this weekend is her first business trip and she has to dress very professionally. However, she was not very successful, but I was. I got a lot of cute clothes and everything I got was on sale. I'm excited for you to see them. I got some shirts, some sweaters, and a skirt. Everything I bought was at Old Navy and I was really excited about the deals I got.
I love you so much Brad. I'm so glad that I have you in my life. Being with a lot of your family last week and then a lot of my family this week has really helped me see how lucky we are. We have such great families, and we are a great family. I feel so lucky to be able to have a family with you, I can't wait to see what adventures our life holds. Good luck with everything and let me know that I am thinking about you every second.
Love-Jess
P.S. I was just about to finish this letter up when you just called me on my cell phone and we got to talk for 30 minutes. That was so wonderful, I'm so glad that you passed your test so that you could have that talk time. I'm sorry you had to buy another calling card, since I just bought one. You would have had the calling card if your package had come. I'm pretty upset with UPS for not following through on that. I already called your parents and they're looking up the tracking number and we'll get it figured out. We'll get that package to you ASAP. Anyway, in case it doesn't come before you run out of minutes again, I printed up the calling card and I am including it in this letter.
Friday, September 7, 2007
9/7/07
Sad day, still no package and Drill Sergeant handed out mail. I received 2 letters from you - one talking about your Grandpa and the other talking about the package. I don't know why it hasn't come yet. Maybe military mail just takes longer. I got a really uplifting letter from Ben. Today was a really frustrating day and drill sergeant was driving me crazy so Ben's letter really lifted me up.
On a lighter note we had the P.T. test today and I met my goal. I ran 14:24. I really had to push myself and it felt really good to meet that goal. I did 57 push-ups and 53 sit-ups.
I really enjoyed your letters as well. That picture of Maren and me sleeping at the airport really makes me happy. The one with Jane doing the fishy kissy face on her reading couch is so cute.
Tomorrow we have the 5K road march. We get up at 4:00 and are on the road by 5:00 on our way. We are walking to the gas chamber. We were taught today how to use our gas suits and masks. We have to be in the chamber for a while. The last minute we take our masks off and breath it in and then we run out. All of the juices in our faces gushing out.
Could you write a couple letters in your hand writing. I think I would like that. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for the birthday package that I still get to look forward to. Thank you for being so wonderful.
I love you 9526
Brad
On a lighter note we had the P.T. test today and I met my goal. I ran 14:24. I really had to push myself and it felt really good to meet that goal. I did 57 push-ups and 53 sit-ups.
I really enjoyed your letters as well. That picture of Maren and me sleeping at the airport really makes me happy. The one with Jane doing the fishy kissy face on her reading couch is so cute.
Tomorrow we have the 5K road march. We get up at 4:00 and are on the road by 5:00 on our way. We are walking to the gas chamber. We were taught today how to use our gas suits and masks. We have to be in the chamber for a while. The last minute we take our masks off and breath it in and then we run out. All of the juices in our faces gushing out.
Could you write a couple letters in your hand writing. I think I would like that. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for the birthday package that I still get to look forward to. Thank you for being so wonderful.
I love you 9526
Brad
Thursday, September 6, 2007
9-06-07
Dear Brad:
My heart is so full right now. Today has been the best day. My grandfather's funeral was this morning, I sang in the funeral, we buried my grandpa next to my grandma in LA, had a luncheon back at the church, went to Pedro's for dinner, and had banana splits and played games. Everything went really well with the funeral. There was a viewing at 9 am and my grandpa looked so peaceful then we had a family meeting from 9:30 to 10 am and had a family prayer, and anyone who wanted to shared their feelings about grandpa. I talked about my final experience with grandpa the weekend before he passed. I went over to 401 to make grandpa dinner. Because I wasn't very hungry I just sat with him while he ate. I had just gotten a letter from you that day so I was talking to him about some experiences that you were having and it got my grandpa talking about his army days. Actually, yesterday I found out that he was in the National Guard, cool huh? Anyway, that evening when my grandpa and I were talking about all of that and sharing experiences my grandpa was just really back to his old self and laughing and joking and it was such a refreshing experience. I will always treasure that experience and all of the others. I feel so lucky since most of the other grandkids didn't get to spend as much time with him as I did. Since my grandpa was in the military he had a flag and an eagle on the inside of his casket (on the roof of the lid) and after we closed the casket a flag was draped over his casket. The program for his funeral was really nice. I included a program for you. I think the picture on the cover of Christ is really beautiful. Also, you'll notice my name inside because I sang Battle Hymn of the Republic. I was a little nervous, but mostly just worried that I wasn't going to be able to sing it without crying. In the middle of the song I started to lose it and my voice began to waver. I closed my eyes and kept singing and I got my second wind and was able to finish out the song strong. I felt really good about it and I just kept thinking, “this is the song my grandpa picked and he's really happy I'm singing it. It was such a privilege to do that for him, it was also cool that I was picked to sing it because as far as I know I'm the only grandkid involved in the military. I hadn't really let myself cry very much because I was trying to stay composed for the song. Once I was done singing and had sat back down I lost it. I was crying so hard I was shaking, it felt really good. It also only lasted a few minutes, but I kind of scared Jane and she started crying too. Anyway, after the service we went up to Rose Hills where my grandma is buried and had the grave side service. He had a military burial with soldiers folding up the flag and marching and one playing “Taps” on the trumpet. It was really beautiful. My dad dedicated the grave and it was nice. Then we went back to the church and had a lunch that the relief society made for the family. Just the typical funeral potatoes and ham, but it was very good. That evening we had a family meeting (just my parents and my sibs) and my dad let us know that now that grandpa is gone, what is going to happen in the near future is none of the real estate is going to be sold right now, 401 is going to be “time shared” to each sibling (my dad and his sibs) for 8 weeks of the year, and some cash was liquidated and given to each sib. So my dad decided to share his portion of the money with his kids and gave us all $5000. Can you believe it? So I'm going to use that money to reinvest our $5000 with my dad if that's ok with you. Pretty cool huh? Anyway, this evening we've just been hanging out with all of the cousins, eating banana splits, Pedros tacos, and playing games. Amazingly enough, every cousin came to the funeral except Beth who obviously couldn't come because she is in the Baltics. Like I said, it's been an amazing day.
As you might have guessed, the lyrics for today are from Battle Hymn of the Republic:
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat; Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet; Our God is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free; While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.”
How's everything going? I hope very well. Did you have a good birthday? Did you like your birthday package? Guess what? Big news from London! We got free flights from Jet Blue because of the letter Dad and I wrote. We didn't get specific free flights, but we have two $180 vouchers now, one in your name and one in mine. So we get to go on a trip for free, cool huh? That makes that whole JFK experience a little more worth it. Your parents had a flood right before I got there. The bathroom just off of the kitchen started running right after your parents went out for the night (to a Brian Reegan performance) so water got all in the living room where the piano is and ran down the stairs into the basement. They had to rip up the carpet and replace the carpet pad in the living room, but the carpet was ok. Also, there wasn't much damage in the basement, which was good. By the time I left on Wednesday things were starting to get back to normal. I think they were pretty lucky, it could have been a lot worse.
Jane knows how to say “Shhh” now. When you ask her if someone is sleeping, like if Maren is sleeping, Jane puts her finger up to her lips and says “sssss”. It is so cute! Jane also is hitting the phase where she likes to play dress up. Whenever I had her her clothes before she gets dressed she tries to put them on herself. Also, she leaves things on like hats, sunglasses, necklaces and other jewelry. I got some cute pictures of her the other day so I will get them printed and send them to you soon. Maren has a major bald spot on the back of her head, it's pretty funny looking.
It's good to be back in California, but I had such a great time with your family. They are the best! I missed you a lot more in Utah than I do when I'm in California, because I feel like your presence is everywhere. Also, when I went to our house I just couldn't wait until we would be living there together again with our girls. Guess what? Yesterday I was able to wear those brown long shorts that I bought at Old Navy when we were in Newport Beach with your family in April. They fit now, cool huh? I'm feeling so good. I didn't do as well as I have been doing when I was in Utah with your family because they have a lot of really yummy junk food around like soda and donuts, but I did ok and I did my laps. Now that I'm home I'm eating healthy again and doing my yoga and walking again. I'm really starting to enjoy exercising again, because it's not so hard now that I'm in better shape. I got up with Maren at 5 am this morning and didn't go back to sleep because Erika woke up too since it was 3 hours ahead for her. So we went for a rockin' walk and we were singing all of these awesome songs like “turn around...every now and then I get a little bit scared that you're never comin' round...turn around...” and “I Need a Hero” and “Jumpin!” It was really fun! I think about October a lot, I can't wait to see you! I love you so much, you and your luggage!
Love-Jess
P.S. Jen and Todd are getting an ultrasound on the 17th to find out if they are having twins or not, I'll let you know...
My heart is so full right now. Today has been the best day. My grandfather's funeral was this morning, I sang in the funeral, we buried my grandpa next to my grandma in LA, had a luncheon back at the church, went to Pedro's for dinner, and had banana splits and played games. Everything went really well with the funeral. There was a viewing at 9 am and my grandpa looked so peaceful then we had a family meeting from 9:30 to 10 am and had a family prayer, and anyone who wanted to shared their feelings about grandpa. I talked about my final experience with grandpa the weekend before he passed. I went over to 401 to make grandpa dinner. Because I wasn't very hungry I just sat with him while he ate. I had just gotten a letter from you that day so I was talking to him about some experiences that you were having and it got my grandpa talking about his army days. Actually, yesterday I found out that he was in the National Guard, cool huh? Anyway, that evening when my grandpa and I were talking about all of that and sharing experiences my grandpa was just really back to his old self and laughing and joking and it was such a refreshing experience. I will always treasure that experience and all of the others. I feel so lucky since most of the other grandkids didn't get to spend as much time with him as I did. Since my grandpa was in the military he had a flag and an eagle on the inside of his casket (on the roof of the lid) and after we closed the casket a flag was draped over his casket. The program for his funeral was really nice. I included a program for you. I think the picture on the cover of Christ is really beautiful. Also, you'll notice my name inside because I sang Battle Hymn of the Republic. I was a little nervous, but mostly just worried that I wasn't going to be able to sing it without crying. In the middle of the song I started to lose it and my voice began to waver. I closed my eyes and kept singing and I got my second wind and was able to finish out the song strong. I felt really good about it and I just kept thinking, “this is the song my grandpa picked and he's really happy I'm singing it. It was such a privilege to do that for him, it was also cool that I was picked to sing it because as far as I know I'm the only grandkid involved in the military. I hadn't really let myself cry very much because I was trying to stay composed for the song. Once I was done singing and had sat back down I lost it. I was crying so hard I was shaking, it felt really good. It also only lasted a few minutes, but I kind of scared Jane and she started crying too. Anyway, after the service we went up to Rose Hills where my grandma is buried and had the grave side service. He had a military burial with soldiers folding up the flag and marching and one playing “Taps” on the trumpet. It was really beautiful. My dad dedicated the grave and it was nice. Then we went back to the church and had a lunch that the relief society made for the family. Just the typical funeral potatoes and ham, but it was very good. That evening we had a family meeting (just my parents and my sibs) and my dad let us know that now that grandpa is gone, what is going to happen in the near future is none of the real estate is going to be sold right now, 401 is going to be “time shared” to each sibling (my dad and his sibs) for 8 weeks of the year, and some cash was liquidated and given to each sib. So my dad decided to share his portion of the money with his kids and gave us all $5000. Can you believe it? So I'm going to use that money to reinvest our $5000 with my dad if that's ok with you. Pretty cool huh? Anyway, this evening we've just been hanging out with all of the cousins, eating banana splits, Pedros tacos, and playing games. Amazingly enough, every cousin came to the funeral except Beth who obviously couldn't come because she is in the Baltics. Like I said, it's been an amazing day.
As you might have guessed, the lyrics for today are from Battle Hymn of the Republic:
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat; Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet; Our God is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free; While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.”
How's everything going? I hope very well. Did you have a good birthday? Did you like your birthday package? Guess what? Big news from London! We got free flights from Jet Blue because of the letter Dad and I wrote. We didn't get specific free flights, but we have two $180 vouchers now, one in your name and one in mine. So we get to go on a trip for free, cool huh? That makes that whole JFK experience a little more worth it. Your parents had a flood right before I got there. The bathroom just off of the kitchen started running right after your parents went out for the night (to a Brian Reegan performance) so water got all in the living room where the piano is and ran down the stairs into the basement. They had to rip up the carpet and replace the carpet pad in the living room, but the carpet was ok. Also, there wasn't much damage in the basement, which was good. By the time I left on Wednesday things were starting to get back to normal. I think they were pretty lucky, it could have been a lot worse.
Jane knows how to say “Shhh” now. When you ask her if someone is sleeping, like if Maren is sleeping, Jane puts her finger up to her lips and says “sssss”. It is so cute! Jane also is hitting the phase where she likes to play dress up. Whenever I had her her clothes before she gets dressed she tries to put them on herself. Also, she leaves things on like hats, sunglasses, necklaces and other jewelry. I got some cute pictures of her the other day so I will get them printed and send them to you soon. Maren has a major bald spot on the back of her head, it's pretty funny looking.
It's good to be back in California, but I had such a great time with your family. They are the best! I missed you a lot more in Utah than I do when I'm in California, because I feel like your presence is everywhere. Also, when I went to our house I just couldn't wait until we would be living there together again with our girls. Guess what? Yesterday I was able to wear those brown long shorts that I bought at Old Navy when we were in Newport Beach with your family in April. They fit now, cool huh? I'm feeling so good. I didn't do as well as I have been doing when I was in Utah with your family because they have a lot of really yummy junk food around like soda and donuts, but I did ok and I did my laps. Now that I'm home I'm eating healthy again and doing my yoga and walking again. I'm really starting to enjoy exercising again, because it's not so hard now that I'm in better shape. I got up with Maren at 5 am this morning and didn't go back to sleep because Erika woke up too since it was 3 hours ahead for her. So we went for a rockin' walk and we were singing all of these awesome songs like “turn around...every now and then I get a little bit scared that you're never comin' round...turn around...” and “I Need a Hero” and “Jumpin!” It was really fun! I think about October a lot, I can't wait to see you! I love you so much, you and your luggage!
Love-Jess
P.S. Jen and Todd are getting an ultrasound on the 17th to find out if they are having twins or not, I'll let you know...
9/6/07
Dear Jessie,
I wonder, I wonder, why each little bird has a someone to sing to, to sing to, sweet things to...
Well guess what? They decided not to give us our mail again today. I am pretty mad. Of course, that's their job, to make us mad and stress us out but this is just really frustrating. I hope drill sergeant trips on his way to his car, then his car won't start, then he forgot his keys to his house. I hope all of that happens to him.
We have a P.T. test tomorrow, the 222 - 2 minutes of pull-ups, 2 minutes of sit-ups, and the 2 mile run. I hope I do well. My goal for the run is 14:30. I think if I run smart and really push myself, I will be able to get it.
Today we got down and dirty. We had some CLS scenarios that we had to go through. They gave us situations and we had to evaluate the casualty and dress him with the right bandages and do whatever else he needed. It was pretty hot the whole time. I drank a ton of water today.
I wonder, I wonder, why each little bird has a someone to sing to, to sing to, sweet things to...
Well guess what? They decided not to give us our mail again today. I am pretty mad. Of course, that's their job, to make us mad and stress us out but this is just really frustrating. I hope drill sergeant trips on his way to his car, then his car won't start, then he forgot his keys to his house. I hope all of that happens to him.
We have a P.T. test tomorrow, the 222 - 2 minutes of pull-ups, 2 minutes of sit-ups, and the 2 mile run. I hope I do well. My goal for the run is 14:30. I think if I run smart and really push myself, I will be able to get it.
Today we got down and dirty. We had some CLS scenarios that we had to go through. They gave us situations and we had to evaluate the casualty and dress him with the right bandages and do whatever else he needed. It was pretty hot the whole time. I drank a ton of water today.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
9/5/07
Dear Jessie,
You should be back in California by now. I hope your flight with the girls went alright. Was that little trip worth the hassle? I hope it was.
As you know, today is my birthday and it was alright. We took the combat life saving test today and I passed easily. I was hooked up to a catheter twice. My arms are still a little sore. I also got to hook someone else up. It was kind of nerve racking. Drill Sergeant said he would give us 30 minutes on the phone if we passed the first time. I thought he meant tonight but I guess he didn't. He also said there was no mail which is bogus - he just doesn't want to give us any. So I didn't get that package yet. I really miss you right now. Sometimes I wonder why I did this.
Next week apparently we are going out into the field. We are going "camping" for 4 days doing all sorts of stuff. I think it will be a good change. The time really has started going faster. We are almost in week 3 now and I am ready to get out of this read phase. I want some liberties and to make some of my own choices. I also really don't like the drill sergeants very much. They just make life annoying. They don't really live up to their reputation as much as I thought.
I am also really sick of my platoon. Their language is so terrible and they talk about the most disgusting things. They can barely believe that I didn't have sex until I was 21. Don't worry about me, I'm fine, I just needed to vent to someone.
I love you.
Brad
You should be back in California by now. I hope your flight with the girls went alright. Was that little trip worth the hassle? I hope it was.
As you know, today is my birthday and it was alright. We took the combat life saving test today and I passed easily. I was hooked up to a catheter twice. My arms are still a little sore. I also got to hook someone else up. It was kind of nerve racking. Drill Sergeant said he would give us 30 minutes on the phone if we passed the first time. I thought he meant tonight but I guess he didn't. He also said there was no mail which is bogus - he just doesn't want to give us any. So I didn't get that package yet. I really miss you right now. Sometimes I wonder why I did this.
Next week apparently we are going out into the field. We are going "camping" for 4 days doing all sorts of stuff. I think it will be a good change. The time really has started going faster. We are almost in week 3 now and I am ready to get out of this read phase. I want some liberties and to make some of my own choices. I also really don't like the drill sergeants very much. They just make life annoying. They don't really live up to their reputation as much as I thought.
I am also really sick of my platoon. Their language is so terrible and they talk about the most disgusting things. They can barely believe that I didn't have sex until I was 21. Don't worry about me, I'm fine, I just needed to vent to someone.
I love you.
Brad
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
9/4/07
Dear Jessie,
No mail from you today. It's O.K. I think I should be getting that package from you tomorrow. I hope nothing crazy happens to me tomorrow. I will have to read some old letters tonight. I read the talk by Thomas S. Monson last night and really felt the spirit. I had my ear plugs in because some guys were being really loud after lights out. I thought about my girls a lot while I read the talk. If you could send more of that it would be great. I had a really good discussion with a couple people last night. Brockfree is from Michigan and he had the discussions when he was younger but did not get baptized. I invited him to church and he said he might come. 3 other privates have said that they want to come. I talked with the elders at church and they said this is a very high baptizing area because of this base. I hope I can help them out.
You need to start writing a number one on the back of your envelopes to help sort the mail out here. I just found that out.
Today we were in class all day learning how to hook up a person onto an I.V. Tomorrow we have the test. We have to hook each other up. I hope I get paired up with someone who knows what he is doing. I hope I don't screw up either.
Give Jane and Maren a kiss and goodnight for me. I love you.
Brad
No mail from you today. It's O.K. I think I should be getting that package from you tomorrow. I hope nothing crazy happens to me tomorrow. I will have to read some old letters tonight. I read the talk by Thomas S. Monson last night and really felt the spirit. I had my ear plugs in because some guys were being really loud after lights out. I thought about my girls a lot while I read the talk. If you could send more of that it would be great. I had a really good discussion with a couple people last night. Brockfree is from Michigan and he had the discussions when he was younger but did not get baptized. I invited him to church and he said he might come. 3 other privates have said that they want to come. I talked with the elders at church and they said this is a very high baptizing area because of this base. I hope I can help them out.
You need to start writing a number one on the back of your envelopes to help sort the mail out here. I just found that out.
Today we were in class all day learning how to hook up a person onto an I.V. Tomorrow we have the test. We have to hook each other up. I hope I get paired up with someone who knows what he is doing. I hope I don't screw up either.
Give Jane and Maren a kiss and goodnight for me. I love you.
Brad
Monday, September 3, 2007
9-03-07
Hey Brad:
Hey sweetie! How are you doing? It was so good to talk to you two times on Sunday, I felt SO lucky! I really liked that you were laughing and joking and sounding like your old self. It made me feel so good, it helped me feel like you were doing well and that's all I want. I also loved getting a picture of you from Sister Ivey, we sent you a copy in your birthday package. I'm sorry that I cried on the phone when you first called, I didn't mean to alarm you. I was just so happy to talk to you and hear your voice, it brings me such comfort. It also seemed like a long time since we were last able to talk even though it had only been a week. I was able to hang out with Steph today which was fun. We went to BYU and visited Mer on her first day of class. Then we went to Alysses's Bridal and I got to help Steph with her final wedding dress fitting, which was fun because I got to see her in her dress and help her pick out veils and stuff. Anyway, while we were hanging out, I talked to Steph about how much I miss you. But then I figured out something while I was trying to explain it to her. Even though I miss you more than anything I'm not sad; I'm actually really happy. I mean, I have my sad days, but for the most part I'm doing really well. I know that it is because I feel of your love for me every day and Heavenly Father is buoying me up every day. He is making this whole experience easier for me, and I hope He is doing the same for you.
I went night swimming last night to get in my laps for the day. I got in about 9:30 and after only two laps I got a little freaked out because it was dark and I was alone so I went and got Anna Marie and she came outside and hung out with me while I did my laps. Anyway, while I was taking a rest to catch my breath in between some of my laps, I was floating on my back in the water and looking at the stars and I thought of the song Some Where Out There. The stars were so beautiful and I couldn't help but think that maybe we could be looking at the same stars because we were out there under the same big sky. But then I remembered that you had been in bed for a couple of hours already...
So, the lyrics for today are from An American Tail, “Somewhere Out There”:
“Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight, someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight. Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer that we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there.And even though I know how very far apart we are, it helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star. And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby, it helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky. Somewhere out there, if love can see us through, then we'll be together somewhere out there, out where dreams come true. And even though I know how very far apart we are, it helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star. And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby, it helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky. Somewhere out there if love can see us through, then we'll be together somewhere out there, out where dreams come true.”
On Sunday evening we had a girl night with Anna Marie, Jane, Amy, Maren, your mom, and me. We made chocolate chip cookies (that I wish I could have sent to you in your package), watched “Kate and Leopold,” and painted our toenails. We even painted Jane's toenails and even though she hated it and cried the whole time, her toes look so cute and I think she thinks so too because she looks at her piggies all the time and tries to figure out why they look different.
We were able to mail off your birthday package today and your parents paid to over-night it to you so you should get it by 10:30 am tomorrow, on your birthday. I think you are really going to like it. I wasn't able to do what I did on your mission for your birthday, but I sent out an email to lost of our family members and some of our friends reminding them that it was your birthday and asking them to mail you a letter or email me a message for you and I would print it up for you. So I'm hoping that lots of people mailed you a letter. I got several emails that I printed up and included in your package. I also made you a card from the girls with their foot prints that I think that you are really going to love. I also included a new Pin City calling card for you that's really cheap with lots and lots of minutes so feel free to use it as much as you can. I hope that you get a good score on your test this week so that you get 30 minutes of talk time.
I got your letter today with your picture of the Rothwell tower and letting me know that you finally got some of my letters. I'm so glad! I also wanted you to know that I haven't gotten the email from them about family day. If you could follow up on that, that would be great because I want to book those tickets soon. I'm proud of you and your PT goals, I know you can do it. I'm glad you've finally gotten some new pictures and I'm sending you pictures in every letter. I think it's cool that your Drill Sargent thinks our girls are cute. I just wanted to let you know that on Sunday I wore my brown skirt that I bought only a few months after we were married (so pre-pregnancy) and it fit really well. Your girl is getting in shape. It feels good and I'm pretty excited for you to see me next month. I don't look way different, so don't get unrealistic expectations, I'm just getting toned up and starting to be able to fit into my old clothes. I think it has been fun to take this opportunity while you are away to get my body back. I hope that it is a good surprise for you. Anyway, I'll give the girls a squeeze for you, they love you so much! I love you with all my heart and soul and I can't wait until we can be together again.
Love-Jess
Hey sweetie! How are you doing? It was so good to talk to you two times on Sunday, I felt SO lucky! I really liked that you were laughing and joking and sounding like your old self. It made me feel so good, it helped me feel like you were doing well and that's all I want. I also loved getting a picture of you from Sister Ivey, we sent you a copy in your birthday package. I'm sorry that I cried on the phone when you first called, I didn't mean to alarm you. I was just so happy to talk to you and hear your voice, it brings me such comfort. It also seemed like a long time since we were last able to talk even though it had only been a week. I was able to hang out with Steph today which was fun. We went to BYU and visited Mer on her first day of class. Then we went to Alysses's Bridal and I got to help Steph with her final wedding dress fitting, which was fun because I got to see her in her dress and help her pick out veils and stuff. Anyway, while we were hanging out, I talked to Steph about how much I miss you. But then I figured out something while I was trying to explain it to her. Even though I miss you more than anything I'm not sad; I'm actually really happy. I mean, I have my sad days, but for the most part I'm doing really well. I know that it is because I feel of your love for me every day and Heavenly Father is buoying me up every day. He is making this whole experience easier for me, and I hope He is doing the same for you.
I went night swimming last night to get in my laps for the day. I got in about 9:30 and after only two laps I got a little freaked out because it was dark and I was alone so I went and got Anna Marie and she came outside and hung out with me while I did my laps. Anyway, while I was taking a rest to catch my breath in between some of my laps, I was floating on my back in the water and looking at the stars and I thought of the song Some Where Out There. The stars were so beautiful and I couldn't help but think that maybe we could be looking at the same stars because we were out there under the same big sky. But then I remembered that you had been in bed for a couple of hours already...
So, the lyrics for today are from An American Tail, “Somewhere Out There”:
“Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight, someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight. Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer that we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there.And even though I know how very far apart we are, it helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star. And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby, it helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky. Somewhere out there, if love can see us through, then we'll be together somewhere out there, out where dreams come true. And even though I know how very far apart we are, it helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star. And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby, it helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky. Somewhere out there if love can see us through, then we'll be together somewhere out there, out where dreams come true.”
On Sunday evening we had a girl night with Anna Marie, Jane, Amy, Maren, your mom, and me. We made chocolate chip cookies (that I wish I could have sent to you in your package), watched “Kate and Leopold,” and painted our toenails. We even painted Jane's toenails and even though she hated it and cried the whole time, her toes look so cute and I think she thinks so too because she looks at her piggies all the time and tries to figure out why they look different.
We were able to mail off your birthday package today and your parents paid to over-night it to you so you should get it by 10:30 am tomorrow, on your birthday. I think you are really going to like it. I wasn't able to do what I did on your mission for your birthday, but I sent out an email to lost of our family members and some of our friends reminding them that it was your birthday and asking them to mail you a letter or email me a message for you and I would print it up for you. So I'm hoping that lots of people mailed you a letter. I got several emails that I printed up and included in your package. I also made you a card from the girls with their foot prints that I think that you are really going to love. I also included a new Pin City calling card for you that's really cheap with lots and lots of minutes so feel free to use it as much as you can. I hope that you get a good score on your test this week so that you get 30 minutes of talk time.
I got your letter today with your picture of the Rothwell tower and letting me know that you finally got some of my letters. I'm so glad! I also wanted you to know that I haven't gotten the email from them about family day. If you could follow up on that, that would be great because I want to book those tickets soon. I'm proud of you and your PT goals, I know you can do it. I'm glad you've finally gotten some new pictures and I'm sending you pictures in every letter. I think it's cool that your Drill Sargent thinks our girls are cute. I just wanted to let you know that on Sunday I wore my brown skirt that I bought only a few months after we were married (so pre-pregnancy) and it fit really well. Your girl is getting in shape. It feels good and I'm pretty excited for you to see me next month. I don't look way different, so don't get unrealistic expectations, I'm just getting toned up and starting to be able to fit into my old clothes. I think it has been fun to take this opportunity while you are away to get my body back. I hope that it is a good surprise for you. Anyway, I'll give the girls a squeeze for you, they love you so much! I love you with all my heart and soul and I can't wait until we can be together again.
Love-Jess
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