2012 Update from Shindand

I absolutely cannot believe how fast this 2011 year has come and gone!

 Last January at this time, I was preparing to go to Fort Carson, CO

for some high altitude training in the mountains!  We were there for

about a month, then there was Dad's promotion ceremony in April, along

with our cruise with the parents and in-laws, followed by last minute

trips to Six Flags to blow off steam before boarding a plane to carry

us half way around the world to Shindand, Afghanistan for the rest of

the year!  Since our arrival, we've celebrated the 4th of July, our

1st wedding Anniversary, sending my sister, Anna, off to Ireland,

sending my younger brother, Luke off on a personal adventure, wishing

I could be there to celebrate our nephew Elijah Ray's 6th and Noah's

2nd birthdays, and then there was Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas

and New Years!  I cannot believe the whirlwind of events this year,

but I am so thankful that God has been faithful to keep us safe so far

and to help the year to "go by fast"!

We've had so many things to be grateful for this past month, but

lately, I see myself looking more forward than back!  We have much to

be excited about this new 2012 year, as well!  In about 4 more weeks,

James and I will be starting our Rest and Relaxation time in Airlie

Beach, Australia!  Our plan is to have no plan, other than to relax

and enjoy being together, just the two of us!  There is, of course,

the beach, so I have a little feeling, that we might take off our

shoes and walk along the shore, with our toes in the water, (quite a

refreshing break from the frigidly cold days, here!)  And since we DO

have to eat at some point, I'm sure we'll enjoy the local tastes that

the Whitsunday area has to offer!  And maybe, just maybe, I can talk

James into giving me a back rub one night!  Ahh.. the joys of married

life!  Needless to say, we are more than just a little ecstatic!

We are keeping our butts down, our alert high, and our desire to come

home.. well it's always been pretty high!  We are fast approaching

that time, as we have just over four months to go until our journey

here comes to a close.  We continue to be blessed by your

encouragement, support and prayers.  Deployments are certainly not

easy, but God has been there with us the entire time!  We are looking

forward to an even better, brighter year as we endure through the

final stretch of our Army commitment.  What's next?  I guess we'll all

just have to wait and see. . .

Blessings from Shindand & Happy 2012!