A Surprise from Ben

I got an email from Ben where he was able to attach a few pictures from downrange. It was such a surprise, but also so great to see what he is able to do for the local people at the medical clinic. Most of the time they are on their FOB (or base) where there is about 100 soldiers and support staff total, but once a week they travel a short distance to the local clinic just outside the fence to help out with the villages nearby who need medical help.

He didn't explain too much about each picture. But here they are:

 These are some guys (Ben 3rd from the left) at the very first of the deployment. They are "in-between" places, not quite here or there... but at least they have guns, right?

 Here is the group of local medics that come onto the base for medical training. Ben says they are full of smiles, teaching is a little slower with translations, but he enjoys the time they have together.

 These two little girls came to the local clinic because they were sick. Ben said they were so cute in their beautiful dresses.

 Helping again at the clinic.

This one made me get a little choked up. Ben is so great with kids, look at that smile and that cute little baby he is helping. I think that is one of the reasons I enjoyed getting these pictures so much. I can see that he is doing some good works while he is away from his family.  I am sure Ben will send more pictures when he can so I will make sure to post those when he sends them.

(Also, my computer is still down. I was able to make this quick post at my dear friends house after pizza/movie night... gotta love Friday nights-- and GOOD friends too)

We are alive!

I just have to say that I have much to blog about... Trips we have taken, first day of school, etc... But at the moment the computer is down and we all know that we really check these things for the pictures, right? Just think good thoughts that my silly computer can restart and all will be right in the world again.
Until that day happens, know that we are well, Ben is giving lectures and training the medics on his FOB, and we are all going to bed early... Most nights I am asleep before 10!! I know I am notorious for staying up late when my man is away, who doesn't do that? But I have felt so much better getting a good nights sleep, which helps the next day go that much better as well.
Will post pictures soon... HOPEFULLY!

New Territory- and family update

Where to begin. For starters  this will be my first "private" post for reasons which I felt necessary for our family at this time, which you will know about shortly.

But first of all our summer was busy, relaxing, some traveling, and spending a lot of time together. Birthday parties, water fights, riding bikes in the neighborhood and FUN! But there was still something else, like a large troll in the living room, that we knew would be soon causing a great change for our family for the next year. We didn't like to talk about the "troll", but at the same time it was there and it was going to make its' presence known. The "troll" I am talking about is Ben's Deployment for 1 year to Afghanistan.

I guess we always knew that our time in the military would come with different obligations and sacrifices, but I kept thinking they were always in the way off future and not something that was really going to effect us. This really caused anxiety and stress leading up to the departure date. I would watch the boys playing and wrestling with Ben and think those thoughts that occur when someone is going away. This is our last time sitting together in church before He leaves, the last drive home, family prayer, dinner, etc... It wasn't easy. That time was spent trying to get everything ready, packing, cleaning, and trying to make good memories with the boys.

So now Ben has been gone for a month... 11 more to go! We have been able to talk on the phone and we've got email to keep in touch, although sometimes the connection is not always the best. He is on a small FOB in the middle of nowhere in the Patika province in the eastern side of the country. In order to get there on the last leg of the journey it could have been a 16 hour convoy or a 30 minute helicopter ride. He was so glad they rode on the helicopter and Ben also said that is the only way they get any supplies to their area. There is not a lot going on where he is at. They have seen a couple of the locals to treat due to car accidents, but nothing very serious. He seems to be doing well and he is making the best of his situation while on his deployment. It is just hard to be away from the family...

As for the boys and I...we have been doing alright, the boys miss their daddy and I miss my husband, but we are busy now that school has started and having soccer in the evenings is a good activity to look forward to.  Brecon started German kindergarten during the day and that leaves baby Connor and I to run errands and get some work done around the house. You would think it would be easier, but it has been more difficult to have only one at home!

So that is that. I know our lives aren't exciting or glamorous but we will still try to keep updating. Ben is usually the entertaining writer for the blog, so I apologize in advance :)