End of tour ceremony

Ben sent a few pictures from Africa. These are from the end of tour ceremony they had on the beach. This is always a good event showing all the hard work that everyone has done on the deployment and is indicative that these soliders are  getting ready to go home.

"I didn't mean to pull in Earl on this one"

"That is me in the middle on the front row"

-- love his descriptions

Africa pictures from Ben

A week long training for volunteers and other people who will be taking care of the medical facilities to treat Ebola patients

Ben has been able to send us a few pictures from his latest Army deployment to Liberia. He has tried to keep busy helping the soliders who are feeling sick, but most of the day "just goes by" he says. I have to laugh because I am talking to him on the phone during the day more than when he is here at home. This humanitarian mission is also less worrisome and he is able to talk about what is going on, where he is going, and other topics. While he was in Afghanistan, our conversations were very one-sided and I never knew when he was going to call. Lately Ben has been able to call everyday, one or two times.

Some of the cool bugs and creatures in the area. Ben talks about the lizards that are everywhere... long and fast climbing up the training area walls.

At the week long training, Ben talked about how they finally got some food, instead of eating MREs for three meals a day. I know it can get pretty old eating that same thing, so he was excited and enjoy something that was brought in.


His first delicious dinner in a very long time.


 

Our FLORIDA trip

 

First Day of School (Older Boys)

This year was quite a change for our family with Cael reaching 5th grade he would be attending Middle school and Brecon would be in 1st grade at the Elementary school. I think Cael was a little nervous about having a locker and going to different classes. He wasn't sure how he felt about these big changes.

One of the neat things about Cael in middle school is he and Ben walk out of the door together at the same time. As long as we can get lunches packed and everything else ready in time, then it all works out. There have been a few days where Cael isn't quite ready, and he gets quite upset about not walking with his Dad.

Brecon was acting pretty goofy on the first morning as we walked him to the front of the school. He read the sign and made a crazy face (above) and then for the group picture he is looking rather violent towards the green circle (below).

He really is such a good and independent boy. All last year he was basically walking himself to line up with his teachers in the morning. This year he insists on walking all by himself, although some days I "tag" along or if he is acting difficult he will have to hold my hand the whole way. He wants to be first in line but that doesn't always happen. He runs as fast as he can at the end of the day through the back field and forest. His reading is improving and I can see his confidence in that area growing each time we read together.