UPDATE...LONG OVERDUE

Yes, Honey, I know...it's about time. No excuses, Sir. No excuses.

CHRISTMAS IN IRAQ

As mentioned in my last post, the last day to send mail was May 15th. Well...the friends, friends of friends, family, and friends of family absolutely came through for Bryan and his men. The boy received 67 packages a week later! A few days after that he got 18 more. That's a total of 85 care packages!! Thanks to all of you! His CHU is now referred to as " The Distribution Center". You've made so many soldiers happy with the games, snacks, letters, magazines, and whatever else could fit in those boxes. He said he hadn't smiled that big since being in the US. Again, THANK YOU!

There hasn't been a whole lot of communication the last couple of weeks. They are very busy. Bryan says if he's not planning a mission, he's on the mission. He may get a couple hours of sleep somewhere in the middle. I did get to talk to him today after church, however. I went to my Mom and Dad's hoping we'd get to skype, and we did! They hadn't had that opportunity since he's been gone, so it was a special treat. He was rather tired. We asked if he'd been busy today and, of course, he said yes. He also said there was a food shortage the last couple of days, which will make you tired, too. Ummm, what? I heard him correctly...a food shortage. Somehow, they ran low on MRE's. Now, if I know my husband, and I think I do, he made sure all of his men had meals before he took anything for himself. It's one reason I love him the way I do. In one of his care packages was a can of pork and beans - courtesy of Jenny and Will Jones. He said he was so happy to see that can and ate it for dinner. Praise God, the shortage has been remedied and they now have plenty of MRE's.

Here at home a young black cat has adopted us. It's beyond me and mine how a cat would choose a place with seven dogs to call home. He doesn't care, though. He needs to care. I'm guessing he was put out or somehow became separated from his family. He's so sweet and loving and in need of attention. We finally fed it, which sealed the deal. He's here until we find a home for him. We have to find him a great home. If my dogs ever get a hold of him it's over. If you or anyone you know is in the market for a sweet kitty, please let me know. Some friends were over today fishing and their daughters named him. This is something I had refused to do thus far. His new name fits him...Army. I had nothing to do with the name. They came up with it all on their own. So, that's his name for now...until you come and rescue him from my dogs!

Well, tomorrow is Memorial Day. We've been watching specials on television tonight. In years past, these testimonies and stories have always been moving. But now it's completely different. My soldier is at war. It's almost surreal when they talk about remembering the soldiers overseas. Mine is there. I wish I could explain it. It's just weird.

We watched the PBS special tonight and I can remember watching it with Bryan on the couch last year. What a difference a year makes. Since then, Bryan's been at Ft. Benning for 6 months, Camp Shelby for one month, and Iraq for two months. I'll be the happiest woman in the world when he comes home.

Bryan, thank you for your service. Thank you for saying to God, "not my will but thine". Thank you for NEVER complaining about your circumstances. Thank you for taking care of your men and participating in "Mustache May" even though you hate it. Thank you for sharing your care packages with Iraqi children. Thank you for being my loving, faithful husband. I don't have the words to express my gratitude. You are my spiritual leader and I've learned so very much from you even though you're gone. I love you and I miss you.

Love to you all,

Ang

PS - Bryan, only a few hours left in Mustache May! You made it!

WE'RE ALMOST THERE

Again, a busy week so no blog update. I'll try to do better now that we can no longer send mail Bryan's way. This week I've been busy putting together care packages and writing cards and letters. Knowing I can't send him something he needs is a little overwhelming. I keep thinking of things I should have sent and now can't. But I think he'll be ok. Our friends and family REALLY came through. And even friends of friends sent him boxes. I won't say how many are on the way to Q-West, Iraq because I want it to be a surprise to Bryan and his men. However, I will say that the Postmaster in Alamo, TN asked someone bringing in boxes on Saturday if those were for Bryan Hayes! Thanks to all of you who've made the effort to send him packages or letters. I wish I could explain how much it means to him. And thank you for including your children in your efforts and teaching them the importance of appreciating our military men and women. It's just good stuff. These boxes will arrive just in time, too. The DFAC (dining facility) closes next weekend. Therefore, the only food he'll have is what we've sent him and MRE's (meals ready to eat). I've seen these MRE's and yuck! God bless them for eating them.

Bryan had a very busy week. He had several missions and sometimes two in one day. Being a 2LT means he has to plan them as well. It's pretty stressful at times. I got an email Wednesday and the subject was "a song". He'd found a few minutes to write and I was elated. The name of it is "Southern Rain". I read the words and cried. It's about being home and having that southern rain cleansing his soul. It's so true. That's exactly what it does. When it rains here at home, he and I will stand on the porch, look across the lake, and soak it all in. Oh, how I miss those moments. I pray those memories bring him comfort while he's so far from home.

I got a good laugh while talking to him early in the week. He said his guys informed him it was "Mustache May" and they'd appreciate it if he participated! Oh my goodness...a mustache. HE HATES IT! He says it's gone on 01 June at midnight! I can't really get a good look at it when we skype. It just looks like he has dirt on his lip. Then yesterday when I was talking to him I heard a lot of hollering outside his window. I asked what it was and he said soldiers playing corn hole. He said some of the men found some wood and made it. He said, "soldiers are very resourceful". I love knowing they're able to find humor and have some fun during their deployment. Does this Army wife's heart good!

I'm sure you are all wondering why mail is ending, the dfac is closing, etc. They aren't going to a new FOB...they're coming home! I can't give the exact date but it's before September 1st. PRAISE THE LORD! I've known for a while, but I've also learned to expect and accept change. For now it looks promising. Thank you for all of the prayers. And please keep them coming. There are still lots of missions to run. Knowing he's coming home is such a relief, but I still miss him so much it hurts. Really, it does. We're both so thankful it won't be too much longer. Again, thank you, Lord!

Love to you all.

READY FOR HIM TO COME HOME

Why isn't this getting easier? I thought time was supposed to heal all wounds. Deployment has been backwards for me. I started out conquering the world and now I'm fighting back tears all of the time. My brain's been saying, "be strong, be strong, be strong". Being strong is tiring! God is still with me and continues to give me strength. I'm sure of it. I just miss him...everything about him. And I miss us.

From the moment we knew of the deployment I've prayed God would protect Bryan's spirit. God is certainly doing that, but this has taken a toll. As tough as he is, he is still human. Have you seen the pictures on Facebook? If not, Bryan's posted some pics of the soccer field where Saddam and his cowardly sons tortured and murdered athletes for making mistakes or not performing well. Seeing it on my computer made me physically ill. Seeing it in person, as these men have, must be indescribable. Scenes as these and devastation of war and quality of life of the Iraqi people, viewed day in and day out, is a lot to handle. God bless them.

Despite being a little homesick and the stresses of being at war, Bryan is doing well. We were able to skype this morning as I was getting ready for work and he sang me one of his silly "songs" - the ones I said I'd never miss. It was sweet music to my ears!

He's bonded with the men and there is a mutual respect...answers to prayer. He has three missions this weekend, I think. That's how he'll be spending his Mother's Day. I know he wishes he could hug and kiss his Mom and mine. God couldn't have provided us with two more precious, Godly women than Linda Garland Hayes and Annie Curry Brannon. It's because of their prayers and God's grace that Bryan and I found each other. His mom prayed for me and my mom for him years before one family knew the other existed. Thank you, ladies.

Thank you, Bryan, for your continued sacrifice. Please know we are praying you home. Love you, Babe.

I LOVE MY SOLDIER

Please forgive me for not updating my blog last week. It's been a busy time at the farm. Knowing the rain was coming on the weekend, I spent much of my time outside cleaning up from the previous week's round of storms. I sure hope this trend ends soon.

Bryan's been on a couple of missions this last week. Thankfully, he wasn't gone more than a few hours each time, which helps my nerves. Getting an email after the mission is awesome. Just knowing he's ok...it's the best. He had a mission late last week that was 55 trucks long. Can you imagine? I cannot. How intimidating that must look. Keep praying, please. Next week they start missions on foot. Bryan's been trained to do this and is looking forward to it. Me...not so much. I like knowing there's a 1.3 million dollar truck between the bad guy, who doesn't play fair, and my husband and his men. There's a different kind of blood running through the veins of an Infantryman. It's his calling.

Mind if I take a few sentences to tell you how much I love him? I've yet to lose that new, love-sick feeling for him. I love holding his hand. He makes me laugh like no other. He says, "You're my girl", which has a sweet and innocent ring to it. He tells me I'm beautiful and relieves my insecurities. This weekend he said, "We have to be the happiest couple in the world". Simply, he loves me. It's all I've ever wanted.

I sure do miss him. I miss his silly songs, which I vowed to him I'd never miss! I was wrong. I miss his hugs and the comfort he's always provided. I miss reaching over two dogs to touch him in the middle of the night. I miss him yelling, "Ang is home - haha" every night. (That's an Everybody Loves Raymond reference.) I miss the power clap. I miss my heart.

It's been eight months (less a couple of visits) since you've been home. I anxiously await our normal life again. Maybe God will provide the child we've been praying for all these years. Maybe not. Like you said, "As long as you and I are married, we'll be a happy family". I love you, Soldier.

CARE PACKAGES

Several of you have asked me what to send Bryan in a care package. Below are some items I think he and the others would like. Because Bryan will be getting so many packages, I know he will share. Please do not let this hinder you from sending something. At the end of May or early June, the PX (post exchange) at their FOB will be closing. That means he and the guys won't have a store to buy the things they need. To make matters worse, they will stop delivering mail to his FOB at the end of May. Once his FOB closes he'll move to another area, but I don't know how long he'll be without amenities.

Keep in mind, he's in the Infantry - that means ALL BOYS! There is no need to send any girl stuff as there are none!

trail mix granola bars
brownies/cookies (may want to research how to package)
nuts
beef jerkey
tuna salad kits
canned fruit w/pop top
popcorn (microwave)
fruit snacks
cereal (individually packaged) - bryan's favorites are golden grahams and life
drink mixes - gatorade (orange) and propel (grape or berry)
coffee/splenda/dry creamer
plastic containers


travel toiletries - shaving cream, toothpaste, deodorant
baby wipes
face lotion
sunscreen
chapstick
kleenex
air/room fresheners
magazines

ANYTHING PERSONAL! He loves pictures, cards and letters. They encourage him and help subside the homesickness!

Please do not include anything with pork. Also, please don't send religious material in bulk. However, you are more than welcome to send something along those lines to him only.


THANKS TO YOU ALL!

FIRST MISSION COMPLETE

I'm so happy to say by God's grace, Bryan's first led mission went well. Things that could have gone wrong did. But he and his men handled it and got back to the FOB safely. Thank you, Lord!

We got to Skype with him a once yesterday and twice today. Again, I'm very thankful for the technology. He's doing fine and looks great. There are several more missions this coming week, so please keep the prayers going up. I love you all. Thank you.

MADE IT TO FIRST DESTINATION

Bryan emailed and they've made it to their first stop safely. They have another long mission tonight/tomorrow, so I'll keep you informed. He asked that I thank everyone for the prayers. I thank you, too! I'll update again when I can.