Isn't it ironic, dontcha think?

So while I was here bitching to you guys about not being able to locate numbers for Scott AFB I get a phone call from the base veterinarian letting me know Cyrus's FAVN tests came back negative. He is GTG!

Sooo, while I was there I asked them for the base operators number (AKA: for future references-"Multi-function switch") #618-256-1110 who in turned gave me the "New" unpublished number for TMO #618-256-5249!!! Yippeee!!

Now here is how it works: We are allotted 11,000 lbs to move overseas
1.Baggage shipment (pre-shipment) can be sent 30 days prior to us leaving and we get an allotted amount of poundage. Steve - 350lbs Myself- 350lbs and the kids 175lbs each. These are things like clothes, pots, pans, linens, fans so on so forth.

2. Household goods - Will arrive to our location 2 months after pick-up from our home.

3. Storage - The government will provide storage for us for the duration of our tour!!! Hey, that is way cool.

All this can not exceed 11,000lbs. I'm sure we are cool there.

All these pick-ups occur on 3 separate days and have to be set up in person at the TMO office at Scott AFB. Yuck! Whatever, it's free!!

Answer the phone!

My thinking is on things that if you provide a service you should actually be there to PROVIDE the service. Not to mention if you a military service provider staffed my military personnel you would think that they would have the discipline and supervision to ensure that those services are carried out. I am not asking for much really, just answer the damn phone! Answer my questions! You don't even have to get off your ass!

I have tried ALL morning to reach TMO (Traffic Management Office) re: Questions of our upcoming move (ie: how soon should we schedule outbound pick-up?,etc.) but nooooooo, the phone just rings and rings. Now, you may ask, "Are you calling the right number?" and my answer to that is, "How the hell do I know!" The web-site for Scott AFB is by far the most user un-friendly site I think I have ever seen! No lists of base numbers, not even an base operator number.

So where are they? I can only picture in my mind a little military group of like 5 people supporting this operation. Some days they are in the office until they have an outbound shipment then they all get together and run over to the outgoing home pack and load the truck in fast-forward like you would see in the old black and white movies, leaving the office un-staffed. This is all I can figure. Maybe they where sent to Iraq? Maybe they are all sick today? Oh, I know, it is the scheduled family morale day that is mandatory that EVERYONE and their families attend. WTH?

Or, maybe I just like instant results...Hmmmm.

I love children, I love children....

Well here I am with like 800 children to get up and get to their appropriate places this morning. Fate has pulled a cruel trick on me this week. Steve is gone to Vegas Mon,Tues and Wed while Shashanna (my friend who just moved here from Cali.) is gone to Kansas Wed, Thurs, Fri. Guess who gets to stay here with all the kids Mon,Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri? I'll give you a minute...

Yep! It's me!

You see they are out gallivanting about (yes there is work involved but come on, there is also play.) while I listen to 5 little ones moan and complain about one thing or another- and trash the house. I am definitely tapping the wine tonight! Oh, get this, Steve arrived to Vegas to find out that his portion of involvement in the meeting is like a whopping 3 HOURS!! Hmmm...what to do in Vegas for the other 56?

Well this is short because I still have to take the other 2 to school, get the baby up. (baby? oh yes I said baby- it has been a loooooong time since I have had to worry about anyone placing foreign bodies in their mouth off my floor and possibly choking!) Get Javan up so I can take the baby to daycare, vacuum the floor so the baby does not choke and get Jav to school. Now I know there are a lot of you out there that do this every day but you see, Steve and I have purposefully and skillfully planned our lives to include just 2 small little people to be responsible for for just this reason- lack of chaos. How has this happened?

Sooo…there you are in Vegas without me. Guess it does not really matter where you are without me I would still feel the same way, lonely. I find it kind of ironic how when we are home together and just about had enough of each other’s company that when you are gone I miss you so terribly much. You are so busy with work here lately I feel like you might be a little stressed about being gone all the time and I guess I don’t always make it easy on you when you are home. Hey, guess what? We are going to go on an extremely cool vacation and may have some time to…reconnect.

They say absence make the heart grow fonder. I guess they expect you to have a strong heart, one without worries or cares, sorrows or strife. Really I believe all marriages suffer through becoming strong, bonded and respectful, holding each other in a position of honor. What a hard thing for us. Maybe absence is good to show us what life would be like without the other in our worlds. How sad. I know we get irritated with each other but there are so many times I feel safe and taken care of with you just there, there with me even if we are not talking. You fill a role of secure caretaker, safe-keeper, strong provider and wonderful father. I really pray one day we can serve other roles in each other’s lives such as truly best-friends.

Hurry home My Love. Missing you.

Get this!

This order was put into place due to the fact that there has been a few repetative offences from a few select Marines towards Okinawan's.

Read this: (sent to me by a friend of ours who’s husband is currently in Oki.)

FM COMMARCORBASESJAPAN
CP BUTLER JP(uc)TO CG III MEF(uc)
CG MCB CAMP BUTLER JP(uc)CG 1ST MAW(uc)
CG 3RD MARDIV(uc)NAVHOSP OKINAWA JA(uc)
CPCOM CAMP GONSALVES JP(uc)31ST MEU(uc)
MCAS FUTENMA JP(uc)CPCOM CAMP KINSER JP(uc)
CPCOM CAMP SCHWAB JP(uc)CPCOM CAMP FOSTER JP(uc)
CPCOM CAMP COURTNEY JP(uc)CG 3D MLG(uc)
HQSVCBN BUTLER JP(uc)MCAS IWAKUNI JP(uc)
COMFLEACT OKINAWA JA(uc)HQBN CAMP FUJI JP(uc)
CPCOM CAMP HANSEN JP(uc)INFO COMMARCORBASESJAPAN CP BUTLER JP(uc)
CG MCB CAMP BUTLER JP G-2(uc) BTUNCLAS MSGID/GENADMIN/OKINAWA AREA COORDINATOR//SUBJ/PERIOD OF REFLECTION//POC/XXXXX/xxxxxxxRMKS/1. THIS IS AN OKINAWA BASED U.S. ARMY, U.S. MARINE CORPS, AND U .S.AIR FORCE COORDINATED MESSAGE.
2.SITUATION: TO ENSURE ALL STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT (SOFA) STATUSPERSONNEL UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLES AS AMBASSADORS OF THE UNITED STATES INJAPAN. AS THE OKINAWA AREA COORDINATOR, I AM DIRECTING ALL SOFA STATUSPERSONNEL TO OBSERVE A PERIOD OF REFLECTION, LIMITING OFF -BASE ACTIVITIESOF A PERSONAL AND RECREATIONAL NATURE.
3. MISSION: EFFECTIVE 0730, 20 FEB 2008, ALL SOFA STATUS PERSONNELPERMANENTLY OR TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED TO OKINAWA, CAMP FUJI, AND IWAKUNI,JAPAN, OR WHO ARE TRANSITING THROUGH THESE LOCATIONS IN A TAD/TDY/LEAVESTATUS, WILL OBSERVE A PERIOD OF REFLECTION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
4. COMMANDER*S INTENT: MY INTENTION IS TO UTILIZE THE TIME WITHIN THISPERIOD OF REFLECTION TO REVIEW ALL APPROPRIATE PLANS, PROCEDURES, ORDERS ANDREGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF ALL SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL SERVING INOKINAWA, CAMP FUJI, AND IWAKUNI, JAPAN. RECENT HIGHLY REPORTED INCIDENTSINVOLVING U.S. SERVICE PERSONNEL SERVING IN JAPAN WARRANT MEASURES BE TAKENUNTIL SUCH TIME AS TO BRING AN INCREMENTAL RETURN TO A MORE NORMAL STATE OFAFFAIRS. I NEED LEADERS AT ALL ECHELONS IN ALL SERVICES TO HELP REINFORCEWHAT THE VAST MAJORITY DO WELL AS FORWARD SERVING AMBASSADORS OF AMERICA,WHILE WE COLLECTIVELY POLICE OUR RANKS TO IDENTIFY THOSE FEW INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD DESTROY OUR GOOD STANDING AND REPUTATION WITH THE JAPANESE PEOPLE. IFULLY INTEND TO DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO EXEMPLARY COMMUNITY RELATIONSTHAT APPROPRIATELY CAPTURE THE PROFESSIONALISM AND GOOD WILL OF THE AMERICANPEOPLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENCE DURING THESEDIFFICULT TIMES. YOUR OVERWHELMINGLY SUPERB BEHAVIOR AND EXEMPLARY CONDUCTIS NOT LOST ON ANY OF YOUR LEADERS WHO REMAIN INTENSELY PROUD OF YOURSERVICE AND PATRIOTISM. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND FOR BEING WHO YOU ARE.
4.A. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS: ALL SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL MOVEMENTS ARE LIMITEDTO THE FOLLOWING:PLACE OF DUTYPLACE OF EMPLOYMENTPLACE OF WORSHIPPLACE OF EDUCATIONPLACE OF MEDICAL, DENTAL, VETERINARY TREATMENT AIRPORTS (FOR THE PURPOSE OFPICKING UP OR DROPPING OFF PASSENGERS OR FOR AUTHORIZED TRAVEL) ALL ON-BASEFACILITIES TO TRANSIT BETWEEN ONE*S AUTHORIZED RESIDENCE, INCLUDING OFF-BASEHOUSING, AND ANY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) INSTALLATION VIA PRIVATELYOWNED VEHICLES, MILITARY SUPPORTED TRANSPORTATION, AND COMMERCIAL TAXI.CURRENTLY SCHEDULED COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECTS
4.B. COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS: EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY ARE DELEGATED TO THE O-6 LEVELCOMMANDERS TO APPROVE PRE-EXISTING AND PRE-REGISTERED OBLIGATIONS OR SPECIALEVENTS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS .
5. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS: COMMANDERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISSEMINATE THISMESSAGE TO ALL SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL. POC ARE XXXXXX6. COMMAND AND SIGNAL: *SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL* INCLUDES ALL UNITED STATESARMED FORCES PERSONNEL, DOD CIVILIANS, DOD INVITED CONTRACTORS, AND THEIRRESPECTIVE FAMILY MEMBERS.
6.A. THIS IS A PUNITIVE ORDER AND AS SUCH VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER BY ARMEDFORCES PERSONNEL CAN RESULT IN PUNISHMENT UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARYJUSTICE. ALL OTHER SOFA STATUS PERSONNEL INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBERS AREREMINDED THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE FULL RANGE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONSINCLUDING LOSS OF COMMAND SPONSORSHIP AND DEBARMENT.XXXXXXXXX SENDS//BT


I have never really even considered such a thing. Military family members being held in their own homes? Responsible adults? Not really sure how I feel about this right now. I am sure if I where there while this occured I would not be happy at all. I even get anrgy when Marissa and her class get in trouble for 1 students ignorance.

This will be an interesting tour.

It still hurts. It still hurts to see, hear or remember anything about him. It has not quite been a year and yet it seems as though it has been so long. Sometimes I think I can hear his voice or expect to listen to a voice-mail and hear, "Cindi, it's Steve, call me back when you get a chance hon." Sometimes I wish I would have saved one of those so we can hear his voice again. We talk about how it seems that it is now time for him to come back home although that is where he is...home.

Kayla- We are so proud of you and I know your Dad is too. I wish he were here to see you walk across the stage and get your diploma. I wish we could be here also to support you and join in the festivities of your graduation but fate has other plans as you well know for all of us. Please stay strong and focused, your Dad would want you to keep moving forward and doing great things for yourself and those around you.

We all miss him dearly and I pray that someday the pain does not sting as bad as it does now. But maybe that is how it is meant to be. Maybe we are meant to always feel him with us in our hearts and know that the pain that we feel is testimony as to how he touched all of our lives and is proof as to how much he loved each and every one of us.

We love you Kayla and we will miss you too.

Hmmm....who got shafted this Valentine's Day? So let me try to explain the feelings associated with "How do I give the man a pair of house shoes after he just gave me an absolutely gorgeous diamond ring?" I might not have even felt as bad if I would have given him his wonderfully comfy, soft, handsome house shoes first but ohhhh nooooo, it did not work out that way. Of course not. I was left bringing the man a box of Wal-Mart house shoes (and a card!) after he just placed a long awaited and much loved ring on my hand.

You see, 12 years ago Steve and I ran to Wal-Mart (must be one of our favorite places) and saw these little wedding bands on-sale and thought "Hey, we should grab these right now and go get married, in Vegas, wanna go?" $24.99 later - we were out! Off to get married. The lady asked if I wanted in sized down and we had to tell her "no", we had to leave right then, no time! I have had that same band for 12 years, until this Valentine's Day!

He has always said he never felt he needed to prove his love to me by buying me a ring and I do totally agree regarding the whole "proving your love concept" but come on, I'm a girl! Girls love diamonds like men love to fish! Like men like having big trucks! Like men like to have nice power-tools. Steve now says he can tell how much I love him with every step he takes.

Oh shit, I need to go get him a really nice power-tool that he can use while wearing his really cool house shoes. Umm yea, I'm gonna work on that. I Love you baby.

The never-ending journey.

Look at this my little mid-western friends! You will never guess where this beautiful orange came from. Nope- not an orchard. Wrong- Not Schnucks. Na- not even a road side stand. I picked it right off a tree in some grumpy mans front yard of his house! Isn't that crazy! Just out in his front yard is a crap load of oranges!

I went to Fremont, California to help a friend and her babies move back to St. Louis and this was picked right out of her in-laws neighbors’ front yard. I felt so sneaky but had to do it. For your sake. For the sake of my inclement weather friends who will never walk out of their house and just wander by some stranger’s front yard (or their own) and quickly grab a huge, ripe, juicy orange. I took one for the team guys and really came out unscathed. Plus, I got to indulge in the wonderful nectar of my own hand-picked orange. I felt like the Tropicana lady!

California was beautiful. I have never been that far north in Cali. so it was nice to get to see the area. I did go 2 years ago to visit my friend Shashanna but since I didn't get to drive across country at that time I really missed out on a lot of scenery. We left Sunday morning and decided to take the northern route since it looked like there was a small break in the weather (and it seemed the most direct with 2 little ones in the car) and they have a new law that says you cannot drink and drive even if needed for sanity reasons, so we figured the quicker the better!

The little ones did great, as well as they could do for 12 hours at a time in the car for a 18 month old and 8 year old. We went through Nevada into Utah to Wyoming headed to Nebraska but we hit a snow storm and OMG was it really a snow storm! I could not see shit! Really. Snow blowing all over and we were in the mountains. Halleigh (8 y.o) re-named Wyoming "Whiteoming." We totally agreed- I really didn't even use lanes, because there were none! We figured it was time to get the hell outta there and dropped down to Denver, Colorado. It was so strange because as soon as we got off our highway to head to Colorado the snow stopped and the roads where clear as can be. Sooo...we continued on our never-ending journey to The Lou through Kansas into Missouri and damn we felt home free when we got on Hwy 70 in Colorado. So sad, the fact that we really where not even close to home but so happy.

We stopped 2 nights, once in Salt Lake City, Utah and again in Burlington, Colorado. Could. Not. Go. Any. Further. Salt lake is gorgeous!We made it home safe and sound Tuesday evening around 1800 and are now recovering. I missed everyone but they seemed to do just fine without me, they even went to Big Cedar Resort without me and had a really good time. I think there was some hiking involved. Next time I get to tag-a-long (as long as we don't have to drive very far!!)

What is Sacrifice?

Marissa participated in the talent show at school again this year and wasn't really sure what to do to get in. We talked about singing, and that is what she was going to do right up until the day of rehearsal. She sang last year and it seems like that is the most popular talent for kids these days. Who would have known? So I thought maybe she could do a poem to her Daddy and say goodbye to her school friends and teachers all at once and this is what we came up with. I had to call my mom for emergency back-up and she really pulled through. Thanks Mom! Marissa did great!

There wasn't a dry eye in the house. The man sitting next to us said "That's not even my daughter and I had tears in my eyes". Success. Sometimes people need a little reality check as to what our service men and women as well as their babies left back home go through.

This is for all of you who leave their loved one's behind to serve our country in ANY capacity. Know that no matter what, the one's you have left behind love and miss you with all their hearts and are waiting for your safe return home, proudly.

What is Sacrifice?

Dedicated to SSgt. Steven L. Hedrick Jr.- USMC

I'm leaving this country, this country my home to go to a land, a land of unknowns.
I'm going far away to a far away land, I'm leaving my friends, my family for Japan.

I'm sad, I'm scared, I'm anxious but proud. Why may you ask am I proud to be scared? Because what you don't know is the move that I make is a move of sacrifice for everyone's sake.
Sacrifice what does it mean? It is something I have never seen, I've never felt this thing. Sacrifice.

Sacrifice is unknown to me, not much used in my vocabulary. I have food and clothes of plenty - toys and games- I never do without any. Sacrifice is giving my dad, such a big word it makes me so sad. Sacrifice is being alone without my dad in our home. I am free to run and play to go to school and church and pray.

Other kids are not so free to live a life of liberty.

Sacrifice is a big word and has many terms. Some are small and some stand great and firm. Mine although small can not compare to that of my daddies who will be leaving us there.
You and your men give their lives, their everything some making the ultimate sacrifice You will miss my birthdays, holidays and times I need you there to hold me- but I don't mind, this is my sacrifice- my sacrifice of love.

You may not agree with the stand he is making but it is for you this job he is taking. He fights for your freedom, even to disagree. There is no other country in the world this could be.

So Daddy, although I am sad I'm also so proud to be your baby girl and be part of the crowd that thanks you so much for your sacrifice and serving for all of us that are not always so deserving. Know as you go and leave for the war that there is absolutely nothing more that makes me proud and happy to say, "That is my Daddy and he is making his sacrifice today."

So I will go wait on that distant shore until my Dad returns to us once more. The daughter of a Marine holds her head high - stands tall and strong and shall not cry.
Don't cry for me because of what I say, my head is bowed only to pray. Goodbye to my teachers, my family, my friends I will miss you all from where my memories began. Maybe one day in the distant future we will meet again - Always remember your school-mate, your friend.