A Different Christmas

This year was different. Two Reasons:

Reason 1. Joe wasn't home. This was the first year, since we started dating, that we didn't share a Christmas together. He was able to call, but the sound of his voice was disheartening. He seemed sad and lonely, tired and frustrated. It made me want to reach out and just give him a hug. Without a day off, they didn't have much celebration for Christmas. It seemed that all the others weren't out on patrol except for him and his guys. He received many packages and Christmas cards, though. Sharing everything with others. Please continue to pray and send him your support:

Joseph Whalen
832 EN CO 2-34 IBCT
Bagram Airfield
APO AE 09354

Reason 2. It was my first Christmas as a Mommy.  I must say, it was weird to not be the center of attention, but I was grateful to have a piece of Joe with me since he was gone. It's fun to watch her grow and discover so many new things. Clare had enjoyed visiting family and opening her presents. Since she's only 11 months, it was really hard to start any traditions this year. It will be easier once Joe's home and she's old enough to comprehend a little bit more. She's not yet walking, but she's SO close. She talked alot...a trait she gets from her mother, go figure.

Overall, it was a fun holiday with Clare. She made everyone smile and enjoy their time with her. She's just like her daddy that way. Here's a fun video of her discovering her musical talents. That's my girl!

Afghanistan ......thus far!

Your mission if you so choose to accept.....

1. Become an officer and act like a goof!??

2. Pose with cheesy smiles and awkward stances?

3. Wear flashy new uniforms and even cooler reflective belt$?

or...

4. Go to Afghanistan with the coolest group of guys you've ever had the chance to lead and make some new friends along the way?

I've made my choice and it's all of the

above! About a month into our tour in Afghanistan and we've made quite the impression on each other in the platoon,

the locals, and the Afghan National Police
that we work with.

Here is a picture of AJ one of our terps, good guy if I ever knew one! You like the looking away photo....am I right?!!

Working for ISAF, or International Security Assistance Force affords us the opportunity to partner with all sorts of different countries in our combined effort to help make a better future for the country of Afghanistan. Simplified, lots of folks, together, Afghan in rearview mirror. Here is a picture of me, Rob, and Brent toasting to the UAE, or United Arab Emirates. Good times! Here they gave us some Vitamin C drink, it tasted exactly like Red Bull to us!!





We often do joint patrols where the UAE
provides humanitarian aid packages to
local villages. It's always nice to see the smiles on faces of all ages, as they get either food, clothing, or their first soccer ball ever. You haven't seen joy until you see a 3 yr old who's new soccer ball is almost as big as him.

You can train all you want on learning a language and think you've got it, until you are fully immersed in it and find out you've got a long way to go. The locals around the Bagram Afghanistan area speak both Pashto and Dari. We've tried our best to learn Dari. I personally know how to say all sorts of things in the way of "what's up?" or "how are you?"
and even counting to 20. The latter at least helps me to pass out my local cell phone number so

that they can call if needed.

As I said before we have made quite the impression on our Afghani counterparts. Here Chad is toasting some Chai tea that we often share...oh every time we stop in to pay the Afghan Police a visit. Like I said previously we like to use their native language as much as we can, so here we'd say "Ba salamati", or "toast"! We often times sit and share the hot tea, bread or as they call it "non", and some equaly warming conversation about family, how long we've been in the service, and how

things are in their neck of the woods.

Last, but not least what update would be complete without a killer picture of me and the guys are geared up ready to rock and roll? That's right, all dressed up and no place to go has never been our problem as of late. We've got plenty to do, and only a year to do it in. I pray that this is the same mentality I'll have come next spring and till we're done.

I hope this finds you all well, and enjoying the story thus far....there's still so much more to come....stay tuned!! Love you all!