Pictures from Afar

Thought I'd share some of the views that I've taken in recently...

"This is how you navigate through traffic little brother..."

Afghani Sunrise

Foggy morning mission

Partnering with the French and Afghan National Army (ANA)

Me...well, being me and getting a lift from one of our Afghan National Police (ANP) friends!!!

LOVE YOU ALL, MORE PICTURES TO COME AS THE INTERNET ALLOWS!!!!

Skype sucks, ....here's to a faithfully devoted wife o' mine!

So, last night was the first time in about a month that I've got to see my lovely bride and our little Irish blessing...or at least through video.....on my DVD of love that is! SKYPE officially sucks worse than Bissle, Hoover, and Electrolux combined.....or it could just be my satellite Internet connection..hmmm! Enough of a rant for now.

It was great to see my little Clare growing up so big and so happy to just be spending time Alicia. She's definitely going to break my heart when I come home, that's for sure! Along those same lines I've been worried lately of how I will affect her, coming home...whelp gotta go and gone again for who knows how long to her. Do toddler's see their time differently? Is one week to us like a month to them, how about a month.....a year? I just want her to remember me as I am, a daddy who loves and cherishes the very fact that she exists, and may someday tell me that she loves me too.

I don't know how many times in my life, in church, in countless conversations across the globe that I've heard time and again about how we are God's children and he wants nothing more than the opportunity to show us His undying love. We being the children choose our path some go astray, some gather close to God, and others waver; but all make a choice of whether to embrace His love, and devote it in return or not. It AMAZES me that I now truly have this comprehension of that type of love, not a complete and full understanding, but some minute ability to relate to it.

Past this new epiphany, I still have anxiety about returning home and not knowing how to treat this little grown up wonder that now walks, talks, and knows only mommy and a few others that give of their time to contribute to her well being thus far. I've heard that she has my personality though, and have nothing to worry about, that she'll warm right up to any guy. Clarebear we'll have to work on this later in life, but I'm okay with you being that way right now! Even if it's just for daddy's sake!

In the end, all my worry will be for not. I can't help but to ponder, pray and give it up just as quick as it came. Love you my ladies, daddy will be home here in no time! To anyone else who reads these words, please know that you too are loved, appreciated, and missed as well. Can't wait to spend some quality time as a normal everyday guy with the lot of you too!!

Hope this finds you well.

In less than 2 months...

In less than 2 months Joe will be home for 15 days of leave. I can't believe it's going to happen in less than 60 days!

The end is in sight and my heart is lighter knowing that soon we'll have the completion to our family here in our arms. Clare needs her daddy. She's becoming so active and aware of her surroundings now. He's going to love playing with her, reading her books, and just watching her react to the world around her.

Things I'm looking foward to: (in no particular order)
1. Going to church as a family.
2. Having another adult in the house.
3. Sleeping in.
4. Having a date night.
5. Clare- Having daddy kiss her goodnight/goodmorning and so much more!
6. Having a personal chauffeur.

Things I'm not looking foward to: (let's be honest...)
1. More dirty clothes to launder.
2. Snoring.
3. Screamer/heavy metal music.
4. Having to buy more milk.
Hahaahaa!

Anyways, I'm so excited, it can't come soon enough. Thankfully, I have much planned between now and then, time will just fly like it already has.
Here's a few recent pics of sweet Clare. She's such a little Miss and so full of life! I ended up cutting her bangs because they were in her eyes. Joe was a little disappointed that he didn't get to cut her hair since he is Barber Joe. Clare is 13 months now, walking really well, and says "mama" too!