Update on Paul from Erin!

Hi everyone,
I know Paul has not put anything on here in a while. I don't know if he is just too busy, or if he just is forgetting. I will try to remember to tell him to come on here more often.
He had to go on a mission over night Christmas Eve. The mission was a success, however they almost had to stay over night because of an IED on the road. He did end up making it back safe. When he got back and was taking off his gloves and his wedding ring flew off. That's how much weight he has lost. He was in the vehicle when it happened so they searched it, but didn't find the ring. He said when they took the vehicle in for maintenance they would take it apart and try to find it. He was really upset about it, but I just told him to do what he could to find it and if he couldn't then we could get a new one. There was no point getting mad about it. Well, just now he called and said they found it. Two of the soldiers took it to where they work on vehicles and started taking it apart. They found it in hydraulic fluid and wedged between hoses! He has decided to wear it around his neck on 550 cord an buy a cheap ring to wear on his finger.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Paul tried to call to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, but the phone lines were clogged up. He did get through to me and said to tell everyone Merry Christmas, he loves you, misses you and appreciates everything that has been sent to him.
That is all I can think of for an update! I am still in Dallas until New Year's Eve, then will be heading back to Lawton. School starts again on the 2nd.
Love you all,
Erin

Merry Christmas from Grandma

I wish you a Merry Christmas, etc. Didn't get to send earlier. We spent the afternoon with Miss Mady and the rest of the gang around here. Christmas is for kids and she had a splendid day. And so did I.

We spent just a couple of days in Michigan with Tannie's family and Andy's too. Visited the cemetary and the stone looks fine. But it was so windy out there. And as usual, we had to fight the wind all the day to Indy. Some things never change. Coming home from Mackinac is usually the same on a windy day. But, it was a nice day.

I imagine you day might have been lonely. Thinking of you anyway. Last week I sent two boxes. The lines into the Post Office were long, long. But, would you believe, the office actually had five clerks and no one was at lunch. I sent two this time because my family room was beginning to get crowded with all the goodies I pick up here and there. The mind is always planning. I usually have two or three boxes filled with sendables and it's just a matter of putting together. And the darn customs declarations are a fuss. Never get the weight right. And most of the clerks don't seem to care about correcting the weight but last week the clerk was grumpy as heck. Too bad, it's his job to assist in mailing. He must have had a shortened lunch.

Hope Hedgie had a good Christmas. Would be nice if we had an update. Take care and sending prayers and lots of love. Grandma Brown

Merry Christmas from Grandma

Name of new Dog

Paul & Erin,

How did you come up with the name for the dog? I asked because we (Brown Family, Paul Sr., Deb, Gail, Pete, Beth and Ma B) had a german shepard 40 years ago with either the same name or something very close. I dug through a box of picture, but could not find one of the dog.

But with it being Christmas I found a couple of my favorite pictures of Paul Jr.

Even as a boy he wanted to do Logistics!


The next couple are the Last time I would wrestle with Paul Jr and Andy. Because I could still win. It was a very fun Christmas when Paul Sr, Paul Jr, and Andy came down to Mike and Deb's house in Indianapolis.


The Brown Family.


Last but not least. I still have some friends in the Military. Remember when Paul first got to Iraq and there was some incident with a bloody nose. Well I had my friends look into it and found a little different story than the one Paul told. It seems Paul made a deal with a friend to take a Tank for a drive. Well the picture tells it all. If you look closely I think you can see a smile on Paul's face, after all HE did not sign for the Tank.



Keep your head done and be careful. Let us know when your coming home.

Pete

Update on my Update

Hey Paul,
How is our Hedgie? I opened your email about his ransom and hoped you received my email to you. Two others I had sent were returned undeliverable yet Deb had no trouble sending you one. I did have problems with the email on the better computer. Hope this one is better.

Let me know if you need something for his ransom. I usually can find most desirables around here. Just wanted to update you on Hedgie. Love, Grandma

Note from Grandma

Hello Paul,
Haven't written for a bit because my computer was down. What a headache. Surprising how much I missed that machine. Mr. Mike (the computer guru) took my tower apart last Sunday and decided it was one of the components that needed replacing. So, to be kind to me and not make me wait for a new part (if it is even available), he put together an older tower that had been used at his workplace and transferred as much of my information on to it for me. It's dated '04 so it is comsiderably slower, but what a treat to have something to work on. And, even some of the so-called updated systems don't respond any better than this.

On to other things. The Charlow ladies and Sara were here last week-end and I so enjoyed their visit. We scattered in different directions and Sara and I did some shopping for her birthday. While searching for goodies for Tannie we found a T.J.Maxx where Gail had found all the Kona coffees. So, we went inside and we found some too. When we checked out, the checker said the Kona coffee comes in regularly but sells out fast. So, I will make it a priority to check for the coffee at the store. T.J.Maxx does have some interesting goods, but to find them I have to spend lots of time hunting. Even with plenty of time at my disposal, I hate to sort through racks and shelves. But, for you, I will make the surpreme effort to get more coffee. Anyhow, I have three packages to send in your next box and I sent a box just the other day. And I will keep up on the Lipton tea. Must be popular because it is completely out.

And, what's with the hairdo - or lack of it. Yul Brenner and Kojack could pull it off but I'm not so sure of others. Soon enough hair thins. And your Dad took after me with his thinner hair. Ah, I do miss him. He was a gem. Maybe it is easier to keep clean with all the dust over there.

Mady was here for a sleep-over with Grandma and she brought her snow clothes so she and I (!) could build a snowman today. Thankfully (for me) it rained today and no snowman. I love snowmen, I collect them all year for Christmas but building snowmen is no longer fun for me. We crawled around earlier this year and I still feel the cold occasionally. But we did build a farily fine snowman. So she scoured my fridge for carrots and outside for sticks for his arms. I found something newish this year called chocolate coal. I had a bag or two to send and she quickly put them aside for herself. She did take them home to have for the next snow.

You know why coal, I hope? One of the older traditions in Europe was to place a piece of coal in the stocking of a child who was not good. My mother told me years ago that this was not just a story but something that was actually done. Her big remembrance of Christmas was the year she and her siblings were given an orange and her Mother actually had enough money to bake a coffee cake for Christmas morning. Mother's life must have been bleak.

I know your Christmas will be lonely, but remember you are in our thoughts and prayers. Oh, how often we say that to you, but believe, we do just that. I will finish. Have to do a house cleaning now that Mady has left. Hard to believe one small girl can leave work to be done. But, she is worth all the effort. Take care, and more boxes will be on the way. Have quite a bit of the white chocolate and just finished a bag of pretzels awaiting shipment in the next box. Love once again, Grandma B.

New Puppy

Well, for those of you who have not heard, I bought a new puppy on Sunday for Paul and me. She is a nine week old German Shepard. Like all of the German Shepards Paul has had her name is Machiko. However after Paul sent me the link to the meaning of her name, I pointed out to him that he is pronouncing it wrong. So after much discussion we changed the spelling to Mechiko. You will have to ask Paul to explain the humor in her name. We all know how he loves his history! So far, she is doing pretty well even though I keep thinking, "What have I gotten myself into." She is a chewer! Anything and everything she will put her mouth around. I really have to keep an eye on her. It does help having Trotsky though. They play all the time and then they sleep! Here are a few pictures. This is Mechiko sleeping under the Christmas tree. Cute, but I have tried to break her of the habit of going under the tree. Trotsky would try to go under there too and she didn't exactly fit. I didn't want the tree falling over!
Mechiko in the kitchen
Mechiko and Trotsky. Before we know it Mechiko will be bigger than Trotsky!

Hope everyone is doing well. Love to all,

~Erin

Paul, I miss you so much, especially with the new puppy. I love you and can't wait until you are home.

Hi everyone,
Paul asked me to post these pictures about a week ago, and I was so busy I kept forgetting to do it. So, here they are now. He was having ahard time posting them because of the slow connection over there. The captions are written by him not me! Listening to some more instructions. (this was during an Officer Professional Development)

This is me being awarded an Army Acheivement Medal by COL O'Connell for my work on planning a High Priority mission that even General Petraeus was tracking closely.
Another picture of me being awarded my AAM. In the background you can see the huge "MAKE IT HAPPEN" sign on our building.
Me watching some instructions. (this was during an Officer Professional Development)
This is me on top of an armored HMMWV helping out another officer with the .50 Cal Machine Gun (this was during an Officer Professional Development)
Me standing infront of an ASV (this was during an Officer Professional Development)

Christmas in Fallujah

Merry and I saw Billy Joel last night, great concert! He had Cass Dillon with him to sing 'Christmas in Fallujah', very moving. The song is available on iTunes, check it out. Here's their blurb about the song...

"Christmas in Fallujah" is an exclusive track sung by soulful newcomer Cass Dillon. Written by Billy Joel, the lyrics were inspired by correspondence from soldiers who have been serving in Iraq. Proceeds from song sales will be donated to Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that builds specially adapted homes for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe disabilities.

Some Pictures

Hedgie in front of the Crossed Sabers (Hands of Victory)
NOTE: The hands are actually of a mold made from Saddam's hands after the war with Iran

Hedgie and I in front of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters in the IZ

(they are in the infamous "Gunner Palace")

Hedgie and I in front of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division Headquarters in the IZ

Hedgie and I in the "Gunner Palace"

Hedgie in front of the Award I won for the mission planning I did for FOB Echo

How Erin gets to see me almost everyday, cool huh?

Another Month Down

Howdy All,
So, another month down, another month closer to being home. Thanksgiving was a little hard thinking about how much I miss Erin and how much I miss dad. But, as usual, I sucked it up, and took it for what it was, just another day in Iraq. So, even as the rest of the holidays are right on the door-step, I am pretty sure it will be just like any other day, just a little different menu at the chow hall, and less Soldiers coming into work that day.
The five-month mark is coming up soon and I cannot wait to be a third of the way done. The time seems to go faster the closer it gets to R & R with my loving Erin. Each day is starting to mold more and more into the last.
Life is getting a little better here each day. Even though the mortars and rockets haven’t stopped coming, the situation is getting better. The security here has been improving and less and less Soldiers and people are dying. The Iraqi’s are finally stepping up and taking some of the responsibility for their country. What a concept right?
Okay, I am off to sleep. I am putting some new pictures on the blog for everyone to see. I really appreciate the Thanksgiving pictures from Erin, Jessica, Nathan, Natalie, and Donna. Oh, before I forget, THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU to everyone who has sent the packages. Grandma, my Soldiers and I love the packages you send and the pretzels are gone quickly. I want you all to take care of each other and know I love you all. Erin, I miss you and I love you so much, less than a hundred days until I get to be with you again!


- Paul Adam

Happy Thanksgiving!

I thought that we took more pictures on Thanksgiving but a lot of them turned out in massive shadow. Here's the 2 that actually turned out! Of course, they are of Natalie, as she seems to be the focus of every gathering! Mischievious much?


Here's the video that we took for Paul on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately our internet has been down and we couldn't upload until today. Just pretend that you are viewing on Thankgiving!

We wish that you could have been there with us, Paul. We sure do miss you! Jess, Nathan, and Natalie

Awesome

I am so proud of you Sweetie. When Erin says she has only been running for 4 weeks, she is not lying. She would try and run with me when I was home and couldn't do it. Now, she is running 5K, AWESOME!!!. I am so proud, I love you sweetie, and we are over the half way mark to R&R.

-Paul

The Big Race Day!

So, I forget that I need to do the pictures first on here and then type. Oh well, enjoy these pictures then read about our experience at the race!
Here we are being silly. Eating a peanut butter sandwich right before we left.
Sarah and I before the big race! I know this one is sideways, but obviously, me before the race. I made a shirt. It says I love my soldier on the front and CPT Brown on the back with the number 40.
Sarah and I RIGHT before the race. She made a shirt too!
Me with my medal. YES I got a medal. Read on to find out the details!

Well, today was the big race day. I was not nervous until I was driving to Sarah's and all of a sudden realized, "this is a RACE." I think my mind was just thinking I was going to go run, not race. Then when we got there, I really got nervous. There were all these little kids that were just flying by us. There were not as many Christmas lights as I had thought there would be. So, we finished the race. Sarah was 79th place at 34.22 minutes and I finished 82nd place at 34.49 minutes. There were 122 people in the race. That, we thought was really good for our first race, and only have been running for 4 weeks.

After the race they had awards and door prizes. I won a Summer Sausage Holiday Eatings thingy, which I will be sending to Paul. He loves those things!

When they were announcing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age group they skipped 3rd place in my age group. So when we got done I went up there to ask them about it. I said, "I really just want to know what place I was in my age group. They looked and I was 3rd!!!! There were 8 people in the 20-24 year female group and I was 3rd!!! I got a medal and everything! I am still in shock. We are going to do the December race as well. I think it is called the Jingle Jog.

Here are some pictures from before and after the race.

Frost Ya' Fanny

Tomorrow my friend, Sarah, and I are running a 5K race. It is called "Frost Ya' Fanny," although I don't think it is suppose to be very cold. We made t-shirts for the race showing that we support our soldiers. I will post pictures later this weekend. I'm kind of scared because I am still not great at running. As long as I finish I will be happy! I know that sounds pathetic, but I have only been running for about 5-6 weeks. That is not long enough for me to run 5K straight!
Paul finally got back into the trailer. He is in a room with one other guy this time.
I can not believe it is almost Thanksgiving. Even though the holidays will be tough without Paul here to celebrate, I am grateful for them because it makes the time go fast. It is after R&R that I am worried about. Not a whole lot going on those last 7 months!
It is past midnight and I should get some good sleep for the big race tomorrow! Wish me luck!
~Erin

Wicked

hey, i am soooo siked for january - ( thank you sooooo much doc i cannot thank you enough ) i get to do something that i have wanted to do for a while - i am going to Chicago yo see Wicked . Has anyone seen the play - if so what do you think . xoxxo - love you uncle paul - PEACE OUT :) - Rachael

I Have More To Follow

Another Helo Ride, this time to FOB Delta

Mr Hedgehog Came Along Of Course

The Soldier Sitting Next To Me Fell Out Of The Bird And Onto Concrete, So I Did My CLS Stuff And Patched Him Up.

Had To Get This Picture

(This Is Where I Was At During The Rocket Attack That Was All Over The News)

Getting My Army Achievement Medal For A Mission I Did Supporting GEN P's Mission

Here Is What Came In The Box I Got From Eastern Michigan!

Its Been A While

Howdy All,
Let me first say I am sorry that I have not been making post recently, but I bet most of you will understand I have been a little bit busy. Things have been a little busy at work. My team and I have been working hard to get more and more Soldiers and civilian contractors off the road. So far we are succeeding. I won’t be able to tell all the numbers for a little bit still, but they are rather impressive.
Recently, things have been very busy around here. I was luckily not around when the major attack happened that was all over the news. I was down at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Delta seeing one of my CPT buddies take command of Bravo Company. I did another convoy to the International Zone the other day to look at some facilities and some other logistical reconnaissance. Another exciting thing is the recent rocket attack on our facility. After the all clear sounded, I took off for the impact sites with the medic bag, but luckily, no-one was injured. The attack made it very real again to those who were not taking the situation seriously.
Quality of life here continues to have its ups and downs. Some of us (me) are still living in tents and have a quarter of a mile walk to work and the chow hall each day. The silver lining to the situation is the fact that some of the Soldiers that were in the tent with me have moved out and I have a bunch of room now. One thing I look forward to getting each day though is an email from the orderly room saying I have mail (and wow, that email comes nearly every two days) to pick up. I really appreciate everything you all have been sending. Grandma, the Pretzels made it and they are AWESOME!!! I had to hold myself back from eating them all at once. Jessica, the beef jerky was great and all the Soldiers loved it. Tanya, thank you for brining a bit of home back with each newspaper and I love the soap. Aunt Gail, KONA COFFEE, what else do I have to say but thank you. By the way, one of the Non-Commissioned Officers that works for me is from Hawaii, and she almost tackled me when se saw all that Kona. Erin, you know how much I love getting boxes from you (even when half of it is Army stuff I needed), but I love your notes and keep them with me all the time. I just love getting a box and so do my Soldiers cause as much as I get out of it, they do to.
So the time is going by fast and I am making the best of it personally. I have lost 35lbs since I left Fort Sill and have about 15 more to go. I have also been running and rebuilding my endurance and strength in my legs since the surgery last year. Also, I have been doing a lot of self-reflection and changing some of my attitude and not letting the little dumb things get to me anymore. I guess being in a place with such a high risk makes you no longer “sweat-the-small-stuff” anymore.
Okay, now that I have written a book on here, I will get back to work. I miss you all and cannot wait to be home. As it stands right now I have ~341 more days, but who is counting. Erin, I love you and miss you greatly and cannot wait to be home with you and little Trotsky.


CPT Brown

A cheery hello from Grandma B.

Hi Paul,

Sent another box today of mostly miscellany. Post your own post of goodies you are now in need of and please tell me if the liquid soap I sent was satisfactory. Probably smells much better than Tannie's offering. The darn customs declarations are such a nuisance - know they are necessary, but there is so little room for packing contents. But today is the first time I have to ever read what is listed front and back. Since I have been alone I spend much time reading, or trying to read, the legallese (wrong spelling I think) on forms. Much of it repetitive nonsense to discourage reading and understanding. Sending by way of flat rate boxes does save money and especially finding the proper size boxes. When "old boy" was in Korea I had to scramble to find boxes and packing was a real headache. But, that was when he actually began to use hot sauce. He said the K rations they had in the field were so dull after a few meals the hot sauce made eating at the very least interesting. Yuk. Something he never got over either.

The "ladies" are back from Chicago and by all accounts had a fine time. Back and forth through the city and environs. It is a wonderful city and I do miss the lakefront. Chicago is certainly unique in the water. Indy is a nice compact city, not too difficult to get around in except for me. I still can't tell south from north most of the time. I wrote I bought a new RAV-4 and it has no compass in the car. My old van had one and I am so used to it pointing the directions. I have tried two portable compasses and neither would work properly. I am getting a bit upset. The only time I know which way I am heading is when I go west to the interstate, and east to the library. South and north are a real problem here. Mr. Pete was going to look through the internet to find something useful, but haven't heard from him lately. Some of the mapping sites in the "net" are okay, most are not. Just to see how accurate a site was I asked for directions to the old house in Crete and their directions added several extra miles. Oh dear, I guess it's too late to get map savy at my age. All my children have internal map logic built into their genes from their Dad. He's another one who never got lost (unusual for a man).

Guess I will finish. Have to make halloween cookies for Mady. She usually comes Saturday and if it rains tomorrow she will be inside. Frosting cookies seems to please her. Especially coloring the frosting. Some of her color offerings are plain disgusting to look at, but thankfully, they taste good. She and the two neighbor children come up with the oddest color combinations. And they make a royal mess of the floor with the sprinkles. But sprinkles they must have. Just cleaning the floor after they leave is nasty.

Love to you and share what you don't want. I usually pick up oddments on sale here and there and might as well send them to you. Surely someone in your command will appreciate your discards. Take care - Grandma B.

Homecoming

First and most importantly Paul is back at Camp Liberty. He called last night around 5:15pm and had made it back. Tonight he is working over night to cover for someone else.

I went to my highschool's homecoming last night and was able to meet up with a friend of mine that I haven't seen since highschool. She was on drill team with me.

Things have changed, as they always do. I was a little disappointed because they added music on to the beginning of the fight song, so the drill team had to add to the beginning of the "Strut" (the entrance routine). Also, at the end of the Strut, we use to do the jump splits and then do a bow while in the splits. They don't do that anymore. :(
They have changed the uniforms also. They don't wear gloves anymore. When I was there we had to wear our hair up in a hair net under out hats. Now they wear their hair down. It looks pretty, but it just isn't what I am use to.

Mom and I have been packing up her apartment to move into a house that she will be renting. She has A LOT of stuff! We haven't even made a dent.

I am anxiously awaiting my trip to Chicago. Only two days of school this week!

Love to all!
Erin

Paul... As always, I love you so much. Thank you for the package!

Event at Camp Victory

Hi everyone,
Some of you may have seen on the news that something happened at Camp Victory. Paul is normally at Camp Liberty, which is pretty much one in the same with Camp Victory. I wanted to let everyone know that Paul is ok and safe. He was not at Camp Liberty/Victory when this happened. Also, everyone in his unit is safe and unharmed. I talked to him this morning and he was pretty shaken up, but he is ok. I will let you know when he is back at Camp Liberty. Right now he is doing a mission that he will never be able to talk about. Not even 50 years from now! Top Secret stuff I guess.

Happy Birthday to Sarah (my cousin)! She has entered the teenage years!

This weekend I am going home to watch my high school football homecoming game and to help mom pack. She is moving at the end of October.

Then I get to go have a girld weekend in Chicago with Paul's family! I am very excited for that!

I will post pictures after next weekend for all to see.

Love you all,
~Erin

PS. Paul I miss you greatly and love you so much. I will give your family lots of hugs for you!

Michigan Update

Well, tons of stuff happening around here. First, getting ready for girls trip to
Chicago! Can't wait to see Erin (as I am sure you feel the same!). We will be having a good/relaxing time. Just a few cocktails to be had!! We have Bob, our DD - YEAH FOR BOB!!

We had a scary event happen, while making a tackle on Friday, September 28th vs. East Lansing (and homecoming Paul) Todd had some temporary paralysis to his left side. He was in the hospital for the weekend and we came home on Sunday afternoon. He still has weakness on the left side but is in PT for this. He will be seeing the Neurosurgeon at the end of October and will continue to follow with Dr. Dodds for awhile. He claims that he will be playing football next year! (GOD HELP ME!!)

So then, Tuesday of this week, I got a new car and on Wednesday I was rear ended.

I have asked Andy to take his bad luck back!! (tee hee) Andy and I have decided that since we are about 1 year from diagnosis (October 22nd was actual diagnosis date or when the hammer came down on our lives) that we are almost through our year of bad luck and that things will be looking up!!

Other than that, things in Michigan are going well. Fall is rearing its colors. Andy and Diana were able to get a few things from the house on Jenne. The people cleaning it out (after Diana spoke to the owner) left the pictures and things such as that on the porch for pick up! (Sooo kind of them)

I will be watching Joey and Harmony all day tommorow as Andy is having some outpatient surgery. Hopefully all will be fine! I will post once we know he is ok.

Take care all,
I love you Paul and Erin!
Tanya

P.S. Erin, I will see you on Wednesday. WE will meet you outside of baggage claim.

Just a note from Grandma B.

Hello Cpt. B.

Sent package #3 during the week with a short note inside. I keep picking up smaller packages for you just because they are easier to pack. I think Tannie was going to be sending the "smelly" stuff and I will concentrate on the other things. Please let me know if the pretzels made it. I am anxious to know if sealing did any good.

Nothing of great import going on here. Mr. Mikey (our lawn man) is busy refreshing the lawns. Mike and Deb had a great time in Boston. Even with his long hours they took the week-end to tour Boston and envrions. I only spent a couple of days years ago with "old boy", but we did the historic bit and when you get posted out east you will surely have a fine time doing the Freedom Trail and all the historic sites in Boston proper. It is a very interesting city. And Deb said the accents are hilarious. But, I suppose they think the same of ours.

You gentlemen are certainly running up a proper gas bill. I don't think I wrote that I bought a little Rav-4 Toyota. It really still rankles that I bought a rice grinder (your Dad's name for foreign cars - remember?), but the American cars I saw just didn't quite make the grade. I would have bought any Dodge I liked but none appealed. I am still missing the smooth ride in my Van, but this little car has its advantages. But the shift is in the center console and the van's was on the column so I am still turning on the windshield wipers in the Rav-4 because I forget that I must shift differently. But, the new car fits in the garage so much better. No more parking on an angle. Even gives me more space to fill with goodies. Mady named the car "Minty" because of the color and she insisted that all cars must have names. It makes them feel better. Ah, the thinking of seven year olds.

She still visits every week-end and now we have homework to practice. She is beginning to read simple books and, thank goodness, they are teaching phonics. I certainly hope that Erin is teaching her little ones that way. Mady has no problem sounding out words that she can't sight read. Tho, there many words they learn by sight and that broadens their usage. I still love words and receive and email from Dictionary.com with a new word daily. And the site comes up with some very obscure words at times. And I recall you also liked words. I don't suppose you have too much time to read but if you have any Indy troops I could send the sports pages to you. The sport section in the Star is very well done. Even I read it at times. And it keeps up with complete coverage of the Colts who also won today.

When Mady is here and the weather is fine we often take her to Holiday Park near us which is really a very special place. Great playgrounds and many trails down to a branch of the White River. She loves to go to the "her" river and toss in sticks. The darn river is so low now people wade out in the shallow water. Of course, a seven-year old will want to wade so down to the shoreline we went. She hit the shallow water and I hit the mud. My shoes were soaked and full of mud. And, of course, I had the new car. I had to wade out and get some of the mud off and both Mady and Bob thought I made a very funny sight. I did manage to get the shoes clean tonight with soap and bleach, but I think the socks might must be a wash. Oh well, gives me an incentive to buy more socks. Imagine that!

I guess you have had your fill of Mady and mud. Keep up the good work and enjoy the boxes. Love you and keep you and all your men in prayers. I think of you all often and just whisper good things for you. Love, Grandma B.

Ramadan

Howday,
So, life in Iraq gets a little crazy during Ramadan. Needless to say, the wacky Muslims here get a little agitated and tend to be a little more violent. But, all is well for me, my Soldiers, and the Soldiers of the Battalion. Things have been going relatively well considering the circumstances. In less than 90 days we have planned for and executed the completion of over 1,000 TMRs (Transportation Movement Request), drive nearly a quarter of a million miles, pushed nearly 2 million gallons of fuel. We are defiantly kicking some Logistical Butt! Tuesday last week, I completed my third convoy. It was a long one and very tiresome, but I did some good and found a new system to use with that support unit to make both our lives easier.

Okay, I will write some more when I get a chance. I miss you all and love you. Erin, I miss you and cannot wait to hold you and kiss you again.

CPT Brown

I too am sorry I missed your call...

I do answer my phone even if I don't recognize the number. The reason you got a work message is that it is my work cell phone and they have decided that this cheesy generic message is a good idea for our work cell phones. Everyone gets confused when they call. I was on the phone with a customer when you called and by the time I got off you had called twice. I was sad when I listened to the message. I would have liked to talk to you.

We too had a blast with Erin. We walked an itty bitty bit of the way to you, met Chris, Emily, and Eloise, had queso, talked, watched funny videos on u-tube...oh yea and played with Natalie. She's started babbling. It's so cute. She just babbles and babbles. I'm talking about Natalie, not me!! I had to go away for 3 days and got home today. When I picked Natalie up from daycare I swear she had doubled in size. Well, not really, but she had a huge growth spurt and had grown and gotten more chubby all in a matter of 3 days.

Well take care of yourself. We miss you and can't wait until you are home!!

Jess, Natalie, Nathan, Molly, Mijo, and Mickey.

Dang..I'm so sorry I missed your call

Happy Friday, Paul!!!

It's not that I don't answer unknown calls, it's that I was at lunch with my boss, had my phone on silent. But I will definitely keep it close for future calls. Thanks so much for calling. Your message was very sweet and really meant alot to me. Still keeping my promise to you and it's not even hard to do. :)

We had such a wonderful weekend with Erin. So much, that we didn't want to come home. You're so right in that she is such a trooper. I know we'll be going back soon. We just didn't have enough time!

I just watched a new slideshow of pictures from Iraq with a song written by an American soldier. It really put into perspective of what this war is all about and how much sacrifice you and Erin make each and every day. I am so proud of you and your men and what you're doing for us over there. I can't imagine how hard it is but also know how important it is.

On a lighter side...I don't know if Erin has told you that I'm moving the end of Oct. Found a really awesome house in Frisco..am waiting to find out if I get it. It's a "Donna" house.

Well, just looked at the time and I've got to get ready for work..

Thanks again for calling..I'll try to keep my phone off silent.

Stay cool and outa harms way!!!

Love ya!!

Mom L.

Sorry I missed your call

Generally I don't answer calls from numbers I don't know so when I received a call from an unknown number yesterday of course I didn't answer. Guess I need to change my phone habits while you're away! It would have been nice talk to you. I know it sucks for you to be there and also sucks for Erin that you're gone but know this... we are all very proud of the job you and your 'men' are doing there. And... we appreciate very much the sacrifices you and Erin are making in serving your country. Keep in mind... every day that passes brings you one day closer to coming home! Be safe.

Dad L

Another Update from Grandma

Yo Paul,

Found your Lipton black tea in the new pyramid tea bags. The Lipton tea web site does not have loose tea offered so when I found these I bought all the boxes on the shelf. (Only four left so it must be popular) I tried it and it was just okay to me, but I really prefer ye olde Earl Grey. Love that bergamot.

And - I tried your white pretzels yesterday and tho this is the same brand of chocolate I used at Christmas (Ghirardelli) it did not harden the same. I really was worried last night that I would be sending you white chocolate pretzel soup - but than as hot as it is there what I do finally send will probably turn into pretzel soup anyhow. I sealed the few I made as a trial and even if these do melt, just pop the package in the freezer or fridge and they should set again. I used the small pretzels but I will get the longer ones next. I much prefer their taste - more salt. Just give me a critique for future packages.

Got the Kona coffee too. So the package will just be your special requests. Other things I am still working on as well as the phone cards which I routinely forget.

Today is Mady's 7th birthday (my, she is aging fast) and tomorrow is the big open house party for her. Spent the day making delightful goodies for the feast and I'm ready to pack it in about now. Deb and Mr. Mike are in Boston for some sort of conference for his company so I am dog and house sitting. "Mr. Jackson" - the dog - keeps me company at night and he can really hog the bed. But, he is good company and nice and warm. The nights are actually getting very nicely cooler he is better than a blanket.

Will sign off. Have to pack things to housesit. I usually take a book or my everloving crossword puzzle books. Put them out one final time about 9:30 or l0:00 and then a final treat and off to their beds. Jackson has his own special bed complete with blankets and a pillow and Lucky has her own place with a fan. Some life.

Anyway, will write again and send your package the beginning of next week. Tomorrow is taken up by the birthday girl. Love to you dear Paul. GrandmaB.

SPO

168th BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTALION

SUPPORT OPERATIONS

IRAQ

September 11th

Six years ago, it was a regular Tuesday morning for me at Eastern Michigan. Well, it wasn't that regular since my first days of college were just a few days prior. All of that, and all of our lives changed that simple Tuesday morning. It has lead to a change in our stance in the world, our economy, and our way of everyday life. I know it has effected me greatly, look at where I am right now. It was a tragic event, but I believe that we as Americans have risen up from this event and have tried (although in vain at times) to try and make this world better. I, and all of the Soldiers here are trying our damnedest to make the events of one Tuesday never happen again.

I love you all and miss each and every single one of you.

CPT Brown

Something to take your mind off the heat....

Paul,

Sorry I haven't posted but I have been busy with trying to finish my little Pole Barn Office. While we have not had anything like your kind of heat, we have had plenty of humidity and the local Red Cross is using mosquito's for gathering blood. But those of us here in the Midwest know, wait a while and the weather will change. So after living for a few months with all of that lovely heat, here is a reminder of winter. Actually the feeling of someone after a little too much winter.



Another little pearl of wisdom, remember it is not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight (or ahhhm... desire) in the dog. In the Words of our Commander in Chief, never misunderestimate your enemy.



Also your are in a dangerous place, so keep your head down and don't do anything foolish, like this....


Finally some good news on the home front, after 9/11 the FAA decided to allow Airline Pilots to carry guns on board, this is my kind of Airline Captain!



I looked over your list and am putting together a package. Take care and BE SAFE!

Pete

9-11-'07 -- From Grandma

Dear Paul,

Just deleted an entire update from me. I'm sure it is presently roaming around outerspace at this minute. I hope I manage to get this to you without another blog winging into the "ether".

Anyway, just sent the first of many boxes your way. Spent last week with Tannie and her familia and got hints as to send boxes. Sent the basics in your request. You may hide the big bags of M&M's and I added a few small packages for your men. There are some oddments also for you to pass around if you don't like them. M'wave popcorn boxes were included and there are four more here waiting for the next shipment. Just let me know if they pop. As hot as it is, they may pop before reaching you.

I will be on the hunt for the tea and the Kona. Trader Joe's store near me carries Kona as does Meijer so if that's what you want it's easy to get. If you think of any other oddments, just post them. Very few goodies we can't find here.

I am going to try the pretzels next week. Bought the white chocolate and wee pretzels. I will try sealing them with my FoodSaver and send them that way. If they do melt, just pop the packages in the freezer or fridge to harden. If that works, I will try cookies. Just can't send the Hershey Kisses. The Kisses would melt and make a royal mess. Sara and I baked some Kiss cookies last week and Andy "somehow" managed to sneak away with the last of the batch. Now how did he do that?

Little Harmony is such a sweetie. Just smiles and drools all the time. Joey enjoys playing. I tease him with my "Indiana" bugs and he thinks that is such a hoot. Andy and I went to breakfast one morning and found a play dough kit that made spiders so he now has some "real" Indiana bugs to play with. That was cool. And, of course, when I am at Cracker Barrel I have to search for things to bring home and wouldn't you know all the Halloween goods are on display. Love that time of the year. Already have pumpkins and a witch on display.

Glad to see Hedgie is well. Take good care of him and if he has any specific requests, just pass them on. Such a guy.

Will write again later. Love and kisses to you. Love, Grandma Brown

Labor Day Weekend in Plano

This past weekend we celebrated Dad and Nathan's birthdays. Since we had a nice 3-day weekend, we were able to get a lot of pool time in. We have videos to share, but I couldn't get them to upload onto here.
Natalie is getting so big. She is smiling A LOT and likes to suck on her middle and ring fingers instead of her thumb! It is very cute! Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Natalie on Papa John's legs
Natalie sitting on Aunt Erin while Daddy (Nathan) opens present Playing Monkey in the Middle with Jess and Nathan
Dad and Nathan's Cake
Jess, Kelly, Dad, Me, and Nathan. Dad wanted to dig in too early!I have finished my 16 sessions with my personal trainer. It was well worth the money! I have made great progress, and plan to keep going! Now Sarah and I are just on our own!

The students at school are getting better, although the staff and school itself are not!

I am thinking about going back to get my masters degree.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Paul, I love you more than you will ever know!

~Erin

Special Delivery From The IZ

One Truck Was Dedicated to The Hedgehogs Return Mission!

So Glad To Have Him Back!
Had To Put Him In The Cooler To Chill Off!

Pictures of 2nd Convoy

Me Reading Over The Mission and a Map of the IZ

Moving Out To The SP Point

Catching Some Zzzz Until We SP
Hedgehog In-front of Crossed Sabers
Hedgehog and I In-Front of "Gunner Palace"