supness peoples,
i am super siked for 6th grade i go to oriantation tomarow and start on the 4th i am happy to see all my friends again . and even more exited that aunt gail is looking for wicked tickets and hope that works out . soccer will be starting soon and i go to a water park with the girl scouts on the 15th .
i love you all rachael

Second Convoy

Howdy,
Well, I know I said I wouldn't be doing it, I told myself I would do all I could to avoid it, but I again have gone on another convoy. I keep trying to find ways to go out and see just what I can see. This time I went to the International Zone (IZ or Green Zone or Emerald City) and saw more of Iraq than I ever thought I would. I saw the important sites, Hands of Victory (Crossed Sabers), the Olympics Stadium, the 14th of July Bridge, the Embassy of the United States, Assassin's Gate, "Gunner" Palace, and the Al-Rasheed Hotel. Due to the fact it was night, I was not able to get any clear pictures with the flash. I am going to post some of the pictures soon, and I have a buddy who has the Hedgehog in the IZ and will at least get a picture by the Hands of Victory for us. I Love You All and Miss You All! Erin, I promise, one day, I will stop doing these crazy convoys! I love you and cannot wait to have a baby with you!

CPT Brown

Packages

Hello All,
Okay, I talked to Erin this morning and I found out some interesting things. I heard about Sophie’s new car, what a shocker that was! Enough of that, everything here is going alright. It is getting a little hotter right now, but the chill is coming soon here. I still cannot believe it has been 45 days (10%), time just flies by, which is a good thing. I know I never did respond to the question of anything I needed or wanted, so I am taking the opportunity now. Listed below are something’s I would like but do not necessarily need.

• Microwave Kettle Corn Popcorn
• Beef Jerky
• Slim Jims Bite Size (smaller ones) – Spicy (please no Nacho)
• Werther’s Originals Hard Candy
• Cookie or if Grandma can find a way to keep the chocolate from melting (haha), Chocolate Covered Pretzels
• Andy Chap’s Hot Fries
• Body Wash (and I am serious when I say, girly smelling is preferred)
• 2 X 500ish Minute Phone Cards from AT&T
• M&M’s (any and all types), love that thin candy shell
• Kona Coffee (hahaha, yeah right!)
• Lipton “Black Pearl” Pure Long Leaf Black Tea Bags (AWESOM TEA!)
  
  (TIP: if you put each thing in a zip lock bag, it works a lot better for shipping in case something breaks or melts)

If there is something else you find or see, you think me or my guys would like, just throw it in a box, we are not picky. I really appreciate each and every single one of you and the support you are giving me and my guys. Life sucks being away from everyone, but you all are making I easier each time I read the Blog. I love you all and miss you all. Erin, I love you and miss you greatly!


CPT Brown

This is so special: to be able to read and contribute to "Paul Brown's Blog.." It is a wonderful way for a family to stay connected. We appreciate being in the loop. Paul, we too, keep you in our prayers. There is a special corner in the narthex of our church dedicated to military men and women. We have added your name. After reading the note from your Grandmother (can't help but feel we are eavesdropping (which makes us a little uneasy), we know we would like her! Love from Grandma & Grandpa Lundborg

First Convoy

Well I finally did it. I have finally completed my first convoy through the heart of Baghdad. Everything went well, a couple of rough spots, but all is fine. I was in a very safe vehicle and did not have anything exposed. I have some pictures from the experience for you all to enjoy. I love you all and miss you all very much.

Erin, I love you and miss you!

hi uncle paul hope everything is well! just getting ready to start school this week. YUCK!! i am taking a math, chem, and writing!! cant wait to start. all is well here. the family took a nice trip yesterday to a kenny chesney concert, it was awesome! i get to keep my baby sitting job for fall. they are going to work around my school sced. that is really nice so that i do not have to look for a new job!!! we all know how fun that can be.

erin hope things start going better with your class. i am sure things will calm down quickly. the new teacher always gets tested the most by the other staff as well as the students. i would know i did that a lot in high school. just stand your ground and you be fine.

uncle paul matt says hi and he hope all is going well for you and he cant wait until you come home. he leaves for school sep 1st! he wants you to know that he is prying for you and wishes you the best.

I LOVE YOU UNCLE PAUL!!

-sara-

Hey Paul!

Yea for ya'll being so efficient at your job. Sucks that you get more work but at least that means that you are excelling at your job! We're doing well down here. Natalie is adjusting to daycare quite well even if I am not! I started back to work last Wednesday. Nathan stayed home with Natalie for the rest of last week and then she had her first full week of daycare this week. It's been very hard on me. Work has always been a four letter word for me but now it's the worst four letter word. It gets easier every day. I think I told you in a prior blog but just in case...we got rid of Max. He was too much of a handful for us. Our house is so much better now and hopefully he found a good family who can spend more time with him. Other than that there's nothing else going on here. Natalie's 3 months old so we're taking her to get professional photos done tomorrow. It's hard to believe that 3 months have passed.
Take care of yourself. Talk to you soon!

Jess, Nate, and Natalie

School

Well, I have made it through my first three days of school. For those of you who I have had a chance to talk to know, it was rough. About half of my kids did not listen. I felt like I was invisible. Also, the school is very unorganized. They don't take a second to think about the fact that I am new and don't know what is going on at their school. I actually had one of the teachers look at me when we were planning for next week and say, "Yeah, so, good luck on Language." I was absolutely shocked! The "planning" we did included them saying we are going to do "regular reading," a spelling pre-test on Monday (nevermind the other days of the week!), math we do one lesson a day, and science and social studies we will just try and see what happens because they dont understand the materials we received! I am still baffled about this. I have pretty much assumed that I need to do all of my lesson plans, and they could care less what I decide to do!

On a better note, I have completed 3 weeks of personal training and it is going very well. My trainer said in the beginning, because of my size, and body composition that I don't need to change my eating habits. She will give us a fitness evaluation again around the 1st of September. If just working out is not working, then I will try to eat better, and work on portion control!

On a funny note, I decided if I sleep on only my side of the bed, after 15 months, our bed is going to be slanted. So, I am taking turns sleeping on each side! I know I'm crazy, but I would hate for Paul to come home and always be sliding off his side of the bed!

Anyways, I really enjoy reading everyone's posts. I think we should try to keep it up even after Paul comes home!

Paul, I love you and miss you so much. I enjoy hearing your voice each and everytime you call!

Love to all,
Erin

SPO Coins

Hey Everyone,
Here is a copy of the coins we (my boss the SPO, the SPO NCOIC, and myself) are having made for the Soldiers. It is a dog tag in shape and is befitting of us. The Hurry Up in the sign is a motto of ours we have had since we went to the field in December of 2006. HURRRY UP!

Doing Alright

Howdy,
I am doing alright. Life is getting a little bit better now. The unit we replaced finally left and now its all on my shoulders. I have the system down, and after two weeks of us running the show, it is smooth. I have a great group of Soldiers that bust their humps each and everyday. We put a lot of front work into designing some systems on excel and access that have shorted the process and planning time. Needless to say, we have done a lot of work up front so we have less to do later. Now, having done this, our Brigade sees what we have already done, and are tagging us for more missions. The old Army philosophy, if you do good, you end up doing more than those that can't keep up.

Alright, so, enough of work. How is everyone? I will be able to find more time soon to make more calls. How are the newborns? How is everyone in good ole' Michigan and Indiana? Grandma, I love the notes you leave, they crack me up and make me miss home. How is the family in Texas? How is school going? Football/Band/Cheerleading how are all of the nieces and nephews doing? By the way, as of right now, I will be back for R&R in February.

Okay, I have to get some sleep. I hope all is well with all of you. Erin, I love you and I miss you the most (sorry everyone else, but, I mean, come on...its Erin!). Take good care of Trotsky and I will be home before you know it!

CPT Brown

Dropping a line

Hi paul sorry I missed your call the other day. I look forward to talking to you soon. Everyone here is doing good. Joey is riding his 4 wheeler like a real pro, he's mine for sure because all I here is he wants to go faster. My baby girl is doing good she is getting ready to crawl. I will be installing a new fence with a barb wire top to keep boys out. Diana is doing good. Well i have to go Tanya is waiting for me so we can leave. Be safe and keep your head LOW.
Love you
Andy

Just a grandma note

Hi Mr. Paul,

Enjoy your pictures - and - enjoyed hearing from you instead of an email. Do you need any phone cards? Or do you just call? Anyway, reading your blogs is enjoyable and just knowing so many people care and pray for you is meaningful to me. I think of your Dad almost every day and see him in the small things around me. And, thinking of him brings me to you.

Loved the snaps of Erin's schoolroom. Preparing daily lessons and then teaching them will help her fill her days. And, to Erin if you read this if there is anything special you need, please put this in your blog. Teaching is noble. That sounds trite to so many people, but laying the foundation for good learning begins at home and then a teacher pushes the pupil forward. Oh, my, I sound a bit heavy on my soapbox.

But, Mady begins first grade on Wednesday. Hard to believe. I have a snap somewhere of Paul and Andy - the big hulks - holding this small one-year-old. It is almost too comical. She finished her camp on Friday and despite the heat was outside most of the day.

And we are having a real heatwave here in Indy. Nothing like yours, I'm sure, but for us it is lousy. So many 90-degree days which are bad enough, but no rain and that really has done damage to my tender plants. And the grass is turning a sickly brown which is making Mr. Mike a bit frazzled. He has a thing about grass if you remember.

The "ladies" had a marvelous time on the Disney cruise. They are going to do a repeat in '09 and Mady is already planning. They all enjoyed it so much. It's not my thing. Too much water. But, Deb told me yesterday that Disney also cruises through the Panama Canal. Now, that would interest me even if it meant 15 days on a ship. Always wanted to see the Canal. That is a marvel of what man can do.

Also, I echo what Tannie asked. If you have special needs, just let us know. And, if any of your men do, let us know too. You command but also care.

Will end the babbling. Love you and send little prayers you way so often. Keep your head down (another Frank Brown witticism). Love, mab

Hot weekend!

It was great to 'hear' from you even if it was a brief message. As I told Erin earlier this week there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about you both. I get a little aprehensive when there are no postings from you in, it seems like, forever. So even if its just a line or two we all like hearing from you, often.

Kelly is coming up from Houston for a visit this weekend. We'll get the boat out and enjoy the water, maybe some pool time as well. Its supposed to be just over 100 this weekend! I'm sure it's nothing like what you're living with but it will be hot here too!

Must get back to work, keep making us proud... Dad L

Looking Good

Paul,

You are looking good. Sorry I missed you call today - I was in court when you call. I
am sooo bummed!!

Hey, what kind of things would you like us to send you?

Love,
Tanya

New Pictures!!!

Me on my helicopter trip around Baghdad (yes, I was listening to my iPod)

Some parts of Baghdad are very nice
Others require a big gun, even from the air!

Update From Iraq

Hello All,
Life is alright in Iraq. We are living in tent city instead of trailers, but its not as bad as one would think The workload is heavy and I am usually working for roughly 16 hours a day. The missions come non-stop and just as soon as you get ahead, your two steps behind again. I love logistics, there is never a lull. The mortars are slowing down in my area, the only real concern is the occasional rocket, but these idiots cannot aim, so life is good. Alright, I am off to work. I will write more later. Here are some more pictures!

-Paul

Classroom pictures

Alright everyone! Here are the pictures from my classroom. These first three are from right when I walked in yesterday morning. All I had done was unload my stuff!
The work bench looking thing in the back is my desk! No real desk!These were taken at the end of Day 1, August 6th.These pictures are from the end of Day 2, today, August 7th.

I am doing a patriotic theme since Paul is deployed for this whole school year. I'm going to try to keep it that way next year too, unless they make me change it!

Well, that's all for now!
Love to all,
~Erin

Charlow Family Update

Hi Paul and Blogger Family! How is life going in Iraq? Haven't heard from you in awhile and hoping all is well. Been praying alot for you and I know Dad is looking over you!

Let's see, we have had a busy few weeks. Rachael & I went with a few friends to Cedar Point. For those of you that don't know, Cedar Point is a rollar coaster amusement part. I was a little unsure of how Rachael would do as she has never been much of a rollar coaster fan - well much to my surprise - she had no fear. She started off on the Wicked Twister - 4 times. Then we went on the Sea Dragon - made her ill. She threw up on the ride. The ride attendants were more than happy to get their hoses out and clean up - too funny. After that, she felt better and continued to go on every thrill seeker she could find. I will post pics later!

Todd has started football. Two a days at this point. He is pretty tired - imagine now he is too tired to do his chores. Boy that kid always has an excuse.

This last weekend - Rachael spent in Indy with Aunt Beth, Chad and Mady. She had a great time! She came home tired and cranky but what is a mom to expect! While she was away, Mike and I FINALLY got the Jet Skis out and went and stirred up the waters. We had a great time but Mike's back is out again. ARGH! We took Sara to the Demolition Derby Saturday night. Then Sunday, those that know me, we played 36 holes of golf. Would have played more but it got dark.

Sara is getting ready to go back to school - she goes back August 20th and Rachael and Todd start September 4th! I can't wait to have my quiet home office back again!!

Erin, happy to hear that the classroom is coming together. Give me a call to talk about our October trip. We need to get things together for that pretty soon.

Paul, I love you brother! Be safe - I will be praying for you every time I think of you and know that between God and Dad you will be safe!
Love, Tanya

Hi Paul and everyone else.....

Ola!! How's everything in Iraq??? Staying cool?? Are you still "loving" your showers? Thought so!!

Playa del Carmen was awesome. We slept late, soaked up some sun, went snorkeling and what else?? SHOPPED!!! Yep, it's true.. got some great silver jewelry deals! And the police aren't even looking for for me!! Speaking of the police..my Acura is now in Acura heaven! I was hit while at a complete standstill waiting to exit off 75!!! A kid lost control of his car trying to avoid getting hit by another car and t-boned me on the driver's side. Police, Fire Dept, Paramedics were all called..yep, I was one of those that we all hate..blocked 3 lanes of traffic. I got alittle banged up- nothing too bad - had a CT on my head - found out that it's true..I really don't have a brain!! (there, said if for you and everyone else :) ) Anyhooser!! Now I have the fun job of buying a new car and start having car payments!!! YUCK!!!

Well, enough about me....Hope everything is going good for you! I'm praying for your safety! We're all so very proud of you!

Miss ya & love ya!!

Donna

My Classroom

Hey everyone,
Today was the first day I have been able to get into my classroom. I am in a portable building since our school is overcrowded. When I first walked in I was kind of freaking out. First of all, it is small. I will only have about 15 kids in my class. Second, there are only two very small corkboards that are really not even big enough for a bulletin board. Third, I have a chalkboard, not a dry erase board. And forth, the walls are panelling which you can not just staple into. You have to use a heavy duty staple gun!
After the initial shock wore off and I was able to think straight I was able to rearrange the room to my liking, and that helped a lot. Then one of the other second grade teachers helped me bring all of the text books and extra supplies to my room. By then it was lunch time, so I ran home to let Trotsky out and eat something. I ran some errands and went back up to the school.
Then I started some of my makeshift bulletin boards. I got all of the backgrounds for my bulletin boards up and the borders. Tomorrow hopefully I can get some things laminated to finish those.
It is going much better than I thought it would this morning. I am not worried at all anymore. I can make it work and look good!
I will post pictures tomorrow, I forgot my camera at school.

Paul, Sarah stood in for you and helped me with the fabric on my bulletin boards. She said she didn't do much, but it is so much easier with someone there to hold the other end so it doesn't fall on your head!
I love you baby!

~Erin

Frisco update

Hello to all from the Kohlmans!

Summer is winding down for us, as David and Sarah are already active with band and cheerleading. School starts for us on 8/27.

David is currently in band camp, going from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm most days. Pretty tough schedule with the Texas heat, I think. Centennial High School has an impressive band program for being such a new school, and we are glad that David will be part of a great group as he starts high school.

Sarah started cheer camp last week, and found muscles she did not know she had. She is realizing that cheering is not just about the cute outfit!

Rachel is hounding me to start school supply shopping, so I guess she is ready to start 1st grade.

Erin - we missed you last time you came through. Let us know when you will be here again - would love to see you!

Paul - we are thinking of you and praying for your safety. Everyone here is proud of you and the contribution you are making to our country. It is a big sacrifice both you and Erin are making!

Linnea

Hello from Houston

Hello Paul, Erin, Brown family and Lundborg family. Greetings from Houston.

Paul, I wanted to let you know I've asked my Sunday school class and ladies' bible study group to pray for you and all the troops currently serving in Iraq.

I went home to visit family in Kentucky over the 4th of July. I've attached a few pictures from my trip. Mom thought you would like the picture of me on the camo quadrunner.

Take care, and be safe.

Kelly

Traci and Me on Quadrunners

Sunset in Kentucky

Neighbor's Horses

My first time shooting a gun and the result

Personal Trainer

So, I completed my first three days with the personal trainer. The first day I thought, this isn't so bad... I can do this! Only two of the machines were really hard. Yesterday, I thought I was going to DIE! About half of the machines I felt like some part of my body was going to fall off. I was feeling every muscle in my body last night. I did not know how I would even be able to do one rep today, BUT... like they say when you are hurting the most, the best thing is to go back and do it again. Today was much better. I was back to only two machines hurting really bad! Now we don't meet with the trainer again until Monday. We will still do cardio and abs this weekend though.

Tomorrow I am going to go to OKC with Sarah. She needs to go shopping. I am going to try just to be a tag along and not spend too much money!

I should be able to get into my classroom on Monday. Next week I will be working all day trying to get everything ready for school to start.

Hope everyone is doing well. I am still good. Sometimes are hard, but I find the best thing is to keep busy. I don't seem to think about it too much when I am busy. I don't know how but I think I prepared myself for this REALLY well.

I love you Paul!

~Erin

hello

hi everyone , i had my first babysitting job and it went good i babysat elle the neighbor it was soooooooooo easy i got payed 2.50 an hour . just so you know i am going down to indy to visit bob grandma beth mike chad and maddy . i went to cedar point and rode the biggest ride (i have a picture to prove it ) it launches you at 122 mps drops and lifts you at 420 feet in the air it lasts 17 seconds it is called the dragster but the best is the maverick the launch is 70 mps. p.s erin how are you doing ? love always rachael