Hey Folks

Just got back to Afghanistan from my way too fast trip home for R & R. It was a long trip, bouncing through Kuwait, Germany, Dallas and finally home. Walking down the escalator in the airport to see my beautiful wife and mother was possibly the best feeling ever. The entire trip home was rather low key, which is exactly how I wanted it. I wanted to spend time with my wife and mom and just relax. Mission accomplished. Wendi has done an amazing job of choosing and setting up the apartment while I was away. Great location and it is perfect for her. Unfortunately I wont be spending too much time in it haha but that’s ok . She’s been so damn busy with everything from work school and all her photo projects I couldn’t be more proud of her. We had our own little Christmas at moms house, I love the fact that im never home on Christmas but we still manage to have our Christmas day routine. It makes me smile every time. Wendi and I spent some quiet time up in a cabin in Idyllwild, and for those few short days I relaxed in peace and quiet with Wendi. No helicopters buzzing over head, no hustle and bustle of the daily grind. It was amazing. We went to Knotts berry farm on a surprise trip in which im an asshole and had to be constantly guessing where we were going. For some reason I cant just get into a car and be taken somewhere. Something in my head has to know where im going and I will guess and guess until I get it. Up to and including factoring the remaining mileage to what is in range. Im an ass…sorry babes. We had a joint birthday party for her and a buddy Jason Medina who owns Dedicated Tattoo in Temecula. A lot of my friends and hers came out that night. It was great to see some old friends and meet some new ones. Unfortunately the deployment gods didn’t smile on me and I had to leave the day before her Birthday and our one year anniversary is on February third. I wanted to be home so bad for those but luck wasn’t on my side. I wish I wasn’t gone for everything, and it always weighs heavy on me. I haven’t been home for my own mothers birthday in 5 years. I hate missing everything important. that’s the one thing that’s hardest for me. I wish I could be there. But we spent our time together and celebrated while we had the chance. Sooner than I would have liked it was time to board that plane and head back to this shitty country for another six months. I hate saying good byes and I do mean loath but this one was especially hard. It kills me every time I say goodbye to my mother and she starts crying. It damn near destroys me. You think leaving loved ones as many times as we’ve done it would get easier over time, well I wish that was the case. The whole drive down to the airport I was dreading what was coming. Wendi and I had some coffee and it was time to board the plane. I cant stand walking away from her. Its horrible. Then once again I was in flight. Headed back the same way I came. The trip back to Kuwait was rather quick maybe 24 hours or so. Then I got stuck in Kuwait for 5 days. There’s is absolutely nothing special about that little holding area and you can only smoke so many cigarettes before your lungs burn. Luckily I was able to find a couple buddies I came in with so that killed the boredom a little. Now im back in Sharana where everything is covered in snow and its freezing cold. Thank you so much Mom and Wendi for everything you did for me while I was home. It was one of the most memorable yet.