我们现在在国防语言学院

We are now at DLI. I haven't written for such a long time. Things are going good. Monterey is pretty nice. It is starting to grow on me. But the best part is that I am with my family. It means more than anything. Ian is a crack up. He is growing too fast. He is a handful though, and unfortunately for Mer, she deals with him and the house all day while I am at school. I do try to do a little when I get home! But she is always none stop even when I do get home. We miss all of you guys so much, that is the hardest part for us. We hope all is well.

The Chonchito is two whole years old. I can't believe it. He is growing up so fast. He becoming such a little boy! Where did the lil guy go? And the best thing about it is that I get to live with them again in only 3 days!!! I cannot believe this time away is just about over. They have done so good, too. Mer is one impressive chick, and Ian has grown and learned so much. He is talking like crazy. He told me he loved me the other night on the phone and it warmed my heart. I can't wait to just be able to hold them again every night. It is just an awesome feeling for me to know that this time when I see them I won't have to leave again! Anyways, Happy Birthday, Son. You are such a good boy!

Go time Go!!

Well, the weekend came and went and we had a great time being together. I tried to give Mer a break as much as I could with Ian, but really I just wanted to. I did come to appreciate more the constant stress of what Mer does now as a "single" mother. But now the countdown has begun. Only five more weeks til I am done with this place and the time can't go by fast enough. It looks like everything just might fall into place where we can all be in California by the beginning of July. It is crazy how much Ian is growing. He amazed me with how many words he was saying. Some words Mer didn't even know where he learned. He loves motorcycles. And I noticed he just loves being cool, like wearing his sunglasses, chillin on the lounge chair and doing cool tricks on his four wheeler! Anyways, I had a great time and I can't wait to be back with them. It never gets any easier leaving.

Happy Birthday!

It is my beautiful wife's birthday in about 20 minutes from now, and I thought now was as good of time as any to write a few words about her. She is .... amazing! She is unlike any other person I know. She is such a determined person, who doesn't waste much. And I know that might sound wierd for me to say, but, the truth is, she works so hard and doesn't let her efforts go to waste. She is so efficient at anything that she puts her mind to, and she has taught me a lot about being responsible and hard-working, not to mention cleaning up after myself! She is the most loving mother. She has taken on a long and tidious task of raising Ian all by herself, for a lot longer than planned. And she has done such a wonderful job. She takes care of everything that this family depends on and does it without asking for help. She has taught Ian to be a good boy and is teaching him everyday how to say new words! She has shown so much love to me as I have undertaken this new career and I don't know if I will be able to repay her for the effort she has given me. She is my rock, my fuel. She really is what gets me through the days. Without her I truly would be nothing. So...now it is more like 15 minutes...tomorrow is her day. I want all of you to know how much I love, admire, and adore my sweet wife, and to know how lucky I am to have Meredith in my life!!

Dancin' Machine!!

Ian definately has his dad's moves!

This is from about a month ago. I was able to see my fam. It was only for about 24 hours but it was worth it. It just makes me happy that even though I am gone for so long, Ian will run to me and act as if I never left....well, atleast that is what I hope he is feeling. He is a good boy. And he has a great mother. I keep telling her I will make up for leaving them for so long. I hope I can make good on that promise! It has been tough here, and even though things haven't gone as Mer and I planned, I still see so many blessings in our lives. It is tough for me to go to our little church here by myself without my family but every time I do (which i try to make it every week!!) something there reminds me of what blessings I have and why it is that I am here. It really makes life a little more manageable. So, life is tough but we just have to keep truckin. Soon, it will all be worth it.

You can't get much cooler than this! Choncho is growing up too fast. It's crazy that I have been gone for over six months now. Almost done.....well...closer.

What a CUTE chunky monkey!

A few cell pics

The Cutest Boys Ever!

I am a lucky man. I have been blessed with such a wonderful family. Two of the sweetest spirits ever created! That's why it breaks my heart to be so far away. I feel like I have been transported into another dimension, torn from my real life. So, when I see pictures like this, I get a slight sense of how it would be to be with them, and a big blow to the heart on the reality of my location, 500 miles away. I guess I can use that to fuel a depression inside my spirit, or use it to fuel my intensity and determination to triumph in all my goals. Only one helps. One problem I have had lately is that Ian has been so sick. Illness after illness after illness. He looks like he never eats.....which, I guess, he really hasn't been. It has been really scary for me, and really trying on Meredith. He just won't get rid of that fever. And as his father, not being able to comfort him, makes me so sad. But, this has given me an opportunity to truly rely on the power of prayer. I don't think I have asked for Our Father to fill my void, quite like I have in the past few days. I hope Ian has felt him. Meredith, too. But like I said, I truly am a lucky man. For the beautiful family I have, and, really, for any of you who might be reading this, for whatever reason. It makes me so happy that you even care that much.