Simply Bliss...

Good Morning! I hope all is well with each and everyone of you today! What a great few days it has been. The sun has been shining! Being home all summer is certainly something I could get used to! :)
I was able to spend the evening with Robin on Thursday (Jon's mom). What a treat! It was so nice catching up on life and sharing how we have become who we are today with God in our lives. Looking back and reflecting, it is so amazing to see how God has worked in and through my life. Nine years ago struggling to make ends meet, and now I'm blessed with my beautiful daughter, a home, a great career and an amazing boyfriend! God is good! I pray that he continues to work in me and use me for his purpose. Robin and I had went out to dinner at Chester's on Transit! Yummmm! We probably could have eaten way more but we tried to be good ladies! :) Aftewards we went and purchased some things for Jon. Our plan was to go home and pack up a care package for him! We were able to purchase so many goodies that Jon could enjoy....all while stealing our own out of the containers! Trail mix, licorice, skittles, iced tea, and his ultimate favorite: HOMEMADE chocolate chip cookies. It's a good thing he has his mom and aunt because I get a 0 in the baking department. I'm more of a slice and bake kinda girl! I'm sure Jon doesn't even know the difference. :)
On the other note, Jon is doing very well. Still having a lot of rocket attacks that are becoming more of a nuisance. He said that Thursday night he had to be awakened twice in the middle of the night to get up and get into a bunker with the rest of the guys. Visualizing that is pretty scary. However, it seems like they are so used to them that they are becoming a "normal" part of their life in Afghanistan. Other than that he is staying busy and continuing to take classes for thier first mission that should take place sometime in August. He watches movies and works out at the gym in his spare time. Yesterday his base had theAfghanis come in to host a bazzaar where they sell all their homemade gadgets, knick knacks, and items. Jon said it was really neat! He ended up buying a handmade carved belt.
It is such a pleasure to have him able to call everyday still using that cool new phone of his. Hearing his voice fills me with joy and security that he his safe!
As we all sit here and enjoy our summer swimming, attending parties, traveling, and being with family; please remember those who are fighting overseas and are losing out another summer, holiday, or special occassion with their loved ones and are truly sacrificing their freedom while they fight for ours!
Love and Prayers,
Kristine

Our Photo Shoot

Proud Soldier...

I just wanted to share a wonderful picture of Jon! I ABSOLUTELY love this picture of him! He shows his true passion for what he does. While he was home we were able to get some pictures taken prior to deployment. They turned out wonderful. Robin referred Kelly Leardon to us and she was fantastcl! Highly recommend her for any wedding, family, kids, or just for fun photography! We had a lot of fun doing it! We had our photos done in Lockport, NY where the scenery was awesome. I will upload more as I get them. If you are interested in seeing them or working with Kelly her website is http://www.glimpsesofyouphotography.com/ and our password is: jandk

Love and Prayers,
Kristine

Sometimes No News is Good News...

Well it's been well over a week since I posted anything. Let me just start off by saying that I AM NOT SLACKING! :) The past week or so has been awesome! I have been able to talk to Jon every single day whether through facebook, skype or phone! Yes phone! He was able to buy a cell phone in Afghanistan which allows him to pay for minutes to call home. Let me tell you...what a treat it has been! I always thought I would need to fill these blogs with juicy details...however when thinking, I am happy to say that I can just write to share the joys of Jon's journey as well! Jon is staying busy and doing classes mostly everyday... and watching too many movies! We all know he is a sucker for movies! :) His original building that he was in recently moved him in the past couple days to another building where there is no internet. Sometimes I think what a bummer...but going into all this I imagined that I would not talk to him for weeks on end. I was looking towards letters in the mail (Dear John style). Jon is doing very well! He seems quite happy when I talk to him and not much is going on there lately...except those rocket attacks still! He keeps telling me that they are no big deal. However, while he was at the gym the other night he and his friend were leaving the gym and saw a rocket attack go off coming towards them. He said his only thought was to run like the wind! It makes me so nervous, but of course he laughs it off. Lately there have also been many sand storms. These are much like our blizzards, but they are so bad that the sun cannot even been seen for days. How scary. I recently received pictures from a friend of mine who was stationed in Afghanistan as well. He said I could share the pics with my students when we were doing our cultural awareness project. I thought it would be interesting to share the sand storm pic with each of you. The weather is hot, the sand blows around for days, and get in your eyes, mouth, etc. GROOSSSSSS!
When talking to him lastnite he said that he was looking forward to finding out if he was going to be able to fly an eagle plane ? and go to another part of the country to guard post while they picked up soldiers bodies who had passed away in war. How scary and how sad. I have to keep telling myself that he is a man and he lives for these kind of experiences. I pray each day that he is safe and surrounded by the protection and grace of God.

Jon had originally put in to come home in December. However, because of the abundant requests he was unable to get the month. Instead, he will be coming home November 17. This means he will be home for Thanksgiving! What a great way to celebrate this amazing holiday!

I hope everyone is enjoying our beautiful summer! Continue to pray for Jon's journey and a safe return home! As I hear, I will keep you all updated. Thank you for your kind words with the blog. I greatly appreciate it. I never saw myself doing something like this but I do it for Jon and for those who love and care so much about him! Please continue to pray for Jon's journey and a safe return home!

Love and Prayers,

Kristine

New Address...

Good Morning!
Some of you received the address that was posted to the right for the past few weeks. However, after talking to Jon that address has changed. I posted the correct address on the blog and Jon CAN NOW RECEIVE MAIL AND PACKAGES! Yahoooo! :) Hope everyone is well. Now shuffling off to Buffalo....Adios!
Love and Prayers,
Kristine

Happy Fourth of July!

As you gather today to be with family and friends for a picnic, a party or just to watch the fire works; please take time to honor those who are and have served our country for our freedom. May you enjoy your day and please keep Jon in your prayers! Also, just a side note that Jon's address has changed. Many of you have the original address. However, it changed. On the right hand side, I updated the address with the new information. Still not sure when we can start sending mail, but I will keep you posted!

Thank a soldier today!
"When you see someone in a uniform
Someone who serves us all,
Doing military duty,
Answering their country’s call,
Take a moment to thank them
For protecting what you hold dear;
Tell them you are proud of them;
Make it very clear.
Just tap them on the shoulder,
Give a smile, and say,
'Thanks for what you’re doing;
To keep us safe in the USA!'
By Joanna Fuchs"

The Next Move...

Good Morning! Today I am very thankful and appreciative. As we approach the Fourth of July, I have been continuously reminded the past few days of how important our troops really are! I flew out of Buffalo yesterday to Tampa. What an emotional ride it was. My layover was in Atlanta and when walking to my next gate there were many military men and women. I kept thinking how many troops there really are and how many families are truly missing their son, daughter, sister, brother, mother, father, etc. Upon arriving at my gate, the captain came out and let military enter first. When entering he called their name and everyone clapped. It is truly amazing to see the outpouring support from society. Of course I started balling. Next I was off to Tampa. I sat next to a guy on the train who was all geared up with his things. His name was Jesus. I politely thanked him for his service and told him briefly about Jon. While walking to get my bags there were many families waiting to welcome their soldier home. Huge signs waved with cameras in hand, and anxious ridden grins! Sure enough Jesus was coming behind me and his wife and two daughters started yelling "Daddy"! Jesus dropped everything and was reunited with his family while tears filled their eyes! Everyone again clapped and we all started crying tears of joy and more importantly appreciation. I cannot wait until the end of this deployment when we can all be reunited with Jon! :) I felt like yesterday was a sign from God. That he is with me during the midst of sadness, axiety, and having bits of fear during this journey. He kept showing me these signs to continue reminding me that " I am here. Trust in me with all your heart and I will not depart. Everything is going to be okay Kristine." This was just a tad of signs! God is soooo good. Last night I got the opportunity to go see a Tampa Bay Storm game. For all of you non sports fans; it is an indoor football game. It was so cool! And even cooler because it ended up being military appreciation night! They honored soldiers in the stands as well as those locally. Overall it was just a great day! It was so nice to be reminded of Jon in all of it!
On an even better note....
I GOT TO TALK TO JON TODAY! He messaged me around 9am. I quickly hopped out of bed and ran disheveled to the computer. Gosh, he knows how much I hate being on the computer when I just roll out of bed. However, I made a promise that while he is deployed I would get on that darn camera! It had been three days since I talked to him. (New record for those that are counting :) ) At first he seemed a bit down, but he always sparks right up to the real Jonny boy! He looked super good. He again gave me a virtual tour of his building. It looks like a house! He said everything was going well and that he was not scared. Funny how that's the first thing I ask. He seems to be transitioning well to all the things he can't normally have. Apparently there is no water there. A huge truck comes and fills the sinks ever so often and that is all they have. Once it is gone, they having nothing else to use. Instead they are drinking water bottles and using them for hydration. Knowing Jon, I am sure he has tons of them emptied and thrown on the floor. :) The first night he got there they had a rocket attack. The Afghan military have been launching rockets in order to hit the base and soldiers. He said there was a huge fire and outbreak because the rocket hit near the base. Of course Jon missed all the action because he was sleeping. I got so nervous when he told me that. However, he reassured me that nobody has died because of the rocket attacks. Apparently they happen often. I couldn't imagine. I'm just glad he is safe! Soon Jon is going to have to go on long patrols. He thought he would be staying where he is at. Unfortunantly he will be going on patrols in Pakistan. These missions can be anywhere from two days up to a full week. He will be in charge of combat out post. He will watch and monitor a fenced in area from attackers. Therefore, there will be no mail, internet, electricity, or running water. He is not sure when he starts or when he will be able to talk again. He is thinking approximately in a week or two. After each mission he will return to KAF where there are all of these "luxuries." Hopefully that will be sooner than later. Each day I am continously thinking of Jon. I miss him so much. I cannot wait until he returns! Please continue to pray for Jon as well as all the others fighting for our freedom. I will end with a short video link called "American Soldier." Thank you to all those who sacrificed so that we may enjoy this Fourth of July!

http://www.youtube.com/ and type in american soldier by Toby Keith

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.- Elmer Davis

Love and prayers,
Kristine