Christy and the kids got some news recently but I have not had time to share it. BRIAN'S TOUR OF DUTY IN IRAQ IS NOW UP AND HE SHOULD BE BACK AT FORT DRUM NEW YORK ON FRIDAY!

Christy and the kids are driving to New York on Thursday so they can be at the gym when the "troops come marching in." We are all very excited that he will be back in the states and away from Iraq - at least for awhile (at least 18 months). Although the house in Cincinnati still has not sold, with any luck, Christy and the kids may be able to join him by February or March. This has been a long wait for this family. Brian had to move to Fort Drum in March of 2007 but Christy and the kids couldn't join him because of the house. In September of 2007 he was deployed to Iraq. He was home for 3 weeks in May. Dominic was 2 in July - his dad left when he was 7 months old - he knows Carl and me better than he knows his dad - poor little guy. Jasmine can't wait until she sees her daddy. Christy warned her that they will all be in their khakis with their hats on when they come marching into the gym so she may not be able to find him at first. To which Jasmine remarked, I love my daddy, I'll know him anywhere!" However her only experience of New York is a motel so she thinks that when they move they will all be sleeping in a room with 2 queen size beds and they will have an indoor pool. (they got a suite last time so the kids would have a place to watch TV and play since they were going to be there 10 days and Brian had to work some of those days). She hasn't gotten the idea that everything is moving and they will be living in a house similar to ours or the one they have in Cincy.

Thank God Brian will be coming home SOON! But we will have to keep praying for all the men and women still there but especially because now Brian's brother Terry is there.