Thanks!

11 more days!!

Thanks to everyone who made it out to our party today. It was so nice seeing our friends and family before we leave.

Less than two weeks now. We still have so much to do. Packing won't take much time, seen as we can only take two duffle bags each, and already know what 14 outfits we have to wear. But there are so many loose ends to take care of here.... forwarding mail, canceling bills, getting our house ready, doctor's appointments.... I should have started sooner. But if you know me, you know that I have a personal relationship with procrastination. Ha. Also before we leave, we have to finish up with the "visting-family-one-last-time" trips. Last will be Josh's family way down in Southern Indiana. Thankfully we are flying, which saves a 8 hour car ride, and the stress of Josh's driving.

I went to Barnes and Noble the other day with my good friend Kristina, and got a few books on Iraq. One of them is a documentary book written by an Iraqi woman and an American reporter titled "Saved by Her Enemies". Very very good book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't understand the cultural tensions between ourselves and Iraqi people. The book talks a lot about the religious and political climate and restrictions on people who live in Iraq. Women get beat publically for talking with a male they aren't related to, and men lived in fear of Hussein's power. We really do take for granted the freedoms we have as Americans.

If I am going to Iraq, I have to believe I am going to make a difference in someone's life, if only in the smallest way. No matter what people may say, we, as Americans, are in Iraq for the people of Iraq. I have to make a difference, or else it won't be worth it.

Keep sending up those prayers.

June 5th

We finally have a date! June 4th we will be leaving for CRC (training) at Fort Benning in Georgia. When we are there we will spend one week getting physical, vaccinations, and training for being in Iraq. After that "we'll hop the puddle to the sand box" (yes, that is clever military lingo for go overseas to Iraq haha).

I ordered boots today. And if any of you know me very well, you know I hate shoes. Well, only shoes that tie, zip, or cover the foot at all. And, yes, I am willing to sacrifice comfort for style. So ordering my boots was a big deal....because I had to find cute ones. Even if I am in Iraq, I am not wearing dumb looking shoes. After hours of searching, I ordered three pairs. I may or may not send them back. But I was told cute strappy sandals are not allowed, so I'll have to find something.... :)

37 days to go. Start sending up prayers... I'll need them.

Getting Ready

For the next two or three weeks we will be getting ready to leave. This includes a lot of tasks, which can be more than a little overwhelming. We aren't going to be in our house, so we are cleaning and packing everything in sight. I can't wait to come home to a dirty house full of dust...

When we leave, we have to pack everything for a whole year in two small duffel bags. I can only pack two weeks worth of clothing (only fourteen shirts for one whole year?!?!), and hope I can buy everything else on base in Iraq. It's silly, but I'll miss the small things like the smell of my own laundry detergent.

A lot of people have asked why I am doing this and I'm not exactly sure how to respond. It started out that Josh and I were doing this for the money, which is a very high incentive. Although, to be honest, I can't wait to actually do something. I have a good job now, love what I do, but I don't feel like I am actually making a difference. When I go to Iraq, I'll be doing something really important. I can look back in fifteen years, when my kids are studying the 9/11 attacks, and be able to say, "I had my part in helping America". As most of you know, my husband is in the National Guard, and I couldn't be more proud of him. I never thought I would have it in me to make this great of a sacrifice to support our military men, like him. So I guess it isn't all about the money, it's about something more...

I will post my address as soon as I know what it is, so everyone can send me lots of cards and letters!

The Job Offer

Today I got a job offer to work in Iraq. Josh and I have been talking about this for the past three weeks. I have mentally prepared myself for being away from all things familar, but the fact that I will be in Iraq just two short months from now has not completely sunk in yet. I'll be working in Logistics, something I have no experience in, in a country I have never visited, surrounded by people I have never met. We haven't told very many people, just our works, parents, and a few friends that we have happened to run into. Maybe once more people know, it will start to feel real. Until then..... this is the day when it started.... the day we found out.