A Walk Through History For Two

November 14, 2009

Fort Benning's Infantry Museum is a multi-million dollar museum that just opened in June of this year. Benning is known as the "Home of the Infantry,"so this museum is the largest infantry museum in the world. Retired Gen. Colin Powell was the guest speaker for its Grand Opening, who said,

“This is what we owe to those who went before. This is the place. This is the home. This is their legacy. May God bless all those who have worn the crossed rifles over the years.”

Behind the museum is Parade Field, a baseball stadium. Dirt was brought in from a battlefield of every war America has been in and sprinkled under the field's sod. What a great honor for all those who play there!

The giant iron statue behind us is 'Iron Mike,' the famous Follow Me (the infantry motto) statue, which was moved from the front of Infantry Hall.

It was my first time going to the museum since its Opening. I met Donnie there and we spent the afternoon walking around exploring every inch of the museum... I LOVE military history! Skyler is at an age where he'd truly appreciate the museum... but the younger two will most definitely have us hurrying through some parts of it. So it was nice to take our time together before our visit with the boys.

I'm heading into the Civil War...

There were several metal statues displayed, each made from an actual photograph. This photo above, Donnie is standing next to one of a soldier looking around the corner for a German soldier. Historically, this photo was said to symbolize America's looking from WWI into the future...

I made Donnie stand in front of this so I could take a photo, haha!

"Fort Benning: Home of the Infantry, World Class Training for World Class Soldiers. At Fort Benning, we transform men into soldiers. Every time our nation has gone to war, Fort Benning soldiers have led the way. These soldiers remain the bedrock of our fighting force, taking the fight to the battlefields of our enemies around the world."

Donnie is trained in all of these weapons... along with a few other larger ones that wouldn't fit in this display case. =)

A ceiling display I thought was cool. The helicopter is a Black Hawk.

A display case for the Officer Candidate School (OCS) here at Fort Benning. Fort Benning is the home to MANY different schools, men and women from units all over the world come here to train.

A photo wall in the Airborne display area.

A very cool display case showing Fort Benning historical memorabilia.

The AMAZING Wall of Honor

The reason Donnie, and MANY others, joined the military.

Operation Enduring Freedom display... Infantry Operations in Afghanistan.

Our guys don't play with your typical deck of cards, haha! Donnie played a part in capturing the "King of Spades." =)

Since living here at Fort Benning over the last six years, we have been able to capture a few historical keepsakes of our own. I had the opportunity of meeting and speaking with both Gen. Hal Moore (We Were Soldiers Once... And Young) and Gen. Ralph Puckett (Words for Warriors: A Professional Soldier's Notebook), and having them both autograph a copy of their book for Donnie. I have no idea how, but both times I came to the book signing when no one else was there, what luck! In 2005, we were invited for an early viewing of "The Great Raid," a movie documenting the world's largest rescue mission to this day. After the viewing we met director John Dahl, who thanked the men for their service. At our amazing Balls, we have had the honor of listening to Vice President Dick Cheney, Ret. Major Robert Prince (captain who led the rescue in "A Great Raid"), and the Honorable Les Brownlee (Retired Secretary of the Army) speak. Donnie's first Platoon Sergeant was on the rescue mission in "Black Hawk Down," which he, of course, never talked about it... nor did his wife. But we all know who he was in the movie, God bless him.

I never tire of hearing these stories, of learning about our country's history... and honoring the great men and women who work so hard to serve us.

Donnie's First Weekend Pass

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Donnie was able to get a pass this afternoon, so the boys & I went on-post to spend the day with him. But first, we had a bit of running around to do... Donnie was elected Treasurer of his class yesterday and had some things he needed. We honestly would've followed him anywhere though! =)

After we ran around and had dinner, we took the boys to see 'A Christmas Carol'... the new 3D movie with Jim Carrey. It was really good, we loved it! The little boys got a BIG kick out of the silly glasses, it was so fun!!

It's amazing Donnie has only been in school for a week now, but is really embracing this new career path of his. The OCS Commander had pulled Donnie aside and recommended he do something other than infantry with the pins & screws in his back and shrapnel throughout his body... he says it will catch up to him at some point in his career and cause him a great deal of pain. So Donnie is considering all of his options, including possibly Military Intelligence. He asked me what I thought, and I told him I just want him to be happy... whatever he chooses I will stand by and support him. I know, with the Lord's guidance, he will definitely make the right decision!

After such an incredibly long and difficult week... this was absolutely the PERFECT way to end it! We can't wait to see him tomorrow!!!

OOOOOOOOOCS!!!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Today was Donnie's OCS Class Opening Ceremony. The ceremony was really short, literally 10 minutes long... it simply represents the passing on of leadership to the new officer candidates before they officially begin OCS. When they did the change and the new leadership ran up (Donnie's a platoon sergeant so he took part in this), they all yelled "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOCS!" It was too funny to me because I KNEW Donnie was just hating it! =)

Even though OCS is here at Fort Benning, Donnie has to stay in the barracks on-post when he's not in class. So the boys and I haven't seen him all week, and I received just a few very short phone calls that lasted less than five minutes. So, it sure was good to see him today!!

Tomorrow Donnie will get a pass, but we'll have to stay on post... so we plan to take the boys to see 'Where the Wild Things Are' and to dinner. Can't wait... I know we've been apart for a LOT longer before, but I have MISSED him!!!!!

A Day Of Snuggles

Sunday, November 1, 2009

After saying goodbye to Dad and sending him off to Officer Candidate School, the boys decided it was a good day to snuggle together on the sectional and watch 'The Transformers' together. Notice Kaden & Kaleb are STILL wearing their costumes?? Haha, it may be hard to get them to change out of them for school tomorrow!!

Following A New Career Path...

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Arlington Cemetery near JFK's grave

"And to my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. And fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

Today Donnie is leaving for Officer Candidate School, and retiring the tan beret of his Special Operations unit. I have so much respect and admiration for the Rangers and their families, I feel so fortunate that we have been able to be a part of this elite family for the last six years. We have so many friends who have gone into other aspects of the Army, who chose a life outside the military, & who remain in the unit... and it gives me so much comfort to know no matter where we go, that kinship will always be there. As one girlfriend said "Once a Ranger Wife, always a Ranger Wife!"

As Donnie pursues a new career in the Army, I look forward to the new opportunities it brings our family. We have met so many amazing people throughout our journey, and know there is more yet to come.

Good luck in school, Donnie... I know you're going to make one AMAZING officer!!!

Another Happy Haunting!!!!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

My girlfriend Shelly & I decided it would be fun to put on a Halloween party this year and invite some of our other friends. The Gerlings, Jones joined in on the fun with us & the Calls, and we all put together a frightful menu of Chicken Chili, Spinach Lasagna, Garlic Soup, Shrimp Wontons, Green Salad, Witches' Brew Drink, Ghost Cake, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars with Cinnamon Ice Cream, and Pumpkin & Ghost cookies. It was all SO yummy!!

Above is one of the wooden signs Shelly made... SO cute! =)

Before we ate, the kids played a few games. The first game was a 'Frankenstein Walk,' where they walked around the swing set between orange cones. They were put into two teams to race each other... they both did so well though, they actually tied! =) Here's Kaden's best friend, Braydon (a SWAT team member in the black) and Kaden (Megatron in the gray) neck and neck... they LOVED it!!

Here's Kaleb's Frankenstein Walk. He did great! If you look closely, you can see his nose poking through, haha!!

Shelly put together a really cute ghost scavenger hunt, which sent the kids all over her house searching for dum-dums made into little ghosts.

They all had such a great time taking turns reading the clues that sent them into the laundry room, to the fireplace, to the kitchen... and here they are "where the ghosts bathe."

After we ate, we had a toilet paper costume contest. Kaden laughed just about the entire time while I was wrapping him. Here he is... ninja Kaden!

Here are all the creative costumes everyone came up with... from left to right, Lydia was a nun, Kaden was a ninja, Braydon was a bride (hahaha... look at that pout, Shelly! =), Ethan was Pippy Longstocking, and Elin was a Ninja Turtle. SO fun!!!!!

This photo is just too funny of Bumblebee & Mikaela... Bumblebee's eyes look as though they are about to pop right out of his head! =)

After the games, I gave all the kids glowsticks and we turned out the lights. The Calls turned on a strobe light, which was awesome, and I told them a few scary stories... well, they were kind of scary. =) The kids loved it!

After our bellies were full, we were tuckered out from all the fun games & scared out of our minds =) ... we went trick-or-treating. The weather has been SO sporadic down here over the last several weeks... it was in the 80's one week and dropped into the 50's that weekend, rained the entire next two weeks (which is unusual since it rains year 'round), and went back up into the upper 70's and low 80's these last two weeks with a cooler weekend. So Shelly and I wished aloud that we wanted it to be cool again on Halloween. What were we thinking?? It was even colder then last year... with an addition to chilly wind and drizzle! So we made our way walking around the neighborhood and 'parented up!' Haha... just a little inside joke!! =)

While we were trick-or-treating, we came to a house that decorated their garage into a haunted house and the kids received their candy after they walked through. There were a few people inside that jumped out so it was pretty scary for little ones. Afterwards, poor Kaleb was crying and said, "They just want to scare the Autobots, Optimus Prime just isn't up for that!" We all couldn't help but laugh... he's SUCH a little cutie pie!!!!

The kids really did have the BEST Halloween ever, thanks to everyone's efforts, so thank you girls for all of your time into making it a great night! I know us adults had a really good time too!!!

We hope you all had a VERY HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Trunk or Treat... Smell My Feet, Give Me Something Good To Eat!!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

For Halloween this year, the younger two boys decided they wanted to be Transformers. So we thought it'd be fun to get the whole family involved. Here we are... Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Mikaela, Megatron & Sam from the Transformers movies.

Kaden & Kaleb had such a fun time with all their friends!

Before we went outside, there were games for the kids. We also had a 'best trunk' contest... I'm not sure how they could choose just one, everyone did such a great job!

It's SO hard to get Sky to smile for pictures... so sometimes we have to force him, haha!!

We had SUCH a great time at our ward's truck or treat!

Happy Trunk-or-Treat!!!

A Romantic Weekend... & Football??

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Since Donnie was overseas during our wedding anniversary and both of our birthdays, we decided to spend our first weekend away without the boys since our honeymoon. We were just a BIT overdue! So we checked into the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta and had a very romantic afternoon. We met my sister and brother-in-law, Ursula & Keith, for a 5-star white-tableclothed dinner at Blue Ridge Bar & Grill. We felted a bit spoiled dressing up and valet parking. The food was quite yummy... mussels, lobster bisque, grilled red snapper, grilled asparagus, corn souffle, and a warm apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. Mmmm!!

Our room was so beautiful and comfy with its down-feather bed and pillows. When we snuggled in, we wanted to stay there for the rest of the week! We were fortunate to get a corner room with windows all the way around... so we opened up the curtains and slept overlooking the city lights and stars, it was so magical!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

It felt SO good to sleep in and to wake to complete quiet. Of course, for us, sleeping in means we were up by 8:30. =) After a late breakfast, shopping, lunch with Urs & Keith, and some more shopping, we met up with a few other friends to tailgate in the premiere parking lot outside the Georgia Dome a few hours before the game. It was really warm and in the 80's all last week... so we were a bit surprised it had dropped down into the 50's this weekend. Although, I suppose it was PERFECT football weather.

It was SO cold, so we bundled up and snuggled while we ate and talked.

Ursula & Keith were routing for the Falcons while Donnie & I were routing for the Bears... so we had a bit of fun rivalry, the game was SUCH a good one!! Donnie and I were so happy to see almost half the arena was filled with Bears fans... and to think we were afraid the Atlanta fans would throw us out, haha!!!

Sporting a NFL Find A Cure Ryan Urlacher jersey

The Bears coming out. We had 25th row seats... we were SO close, it was great!!!

When we walked down to our section towards our seats, I found myself getting REALLY excited! I really don't follow football at all... every time I attempt to watch a game at home with Donnie, I usually give up and find something to go do. But by the end of the game, I was calling the plays before the refs did. Donnie was SO proud!! =)

This weekend was just amazing... it truly couldn't have been any more fun and relaxing, we enjoyed every moment of it.

As much fun as we had, it was nice to go home... we were really looking forward to seeing the boys after they got home from school on Monday. However, we're not quite sure the boys were as anxious to see us! Sky 'accidentally' got off the bus at Kyle's house, Kaden told my girlfriend Shelly that Sunday with them was 'the best day of his life,' and Kaleb told my girlfriend Koreen he was 'going to stay with her until it snows'... which it just DOESN'T do down here!! Hahaha!!!!! And we were under the assumption they would be happy to see us... ghee, what were WE thinking?! =)

BAPTISM DAY!!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Kaden had his special day today... he was SO excited!! When he woke this morning, the first thing he said was, "I'm getting baptized today!" and gave me the biggest hug. =)

Sky looks thrilled getting his picture taken, doesn't he? Teenagers, I tell you!! =)

He was so nervous but he did perfectly!

Here's Donnie & Kaden singing the opening hymn together. Thanks for the photo, Jason!

During my talk on the Holy Ghost, I gave Kaden a gift he got to open. Inside was a compass... to help him remember to always let the Holy Ghost be his moral compass and guide the way. This compass was Donnie's through Ranger School, so it was very special for us to pass on to Kaden.

It was SO hot today... the first thing the boys do every Sunday when we get in the car is take their ties off, so here's Kaden tieless in the car. One Sunday Kaden asked me why boys have to get so dressed up in suits for church, but girls get to wear normal clothes. He didn't think that was very fair, haha!!

A very special thank you to all of our friends who helped to make today such a special day! Shelly... your talk was perfect, thank you SO much!!

Kaden, we are SO proud of you... we know you're going to be a wonderful missionary someday!!! Just keep up all your hard work and dedication... and embrace that loving spirit of yours that always wants to do the right thing!! We love you!!!!!!!

2 Nephi 9:23

"And he commandeth all men that they repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith

in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God."

Updates...

After a long absence... I have FINALLY gotten on here to update our blog. I wasn't able to post everything we did all summer, but I did post some of our bigger events from the last several months. Due to my severe case of OCD, they are in order from when they happened... so you'll have to scroll down past some posts you may have already read to see them all.

We have some great news to share... Donnie received a small deferment for Officer Candidate School so he'll report on November 2nd now instead of on October 11th. This is FANTASTIC news because it means we'll be able to stick to our plans of baptizing Kaden on October 11th and having our romantic weekend on the 17th... I can't wait for either one! Just goes to show you, the Lord does answer even the smallest prayers! =)

We hope you all had a GREAT weekend!!