Dragonfly

We're seeing a lot of of these this year.

Wheat Harvested Today

The wheat behind us was harvested today. It was dusty a little while and thankfully the wind blew away from us most of the day.

Hi Clayton,

Here is a recap of the last few days since we talked. I spent some time getting to know the little wren that moved into the birdhouse. Only thing is it's not where it should be. I hung it on the plant hook as a reminder to have Dad put a little hook up for it. It's only about 6 feet from where I want it so I may move it and see if she protests.

Dad and I went to Jillians for dinner on Thursday night before we went to "Third Thursday" downtown Hutchinson. On Friday Diane and I spent the whole day plant shopping and had lunch together. We ended our day at Hobby Lobby. You may remember Diane from our life group. She's the redhead. We had a fun-filled day shopping and gabbing.

Today Dad and I worked out in the yard ALL day. I am pleased with what we accomplished. He cleaned up and went out to Pratt to spend the night with Lance. They plan to golf tomorrow. I'm giving him the day off for Father's Day. [hehehe].

I'm posting the wren photos below. I am so happy with my new lens. Now if I can just find my uni-pod I will get some better photos. With this lens there is more camera shake. I'll have some other photos to share in another post. Hope you don't get bored - but you know I like love to take pictures. And, see, I do take pictures of more than just cemeteries.

Looking forward to talking to you on Monday. Be safe!
We love you beyond words!
Mom & Dad

Note from Grandma

Hi Clayton,

Looky, looky, I now have grass. As you can see it is about ready for its first cutting. I have waited a long time for this. This fall your mom and dad, aunt Vickie and Uncle Gary are coming over and plant a shrub or two and place some of my yard art in one corner of the back yard. The grass needs to mature a little more before one gets on it so that is why I said fall. It will be cooler at that time also. Not quite ready for its first cutting either. Your mom was talking about the pesky little bunnies in their yard eating her peppers. Well, not to let your mom and her bunnies out do me the bunny in my yard prefers carrots. As you can see he has one in his mouth hiding behind the Hosta with the flower at the center post. Isn't he a cute little bunny? I think I will keep him. Hope things are going well with you. Take care, stay well and cool if that is possible this time of year.

I love you...........grandma

Note from Aunt Mariann

Dear Clay,

Just a quick note from down So. in TX: It's already into the summer heat of the 90's!! Rather early this yr. How warm does it get there? We all 3 (Troy, Debra and I) keep very busy & yet, wonder where the time goes??

We too have lots of bunnies! Troy found one in the fenced-in garden yesterday! Ouch! He's got to find the hole soon! But then the birds peck at the tomatoes, so what does one do?

What are the hours difference between here and there? We're on CST.

I'll close for now. Be safe!
Love and prayers, Aunt Mariann

Weekend in Review

Well, we had another exciting few days back here in Kansas. Kathleen and I spent all day Friday over in Sedgwick county doing genealogy stuff. Dad and I spent Friday evening out at Uncle Doug's and Aunt Sandy's. Saturday was Grandma Wall's birthday so we grilled pork chops and had a pasta salad, rice, and green beans for dinner. Later that night it rained. And I mean it rained. We almost needed a boat to go to church on Sunday morning. I looked like a frizzy q-tip by the time I got into the building. Pastor Doug preached a sermon on Trinity Sunday: What Do You Really Know? We are so blessed to have him as our pastor.

It rained again Sunday night. The wind was so strong I think we moved a block east. I saw a yard full of small limbs this morning. Guess I better get that picked up before the heat moves back in. I have a lot on my "to-do" list this week. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

We love you beyond words!!!
Mom & Dad

Dad and I worked hard around the yard.
Well, someone had to take the pictures!

Meet Scarface. He's always digging up something around here.

Sophie - guarding the peppers from those pesky bunnies.
Sidney - who now gets to go outside from time-to-time.
And, this cat thinks it lives here I guess. It's always around the yard.

What we've been up to

Hoppy Summer!

Hi Clayton,

Its been a busy few days since we have talked to you on Friday. That night we had Trent & Diane over for dinner. We grilled out and had a good time. We ran them out of here around midnight. Just kiddin'. It was midnight but we had a good time. On Saturday Dad and I worked in the yard planting some new things. We left early Sunday morning and drove to Lawrence where we had lunch with your Uncle Alan and Aunt Vickie down on Mass. Street. Later that night we went to the dinner theatre in Overland Park. We are still doing season tickets with them. The food is always great and the shows are funny.

We came home Monday morning to a wet and cool [68] day. Dad worked the rest of the afternoon. I've been playing with the new lens for my camera. Well, that catches you up on our exciting life back here in Kansas. Hope to hear from you this week.

We love you beyond words,
Mom & Dad

Talking to Clayton

We had a video chat with Clayton on Friday. The days prior to that were via instant messaging using Windows Live. Whatever it takes!!! He is doing well and seems to be settling into a routine.

Thank you to Deanna for the TON of girl scout cookies your group sent to him. As you read in his post he shared them. And, to Diana for the phone card. It means a lot to me that so many of you are supporting us through this journey with your love and prayers.

Thank you, Karla, for the scripture you shared with me:

Psalm 34:7-8

"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man (woman) who takes refuge in him."

It's been a few days since we've talked to him so I hope to hear from him today.

An update

Things are well, at least as well as can be over here.

There is a lot that I do that I can't talk about, so I don't forsee me having a lot to contribute here but it is nice to be able to read it when I can and see what's changing.

Today I picked up roughly 15 boxes from the mail. Yep, all of them Girlscout Cookies. Each box having about 6 boxes of cookies in them.

I ended up giving most of them away, though I made sure to keep several of the small boxes for myself.

Thank you for sending them half way across the world, it brightened a few days. :)

Also received a letter with a phone card, thank you as well. It should last alot longer than the last now that I have access to a DSN phone.

Garden

I read that YOU are going to expand the garden next year. That means I get to take photos of the garden and bunnies next year!! Happy me!!

Barry

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Ha Ha. You are soooo funny!

Gale

Garden Thief

This is how all of my pepper plants should look.

This is how some of them look - chewed on.

This is my garden thief. Almost too cute to run out of the garden.

Garden update:
3 years in a row fighting these little bunnies over my pepper plants. Oh, well. I planted 9 tomato plants this year so I should have enough to put some in the freezer to use in the winter. Next year I am enlarging the garden space and will try some other things. Or, more tomatoes! Yum!

You've Got Mail

This left yesterday. Lots of good stuff winging its way to you.

We love and miss you! Dad & Mom

News from Clayton

Keeping it real! Taken 2009

We heard from Clayton on Sunday and today. The communication Sunday was not the greatest. He had a computer with audio only. He could hear us but we couldn't hear him. So, Barry and I talked to Clayton and he typed his response back to us. I'll take that over nothing any day, even if it was hard to have a conversation. Hopefully he will have his own internet access soon and be able to use his personal lap top that he took over with him.

Today we had my favorite type of conversation - a video chat. I like being able to see his face while we are talking. He was a little tired but doing well. Today they had a ceremony where they uncased the colors so he was in formation when he should have been sleeping.

PaPa - he received the letter from you and granny.

Prayer Bookmark

These are the bookmarks I made to share information on Clayton's deployment, mailing address and this blog location. I mailed them to immediate family and handed them out in Sunday School and Life Group. They are also located at the welcome desk at church.

For those of you outside of Hutchinson you can download a copy. It is in PDF format. You can get the Adobe reader for free at adobe.com if you do not have it on your computer already.

Thank you for your support!

Note from the Starkey's

Dear Clayton,

My family attends First Church of the Nazarene here in Hutchinson. I met your mom at a Bible Study several months ago. She is a very nice lady. You have been added to our prayer list and we pray for you daily. A friend of your mom's sent out a daily prayer card with your photo on it and info about this blogspot, etc. We stuck it on our microwave. We are planning to pray for your safe return every day while you are deployed.

Your mom and everyone else in the congregation yesterday morning was asked to stand if they have a relative serving in the armed forces. They also asked those people standing to pray at the altar for their loved ones in active duty/service. We watched your mom go to the front of our church to pray for you.

Now - I have a son, Noah, who thinks that he wants to be a Marine in some "special ops" capacity. He is only 13. Do you have any advice you'd like to give him? We are proud of his aspirations - I just wish we were not always having to fight overseas in the Middle East.

Know that many of your parents' friends are remembering you and your comrades in prayer. We will think of you throughout the day as we celebrate Memorial Day and thank God for people like you who serve our nation with pride and dedication.

Sincerely,

Karla & David Starkey & sons

Note from Ellen & Gary Blair

Hi Clayton! I don't think I'm posting this correctly, but I want to tell you that we are thinking of you on this very special American holiday. We appreciate the sacrifice you and the others are making to preserve our freedom. May God bless and protect you all! You are in our prayers.


Ellen and Gary Blair
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Mom & Dad's friends from Life Group
Gale moved this note to its own post.

How to leave a message to Clayton

There is still some confusion on the terms "comments" and "messages" when it comes to a blog. I think the best thing to do is make is simple:

If you want to have a message posted to Clayton, email it to Gale at galewall@gmail.com

The option to leave comments on a post has been disabled.

Also, replying to your email notification of new posts does not post your response. [for those subscribed via email].

I hope this will clear up the confusion. I know Clayton loves to hear from family and friends back home, including friends of his parents, so please continue to send your messages to Gale to post for you.

Thank you for your support as we continue on this journey.

Gale & Barry