News from Clayton

I talked to Clayton on Tuesday and he is doing good. Nothing much new to report, although he did have a change in pace one night and worked tower duty. As a mom it is hard to hear about him sitting with his hand on a machine gun and night vision goggles on his head.

Update on Clayton

We talked to Clayton on Monday and today. He is doing well. Working nights has put a kink in our video chat schedule but I'm happy to hear his voice and know he is well. The weather has cooled a little bit and the high has been in the 90's. Hopefully fall and winter will bring relief to that area soon.

Thank you to the Reno County Red Cross for the care packages he received. I am thankful so many care and support him while deployed!

I am also thankful for the 200+ photos that I can keep going back to of our time together. I will wear them out before he comes home!

This is why...

....it takes us forever to take a few photos. You goofy guys. I love you both!

Loud Shirts

Hi Clayton,

Here are those loud yellow shirts you saw while you were home. It was Nazarene Day at the fair and then we went to the MercyMe concert.

Message and a Photo

Hello everyone,

Let me start by saying thank you to everyone that has taken the time to send me a letter, message or care package. I havn't taken enough time to recognize those of you that have made life over here a little better, so again, thank you.

Here is a picture I took in Kuwait on my way back to Afghanistan from R&R Leave.

Flag Flying for You

Hi Clayton,

I got a text this morning from Uncle Gary and Aunt Karen. They are flying this flag in honor of you.

Clayton Has Returned

After 5 1/2 days Clayton made it back to Jalalabad. He was stuck in Kuwait 2 days and BAF 2 days. I'm sure he is travel weary. He has been moved to nights so that guy can go home on leave. He was already back at work Friday [our time] working a half day. We will have to figure out our new schedule to talk or video chat. He is 9 1/2 hours ahead of us. It got too hard to keep straight in my head so that is why the time is shown in the left column.

Winging his way back

Yesterday morning we left at 5:20 am to take Clayton to the airport in Wichita. My tummy and chest hurt the whole way there. Barry and I were given passes and allowed to go back to his gate with him. Thankfully our timing was so that boarding began minutes after we arrived. I say thankfully because I wasn't too far from crying. I tried not to do the big ugly cry. Not sure how well I did on that. The airlines bumped Clayton to first class so he was the first to board. Hopefully I did well enough to not embarass him.

I talked to him today and he has arrived in Kuwait. He has one more stop to go before reaching his final destination. He should be back and at work in another couple of days. They have long delays at each stop.

If you can't tell from the 200+ photos I've posted online - we had a GREAT visit. I already miss him and hope the remainder of his deployment doesn't turn me totally grey headed - because I'm not that far from it now.

Remember: You can send your messages to Clayton to galewall@gmail.com and I will post them here on the blog. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support during this journey.

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To Clayton,

It was good to hear your voice today. Although tired you seemed in good spirits. I know you will be glad to get the flying behind you and back into a normal routine.

Dad and I are sad our visit has come and gone. We hope your adjustments are smooth. Hopefully you will be back and settled for a video chat on Thursday. Be sure to call or email when you arrive so I can turn down the worry volume.

We are very proud of you and love you beyond words!
Mom & Dad

Final day together

Today has been one of laughs and anxiety for me. It is our last day with Clayton. We spent the evening hours at the Kansas State Fair. Be sure to look at the 60 photos uploaded.

Yesterday Clayton spent the evening with friends. It has been a wonderful 15 days and in a few hours we will turn the page and begin a new chapter.

There are so many family and friends praying for him and I have seen them answered in many ways. Please continue to share your support through this blog. It keeps Clayton connected to home while he is away.

Thank you to everyone locally that has taken time to share your support and thanks with Clayton. I think it is wonderful that he knows just how supported he is. That will help carry him through the next 8 months.

Clay & Grandma

Had dinner at Grandma's tonight. Steak and lots of sides. Yum.

Time together is winding down

Today is day 13 of our 15 days with Clayton. I'm already missing him! We have enjoyed each day we've had with him. Fun times...goofy times.

I haven't posted in a few days but have been uploading new pics. I'm not sure why they are not good copies online - must be compressed or something. The originals on my computer are much better copies.

Week 2

Week 2 is disappearing quickly. We didn't take any pictures on Monday. GASP! We did take a few after dinner tonight. You can view them at the end of the online album.

Coin

In a previous post I told you about:

Clayton was present on July 25th when Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff [highest ranking officer in the U.S. armed forces] visited Afghanistan and addressed the 101st. He received a coin from the Admiral. Second only to the presidential coin.

Here it is

Labor Day Celebration

Today was a fun day. We started it with a brunch in Sunday School. Clayton visited our class. We came home and had lunch. Some of us napped. Later we attended the labor day celebration at church. It was fun. Clayton tried to dunk Pastor Doug. Even though he hit the lever it didn't dunk him. He and Barry played a game of horseshoes and they won.



More pics in the online album.

Weekend Fun

Saturday we had the Fillenworth's over for a pizza and a game of cards. Nothing like a game of cards to learn a few things about each other. Ha ha!

More pics in the online album.

Week 1

I have enjoyed every day Clayton has been home but am sad to realize a week has passed. 8 more days until he returns to Afghanistan. The holiday weekend is here and we have plans to play cards with friends on Saturday and attend the church bbq on Sunday. Monday we may go to a movie or just have a quiet day at home.

A few more pics are online.

Pics from Clay

I copied all the pictures from Clay's laptop. He's been holding out on us!!!

On a C17 - Going to Afghanistan

Arriving in Afghanistan - not his final destination
Is it just the "mom" in me or does he look lost?

Clay's Arrival in the States

Clay's flight from Germany took him to Dallas where he caught a connecting flight home. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has an awesome way of welcoming home the troops from the Middle East for R & R. Upon Approach, the DFW Fire and Rescue officers salute the arriving flight with its traditional "Shower of Affection". The water salute consists of two water turrets with nozzles that discharge 1,500 gallons of water per minute arching over the plane.

Information from the postcard given to Clay.

Thank you to American Airlines for bumping him to first class on his flight into Wichita!

Another great day

No need to fill our days with "things to do" when the best thing is just being together!



More photos have been uploaded!

Another day together

Day 5 was spent at home. I have enjoyed more of Clay's company than Barry, since he has to work. It reminds me of when he still lived at home.

A few more photos have been added to the online album.

I think the ISO was off on the pics today. Oh, well.