Happy Halloween

Hi Clayton,

Happy Halloween! Did you dress up? Didn't think so. Here is a walk down memory lane.

Let's see - what happened this past week? Thursday I visited and joined the Salt City Photography Club. I'm looking forward to learning from everyone. Dad made a quick trip to Kansas City to see his friend Rick before he moves to California. I spent the weekend cleaning out the kitchen cabinets and drawers. They are starting on the kitchen tomorrow. Dad and I attended the fall festival at church tonight. We had our dinner there, visited with friends and watched the kids [and some adults] having fun.

This is going to be a super busy week for me. Hope your week is a good one and that we get to chat with you on Monday night!

Love,
Mom & Dad

In the News

I haven't mailed you copies of all the times you've been in the newspaper since you were home on leave...so I'm showing them to you now.

We are so proud of you!

Note from Aunt Karen & Uncle Gary

Hey Clay,

Just a note to say hi. Not too much going on around here. The weather has been beautiful, so I make Gary take me fishing on the weekends, he brings a book along. He got the screws out of his ankle and is getting along pretty well now. This weekend is Halloween so we will be going to Jennifer's house on Saturday to have our annual pumpkin carving party, then Sunday we go over to pass out candy in their neighborhood. They get more kids then we do. Clay, we think about you daily, and pray for your safety. We are flying our flag until you come home safe and sound. Love you and be safe.

Aunt Karen and Uncle Gary

Note from Grandma Wall

Dear Clayton,

Glad to hear you received the package. It is earlier than I had expected. I thought I would have time to write you to let you know one was on the way. I mailed it last week........but I only have 96 unread messages in my e-mail so you see I am far behind.

Aunt Diana came in Sunday evening for several days. We did scrapbooking. Fun, fun. Aunt Diana is trying to finish a scrapbook and I told all my siblings the 7 D's Reunion book would be done before June 2011 so everyone could see when and where we were the last 11 years......beginning in 1999 at aunt Vickie and Uncle Alan’s......well the 6 years that we had it being every other year. I had 1999 done but that was all. I was only 5 years behind. Just finished with 2005. I have 2 years to go but do believe I will have it done by next June when we meet again. Then I must get back on your folks book and Uncle Gary and Aunt Karen's book and Aunt Vickie and Uncle Alan's book. I'm only 5 years behind on those also. No end to it as it is an on-going project. I keep telling them I am turning it over to them but your Mom says she doesn't need another project.......but......one of these days.

Glad to hear you are doing well. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Love you much.

Grandma Wall

Thinking of you

It's hard not to when I see this many times a day. Hope your day is going well.

Love,
Mom

Christmas in October and Other News

Hi Clayton,

Thanks for the email update today. It was nice to get it early in my day and not have to worry if you were going on that mission or not.

Dad and I left after church on Sunday and went to Overland Park where we went to the dinner theatre with Aunt Vickie and Uncle Alan. We are still doing season tickets with them and enjoy the quick trips to the big city. Lol. Dad took Monday off and we took our time getting back home. Just a few hours before our video chat with you. It means a lot to us to get to see your face and we really do appreciate that you get up early so you can call or chat with us.

Dad had lunch with his Uncle Doug in Nickerson today and when he came home he had a Christmas gift from Uncle Doug and Aunt Sandy that we were to open now. As you can see we have another new ornament for the tree this year, although I will most likely leave this out after the holiday season.

Trent and Diane came over tonight and brought us some firewood. I don't know how much but they said there is more when we need it. Such a thoughtful thing to do for us. They are dear people. We car pooled wth them when all 14 in our life group went to Arkansas a few weeks ago and we had a great time. And, we are saving the score sheet from our night of cards until you return. You were in the lead when we called it a night. So, you'll have to come home and finish the round!

Well, that is all the news I have for now. Keep safe. We miss you! And...

We love you beyond words,
Mom & Dad

Chat with Clayton

A great start to my Friday and weekend. I had a video chat with Clayton this morning. We try to communicate on Mon & Thurs but it doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes the Army is the reason and sometimes people oversleep and don't get up in time to call their Mom. Ha, ha! He is doing well.

He had already worked his shift, had dinner, PT and a shower. Also, he picked up his mail and had a letter from his PaPa in Alabama and care package from Grandma Wall.

I always snap a picture or two with my cell phone when we have a video chat. Here are a few of him opening his package from Grandma.

And, this one is for Aunt Karen and Uncle Gary!

Naz Geek Squad

Hi Clayton,

The router issue is fixed thanks to Naz Geek Squad -  aka Pastor Mark!

Thanks Pastor Mark!!!

Hi from Mom

I missed talking to you on Monday. Hope we get to chat Thursday.

News from Home

Hi Clayton,

The past week has buzzed by pretty fast. Dad and I enjoyed talking to you last week on video chats. Even though our connection dropped a few times it was worth it to see your face.

The kittens have been visiting our window sill in the evenings. As cute as they are they really need a home - elsewhere. And, I think the mama cat is pregnant again. The neighbor has tried to catch them. Mama will get close but not the kittens.

We worked in the yard this weekend. Getting a few things done before the cold arrives. This past month Dad has been seeding where the yard was cut to install the new sprinkler system and overseeding the other areas. He helped Grandma with some of hers too.

I pulled the final harvest from my tiny garden yesterday. Tomatoes [mostly green], 2 bell peppers and a handfull of jalapenos. I was sad to see the tomatoes come to an end. There is no comparison between homegrown and those things they pass off in the grocery store as a tomato. I was disappointed in a few I tried this year. They won't be on the list next year with my 2 favorites: Juliets and Jet Stars. I will try some others next year - I usually do 2 or 3 news ones. I had hoped Dad and I would have expanded the little area before now but I guess it will have to be on the to-do list for the spring.

I forgot to tell you that I felt so bad that your GPS is missing from your truck - while parked here with us that I ordered you a new one. Dad and I don't think that we both are senile enough to have removed it and not remember. The box to yours was here so I dug it out to see what model you had. I think I'll leave it in the box, in the house, until we deliver your truck to you when you return to Kentucky next spring. Should the other one magically reappear, well I guess Dad can keep it.

Looking forward to talking to you this week. Take care of yourself!

We love you beyond words,
Mom & Dad

Updates

Where has the week gone?

We got to talk to Clayton via video chat twice last week. That was the first time I had seen his face since he left here on September 12th. Much to long. I am thankful for the phone calls and emails but being able to see his face somehow makes it better. I get a chance to SEE if he really is okay.

As you can see from his last post he had a chance to get outside the wire. And, I'm thankful I didn't know about it ahead of time. While I know he was glad to have a change of scenery, I like knowing he is as safe as he can be - that is what I pray for after all! I never forget they are all in danger, every minute of the day, as we saw in June when his base was attacked and he was in combat.

I know these are not very good pics but I'm sharing them anyway. Seeing his smile makes my day.

On Patrol, an update.

Well I'm sure my family has been nervous of late. My schedule has been odd, with people getting back and going on leave I've been working different shifts as needed. Though I'm settling back into a daytime shift.

Though on Monday finally I managed to get outside of the wire (not that I told Mom about it ahead of time, I'm not crazy!). I was released from my duties for a day to take part in a convoy to a nearby ANA (Afghan National Army) base that has a range we use for heavy weaponry target practice. My role was as the gunner in truck number two of our convoy.

The route was pretty tame as far as threats go, with car bombs being our biggest threat for the route as opposed to bombs that are buried in the road or ambushes. The convoy patrolled through part of the nearby town as part of our route, which is pretty friendly towards us.

No enemy contact was encountered during our patrol, despite some issues that left us sitting still in the middle of a very crowded city street for a while. As crazy as the stories I had heard sounded I found out that they are true, about how the locals react.

The kids come up to the vehicles trying to sell us local foodstuffs or other things that I couldn't identify and we have to tell them and make gestures for them to get back. They do, only to go to the next truck. A lot of the kids wave and give us the thumbs up gesture (because this area is friendly to us, other areas they won't even come near us because they do not like us) and the adults just go on about their business.

These are just a few pictures I snapped. I had my camera with me but as a gunner in an open turret my attention was not really focused on being a tourist. There were alot of moments that I felt uneasy, but I'll give that over to just it being my first time out of the wire.

The views near the river were nice, even though this is still the desert part of the country.

Going to try and upload a video with this. Just under 6mb so it (hopefully) won't take forever.

These Walls are reinforced

These Walls are reinforced

Kathy Hanks interviewed us about this blog that we have to keep Clayton connected to home. Thank you, Kathy, for sharing our story. We appreciate all of the support we receive on this journey.

Updates from home

Hi Clayton,

We've had a busy week since I last posted. I had week 3 in a new bible study and we had someone come out to talk to us about our kitchen cabinets. Looks like I'll have a new kitchen before Thanksgiving. I still need to pick out a new sink and the hardware but the cabinet and countertop choices are done [I think].

We left at 6:30 am Friday morning and headed to Eureka Springs, Arkansas with our life group. We had a great weekend. Do you remember when we went there about 1999? That is where you bought that black jaguar made of Onyx. Whatever happened to that?

We had lots of laughs. Gary & Jan somehow thought we were leaving Saturday so when the van got there to pick them up they were still in bed. They drove down later and by the time they arrived we had made a few changes to their room. Not only did we short-sheet it but we put the mattress on the bottom and the boxsprings on the top. Hung the pictures upside down, removed lampshades, put the chairs on top of the tables and hid the towels. After all the laughs we did help them get the room in order before bed time.

We packed a full day into Saturday. It started with a living bible tour. We all scattered and did a few different things and made our way to downtown for lunch and shopping. I did get a new necklace. Trent and Diane stopped by the IOOF cemetery so I could take a quick tour. [now that is good friends, lol]. We ended the evening with The Great Passion Play. They have made some nice changes since we were there.

News on Clay & Note to Clay

Well a whole week went by without hearing from Clayton, so you know what that means?! Yep, I was getting a little antsy. He has been bouncing between days and nights. I can't imagine that has been good for his sleeping schedule.

Barry and I had a good chuckle and walk down memory lane from the photos his Mom sent us to post on the blog. We loved all stages of Clayton growing up but those years were special. Back then I could still kiss him in public without any fuss. All of those growing up years were special. He was always a good kid. We never had any of the big issues to deal with. What a blessing he is.



Clayton - you are the best gift on this earth the Lord has given us. Dad and I are so proud of you. We miss you and pray for your protection in the days ahead until you return home to us.

We love you beyond words,
Mom & Dad

Note from Grandma Wall

Dear Clayton,

I know Mom has kept you updated all the time from here but thought it was time I took a few minutes and dropped you a note. I manage to stay quite busy it seems.

I have been doing scrapbooking and was looking through some pictures. Remember when.....You stayed with grandpa and I one week in Oklahoma and grandpa took you fishing. About 18 years or so ago. Thought you might like to reminisce.

Dad really worked hard this weekend. He over seeded their yard and mine and also replaced a sprinkler head. I rewarded him with some Oatmeal Cookies. I know that isn't much. I really appreciate what he did. He told me I could come over and clean out their garage and I said "I could do that". I was cleaning mine when he came over. Now it is ready for your truck when the bad weather comes.

As Mom said, it has turned cooler here and sweatshirt weather. Haven't turned on the furnace yet but probably will after this week or so. Been 40° at night so far. Been down to 63° in the house. Brrrrrrr, I'm not ready for cold weather.

I think of you often, miss you and love you much. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Grandma

Playing with Photoshop Elements

Also, in the left column I have added a slide show of the photos I took when you were home on leave.

Weekend Review

The weekend has been a busy one so far. Dad got back from Kansas City about 3:30 on Friday afternoon. He rented a grass seeder to use this weekend here and at Grandma's. I mowed to speed up the process.

Remember the cat that had kittens across the street? Well, she has moved them next door. When we got ready to work in the yard today Dad found 2 of the kittens in our shed. There are 3 yellow and 2 gray. So cute.

Summer has faded and fall has arrived. I really hate to see the garden die back and the leaves begin to fall. That means cold weather isn't far behind. Dad and I really need to buy a winter home in Georgia. Since he can work anywhere it would be good to spend the winter months in the South. Here are a few garden photos.

This is year-end for Dad so he has been/will be working all weekend. Thankfully he doesn't have far to go to work! This coming week is busy for both of us.

We look forward to talking to you this coming week. Keep safe, son.

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

Box of Hugs on the Way

You'll have to use your imagination when you open this box...think of all the hugs I gave you when you were home on leave and multiply it by a big number! We miss you!

The weather is turning cooler and the mornings are actually cold... Time to pull out an extra blanket and the sweatshirts and sweaters.

We hope to have a video chat with you soon. Take care of yourself and know that we and many others continue to pray for your protection.

We love you beyond words,
Mom & Dad