You've Got Mail

This left yesterday...Wed 2/23/11.

I'm really hoping this is the next to last care package I send. Only because that means you will be coming home soon!

The last one will go out in time to arrive for your birthday. It will be hard to fit a good birthday gift into that box size but I have a few ideas. When you get home perhaps Dad and I can do something special for you - besides a nice dinner out.

Today is a gloomy day. Awakened at 5 a.m. to a storm. Can't remember the last rain storm. With it came ice pellets.

As I was cleaning the kitchen I looked out the window and realized I had a peeping-tom...er, squirrel. He didn't give me time to change the camera settings.

Well, that wraps up another exciting day here is small town, USA.

Mom & Dad

What's new?

Clayton called Monday morning. A wonderful start to my week! We had a nice long conversation. Since Barry wasn't here he had to make two calls. I hope Clay knows how much we appreciate that! I feel at this point we are ticking down the time until he returns home. It can't come soon enough.

On Tuesday I received a recorded call from the eArmy messaging center. It was testing the system to those that would receive a call informing them of the return date for the 101st Brigade. Can I tell you how excited I was?! That call is still some time out but I feel better informed on what to expect on the day of his return in regard to where to be, when they de-plane, ceremony and dismissal. I can hardly wait until that day.

And to Clayton...I think I told you all that was new when you called. Dad and I bought some new furniture which will be here Friday and Monday. I'll send you old and new picks. My new camera should arrive tomorrow. Yippee! I know you can't wait for me to take a few pics of you. What I'm saving for now is a new lens for wildlife photography. We have a bald eagle that lives out on 11th that I would love to get a shot of. This isn't a good photo. He was out on the island and it was so windy I had a hard time keeping the camera steady.

Have a great week. Keep safe and rest as best you can. We look forward to talking to you again soon.

We love you beyond words!
Mom & Dad

Hi

Pssst. Hi Clay. When are you coming home?
Gotta go. I hear your Mom coming down the hallway.

Love,
Sophie

Last of the snow?

Hi Clayton,

Here are the snow pictures I said I'd post for you. I heard Hutch had 17 to 19 inches from several reports. I know we got 19 here. And that was on top of what we'd received the week before when the blowing wind created a 4 foot snowdrift in the back yard. It had started to shrink until the 19 inches hit. I'm hoping the higher temps this week will melt most of it.

The left over from 1st big snow

Dad was out of town and I was dreading the job of shoveling all that snow. Thankfully our neighbor, Bo, came over with his snowblower and cleaned the driveway for us. So that just left the porch and sidewalk. It was then I found out he was the one that cleaned our drive a few weeks ago when Dad and I came back from Aunt Vickie's and it had snowed here. It is a blessing to have good neighbors.

This week has been a warm week of temps in the 50's, 60's and maybe 70's. I'm crossing my fingers and toes and hoping that groundhog was correct and spring will soon be here to stay. The birds have been very active these last few weeks. I am seeing the Robin's again. Although they are here in the winter I haven't seen any in our yard. Over a span of a few days I wrote down all the birds coming to the feeder hanging outside of the kitchen window and here is what I remember: Junco, Nuthatch, Sparrow, Red bellied [zebra backed] woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Cardinal and House Finches. In the tree I've seen Blue Jays and a Pine Siskin. I'm ready to get out in the gardens. I have the one in front to plan and plant this year and the foundation planting will be done. We've redone every existing and created a few new gardens since we moved here in 2005. Maybe next year is the year where we sit back and just maintain and enjoy. Maybe...

I'm saving to buy a new lens [and camera] that will be a better choice for photographing nature and wildlife. Dad won't give me an advance on my allowance. Maybe you can convince him for me? Ha ha!

Well, not much else to report. Still waiting on a date for your return. It was good to see you on facebook today. Hope to talk to you soon.

We love and miss you!
Mom & Dad

Another Update

We talked to Clayton on Saturday. It had been 9 days since we'd heard from him and I considered sending him a scolding email to call his Mom. Just kidding! [maybe].

He actually had to call twice since Barry wasn't home at the time. He was out running errands.

Clayton's still doing well, although ready to come home. And we are SO ready for that day as well. Especially the part where he gets to take leave and comes home for a few weeks so Mom can spoil him like the good ole days.

And today I had a nice surprise when he commented on one of my facebook posts and I got to have a mini conversation with him that way. [He's never on facebook] I know, it doesn't take much to make me happy. And you know how I like pictures...so without further delay...

Later he uploaded some new pictures - most of which I hadn't seen before. I like this one, although the ammo in the background is a grim reminder of just where he is.

Please continue to keep him and our troops in your prayers. We cannot express how grateful we are for the love and support we've received during this journey.

Update

We had a 40 minute conversation with Clayton last Thursday morning and the Sunday prior. On Sunday I had just sat down at the table at the annual family dinner [Barry's Mom's side] and Amanda asked about Clayton and I said he was doing good although we hadn't heard from him in 10 days [which is too long] and that I hoped to hear from him soon when my cell phone rang and it was Clayton. Yay! Barry and I talked to him a long while and his Grandma Wall was able to talk with him too.

He is doing well and still enjoying the shorter hours. Maybe, just maybe, he will return to the states in late April. As long as his boots are back on american soil before June I will be grateful. This has been a journey I will be happy to see come to a close. I pray for his safety, health and well-being on a normal day and so praying the same while he is in a war zone has been difficult. Children really should come with long warning labels. Ha ha!

And to Clayton...
We had snow last week. I'm not sure how much because the wind gusts were so strong it blew sideways all day. We ended up with a 4 foot snow drift in the back yard.

I hope it melts before May 1st so I can plant my tomatoes! Now the wind is blowing in dirt from the wheat field and it's turning into a big brown hill. We are supposed to get more...predicted 4 to 6 inches for our area this week. Yay, me. NOT. The ground hog didn't see his shadow so it's supposed to be an early spring. Goodness, I hope that critter is right!

There was an interesting article and news report about the prison ordering over 900 pizzas and 9,000 hot wings for a fund raiser - the spiritual life center. If you want to read it online you can find the story HERE. I sure wish you were still home and working there.

And some sad news to report. Grandma Wall's sister, June, passed away yesterday morning. Saying goodbye to our loved ones is always hard to do. We will be taking Grandma over to Ellinwood for the funeral sometime this week. I think Uncle Gary and Aunt Vickie both will be here as well.

I hope you have a good week and that we get to hear from you.

Love,
Mom & Dad