APFT

OK, it was definately not my best score, but I finished another PT test. Considering how much PT I've missed due to classes over the last couple of weeks, I am not complaining.

I have not talked a lot about the next few weeks, but most people know that I will be deploying in December. This has made the week an interesting one. Most soldiers in my battalion are getting read to spend the next couple of weeks on leave. This has decreased my daily counseling appointments considerably. Most of them are looking forward to time with family or at least away from post. I don't know if counseling will pick back up after block leave is over.

Otherwise, life is good. Isaac is growing. He got a bath tonight and seems to enjoy the water. He's still sleeping through the night most nights. We're getting ready to host Thanksgiving, though we're unsure how we're going to seat everyone. Apparently, the dining room table we ordered will not be in by Thanksgiving. Em is less than happy about that one.

Christmas in November

Today, we decorated the house for Christmas. We put greenery with lights on the mantle, a Christmas village on top of the entertainment center (which Justin has been threatened to NOT invade with his little green army men!), set up a nativity scene, and decorated the tree. Everything looks beautiful. Keeping in the theme of Christmas, we are posting a shot of Isaac taken in a Santa hat during our family photo session this past Tuesday. Isaac did really well, even smiling for the camera! In this picture, we caught the beginnings of one of his wide, toothless grins. Justin is making me (Emily) mention that I am typing this blog, as he thinks most things I say are cheesy. Merry Early Christmas!

Veterans Day & Suicide Prevention

I know its been a while. I would offer excuses, but the truth is that my life just hasn't been that interesting over the last couple of weeks. I spent last week in a certification class to teach the ASIST suicide prevention class. This is one of the programs the army has adopted to combat the high suicide rate among soldiers. Eight hours each day studying suicide intervention and training is a bit tedious, but the program is a good one.

With Veteran's Day, I had a day off today. Em and I took Isaac for his first family portrait. Ironically, getting a two month old bathed, fed, bathed again, dressed, and in a good mood for the photographer turned out to be easier than getting my wife dressed and to the photographer. No, the pic is not from the photographer. I took it this week. I was too lazy to upload one of the professionally done pictures.

Other than that, the weekend was spent getting ready for Thanksgiving. Em & I are hosting my entire family. That'll mean 20 people having Thanksgiving here. The next week or so is going to be hectic enough that we wanted to get ahead where we could.

OK, that's the update on our lives. Tomorrow night is a hail and farewell event with my battalion. Thursday night is a predeployment briefing for families. Hopefully, Em and I will have something to post from these.

New Pictures

My parents have told me that they do not want to see pictures of Emily and I. They want pictures of Isaac. Last night, I removed all pictures of them from the house, but I am slightly afraid of not providing them more pictures. This is his halloween outfit, not that he's going trick or treating.
This week has been hectic. I've had my actual chaplain responsibilities along with having to draw more gear for deployment and going through another round of medical exams and vaccinations.

I'm at home with Isaac today, and Em is at work. Its kind of an interesting change from the last six weeks. Isaac is going to be waking up soon, so I need to finish this up so I can fold laundry.

Well, he does live in TX

OK, this picture really doesn't do justice to what I'm going to talk about. Isaac has a mullet. In case you don't know what a mullet is (Mom)...a mullet is a haircut that is longer in the back, but short on the top and front. Isaac's hair is noticeably longer around his collar. I'm guessing this is because he moves his head around a lot while sleeping, but it could also have something to do with the fact that his mother liked Billey Ray Cyrus circa 1994. For those who have no idea what that means, google it.

Otherwise, today was a large step in Isaac's life. Emily returned to work, and he had his first day at the babysitter's house. She said all went well. Emily seemed to enjoy her new school, and she handled her first day apart from Isaac fairly well.