Brock's Offices

These are some pictures of the offices Brock has worked at. The first is his first desk he had when he arrived. He decorated it with some artwork from Owen and Clay and of course our trusty friend Dwight the bobble head. After one month he went to go work for General Quantock. Exciting, historic work. Brock always seems to be able to get himself in the middle of where the action is even if technically he's not qualified. Brock is barely a 2nd year Captain and was/is doing the work of a Major/Lt. Col. Anyway I am impressed by his skills. Brock has got to be the most intelligent and charasmatic man I know. I have always had such confidence in him and I am glad to see the Airforce sees the same. I digress. The next photos are from his desk at TF 134 Headquarters where on 22 Sept 06 AK-47 indirect fire came through the walls. Indirect fire or not SCAREY!

Traveling via Convoy

When Brock was working for General Quantock at headquarters he traveled with all the other VIP's to "undisclosed locations" and sometimes some disclosed locations. These are some pictures of a typical Humvee convoy. There is always a pre and post-convoy brief when they travel out of Camp Victory, Brock compares it to a prayer circle. There are some heroic men there to protect the many Officers, luckily Brock is one of them. But who would mess with a 50 cal. like that? This guy will literally shoot you in the head if your vehicle gets too close to the convoy (Brock says). Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED) are a weapon of choice in this post-UNSCR environment. Finally a view from inside the Humvee. I feel safe.

Let Him In

In our church building we have a painting similar to this one in the hall. It is a little more zoomed in and I think Christ is in red. Regardless, today Owen asked if he could get a drink during Primary. I love being there for simple things like this. I escorted him out the door and being the bad example I can be said let's race. On your mark, get set, go! As I took my first step Owen asked me to stop and he just starred at the above painting. In his simple 4 year old way said "Mom that's Jesus and those people aren't letting Him in they need to let Him in!" Owen is wise beyond his years.

Owen Talks in Primary

Owen was asked to speak in Primary his topic was "I am a Spirit Child of our Heavenly Father". I was so impressed by him. We talked about it all week and then Saturday I asked him what he wanted to say then asked him a few probing questions and he wrote his entire talk all by himself (with me as his scribe). A few times he tried to throw in a few silly things and I would be silent and he'd look up at me and ask "Is that even an option?". It wasn't. Sweet Grandma O could hardly contain it so she came down too. Which made him being so shy so sad. After take 1 being a no go, we tried again after singing time and I ended up just holding him and giving his talk. Luckily we got it all on video for Brock (one of the benefits of having a husband in Iraq you can walk around taking photos of EVERYTHING and no one thinks you are strange). We are so proud of our O and his willingness to try anything.

TAKE 1


TAKE 2

Sorry Brock the video isn't uploading. I'll keep trying.

In 3 Months and 9 Days . . .

Our Daddy Brock will be home (all assumptions at this point). We are missing him quite a bit these days. Although it does seem to be getting more manageable, and when thinking this is all I have to sacrifice for the freedom and safety I enjoy everyday it helps make it just that much more manageable. Owen is excited for surfs up music in the jeep to go shopping for guns and real chocolate milk that only Daddy buys. Clay is excited for some good wrestling, cheeseburgers from in-n-out, and bed time stories that only Daddy can tell. Me? Well I am just excited for every last bit of him to come home.

Oh and I am sure Davis is excited for something but he can't talk yet to tell me what it is.

This Girl

yeah this one, umm I know her. She is my idol. Mom of three, recently started competing in Triathlons did one at Luke AFB and made the Luke paper (Brock kept it on his desk for awhile just to be able to claim her as a friend - that may be an exaggeration I'm not sure). Then she did one over Thanksgiving here in Goodyear and came in 1st place in her age group. Yeah 1st place. We are SO proud/impressed of you Karin. Way to go!!

Devious Dirt Bike

On a whim today I threw all the boys in the car headed down to Toys R Us and Owen picked out a bike. Well not a total whim. Owens knees have been hitting the handlebars of the tricycle he has had for the last 3 years, and then when he tried to jump the ramp our neighbors have on his tricycle I just about died laughing and knew it was time to get something more his size. He is obsessed with an old 80's movie Grandma Ohlson has "Dirt Bike Kid" so when he saw this bike with a dirt bike kid on it he knew it was the one for him. He gave me a big thumbs up when we got home and off he went. He rode for about an hour until we had to come in for dinner and I am sure this will be the first thing he'll want to do tomorrow.

Davis Sits & Eats!

Davis is getting so big. He refuses to sit in the bouncy chair anymore. He prefers to lay on his play mat so he can master the art of rolling or in his bumbo chair sitting pretty. Brock claims he has wanted to eat rice cereal for awhile now. I finally decided since he is 4 months and all it was ok to start some into his diet. I am not sure how he feels about it, sometimes it seems he likes it but then sometimes he makes shuttering faces. He is just a joy and wonderful little guy to have in our home. I really feel blessed to have him. I know the boys feel the same way. This morning I heard Owen and Clay singing a song Owen made up "I love love love your ears.... I am going to kiss kiss kiss your ears. {kiss} {kiss}"

Nursery and CTR5!

Another year of "scary nursery" started for Clay. The sweet little kid just hates nursery. At least for the first 5 minutes then he is happy as pie to be there. Owen became a CTR 5 this year and his teachers from Sunbeams moved up with his class which made him SO happy. He got a special gift his 1st CTR ring! He loves wearing it and let all his brothers try it on too, but is very careful to not lose it. Owen tells me "Mom CTR means Chose The Right like when you eat your dinner and not bubble gum."

Thumbs Up

Owen sure loves a good thumbs up. It has got to be one of Brock's favorite things that Owen does. It's so fun to hear Owen say "yeah dude" or "awesome" and then throw up his thumb.

Blackhawks in Iraq

It is rare, day or night, 24/7, to not hear choppers. They're almost always Blackhawks flying in twos. I grabbed a quick pic of the typical flyover with corresponding choreographed, picture perfect, side by side, landing complete with the dust devils that follow. Look close for the dust devils.
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That was Brock 2 months ago. Now he is the one in Blackhawks going to undisclosed locations. From what I understand visiting the detainee holding facilities throughout the region. Brock has managed to get himself in the middle of all the action. He is part of General Quantock's entourage and really enjoying the last 6 weeks of big action he has been involved in.

Traveling Fun

I love it when Owen comes home from Preschool singing one of his color songs. On the way home from Las Vegas he sang me some of his favorites. I was able to get Green on camera.

Other Holiday Highlights

Davis just happy to be where we are, Owen wears the proper protective eye gear for ribs and other delicious meat, Playdough fun, and man naps are hard to come by on vacation. Practicing shooting Elk in the butt, practicing fishing techniques, and again Davis happy to be where we are. Owen talking with dad while on the "tramp", eating a yummy breakfast before fishing at Lake Mead, oh and aren't those the cutest boys you have ever seen? Seriously, aren't they?!