Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is doing well and if you were traveling back to your homes, I hope you are all safe! The kids and I are still in Richmond and will be here until we leave for Texas on the 5th. We are all doing really great!
I was able to speak with Will last night for almost 45 minutes and it was woooooooooonderful. We got all caught up from Christmas and he filled me in on Mosul. He thinks he will have is own room there, which is awesome! I think he may even have his own computer in his office (as soon as the current person vacates it) and I am very excited about that. At night, if he walks around the base, he can see the lights of the city of Mosul. Yesterday, he attended a memorial service for a doctor who was killed on Christmas day. It was difficult for him, even though he didn't know the person, because he knows his time is unfortunately coming to officiate at similar services. The battalion hasn't started their operations yet, but they are trained and ready when the time comes. I believe they are still waiting on the 3rd ACR to head back to the States before they fully take over. So Will is doing great! He bought a phone card and we (the family) have been adding minutes to it regularly. If you are interested in doing so as well, just email me and I'll give you the numbers. It is $18 for 50 international minutes. Hope that doesn't sound rude...there is NO pressure...just some of you have emailed me wanting to help with that. Since they are already in Mosul, we can go ahead and start sending mail and packages. For gift boxes (again, no pressure but some of you have asked), he hasn't given me a list of good things to send, but I would imagine these things would be good: toothpaste, deoderant, soap, shampoo, sunflower seeds, gum, good ground coffee (the kind they don't have there...like Starbucks or Ukrops for you Richmonders), hard candy, popcorn, and black pens. That's all I can think of right now. The next time he calls, I will ask him again and update the blog if necessary. Remember, whatever he cannot use, he can share with other soldiers who are in need. Continue to keep his soldiers in your prayers. Things are about to start up and these guys need our support.
As for the miscarriage, it's over and I am glad I do not have the anticipation anymore. The grief was so terrible when we heard there was no heartbeat, but considering the actual miscarriage began on Dec 24th, I am so thankful I was forewarned. I can only imagine how terrible our Christmas would have been if I had not known what was coming. The actual miscarriage was a lot more painful than I had imagined, but I made it through. I wish Will had been here but am glad we were able to chat via phone last night so I could fill him in. We are both still deeply saddened and already miss Campbell desperately. We long for what could have been and we are anxious to try again. Too bad we have to wait so long. That's been the real zinger in all of this. We can't just try again in a couple of months. We know God has a plan, but we are still grieving and moving through the emotions of anger, frustration, and the pain of such a loss. Each day brings new hope for healing and we are getting stronger by the hour. Will has already been able to witness to his fellow officers through this experience and I can't tell you how much peace that gives me. Right off the bat on his deployment, when it's critical to build trust and credibility, he's been an example of how a follower of Christ handles loss. Those around him have seen him cry, get angry, and be a real person hurting from a tragedy, but still praise God and rest confidently in His goodness. Now
that is a testimony. I am so proud of him. So we are still grieving and we will for a while, but we know God is good. All the time.
My two kiddos.
Brayden, Amy's son.
Caleb sporting his sister's bow to be funny.
Anne and her little girl, Stella.
Sweet sweet Stella!
The tree!
My favorite ornament.
Here's Will's ornament, next to his best friend from high school's ornament, as well as that friend's brother to the left.
Owen checking out Daddy's ornament.
Carlee Scott's turn.
Looks like Owen already has the girls chasing after him!
Football player.
Peek-A-Boo with our matching blankies!
Silly girls.
These next two are funny. Pictures sure are different with children! Amy, I didn't realize Owen was trying to pull your hair. Sorry if he did!
Being sweet with cousin Alley.
Rockin' with Uncle Andy.
Snuggling with Grandma Alley.
Reading books with Mimi and Alley.
Opening up some presents on Christmas Eve!
Owen and Alley.
Hanging out with Aunt Pat and Uncle Steve.
Woohoo! Drums!
Everyone loves bubble wrap.
Clap Clap with Mimi.
Time for a pile-on with Uncle Andy!
CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!!
She was amazed that Santa ate her cookie!
Stocking time.
Owen likes his stocking, too!
A car!
Every little boy needs a gas pump.
The Leapster!
She loves books!
All cleaned up and ready to go to Mimi and Papa's house.
What's in this big box?
It was an adorable little doll-size table and chair set, with something special painted inside from Mimi and Papa.
Alley loves her ride-on toy!
A talking puppy!
Helping Mimi open up her gifts from us.
Hmmm...Owen likes Alley's ride-on, too. 
Opening up a special gift from Daddy. It's the dog from the movie Bolt, which they saw together before he deployed.
Owen got a special gift from Daddy, too! He got some cars. No special meaning behind these...he just loves cars.
What a big gift for Owen!
WOW!! A ride-on toy for him!!!
He LOVES it!!
Back at Grandma and Grandpa's post-nap...about to try out her new SCOOTER!
She's a pro already!
Happy girl.
