Josh Just Called :)

There's nothing sweeter than waking up to a phone call from your husband when he's half a world away. That's exactly what I just did! Josh got to call me, and we actually got to talk for about twenty minutes (usually it's maybe five, and our last call was less than one). They're in Iraq now (I don't know exact location, and even if I did I couldn't post it on here). He's doing really well other than being tired he says. They're doing a lot of missions and keeping really busy, but that'll make the time pass much faster for him. A few days ago he hurt his knee while doing his PT (pushup, situps, running, etc.), and they put him on what's called a 14-day profile. This means he's restricted from doing any of those rigorous activities. He has a personal trainer working with him to strengthen the muscles back up in his knee, and he should be just fine. He says it's doing pretty well right now, and he'll keep me updated. Apparently it's been very rainy over. He laughed like a little kid and told me he's all muddy and dirty. :) It was kinda cute. Overall, he's having a good time and for the most part enjoying himself overseas. He misses his family and can't wait to see everybody again, but that won't be for a long time still. Please keep him in your prayers as you think about him, and as a family we'll pray him home safely. He did give me an address today, but I will not post it on here. I will be calling both Celeste and Wayne later this evening, so contact either one of them or me if you would like the address. I'll send y'all another update whenever I hear from him next, but that won't be for another week or so now.

Waiting for him,
Ariel

P.S. The baby and I are doing well, also.

Update from Ariel

Hey, y'all!

Just wanted to let y'all know that Josh is now overseas. He has been for a few days. His phone is not working, so please do not try to call him; and he does not have internet at the moment, so please do not be upset if he doesn't respond to any emails you've sent or anything.

I actually just got off the phone with him a few minutes ago (he borrowed someone else's phone to call me). We talked for five minutes, and he is doing well. He said his flight overseas was very long... about twelve hours... but that he was able to sleep for a lot of it and watch movies, too. He also says it's very hot over there, and they aren't really doing much yet. He's excited for when they actually get to start doing missions and things, of course. I do not have a mailing address for him yet, and I won't get one for a while; but I will update everyone as I get information for those kinds of things.

Other than that, things are going well here at home. I am now fifteen weeks pregnant and growing bigger by the day it seems. At my last doctor's appointment, I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat, which was incredible. I even recorded it on my camera so Josh can hear it, too. My next appointment is 28 October, and the appointment after that is when I should be able to get an ultrasound (also when we should be able to find out the sex of the baby). I will keep everyone posted as things go along.

Please keep Josh in your prayers. I am sure he will be very busy soon, and I know the heat can get to him sometimes and give him headaches if he doesn't get enough sleep or eat right. Again, I'll keep everyone posted with any news I receive from him.

Waiting for him,
Ariel

hey everybody

Hey all!! I'm just letting you all know that i am still at Dix but not for long. I will be taking about a 14hr flight overseas. It will be very long and will suck very much. Luckly i will be able to take my computer and my Ipod Yeah!!


Hope every body is doing great. and i hope i will be able to talk to all of you later.

Be back soon.....

Quick Update

Hey, everyone! Just wanted to let y'all know that Josh is still doing well. He's having a good time at training, but he's ready to start the actual deployment. He still has some training left to do, but I cannot give exact dates or anything.

I am doing well. School is pretty difficult, but I'm pushing through. I have my first doctor appointment on 30 September. Right now I'm about 9 weeks along, and I'm already showing. Pretty crazy.

I'm sure that Josh would love some emails from everyone, so feel free to drop him a line at bigmanjosh2005@yahoo.com. He may not be able to respond, but he'll at least know people are thinking about him. I'm sure that would be very encouraging to him.

Waiting for him,

Ariel

Update from Ariel

Hey, everyone!

Just wanted to let y'all know that Josh left for training for a while before he deploys. He has been gone for about a week, and he will not be home before the deployment. Please remember that I cannot post specific dates, times, or places on here due to OPSEC (Operational Security). Sorry.

I talked to him twice for about ten minutes each time since he's been gone. He says he's doing well, but he's very tired. He's only able to get about five hours of sleep each night because of the training they're doing. Keep him in your prayers-- that he'll stay alert and focused and that he'll be able to do well throughout training. From what he has told me, I think he is enjoying the training for the most part. Yes, it is very tiring and sometimes painful (if they're doing hand-to-hand combatives), but I think it will be very rewarding for him to go through. He's very excited to deploy. I cannot say where he is going until after he is already there. Sorry.

The day before Josh left we found out some big news. We are expecting our very first Army Brat! Yes, it will be difficult because Josh will be gone for the entire pregnancy and most likely the birth, too; but we're still extremely excited. We know that God has His timing for everything, and we're looking forward to welcoming a baby Anthony into the world. I am still going to school full-time, so I would appreciate prayers for concentration, strength, and rest. Currently I am not experiencing any morning sickness, but we shall see as time moves forward. I have not gone to the doctor yet (I was out of town for the past week), but I will keep everyone updated as the pregnancy progresses. If I have calculated correctly, then I am about six or seven weeks along, and I will be due early April.

Waiting for him,
Ariel

Post From Ariel

Hey, everybody! Just wanted to let y'all know that things are going well for us! Sorry we haven't posted on here for a while. Things have been pretty hectic. Josh's orders have changed a couple times since he's been gone, but he is coming home before he deploys. Sorry, I cannot give any dates or places or anything. Josh's training has gone well. He's really enjoying himself and learning a lot. He said that the instructors of the class he's in have said that his class has been the best one they've had in a long time. Josh got special recognition in a couple areas, and he graduates the class Friday. He will be home for a short time before he leaves again, but I (again) cannot give any details as to when he'll arrive home, when he'll leave, or where he is going. Sorry.
While Josh is home we most likely won't be posting on here, just to let y'all know.

Waiting for his return,
Ariel