Today we officially have one complete month behind us-woohoo!..........and he hasn't even left the states yet! Of course, we really don't know how many months left that leaves since they haven't told us anything.....so goes life in the military!
Not being used to this blogging thing, I haven't really known what to write so I decided I would write some random things today.
I am the optimist in the family so let's look at the positive sides of this journey we are currently on.......
1. I get the king sized bed all to myself...well....almost-when Avery isn't begging to sleep with me.
2. It's amazing how laundry for 3 instead of 4 people is so much more manageable.
3. I don't watch a lot of TV but if I wanted to I don't have to fight for the remote.
4. The house is much more quiet during the night since we have only one snorer now instead of two! (maggie, the boston terrier, holds her own)
5. Casseroles and one-dish meals have now returned to the Treat household.
6. I can save $ and time by implementing #5 above!
7. My kitchen counter remains free of all kinds of "stuff" like bolts, screws, pens, coins, 2 sets of keys, pocket knives, small notebooks, receipts, gadgets that I have no clue as to what they are.
8. Shoes!! I haven't tripped over any shoes in the last month!
9. The toilet seat is always down (although Eric is pretty good about that most of the time)
10. I have talked to Eric more on the phone in the past 30 days than I have talked to him on the phone ever. He hates talking on the phone!
That's all I can come up with for now. Just for the record.......I would rather share my bed, trip over shoes, cook meat and potatoes, listen to snoring (well, maybe not), have cluttered kitchen counters, and wash some extra clothes if it meant my husband could be home instead of somewhere else out there. So the down side is this.......we miss him terribly! Love you Eric!
11 February 2009
07 February 2009
A nice note from Eric's niece..............
**Eric's niece Whitney asked me if she could post something on our blog so this is from her. Thanks Whit!**
Ok, so many of you may or not know who I am. I am Eric’s niece (his favorite – but shhh don’t tell - I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings).
In my family it was no shock that someone would enter the Reserves. It’s pretty much normalcy in the Treat family. When Eric went back into Reserves I knew there was a possibility of him being deployed – but I thought, shoot, Drew and KT went – there is no way Eric will go. When I first heard of Eric’s deployment – I must say I was selfish and was in my own world. I was in the midst of planning my wedding and in all honesty didn’t stop to think or ask how they were. But on Sundays while sitting in church, I didn’t pray for me, my wedding or my future - I prayed for Eric. After my ceremony, while sitting at dinner it hit me “he really is going”. I remember looking to my husband and saying this isn’t fair – he can’t go. I was grateful to look out and see him and his family sitting at my ceremony, dinner and reception – knowing this is a moment we will never forget. But part of me was hopeful he wouldn’t pass his medical test or by some chance they’d say "no you don’t have to come". But I knew whatever the outcome - the Lord would keep Eric safe.
As I write this I can’t help but remember how much of my past 22 years I’ve spent with Eric and Sheila. And to think of the next 8 months or so with just Sheila, is kind of hard. (No offense Sheila – love you – but Eric just tells way better stories). As long as I can remember Eric has always told us of stories from his past – they were some of the funniest stories I have ever heard. I also remember him telling embarrassing stories from my past. Before Shelby and Avery came along Eric and Sheila would baby-sit for my brother and I – what stories Eric tells! And he never misses a single detail – OH the embarrassment! Thankfully, my husband never heard any!
When I asked Sheila to write this for Eric – I had one thing in mind. My love, devotion and prayer for my uncle in his trying time. I have come to realize that just because I have a hard, stressful or maybe sometimes tiring life – I can’t help but think his life is so different. He is away from his wife, home, and children. Over the past few weeks while kneeling for communion I couldn't help but focus my prayer on Eric. But as I sit here I can’t help but remember a saying a friend told me a while back. “The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you”. And this is so true! I have made it through some of my hardest times with the Lord and I know Eric will emerge from this and have even more stories to tell. And when he does come home we will be waiting for him with open arms. So, Eric I love you - I miss you and Andy & I are so proud of you!
Ok, so many of you may or not know who I am. I am Eric’s niece (his favorite – but shhh don’t tell - I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings).
In my family it was no shock that someone would enter the Reserves. It’s pretty much normalcy in the Treat family. When Eric went back into Reserves I knew there was a possibility of him being deployed – but I thought, shoot, Drew and KT went – there is no way Eric will go. When I first heard of Eric’s deployment – I must say I was selfish and was in my own world. I was in the midst of planning my wedding and in all honesty didn’t stop to think or ask how they were. But on Sundays while sitting in church, I didn’t pray for me, my wedding or my future - I prayed for Eric. After my ceremony, while sitting at dinner it hit me “he really is going”. I remember looking to my husband and saying this isn’t fair – he can’t go. I was grateful to look out and see him and his family sitting at my ceremony, dinner and reception – knowing this is a moment we will never forget. But part of me was hopeful he wouldn’t pass his medical test or by some chance they’d say "no you don’t have to come". But I knew whatever the outcome - the Lord would keep Eric safe.
As I write this I can’t help but remember how much of my past 22 years I’ve spent with Eric and Sheila. And to think of the next 8 months or so with just Sheila, is kind of hard. (No offense Sheila – love you – but Eric just tells way better stories). As long as I can remember Eric has always told us of stories from his past – they were some of the funniest stories I have ever heard. I also remember him telling embarrassing stories from my past. Before Shelby and Avery came along Eric and Sheila would baby-sit for my brother and I – what stories Eric tells! And he never misses a single detail – OH the embarrassment! Thankfully, my husband never heard any!
When I asked Sheila to write this for Eric – I had one thing in mind. My love, devotion and prayer for my uncle in his trying time. I have come to realize that just because I have a hard, stressful or maybe sometimes tiring life – I can’t help but think his life is so different. He is away from his wife, home, and children. Over the past few weeks while kneeling for communion I couldn't help but focus my prayer on Eric. But as I sit here I can’t help but remember a saying a friend told me a while back. “The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you”. And this is so true! I have made it through some of my hardest times with the Lord and I know Eric will emerge from this and have even more stories to tell. And when he does come home we will be waiting for him with open arms. So, Eric I love you - I miss you and Andy & I are so proud of you!
04 February 2009
You missed it again, dad!
By Shelby So this morning I woke up and looked out my window and guess what I saw???? SNOW!!!!!! Yes, this is the second snow of 2009 and the second in two weeks time! Now for the past couple of years dad has been absent for our wonderful snow days. Either he still has to go into work or he has been out of town with the Navy. In 2004 when we got the really big snow guess where he was.......in California for the Navy! He has also been there for both of the snows this year. The good thing is that dad doesn't really like the snow that much. It's just his luck he is never around when it does snow. Anyway, so sorry dad that you had to miss not one but TWO snows this year! :) We will post some pics so you can experience it too! I love you daddy!
29 January 2009
Thoughts from Avery.......
Avery -It's been 2 and a half weeks now since my dad left and it's going pretty good but I think it is going to get more sad as March and April get here. Right now it feels like he is just on a business trip and will be back soon. I having been thinking 'Man, I don't really want to do the whole yard by myself this summer' but right now it's good because there is not grass to mow. However, I accept the fact that I have to step up to some "manly" stuff and greater responsibilities while dad is gone. Besides....Shelby is surely going to have to help with the yard! The bright side is that I will know how to do all this when I get married someday. Oh yea......I got my very own new weed eater (sized just for me) before dad left!
I am trying to be positive about this journey so here are some other things I think are positive about it: Dad should be back before Thanksgiving and Christmas (hopefully!), sometimes we get to eat cereal for supper-woohoo!(don't worry dad-we aren't starving-mom still cooks some), hopefully dad is supposed to be back in time for hunting season, sometimes I get to sleep in mom's bed, my bedtime is a little later--like midnight--just kidding dad!!!
On the down side, dad will miss my birthday, Easter, and 4th of July. Also, I am the ONLY boy in the house now....even our 2 dogs are girls....that means I have to watch Platinum weddings and What Not to Wear...ugh!! (mom had mercy on me though and we got the military and outdoor channel right before dad left). The worst part is that I just miss my dad.
God has blessed us with great friends like our Chad & Faith Stilwell. Thanks to Chad for taking me to Bass Pro, Dick's, playing video games with me, and looking at airsoft guns with me. Thanks to him and Ms. Faith for also taking me over to their house for pizza, american idol, and guitar hero. Ya'll are the best! Thanks to Evan, Blake, and Mr. Mike McCarn for taking me squirrel hunting. Also, thanks to everyone for their prayers and for asking about us. We are doing good. I am proud of my dad and I can truly say that he is a hero! Gotta go for now.
I am trying to be positive about this journey so here are some other things I think are positive about it: Dad should be back before Thanksgiving and Christmas (hopefully!), sometimes we get to eat cereal for supper-woohoo!(don't worry dad-we aren't starving-mom still cooks some), hopefully dad is supposed to be back in time for hunting season, sometimes I get to sleep in mom's bed, my bedtime is a little later--like midnight--just kidding dad!!!
On the down side, dad will miss my birthday, Easter, and 4th of July. Also, I am the ONLY boy in the house now....even our 2 dogs are girls....that means I have to watch Platinum weddings and What Not to Wear...ugh!! (mom had mercy on me though and we got the military and outdoor channel right before dad left). The worst part is that I just miss my dad.
God has blessed us with great friends like our Chad & Faith Stilwell. Thanks to Chad for taking me to Bass Pro, Dick's, playing video games with me, and looking at airsoft guns with me. Thanks to him and Ms. Faith for also taking me over to their house for pizza, american idol, and guitar hero. Ya'll are the best! Thanks to Evan, Blake, and Mr. Mike McCarn for taking me squirrel hunting. Also, thanks to everyone for their prayers and for asking about us. We are doing good. I am proud of my dad and I can truly say that he is a hero! Gotta go for now.
Training
Training, training, and more training! I am amazed I get paid to do this, but hey somebody has to do it. It started out with SERT school, this is a course that contains several topics within one class. Basic combat, field medical, land navigation, weapons, and a whole host of other topics. This was accomplished and it was off to the next exercise, Chemical Biological warfare, this is when we get to enjoy the love of the gas chamber! The instructors wanted us to sing the SEA BEE song, I was to a little busy trying to get my nose and eyes to stop running, but was not having any luck! Needless to say I did not sing. Once the gas chamber exercise was completed we went into the next topic one I truly enjoyed! Bring on the gun range. For those who know me and those that don't I love the Lord, my wife, kids, friends, church, even work, but I really like to go shoot some guns. The first day was spent in the classroom, we covered topics like safety, ballistics, techniques, and procedures on the range. Day two and three we were sending rounds down range! I hate to say it, but there are those that need to (1) practice or (2) hope they never need to use there weapon! YES I did qualify, and NO I am not one of the few who hope they don't have to rely on there weapons skills to bail them out of a bad situation. There is still plenty of training yet to do this will be a ongoing evolution till we deploy.
Along with hands on training there has been allot of seminar style classes we have to attend, these are usually done in the evenings either in the building we are staying in or at the theater on base, just depends on the size of the audience. These classes cover a host of topics like sexual harassment, hazing, equal rights and lord only knows what else. There have been some topics that really do catch your attention like rules of engagement and escalation of force! Of course these topics were covered by our Commanding Officer.
As time passes I will be sure to keep every one up to date on the ongoing training. There are several evolutions yet to come but I won't let the cat out of the bag yet.
Along with hands on training there has been allot of seminar style classes we have to attend, these are usually done in the evenings either in the building we are staying in or at the theater on base, just depends on the size of the audience. These classes cover a host of topics like sexual harassment, hazing, equal rights and lord only knows what else. There have been some topics that really do catch your attention like rules of engagement and escalation of force! Of course these topics were covered by our Commanding Officer.
As time passes I will be sure to keep every one up to date on the ongoing training. There are several evolutions yet to come but I won't let the cat out of the bag yet.
23 January 2009
A Daughter's Perspective.....
By Shelby- On October 4, 2008 my mom and dad told me and Avery the news of the deployment. In that moment many different emotions went through my mind. The first emotion was complete and total shock. I always knew the possibility of him becoming active duty but never thought that it would happen to my dad. The first weekend we knew, everything felt like a blur. I didn't know what to think or what to feel for those first few days. As we adjusted to the reality that our daddy was going to war the only thing I could to was pray and ask God to help us through it. As people found out the news, the encouragement they had for me and my family was AMAZING! I couldn't have asked for better friends and people in my life to help us through the situation. I want to say thank you to all the people who have been praying for me and my family and will be praying for my family in the months to come.
In the weeks leading up to dads departure day we all kept busy with school, work, and the holidays. We had an amazing Christmas and enjoyed spending time together as a family. As new years passed by the reality sunk in that we only had a week left with my dad. All I wanted was for dad to hurry up and leave so we could anticipate his return rather than his departure. As Sunday, January 11 rolled around, I couldn't believe dad was leaving today. We went to church that morning and Pastor Kelvin prayed for us, along with our homegroup. As we were leaving church a man stopped my parents and asked if he could speak to me. He said he had a word for me. The man told me that he sensed a spirit of fear all over me and he said that fear is not of the Lord. He gave me a passage from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The moment he told me I began to be at total peace with God. The most amazing thing was that I struggle SO much with having a spirit of fear and that man rebuked it in the name of Jesus Christ. We dropped dad off and said goodbye but in my soul it not goodbye forever it's goodbye for a little amount of time.
It's now been two weeks since daddy left and i have been doing great. Our lives have adjusted back into a normal routine with school, church, and friends and it's been going very well. Everyday I have talked to dad on the phone and it has made the separation so much easier. I miss my daddy very much but I know what he is doing is helping our great nation and the nation of Iraq. I thank my heavenly Father everyday for blessing me with the most amazing earthly father I could have ever wished for. Every kid has a hero and my daddy is one of mine!
In the weeks leading up to dads departure day we all kept busy with school, work, and the holidays. We had an amazing Christmas and enjoyed spending time together as a family. As new years passed by the reality sunk in that we only had a week left with my dad. All I wanted was for dad to hurry up and leave so we could anticipate his return rather than his departure. As Sunday, January 11 rolled around, I couldn't believe dad was leaving today. We went to church that morning and Pastor Kelvin prayed for us, along with our homegroup. As we were leaving church a man stopped my parents and asked if he could speak to me. He said he had a word for me. The man told me that he sensed a spirit of fear all over me and he said that fear is not of the Lord. He gave me a passage from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The moment he told me I began to be at total peace with God. The most amazing thing was that I struggle SO much with having a spirit of fear and that man rebuked it in the name of Jesus Christ. We dropped dad off and said goodbye but in my soul it not goodbye forever it's goodbye for a little amount of time.
It's now been two weeks since daddy left and i have been doing great. Our lives have adjusted back into a normal routine with school, church, and friends and it's been going very well. Everyday I have talked to dad on the phone and it has made the separation so much easier. I miss my daddy very much but I know what he is doing is helping our great nation and the nation of Iraq. I thank my heavenly Father everyday for blessing me with the most amazing earthly father I could have ever wished for. Every kid has a hero and my daddy is one of mine!
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