Hello again from the land of the Two Rivers

I know it has been awhile since I last updated the Blog, and for that I am sorry. We have been working hard and it seems that the Marine Corps has decided that the site for the blog is not allowed to be viewed. So I am going to have to adjust fire and have Caroline (ed note: she's going to try and fix my spelling & grammar) post the entries for me. That means that I will not be able to receive the comments, unless I can figure out how to get them sent to my email once they are written.

Enough of that stuff, I have some thank yous to be sent out. First to Brownie Troop 1922, the troop of my niece Madeleine, thank you all very much for the huge box of Girl Scout Cookies. They were awesome (because we ate all of them!). All the guys on the team enjoyed them a lot. I took a box or two of my favorites, but I was told sharing is good, so I also shared them with the team. Also, thanks to my mom and dad for the baked goods and the letters. The simple things are some of the things that we appreciate the most. It is always good to get mail from home. I will tell you all though, I am not good at sending it the other way. I will work on getting better at it.

Work has kept us busy and we are working some long hours. The weather is starting to get hotter. It has been a cool spring (I just jinxed us). The daily highs are now in the mid 80’s and the nights are in the 50’s-60’s, so at this time it is bearable. Like last time, I have gotten to do some building and woodwork. Nothing as elaborate as a roof and a new wing on the building, but some simple desks for our break room and a couple of desks for my room. It was a nice change of pace from the job, but I am enjoying doing what I have been trained to do.

I am excited to be again be adopted by the fourth grade class of Holly Bass. It was a great experience last time I was here and I am looking forward to conversing with a new group of students.

I hope this blog finds everyone doing well. We are good here and looking forward to the time when we are back home.

Attached is a picture of an Iraqi traffic jam taken by a friend of mine on a bridge going over the Euphrates River.

Enjoy!