Having a "BLAST"!!!

Hey Mom!

Mama still needs to get used to this!

This week has been AWESOME!  A total BLAST..ha ha....get it?!  But, really, we started off the week with getting to shoot the M249 SAW Gun (Squad Automatic Weapon) and we were going to shoot the 240 Bravo which is even bigger but lightning storms hit and we couldn't stay out longer.  Then we finally got to throw the Grenades.  We really lucked out and got to throw two of them!  Most BCT's only get one.  It was way cool.  And, of course, being left handed I get to do things different from everyone else.  Left handers have to hold the grenades upside down so you can release the safeties the right way.  That was really fun.  Kinda like being allowed to light a really big firework and then throw it at something.  (Can you tell his Mom NEVER let him do things like this??!!)  Yesterday we started Urban Operations training, which is tons of fun.  It's mostly breaching doors and clearing rooms, but it looks way awesome when we stack up and file in.  At the end of the Training Day we had to clear a building as a platoon and half went down as "casualties".  So we had to secure the area, retrieve the casualties, and get everyone to safety so that we could call a "Medevac".  It's been awesome!  Tomorrow starts Mounted Assaults where we get to ride on Strikers...at least that's what I've been told.

Lance while serving his mission.

 It's kind of a bummer that now we're finally getting into all the really fun stuff that there's only a week left.  Makes me a little sad.  And then I remember...oh yeah...I'll be free from this place and be able to eat and drink something other than warm water and the occasional Gatorade from the Gut truck.  Yeah...but honestly, I'm mostly excited to see you guys and be able to graduate!  This has been one of the hardest things I've ever done besides serving a mission and it's been totally worth it.

Church today was really cool.  Instead of regular Sunday School we watched a video from Elder Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman about how to be faithful members while in the military.  It was really cool.  And then I was able to give someone a blessing and it made me think about just how awesome it is to be one out of so many that has the priesthood and is able to give blessings, but at the same time makes me wish there was at least one more in the company because if I get hurt (knock on wood) I'd need somebody to give me a blessing.  Thankfully that hasn't happened.  It's crazy to think that it was my last Sunday at church at Fort Benning..well...at least at Basic.  Who knows if I'll end up back here. I would hope not, but that's only because I'm not a fan of the humidity.  I'd much rather be stuck in 3 feet of snow all the time, but that's because I'd much rather be cold than hot.

Can't wait to see ya'll in a week!  I don't know what all ya'll got planned for the family day, but I think lunch, Batman (I KNEW he was going to say that!), the NIM (museum), and dinner would be good.  We don't need to do anything special.  I just wanna have family time and treat it like a regular Saturday.  I freakin miss you guys!  And tell Nerm Happy Birthday for me!

I love ya'll!
Lance

Sacrifice = Blessings

We are on the single digit count down to graduation day!!  I can't tell you what an exciting event this is!!  Again, reflecting on the many many lessons learned and the experience we've had with our son...all I can say is we are so blessed!!  On a post on the E 1/19 Company Facebook page, I asked parents and loved ones to share something that they or their soldiers have learned during this 10 week experience.  The response was overwhelming!  I wanted to share a few of the comments with you.


" I've learned that even though we may not understand something that we can accept it with our whole heart and give love and support...then from the accepting the understanding will follow.  (Does that make sense?)  I've learned patience.  I think Lance and I have both learned that love really can be thicker than blood as we've seen total strangers become close family.  Neither one of us could have done this without ya'll.  In watching my son I've learned to follow your heart...it won't ever lead you astray.  I've learned prayer works!!!  And I thank you all for your prayers on our behalf.  I've learned it's okay to cry...as long as you remember to laugh as well.  Find joy in the journey!!!  Thank you all for your love and support!!!"
~K. Schofield

"I have learned patience and how to be more dependent on myself.  I know that sounds silly, but before  my hubby left he took care of everything.  And now that he hasn't been here, it has been up to me..."
~S. Brock


"Dreams do come true, with faith and perservence.  Sacrifices are made with everyone involved and support from home is very important.  Life changes everyday and even though a loved one may be far away, they are always close in your heart.  Good things can come from change, and you can literally find unknown strength in your weakest moments.  Although my life will never be the same in the day-to-day life with my son, I know he is doing something he loves, he'll be awesome at it, and I can't wait to see what the future brings.  There is diversity in this world and even though we all come from different walks of life, we have learned to pull together and support one another, even though we have never met - that's kinda cool!"
~S. Whitney

"I have learned to to take one day at a time.  I have learned to be supportive.  All soldiers need that from their family and friends.  I have gotten strong.  I am an Army Girlfriend and that's a hard job but I have learned that being away from each other just makes everything stronger.  I have learned that we have family and friends that we've never met that our soldiers have been with them since May 21st and they will always be close in our lives..."
~M. Castle


"For him, I think how to be part of a team.  For me, patience."
~H. Miller


"Patience!!!  Lots of it.  I would always be so "ancy" when my soldier said he had a surprise for me and would eventually break him down to the point where he would tell me the surprise early.  Waiting for his letters and stalking my mailman (who by the way comes at inconsistent times anywhere between 1-6) has allowed me to gain that much needed patience.  I've also learned to not take a single moment for granted and cherish all the little things.  Whether it's being able to have a milkshake or to enjoy each other every second I'm with him....  Every letter I get makes me fall deeper and deeper in love with my soldier and despite only being 19, has given me the strength to keep strong for both of us."
~G. Gabzzs


"I have learned that distance does not create void especially when you are talking about the heart.  We always knew our son was our world, I think now he truly knows this.  We have all learned to appreciate the small stuff we once took for granted."
~C. Lee


"I have learned that I am stronger than I thought."
~J. Ruthner


"I have learned to write a letter, and I have learned what time they empty the mail box so that way my letter makes the cutoff.  In this world of technology, I have learned how to rely on the mail carrier who has my message waiting for me and not my cell phone..."
~K. Wright


"...That the tears, sweat, integrity, morals and character I have tried to instill on him as a child was not in vain.  That when I didn't think he was listening to me, he really was...that he has developed into a wonderful young man that has goals, dreams, loves is country, family, adores his mom, and reverences  God...  I've also learned in this process to trust and open up to strangers and become part of a family (because that's what we are) that will truly embrace, support and uplift each other as we accept the path our soldiers have taken.  We've accepted each other blindly and unconditionally."
~B. Carter


"...I cried when I received my son's letter Saturday, not because I was sad.  Simply because he has grown into a man in the time that he has been away..."
~D. Davis


"...I've learned that I can rely on my Army family when every one has left and I felt alone.  But I've learned to trust God.  And that love conquers all if worked hard for.  I've also learned determination and how to be independent, and perseverance and have a lot of hope."
~K. Santos


These are just a few of the many, many comments.  In your prayers tonight will you please bless those who are sacrificing so we can enjoy the freedoms that we have.  Bless our soldiers, their families, and their loved ones.

Be Safe - Be Good - Be Strong

When You Need a Good Laugh....Call an Army Mom!!!

No letter in the last 11 days!!!  That's enough to drive a mom crazy!!  And I thought raising 5 teenagers would've done that long ago!!  With less than 10 days to go (time has flown by...but these last 2 weeks are slower than I could have imagined!) I know they have extra long training days and are trying to fit lots in.  That's what I keep telling myself anyways!  As I was venting to a fellow Army Mom, she came up with these letters to send to the boys.  She even sent them a home addressed stamped envelope!  All they have to do is fill in the blank and mail it off!  Thanks for making me laugh Fonnie!  It was MUCH needed !!!!  Here's the letters.  The first is the one she sent to the boys...the second is the one they need to send back.  Love you Fonnie!!!!!

Dear (check one)_____PVT _____PV2 _____SPC (insert name)_______________________________,

Your _____mom_____dad_____family_____friends, have missed hearing from you this week.  No

offense, the phone call was nice but we like getting mail too. Since we know you are busy training, we

have devised a way for you to let us know you are doing well, and provide us the gratification we rec.

when we find a letter from you waiting for us in the mailbox.  All you have to do is check the appropriate boxes, place in the enclosed stamp envelope and place it in the mail within 3 days.  Doing so will ensure happy faces back home.  Ignoring this request may result in a rainy day on your 10-mile ruck hike. (O.k., probably not, but just humorous and drop us a line would ya!) Just know that you are loved and missed.

Signed,

_____Mom _____Dad_____The family_____Your friends_______Someone elses’s momma who did this with full approval of your own :O)

___________________________________________________________________________________

Dear (check one)_____Mom_____Dad_____Family_____Friends

I am (check one) _____good _____o.k._____not great_____still here by some miracle.

Tell (check one)_____mom _____dad (or insert other person here)_______________________

(insert option(s))______HI _____to send $ _____to send deodorant.

Thank you for the _______card _____letter _____prayers _____money _____care package.

I have to go, I'll write _____tomorrow _____this weekend_____next week_____whenever you send me another one of these fill in the blank forms :O)

Hooah,

 _____Your loving son _____your loving husband_____your friend.

 <<<<<Put your name right here and you’re done. Thank you :O)

Hope the boys get a big kick out of it like we did!!  What can I say, it's how we Army Moms roll! HOOAH! 

Love you boys!!!

Be Safe - Be Good - Be Strong

10 Lessons the Army Has Taught Me

I thought this was enlightening!  I'll be sending it to Lance for sure.

  You can find it on WalterReed.blogspot.com

10 Lessons the Army Has Taught Me

By Walter Reed

1. Always have a notepad, pen, watch, knife, and flashlight on hand.
In life, as in the Army, there are always unforeseen events. An important note needs to be taken, you need the precise time, something needs to be fixed, or you just can't find your way. All these items are small and cheap; lifesavers when you have them, deal breakers when you don't.

2. Have a copy of everything. If it's important, have two copies.
If it has your name on it, then you need a copy. If it affects your health, paycheck, or other element of well-being, then you need two copies. Records get lost, computers crash, and sometimes people just need to see a piece of 80 bond under their noses to get anything done.

3. Make friends wherever you go.
It doesn't matter if you are there for 20 minutes or 20 months, make friends. Inevitably, you will see them again. You will go to where they are. They will go to where you will be. And at the end of the day friends are the only ones covering the front of your position.

4. Make an SOP. Know the SOP. Work the SOP.
Civilian. Military. It doesn't matter. There should be a Standard Operating Procedure for daily life. Often we don't have fulfilling days or lives because "we just don't have time" and that is because we often don't have good processes. On the battlefield there is a place for everything, and everything in its place. There is a rote routine (often personal) for everything from showering in the morning to they way we check our gear. We do this because often there are times when there is no time, but the task still needs to get done. Routine accomplishes this, and we accomplish more when we have a routine.

5. Sleep.
Sleep is one of the things in life we don't appreciate until we aren't getting it. Sleep recharges us, heals us, and lets us put a new perspective on the world. If it was bad when you went to sleep and it's still bad when you wake up, well then I guess you weren't missing anything. If by chance it's better when you wake up, then apparently the world doesn't rest upon your shoulders. So take a nap, Atlas.

6. Don't go cheap.
I didn't grow up with money. I have learned to make due with what is available. There are times, however, that you can't afford to go cheap. Whether it be getting the brakes fixed on your HUMVEE or your Ford, get it done, get it done by a professional, and get the warranty. If you are buying shoes (speaking from personal experience) don't get them because they are cheaper. Get them because they are comfortable and durable. If you don't, it'll be more than your wallet that will hurt.

7. Find humor everywhere.
I have been in some pretty crappy places, some pretty crappy situations, and yet forced myself to find some humor, somewhere. It helps you cope. It takes the sting out of the painful, awkward, or otherwise difficult moments in life. And humor is one of those conversations you can have with yourself, because you always get your own jokes. As a side note, as much as it may pain you, never ridicule someone for their dark sense of humor. We aren't them and they aren't us, and we are all just trying to get by. I think Plato put this in perspective best by saying, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle."

8. Don't tolerate oppression.
To quote someone more intelligent than myself: "First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me." Stand up for what you think is right. In the end if you were wrong, so be it.

9. Tell your Story.
Battles are decided not only by the Soldiers on the field, the armament, or the weather. They are also won and lost by the lessons learned from prior battles. We learn these lessons because someone told their story. As a young Soldier I was a sponge for knowledge; it was before the current age of mass communication. Older Soldiers told their stories in hopes that a single silver strand of wisdom would be gleaned and be passed on. It is part of what we contribute to society. When we can glean wisdom from the lessons others have learned, we can avoid repeating the hardships by which they gained that knowledge. And by sharing our lessons we are helping someone else. That is one of our greatest contributions to humanity.

10. Never forget.
Never forget who you are. Never forget what you have done. Never forget where you are. Never forget what it is you want from this one life we have. Never forget the people that stood behind you in support, beside you in camaraderie, or in front of you in adversity. Never forget to write home. Never forget that someone is missing you. Never forget what you have learned. Never forget to share what you have learned. Never forget anything; lest you forget everything.

Be Safe - Be Good - Be Strong

Out With The White, In With The Blue!

It's been a long time since any words have meant more than "END OF PHASE PHONE CALL"!  Happy to report that events surrounding this call weren't nearly as dramatic as the first one, but still exciting just the same!  The entire family was in the car on our way to lunch.  Where you might ask?  Kneader's....which just happens to be one of Lance's favorite hotspots, so it was pretty fitting that he called on the way there.  And my heart still comes to a complete halt when my phone rings and I see that Georgia area code!  I was afraid the call would drop if I put him on speaker (sometimes smart phones really AREN'T that smart!) so everyone just leaned over the seats and tried to listen in.  I think he was a little overwhelmed at first when everyone started yelling into the phone at the same time!  It was great to hear his voice, even though he sounded completely exhausted.  I'm pretty sure if he were to be laying down he would've been talking in his sleep.  He said they spent the night before in foxholes and taking shifts every hour.  I told him he was old schooling it.  He said, "VERY old school!"  He's excited to be done with White Phase and on to Blue.  Come on now, we all know he just really wants to blow things up!  Ya'll know how boys love those big toys!  He's excited for graduation.  I think we all are!  It's been a great little ride, but we're pretty ready to close this chapter and start the next.  We talked about what to get him for a graduation present.  He's totally clueless!  I asked him if he'd like a G Shock watch (it seems to be all the rage and what a lot of parents/spouses are getting their guys for graduation), but he said a $10 watch from Walmart would be just great.  Really?  Is this my boy?  Now I know for SURE he was talking in his sleep!!!  It didn't sound like all of his mail had caught up with him yet, but ya'll can keep writing until Thursday of this week (I myself will be writing longer just in case).  If he leaves for AIT before his mail reaches him, they will just send it back "Return To Sender".  So don't be alarmed if your mail comes back that way.  And for heaven's sake don't think it was Lance that sent it back to you  :)  And as always the time ticked away way too fast.  It was 5 minutes to the very second when he said he had to go!  We all laughed at that.  The Army keeps time better than the Swiss!! (I later found out a lot of the guys talked above and beyond the alotted 5 minutes because the DS's weren't watching too closely.  Not our Lance....he was either worried about obeying rules and staying out of trouble or else he was being considerate of the guys in line behind him...either way it made me proud to hear.  And I was grateful for those 5 little minutes.)  I told him I would always be proud of him no matter what.  Hope he knows I've always been a proud mom...the Army has just made me a proud mom of a soldier!  Love you son!

Be Safe - Be Good - Be Strong

Craziness, Museum, and "The Stormin Mormon"!

National Infantry Museum

 Hey mom!
Craziness!  Yes, that's how to describe this last week.  First, there was no phone call on the 4th so you didn't miss it.  I just didn't get to have it.  It was scheduled but nobody knows why we weren't allowed to.  But we SHOULD have one this weekend.  I think because it's the end of White Phase.  The 4th celebration was good.  Just a TON! of junk food.  And the for the actual 4th - the National Infantry Museum!  That was one of the coolest museums I've ever been to, and it just so happens to be where they moved graduation to.  So I thought it'd be cool if we did that for a while and then I don't know what to do.  They say graduation should be over at 1030 or 11ish and then we have the rest of the day.  is there anything ya'll wanna do? 

"Stormin Mormon"
(*Not actual photo of Lance!)

Anyways...back to the 4th.  We had Pugil Stick Fights.  Kinda like American Gladiators.  I'm the Lightweight Champion of the company.  Ha ha...me..lightweight!  The cutoff was 170 and I'm at 168. They call me "The Stormin Mormon".  Archondous yelled it out during one of my fights and it seems to have stuck.  So that was a blast!  I hope they put up some pictures of it for you!  And yesterday we did Turn and Shoot and Night Fire.  Night Fire was awesome!  We got to shoot with night vision and lasers.  It was pretty cool!

Time seems to be flying lately.  3 weeks till I get to see ya!  Church today was awesome.  I got to teach one of the Sunday School lessons.  My class was 2 guys.  One was a recent convert from last January and the other was his non-member battle buddy.  It was really cool to be able to share my testimony with them as I taught, and they shared theirs back with me.  It was awesome when one of the guys started to share about what kind of changes he's been making since he started coming to church and trying to apply what he's learned.  One of the guys who has been coming to church with me from 4th platoon started taking the missionary lessons.  He's a pretty cool kid from Illinois (I think).  He's the only one who consistently comes to church with me from the company.
*NOTE:  (For those of you who may not know, before Lance left he wanted to make a career out of the Army and eventually become a Chaplain. We teased him that he would pick up the name "Deacon" or something similar somewhere along the line.  LOL...Stormin Mormon will do :)

Tomorrow we have our 8 mile road march.  It shouldn't be too rough and it's our last one before our 10 mile one that's required for graduation.  What all is going on back home?  What is everyone up to?  I've kinda lost my train of thought.  We had to go pick grass for 2 hours.  It wasn't bad and since it was in PT's (shorts and t-shirt) my legs were able to get some sun for once!  ha ha!  (He has the whitest little chicken legs ever!  Don't tell him we said that!)

I wrote to Stoa and Messina (his recruitors).  Thanks for sending their address.  Is Brody still meeting with them?  And tell Hunter to look up some ASVAB study guides on his kindle.  I don't think he's had all the math and science in school yet and this will help him get a higher score. Oh yeah, and could you ask the kids how Jon got my address??!

Anways...I heard a rumor that Steve Nash left Phoenix for the Lakers.  I hope that one isn't true, but that's just because I really hate the Lakers.  What other sports news is going on lately?  Anything good?  I miss ya'll a ton.  Can't wait to see ya in a few weeks.  Love ya,

-Lance

The Making of a Military Mom

I was tagged in this post by Shayna Brock and just had to share it!  Thanks Shayna and HOOAH!!  :)

Making of a Military Mom:

When the good Lord was creating mothers, he was into his fifth day of overtime.

An angel appeared and said, “You’re having a lot of trouble with this one. Why not use the standard model?”
 
And the Lord replied, “Have you seen the specifications on this order? Give birth to a child that will become one of my warriors; install values of duty, honor, and country into them from birth while teaching them to be compassionate and loving; safeguard this treasure through flu, sickness, cuts and scrapes knowing that she can’t be with them when country calls; embrace them but let go of her precious gift to perfect strangers; brighten their day when all seems confused not knowing the pain they are enduring; have the patience of a saint when waiting for them to return home; and have two sets of shoulders to handle the weight of both love and uncertainty.”

The angel shrugged slowly looking down and said, “two sets of shoulders… no way!”

And the Lord answered, ”Don’t worry, we’ll make other military mothers to help carry the burden. Besides it’s not the shoulders that are causing the problem, it’s the heart. It must swell with pride, sustain the ache of separation, beat on steadily when it’s too worried to do so and be large enough to say, “I Understand” when it doesn’t.

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve gently. “Come to bed… finish this tomorrow!”

“I can’t,” said the Lord. ”I’m so close to creating something special and unique. Already I have one who heals herself from within; can send joy a thousand miles away in just a small box; able to cheer them up with one phone call and can wave good-bye from a pier, a car or off a runway and understand that it is important to her country that they leave.”

The angel circled the model of the military mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed.

“But tough,” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this woman can do or endure.”

“Can it think?”

“Can it think? It can home school if need be”

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“It’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”

“What’s it for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for joy. Sadness. Disappointment. Pain, loneliness and pride!”

“You are a genius,” sighed the angel.

The Lord looked somber and replied, “I didn’t put it there" 

Lessons of an Army Mom

Here's a list of a few things I've learned in my first 6 weeks of being an Army Mom:

1.  BCT (Basic Training) is the best of times, it's the worst of times!

2.  If Lance would have earned his Eagle Scout then he would have entered the Army as a Specialist      and not a Private.  (Bad Mom!  I should have pushed him harder...who knew?!)

3.  The Army has an acronymn for just about everything (and if we don't know what one means then we have a great time just making up our own!)

4.  My son actually does better when he's away from home and on his own.  (Hmm...mixed feelings!)

5.  The only thing that is quick in the Army is a Drill Sergeant's temper.

6.  The one thing in life quicker than a Drill Sergeant's temper is a Mama's temper when someone messes with the mail delivery!!!  (Someone LOST the mail room key??!!  Seriously??!!)

7.  Very few Americans know all of the words to the Star Spangled Banner  :(

8.  Uncle Sam is NOTHING without his Captain America nephews!!!

9.  The Army has not taught me patience...yet.

10.  I get irritated when folks don't stand when the flag passes by or put their hands on their hearts when they hear our National Anthem.  This even happens in church of all places!  Very sad.  Actually, this is not a new realization but was worth mentioning.

11.  Weeks without a letter are 14 days long!!! (Really!!  Pretty sure!!)

12.  See #9 again

13.  I can tell you the difference between "turning blue" and "turning green" - neither of which have to do with the flu!

14.  I can do hard things!

15.  My son looks way handsome in a uniform! (Biased opinion?  I think NOT!)

16.  My new favorite bible verse is 3John 1:4 - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

17.  I can tell military time faster than "regular" time.

18. Payback is not nice and her name is Carbine M4 which he now carries around with him constantly. When he was little I wouldn't let him  play with toy guns or watch Ninja Turtles on T.V.  He now carries an M4 rifle with him wherever he goes and wears a helmet known as a "turtle cap".  Ironic!!!

19.  I am not alone in this journey and have a much larger "family" than I ever could have imagined!

20.  I continue to learn something new about the Army, myself, and the people around me every day, so stay tuned!!

Love you son!!!!

Be Safe - Be Good - Be Strong!

MANDATORY Fun!

Hey Mom,

I got your letter.  I'm glad things are going great!  You'll have to tell everyone hi for me.  I'm still having a blast here.  Last night we had "mandatory fun" where we had to go to the big 4th of July celebration on post.  It was really funny because they have us on a pretty strict diet at the Defact (chow hall) and it was a carnival food free for all at the fair.  Haha  I was able to get a Mtn. Dew fix for the first time since leaving home, but after one of those nothing was better than some ICE water!  Cold drinks are extremely hard to come by here, so I was really enjoying the ice water!  Then after all the junk food, oh I had a DEEP FRIED SNICKERS!!  Almost as amazing as an ice cream Snickers would be right now.  We're in the middle of a heat front, which really makes shooting in full battle gear suck.  We did a 6 mile ruck march in that gear two days ago that was rough on a lot of guys.  But, anyways, back to what I was saying before...the celebration was cool.  They had fireworks at the end, but they didn't have anything on some of the firework shows back home!  The only thing that sucked about the fair is that we didn't get to sleep til 0130 and wake up was at 0530.  It was the first time ina  long time that I've almost fallen asleep in church, but so was everyone else around me.  And we have a PT test tomorrow morning at 0300.  Anybody back home wanna have a pushup contest at midnight?!

We are getting our Dress Blues for graduation this week!  We're all super stoked here!  I can't wait to see how I look in that uniform.  I just can't seem to imagine it.  We have one more day of qualifying for BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship) and then we get to start ARM (Advanced R.. M..) which is all the tactical fun stuff like shooting while moving and grenade launchers and throwing live grenades!  I'm so stoked for the grenades!  I think cause it's like being allowed to throw a really big firework!  Ha ha!  I can't wait!!  It's almost as exciting as football season!! Speaking of which, we're totally in the dark here on sports.  Most of the guys didn't even know about the Olympics.  I'm really excited to hear how the U.S. does since we're all "American athletes" now.  Except my gold medal is gonna be being able to make it back home in one piece.  (OKAY...I don't know that this mom even wanted to think about that!!!  But good to know coming home in one piece is on his mind!! :s )

I can't believe graduation is just one month away!  Everyone here keeps talking about how awesome it will be. I just can't wait to see ya'll and I'm sure ya'll can't wait to come see Georgia.  I'm still not used to the heat yet and I swear I sweat more than anyone else.  My ACU's always look like I jumped in a pool by the end of the day.  Mom, how did YOUR shooting go?  That's something I want to hear all about!!!  Ha ha  What else is new back home?  Anything new and exciting?  I miss all ya'll a friggin ton.  I can't wait to see ya'll in a few weeks!  Is there anything specific that you guys want from me?  And was Tanner able to get his dog tag that I sent?  I friggin miss that kid.  Some days I sit and think about what all we'd be talking about right now.  Probably making a joke about Nicki's pausing in mid sentence, or Hunter's latest girlfriend, or something ridiculous that "Nerm" just said..or even just sitting down and talking sports or something like that with Dennis.  I really hope I can see all ya'll come graduation, but if not I understand.  And I should have some time come Christmas!!!

I friggin love ya'll a ton and miss ya.

Love, Lance

Feeling Hot and Patriotic?

If you're feeling hot and a little on the patriotic side this week, try this Patriotic Punch!  Just add layers of Blue Gatorade, Cranberry Juice, and Diet Sierra Mist over ice cubes.  Yum AND fun!
*Hint:  Start with the beverage that has the MOST sugar and end with the beverage that has the LEAST sugar in order to get your layered look.  Otherwise it will all blend together and look like purple KoolAid!