UPDATE!!!!!

We’ve been out of the loop – not sure which one, that’s probably our problem. So, here’s where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going to be…

Chris: He’s back at FOB Delta. Trigger was sooooo lonely but is happily back to spinning his wheels. Chris has been flying long days – two days on, one day off. “Off” means he goes to his office and does safety officer stuff but he doesn’t fly. He’s never really sure what day it is. The unit will be moving to a different FOB in May, but I’m not sure which one. He has said it’s probably one that is south of them - even hotter and dustier than Delta in the summer. Good thing he has the best refrigerator in Iraq. (One of Walmart’s best…sent by some of the best friends ever…as opposed to the fridges made somewhere over there.) He no longer has internet access from his room, and it’s intermittent at best in his office. Argh. He sends his love to all.

Lauren: She's back from her senior class trip to Washington D.C. over spring break last week and is preparing to leave for NYC with her school’s honors choir this week. They will be singing the choral parts of Mozart’s Easter Mass at Carnegie Hall Sunday evening. Very exciting!! Pictures of both trips to come. In between, she went on a day trip up to Northern Arizona University to take a campus tour and check out their interior design program. Gunner and I miss her when she’s away, but it’s probably good practice for us.

Gunner: He is right now, no matter which class he's sitting in, wishing he was out in the desert. He longs for the desert and its washes, target shooting, exploring, creosote and Gila woodpeckers. He has to be so patient in between opportunities. We’re planning to take a day hike soon, shortly after April 17, which is Lauren’s senior prom – one prom dress in the works. Yes, I take on too much. Berate, berate, berate. Just say no. I’ve been reminded from caring and thoughtful sources (Workmans and Chris) - but this is supposed to be about Gunner. Anyone have any good hike suggestions? Anybody want to come along? Both Lauren and Gunner have new hiking boots to break in – well, thanks to that last trip to the desert with Pat O’Toole, Gunner’s have been broken in a bit and initiated by cow pies. Great guy times!

Linda: Just trying to keep it all together at the home base. No plans to be away. Maybe I’ll be out of my mind soon, though. That’s sort of like traveling, right?

Thank you for checking in. We are all very grateful to the Fathers John, Bethancourt and Finley, for our 11th anniversary in Orthodoxy celebrated this weekend. We wish everyone a blessed Holy Week and Pascha (Easter).

Love, Linda