A Family Affair ~ Celebrate 1 Year

Today Gary's family came to help us celebrate Cole's first birthday (which was on Wednesday) and it was really great to see everyone. The sun was shining and there was a cool breeze blowing, with steaks on the grill (smells so good!) and cake in the oven, it really was the perfect setting. The kids really enjoyed playing with Memere (Gary's mom) and Pepere (Gary's Dad) and of course, eating cake! As you can see from the pictures, I think the frosting is Cole's favorite part. Happy Birthday, Colvin!

As I sat back with a smile on my face, surrounded by family and listening to them compare Gary to the kids, I felt like something was missing. Of course, I was right ... it was Gary. I love that we have so many great memories and thoughts of Gary, but sometimes it makes me miss him all the more. And although I put a smile on my face, I'm simultaneously fighting back the tears that would come if I let them. And the more I talk about, the more I have to face it and the harder it is.

It will be three months tomorrow (that he's been gone) and this is the first real milestone that Gary has missed. (Boy, Cole has really grown since Gary left!) I guess I have to revert back to the "bigger picture"... we'll have many more birthdays to enjoy with our children because of the job that he (and so many others) are doing. I am just thankful that we had an awesome day and now I can say we are 3 months closer to his homecoming ... and that is the greatest thought of all!

KIDS ARE FUN

Above is a picture of Danny Roy with the Director of Photography Kristy Tully.
I think Danny is a budding young filmmaker or a harmonica player. Right after this picture was snapped he picked up his harmonica and played us all a tune. I was a little floored by how good he was.
I don' t have kids, so hanging with Kim and her two boys for a few days was really fun. I learned a lot from my days in Yelm but one of the main lessons I walked away with was children speak a foreign language that only their mother can understand.
Thanks Kim for translating :)

Hello from the Raymond Family

I thought I would start by introducing myself ... I'm Amanda Raymond and my husband, Gary, is serving a 406-day IA tour in Iraq. He is a LT (O-3) in the U.S. Navy and we live in Prospect, Maine (for the time being). We have two kids, Olivia, 5, and Colvin or "Cole" who will be 1 year old next Wednesday (July 23). If all goes well, right now we have approximately 339 days left to go (but who's counting anyway, right?) and I think we are managing as well as can be expected. We have done deployments before, but this is by far the longest, and the first one with two children added in the mix. Olivia tells me everyday, "Mommy, I want Daddy. I want Daddy, please," with an emphasis on 'please' ... like I'm going to be able to make him appear because she said the magic word. It's so innocent and so sweet and breaks my heart every time. Cole is doing well, but I doubt he will remember Daddy when Gary returns. He's too small to understand what is going on, he just knows Mommy is here.

It is getting easier for us, we're almost at the 3-month mark, but by now, we are used to Gary being gone. It's still hard for me and is definitely overwhelming at times, but I try to look at the bigger picture. At least that is what I tell Gary. I created a blog to post pictures and talk about our experiences so that Gary could see them while he's away, but he emailed me yesterday and said it's getting harder because seeing the pictures on the blog, he realizes what he is missing, missing so much of our children as they grow ... and boy do they grow fast! This is an excerpt I wrote in my last email to him:

I am so proud of you for sacrificing everything you love to be there to do your
job and play your part in this big mess we are in with Iraq and for the
part you play in protecting our freedom and us. Think of that the next
time you are missing us and know that you are doing this FOR us. It's
definitely the bigger, selfless picture, and sometimes it's that perspective
that will get us through to the end.

Realizing that we are part of something bigger and greater than we are and that he is over there for the greater good, I think makes the separation easier to swallow. Or at least helps to justify it. There are so many who sacrifice, I think sometimes they, like Gary, need to be reminded of how they are preserving the ideals and the way of life that is important to us all, which effects all Americans (including us -- their families) while they serve and protect. It's easy to lose sight of that on a day-to-day basis.

Anyway, we have a preview of our episode approaching on July 27th ... it actually falls on the exact day 3 months ago that Gary left (April 27). I'm really excited about it and we are raising money for the Maine Troop Greeters, who see thousands of service members when their flights stop to refuel in Bangor, Maine on their way to or from the Middle East. They provide cell phones to call family members, snacks, hugs, handshakes and lots of support. No matter how brief their encounter, their presence makes a big difference. I'll report back with the success at the end of the month.

One last thought, I have to say how grateful I am for all they (the service members) do, wherever they serve, whatever role they play. So, thank you. For now, it's time for me to go. Until next time...

The Duece is Loose

So we made it out of the chute with the 2^nd episode of their series. I’m not sure how it came off looking, but I know I felt a lot more comfortable with all that was going on. This hosting business is a trip. You have to be on point, but yet relax and keep the show moving in a logical direction. I’ve definitely had tougher jobs, but never in front a camera with a powdered nose.

We had Alan and Christy Babin on the show and they made my job super easy. They’re both such easy going positive thinkers and I’m sure we’ll talk to them again as Alan continues to beat the odds. Our experts from this episode both brought a lot to the program as well. I’d like to try to make it out to a Winter Sports Clinics to meet up with some Vets who brave the slopes. I’m sold.

God continues to surround Alan with Angels. His new therapy buddy is Leroy and he is the sweetest horse we've ever met.

Cross posted from Alan's Angels

Dearest Angels:

As we watched the 4th of July fireworks, I could not help be reflect on where Alan was 5 years ago, and how very far God has brought him. Five years ago, we were standing at his bedside, in ICU at Walter Reed, watching the National Mall celebrations on the TV as Alan continued to fade in/out of consciousness and to be attached to so many IV’s, drain pumps and still undergoing critical care; while we lived away from home to be at his side.

This 4th of July, we spent it in the company of many of Alan’s Angels, with Alan in his iBot, able to get around on his own, and watching the fireworks from one of the most beautiful views in the Central Texas area. We truly counted our blessings as we celebrated our Nation’s independence and so many celebrated with us our son’s, and his fellow veteran’s, survival and honored their sacrifice for our freedom.

There are so many men and women fighting for the freedom and peace that we enjoy on American soil, by keeping terrorists and terrorism away from our shores. So many of our kids have sacrificed so much so that we can go about our lives in the way of OUR choosing – and they volunteered to risk everything to provide us with that life. We must honor their service as, generation upon generations; these brave patriots continue to keep our Nation free.

Alan received several calls and e-mails from former commanders that still think of him during National holidays and what his actions on the battlefield, and in his recovery, have meant to so many, both military and civilian. We continue to be blessed with an amazing network of support that allows us to continue to press on.

Today, Alan continued to press on in an unbelievable way…he participated in the Horses for Heroes at the ROCK Center in Georgetown. My heart smiled in a huge way to see Alan back on a horse and I silently prayed that God would allow his brain to make the connection with his abdominal muscles in a way that will allow Alan to continue to heal in a big way. I believe.

In the Grip of Grace,
Rosie

DON'T FORGET: SEGMENT 2 OF "BEATING THE ODDS" AT INTHEIRBOOTS.COM WILL WEBCAST AT 7:00 EASTERN TIME TOMORROW (WEDS JUL 9). ALAN AND CHRISTY WILL JOIN THE ITB CAST LIVE FROM OUR HOME!!!

happy birthday

Our nation turned 232 years old today. I was lucky enough to spend the day in DC dipping my feet (and maybe killing a few ducks) into the fountains of the WWII Memorial. As I watched the starbursts over the Washington Monument, I couldn't shake my civilian guilt: I am part of the 99% of the population that is comfortable, unaffected and unaware of the impact of a 5-year war. Thank you, IN THEIR BOOTS, for the much needed and long overdue rude awakening.



ah, i see the ducks survived my stinky feet:


and I am happy about that!


yay!

we did it!

and it looked soooooooooo gooooooooooooooooooooood!!!! I think Jan might start getting a fan base! Perhaps he'll allow me to be the president of his fan club--yes, Jan, seriously. It was such a fantastic show. We showed the first half of "Beating the Odds" and invited Rosie Babin, Brenda Murdough from the American Pain Foundation, and Bo Rollins from Paralyzed Veterans of America as our special guests--all via webcam! Rosie will be back next week with her daughter Christy.

Here are some in studio shots (exclusive look at our production):


Jan in the studio


Co-executive producer Rick calling the shots from behind the scenes


and a happy Amanda excited about the success of our webcast.

here is our powerful new trailer for the series: