Just wanted to share the exciting news!!! Sgt Webster was awarded NCO(non-comissioned officer) of the month!! Very proud of him and his hard work and dedication :) Also SPC Harris was awarded soldier of the month. He is also from 3rd Platoon (John's platoon). Way to go 3rd platoon...staying strong and showing 'em who's boss!!
I will post the pic and little bio about them that will come out in next months newsletter!
SO SO SO Proud!! :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The long awaited update!!
Hey everyone!!
Well I have been waiting on John to send me some more pictures, but unfortunately their internet connection lately has been AWEFUL! (which leads to very frustrating skype calls that disconnect every 2-5min) John says he thinks its mainly due to the nasty weather they are having - lots of SNOW! I have heard through the rumor mill (army wives facebook group) that they are considering changing the contractor that supplies the internet in hopes to improve the over all connection - I won't count on that happening anytime soon :) It is the Army after all...haha! I'd love to report that they are all staying warm, dry, and happy, but that doesn't seem to be the case right now :( John says that the weather has been COLD, WET, SNOWY, and just down right miserable for them all. The 8+ inches of snow has made completing their missions more difficult and time consuming with the trucks getting stuck frequently. The coldness has also caused the water pipes to freeze on the FOB - which means no showers, running water, or toilets. I can imagine the tents have a pretty strong stench of sweaty dirty men by now!! (maybe I should send some Febreeze in my next box!) John reports that he and the guys are tired, cold, and ready to come home. They have been working VERY long days 12+hours with few to no days off. A lot of the guys R&R (leave to come home) are coming up in the next few months, so hopefully that will help lifts their spirits a little. John wanted me to reiterate that he VERY much appreciates all the care packages that have been sent, on their way, or ones coming in the future. Keep in mind anything from friends and family is very much appreciated - if you don't have time or money to send a whole box - just a hand written note or pictures are great too!! (FYI: if your letter is handwritten, don't write in fancy cursive, John can't read it hahah!).
For those of you that missed my post on facebook...John's facebook account got hacked (along with some other soldiers) and he couldn't access it so he deleted his account. He will be making a new account as his has time! I will post on facebook and here when he does so you can re-add him as a friend.
I did find some pictures on some of the other soldiers from 3rd Platoons (John's platoon) facebook pages...that way you can see some of the crazy weather they have been having. Thanks again for your support and prayers for John these soldiers....I know they all appreciated more then they can express. God Bless!
Well I have been waiting on John to send me some more pictures, but unfortunately their internet connection lately has been AWEFUL! (which leads to very frustrating skype calls that disconnect every 2-5min) John says he thinks its mainly due to the nasty weather they are having - lots of SNOW! I have heard through the rumor mill (army wives facebook group) that they are considering changing the contractor that supplies the internet in hopes to improve the over all connection - I won't count on that happening anytime soon :) It is the Army after all...haha! I'd love to report that they are all staying warm, dry, and happy, but that doesn't seem to be the case right now :( John says that the weather has been COLD, WET, SNOWY, and just down right miserable for them all. The 8+ inches of snow has made completing their missions more difficult and time consuming with the trucks getting stuck frequently. The coldness has also caused the water pipes to freeze on the FOB - which means no showers, running water, or toilets. I can imagine the tents have a pretty strong stench of sweaty dirty men by now!! (maybe I should send some Febreeze in my next box!) John reports that he and the guys are tired, cold, and ready to come home. They have been working VERY long days 12+hours with few to no days off. A lot of the guys R&R (leave to come home) are coming up in the next few months, so hopefully that will help lifts their spirits a little. John wanted me to reiterate that he VERY much appreciates all the care packages that have been sent, on their way, or ones coming in the future. Keep in mind anything from friends and family is very much appreciated - if you don't have time or money to send a whole box - just a hand written note or pictures are great too!! (FYI: if your letter is handwritten, don't write in fancy cursive, John can't read it hahah!).
For those of you that missed my post on facebook...John's facebook account got hacked (along with some other soldiers) and he couldn't access it so he deleted his account. He will be making a new account as his has time! I will post on facebook and here when he does so you can re-add him as a friend.
I did find some pictures on some of the other soldiers from 3rd Platoons (John's platoon) facebook pages...that way you can see some of the crazy weather they have been having. Thanks again for your support and prayers for John these soldiers....I know they all appreciated more then they can express. God Bless!
Trucks lined up to head out on mission...before the snow hit
Snow starting to fall
Brrrr....looks cold!
Snow out on mission
I doubt those trucks have very good defrosts or interior heat
The Yetti...aka the 8+ foot snowsoldier
Snow is getting DEEP
Weight room....I'm sure working out in the snow isn't as fun as it sounds...
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Slacking...
WOW! Its been FAR too long without an update...and for that I am truly sorry. I got so busy with the holiday season that I forgot all about updating the blog. I will be posting an update with pictures John has sent me soon...waiting on him to finish sending me them all! He and the guys are still doing well...trying to stay warm in the frigid mornings/evenings with little or NO hot water...brrr. Check back soon for a more complete update!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
PICTURES!!
WOW! It has once again been FAR too long since the last post. In all the holiday business I've forgotten to take the time to update you all...sorry! This post is mainly to share some pictures John has sent me as well as some I've gotten from some of the other soldiers in his unit (Thanks SGT Cross!). John and his guys have been doing well and staying busy with missions. They have been having some mechanical problems with various trucks which has been frustrating for them all!! John wanted me to pass along that he has enjoyed and really appreciates all the cards and packages he has received! He feels very loved and blessed by you all. He also really enjoys getting facebook messages or emails so keep them coming! But over all John reports that they are all healthy and well and really missing their families during this holiday season. Please continue to pray for both the soldiers and their familie!
Well I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season and have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thank you so much for all the kind words of encouragement you have sent my way...some days are much harder then others and those thoughtful words have definitely helped me through. I can't express how thankful I am to have such loving and supportive friends and family. I love you all!
Well I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season and have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thank you so much for all the kind words of encouragement you have sent my way...some days are much harder then others and those thoughtful words have definitely helped me through. I can't express how thankful I am to have such loving and supportive friends and family. I love you all!
John's "room" (he looks a little drugged lol)
Like I said...truck problems...
Camels! (John still refuses to ride one haha!)
John out on mission
Some of the other NCO's in John's Platoon (Kilby, Cross, Marsh)
SSG Cross out on mission
Out on mission
John out on mission (looks pretty boring and sandy out there!)
Some of the soldiers from John's Platoon
John and Jon (Cross)
Cross and John
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Army may have my soldier...but I have his HEART!
So I've been dying to share pictures of John's Christmas Box, but didn't want to ruin the surprise and post them before he received the box. I had such a good time making it for him! He received the box today and called and told me how much he loved it! Definitely made my day =) For those of you sending anything to John, it has been taking about a week for the packages to get there. Mama Webster, I don't know if he told you, but he's gotten your packages and love them too! GOOD NEWS...John says they are much closer to getting internet on their personal laptops...which means more communication and probably more frequently. That is the best Christmas present ever!! It was definitely hard not having John home for Thanksgiving...but was thankful I was able to skype with him for over an hour that morning. He was also able to skype most of his family members, which was such a blessing for them!
John reports that he and his soldiers are doing well and staying busy with missions, briefings, and duties around the FOB. Last time I spoke his John it sounded like he had a cold...so hopefully he's taking the vitamins and Emergen-C I sent him :)
John promises he will let me know of any needed items...and I will post them on here for any of you wanting to know what he might need.
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families.
Enjoy the pics!
John reports that he and his soldiers are doing well and staying busy with missions, briefings, and duties around the FOB. Last time I spoke his John it sounded like he had a cold...so hopefully he's taking the vitamins and Emergen-C I sent him :)
John promises he will let me know of any needed items...and I will post them on here for any of you wanting to know what he might need.
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families.
Enjoy the pics!
The Box!
(for those wondering, Spooby is John's army nickname from some of the other NCOs)
One of the sides...
Another side...
Letter, Stocking, Healthy gifts...
big bag (6lbs!) of protein is John's christmas present from my parents!
(John says thanks a bunch Mom & Dad Babcock!)
Junk food and snacks (special ordered Venison Jerky!)
More snacks..
(from what the guys say, you can ever have too many!)
Homemade Christmas Gifts and more boot socks!
(CD of some of our favorite songs, Christmas wreath, Photo album)
Thursday, November 17, 2011
FOB Lagman
Hey Everyone!!
Sorry its once again been a while since an update...
John and his unit left Kandahar a few days ago and are now settling into FOB Lagman. John says the food is much better there - which as everyone knows food is very important to the happiness of men haha! The living quarters are the same as Kandahar and they are in large tents. Unfortunately, right now there is no wireless internet, so that is why you haven't seen John online on FB or skype lately. There is only internet on the computers provided by the Army and the guys have very limited access to them due to the volume of soldiers wanting to contact their families. John says they are trying to get wireless internet so they can all use their personal computers. I really hope this happens soon! Going from hearing from John daily to not knowing when the next email or message will be has been hard this week. I'm quickly learning that the NCOs are staying much busier then the other soldiers right now. And that the higher the rank the less free time to message and talk with family - at least for now. BUT, I am very thankful that John makes every effort to contact me when he can! =) John told me today that they have started going out on missions, and they are enjoying their jobs as of now. I think they are just having fun finally putting to use the months and years of training they have had. I'm finishing up John's Christmas box and will post pictures of some of his surprises once he has received the box. Please feel free to send stuff to him and his soldiers - as they all love receiving things from home. If you have any questions about what or if you can send a certain item please let me know. John doesn't have an specific requests as of the last time I chatted with him. But I will post any requests on here as I get them!
Thank you again for your prayers for John an his unit! They are greatly appreciated.
God Bless!
Sorry its once again been a while since an update...
John and his unit left Kandahar a few days ago and are now settling into FOB Lagman. John says the food is much better there - which as everyone knows food is very important to the happiness of men haha! The living quarters are the same as Kandahar and they are in large tents. Unfortunately, right now there is no wireless internet, so that is why you haven't seen John online on FB or skype lately. There is only internet on the computers provided by the Army and the guys have very limited access to them due to the volume of soldiers wanting to contact their families. John says they are trying to get wireless internet so they can all use their personal computers. I really hope this happens soon! Going from hearing from John daily to not knowing when the next email or message will be has been hard this week. I'm quickly learning that the NCOs are staying much busier then the other soldiers right now. And that the higher the rank the less free time to message and talk with family - at least for now. BUT, I am very thankful that John makes every effort to contact me when he can! =) John told me today that they have started going out on missions, and they are enjoying their jobs as of now. I think they are just having fun finally putting to use the months and years of training they have had. I'm finishing up John's Christmas box and will post pictures of some of his surprises once he has received the box. Please feel free to send stuff to him and his soldiers - as they all love receiving things from home. If you have any questions about what or if you can send a certain item please let me know. John doesn't have an specific requests as of the last time I chatted with him. But I will post any requests on here as I get them!
Thank you again for your prayers for John an his unit! They are greatly appreciated.
God Bless!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Kandahar Air Field
Hey everyone... the long awaited update...now where to begin! Well for those of you who don't know, John is currently in Kandahar, Afghanistan at the Kandahar Air Field. This is a very large base with lots of different branches of the military and units coming and going daily. The following is a link that takes you to a newsletter about Kandahar Air Field...its not one from John's unit but gives you some information on the location/weather/facilities/ etc there. John will be stationed at this base for an undisclosed amount of time before heading to his final fob - I won't know that he's moved until he's already there. Right now they are spending their days on the shooting range, training, working out, doing laundry (John says there is dust EVERYWHERE), and in oh so fun briefings (John's favorite...NOT!). They are 8.5 hours ahead of us time zone wise, which has made it a little tricky connecting to chat. I see now that God knew what he was doing when I got a job on nightshift...as John and I end up being awake and asleep around the same time! It has been SUCH a blessing to be able to skype with John and/or facebook message him almost daily! John has warned be that this will change when they move, as they will be a lot busier/more exhausted from missions. I think the guys bodies are slowly adjusting to the jet lag, time zone changes, and as John reports, "odd food"! They had their first sand storm warning the other day, John said they could see it in the horizon but I guess it died out before reaching the base. John seems to be in good spirits (as do the soldier that make funny faces and wave behind him during skype calls) and staying in good health, Praise the Lord!!
The following is John's address for his final destination and where he will be all year (not the location he is currently at). According to the postal service it takes anywhere from 2-3 weeks for a package to get to him. If you have any questions about how/what/or when to send something please don't hesitate to ask! There are also plenty of resources online about what you are and are not allowed to send (nothing that will melt, spoil, break (glass), aerosols, pressurized containers, etc).
SGT Webster, John
883rd Route Clearance Company
FOB Lagman
APO, AE 09383
Here are some pictures of I've found online of Kandahar Air Field...
The following is John's address for his final destination and where he will be all year (not the location he is currently at). According to the postal service it takes anywhere from 2-3 weeks for a package to get to him. If you have any questions about how/what/or when to send something please don't hesitate to ask! There are also plenty of resources online about what you are and are not allowed to send (nothing that will melt, spoil, break (glass), aerosols, pressurized containers, etc).
SGT Webster, John
883rd Route Clearance Company
FOB Lagman
APO, AE 09383
Here are some pictures of I've found online of Kandahar Air Field...
The base from above
Welcome sign!
Sleeping tents (I think they are or are similar to what John is staying in. Inside there are a bunch of bunk beds)
Now some pictures that John took while in Texas/Meixco!
Sgt Padgett
Big gun!
One of the vehicles they use during route clearance
The following pictures were taken by the troop greeter at the airport in Maine
My handsome Sgt!
(L toR) SSG Kilby, SSG Cross, SPC Pendland...and not sure of the other guys names!
Captain McVeigh and SSG Essic
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