Cory...

Last night around midnight I received a phone call from Cory. He was in a great mood and was extremely happy to be out with his brothers and back in combat. We joked and had a good conversation. It was very needed. After the last couple weeks I needed to hear his voice and tone, to hear the reassurance that he was happy. He misses home but is proud to be serving and looking forward to being back in the states in a few months. He said his leg still hurts, but not enough to keep him down. He also tried to convince me that rootbeer jelly bellies are 100% delicious. He seems to be in great spirit! According to his fiance, Saturday when he called he had a really bad feeling about the his next mission, which is completed now. It's understand as it was his first time going out since getting blown up. Anyway, just a quick update for all of those still wondering. Things are still crazy over in Afghanistan but the boys are getting their head around things again and going back to work full force!

Jamba Juice...

So today I went to Jamba Juice for the first time in a few months. I was stoked beyond measure to indulge in my regular, the ever so delicious Razzmataz.

I typically get a sixteen with a protein boost. So I get up to the counter and place my order. The cashier then asks me what kind of protein I would like. This confused me like crazy, I just want a protein boost, the normal one, the one that I always get, I didn't know there were different kinds. She gives me the low down and I decided on whey protein, unsure of what that even means. She then tells me it is $0.50 extra (since when do the boosts cost anything) I just said that's fine.

Weeellll... I end up with the frothy light pink thing that has the texture you would imagine a melted frosty having, and has the aftertaste of chapstick. It's not even the right color. The Jamba I was handed was a very pale pink, my normal razzmataz is a dark rich berry color, you know, like the color of raspberries.... imagine that. So where am I going with this. I would just like to thank all you retard "going green hippies" for screwing up my Jamba Juice experience. All of the sudden our world is being thrown out of wack by everyone wanting to be "organic" I hate to break it to ya'll but you're just paying more for "hormone free" meat and "natural" vegetables, guess what, THEY'RE THE SAME DAMN THING AS NORMAL FOOD. I personally love my high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated fat. So keep all your "healthy" hippie crap in their own stores and restaurants and let the rest of us enjoy a high calorie, seemingly healthy-though totally unhealthy Jamba Juice in peace.

Thank you in advance for your compliance.

Charlie Company Update...

For those of you who have been watching the news, you know of the death of LCPL Aragon. This week has been hell for Charlie Company. Monday the company suffered the loss of LCPL Aragon and a serious injury to another Marine. Two days later 7 Marines were injured when their LAV was destroyed by an IED. Three of those Marines required extensive medical attention and will be coming home due to serious injuries, my brother being one of them. I am led to believe that the other 4 involved in this incident are in good shape and are back performing combat duties. Cory, from what the report reads, suffered a blown knee and broken leg as a result of the explosion. He is currently in the hospital at a military base in Afghanistan. It is not completely clear if he will be going back into combat of coming home. According to the higher-ups and Camp Williams, they will be bringing him home. Yesterday another IED attacked Charlie Company resulting in another Marine being killed in action. I cannot yet release his name. If you are interested in finding out who this young man is, just keep an eye on the news, They should be reporting on it either later tonight or tomorrow, that's just my guess.

LCPL Aragon will be laid to rest tomorrow in a formal military funeral. It is open to the public, the projected attendance number is already high into the hundreds. If you read this blog, please do not broadcast the events I have listed. Just keep the Marines of Charlie Company in your thoughts and prayers. If you have specific questions regarding the incidents please leave a comment with your email and I will answer them confidentially, if I am able to release the information you request.

Our Boys...

Please send out good thoughts and prayers for the men of Charlie Company. They need it bad.

Thank You

Fallen Marine...

LCPL Carlos Aragon of Charlie Company 4th LAR based out of Camp Williams, Utah was killed in action on Monday, March 1, 2010 at around 3:00am MT. He was the youngest Marine serving this tour with Charlie Company. He was killed when his platoon dismounted and to perform a foot patrol of a village in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. An IED, or roadside bomb, exploded killing him immediately.

If you fly an American flag, or know anyone who does, please ask them to lower their flags to half mass until after the funeral services.

Thank you

United States Marines...

(USMC Charlie Company 4th LAR)

There is just something about a Marine that is different than a member of any of the other armed forces. I am not just saying this because my husband and brother, and many others, are in the Marine Corp. Even before Cory joined the Marines, and long before I met Jim, Marines have always stood out to me. Sure they are rough guys, but once you break through that, you will never find a more caring person. They carry their uniforms with a dominance, a Marine in uniform walks into the room, and heads turn. They are a disciplined group and it shows. The Marines I know do their job, not for the glory. not for the chance to be called a hero, but to serve their country. Jim and I had the discussion of what where he would be had we not met, his answer was simply, Afghanistan. I asked what he meant by that, he would have been injured and sent home just the same with or without me. This is when he stopped me, he looked at me and said,

"I would never have let this injury stop me from being out there with my guys, but I felt like I was needed here more, I didn't know why at the time, but when the Major asked me if I could perform my duties in full gear and if I would be able to be in a conflict zone, everything in my head told me to say yes. Then I thought of you and for some reason no is what came out of my mouth."

This conversation was just had last week. I could not be happier that he is here and safe, and able to share our pregnancy with me. Though it kills him to not be serving with his men. Marines have a commitment to one another that is like no other. They stand by each other and never leave each other behind. I always thought I'd marry a Marine. I had no idea I would marry one knowing that the chance of never seeing him again after the week we got married
would be very real. I knew going into the marriage that it would be months before I would see my new husband again, that was something we were both willing to do for our country. I never imagined that I would get him home a few months later with an injury and a broken heart for not being able to be with his men. Nothing can describe the look on Jim's face when people tell him they are happy he is home and not in Afghanistan. I am a selfish person and it was more than I could handle when I said goodbye to my husband, brother, and friend all in the same day, all leaving with the possibility of never returning. Troy and my brother Cory are still in Afghanistan and are serving in a "hot zone." These men are so great, they left everything behind and have to deal with what they are doing and the details and horrors of their missions alone. They cannot call home and talk about what is going on, they cannot unload they burdens onto other, for fear of the enemy tapping into the phone lines. Because Jim is here I get information that would otherwise be kept to the military only. Because these are his men and his brothers, he is given the information for the higher ups. What these men are going through is not a walk in the park. Many Americans believe that our men and women serving overseas aren't really doing anything. THEY ARE!! They are going through things that you and I could never imagine. When Jim and I first started dating he told me that his tour in Iraq was so easy and boring. The truth and horrors of things he went through are coming out daily as he recounts the stories to me. describing images that are still so vivid in his mind and still pull him from his sleep in terror. Those overseas serving now, are LIVING these terrors everyday. They wake up not knowing if it will be their last time waking up, but they put on their gear and go to work.They are a million times more brave then I am.

Thanks Cory, Troy, Chris, and Jordan and the rest of USMC Charlie Company, 4th LAR! Jim and I miss you all and love you! We can't wait for you to come home!

Golden Birthday...

So this Sunday is my golden birthday, 21 on the 21st, anyway because of my current state I am kinda getting the short end of the stick. It's not like I've ever celebrated my birthday before, but this one is kinda big. It sucks because not only is it on a Sunday, I am pregnant, and Jim has drill this weekend so he has to work, so we can't even really go do something fun together. I have a big family thing tonight, but that's just a dinner. Maybe I am being selfish but I wanted to go to Vegas or something for my 21st.

That being said, I have a brilliant idea that has received approval from everyone I've run it by. Next year I will be celebrating my 2nd-21st birthday! I think it's a grand idea, this will probably include a Vegas trip or some wicked sweet party! Until then, I will try to enjoy my real 21st birthday.

Have a great weekend!