Monday I talked to Marty online for a little bit.  At that time he was in Balad and would be leaving for his FOB the next day.  I didn't hear from him on Tuesday, as his FOB was under a blackout (I hate that).  He called yesterday and then again today.  He's back at the FOB and playing "catch up" on all the stuff that happened while he was home on leave.  I was so nice to have him home for those two weeks.

While Marty was home, we got pictures taken of him and I, he and I and his 3 kids, some of the kids by themselves and then one of Marty's Mom, the kid's mom and the kids.  I'm sure when the pictures come in , I'll get some posted. 

Now the countdown has begun for his reutrn home.  At this point we still don't know what that's going to be.  It could be anywhere from the first of November to the end of December.  Of course, I'm hoping for November, but with the military, you just never know.  All I can do is to continue to support him, let him know that I'm always here for him and always will be, and keep myself busy. 

Sean left today for a week in Indiana with his mom, sister and brother, before he reports to Basic Training later this month.  He'll be gone for a week and then has to go back to Dallas on Monday for more of his in-processing.  I know he's getting excited but he's also nervous about it.  This is his big rite of passage into adulthood.  He'll actually be out on his own in the world for the first time, earning a full-time paycheck and serving his country.  I'm pretty damn proud of him and Marty is as well.  Sean's a smart kid and I know that he can succeed at anything that he sets his mind to.