You Know You're In the Army When......

you find yourself saying, "Gracie honey, be careful so you don't step on Daddy's weapon." Yes, those words came out of my mouth in that order Saturday. And after that I shortly disolved into giggles.

Now I know the Wahab's are all thinking, "What's the big deal??" Let me explain. I was never allowed nor did I ever want toy guns growing up. We didn't even have squirt guns. We had squirting animals or spray bottles but guns were not our thing. As an adult I have a super healthy respect for weaponry and here I was in a room with a couple hundred soldiers and their weapons and just as comfortable as can be told our 2 year old to mind Daddy's weapon.

Now that you have some back story you can understand why I found that line so funny. :) I'm still laughing about it. Neilson looked at me like I was a loon and well, I am.

With all the dismal doom and gloom posts I thought I would let you all know about something funny from this weekend.

Of course I'll give you an update... I'm not going to keep you wondering. :) I got a call this morning from Maine and all was well. I got a text message mid morning (central time zone) and I'm guessing that meant he was leaving Maine. Most importantly Neilson sounded great so that made me happy.

I'll post more when I know. Love to all.

Heather

Good News! (Well I Guess)

I got a text message at 12.30AM central time that Neilson does in fact have a plane and is on it and is going. Finally.

Just a recap in case you were out of the loop the last few days. The plan was for a Saturday morning departure which got delayed. Then it was supposed to be a Sunday 4:30AM departure and that was cancelled. But he's airborn and on his way so we can hurry up and get this fun over with :P

I know God only gives me as much as I can handle.
I just wish he didn't trust me so much.

- Mother Theresa

I've Got A Skeleton Dying to Come Out

Of my closet that is. I am computer illiterate. In fiddling with this blog I made it so I had to look at all comments before they could be published and only just now have figured that out. I think I took that feature back off so now I'll stay out of the comments.

*sheepish look on my face*

I'm sorry for making you all think that the computer ate your comments.

:)
heather who cannot work computers.

Went to My First Briefing Last Night

and it was not brief! However, 3 hours later, I am now prepared for my beloved's deployment! I'll share mre details later--- after I can think :) But for now I want to tell you about the Family Readiness Group's website.

It's not just for families but for anyone with a soldier who they are concerned about. Just go to www.armyfrg.org and you too can log on to keep track of Neilson. You have to register with them and Cpt. Ontko says he checks for registrations 3-4 times a day. You do need Neilson's name, unit and last 4 digits of his ss# which i will be happy to email you but I do not want to post for security reasons.

They will be posting updates about the unit, photos, calendars of events and really whatever else we request. :) They encouraged everyone, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles etc. to join so you can be up to date.

Let me know if you need help registering!

My Apologies to Jamie....

for what I am about to say regarding his employer. I hate Bank of America. There, it's out there, I've said it and I'm standing by my word!

So why, mild mannered Heather, would you be filled with ire at the institution in charge of all your financial needs? Simply stated--- their customer no-service stinks! But let me take you back a few days and explain....... (cue background music)

A simple request from my darling hubby really. Could I please cash a check for him? Easy, I saw a handy dandy local branch of my friendly BOA right down the street from our humble abode. "I'll be happy to do that for you my love!" I replied, "Could you simply endorse the back so I can complete the task?" Sure enough he did oblige and Grace and I were on our way.....

(Cue dark menecing music) We pull into the drive through endorsed check in hand, my id and bank card. "I'm sorry we can not cash third party checks."

"But it's written on a BOA account!"

"Your hubby will have to come in during lobby hours."

"He's at work during lobby hours."

*brightly* "We are open on Saturdays."

"He's deploying this Saturday and won't be back for a year."

You can see where this is going I'm sure so I"ll recap the rest. I was told that she couldn't help me and to come in to see the manager tomorrow. So that's what I did today armed with passports, social security cards, driver's licenses, marriage certificates- everything to prove that I was simply trying to cash a check for my hubby.

"We can't do it without him. Try the UPS store across the parking lot."

Come to find out that's not true.

So now I'm fuming, having assured them that I will be closing all 5 of my accounts with them, and I have to swallow my pride and step back into the lobby and ask if I am allowed to change the name on MY account or do I have to have my hubby there for that too? And while we're at it can't I add anyone I please to my checking account???

I'll skip now to where I was assured that if I brought my dashing man in during his lunch break we would be ushered to the front of the line for a simple signature to add him to my account and we could cash that puppy and be out the door. And the perky customer no-service manager would see to everything personally herself.

And we rolled in right on time and no manager. And we waited for our turn, no manager. And we putzed through adding my beloved to my checking account with still no manager. I can proudly say that despite the tribulations and FOUR trips to the bank he is now a joint account holder at BOA. We were giddy as we took his check to the counter.

"I'm sorry, does Neilson have an account here? I can't cash a third party check."

ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH I give up.

<--------------- Did You See???

We figured out how to post a picture! Also we love comments! (hint hint) :)

Welcome to the Army Ma'am

It wasn't quite that formal but it is official. Grace and I are a part of the army now. NO, we don't have to take PT tests (thank goodness) nor do we have to wear a uniform but I do have my ID card and Grace is listed as a dependent. We are enrolled in tricare and have even purchased at the PX. (Can't tell you what we got, though, it's a surprise mom!)

It all started at the butt crack of dawn. One thing I've learned in my very new life in the army is that everything happens too early. I'd be much happier if things could get rolling around say 10 o'clock. But no, the ID card place opens at 0730 (see I can even do army time!) and we wanted to be in line right then. Well two pokey girls kept daddy from getting there quite that early but we were in line by 0745 and were out of the office, card in hand by 0900.

After the ID we mosied over to the tricare office. It was a humbleing experience as health insurance always is and to top it off when I left I didn't know how to use my new insurance. Turns out that same handy dandy ID is also my insurance card and a quick call to the regional office had that straightened out for me!

To round out our day we decided to head over to Temple to get my new social security card. The wait wasn't too bad there either and my new card will be mailed in 2-3 weeks- Yipee. So now I get to go about telling the bank, the utilities, school etc. that my name has changed :) It was a day filled with "Oh Wow we're really married" moments (all good all good don't worry).

And if you read this far I'll let you know how we finished out our day--- registering at Bed Bath and Beyond. We had started registries at JCPenney and Home Depot but hadn't gotten very far. We saw a BBB in Temple and decided to have at it. All in all a very productive day that has left the newest Wahab clan pooped. As a write, one is in the shower, one is in bed and one searching for her jammies.

3 Wahabs, a 10 ft truck and a dolly

That list right there sums up our morning. The three of us made haste to the local U-haul center to pick up our truck so we could move the furniture out of Neilson's apartment and into his storage unit. Let me emphasize that two of the movers in this little scenario are girls one of whom is 2. Do you feel sorry for Neilson yet?

I need to highlight some of his furniture at this point. He has a very comfortable couch that is a hide-a-bed which weighs approximately the same as a full grown elephant. He also has a queen size bed and a small yet heavy entertainment center with glass doors. Did I mention that the entry way into his apartment features a lovely rock pillar that requires you to make an S turn into the apartment?

Well my hubby being the patient soul that he is galantly moved that sofa while yours truely acted as the "holder" or encourager and occasional lifter. Gracie led the way each and every time to the truck and assisted in carrying the legs to said elephant-like sofa.

I'll spare you the details but two trips with the U-haul and about 3 hours later we were tucked into our table at Logan's Roadhouse for lunch. We are now sleeping on blankets and blow up beds but rest assured the remainder of his household goods will fit into the family car and will make their way over to the storage unit. Throughout this whole episode only one of us shed a tear and I'm not telling who!

We Made It!

Gracie and I left at Oh my gosh it's early to come down to Ft. Hood for the week. We are going to join the army (I think I've mentioned that before) and see Neilson/Daddy off.

Our flights were uneventful if not bumpy (lots of clouds) and Neilson was there bright eyed and bushy tailed to pick us up. My loving hubby picked us up and suprised us with lunch at BUENO!!! Yes, Virginia, there is a Bueno in Waco.

We will be sure to check in with all this week several times as we take care of business and get ready for the next year. Have a great weekend!

Heading back to the War,

Hello to all. I'm now about a week out from returning the quite popular Middle East. I must admit this whole thing is getting a bit old. I'm now entering my third deployment since 9/11. It'll be the third time in Kuwait and my second year-long tour in Iraq. I'm determined now to do my part to help finish this thing and get back to my beautiful wife and daughter (and part 2). Speaking of which, they'll be arriving on Saturday to pump Daddy up and put him on the plane next week. The last month or two here at Fort Hood has been the usual pre-deployment horrendous-ness. Too much "work", which i think is busy, to many hoops, red tape, and last minute this and that. Professionally I can't wait to get on the plane, then all the hoop-la and busy work will be over. The good news is that we'll be away from Baghdad this time. The bad news is that my unit has a strange mission, which is really none at all. So i think maybe we'll create work for ourselves. Oh well. I thank GOD that this time I have Heather and Gracie and all those McKinleys to add to my support group. All of my Love to my two silly girls! :)

Love

Neilson

Off We Go!!

So this weekend was exciting in Kansas City. The airshow was in town including the Navy's Blue Angels. (Sorry honey they were really cool even if they are Navy!) So Grace and I spent Saturday at the park at the end of the street. This park overlooks the bottoms where the downtown airport is located. So we were able to enjoy the airshow and not fight traffic or crowds. It was great. They flew right over us!! Grace especially liked when they all flew up together and peeled off with contrails going --- it looked like a flower to her.

The airshow was a great diversion this weekend. Next weekend we will be back down in Texas. We have to work a taco dinner Friday night for school but the next morning we will be taking off for Waco. (No Austin airport for us!!) We are going to get to spend the week down in Killeen with Daddy Neilson. It will be great to have some time before he leaves for the big sandbox. Grace and I will also be spending the weekend joining the army (as dependents). We will also be clearing out Neilson's apartment and getting everything put into storage.

I also talked to Jennifer this weekend. Thanks for calling and sorry I had to let you go too quick. I also made Karen's beef tenderloin. YUM and of course we had another Wildcat victory -GO STATE!

I Just Gotta Brag on My Hubby!

So I don't know if all of you know this but I am now doing after school care at my school. This means Gracie and I don't get home until almost 6 and we are pretty tired at that. So As I pulled up to my house Thursday after school I was excited to see a big envelope in my mailbox. Yes it was big enough to be seen from the street!

My awesome hubby had sent me an envelope of goodies that were very sweet. When he went to the post office he even selected a gerber daisy envelope so it would be extra special. In it I found a photo cd from our last three visits :) so now I have lots of material to scrapbook. A Border's reward card that Neilson had signed up for and sent me the key tag so I can use it too. And a blue star banner and sticker for my car. Now I have to tell you I mentioned wanting one once several months ago and he remembered and sent me a banner for my door and a sticker for my car. Both are proudly displayed for all to see.

I'm so lucky to have such a thoughtful, kind husband.

I Can't Believe it Took an Hour and a Half!

So Mom came up to KC today for a shower given by friends from the first school I worked at. We were given many nice gift cards to Target, JCPenneys and K-Mart and...... PHONE CARDS!!
They wanted to do this for us so Neilson could call home lots when he is over in the big sandbox. And no the shower wasn't an hour and a half. I got side tracked. Let me start over....

So Mom came up to KC today. Before the shower we decided to stop into David's Bridal and start looking for a wedding dress. I had looked in some magazines and even e-bay but I really had no ideas about what I wanted. All the dresses I really liked were to spring/summery in my opinion so I wanted to get in the stores to look around and get ideas.

We searched through the racks and I came up with 7 possibilities and even tried them all on. It was dress number one that was the perfect one. It's gorgeous! Mom and I were excited to find it so easily as I am not easy to shop for --- too picky and too hard to fit. I was able to get it off the rack even! And believe it or not it will not require any alterations.

No, I'm not going to be posting a picture you all will have to wait until October '07 to see it--- especially you my hubby! But let me assure you it is awesome.

Probably the cutest part of the day was Gracie finding a flower girl dress that is made to match mine! She was excited to have a dress "just like Mommy!." She even got to try it on and stand on the platform in front of the mirrors just like the big girls.

So with much relief we bought the dresses and were on our way. I really thought it would take months to find a dress that would fit, wasn't too froo froo or too plain, and would look good for an October wedding in Kansas. God was really helping me out.

Thank you Josh and Jordan!!

I love my jammies. I wear my Nemos and I wear my Princesses. I go asleep in my big girl bed. I love you!

Gracie (Cici)

The Honeymooners (with the in-laws)

So if you're reading this blog I can make the assumption that you either know Neilson or myself fairly well. And if you know us fairly well you know that it is impossible for us to do anything normal. Our honeymoon was no exception.

Directly after the ceremony at the courthouse we all went to the President for lunch. The food was great (thanks Chris!) and it was nice to all get to chat. Well at least I was told the chatting was nice. Neilson and I were asleep in our plates and quite oblivious to the happenings around us. By the time dessert was served we were begging for a bed --- to sleep in! What did you think I was going to say?? Our moms read this!

So Jana and Greg left KC for Manhappiness, Thomas and Karen retired to their room and the newest Wahab family left to collapse in their humble abode. Yes, the coveted 45 minute nap before we had to get up and get going to check in at the B&B, drop Gracie off with Joyce and travel out to Topeka for my cousin's wedding. Yes folks we went to TWO weddings that day.

Karen was so cute at the receiving line. She introduced herself to the mother of the bride as Karen who has crashed your wedding. :) We stayed for about an hour and a half, had my family meet my hubby and his parents then we left for home (KC).

Now we did forget to eat dinner and at this point our options were limited. We resigned ourself to eating at the rest stop on the turnpike right outside of Topeka. Sounds grim doesn't it. Can I tell you it was the wedding dinner of my dreams--- Taco Bueno! I'll have to blog more about that which is Bueno and I'll include the details of how I inadvertently hit on a trucker while filling my cup. I was delirious with joy over eating Bueno the night I got married.

After we dropped Karen and Thomas off at the hotel we hastily made our way to the Southmoreland Bed and Breakfast. We had the carriage house to ourselves and the room was heavenly. We had a gorgeous bouquet of flowers courtesy of Jamie, Jennifer, Josh and Jordan and champagne and nibbles thanks to Bradley, Holley, Ethan and Katie. Wade and Mandi made sure our night was wonderful by making us a wedding in a box complete with Mandi-made-cake, candles, champagne and flutes. And if you think I'm going into any more details about our evening I'll kindly reference you to paragraph two where I remind you that our mothers read this blog too!

Saturday had us picking everyone up and touring the city. We enjoyed looking at the homes along Ward Parkway, Loose Park and shopping at the Legends. We had a wonderful dinner at the Italian place around the corner from my house. Interesting enough it is run by Cubans in a Bosnian/Croation neighborhood- go figure.

Sunday Greg and Jana had us out to their new house in Riley, Kansas for a cookout. Wade and Mandi were there as well as Daddy Dee and Joanie who drove from Branson, MO to meet the Wahabs. It was very cool traveling through the Flint Hills of Kansas with new eyes. What was routine and mundane to me was beautiful and breath-taking to new travelers to the area.

Monday had Neilson on the road by 7 & Karen and Thomas to the airport by 8:30. Gracie was so upset to see everyone leave. She loved the attention from all of her people.

It was great having everyone to Kansas City. At dinner Sunday night I commented that I started my summer with the Wahabs (Memorial Day in Belhaven) and ended my summer with them (Labor Day in KC) and I couldn't be happier. I'm excited to be a part of the clan and I know Neilson's glad to be a McKinley. I'm glad we all had the chance to chat and get to know each other. Here's to many more great weekends!

The One That Actually Talks About the Ceremony

Gee I realized we'd talked alot about getting to the courthouse and have yet to mention that Neilson and I were married at the Wyandotte County courthouse in Kansas on September 1, 2006.

Judge Mikesic performed the ceremony in his chambers a little after noon with Gracie, Jana, Greg, Karen and Thomas witnessing. The groom gazed lovingly into the bride's eyes, held her hand and pledged his love and commitment. The bride rocked like a hobby horse, watched her groom and promised to love and cherish her groom.

Wow! We're married! Cpt. and Mrs. Neilson W. Wahab --- but don't tell Gracie, she says that she married daddy.

The One Where Heather Answers the Phone......

So picture Grace and I scurrying home from school, eating dinner from the Golden Arches and tuning into "My Name is Earl" on Thursday night. We were both so excited to get Grandy, Daddad and Daddy Neilson from the airport. Joyce was coming by at 8 to get us to rent the van and our part one wedding weekend would begin and cue phone ringing....

"Hello?"
"Hey Heather, I missed my plane so I've gassed up the Maxima and I'm driving to Kansas."

Gone was nervous, sick to her stomach bride replaced in one swoop by super organizer worried out of her mind crazy lady.

So I called Joyce quick to tell her her shuttle services were no longer needed followed by a quick request for prayers for my beloved who was making his way north as we spoke. Then Grace and I hopped in the Saturn to get Karen and Thomas ourselves.

Gracie was so excited to see Grandy and Daddad come out of the gate and gave hugs and kisses to everyone. Then darling daughter-in-law-to-be announces that she had "big news" to share. I can only imagine what you were thinking Karen. :) I shared that my groom was driving to Kansas to marry me and that we were free to collect their bags and go to the hotel.

Wow, reading this I sound like I was way calm and cool as a cucumber--- ha ha! Our route to the airport included a tour of the downtown loop in Kansas City - TWICE. But my weary passengers were gracious and patient and were soon delivered safely to thier suite at the President.

Let me tell you cell phones are a wonderful inventions. As helpless as I felt with Neilson so far away I could talk to him and feel somewhat useful as his cheerleader and alarm clock. Can I tell you what a stud my husband is??? He drove from Austin to KC in about 13 hours stopping twice to nap. I am so blessed to have a hubby who will move mountains to keep me smiling.

Neilson, thank you for pushing yourself and meeting me at the courthouse so we could start the rest of our lives together. I love you

(hey moms you can cry now)

NEILSON MAKES IT TO THE COURTHOUSE ON TIME!! I had a very tough week at work again. The Army was keeping me busy in preparation for our coming deployment to Kuwait. I had been working until 730 or 800 pm every night, including a whole day playing army in the 'field'. My flight to Kansas City was on thursday night; the last on the schedule (720pm) so i had enough time to make it. Work on thursday was very busy yet again. At 520 pm i gave up and left all those work-a-holics behind. I just walked out of the headquarters of our unit, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion to my car. I raced home to get my bags. It would take me an hour to get to the airport in Austin. That thursday evening was some of the worst traffic I had ever seen in Killeen and on the road to Austin. The schedule was tight and I was road raging in full force. I finally arrived airport at 700pm. I raced to the counter. The lady told me the counter was closed and she could not check my bag. But she gave me my ticket and said maybe they would let me carry it on to the plane. I raced again to security, but they stopped to inspect my bag because i had liquid (in my checked bag). At this time I heard over the loud speaker "Passenger Wahab, last boarding call" all over the airport. Security had just started on my bag. There was nothing to do. I got my bags with liquids and reversed back to the counter. There were no more flights into Kansas City before Noon, my appointment with the Judge to get married. I dejectedly moved back to my car. I was upset to say the least. But I decided that I only get married once and it was only a 12 hour drive to Kansas City. Well within time to get to the Judge (800pm to 800am vs Noon). I gased up the car and on I went. Despite a long week, no sleep, construction all over Interstate 35, and even a warning from the Texas State Highway Patrol, I made it the Kansas City. Big kisses go to heather who stayed up the night to cheer me on, and wake me up from power naps at rest stops. Everything in Kansas City went perfectly. The judge married us and we had a great time. Captain and Mrs. Neilson Wahab would like to thank everyone for their prayers, we sure needed them. We've been going on happily ever after, the end.