Our lives changed on May 18th. The war hit close to home. Two of our neighbors were killed in Afghanistan after a suicide vehicle hit their convoy. In a blink of an eye two families lives were changed forever. One of the soldiers killed was stationed with us in Fort Carson with us back in 1996. We were thrilled when we heard they were coming to Drum and enjoyed reconnecting with them. They invited the kids and I over for Christmas dinner and I remember Tom's prayer. He talked about that Terry would be home soon and thanked God for taking care of him during the deployment. I saw Tom shortly before he left for Afghanistan and my memory of him is this smile he had while listening to Terry and I banter back and forth.

Due to the tragedy I have been learning alot about the survival benefits, and am compelled to learn more. After 19 years of being a spouse I knew nothing about the benefits and I am sure not many other spouses do. None of us want to think of the what if, but I would strongly suggest you try to make a plan now.

I really miss blogging, I have to admit I spend way to much time on Facebook and combine that with work, unit stuff and occasionally doing laundry it doesn't leave much time to blog.

Terry started a new job in April, he is now the 3 BCT XO. He started about 3 weeks before the brigade Change of Command so he jumped in just as they were finishing OER's, Awards and all the other stuff Col Haight had to finish before he left. There are still not enough hours in the day to answer every email and clear his inbox. This job will keep us here at least another year if not two.


We enjoyed a trip to Niagara over Easter Weekend.

Dylan is playing Lacrosse this spring and we were all very thrilled when he scored a goal in his first game. I have absolutely no idea what is happening during the game, but I do know when the ball goes in the net it is a score.

We have had quite a bit of warm weather over the past few weeks, however this morning we awake to a dusting of snow on the ground, gotta love Northern New York. Jason and I planted tulip and daffodil bulbs last fall and we were rewarded with some very beautiful flowers.

The boys made a beautiful cake for me for my birthday.



Terry and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago. We enjoyed a lovely dinner out.

So there ya go, you are all caught up with the Clarks.

On January 5th after a very painful week (felt like a month) of delays we were reunited with Terry. The one of the best moments had to be the next morning when we went to wake Tyler up for school, and told him happy birthday, he was just waking up and said "Daddy, I am so happy you made it home for my birthday!" Jason asked Terry about a dozen times whether Terry had to go back..was he home for good.
Reintigration has been painless for the most part...we seem to have all found our way again with a family of 5.
January has been very busy for me with work, volunteer opportunities, and unit functions. The Financial Readiness manager encouraged us interns to sit thru the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) class here on post. That took 3 days one week and then we decided to do the certification (taking a test) to be able to volunteer at the Tax Assistance Center here on Fort Drum. Let me just say that the test was very painful, even open book working with someone...but we did pass and will probably donate some of our time (like we have any extra) to helping soldiers do their taxes.
Our St. Barbara's day ball is on Jan 29th and I have been helping with that...we are making some ceremic cannons (45 of them) and it has turned into quite a project. Many Saturday mornings have been spent at the Arts and Crafts center working on them.
Some kind Veteren donated a ton of money to throw 3 BCT a party. It was a great turn out and alot of fun.
February is block leave for 3 BCT and things will quiet down, and then in March gear up again with people coming and leaving....and then in April we'll have Change of Comands...
Terry is starting to work with Branch on our next assignment...we could very well be moving from Drum, bittersweet this Army life ,hate leaving all the wonderful friends we have made, but would love to be closer to family...

Today is the anniversary of the day my husband left for Afghanistan a year ago....and I learned this morning that he would be delayed at least few more days to get home. My goal of getting him home in 2009 is fading and so are my spirits. I know it isn't 15 months and he is on his way and really he was here for Christmas last year (not really but I won't argue that point with anyone whose husband was actually out of the country).

I'll have my pity party in the privacy of my own home, won't let my kids see me down only happy thoughts about how Dad will be home soon...just not soon enough for me.

Terry should be leaving FOB Airborne in a couple of weeks or so and then another week or two after that he should be landing at Wheeler Sacks Airfield here on Fort Drum....WOW our "YEAR" is almost over and dang am I happy about that.

As Capt Gardner wrote in the newsletter there is nothing more moving than watching families reunite after a deployment. The kids and I have had a very long year and can't wait to have our "moment" with Terry.

Looks like a big storm is headed out way and the weather man used the words significant amount of snowfall...not to mention wind, wind, wind. 50 to 60 miles per hour gust. Should be a fun weekend....

Someone I know from our days at Ft. Carson lost her mother this week when someone ran a red light and hit her car. As soon as I read about it on Facebook, my own heart skipped a beat and I felt the same pain/shock as the day I heard about Kirk...

There are no words that can make this person feel better, all you can say is that you care and you are praying for them, and that means the world.

Losing someone is devastating...but losing them suddenly, accidentally brings a whole new dimension to the devastation. There is no time to say good bye...there is no time to come to terms with it...there is no time to adjust to life without them. It is sudden and quite simply takes your breath away, and you have to remember to breath.

Even after almost 2 years I find myself thinking of Kirk, and then suddenly my breath changes and I remember he is gone...

Today I wrote on Facebook that I would start my last month count down tomorrow (Dec 1)...As I was thinking about that earlier tonight I almost started crying. I can't believe that we are so very close to being done. He has been gone for 11 months, all of 2009 (except 15 very short days). That is all we have seen each other in the past 11 months, 15 days....

And to get my husband home and the rest of 3 BCT someone is starting their 12 months apart, an unending cycle that doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. So even though I am thrilled to death that our deployment is almost done, I will be thinking and praying for those who are just starting.