More From Our Marine

Here are some more pictures of Anthony that he sent to us. This is at Camp Bastion in a section called Leatherneck. That is where they keep all of the US Marines. The white tents are where all the Marines sleep in cots. Anthony said that there is A.C. in the tents which helps them sleep. Basically it looks like a bunch of nothing out there, mostly just sand and hot! He would walk 6 miles to get to the phone center on base.




This is inside the tent. You can see how close the cots are to each other.

Anthony Update

LCPL Sozio, Anthony
3/11 N BTRY
2nd LAR DET-A
Unit 73562
FPO AE 09510-3526


As you can see our Marine has a new address... that's because things keep changing. To say that we know exactly where he is at this point would be lying. While at Camp Bastion, we were able to communicate pretty well with him, my mom getting phone calls here are there. We have been sending lots of mail. He has recently moved to a new base that they are just starting... literally. Anthony was driving his 7 ton 16 hours one way back and forth from Bastion to this new base they are setting up. Now we recently found out that his unit is being divided, half staying at the new base, and the other half attaching to a Light Armed Reconnaissance Unit. Anthony is going to be attaching to that unit. He will be spending most of his time out in the field, not going back to the base for the rest of his tour. Needless to say we have been sending lots of wet ones for the lack of showers. They have assured us that the mail truck will deliver every 1-2 weeks.

Anthony is doing great! We got a package from him the other day. He sent Connor a birthday present! It was a little camo covered mini Bible (all they had there). It also had a great letter with lots of advice for Chris and his new job. He seems in good spirits and said that time is going by faster now that they are busy.

Please feel free to send Anthony a letter. You only need one stamp, no special postage. I know he would love the support and thoughts.

San Diego Police Department

"You make plans and God laughs."
-unknown

We are happy to announce that Chris has found a job! Just a few weeks ago we found out that Chris passed the hiring/interview process with the San Diego Police Department and was offered a job. He starts his academy on July 20th.

To say that this new career is a shock to the both of us would kinda be an understatement. After actively looking for a job for about 4 months, we really had to start looking outside the box of construction and Chris's degree to find a job in a different industry. So, we started applying to 4 different agencies (CHP, Riverside County Sheriff, LAPD, SDPD) because we knew they were hiring. We thought, what the heck why not... and here we are 2 months later. San Diego was always our first choice and we are really looking forward to working with this agency.

We are excited for the opportunity and feel blessed that the process of hiring went so quickly and easily. We are really doing our "homework" and trying to go into this new career with our eyes wide open. I am so grateful for a husband who is willing to do whatever he needs to to support his family. Never once in his 5 months of unemployment did Chris give up or mope. He was always actively looking for a job, going to job fairs, and networking. I am grateful to friends who suggested and then really pushed the law enforcement idea. We really never would have considered it without them.

So here we go on a new adventure. After 5 years with Centex Homes, we feel like we are having to start all over again. A road we never thought we would be headed down but we are very excited for the new ride.

Connor Quote

While tucking Connor into bed the other night, here was our little conversation.

ME: K Connor, quick and go to bed because tomorrow Mamom will be here.

CONNOR: Oh my heart is so happy... and so is the Holy Ghost!

Suzie Visit

Suzie and Jason were in California for a McKeon family reunion. We got together for lunch at Ang's and got to visit for a while. We love and miss you Suz. Any time you are ready to move back, just let us know!

Something New

So a big reason I haven't been blogging lately is because of this:

www.new.familysearch.org

If I get a free minute on the computer, which isn't a lot lately, I am at that new website. I love it! It has gotten my genealogy juices flowing again. This website is AMAZING! If there is any kind of product or tool out there that makes things more organized and easy, then sign me up. Here is some stuff I have been working on.

California Adventure!

Wednesday we used our 2fer passes and went to California Adventure with the boys. The weather was perfect and it was fun to spend time together as a family. We had lots of fun, loved the Toy Story ride, got to see Mickey, High School Musical did a drive by, played in the water, did lots of rides, and stayed 'til they closed!

Anniversary Getaway

Not to start out on a negative note, but Hawaii this year just didn't happen. It has been a goal of ours to go back for a while now, but after the job lose and struggling for the last 5 months, every last dime has gone into surviving... in other words Hawaii is gonna have to wait. So for our anniversary this year we had an awesome quick getaway. Friday my parents came down to stay with the boys (thanks Mom and Dad). We left that afternoon and headed straight to the movies.

It was good. From there we headed here:


The next day we went to Disneyland... kidless! My mom and dad got us early birthday present tickets. We had such a fun day and stayed until midnight.




Please notice the scores.

Happy 7 years babe. You're my favorite. I love you!

May 7th, 2009

May 7th, 2009 was the day Anthony deployed for Afghanistan. Kinda surreal in a way. The day Anthony signed his contract with the Marines we knew he would be leaving... just didn't think it would actually come.

We drove to Camp Pendleton Thursday evening and met up with Anthony, Nikki, Mom, and Dad. We pulled up to a PX, had dinner, and hung out together until Anthony had to be in formation at 10:00pm.






From the PX we made our way to the parking lot next to where he had to report and be in formation. This is where we said our goodbyes. I have to say that I was very proud of us... no major break downs. As we stood together, we each had our turn giving hugs. I just didn't want to let Anthony go when it was my turn. I told him I loved him, I was proud of him, and to make good choices.
After everyone was done hugging, Nikki suggested we say a prayer. We huddled together and my dad offered it. There was this sense of urgency at the time because Marines were already starting to get into formation. While we were praying, there were Cobra helicopters running drills not too far away from us. You couldn't really see the copters, but you could hear them. The Cobras were firing their machine guns and missiles. You could see the tracers in the sky. They were running drills all that evening. I kept thinking about Anthony and the strange place he was going. Would these sights and sounds be a regular thing for him? What if that was enemy fire? How does anyone deal with that? How is he ever going to relax, sleep, or feel safe? Then as the prayer continued I started to feel a peace. I felt such safety in our huddle, our prayer, our family, the gospel. In all the chaos, in all the evil around us, I can find peace in the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ... such a powerful thing.


At the end of Dad's prayer, Anthony got in formation. We thought we would have to leave immediately after that, but we didn't! All the Marines had to be issued their riffles and report back, so we waited to see him again. When he got back, we hung out a little while longer. Then Chris and I left around 12:30am. Nikki and my mom were able to stay until he actually got on the bus at 2:30am and saw him off.
That night they went to March AFB. They flew to Iowa, Ireland, Romania, and then to an AFB in Kebekistan, Afghanistan for 2 days. By now he should be at his final destination Camp Bastion. Bastion is actually a British base they will be staying at. Things are very "basic" there. Tents, snail mail, and you can imagine the rest... nothing like the nice set up they apparently had in Iraq.
I have to say that this still seems so crazy to me. I can honestly say that I would have never thought that this is where life was going to take us. Sending loved ones off to war is something you see on TV... other people do that. I don't know if you could even really understand it unless you went through it. I have a new found gratitude for those men and women who serve our country and their families. So many sacrifices are made in our behalf.
To Anthony:
We love you Anthony. We miss you. Good luck. You are in our daily prayers and thoughts. Be positive. Be safe. Work hard. Make good choices. We can't wait for your homecoming... it will be a great party. If there is one thing I could ask of you: Stay close to the Spirit and be worthy of it. That way, in any situation, the Lord can speak to you if he needs to and you will hear it. I love you.

1 Year Old Pictures

Happy 1st Birthday Brandon

Last Sunday our Brandon turned 1! This year has really flown. Chris' family came down and we B-B-Qed, went swimming, opened presents, and had some cake.







We love Brandon. He has definitely been trying my patience lately though. Ever since he has starting walking, he has become his OWN person. His favorite things right now are biting, throwing, his blankie, eating, hitting, balls, and doing WHATEVER Connor is doing. The other day at the pool he was already trying to jump in like his brother. Sometimes I love that my little boy can already do so many things... and sometimes I think it is going to give me a heart attack. His favorite word is "up" because he would love to be held all day and he is in a super needy phase. He loves playing swords, wrestling, and chase with Connor. Brandon will try to put his finger up your nose if you let him. He has to dance whenever he hears music. At this point, he hasn't been too interested in the TV. Trying to sit through church is a joke and I can't wait until Nursery.
My favorite time with Brandon is rocking in my glider. We snuggle with his blankie and pacifier and just relax. I also love swimming in the pool together. He can give kisses, high fives, and has 6 teeth. When I would go shopping and run errands with Connor people would say: Oh what big beautiful brown eyes. When I go out with Brandon, people say: Look at those eyes, he is so expressive with his face.
Some of his nicknames:
B
B-rand
Brandoni
Brandolini
Bramdino
Bran-don
Brandon Bug
Baby
Bubby
Stats: 22 lbs 30.5 inches

Happy Birthday Brandon. We love you!