Just a quick minute...

I'm gettting ready to call the kids in to do some chores before dinner, but I thought I would take a minute to update just a little.
The most important thing is that Shane left yesterday for Afghanistan The kids are already showing signs of missing him, but we will adjust. As I told Shane we just need a couple of weeks to find our "new normal". 15 months is a really long time though.--My mission while he is gone (in addition to some other things) is to write my congressman everyday! I sent off my first letter earlier. I am so pround of Shane and all he does and I'm proud of all of our military. I don't even mind him being deployed (well in theory), but 15 months is just WRONG!!! The war in Afghanistan is a just war and is very much needed, but the way the troops are being rotated is insane! One more statement and then I'm off my soapbox--did you know the Air Force only deploys for 4-6 months!!! Ok I'm done-for now--the rest will come out daily to my congressman.
Brendan had his Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts yesterday--yes he raced 1 hour after Daddy left (Shane helped him build the car and they took it in and weighed it and registered it and stuff--just missed the actual race Brendan did really well though--he took 3rd place in his Den (8 kids) He raced 3 heats and took 2nd in each one--he was really pleased. And of course his Mama was very proud.
I have a bunch more to catch everyone up on, but we need to get on with some stuff right now--maybe when the kids head to bed I can write more--need to post a few pictures of our trip--we did Rome, Pompei, and Assisi--oh and we stayed one night on the Amalfi Coast--beautiful! More later--I promise!