April 4, 2006
Hello from Iraq!

I am about as happy as I have been since I have left the states. Why, you ask? I am happy because I am about to embark on my first R&R. Today is my last day of work and I will start my R&R journey tonight. I am hoping that all goes well –especially since my airline tickets from Kuwait to Dubai are non refundable. We gave our self an extra day of travel to get to Kuwait – so we should be fine.

I think I forgot to tell you about the rain in our room..... A few months ago, while Chris was away at another base – I was awaken in the middle of the night. I wiped my face – and kept wiping my face – it was wet! And it was not from drool! It was raining outside and there was a leak in our roof! The water was hitting the metal headboard and then splashing right on my face! I put a towel there to catch the water and moved to Chris' side of the bed (since he was gone anyway). The next day, I moved our beds away from the wall so that I would miss the splashes. It is a lot of paperwork to get any work done around here – so I have procrastinated reporting it. Well, last night and the night before we had thunderstorms – outside and inside. I am hoping that the roof is fixed by the time we get back from R&R

Remember me telling you about the place I went to last month – the Fallujah Liaison Team? Well, the Marines that were there just rotated out – they were awesome guys. One of them, Cpl Melyas, came by to visit us and tell us good bye. He brought us some unit "coins". Evidently, that is a huge compliment to be given coins from a unit. A few days later – the Gunny Sgt came by to tell me good bye. He brought me a unit shirt. I thought that was sweet of both of them.

I have to tell you what Chris did the other day. First though – I need to give you some back ground information. One night when we were engaged, he was telling me how much he loved me and how much I meant to him, (blah blah blah) He was professing his undying love for me – all along, all I could think of was that I really wanted a Pop Tart. I know – sounds crazy.... Anyway – I waited until he was done. He was just staring in my eyes – waiting for a response and all I could say was "Do you have any Pop Tarts?" His jaw dropped and said that he was professing his undying love and devotion and all I could say was do you have any Pop Tarts? LOL – Anyway – since we are out here around these Marines and can not always say "I love you" I just tell him "Pop Tarts" and he knows that means "I love you". So – back to my story about what he did the other day..... After a long day at work – we went back to our itty bitty room – before we opened the door – Chris stopped me and looked me in the eyes and said "I love you" – we opened the door – and there – on our bed were a BUNCH of Pop Tarts – spelling out I Love U Sandy. Was that just not the sweetest thing? :) He said he bought me Pop Tarts since he could not buy me flowers :)

Well – I have lots to do before I am able to get out of here – so take care and keep in touch!

Love to all~

Sandy