Baked pears

After two failed quinoa flake feedings, Mr Elijah loved pears that were baked in the oven and then pureed in the blendtec. I didn't mind them, either. Nice to have something different!

Over it.

I am so over winter. And if you haven't heard, we've been MIA from Michigan for the last 7 weeks. We spent 2 weeks in GA with Bryan before he left, as he had training. And then we took the long way home....via California. It's only slightly longer, at 6750 miles...versus 850. I'll try to post more about that soon. But back to my point, we haven't exactly been here, but I'm ready to leave. I just spent 30 minutes finding snow stuff for the little two. While Elijah screamed. And I should have been making dinner. If Bryan ever deploys again, I do hope it isn't during the winter. If it is...he better rent us a house somewhere warm. Between shoveling, snow blowing, running errands, and kids wanting to play in the snow...I just want to cry. Hope they have fun, at least.

Food!!!

Elijah had solid food for the first time today! He had quinoa flakes, and honestly wasn't too impressed. What he didn't spit out and smear on himself, he spit up shortly thereafter. I had hoped this would be the turning point in getting some sleep, but I don't think it will be tonight. He can't hold out on me forever...maybe tomorrow!

All done!

Micah did great for his scope yesterday! And the best part, everything LOOKED normal. This is what we would expect, since he is on meds. But some people don't respond to the meds, so it was relieving to me that he is responding. We won't know until Thursday the results of the biopsies and then we will know what the doctor thinks for his future treatment plan. It's possible that there are still eosinophils in the esophagus, even though it looks good. The hope is not!

Allergy testing

As you can see, it wasn't his favorite thing. But he did very well, and barely seemed to notice when they scratched him. Unfortunately, or perhaps not, the testing was all negative. We'll see what the doctor says on Thursday...

"new" toys

Always a good distraction

Wasting time...

Waiting for surgery, playing with his new 1957 Corvette.

Of course...

We needed to play some pre op soccer!

Ready for Popsicles!

He's got his special "popsicle eating shirt" on and is at the ready! As soon as he wakes up following his scope, he van finally eat. The poor child has had to wait until one o'clock for his shoe. And because the are using general anesthesia, he can't eat anything. We were finally able to get Micah an appointment with the eosinophilic disorders clinic in Cincinnati. He's having his scope today, allergy testing and bone density test tomorrow, and then treatment planning and dietician on Thursday. More info to follow.

The goods of Afghanistan

Hey guys, if anyone is interested in Afghan carpets, brass work, lapis lazuli, or Jalabaad wood furniture, let me know!

 

I bought the round rug under this runner for our dinning room. It was made by Afghan refugees in Pakistan. This runner is about 10 feet long, the round rug is 8 feet in diameter.

 

These next two pictures are the same rug, taken from opposite ends. The color changes based on your perspective, a characteristic of the wool. They also have antique Persian rugs, around 65 years old. Of course, there is a premium price for those.

Wood trunks from Jalalabaad

 

Lapis Lazuli. They also make figurines, bowls, etc. out of it.

Brass vases.

 



 

Kabul Trash Service

 

We spent a few hours at the aiport on Saturday. The Greek restraunt had some tasty Burgers, believe it or not.

 

Sleeping baby

One of my all time favorite baby poses. So sweet.

6 months!!

Mr Elijah had a half birthday yesterday. He has 4 teeth, is doing a great job sitting up, and is Mr Charming, smiling at everyone he meets. It's bittersweet watching him grow up.

cute baby and troubling Selah

Just as happy as can be, until mom trys to get in the shower.

Nice innocent smile there Selah, Grandma might buy it, but we don't. Micah, you only have a few more months before you are complicit in these acts as well. Enjoy them.

Selah doing a little shopping at the Children's museum. They didn't seem to stock quinoa or gluten free, dairy free waffles.

Don't worry Jonah, only 7 more years till freedom. You'll make a good Air Force Commander, after leading this troop around for 10 years.

Sarah and Eli, in Monterey, where it all began almost 13 years ago.

Seriously? In the middle of downtown?

On our way back from Camp Pheonix, we ran into....the farmer's market?

A fine Friday in Kabul

The sun was shining, the mountains were beautiful, and we even got to eat a little French Cuisine. We stopped off at a base called "Warehouse," which is run by the French. When we walked into the Dinning Facility, our jaws hit the floor. Fresh bread, cheeses, desserts, and many delicious looking entrees. We plan on making this a routine trip. It's the little things...

Hwy 1

And the Pacific Ocean...oh how I've missed you.

Random pics from around the area

We head out into town once or twice a week. It is always and adventure, as traffice is bad, and there aren't really any rules, or even lanes for that matter. I have been working with a local national guard named Abdul on some basic Dari, and we have become pretty good friends. He has 9 people in his house to take care of, and works 7 days a week. You can see the jammers on the vehicles, to prevent remote controlled IED's, and the big green fence thing is a sniper screen.

Living conditions in Kabul

I shared a conex with Agent William Raybourn for the first week, until the crew we replaced left. We are very lucky to each have our own space, that is far from the norm, but we (CID) helped the Army Corps of Engineers a few rotations ago, and they invited us to live on their compound. We have a phone and computer in the room, so talking to Sarah and Skyping with the kids is no problem. I rearranged the room once I had it to myself.

My office on Eggers, I share with SA Raybourn.

Some stowaways from MI.

Traveling to Kabul

Lunch time at CRC, Fort Benning, GA. We had a week of training and fun stuff before we deployed. Special Agent's John Fields, Dan Olsen, and Kirk Ellis.

We began our journey on Friday, Jan 18, and after a couple of long flights and 4 hour layover in Germany, we got a few hours of rest at the Kuwait City Hilton Resort. No time to check out the beach, just a few hours a sleep and on to Kandahar. 

We flew into Kandahar, had a short layover there, then on to Bagram. We caught a little NFL action then caught a few hours of sleep. The next morning, we hoped on a C130 and headed for Kabul.  We landed at Kabul Internation Airport, and I had my first taste of Afghanistan as we drove through town down to Camp Eggers.

Sweet feet

Sleepy sweetie

Getting a rare chance to just enjoy holding a sleeping baby!