Processing time...

One of the things you learn when you join the military is how to be patient, and how to deal with downtime, and inconvenience, and .... I'll stop there.  We have arrived safely at our processing destination and have been going through the mobilization stations.  The main things are medical issues.  Everyone gets a top to bottom review and visit with the doctor.  This no doubt takes a lot of time on its own, much less when you have a substantially larger group like we have.  All is good though I can't complain I have had some time to take it easy off of my feet, waiting in line. 

CBS2 has a video of our departure day on the internet.  Go to this URL http://wbbm.dayport.com/launcher/6562/?tf=video_player.tpl

Click on the link in the right hand window, you may have to scroll down quite a bit.  It is titled Chicago says goodbye to Navy Reservists or something like that.  It might not be up there for ever, I would imagine they would take it down after a week or so.

Thanks again for the emails I have been getting.  I will write back when I have time.

Take care,
john

Oops

I almost forgot.  The Labor process has started and Shanon and I are anxiously awaiting the birth of our baby girl.  She should be here within the week.  Pray that she's safe and healthy.

Sorry for missing this in my first post.  It's really the best news yet.

I'll keep you updated

john

Time

It seems there is never enough time.  This appears to be a recurring theme in my life, as I am sure it is in many others.  Today is the day we began the activation process.  I am now an Active Duty Sailor in the United States Navy.  Temporarily that is, until at the most July 25th 2005.  Life as an Active Duty sailor isn't much different than that of a reserve sailor, just that the lines are longer.

We say goodbye to our loved ones.  Shanon I love you I know you will read this.  I am heartbroken that I have to leave now, at the most one of the most important times in our life, and in our marriage.  God has allowed this to happen, because He believes that we are strong enough to handle it.  I love you, and we will get through this :)  

By now most of you should have my email with contact information and list of things.  If anything please drop me a letter or a post card, or an email.  I will be able to check them, and I hope I will be able to do it often enough to have regular communication with you all. 

I'll post more from my interime destination.

Take care.
john

UGHHH

A lot has happened since I last posted. We are counting down the
days left. There are 9 complete days. We have been
trying to get things in order around the house, but it always seems
that there is not enough time. We'll get'er done though.
:-)



Lauren is really active lately and hopefully she will come soon.
Shanon and I both hope that she comes before I leave so that I can see
her and hold her. We've got the car seat ready for her, and have
started the stockpile of diapers and baby wipes. If you would
like to send us some of that stuff please email me, and I'll give you
our mailing address :)





The laptop is in order and completely upgraded, I've got 768 MB ram in
the old toughbook, and a replacement Cross Penabled Digitizer pen,
which increases the accuracy by 10 fold, and I can notice the
difference.



I am working on getting a cell phone for Kuwait. I have a sim
card and a phone number and will email it to those I have on my email
list. I can take free incoming calls if you want to call and say
HI! Obviously I can't post it here but if you want to get my
Kuwaiti cell number and I did not email it to you , send me an email at
it3wildes@yahoo.com.



I still have to pack, which is typical for me because I wait until the
last possible moment. I'll be spending a lot of time doing that I
imagine over the next week. I am still coming to grips with the
fact that I am going to be gone for the better part of a year.
How does one do that. I mean it's not like our 2 week Annual
Training where we have an end in sight. I mean the end is next
year 2005, needless to say I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I am
going to miss out on a lot of stuff over here during the next
year. Hopefully when I get back things won't be to hard to adjust
to, and I'll be able to get back to some sense of normalcy.
Hopefully having the laptop and cell phone will help keep the shock of
change down to a minimum and make the whole trip seem like an extended
consulting gig or something like that :)



Take care,

john

Playing Catch Up

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days. Things have been busy at the Wildes' house. Shanon is hanging in there, the baby is growing leaps and bounds. I got my new laptop in the mail and was able to sell my old one on eBay. My new laptop is a Panasonic Toughbook CF-18, a convertible laptop that becomes a Tablet. Using the tablet is quite amazing, and I must say that it takes some getting used to but once you do, you will wonder what you did without it.

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. If you know anyone who serves in the military even if they are a normal "weekend warrior" reservist, please take the time to thank them for their service, I know they'll appreciate it.

john