A Tid-Bit More...

I'm deleting the youtube videos from the side bar, but if you are interested... here are the links.

2 videos from deployment #3: Afghanistan (round 2)
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=30283256400&h=RrhBM&u=l6R0O

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=24150147776&h=OWuVD&u=N7c7H

Gabe at work!

It's Been A While...

Garmisch, Germany: Edelweiss Army Lodge & Resort
Ski Week and Gorge Hike
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2121304&l=0201f&id=25104255
more...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2121302&l=675c2&id=25104255

Rothenburg, Germany
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2117523&l=d6be1&id=25104255

Over the last couple months we've had family come to town and travel with us twice. Most recently, LM had surgery on her elbow. So currently, we're trying to get in the groove of normal life before BNCOC in April... while still taking it easy recovering from surgery.

Upcoming.....
Gabe is headed to the states for a few months over the summer. We're not sure if LM will be coming back since we're moving back stateside just a year later.

We have not reenlisted, but we have decided that we're going to do the career Army thing. It's the best decision, even though it does mean more deployments. It guarantees Gabe at least his bachelor's degree while in the service, and though it presents career challenges for LM it just means we'll have to be creative.

Right now we're hoping to move back to the states in 2010 and get stationed at one of the EOD school houses (Huntsville, AL; or FWB, FL).

That's all for now..... we'll keep you posted!

A New Twist on Black Friday!

Instead of going shopping with the mad crowds, which is pretty impossible being in Germany anyways... we went to Velkenburg, Holland to the Velvet Cave. They have a Christmas Market set up inside the cave, which was once used as a shelter during WWII for US soldiers, Jews, and locals, as well as an escape passage from the original castle. This was our first trip together since Gabe's homecoming!! :)

Here are a few pictures from our trip:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2113936&l=75634&id=25104255

Thanksgiving!

Well, our plans for Thanksgiving have fallen through... so we'll enjoy the day together, and then we're going to Holland!

There's a USO trip that sounds incredibly interesting and fun! :)

Christmas Market in Valkenberg Caves, Holland
A Christmas event for visitors of all ages, never to forget...! Under the Castle of Valkenburg is the Velvet Cave, a labyrinth of passages over a thousand years old. Once used as an escape route, they enabled the knights and their warriors to secretly vanish from the castle, and attack the enemy from behind. During the German occupation in World War II, the cave served as a shelter for Jewish people, locals, and American troops. Now, Christmas transforms this underground world with twinkling lights, magic illumination and music. You can shop at stalls with quality Christmas items, and watch demonstrations of Old Dutch handicrafts. Visit the garden in the heart of the cave, to have a bite to eat and try the famous Christmas "Glühwein".
(description from http://www.uso.org/rheinneckar/default.cfm?contentid=218 )

I am looking forward to traveling with Gabe, in Europe, for the first time since the deployment!!

HOMECOMING!!

As most of you know, Gabe has been in Afghanistan for the last 15 months. No, he doesn't come home on weekends... no, I don't go visit him, or live there with him... he's been there, and I've been here. :)

Needless to say, it's been a long road with lots of obstacles (which is pretty typical seeing as how Afghanistan is a war-zone!).... but he's home now!! This first week he has reintegration training every day for half the day. The second half of the day is ours to enjoy!

Due to the time difference, I'm not sure when we'll start making phone calls back home. Right now it's about 3 a.m. for most of you!

Both Gabe and I are still in awe of the fact that it really ended. It felt like a never-ending experience, with no light at the end of the tunnel, and then yesterday we were thrust out. In no way is that a bad thing!! We are both excited to be together, to start living our lives TOGETHER again... He's Home!! Praise God!!

We love and miss everyone!!! Please continue to pray for us as we walk through this reintegration process.

THANK YOU everyone, for praying us through this deployment!!! Your love and prayers were felt daily!! They saved Gabe's life on MANY occassions. Thank you!!!

Welcome to the World, Jake!!

Jacob Hayles McLendon was born on Sept. 12, at 3:01 p.m. He weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz, and is 21 inches long. He's got a full head of hair, which is strawberry blonde, blue eyes, and is just too adorable!!

It's officially... Aunt Lisa and Uncle Gabe!! :)

On my way stateside...

Hey Everyone,

I'm on my way back stateside here in a few hours! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!! It's been too long!! My first stop will be to DC where I'll get to hang out with Justin, see Cindy & James, Mike & Sarah, and the Boohers!!

Then I'm off to Destin... Ashley should be having little Jake around the time I arrive, so that will be very exciting!! There, of course, I'll be with family and friends... my grandparents, the McLendons, my brother and sister and their spouses... plus the church family I grew up in! :)

I will be making a brief stop in Alabama to visit Gabe's mom, and my Aunt/Cousin... and then my dad and I are heading off to ATL to shop for special shoes for my special feet!

And last but definitely not least... I'll be heading to Tallahassee to see my brother at grad school, and then of to UNF to hang out with the Jax crew!! Eady, Bean, Megan, Vicki... I'm looking forward to lots of randomness!! Andrew, Nate, Justin, Elliot, and the rest of the gang ... I'm looking forward to playing sports with you guys again, and catching up!! Good times shall be had! :) I'll be in Jax for a week... and then back home to celebrate my birthday!!

That's right, I'm turning 26! So, I'll be back in Destin for the festivities! Then back to Germany to prepare for HOMECOMING!!!!!