Home from Iraq

After 13 VERY long months, Robert is finally home. This is the only picture I got. This was taken as the soldiers walked in to the gym.

Imagine 221 soldiers marching in to a standing ovation of a gym full of people. Once I saw Robert, I burst into tears. It was such a rush of emotion. More than I ever thought possible. We had to stand through the National Anthem, then sit through General Yarborough talking. Those five minutes seemed like an eternity before the General released them and said, "Families, go find your soldier." And a rush of people heading out to find their soldier.

It has been two wonderful days.

We will be back in GA sometime late in January to visit.

I will keep everyone posted as to when we will be there.

Hurricane Gustav - Part 1

This is what it looks like here at 6:15 pm. We've had constant rain for about 3 - 4 hours now. The wind is picking up. The higher ups on post are saying we should expect winds of about 58 miles per hour to arrive about 7:30 and continue till 1 am. They are speculating that we will loose power sometime during this. I know that my father will freak when he sees the video because I went outside. But those of you who know me realize, I don't normally do what I'm told!!!

I will try and update when we get up in the morning.

http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/Emergency/index.html

If you want to keep up with things, this is the link to the Fort Polk Emergency page. They update it as things change.

Quick Catch Up!!!

It's been since Patrick's surgery since I've updated.

Patrick is fine. Came through with flying colors. Hopefully that will make the winter easier on him and less sickness.

We spent a fantastic week at the beach with my mom, sister and her family. It was amazing. Since I'm lazy, link to Christina's blog on the right and you can see pics!

School has started. The girls are in LA4. They ride the big bus with Patrick. Patrick is in 1st grade and doing wonderful. Rob is in 8th grade. He made 1st string on the football team!!! That is a major accomplishment. He works very hard at it.

Now we're preparing for Hurricane Gustav. They have evacuated a couple of the neighboring parishes (counties for you non-Louisianians). But the base is really encouraging us to stay here. If it continues on the path it is on now, it will come straight through Fort Polk. But it will have been over land for a good amount of time and that will hopefully calm it down.

I was all prepared to get some cool pics of a hurricane. And my father called me last night and told me I am not allowed to go out and take pictures of it. AND I am not allowed to threaten my children and tell them I'll put them out in the hurricane if they misbehave. He is just NO fun! LOL. Funny part is I never told him I was thinking of taking the pics, he just knew I'm crazy enough to do that!

Don't know if we will loose power. If so I'll be out of contact for that time. Hopefully it won't be as bad as we are preparing for!

Say a pray and wish us luck!

Jennifer

Patrick's Guardian Angel

Patrick has his very own special Guardian Angel. Her name is Gamma. That boy is officially rotten since she left. If I have heard once, I have heard a hundered times, "but I don't feel good, I can't do that". He was spoiled rotten by his Gamma while she was here. Of course, I do understand he just had surgery. And I know he doesn't feel good. BUT does that give him an excuse for acting out? As far as I am concerned....NO. As far as Gamma is concerned.....YEP. That baby worships her. And she was able to do things with him I couldn't. Like taking medicine and eating. Those first few days, the kid would have starved had it not been for Gamma.

I am considering putting him on the next plane to GA so she can deal with him. And she did offer to come back. And I am considering letting her.

On a good note. Patrick seems better today. He is eating, just not in large portions. And he misses his Gamma. He said today, "I feel bad because Gamma isn't here". I'm just hoping I can survive the next week till we get to the beach. Cause, after that, his Gamma can deal with him.

Poor Patrick

He did so good today. He was a real trooper this morning.

All the nurses LOVED him.

Here he is sleeping just a little bit ago. He's in alot of pain right now. Won't drink much and just wants to be petted. Of course, Gamma's here. So he's got her undivided attention!

A Visit from GA

We had a visit from Great Kim, Monkey & Jeffery to celebrate the 4th. Since Robert left it was a good distraction for us. We went to the lake and the pool and enjoyed fireworks at Freedom Fest.

I can't believe how good Rebekah is swimming.

We all had a great time while they were here. Ashley got a tatoo on her foot & Jeffery got his tongue pierced. Unfortunatly I only have pics on my cell phone. But let me tell you the tongue piercing thing is freaky! Ashley's tatoo looks great.

Kids had a great time at the fireworks!

That's it from the great state of LA.

We're settling into Robert being gone. It isn't easy, but it's army life!

Tuesday

It has now been a full day since Robert left. We feel like something is missing around here. Truth is..........something is missing. But we're making the best of this situation. And I am constantly reminding myself that WE chose this life. Robert didn't make this decision alone. We made the decision to return to active duty together.

Took the kids to the new pool today. They had a great time. I took the camera with the best of intentions of taking pics. Well, it didn't happen. I'll try and do better next time.

Right now we're anxiously awaiting our next group of company. Great Kim, Monkey and Jeffery are coming from GA to visit us. They will be here sometime on Thursday. We can't wait. I'm sure I'll have pics from their visit to post soon.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Jennifer

Hating the Army

Well, not really I guess. But yeah. Right this moment I do. I thought it was hard sending Robert off when he left in November. Watching the bus pull away was not easy. But it wasn't near as bad as today was. In very blunt words..........Today SUCKED.

Robert said goodbye to the kids last night so we wouldn't have to wake them this morning. We got up a little before 4 am. Headed out shortly before 5 am. His parents were here so they said good bye to him and off we went. It was the longest and shortest ride to Alexandria that I have ever had. Probably doesn't make much sense, but it adequately describes my emotions at the time. I didn't want it to end because I knew when we arrived at the airport it would be goodbye for another 8 months. And I wanted to get there and get it over with. We talked non-stop all the way there. Trying to savor the last minutes we had together.

I stayed until he started through security. Then headed home. Made it home in time to wake the gets up and get them moving on their day.

Robert's parents headed out about noon. So it's just me and the kids.........again. Guess this is just part of being an army wife. I have to tell you, it's my least favorite part. The goodbyes are awful. But I will live on the wonderful memories we created as a family this past 18 days.

These are the pictures I keep in my heart, the pictures I try to remember when I'm sad and missing him..............

Robert and our babies.

Each picture shows the love he has for each of them...and them for him. It's that love that keeps him focused. It's that love that I believe keeps him safe.
Stay safe baby and come home to us soon!

Robert's R&R

Robert & his babies

Well, R&R has been WONDERFUL. It has been 18 days of bliss. We have enjoyed every single minute of the time we were able to spend with Robert. But 18 days isn't near long enough to catch up on the 6 months he missed. And we still have 8 months to go. But for now, we're focusing ont he positive. And that's the great time we had.

Robert and I spent a few days in Galveston. We had a great time. Acted like a couple of kids. Went to a water park, played on the beach and drove up and down the "strip" enjoying the sun and fresh air.

Then we had some time here at home with just "us". Lots of rest and relaxation, playing at the park, fishing with the boys, and just catching up!

Robert's baby sister, Catherine, flew in on Thursday. They are very close and it was great for her to be able to spend some time with us. In fact, she even beat her big brother in a cut throat game of Texas Hold 'Em!

Then we were off to Toledo Bend. Robert's parents had their RV parked there. We got a "cabin" and stayed from Wednesday to Saturday. The guys fished and the kids and I spent time at the beach. But the highlight of our time there was Friday. John rented a pontoon boat and took the kids out on their first boat ride. We tried to fish some, but that didn't work. So we just rode around. The kids loved it!

Now we're back home. Preparing for tomorrow morning. The kids will say good bye to Robert tonight. I'll leave about 4:30 am to take him to the airport. Not looking forward to it, but it has to happen. Then we'll just throw ourselves head first into the remainder of the deployment. 8 more months. We're not quite half way there, but getting there.

I'll try and update more often!!

Jennifer

BUSY DAY

No school today. So the kids and I headed to Shreveport, LA. About a 2 hr drive. We went with my friend Melanie and her 3 kids. Rob wasn't feeling well so he stayed home. So Melanie and I headed out with 6 kids.

First stop, Sci Port Museum. Kids had a ball. I'm so glad we decided to buy the annual pass.

Next stop, Joe's Crab Shack for lunch. It has seriously been a long time since I ate in a real restaurant. It was WONDERFUL. Last time I ate at Joe's Crab Shack was in Snellville, the night before I went into labor with the girls. We sat outside in the sun. Kids played on the playground. Good food & good company, what could be better.

Then onto River Walk. A wonderful time of walking in and out of stores I haven't seen since leaving GA. GAP outlet, Children's Place Outlet, Bath & Body Works, and many more. THEN, to Bass Pro Shop. This one is HUGE. Kids loved it.

Then for the 2 hr drive home. All my kids slept most of the way (wonderful peaceful drive).

Then we headed to Game Night at ACS (Army Community Center). Someone to watch the kids and we get to play games. Melanie and I joined two other wives in a game of Phase 10. I was up and winning 2/3 of the way in. Then I CRASHED and BURNED. Lost horribly. But it was fun. Adult conversation and fun all in one evening. Not to mention FREE child care. LOL.

Kids are in bed now. TBall at 8 am tomorrow morning. Can't figure out why these people don't comprehend "sleep in Saturdays", but OK, we'll be there.

I'll update pics when I figure out how to do that. Guess I should ask Christina since she has pics on her site. UGH, out done again by my little sister. That's OK, I love her.

Have a great evening,

Jennifer

Hello and Welcome

Hello all and welcome to the blog for the Benca Family.

I was motivated by my sister because she started her own blog. Then got to thinking that with Robert being away and both our families being away, it would be a good idea. So everyone can keep up with our daily lives.

Life as an army life is definately different. I'm "offically" approaching 1 yr of living on an Army base. Fort Polk is a far cry from Atlanta, that's for sure. But I really am enjoying it. I've made life long friends and been able to experience many different things. I'm excited to be able to share them with everyone.

Join us for updates and pictures!!