My Brother and His Family

Thankfully, Chris is back in the United States. He has been stationed in Germany with the Army for over three years. He spent most of his time in Iraq, not Germany. It has been a long three years for my family. We have really missed him and his wife, Stefanie. We even missed the birth of their first child, Morgan, in December of 2005. Currently, the Carpenter Family is stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until Chris completes the Captain's Career Course. Yes, he is a Captain in the Army . . . can you believe it? Those of you who grew up with us probably can, because he always used to play army.

I am so proud of my brother. He signed up after 9/11. We were so proud of him, but we were also very selfish . . . we didn't want him to be in harm's way. His first tour in Iraq was the most difficult to deal with, because it was so early on in the war plus he was located in a "hot spot". I couldn't even listen to the news while he was there. If they announced that there had been fighting or deaths near his location, I would worry myself sick until Mom or Dad heard from him. His second tour was a little easier to handle. I guess it was because we had done it before and he wasn't located in such of a hot spot as before.

In August Chris, Stefanie, and Morgan are scheduled to be stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado for three years. Stef recently found out that she is pregnant and due the end of January. We are all so excited. Hopefully, we will be able to be there for the birth of their second baby. The Carpenter family will be visiting us in Batesville for the 4th so we are excited. We took a trip to Fort Sill in May to visit them. You can see pictures from that trip on my page on My Space.

We are so glad to have them back in the USA!!! I will keep you posted on them as they continue their journey in the Army. Please remember to pray for our men and women who are so bravely serving our country and fighting for our freedom!