Melissa: Always nice to hear from you as well. I appreciate Christian’s skype messages every so often, and have had a few nice chats with him. Kid knows his music. I think I’ve missed his last few attempts to contact me, but I’ll catch him when he gets back from the Cape (if he is already gone). Hang in there, Mit, and I’ll be seeing you soon.

Renee: Glad to hear that you and the family are well. It has been too long a time since we communicated, and I’m glad the girls thought to call. They told me about it without my asking them, and were genuinely excited to have spoken to your boys. You have a sweet family. Please say hello to Ted for me, and I hope everyone is staying healthy.

Thanks to all for checking in!

–Erik

The funniest thing today- I came home this evening and walked in to find Austin just beside himself with excitement! (Mom! We’re on the phone with Maya and ALice!) I don’t know who inspired them to call the boys but apparently they talked for an hour and half (sorry about the bill!) It sounds like they covered everything from 2nd grade to the present. Even Samuel got on and caught up with Maddie for a few minutes.

It was great fun for my boys and nice to be thought of! So thank you, Maya and ALice, for making their day!

So glad you are almost at the end of your deployment. We’ll all be happy when you are back home, safe and sound!

Love,

Renee

It was nice to read about your friend, Maria Cordero. I hope she was able to enjoy some of the “chick” books I sent out. I had the women in mind when I sent quite a few books. Your interviewing skills aren’t bad, considering your chosen career, however, you were an English major, so I expect the best.

It was interesting to note that Maria is a Mom. That must be incredibly hard to be out and away from her little girl for so long. Maria, you are setting such a good example for your daughter. I want all 3 of my girls to grow up knowing that they can do what they want in terms of careers, and that they can support a family if need be. Daughters need to be empowered just as much as sons, and we should expect no less from them than we do from males in general. I love my girls, and hope for a happy marriage and life for all of them, but I also want them to be able to walk away from a bad situation with the confidence that they have the emotional and financial ability to provide for their children, if need be. Also, having to ask anyone for money when you are a grown up with no excuses is horrible and puts you at a distinct disadvantage. You should be proud of yourself, Maria, and I want you to know that you are much cuter than the sea monkeys we are used to seeing in Christmas stockings, etc., (just add water…). Thank you for sharing your story with us. It makes a nice change for the blog, which sometimes becomes too infused with testosterone, through no fault of Erik’s, just one of the hazards of being in a male dominated field.

Mom and Dad seemed to have a nice 48th, and I have to say, are the happiest couple I know, regardless of the fact that they are my parents. I think the mutual respect between them, coupled with tolerance, helps make a marriage a good one. Even if your spouse does wear a nerd ring and listens to Rush non-stop. Now that is true love.

Erik, I am counting the days until you come home safely to your wonderful girls, and us, of course. Please be careful until then.

Christian is off to the Cape for a week with his friend Evan. It must be hard to be 14 and have so much fun stuff to do!

All my love to you and everyone there, Mit

I can hardly believe it’s already time to clean closets and get the girls ready for school.

It was also nice to read the June 2008 issue of the Ensign article, titled “Armor of Battle, Armor of God” in which five military families were interviewed and shared their feelings and experiences in being separated during their various deployments.
It’s amazing how we all have to step up to the batter’s plate and give our best in our new times of challenges and tough circumstances.

You and Lorri and the girls have done extremely well in facing this challenging chapter in your lives.Nice to see and hear about the great support you have both had from both sides of your families as well as from friends and co-workers, church members and neighbours as you each coped and did your best during these last five months, and continue to do so for the time you have left in this assignment.

Keep up the good work.

With love, Audrey & Mike

On another note:

I wanted to make a quick shout-out to Mom and Dad who are celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary on this beautiful pioneer day! Happy anniversary! Thanks for the great example you set for each of us on how to have a happy marriage. I love you. Becky