Thanksgiving in A!

We spoke with Cade this morning! Skype is the thing I am most grateful for! So, I got right up and came to the computer knowing that it was his Thanksgiving evening. He of course was online and called right away. He asked if I would get ready and go out to my sisters early so he could see everyone. This was bitter sweet because I was sad that our Colorado family couldn't talk to him also. (We couldn't travel there due to weather.) I wish everyone could have seen him. It was also a bummer for me to get out of my pjs at 9:00 to drive out to Payson in the freezing cold... But it was totally worth it to see Macades face as the video popped up and he could see his Utah family crowded around the computer to see him. He was wearing his groovy Afghani scarf and has really filled out in the cheeks. He just smiled ear to ear the whole time he spoke with everyone. He especially loved Gammons version of "Osama got ran over my a reindeer". We were very happy to see him happy. Hopefully his day was nice. He didn't say much except for they had made them a nice dinner. He was leaving the safety of the base this morning, so as usual, remember him in your prayers. Thank you all and Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow! It's been a while

I didn't realize I hadn't written the most recent about Cade. There's not a lot, so don't get excited. I spoke with him briefly on Friday. He was good. We didn't have much to say, but he looks healthy and usually pretty happy. He had had a long day, but I'm thinking "aren't they all long?" He wanted me to go get him some gadgets out of his storage unit and we talked about the dreams we've been having. He says he has dreams every night that he is home on leave. Funny, but I just dreamt about him for the first time. (Thank heavens, cause even the good one was a tough one.) I dreamed that he was here on leave and what is the first thing I do??? Run him to the dentist. Oh my. I really have lost my mind. Anyway, I woke up and cried a little bit.
He's on my mind this morning as 5 more young men have been killed today. I have not heard from Macade, but I am pretty sure it is not in his area.
I miss him horribly and can't wait to hold him in my arms and tell him it will be OK.

Another day

Spoke with Cade today. It was awesome! He and I have not had a chance to talk like that since before he left the country. I really needed it too. I miss him terribly. He is good. He would not quit talking and I loved it. Now I have to remember everything he said. He was telling me how much he loves the children there. He told me that they are the reason he is there and if he changes just one of their lives, it will make it worth being there. He loves the little boy in the bottom left picture below. His name is Sheeb and he knows Macade as Moore and calls out to him whenever he is around. Macade says he hooked him up real good with some Halloween candy he got. Cade loves the locals, especially the kids. He talks a lot about them. He really wants to make a difference in their lives.
He talked about the things he hopes to do when he gets home. Buy a condo and a motorcycle. He has a very one-tracked mind. He is sooo excited for his leave time! He says he cannot wait to eat when he wants and sleep when he wants and go anywhere he wants. I personally think he won't know what to do with himself when he gets here, but we will see. He is a little worried that I might be too clingy. What?!
He sounded different to me today. I have thought in the past that he has "grown up", but I think it is for real this time. Maybe... No really, he sounds like a man that has seen things I never hope to. He says he found a quote the other day that sums it up. He didn't have the exact wording, but it was something about how facing death will make you remember what is really important in your life. And I think he is working it out. It will take time.
He wanted me to remind everyone here in his life how much he loves them. And that his leave is just around the corner and he can't wait to see everyone. Thanks for all of your prayers for him. I know he feels them.
***Don't forget if you are sending him a package, do NOT put Afghanistan in the address. It will go straight to Afghanistan and not the APO. Also, they say to mail Christmas packages no later than the first week of December.***

They can't decide...

They have now come out and asked that we not put Afghanistan in Cades address. It is not a safety precaution, but a routing issue. It seems some of the packages get there but in a way complicated manner. So, when mailing anything, just leave out Afghanistan. The APO # is like his camp zip code so it will get there. Also, when sending packages of any size, you will need to fill out a customs paper. I just went and picked up a handful so that I have them ready to go. If you need to know how to fill it out, the post office peeps can help you. He is loving getting mail. Thank you all for being so supportive to him.