Pinned

Hello everyone. Wanted to share some more great news with you all. Ok, so nothing would be better than to hear that Tam was finally back home. From you mouth, to God's ears. Nope, not hear yet, but soon.

Anyhow, since Tam has been in Iraq, he's obviously been keeping himself busy. He's study MCMAT's (the Marine Corps martial arts), which he received his Tan belt. Also, he has been studying for his FMF (Fleet Marine Force) pin. For the civilian folks, this is a wonderful achievement.

Tam's not one to boost, but you know me I am!!! So I'm telling you. He passed his written and practical. Then they have what they call murder boards. This board prepares you for the actual oral board (where you walk through everything they could possibly as you). From what Tam says, it's rather gruely, but it's to make sure you know your stuff. He said, "it's not difficult, there's just a lot of stuff and so little time to let it soak in." Getting back to my point. Tam certainly knows his stuff, as he passed his murder board and then the actual board itself.

Sweetheart, I have already told you how proud I am. I mean that more than you'll ever know. Keep up the drive and am for what you want the sky is yours.

Oh, though ya'll might would like to enjoy some pictures.

Love ya & congrats again, sweetheart.

Getting pinned by another woman during the ceremony. Okay so we'll have a chat when he comes home. Just kidding!!!

Proudly displaying his hard earned certificated. Congrats again, sweetheart!!!

Our Precious Lamb

Hello everyone. Just wanted to share the GREAT news. Our friends, Gina-Marie & Pete, welcomed their first child into this world. Mom, dad & baby are doing great. Here are the stats:

Name: Mary Loretta James (please forgive me if the spelling is incorrect)
Date/Time: 27 July 2006, @ 1702 (5:02pm for the CIV's)
Length: 19 inches
Weight: 8lbs & 3ozs.

Seems like the trend started with us. However, I don't believe it's in the water, as the majority of us that go pregnant drink a variety of bottled water. It started w/me, then Regina & Joe, followed by Celena & Reggie, & now Gina-Marie & Pete. Up next are the Sharp's. Can't wait to see pics and the other most important stats on your little one.

Anyhow, please enjoy the pics. Gina-Marie & Pete, hope you don't mind that we posted them. Again, congrats. God couldn't have blessed anyone any better than w/that of a child.

Love ya,

Mr. Tam, Mrs. Nyoka & Dominic

Daddy, w/his new girl.

Mary Loretta, our precious lamb.

Day 155...

Well folks, it has been 155 days since i saw everybody back in the states. the end is nearing for me to come and see all the wonderful and loving people that I left behind. I really do love and miss you guys very much. I am really lucky to have loving friends and family that support everything that I do and believe in. It has been a long journey but a worthwhile one. I have
seen a lot and learned a lot while being out here. I have also exprienced a lot. There are of
things that I would like to talk about but do to
Operational Security, I can not.

Last week was my last mission. I am glad that it is over. It just means that I am almost to the end of the deployment. It has been great. I am one of the lucky one that get to go outside the wire. The majority of the people here don't know what it is like outside. They only get to hear about and see it on the news or read it in the paper. I know that going outside the wire is dangerous, but it is part of the mission here. It is part of my job. I glad that I did it. My team provided a lot of experience and advice to the
outling bases.

While being out here, I saw a lot of people that I knew back in the rear. I saw a few chiefs that I have worked with. I saw a bunch of corpsman that I had the honor to train. I had told them before I left that I would see them out here. They look at me like I was crazy and that I didn't know what I was talking about. I guess I proved them wrong.






I had the opportunity to go see a friend of mine at one of the camps. I had told him that I would try to go out and see him while I was out here. It was great to see Mark. It was nice to see a familiar face out here. If I had not moved out here to the unit that I am with now, I would not have had the chance to come out and see him. I guess I am glad that I was transfered. Good things comes to those who are moved. I had a chance to put my other skill to work.
The entomology part of my job. We would set out traps 3 times a week and identify the following day. After we identified them we would prep them for shipment and send them back to the states to get them tested for various disease's. It is time consuming but fun.

Well folks, thats all I have to say for now. Take care and I'll see everyone real soon.

Pictures: Top right-setting up mosquito trap. Middle left- Mark and I out at his camp, standing by his BAS. Bottom right-Me identifying mosquito.

Naval Hospital Annual Picnic

Yesterday was the annual Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Picnic. Naturally I wanted to bring Dominic. I love to show him off every chance I get. They served tons of cookies, hotdogs, hamburgers and pork 'n' beans. There were tug-of-war & basketball competitions. For the kiddies there was a jumper, bean bag toss, strongest kid contest (where you take a hammer and try to have the target ring a bell, this is also at fairs), and a temporary tattoo booth. Oh & did I mention the had horse and pony rides too. I decided to get Dominic "tattooed." Figured why not it's all in good fun and so we did it. Might I say he was a brave fellow. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Regina w/Isabelle, Dominic & mommy. First experience w/a pony.

John w/Dominic

Mommy, whose the funny lady? (Dominic w/his first clown, "aka Maureen")

Up close version of his 1st tattoo. I took it like a man, daddy, you'd be proud. I wanted to be like you, so I got a lizard just like you.

A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE

A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE

Your alarm goes off; you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.
He stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti-war/don't support the troop's shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash on your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He does not get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent, tortured and killed by their own government and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.
He hears the gun fire and bombs.

You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does what he is told.

You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep,and eat.

You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gun
fire.

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is a worse place because of men like him.
If only there were more men like him

Freedom IS NOT FREE, Someone Pays for it with Blood, Sweat, Tears and Lives.

Thanks Sweetheart, from the bottom of my heart. You are truly my hero. Hurry home.

Love your wife & son,
Nyoka {Angel} & Dominic {Buddy}

To Long

Sorry you guys for not posting in awhile. I have been busy finishing up my two classes which both end the beginning of August. I only have four more left to obtain my associates in Phyiscal Therapy. Tam will be home soon. Sooner than can be explained in detail here. Can't wait it's been sooooo long since we last seen each other. What a great reunion it will be.

In other news, Dominic is cutting a tooth on each side of his top front teeth. By the time his daddy comes home he'll have six teeth & man does he like to bite anyone and anything. Look out Tam, his teeth are sharp.

Last weekend Dominic and I were out back, playing in the pool that we bought while Aron & Christian were here. I wore him out so much that while we were getting a shower the poor kid fell asleep and was passed out for about 30 minutes to an hour. He does love the water though. Oh, I was able to develop the disposable camera that we used to take pictures with at the pool. I will post some of them as soon as Tam sees them. Kind of want to share them with him first. Hope ya'll understand.

Well there's really not much going on at the moment. Just getting ready for the daily tasks of tomorrow. Speaking of, I must close for now. I have to finish typing my paper for school. I'll try to email at the end of the weekend, if not by the beginning of next week. There's going to be a huge picnic at the hospital on Friday and I'm going to bring Dominic along. There's going to be pony rides and other cool things for little ones, so I'll post some pictures.

Any how, please take care and may God bless. Love ya'll, especially you Tam.

Nyoka & Baby D

8 Months along

"Happy 8 months, our precious. Mommy & daddy love you very much."

Wow, hard to believe that right at 8 months ago our precious son entered this world. Time sure does fly by. Well here's the scoop.

Dominic's next well baby appointment isn't until next month, at which time he'll have his 9 month well baby exam and yep you guessed it more shots. Anyhow read on.

By now Dominic has 4 sharp teeth & I do mean sharp & is crawling. Okay, so he's been crawling, but it's adorable how sometimes he only crawls on one knee and foot. Sometimes if you watch him on the drive way he'll crawl on his hands a feet vice the knees w/his but in the air.

Another mile stone is he now is at the stage where he's pulling himself up onto things (i.e. couches, coffee tables & just about anything he can get his hands on -including people). With that said, yes, he's started walking w/support from above mentioned objects. When coached he can even take a few steps with us holding onto his arms/hands.

Last week, Dominic had is first ever swimming lessons. Boy does he love the water, unlike a few others in the class. He looked so adorable in those swimming trunks, too, compliments of dad. He was the youngest, but the cutest. It was only a week long class and at the end we were presented w/a certificate of completition. That would be Dominic's first certificate, w/exception of his birth certificate.

Tam, our little son is growing so fast. But that means soon you'll be home, keep growing Dominic. Thank you for blessing me w/such a great gift. Hurry home, but be safe.

To tide the rest of you over, here are a few pictures of the little tyke (not so little any more).

"Thanks daddy, for the cool trunks."

"Can I bit you next?"

Happy 230th, Lady Liberty

Before we go about our busy day of BBQ's & fireworks, lets take a moment to bow our heads to remember those that provide us w/this luxury (past, present & future).........Amen! (I love you, sweetheart)

Now let's take a look at how our country's independence came about.

Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. Leading up to the signing, there had been growing unrest in the colonies surrounding the taxes that colonists were required to pay to England. The major objection was "Taxation without Representation" -- the colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament.

Rather than negotiating, King George sent extra troops to the colonies to help control any rebellion that might be arising. The following timeline will give you a crash course in the history that lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and America's break from British rule.

1774 - The 13 colonies send delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress.

April 1775 -- King Georges troops advance on Concord, Massachusetts, prompting Paul Revere's midnight ride that sounded the alarm "The British are coming, the British are coming." The subsequent battle of Concord, famous for being the "shot heard round the world," would mark the unofficial beginning of the American Revolution.

May 1776 -- The colonies again send delegates to the Second Continental Congress.

June 1776 -- A committee was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman.

June 28, 1776 -- Jefferson presents the first draft of the declaration to congress.
July 4, 1776 -- After various changes to Jefferson's original draft, a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration; 2, Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No; Delaware was undecided and New York abstained. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. It is said that he signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!"

July 6, 1776 -- The Pennsylvania Evening Post is the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence.

July 8, 1776 -- The first public reading of the declaration takes place in Philadelphia's Independence Square. The bell in Independence Hall, then known as the "Province Bell" would later be renamed the "Liberty Bell" after its inscription - "Proclaim Liberty throughout All the Land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof."

August 1776 - The task begun on July 4, the signing of the Declaration of Independence was not actually completed until August. Nonetheless, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence from Britain.

July 4, 1777 -- The first Independence Day celebration takes place. It's interesting to speculate what those first 4th festivities were like. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were firmly established as part of American Independence Day culture.

Day 126...

Well it has been 4 months since I have left the wonderful world of the states. There has been a lot going on since I last posted. I am now on a different base with a different unit. I got moved about a month ago. I didn't want to move but it was the needs of the Navy. I was sort of picked to go because of my quick thinking and knowledge. Plus someone in this unit knew me and asked for me by name. So far so good. Can't complain much. I am doing a lot more than just food inspection and stuff. I
get to fly to different base's and OP's and COP's
I enjoy flying. It also gets me away from the work space and my new unit. I don't like this unit. They do not have unity. Can't talk to anyone, don't know if they're going to stab you in the back or not. The only people that I can talk to is my roommates, co-workers and a few of the corpsman. The leadership just sucks and reallys a rude awakening, but enough about that. I have been to two different base's since I have been here and have also flown twice. I know in the future there is going to be more flying for me. I'll fly till the day that I leave. I fly about once a week and stay out for a few days. Our main job now is to do camp surveillance and survey on vector control and snaitation. I like my new job because I get to see a lot of different
things. I get to see how others live in a combat zone. I have got some wonderful pictures that I will put in the gallery when I return. it truely is the field at some of these places. Well the sun is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. But lucky for us the nights are cool and my room has AC. It is not the best AC unit but it keeps me cool. Not much else is going on. just waiting for the day that I get to come home to my wonderful family. Especially my wife, Nyoka and son, Dominic. I miss them a whole lot.

Well here are few pitures of me around Iraq. The first one is of a blown up Iraqi F-15. The second is of me at a COPin Iraq. That was thelast place that I went to. The third one is me during sunset at the first COP that I went to since being with the new unit. The last photo is me getting ready to board a CH-53E Super Sea Stallion. This is the main bird that we usually take.


Well everyone, that is it for now. You all take care and I'll see everyone real soon.









Geared up and ready to go into combat.