Today is my first blog. I'm kind of looking at this like a journal for me to post my favorite and worst moments from the day, all of those things that happen in life that you just don't want to forget.

John has been gone for 19 days now and I think we are getting into a routine. The web cam is both a blessing and a curse. I need to buy myself a timer and limit how long we can talk. I start working as soon as paperwork and what not are taken care of so that will limit my time and give more structure to my day. I love that he can see and hear me, and the kids of course. It is great for the kids because they don't have to hold anything to their ears and they can just say what they want too. I mailed a camera with a microphone to him yesterday. Hopefully, he will get it soon. It will be nice to see and hear him. He borrowed a camera for someone yesterday but it doesn't have a microphone. It was awesome to see him. We even had a date of sorts after the kids went to bed. Tyler is home for day 3 with Strep Throat. All of our conversations earlier in the day were full of "Hi Dad! Can you see me?" cute of course but we did have things to discuss.
Nothing is as good as having him home but this will make it so much easier. We could have done the same on past deployments but it would have required him to go to the MWR computer lab which was often busy and so we didn't even try it. Now he has Internet access in his room and can talk to us on his own computer on his own time no I waiting. I think it will help him feel connected to the family even though he is gone. I'm going to buy a wireless router next so that we can take him with us around the house. I'm thinking Christmas will be more fun if he can join us.