Guest Flight Attendant

My wonderful spouse told me that I needed to tell everyone about this so here goes....
On our flight from Germany to Kuwait (just about 5 hrs in duration) I got a little stir crazy or was suffering from cabin fever. About two and half hours into the flight I got up and walked up to the front of the plane (I was in row 34 seat H in a DC-10). I began chatting with the sweetest flight attendant I have ever met. Betsy was very lively and very experienced as a flight attendant. She had worked for Pan Am and United previously, and was now working for World Airlines. We spoke about family, work, where we were from, and about everything in between. Needless to say our conversation took a lot of time so I began helping her complete all of her duties.
We chuckled a little bit and then decided that I would run the pilot's side of the aircraft and she would do the other side. Anyway, I began taking care of my side of the plane, serving drinks, picking up trash, giving out hot towels, making sure seat belts were fastened, seat backs were forward and tray tables were stowed and locked position.
The experience was actually a little fun and everyone got a kick out of it. Many people commented that I had found my new calling in life, asked if I was considering and career change, or asked me if I was getting paid for my help. Not only was the event somewhat comical but it also burnt up the time remaining in the flight to Kuwait. After everyone was taken care of, I was the last one to sit down right before landing. When we had landed and come to the stopped position Betsy came over the intercom and thanked all the soldiers for their service and wished them well in their tours of duty. She was an outstanding person...I was very impressed. She then said that the crew wanted to thank and recognize the guest Flight Attendant, Dan. She then asked over the intercom "Dan, where are you?...Let someone know because we have a special gift for you." So I let them know that I was in Row 34 Seat H and she came and found me and gave me my own set of genuine wings from World Airlines. Everyone on the plane clapped as she pinned them on my shirt. It was a fun time, and a lot of people were tickled by it. It's always fun to help out. Both Brittney and I said that this happening reminded of college at BYU. We went to basketball game and I got the usher to let me wear his bright blue usher coat and usher people to their seats. We got a kick out of that experience too. I will attempt to include some photos of the event so you can all experience pure enjoyment and satisfaction.

Travels of a Soldier

Hello everyone. I first want to say hi to my precious family. I also want to thank all family friends and acquaintances that have been praying for my safety. Big hellos go out to my partners, assistants and coworkers at COMS. I would also like to acknowledge my wonderful patients who have also pledged to pray for and care for my family in my absence.

Preparation for full deployment tends to be somewhat lengthy, but even with all the briefs that you need to receive, shots you have to get, credentialing, privileges, finance, dental and the list goes on, things move along pretty quickly. We were able to leave the US in somewhere around a week's time and headed through Bangor, ME on our way to Leipzig, Germany. Once in Germany we had some plane trouble and had to remain in Germany an extra day and sleep in some provisional beds for the night. We eventually got to Kuwait a day late and then traveled to Camp Beuhring. On the way to the camp we got in a bus accident in which the back bus driver rammed the front bus completely disabling the front bus. There were a few bumps and bruises but gratefully no one was severely injured, killed or maimed. We finally got to camp or to our tent around 4:30AM and my buddy and I waited one hour to get breakfast. We then went home and tried to get some sleep. I was awakened at 8:30 am to tell me that I needed to be in a class in 30 minutes. Needless to say we were all very tired with many a sleepless night. We pushed tiredly through the class but it sure reminded me of residency at OU and Iowa. Things are going very well and my spirits are high, I really cherish the opportunity to serve my country and family. Thank you all for being so encouraging and supportive to me, it goes a long way. I will include a few pictures for your visual enjoyment!

Farewell

Daniel has been gone about 11 days now.  Here are some photos of the quick drop off we did at the airport.  This time was much different than last.  Last time he left from a very small airport close to home.  We parked the car, walked in with him and waited until he felt the need to go thru security which had no line.  This time he left from a big airport.  We drove up to the curb, unloaded, gave a quick hug and then we were gone.  A lot less tears this way - everything just happened so fast.

Here we are together in the car.  I look so gross.  We left the house very early that morning.

Daniel carried a bag on his front, back and one in each hand.  He looked like a pack mule.  But wouldn't you know it - He sent a full duffel home after his first week.  Apparently they have upgraded all the uniforms with fire retardant material so he didn't need his old uniforms and was issued new ones.

It's so hard to say Goodbye!!!

MacGregor is doing his best to look happy.  He had a pretty emotional morning.

And here's the cute baby.  She had NO IDEA what was going on.  So her mood was one of excitement and happiness which the rest of us really needed.

Giving KISSES.

This is my favorite picture.  Giving HUGS.  She is such a sweetie.

Both of our girls LOVE to be in a hug that Daniel and I are giving each other.  Piper usually comes running if she sees Daniel and I hugging.  She was just as wrapped up in this hug as usual.  I love how her little hand is wrapped around my shoulder.

Ainsley didn't come.  She slept in at the house with my parents.  It was probably easier that way.  The boys wanted to come.  Piper on the other hand was not supposed to come but Dan went in to give her a hug and she woke up.  Then there was no stopping her!  That is why she is in her jammies and her hair is quite undone, but she was no trouble.  In fact I am glad she was there.  She made the pictures much more viewable.

Daniel has had quite a time in getting to where he's supposed to be to finally start working.  I want you all to hear the stories from him and he should finally be in place in the next day or so.  I 'll give him a week to post about it, if he's unwilling or unable I'll do my best to fill everyone in later.

Party of Significant Events

The night before Daniel left we had a "party".  Ok so it was only us, my parents and M & J.  We had a nice dinner and watched some football.   Everyone was under the impression that this celebration was in honor of Daniel leaving but there were also some other significant events.  My father had whispered to me that it might be a hard day for my mom because they closed on their dream home that day and were officially homeless.  My mom had whispered to me that it may be an emotional day for my father because it was his last day of work for a company he had been with 25 years.

Daniel had gone out to get an ice cream cake for dessert.  This is what he presented us with.

He said the people at the store were like, "What do you want it to say?  Homelessness?"  Anyway it gave everyone a good laugh.  **The bright green spots are gummy frogs that the kids put on there before we cut it.

Daniel made my parents cut it together like at a wedding.  Again - silly and we laughed some more.  Of course Daniel bought himself a going away ice cream cake too but there was no way we could eat it that same night.  In fact it's still in the freezer - anyone want to come for a party?

Crafty Cat

I know a lot of you are wondering why I'm posting so often and if you really care about my kid's projects...  But since Dan is away I like for him to have something to look forward to everyday.  I can't send a letter everyday, but I can try to post.  Then he doesn't miss out on the little things like school projects or weekend fieldtrips etc.   So join us if you will but if it tires you... visit a little less often.  

Chase came home with 3 different colored papers.  He had to make a Halloween creation.  Here is his crafty cat.

BIG CAT

LITTLE CAT

OOOOOOOOOklahoma

About 10 days before Daniel left we took the boys to our local playhouse.  It is a beautiful old theatre that has really great shows.  We had been looking for a musical the boys might enjoy and since we did live in OK for four years we thought we would try this one.  It was GREAT!! The voices were amazing.  The scenery just brought me back to where we used to live... big sky, incredible cloud formations, deteriorating wood sided homes and windmills.

One of the funniest things about the show was that there is a character named Ado Annie.  Piper hasn't really ever been able to say Ainsley so she has always called her Ado.  Ainsley was born in Oklahoma City.  

So we have Ado Annie in Oklahoma and Ado Ainsley from Oklahoma!

 

Here we are in front of the marquis.  Chase and I snuck our "OU" t-shirts in under our more formal sweaters.

Enjoying the Ride

I just had to take a photo of this.  We were outside the other night just chatting with the neighbors and eating popsicles.  Piper got hers all over her face.  Ainsley had been riding her bike but ran off with one of the kids and Piper picked up the helmet, put it on herself and climbed up the bike.  She was pretty happy with her accomplishment.

The Power of The Pepper

Two days before Daniel left, his company had an event that they invite all the referring doctors to.  It was in a beautiful location and was a really nice gathering.  One of Daniel's partner's wife is an amazing gardner/floral arranger.  She did all the decorating at the event.  She told us to take home any of the arrangements because she did not need 3 car loads of flowers.  This is the one I especially liked.  These pictures don't do it justice but it was beautiful and I loved the rich color and all the tiny peppers dangling down.

It only lasted 4 days or so because the peppers in the vase began to rot in the water.  My father pulled the chile pepper plants out and dumped the water when we were disposing of the arrangement.  Later in the day he happened to stick his finger in his mouth which immediately began burning his lips and tongue.  Oh the power of "the pepper."

Little Gift

Two weeks ago there was a baby shower for a girl who grew up in this ward.  I wasn't able to make it to the shower but wanted to make her a little something and drop it off.  As many of you know I decorate cloth diapers to make fashionable burp rags.  To my great pleasure Target now sells colored cloth diapers.  So I got a few and tried them out.  The only draw back that I can think of is that you can't bleach them. 

Iraq Address

For anyone wanting to send a letter, care package, or Christmas card to Daniel the address is as follows:

Maj. Daniel Hen...

345th CSH, OR section

Unit# 73325

APO AE 09333-3325

Normal US postage is required.  A stamp will do for a letter or card.  But be prepared to fill out a customs form for all packages.  I believe they offer a discount on some of their flat rate boxes for military.

Perfect Portrait

One of Ainsley's recent homework assignments was: with a parent- draw a picture of yourself.  I am no artist but I did my best.  I drew it out in pencil and she colored it in. 

Here's our best effort.

Sleeping Surprise

We made Daniel a Halloween pillowcase and tucked it into his luggage without him knowing.  We also wrote him little love/miss you notes that we tucked inside.  Last tour he found out that they issue you a sleeping bag but no pillow.  He was given a pillow in Kuwait by a departing soldier but used a scrub top as a case.  We did get him a case about half way through the last tour but this time we set him up in advance.  Now all he has to do is locate a pillow. 

Does anyone remember this post?

Bue-Tee-Ful

Piper likes to wear headbands.

She likes to put them on herself!

Isn't she Bue-Tee-Ful?

Hershey Park Happy

Saturday the 20th of Sept. we made our annual trip to Hershey Park.  I think it's always the highlight of the kids summer.  Unfortunately we had to take the baby this year but it went much better than I thought.  She did get bored and fidgety during some of the long waits in line but other times she was pretty entertained and loved riding the rides.  We went on as many rides as we could as a family and split up a few times too so an adult could take the big boys on some scary rides.

Dan really wanted Ainsley to get her face painted.  So we got in line for that and after Ainsley got to the front, MacGregor insisted that he too get his face painted.  So Ainsley was in one chair and Gregor in another and Piper is fighting to get out of the stroller yelling as loud as she could, "FACE  FACE".   So she too got a little paint. 

Here are the pictures.  I know there are too many of them but I just couldn't cut it down.

MacGregor and the SNAKE.

He's so relaxed, you'd think he was getting a massage.

First layer.

Second layer.

Final product.

Ainsley with the FLYING DRAGON.

I'm not sure why she picked blue - it's such a bold statement.  She surely didn't go unnoticed.

Piper - our sweet little BUTTERFLY.

She sat so perfectly still.

She was totally into it!

Trying to get a glimpse of what he was doing.

So happy with the result.

Our 3 painted kids.

Chase was such a good sport.  I'm sure he kinda wanted his face painted too but it started out as just one, not too unreasonable , but we ended up with 3 and it gets expensive.  He didn't complain or beg or ask to have his face done too. 

 We drove the sports cars.  It's only two to a car.  The three older ones ALL wanted to drive.  Ainsley really wanted Daddy in her car.  That left Piper and I to be passengers.  Chase was so cooperative about taking Piper with him in his car.  He drove really shaky and kept banging the tires on the track and Piper just laughed.  She sat really well his car and didn't want to exit when we had to get out.  She was ready for another ride.  And then we went on the Flying Falcon.  Chase doesn't care for it because it goes up really high - above the tree tops - and spins around while it rocks your car back and forth.  Again it was a two person ride.  MacGregor started throwing a fit right before it was time to get on that he had to ride with an adult (the boys were going to ride together).  So Dan ended up with  MacGregor an I with the baby.  Chase didn't want to take Ainsley but he didn't complain.  He just rode the ride with his head back and his eyes closed the whole time while Ainsley screamed and laughed in his lap.  What a good kid!!!!

Dan took the girls on the monorail while the boys and I went on the CLAW  (Ok Chase and I went, Gregor chickened out) and another small roller coaster.  We went on the Sky View - those little ski lift carts that take you above the park, in groups of 2.  We also went on the log flume.  I think that was my favorite.  We all got to ride together in one log.  We were deciding that 6 is a really good number because there was never an odd man out.  We got plenty wet and this is what happened to Ainsley's face.  She looks like a smurf!

We decided that next time we do the log flume before faces are painted!!  Dan took Chase on a couple other coasters while the other kids and I rode the giant ferris wheel.  We spent about 8 hours in the park and felt like there was Soo much more we wanted to ride.

This was the frog hopper.  My big kids LOVE it.  Piper was very happy to ride it with them but when it started dropping and stopping and dropping and stopping (it's a mini free fall ride) she wasn't so thrilled.

We had an awesome time and can't wait to go again next year.  We are already planning how we are going to be there when they open the doors so we can run and get on our favorite rides with no lines.