From left to right...me, Ken, Bill, Daniel, Rochele, Gary, and Trevor. Daniel and Gary would be something like 3rd cousins to you. Trevor is Linda Grover's grandson. Maybe you will be able to meet this part of your family when you get your two week leave in January. They are a lot like the rest of our family....good people full of fun! :-)

Kenny and Daniel's brother Gary. Gary is about 22. He lives in Wimberly.

Care Package From The Gandys - July 18, 2007

We sent off another package on Wednesday, the care package includes Nascar Race #6 from Chicago, wipes, beef sticks, peppered beef jerky, Ike & Mikes, Hot Tamales, Sports Illustrated, handisnaks, blistex, hand sanitizer, propel drink mix powders, Article from Jeff Gordon's web page. A package was sent last week with wipes, hand lotion, soap, beef jerky, peanuts, pringles, starburst, razor, gold fish, mouth wash, deodorant, gold bond body powder, toe nail clippers and Nascar Race #5.

Care Package from Home

Today I got a care package in the mail to Jason. It contains come individual packages of Pringles, some mixed nuts, some candy, a Lake Travis View, and a police baton. Also enclosed in the package is a letter from your mom and a 20 dollar bill to help pay for those precious cell phone minutes. I just wish there was something we could do to improve the phone service so we can have a more productive conversation. It seems as though we spend most of our time saying..."can you hear me now". But that's o.k. It just sounds so good to hear your voice. It always provides me with a sigh of relief. I love you Jason. Stay strong, healthy and safe. We are looking forward to your 2-week leave....whenever that is.

Looking Back One Year AgoToday

I was looking at some of Jason's pictures and where he spent July 4th last year - Lake Travis - with all his friends on a boat. They were all having such a great time. It is hard for me to imagine he is spending this July 4 in a war zone fighting every day for our freedoms. I know he would prefer to be here with family & friends (even though they have closed Lake Travis) but I'm so very proud of him and all the other men and women that are over there.











We all take everything so for granted but after I talk to Jason, either by phone or internet, I count my blessings. When I saw Jas on the webcam he looked wonderful to me, extremely tired, but I saw that great smile I absolutely love. However, I have to admit, it was when he saw Dupont. He loves that dog. He was in combat gear and it brought the reality of what they all are facing each & every day right up in my face. They were in blackout mode and he was waiting for the order to go out again. I sometimes feel very ashamed it took me having a loved one facing what he does on a daily basis to make me realize what each and everyone of them are sacrificing for us. None of them had to, they all volunteered for this. We need to pray for all of them every day and hold on to them in our hearts. I love you so much, Jas, and I'm so proud of you.

Independence Day in America

For most Americans, today is just another holiday in which we do not have to go to work. It's a day in which our plans evolve around having fun with our families and our friends with plenty of food and drinks for everyone. It's a day for fun in the sun. However, most American's fail to take a moment on this day to reflect on the reasons we enjoy this day in our history. It's because of our brave soldiers that Americans are free to practice the religion of our choice, or not. And to have the freedom to speak our minds, or not. It's because of our brave soldiers that Americans can feel safe to walk thru each day without fear. I hope that each of you take a moment sometime today to count your blessings and pray for all the brave soldiers around the world who are committed to fighting this war against terrorism.

Greg And His Crew

Greg brought his girls to visit for a week or so. The girls thought they were going to be able to meet up with Kaleigh and Ashley, but that didn't work out. They ended up staying a couple of days and then went home when Greg had to go back. They decided maybe they would try to hook again with the cousins on some other week before school starts. TOO BAD...SO SAD! :-(

The Lake is flooding this summer. We had to use the aluminum boat just to get us over to the walkway that leads to the marina. Can you believe that? In the boat is Greg, Brittani and Darian, Greg's friend Summer in the red cap and her son Ethan.
The marina was closed due to the flooding conditions so after getting my boat in the water and starting up only to find out someone had decided to syphon ALL of the gas out of my boat we had to put it all back up and head back up the hill. Luckily enough, we ran into the manager and he opened up and let us put some gas in the boat so the kids could get a glimpse of the lake before heading home. Another adventure on the lake...got to have at least one every summer, right! :-)

Greg and Brittani

Darian, Greg's Friend Summer and her son Ethan

Daniell's House will probably get flooded within a few days

Care Package from Jason's Aunt Pam

Jason's Aunt Pam and her friend Patti got a care package in the mail to Jason on Tuesday, June 26th. It has candy, cheese crackers, bandanas, ace bandage (for his wrists and ankles), deodorant, foot powder, athlete's foot cream, shoe inserts, moist wipes, hand sanitizer, peanuts, and jerky, just to name some of the contents. They even included a San Antonio Spurs championship T-Shirt in there for him!

Also, quite a few of the folks from Pam's office have contributed $$ so she bought a stash of stuff to send to him over time.

Thank you so much Pam and Patti.

Care Package from Michelle's Granny

Barbara Gandy copied a Nascar race to a DVD that was run yesterday June 24th and it will be going into the mail tomorrow.

Donations from Kenny's Family

Today I deposited a check from Kenny's mom and sister (Margie and Sandy) into Jason's debit account. Thank you so much for your support of Jason during this time. I'm sure he appreciates knowing he has plenty of family and friends supporting him here at home.

Care Packages/Donations

Jason's Grandma sent a care package today. It has Starbursts and Skittles, beef jerky, a toothbrush, travel size Dove soap, Old Spice deodorant (I hope he can use the deodorant...it's probably scented), 4 travel size Gold Bond foot powder, a couple of travel size shampoos, 1 Cutter's insect repellant wipes, and probably a couple of other things that I don't recall right now.

I also deposited two checks made out to Jason into the debit account he is using to purchase the things he needs while serving in Iraq. On behalf of Jason, I'd like to say "thank you very much" to his Aunt Patricia and my friend and co-worker at the Department of Veteran's Affairs, John.

Care Package From the Gandy's

On June 19th Joni Gandy indicated she had subscribed to Sports Illustrated and the Stuff magazine and she will be sending them to Jason as soon as she receives them. Barbara Gandy ordered another magazine called Scene and it is a weekly magazine on Stock Car Racing that gives results of the races. They also printed out some articles from the past two week races, Jeff Gordon won week before last race so they printed out pictures and article.

PaPa Turns 70 on Flag Day

Today is PaPa's 70th birthday. Jared brought Tara and their kids, Jay Leigh and Grahm to spend the week. Michael and Patricia brought their girls, Kaleigh and Ashley, to bond with their big sister. The kids had a big time celebrating PaPa's birthday...they cooked dinner and baked a birthday cake for him. We all had fun. Talk about some good cooks...we sure did have some!

Some more pics of the Big B'day Party

Grahm, Tara, PaPa and Jay Leigh

Andrew and PaPa