Wednesday, 24 June 2009

• An Update on Life at the Roland's!

  Hi Folks... I have had this entry written for quite a while... sorry I'm just now to getting it published. But here ya go...
  
  I'm having a hard time grasping the fact that it's already June! So many things have happened since the last post, so I'll take a moment to recap the goings on...
  

  
  Right after the last post (Good Friday to be exact) Jerry got a call at 0245 informing him that there were soldier issues up at work that he needed to deal with. After getting dressed and heading in to work, he got a call from forward that the battalion had suffered a great loss in Iraq just a few hours before. One of platoons that was out on patrol that day had been hit by a suicide bomber. Reports confirmed that the suicide bomber was actually aiming at a military police station and that the soldiers were merely caught up in the action. A dump truck loaded with thousands of pounds of explosives was detonated and five American soldiers, husbands, daddy's, sons, and brothers lost their lives while fighting to maintain our freedom. When I first heard the news, I had no idea the chain of events that would be set into motion when dealing with this many deaths at one time. The whole battalion was struggling with the losses as it came as a shock to everyone. As the battalion's rear detachment commander, Jerry, along with other Army personnel and volunteers, spent countless hours with the families as they dealt with the news of the loss of their loved one. I went to work with Jerry the next two days to help out with anything I could. I felt like I needed to be strong for everyone as the commander's wife, but when we got home that first night after midnight, Jerry held me and the tears started to flow. I felt so selfish thinking it, but I was just so thankful that my husband was home and safe. I don't know what I would have done had I been one of those wives who answered the door that day to a uniformed Soldier informing me that my husband died a hero...
  
  After a few days, funerals were scheduled and soldiers from the rear detachment were sent to each of them. We had the post wide memorial service for all five soldiers about 8 weeks ago and again, I couldn't hold back the tears. Watching my friends, those young mamas stand there husband-less, with their young children who had no understanding of what was going on... watching sisters and brothers of other soldiers weep over the loss of their big brother... watching loving mothers sob uncontrollably knowing that they would never see their son again... it was almost too much to bear. I don't know how they do it. Please continue to pray for each of the family members of the soldiers that died that day. The rippling effects of the loss of their lives are still being felt today.
  
  Moving on... while dealing with this loss to our battalion, we found out that my mom was re-diagnosed with breast cancer. Many of you already know this but for those that don't, she had breast cancer 13 years ago and it has come back. The medical care available on the island where they live is not all that extensive, so she and Dad decided to have further testing and treatment done stateside. While she was in the states visiting her parents in Dallas, she had more tests done and set up numerous appointments with multiple doctors. I flew down to be with her for some of them and was so glad to see her. I knew she was going to be fine, but I was anxious to give my mama a hug! She was given permission by her doctors to be able to go back out to the island for a week or two so she could wrap up the school year with the kids and pack up and prepare for treatment and chemo back in the states. C.J. finished his semester at the University of Guam and when the family arrived in the states, they had a high-school graduation and 18th birthday party for him. After prayerfully considering where to live during Mom's treatment, the family set up a temporary residence at my grandparent’s home in Dallas.
  
  Mom successfully had her surgery on May 20th so thank you to all of you who prayed her through that. I was able to fly down for the week and be there while she was in the hospital. I was doing fine until I saw her come out of surgery... something about all of the tubes and oxygen hooked up to her made the tears flow. I was 12 when she went through surgery the first time and I don't really remember that much. But like I said, she did great and has had a good recovery so far. She went to a follow up appointment the other day and received good reports! One fabulous piece of news is that her tumor was .5 centimeter short of her having to have radiation after chemo... we are all thanking the Lord for that! She received her first round of chemo yesterday, so please be in prayer as she begins that long journey.
  
   In order to help out my folks some, Jerry and I have taken my three younger siblings for the summer:) Several days after Mom's surgery, I flew back to Colorado with them (and all 13 of our bags!) and they are set up to stay with us for several months. Our days have been full but fun and I'm learning so much about parenting! My mom keeps reminding me that most people get kids one at a time and they start out small... Jerry and I are getting them at 10, 8, and 5! We are all adjusting to being together and getting settled into somewhat of a routine. I keep reminding myself too that these kids have been through so much and are really doing fabulous in a new home and environment without their parents:) Jerry and I love them so much and are glad that we are able to help out. I could not do this without my hubby... he has been so supportive every step of the way and I love and appreciate so much his willingness to do this with me!
  
  Speaking of my Precious... we just celebrated our 4th anniversary on May 28th! It's hard to believe it's already been four years... it seems as it has gone by so fast. With 4 moves, 2 deployments to Iraq, multiple weeks in the field training the last several years, and career progression related job changes, I guess it's easy to pass the time quickly. I just want to say though, that in the midst of our busy and crazy army life, the last four years have been incredible! I am so thankful for the man that I married and for the life we have made together. He seems to have a way about him, with his adorable smile, contagious laugh, and big "Jer-Bear hugs" (as my family has affectionately dubbed them:) that makes me love my life and look forward to every day with him! He is a man of God, a leader, a provider and protector. He is so sensitive to my needs and takes my wants and desires into consideration without fail. I thank Jesus for him and don’t take for granted the extra time we have been given while the rest of the battalion has been deployed. Thank you Darlin for your love and complete devotion to me, and me alone. Happy Anniversary! I love you forever!

  Without boring any of you any further, here are some pictures of Jerry and I with the kids over the last couple days… hopefully I’ll get better about making regular updates…

   With love to you all, Jerry & Erin

  
  
  While the kids are here, we've set up the basement with their beds, dressers, sofa, entertainment center, etc. Also in the basement is all of Jerry's Army stuff... the kids found it one afternoon and decided to get all dressed up "like Jerry."
  
  
  The kids love playing X-Box with Jerry too... when he comes home from work they occasionally gather in the living room and race Jerry on one of his racing games.
  
  
  Katie Jo watching... waiting for her turn to race the Jer-Bear:)
  
   
  One of the kids took this one of us on our 4th Anniversary (lovely view of the trash can:) just before we ate some delicious cake...
  
  
  It was a delicious oreo-cookie cake from Baskin Robbins 31!
  
  
  Helping Jerry change the license plates on the car...
  
  
  Helping Jerry mow the grass and clean the mower...
  
  
  Helping Jerry fix the sprinkler system on the side of the house...
  
  
  Me and the kids out for a walk in the park one Sunday after church...
  
  
  Jerry playing with the kids at the park...
  
  
  The kids playing with the roundy-thingy at the park...
  
  
  Scottie on the climby bars... too cute!
  
  
  After the park we were going to go home and roast marshmallows in the fire-pit but because of the rain that we didn't see coming, we couldn't follow through... so to make our disappointed kiddos happy again, Jerry took us to Dairy Queen to get blizzards!
  
  
  One evening we went to a Sky Sox game in the Springs... I love minor league games because you get to sit up so close!
  
  
  The kids enjoying some cotton candy Jerry got for them... we had a great time and it was actually quite cool out too... oh, and our team won... yeah!
  
  
  The kids brought a little school with them to work on through the summer and Scott finished his reading book... we were so proud of him that we had to celebrate! It was actually really special too since he got to read to Mom via the Skype Cam (she's in Dallas) so she could see him and celebrate as he read his last lesson!
  
   
  On another beautiful afternoon we decided to drive up in to the mountains and do some trout fly-fishing... Jerry caught several and the kids had fun bringing them in...
  
  
  Here is one Shane brought in...
  
  
  Here is one of their beautiful rainbow trout!
  
  I guess that's all for the moment... my mom actually just came to visit us for a couple days last week so I will post those pictures as soon as I have them down-loaded! It was so good to see her and we had a great visit!
  
  
  
  

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