A Little Taste of Iraq

Brandon sent me an email with this article, and I thought some of you would be interested in reading it as well.

"This was my guys. I dont know why the Medics got all the coverage... That is the way things go here. O well!!" -B

US Forces Assist IA Conduct Medical Screeningby Spc. L.C. Campbell138th MPADMOSUL, Iraq. Iraqi Army Soldiers, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, lead the way during a medical screening that took place in the Asad neighborhood in Mosul, Iraq Aug. 15.U.S. Forces have been preparing for a solid transition an area of responsibility to the IA. Part of the transition is getting the IA to interact with the local populace, and one good way of doing this is to conduct a medical screening.

Read the Entire Entry...�

A medical screening attracts people throughout neighborhoods and invites them to get some basic, but free medical attention. Coalition Force medics treat ailments such as the common cold, upper-respiratory illnesses, muscle aches, and minor infections in wounds.

From the beginning of the year there was little support from IA. IA medics were not interested in helping out during medical screenings, because of safety concerns. They did not want to leave the IA compounds. Early on, medical screenings were primarily provided by U.S. Forces.

After several months IA medics started becoming more involved during medical screenings.

According to 1st Lt. Brett Phillips, platoon leader, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, Brigade Medical Support Company, the IA medics get involved more and more with each screening. It is important that the local populace see that involvement, because it instills confidence in there security forces.

All IA medics go through a base combat life saver course which is taught by U.S. Forces. Most medics have gone through the basic nursing school and have advanced to a more intensive medical schooling. The IA medics have the knowledge base of a state-side physician's assistant.

The medical supplies that are administered during the screening are purchased from the local Iraqi economy, and are bought by U.S. Forces.�

Right now we are working with the IA logistical support to try to get them to purchase the medical supplies,� said Sgt 1st Class Namond Travis, medical platoon sergeant, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd SBCT, 2nd Infantry Division. �It is a slow road to travel, but the more we get the Iraqis involved the more independent they become. It allows the citizens to see the faces of the IA.�

According to the IA medics, they really enjoy helping the local populace. They are looking forward to a stable medical environment in Iraq. They wish that the citizens of Iraq would use and have more confidence in their medical system.

Medlock Sighting!

Part of the Medlock clan was spotted in Seattle this past weekend. Angela, Maria Elena, and Father Scott look great and are in high spirits. They shared with me the pictures from Matthew's accident and recovery, as well as the special time that they were able to spend with him out of the hospital before he left for Notre Dame.

I have been so touched by the tremendous faith and love that lead this family through an experience that can only be described as horrific! (I know that many of you share in this)

Good luck to Angela as she starts school at Gonzaga this week!!! And, safe travels to Maria Elena and Father Scott as they make their way to South Africa! And of course, have a great year Aaron and Matthew. All of you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to all of you that were at my Baby Shower both physically and in spirit! I had a wonderful time seeing all of you; unfortunately I didn't get pictures of everyone that was there, like I intended to.


All of the gifts are perfect, and better yet, they all made it back to WA safe and sound!!!

Thanks again to all of you. I guess I will be seeing you again after Joseph is born. BTW, sorry it took me so long to post this; my internet was down at home this week.

Squid in Seattle!

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I thought all of you Squid out there would appreciate knowing that your Blue Angels were in Seattle this past weekend! Melanie and I went to watch them perform at the SEAFAIR; GREAT SHOW!!

I talked to Brandon last Friday; yes, unfortunately I do not get to talk to him as often as I would like. He is still waiting for internet hook-up in his "office", and hopefully that will allow us to communicate more often. (right now we talk or email about once a week) :( Anyway, he is doing ok. One of the soldiers in 1st Platoon was injured during a combat operation last week. His injuries are not life threatening, but please keep him and his family in your prayers. Brandon and his platoon have been VERY busy running their own combat operations and running security for what they refer to as 'old town' Mosul.

I leave for Maryland tomorrow night and will be there through the weekend. I look forward to seeing whoever I can while I am there!!! Miss you all!

Man's Best Friend?!

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Brandon sent some pictures to me from his time in Kuwait. I thought he was working hard?! :)

These are a little out of order, I think. You are basically looking at Brandon and a few of his Joe's mingling with the natives and their Camels.


I wonder who smelled worse, the guys in camo or the camels...

The View from Here

I joined Kim and Andrew for a relaxing day on the water at a family friend's house.
I haven't relaxed like that in over a month! It was FABULOUS!!!


Can you believe this sunset view??!!! One is truley reminded of the presence of God when he witnesses a view like this one!




I have not heard anything new from Brandon. Me and baby are doing well.

Love you all!!

Sorry it has been so long since I last added to this blog. (I was waiting to get pictures back from Mom and Kim - now just waiting on Kim) I am doing good; just hit the 5 month mark (the picture was taken at 18.5 weeks)...YIPPEEE!!! Brandon is doing well; still hot and still in Kuwait. They have to do a lot of training, before they move to their FOB, since the last time they trained was months ago. Morale is up and everyone is healthy so far.



The dogs and I are keeping eachother good company. I finally caved and decided that they were allowed to come inside to hang out with me in the evenings. They still sleep in the garage, but they have been granted access to the family room and kitchen. LUCKY DOGS! They have utterly destroyed our backyard (well them and the excessive amount of fertilizer that we used to try and keep it green - oops!!). Aren't they cute though?!

I just started my own business as an independant consultant for Arbonne International (www.arbonne.com). I am having a launch party at my house on Thursday, and I can't wait!!! The company manufactures botanically based, hypoallergenic skin care and cosmetics. Ask Kim and Mom what they think!

Hey all of you eastcoasters...I will be visiting MD Aug. 11-14, and I hope I will be able to see you!!! Colin Spitz - I'm talking to YOU too!!!

Brandon is doing well!

I just received a call from Brandon and he is doing well. It is VERY hot, but so far everyone in his company is acclimating as best they can. He said that the food is better there than it is at home (of course he meant the DFAC on post, not my cooking...I made sure to clarify!!!), and the gym and the DFAC are the best places to hang out because they have air-conditioning. Aside from that they are just getting into the groove of things. I should be able to hear from him every couple of days, which makes me VERY HAPPY!!!

A Co Has Arrived

The picture is of Brandon's Battalion.

I just got word that A Co has arrived. No word from Brandon as of yet, but I am sure that he is busy getting his men and himself settled and ready for upcoming tasks. It is a balmy 122 degrees there...sounds pleasant! :) Their base is full of all of the amenities that they need to get them through the day (including a Taco Bell...it's gotta feel like home!). I am hoping to speak to Brandon sometime today or tomorrow (I think the time difference is 11 hours), so I am keeping my cell phone by my side! They are still unsure as to where their final destination will be, so I do not have an address to give to you yet; be patient, nothing in the Army is fast and efficient. Unless, of course, you are speaking of the soldiers!!! Love you all!!!

Family Outings

I have put together a bunch of photos from the past few months that I had on my camera and forgot about.



These are pictures from this past weekend. We rented an RV and loaded up the dogs for a trip to the Olympic Peninsula.
The dogs were totally bored out of their minds (as you can tell) :) Emma had her first real experience with swimming, and although she has a pretty good doggy paddle, she didn't much care for being tossed in the icy water by her master! Ike on the other hand was in seventh heaven!!!



While Lydia was in town we drove down to Kim and Andrew's house in Portland, OR. It rained (what's new!) and we had trouble finding furniture stores, but we ate very well and enjoyed eachother's company!!!

Brandon and I took Carl and Ellen to Pike's Fish Market during their visit to Seattle. (This is a must see if and when you come here!)

Sorry that these pictures are so random. I need to remember to download my pictures after taking them!!! I am so bad at it! Anyway, Brandon is taking our digital camera with him, and I have a new one on order, but it may take a couple of weeks before I can download any pics to the sight! I will let you know anything interesting as it comes about though! Hope you all are well!!!

June 17,2006

Well, it looks like it's a BOY!!!
Brandon and I just got back from having a 4D ultrasound, where it was determined (with 99% confidence) that we will be welcoming a boy into our family in December!

I am only 15 weeks along, so it is still early to be able to determine the sex with total confidence.
That being said, from the pictures that I saw I would be surprised if we found out later that it isn't a boy!!!

Brandon and I are ecstatic!!! As you can see from the Ultrasound pics, this little one is growing feircly! It still seems so sureal that this baby is growing inside of me; I still can't feel any movement and I am not really showing at all! Anyway, we will be adding to this blog so that you can keep up-to-date with pictures of the baby, me and Brandon (while he is in Iraq). I hope you all enjoy it!!!

(Thank you to Janet for sharing her blog of Tommy and giving us the idea to start one of our own!!!)

Until next time...