Jeromey update...

Jeromey is now in Afghanistan.  The days have all started to run together. I don't remember which day he was where because the phone calls have been short and mainly to say "Ok, I'm leaving here now and going to some other place".  I don't know where in Afghanistan he is, because he can't say. All I know is he is somewhere with no internet access.  I believe they went to this place Tuesday night/Wednesday morning our time.  Where as the week before we were able to chat almost daily on Facebook, and I was getting more regular phone calls, this week has been an adjustment week.  I have had to get used to not hearing anything for days.  It has been tough and today I finally got a call.  I immediately began crying at the sound of his voice.  Jeromey is my best friend and as I have thought about it, I can't think of a time where we haven't talked for more than one day as long as we have been together. Its hard to not be able to call whenever I just want to talk, or if I just need a pick me up.  He's great at that. I did know that he had made it to his final duty station for the time being because he called to tell me on Wednesday.  The cell phones that some of the soldiers bought over there don't get service where he is, so he has to call from a satellite phone.  From the sounds of it, this one phone is used by all of them.  When he called Wednesday he told me he only had 5 minutes.  We went a little over that, but he let me go so he could call his mom quick and then hand the phone off to the next person waiting to use it.  Today when he called, we again had a short amount of time.  He said he is doing well and he is somewhere safe.  He told me the "base" they are on is run by Canadians. I'm sure he'll come back saying things like "Don't ya know" and "Yah"  Lol.  Like I said, the sound of his voice on the other end of that line is such a comfort.  The past 3 days I have had my phone clutched in my hand almost all the time for fear of missing a phone call.  Wednesday night around 12:30 my cell phone did ring with one of the numbers that comes up when Jeromey calls.  Unfortunetly all I got was 15 seconds of noise, and then it was disconnected.  There was no call back.  This left me staring at my phone, willing it to ring.  No such luck.  He had warned me not to expect a call for a couple weeks, but I was holding out hope that he was over exaggerating and he would be able to call before that.  I think its easier to expect to go two weeks with no word, and be pleasantly surprised by a phone call. But it is so very hard to just not know when to expect to hear anything.  I am hoping to get snail mail, but I know he doesn't like to write.  With no internet I don't think he will be able to personally update everyone, so I will try and keep you all up to speed via this blog or email.  He said that he will probably be without internet connection most of his deployment.  At least they are keeping him busy.  He got some new boots and said they are the most comfortable boots he's ever worn.  He said they are like wearing tennis shoes.  I can't believe it took the army this long to develop comfortable boots for the soldiers to wear!  I sent a package this last week.  I can't wait for him to receive it!  I plan on sending another one this week.  Since he hasn't been good at giving ideas, and since I'm new to this I have just been googling "care packages" for ideas on what to send.  For those of you who would like to send Jeromey a letter or a package his mailing address is:
Ford, Jeromey
322 EN CO
APO AE 09355


The post office has free flat rate shipping boxes for military packages.  It was $12.95 to send it over.  I also asked about postage for sending letters and they said its the same as mailing it somewhere in the U.S.  Jeromey informed me today he doesn't have to use stamps when he sends his mail.
I have been trying to adjust to this lack of communication, and just life with Jeromey temporarily gone.  Austin had spring break this week, so I had to take time off work as I had no one to watch him, especially with me going in at 6am.  I wouldn't have had time to drive him anywhere but my dad's house. Wednesday, we enjoyed some quality time. We spent almost the entire day in Iowa City/Coralville.  By the time we got home that evening, I was feeling really antsy.  I just wanted to go somewhere/do something.  At first, I attributed this to spring fever.  The more I thought about it, I realized I was just lonely.  Sure I had Austin for company, but it just isn't the same.  My mom was already planning on coming to Iowa on Saturday, but I just couldn't wait so I decided to go visit her.  Austin and I left Thursday morning.  It was just nice to not be home in that big house just the two of us.  I was so happy to see my mom.  It hasn't been easy going through something like this with her not around!  It was just what I needed.  Today we drove back to Iowa.  I picked up Matthew and Hunter and we spent the evening at my Aunt Elsa's just relaxing and hanging out with my mom and Paul.  I hope this next week goes a little smoother.
I think this is all I have to share for now, I can't think of/remember anything else we may have talked about.  Again all I ask is that Jeromey and his fellow soldiers continue to be in your prayers.