Yes, it really was the day that changed everything

7 years ago I woke up to go to work like any other morning. I remember my alarm going off at around 8..maybe a little before. It was on a country music station...but they were not playing Chesney...or Keith. It was a news brief....

I hit snooze.

Then it went off again. And I wondered what was going on. I went upstairs and turned the TV in my moms room on. I could not believe the pictures that I was seeing. I called my new fiance (Tiffany) and she was watching the same thing. We sat there talking about the ONE tower that had been hit. Then the other was hit. We were shocked. She went to school later that day...I went to work. But not before I watched 2000+ people die on TV. I audibly yelled NO when the towers fell. I knew that life would never be the same.

At the sprint store that day we played the news all day. We did not do much. Some people came it...and they were glued to the TV. Some wept right there in the store. I think that was how people were on the day pearl harbor was attacked.

That was the day that I feel the Lord put me on the path that leads me to where my family is today. I raised my right hand and enlisted in the Army infantry almost 5 years to the day later. I joined because I know that I have what it takes to lead men and bring them home. I feel that God has given me that gift. I needed to serve. To try to make a difference.

So here we are...almost 2 years later....and we feel that we have never been more in a right place than we are right now.

I dont know if I will jump into this fight yet...we will know soon. I do know that I am ready. I thank all of your for your support of me and my family during this time...and we appreciate all of your continuing prayers.

Jerm

Learned this in arabic....

So, Hassam is one of my teachers in Arabic. He is from Iraq, and used to work with the Army over there as a translator. Before the war he was a human rights activist and had at least 6 attempts on his life. He told us something in class I NEVER knew.

2 months before the war...Saddam knew we were going to come in. Just knew it. So...he let ALL of the prisoners out of jail. All of them(150,000). Murderers, thieves, you name it...they went back on the streets. And wouldn't you know it....all of the buildings that housed the records for said criminals were destroyed by "looting" during the early days of the war.

Interesting.....

Hassam was also saying that before, if you killed someone, or stole a car etc, that the local militias would deal with you in the manner they sought fit. But...with so many of those militias now fighting americans....and other sects...those that LOVED commiting those acts had someplace to go. Becuase there...they could kill, steal, etc...but this time it was in the name of God. So that made it ok.

Did any of you hear about that on the news? I don't remember it. I bet we were not counting on those extra 150,000 running loose on the streets when we went in. If we were...I think the timetable would have looked a bit differently.

Can't wait to do with C....

So...the other day I was doing something with Coop...and I had a thought. Man...I can't wait till he is old enough to see the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Yes...I know...its weird. But, just to hear him ask questions...see the look in his eye as Aragorn takes up his sword and his rightful place. The wonder that is involved.

But, thats not all. I also want to see the look in his eyes when he catches his first fish on his own. Or hits a baseball into the outfield. Throws a spiral. Makes a basket.

Do you all know what I mean? I know that my parents read this from time to time...and they may remember some of that stuff with us kids. (And if they dont thats ok) So...here is a list (some silly of course) of what I am looking forward seeing him do... (and I will just stick with C now...I will write about the other kiddo when he/she comes to see us)
-Driving a car
-hitting a golf ball (uncle chub will help with this one)
-first date
-a sunrise
-getting a good grade in school
-looking at his wife
-looking at his child
-graduating college
-reading to us
-riding a bike
-pulling a 720 front-side flair tail whip on said bike in the X-games (lol....that would be sweet though)
-getting his first puppy
-learning to tie his shoes.....

So there are a few things...what about your son or daughter? What are some things that you look forward to??

Arabic- Doughnuts- T-shirts

Week one is done! UGH! Yep, I have finished my first week of Arabic language training. Yes, that sounds VERY military, but, that's what they call it. On the outside...it is a university level Arabic class, that when we are done at the end of 10 months, we will know more and be more fluent than that of a student taking 2 years at a university. Wow...we'll see.

It is H A R D ! Not easy. We have been taught the alphabet this week. Notice I said taught...not "we learned." I still am not super comfortable with the whole thing yet. I am better than on Monday, but...its rough.

So...just to let you know what I am dealing with. Arabic has 28 letters in the alphabet. They can EACH be written 4 different ways depending on where they are in a word. AND depending on what "modifying" character they have over the top...they can have 4 different sounds too!!!! HA! (it makes you want to suck start a shotgun)

Yea...so we have a limited vocabulary right now....they taught us about 20 words/phrases. Yep....I said taught.

We have 10 months of this. They will be going super in depth on the language, culture and HOW to translate. The nice part is they are really gearing all of this to how it will co-inside with Army operations. And as a "shooter", it is very imperative to my job to be able to communicate the the locals. In the end...it could save lives, mine, my buddies, or guys in another unit that I don't even know about. That part is pretty cool. And when you put that kind of spin on it, it makes studying a little easier.

So...it has been rough, but there are some up sides to this whole thing.
A-off every day at 4:30
B-NO FIELD PROBLEMS FOR THE NEXT 10 MONTHS! Nope...I will NEVER be away from the fam doing Army stuff for the next 10 months.
C-Will be home for sure for the next baby!
D-off every day at 4:30

So..there ya go for my update....on army stuff...

Coop woke Tiff and I up this morning. He came in and said he needed to go potty. When he was done he comes in and says "Hi daddy! Are you awake?" Yes I am bud. "How did you sweep?" Like a rock man! "Cool.....I swept wike a doughnut!" LOL...so stinking funny!!

Tiff is doing well with the new kiddo. At the awkward none of my cloths fit stage...but....shes hot.(not like temperature hot)

I love t-shirts....I found a site that is awesome...check this out.

Back from Yak

I am back from 2 weeks at Yakima. It felt like I was gone for longer than that with OPNET (our stryker school) being the 3 weeks prior to that. Long nights at OPNET then BAM! Off to Yakistan. It was pretty crazy.

This Yakima trip was much different than the other 3 I have been on-
A-We have our strykers
B-It was NOT 10 degrees out
C-See A&B

The trip itself was actually fun. We were all really dirty from all the dust the strykers kicked up (from this point forward I am going to call them trucks), no shower...most of the time there. And the chow was sub par...again most of the time.

Mission wise...it was cool. We did an Ambush on some AQI (Al Quieda in Iraq) forces...with some intel we got from them we did a raid on a small town. -THAT was fun. We hit the town at about 0430 (AM) and we used blanks and had some OPFOR (bad guys) Shooting back at us. We had our MILES (Lazer tag like stuff) on...so it made it KINDA realistic. I was second dude through a doorway upstairs. Well...I saw the machine gunner first, lit up my tac light to blind him, which it did and he froze just long enough for me to get e few rounds headed his direction. BUT, with one squeeze of his trigger he sent about 10 "friends" my direction. Bummer. So we both sat down...beeping. It was funny when my squad leader and team leader had to get me out to the MEV (the medical truck) They had dudes pulling security...laying down cover fire...it was all pretty cool. And they did not realize how heavy I was. hehehe.....not fat...just big.

The next thing we did was a few days later. We did a company live fire. We attacked another compound. But this time we set a breaching charge on the door. THAT WAS AWESOME! It made a big ole' boom! It was fun stuff. Especially at night. By the way....we woke up that morning at 5....and we finished that mission at 0430 the NEXT day! ugh....it was a bummer.

The next day we had a company mission. It was kinda lame....although we did get to use a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) Yea...they said the UAV saw only 2 in the compound. Whatever....I led a team in....guess the other SEVEN where hiding. We did well. My squad leader made me a team leader for this mission, as well as another specialist, Luker. He said we rocked...even though the mission did not go as planned (none of them do) we did well. So that was cool.

One of the coolest things that happened while we were there was AHA guard. (Ammo handling area) There were 6 of us that got selected to go...it meant alot of sleep, a shower, and a trip to the shoppette for some real food! The coolest thing was that there was a "Long Tabber" there. (SF Green Beret) Yea...on guard with us! They pull that some duty too! It was pretty funny. we never thought they did any of that. Guess they do. So we got to talk alot with this guy. Really laid back, typical SF guy. Quiet, calm, chill, but you can tell he can kick....well...you know.

So I am home now...and am going to back to work tomorrow. But I will be there for 3 days then another weekend. So that's cool. And, 2 of my favorite people are coming out here a week from today!!!!

STUD Driver

Coming back from the Company mission



WHAT A STUD!

1st Squad, 3rd Platoon-The Dirty Pirates

Stryker drag race!

About a year ago, Tiff and I decided that we wanted to add another to the Nevil ranks. Well, we have not been all that successful, lets face it, you either are, or aren't. I have to say, it has been REALLY disappointing. With cooper...we just, found out. There was no "trying"...he just surprised us. But, now I know what its like to try...and it not work out the way you want. It can be such a heart breaking process!

We have been praying for God to give us another child. And we have learned alot about timing in the last 2 years. But it was just not happening. (I was beginning to think that the gas chamber during basic broke me!!! I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE IN THERE!)

So...I get a picture mail the other day from Tiff while I was getting our stryker ready to go. A picture of a pregnancy test and the tag:Tee Hee Hee. It was2 lines, positive!!! I just started laughing....kinda teary laugh, but a joyous laugh none the less!

I am on cloud nine right now. We don't know why God waited till now, but we know that this is when he wanted us to go down this road. So..we are relying on Him every step, and can't wait to see what this new little one has in store for us!

I know...I am awful at this. I knew I would be. But...Tiff does alot on her blog...so sometimes I just feel too much info would be overkill. So...I let her put it out. But, I have been too lazy and need to post here.

I had my wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. It was a much better experience than I thought it would be. I was really..REALLY nervous about going under all the way. But...man...what a way to fly!!! It was cool. Everything in the surgurey went well. They did get into my sinus cavity a bit...but that is not a big deal. Right now I am swollen a bit...and am on some SA-WEET meds!

***Note*** When leaving the hospital and are still a little doped up....that is the ONLY time it makes hugging your nurse ok.

So...I am now enjoying the weather here...and a few days off work. I am glad the weather is working out....I am sick of the 50 degree temps and rain.

Last week was cool. We had a family day at my unit. And what says family like an 8 mile road march???!!! Tiff and Coop went with me...it was awesome!! Tiff totaly rocked all 8 miles! She was a trooper! We did it in about 2.5 hours. That is an EIB (expert infantry badge) 15 minute/mile pace! She is awesome. We soldier were in "full kit" ie; helmet, vest, weapon. But...we decided after 2 miles that our wives should walk...a few hundred meters in our shoes so to speak. Tiff was amazed how had it was to walk with all that stuff on! She did say she had a new appreciation for what I do. That was very sweet of her.

After the march we had a cookout. It was alot of fun to visit with the other families...and it was cool that my son got a pic behind the business end of a 50 CAL SNIPER RIFLE!

I love those pics!!! That thing is litterly twice his size!!!!

There we are>> Happy....before the march!!

As far as other stuff going on, we are going to Yakistan (yakima) in June for about 2 weeks. But we are going with our strykers...so that will be sweet! WE can finally be a medium infantry unit!! WOOHOOO!!!

My mom and Ashlynn are going to be here in July...CAN'T WAIT!!!!! And Tiff an coop are going to be out the St. Louis way while I am at Yakistan. (so...if there is anyone out there with some ticket tips...vouchers collecting dust...bla bla bla.....we could make some use of them!)