"A TRUE SOLDIER SOES NOT FIGHT BECAUSE HE HATES WHAT IS IN FRONT OF HIM, BUT BECAUSE HE LOVES WHAT IS BEHIND HIM"
This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America.On Nov. 12, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and Shirley TV show) wrote a piece 20 for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year -- citing that the stated 13% wage was more than they deserve.A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article.He ought to get a bonus for this.
"Ms Williams:I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service)and my bank account.Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systemsequipment .. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington , D.C. area reveals a position in mycareer field, requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year.
No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum...
I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces.Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigatecongressional and DOD leadership for attempting to getthe families in the military's lowest pay brackets off ofWIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a groupof deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ;I leave the choice of service branch up to you.Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the20SIX month rotation:it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to notethe spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them. Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift torelieve you for chow, remember this:
Trade whatever MRE (meal-ready- to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor. Talk to your loved ones 20 as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your opened piece. But, tomorrow from KABUL , I will defend to the death your right to say it. You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you cherish.. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies. And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve?
Rubbish!
A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC
AND I JUST NEED TO COMMENT ON MY ON BLOG AND SAY 'AMEN'! YOU GO AIRMEN BRAGG! FOR ALL THEM DANG POLITICIANS WHO KEEP TRYING TO TAKE OUR BENEFITS AND INCOME AWAY FROM US!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
UPDATE ON BOYS
Well yesterday was an EXCEEDINGLY exhausting day!!!! I kept all the kids home from school. We started the day off by leaving the house at 8 am. And we headed to Will's audiologist appointment. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the doctors bedside manner. But he performed the tests. And his left ear, is doing fine. His right ear, is basically deaf right now. But because there is a tube in his ear, the doctor seems to think that it is just a clogged tube causing the problem. And he passed the rest of the testing just fine! So I called the his pediatrician. And he gave me a prescription ear drop to put in his ear for five days, and then he will need to go back in for another hearing test in his right ear. Hopefully this will correct the problem, if not...I am not sure what our next course of action will be. Either was he will need speech therapy:-(.
Then we ran a few errands.
Then we proceeded to the dentist. My mom showed up to help me here(God bless moms :-) ) And we are five for five, no cavities!!!!! But Kaiden and Makayla do need to see an orthodontist ASAP, before their teeth get any worse, they both have an appointment next Tuesday!
Then we proceeded to go to the ophthalmologist for Nic. He did GREAT!! He was so brave! I LOVED this doctor! Nic has 20/20 vision in one eye and 20/25 in the other. So NO issues! Praise God!!!
We finally got home after 3:30, I was SOOOO exhausted!!! Both physically and emotionally. And I never made it to Costco! Shoot, sometime this week I will!!!! I have to!
Friday, April 17, 2009
TINY TOTS
Yes, there is more vacation pics, but I am done doing catchup, so you will not see them! I am moving on now:-)
I took the little boys to the doctor on Wednesday for their well checks and shots. And they are TEENY!!! Now, I knew this, but the doctor kept saying it also, luckily I LOVE their doctor, so I let it slide, LOL! Nic, is weighing in at a whooping 40 pounds and 41 inches tall. And he is FIVE!!! He received his Kindergarten shots. We then proceeded to the school, registered him, and last night we attended the 'kindergarten roundup', where we met the teachers and they tested him and what not. I have requested the same teacher that Rylie has now. We will see. The doctor also mentioned that he needs to go see an optomologist. For which I TOTALLY blame Thom's side of the family!!! But Nic is also going through this shy stage, and I am HOPING that that is part of the reason he failed the eye portion of the exam, cause he did NOT want to talk to the lady giving it. We will see, I have yet to make an appointment, cause I am living in denial. I know, bad mom! I will though:-)
Will is now weighing in at 24 pounds and 32 inches tall, he also received a shot. He has speech delay, which I also knew, duh, my two year old is not talking. He says this is VERY common in boys. I know this also, which is why I have not been stressing. And also due to all his ear infections, and trauma. But he does want him to see an audiologist for testing, and see exactly where his hearing ranges are. And maybe enroll him in speech therapy. He has an appointment on Monday morning to have the testing done. So we will have more answers after that. I have known all along that he will be okay, but it has still been a MAJOR stress for me. So that is all for my tiny tots! :-)
The house is coming along, I would like to say nicely, but no. It is a mess. It is so hard to move and unpack when you have five kids. Cause you still have all the normal day to day piles of laundry and dishes, the sibling quarrels, kids' friends coming over, and the many sicknesses to deal with PLUS the unpacking and cleaning from moving. It is so unending and FRUSTRATING!!!! So that is how I am doing :-)
But Rylie is HILARIOUS!!! I was looking over her homework the other day and I noticed her name was spelled different on her test. And I said, "Hey, Ry, is there another Rylie in your class." (fairly certain there was not, but, thinking the teacher had given her the wrong test back.) And she said no. So I said, "Why did you spell your name wrong?" She said, "Oh, that is how I spell it now." I said, "Ry, honey, you can't just change the way you spell your name." She said, "You said I could." I said, "Yes, when you are 18, if you still want to." And so it went for about 10 minutes. LMAO. So now I am wondering, should I let her. I mean really, it is not really that big of a deal. It is the same name. she just wants to change it from Rylie to Rylee. What's the big deal??? So I am seriously considering going down and having her name changed.
So this has turned into more of an update then just a 'tiny tot' story. So might as well give a full update:-)
Thom is now working at the college, he is the new ROTC recruiter, for Dixie. Which SHOULD make his job a whole lot easier, and more stable and secure***fingers crossed****please God!!!! He has only been there a week now, but is liking it so far.
There is not too much going on with Kaiden and Kayla, they are looking forward to the end of the school year, they are both busy practicing for their end of year programs. And are greatly enjoying living in this new neighborhood with all their friends close by. They have both gotten a taste of "the dreaded teen years" this week. A boy was 'being mean' to Makayla this week, and Kaiden had to 'take care' of the issue. Now on first report of this issue of course 'momma bear' comes out and I go to calm down and I called Thom to talk to him about it and he starts laughing I said what is your problem!!!! So when he gets home, we sit them both down to go over the situation again. And Makayla says what the boy says to her(it is VERY mild, not real mean at all, just to a big brother is it very offensive). Thom calls Rylie in and proceeds to explain to the girls about how gorgeous they are how boys will 'be mean' to them in an attempt to get them to notice them, but yes it is still up to their brothers to take care of them make sure no boy ever hurts their sister. I am SOOO grateful the boys outnumber the girls, LOL!!! And now the boy keeps telling Makayla how beautiful she is and now after she knows what he is up to even he 'meanness' is still flattering to her, LOL. Can we hold off on the teen years for awhile????
We have come to a compromise on our newest additions. I am keeping my three kittens (any doubt there:-) ), Belle now has a new home. But Thom gets to keep his two puppies. And the kittens HAVE to be declawed and fixed as soon as they turn 6 months, which will be in August.
I took the little boys to the doctor on Wednesday for their well checks and shots. And they are TEENY!!! Now, I knew this, but the doctor kept saying it also, luckily I LOVE their doctor, so I let it slide, LOL! Nic, is weighing in at a whooping 40 pounds and 41 inches tall. And he is FIVE!!! He received his Kindergarten shots. We then proceeded to the school, registered him, and last night we attended the 'kindergarten roundup', where we met the teachers and they tested him and what not. I have requested the same teacher that Rylie has now. We will see. The doctor also mentioned that he needs to go see an optomologist. For which I TOTALLY blame Thom's side of the family!!! But Nic is also going through this shy stage, and I am HOPING that that is part of the reason he failed the eye portion of the exam, cause he did NOT want to talk to the lady giving it. We will see, I have yet to make an appointment, cause I am living in denial. I know, bad mom! I will though:-)
Will is now weighing in at 24 pounds and 32 inches tall, he also received a shot. He has speech delay, which I also knew, duh, my two year old is not talking. He says this is VERY common in boys. I know this also, which is why I have not been stressing. And also due to all his ear infections, and trauma. But he does want him to see an audiologist for testing, and see exactly where his hearing ranges are. And maybe enroll him in speech therapy. He has an appointment on Monday morning to have the testing done. So we will have more answers after that. I have known all along that he will be okay, but it has still been a MAJOR stress for me. So that is all for my tiny tots! :-)
The house is coming along, I would like to say nicely, but no. It is a mess. It is so hard to move and unpack when you have five kids. Cause you still have all the normal day to day piles of laundry and dishes, the sibling quarrels, kids' friends coming over, and the many sicknesses to deal with PLUS the unpacking and cleaning from moving. It is so unending and FRUSTRATING!!!! So that is how I am doing :-)
But Rylie is HILARIOUS!!! I was looking over her homework the other day and I noticed her name was spelled different on her test. And I said, "Hey, Ry, is there another Rylie in your class." (fairly certain there was not, but, thinking the teacher had given her the wrong test back.) And she said no. So I said, "Why did you spell your name wrong?" She said, "Oh, that is how I spell it now." I said, "Ry, honey, you can't just change the way you spell your name." She said, "You said I could." I said, "Yes, when you are 18, if you still want to." And so it went for about 10 minutes. LMAO. So now I am wondering, should I let her. I mean really, it is not really that big of a deal. It is the same name. she just wants to change it from Rylie to Rylee. What's the big deal??? So I am seriously considering going down and having her name changed.
So this has turned into more of an update then just a 'tiny tot' story. So might as well give a full update:-)
Thom is now working at the college, he is the new ROTC recruiter, for Dixie. Which SHOULD make his job a whole lot easier, and more stable and secure***fingers crossed****please God!!!! He has only been there a week now, but is liking it so far.
There is not too much going on with Kaiden and Kayla, they are looking forward to the end of the school year, they are both busy practicing for their end of year programs. And are greatly enjoying living in this new neighborhood with all their friends close by. They have both gotten a taste of "the dreaded teen years" this week. A boy was 'being mean' to Makayla this week, and Kaiden had to 'take care' of the issue. Now on first report of this issue of course 'momma bear' comes out and I go to calm down and I called Thom to talk to him about it and he starts laughing I said what is your problem!!!! So when he gets home, we sit them both down to go over the situation again. And Makayla says what the boy says to her(it is VERY mild, not real mean at all, just to a big brother is it very offensive). Thom calls Rylie in and proceeds to explain to the girls about how gorgeous they are how boys will 'be mean' to them in an attempt to get them to notice them, but yes it is still up to their brothers to take care of them make sure no boy ever hurts their sister. I am SOOO grateful the boys outnumber the girls, LOL!!! And now the boy keeps telling Makayla how beautiful she is and now after she knows what he is up to even he 'meanness' is still flattering to her, LOL. Can we hold off on the teen years for awhile????
We have come to a compromise on our newest additions. I am keeping my three kittens (any doubt there:-) ), Belle now has a new home. But Thom gets to keep his two puppies. And the kittens HAVE to be declawed and fixed as soon as they turn 6 months, which will be in August.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
SAN DIEGO'S WILD ANIMAL PARK 2009
More catchup:-)
This was one of my sicker days, I felt horrible! But Thom would not quit taking pictures!!! I am trying to be a good sport for the kids' sake :-)
Pooh is THOROUGHLY displeased with whole picture thing:-)
This was one of my sicker days, I felt horrible! But Thom would not quit taking pictures!!! I am trying to be a good sport for the kids' sake :-)
Pooh is THOROUGHLY displeased with whole picture thing:-)
HARBOR EXCURSION 2009
Hear is some more picture catchup:-) These pictures are backwards so you may want to start at the bottom, I was too tired of my cranky computer to deal with fixing them:-)
Afterwards we ate at this beautiful restaurant on the beach, we actually ate on the patio, and the kids enjoyed feeding the birds their expensive dinner most, LOL! They LOVED it!!!
After the boat ride we walked towards the boardwalk and found this beautiful park with these old trees and decided to take some pictures, the kids got ahold of the camera soon (as you can tell), and yes Sarah, we will get a room, LOL!
Can you tell that Thom had the camera most of the day?? There are WAY to many pictures of me! Just randomly taken:-)
This was the day that Will's illness REALLY hit him! He slept most of the boat ride! 
Our boat 
Afterwards we ate at this beautiful restaurant on the beach, we actually ate on the patio, and the kids enjoyed feeding the birds their expensive dinner most, LOL! They LOVED it!!!
After the boat ride we walked towards the boardwalk and found this beautiful park with these old trees and decided to take some pictures, the kids got ahold of the camera soon (as you can tell), and yes Sarah, we will get a room, LOL!
Can you tell that Thom had the camera most of the day?? There are WAY to many pictures of me! Just randomly taken:-)
This was the day that Will's illness REALLY hit him! He slept most of the boat ride! 
Our boat 
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