Cakes for Iraq

A friend from the FRG asked me earlier this month to put together a couple cakes for her husband and friend who are in Iraq with Phil's squadron. She intended to mail them their way in time for their birthdays. How fun is that? I did my best to make something that might hopefully survive the time and postal service handling. Here's what I came up with...
I built them on the lid of ziplock like containers that fit snugly, hoping it would hold them both in place for the long journey.
I've been waiting rather impatiently to see the results and finally got this from Cristina the other day...
Yeah not so good, but the guys enjoyed them anyway!
Hope you guys had a really Happy Birthday, Brad and Boomer! We'll see you home soon!

FRG

Phil's squadron will be home from their deployment in less then a month and everyone is so excited! Tonight was the pre-homecoming brief. They asked me to make a cake to help celebrate and this is what I came up with.
Talk about work! 3 little boats that resembled the boats our guys drive. In front are little sea bags and helmets. All the camo I hand-painted. In the picture are Lauren and Lisa, the FRG president and vice-president. I've recently taken on the secretary role in the FRG. I love these girls! It should be fun once all our hubbies are home for a bit.

My Husband the Riverine

Phil is back! For good... well, kinda.
As most of you know, this command that Phil is stationed at is going to be a lot different from what we've been with in the past. So Phil is home... for now. When he will leave again we're not sure. In the mean time, we are so happy to have him home! Phil has graduated from his latest class that officially makes him a Riverine.
To commemorate that I thought I'd share something I just read for the first time with Phil's latest certificate, The Riverine Sailor Creed:

In our nation's time of need, there are Sailors that stand ready... honor bound... to defend freedom. They serve on shallow waters and rivers, around the world, with honor and distinction. I am proud to be one of these Sailors... a Riverine Sailor.

I am a quiet professional; tried, tested and dedicated to achieving excellence in Riverine warfare operations. I am a disciplined, confident and highly motivated warrior.

My honor and integrity are above reproach; my commitment to duty unquestioned and my word trusted. The American people depend on me to execute my mission in a precise and professional, military manner.

I maintain my craft, equipment and myself at the highest possible levels of combat readiness. I set the standard and lead by personal example. I am responsible for my actions and accountable to my shipmates, superiors and the American people.

I am ready for war, but hope for peace. In the event of conflict, I will close and engage the enemy with the full combat power at my disposal. My actions will be decisive, yet measured. I will always complete my mission and do my duty leaving no shipmate behind, dead or alive.

My heritage was born during the revolution that made ours a free nation. The legacy and courage of those warriors who went in harms way before me guides my actions. I shall never forget the selflessness, perseverance and sacrifices made to secure our nations freedom. I will always uphold and maintain the honor of those who fought before me and staunchly protect our proud history.

Uniform

I really wish I could find a digital copy of our engagement picture. Phil had one medal, I think, and only an anchor on his left sleeve (as opposed to the crow with crossed anchors and three chevrons he sports nowadays). He's still my sailor and my hero. They all call him BM1 but I still get to call him Baby.

NAM

Phil was awarded this yesterday at work. It's another Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal. This makes his 3rd of this medal which is why you see the two stars in the center. The first time you receive a medal you get the colored bar (which is orange and green in this case). Phil got his first right before we left Virginia when we first got married. Each one you get after that, you add a star on top. Now that he's earned his 3rd, he has 2 stars on the medal. Make sense? So here is what his award says (since I'm sure you can't possibly read it in the photo):

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
(Gold star in lieu of third award)
to

Boatswain's Mat First Class (Surface Warfare/Air Warfare) Phillipp P. Pickle Jr, United States Navy
for

Professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as Student Division Commander, Training Support Center, Great Lakes from May 2005 to September 2008. Displaying outstanding leadership and mentoring skills, Petty Officer Pickle provided Naval military instruction and training in proper watchstanding, physical fitness, military customs and traditions to over 2,000 students annually. His outstanding dedication to excellence and untiring efforts led to USS Wisconsin receiving three "Ship of the Month" and two "Ultimate Command Challenge" awards. Additionally, his efforts instilled the meaning of dedication to duty and attention to detail as an integral part to the sailorization process. Petty Officer Pickle's professionalism, initiative, and loyal devotion to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Given this 16th day of July 2008

Video About Riverines

New Orders

The official orders came in today. We will be leaving here early September to head toward Virginia. Phil will be in Mississippi for about a month for training so he won't be in Virginia until November. Phil is going to be attached to a Riverine Squadron. We'll try to put up information on here as we find it. It's a little exciting and a lot scary at this point, so please be praying for us! Now it's time to buckle down and really get the house ready to list so this will be as smooth a transition as possible!