Da Da needs some lessons

Emille is currently working one 12-hour night shift per week. As a result, when Emille has to work on a night prior to one of my workdays we have a arrangement where one of our friends keeps Bailey for the morning so that Emille can rest. The truly tragic part of this is that it means I have to dress Bailey on those mornings. I am pretty confident in my ability to put together a cute outfit for her, although she looks cute in a paper sack, seriously, we put a paper sack on her and took a picture, it was really cute. But I am at a loss as to what to do with her beautiful curly hair (Her hair is halfway down her back when it is wet and not to her shoulders when it is dry). She is a daily victim of some amazing bed hair so leaving it as is is not an option. I have tried pulling it back into a ponytail, because that sounded simplest to me. Last week she looked like she was straight out of the “Last of the Mohicans” and this week she looked like a tiny Founding Father. There is obviously some trick that I am not picking up on. Bailey is clueless. I showed her herself in the mirror this morning and she said "Oh, dantu (thank you) da da!"

With a Baa and A Moo and a Cockadoodledoo, Come and Celebrate Bailey Turning Two!

A Few pics from Bailey's farm themed Birthday party

The girls watching Elmo on the Farm

Hanging Out

Bailey and the Pig cake(pronounced "PEEG")

Bailey holding Brylee and the "Cockadooa (aka Rooster)"

A Hard Post to Write/Read

OPRAH TEARS AUTHOR INTO ‘A MILLION LITTLE PIECES’ is the top story!

I have nothing against Oprah…well, who am I kidding, I have a lot against Oprah. But that is not the purpose of this post. I am constantly amazed by the national infatuation with the meaningless. As a follower of world events I have compiled my list of underreported and flat out ignored stories that I think people should be aware of. I warn you: This post may be long (I have not written it yet) and I will pull no punches. The topics will be hard and only underscore the meaninglessness of what happened on Oprah yesterday. So here they are, my top nine (feel free to add one if you want), in no particular order.

1. Africa- Africa has been called the “dark continent.” I would submit that the “forgotten continent” would be more appropriate. Without exception, every country on the continent has at least one major crisis that if left unchecked could end hundreds (the best case scenario) or even millions (worst case) of lives. I will not go into detail on each country (Although I would love to, feel free to ask about specific countries if you wish) but I will touch on a few of the worst cases. In all cases, remember that we are not talking about numbers these are fathers, mothers and children.
Sudan- In a fight between Arabs and Africans that dates back to the Ptolemy’s, Sudanese military and the Janjaweed militia have engaged in the systematic genocide of Africans. Lately their efforts have focused on the southwest province of Darfur.
Congo- 36,000 people die in this country every month according to the UN. This figure does not count those who are kidnapped, raped or sold into slavery.
Uganda- Despite making headway against the AIDS virus in the last few years, Uganda is fighting an insurgency in the north of the country against a group ironically calling itself the “Lords Resistance Army “(LRA). The LRA largely funds itself through robbery, kidnapping, and selling children into slavery. Thousands dead and missing
Cote d’Ivore- In the news this week because its warm civil war just went hot. Hundreds dead, thousands at stake.
Somalia-despite UN/US intervention in the early to mid 1990s. Somalia is still among the world’s most dangerous places. In many cases it is a kill or be killed type of existence. It is a base for both terrorists and piracy. There is a temporary government in place but it is largely viewed as a joke. Unknown amount of dead (estimated in the low millions since the 1990s)

2. The War in Afghanistan-Yes there is still a war going on there. Overshadowed by the larger conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan is a country in transition, albeit sometimes a violent transition. An increase in car bombings and suicide attacks in the south means that US and NATO forces are moving more heavily into that area. Headway is being made, no doubt, but the war here should not be forgotten.

3. North Korea- Almost all news about North Korea has been shut down by western governments. Despite the facts that the NK military would have to deliver it in a vintage WWI biplane, the fact that NK possesses nuclear weapons means that no one wants to talk bad about them. As a nation we are trying to keep them happy. This is in spite of the fact that Kim Jong Il, the despot leader of NK forced a famine on his country that is estimated to have killed 300,000 people, and that may be low balling it. Videos of public executions have been smuggled out of NK which show people being shot in the head for trying to leave the country, or for writing something bad about the “Dear Leader” of NK. Perhaps worst of all, NK runs several Nazi style concentration camps for those who disagree or were suspected of disagreeing with the government. It is unknown how many people have died in these camps or how many remain in them today. It is estimated in the hundreds of thousands. Can you imagine being silent about concentration camps. You don’t have to, we are already doing it. Satellite pictures of these camps can be found on globalsecurity.org

4. French Intelligence help-I love to mock the French as much as the next guy, probably more, but the help they are giving us in the War on Terror is awesome. Due to the fact that they have a large Muslim Immigrant populations as well as their history as a colonial power means that they have sources that we do not and they have been willing to share it. The Washington Post did a great article on this several weeks back. So, say "thank you" to Frenchy, even if he does smell.

5. International Slavery-despite the fact that slavery is almost universally denounced in the developed world, a blind eye is turned to the millions of mainly women and children sold into a lifetime of slavery. In many cases they are rounded up in rural areas where no one will notice and the shipped by boat to places where they can be sold for a good bit of money. Does that sound familiar? Also called by its more palatable name “human trafficking,” the slaves mostly come out of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caucuses and are largely sold into the Middle East, Russia and to pedophiles all over the world, including in the United States.

6. The GOOD news from Iraq- Every once in a while you hear something about this but it is so underreported. Schools that Saddam used to hide weapons in have been rebuilt by the US, complete with books and supplies. The vast majority of the country is relatively safe. Tremendous progress has been made throughout the country and we are learning new ways to fight every day. Elections have gone off great and public participation from all major groups was heavy, yet this is glossed over.

7. AIDS Pandemic-Yet another crisis that focuses largely on Africa and Asia. Because it is hardest hit in terms of people infected, Africa is often singled out in Pandemic discussions, but Southeast Asia (Thailand especially) is so bad that it has developed its own strain of the virus. Entire countries will lose their working class, plunging them backwards in terms of economic and social development. Lack of AIDS education has hampered many efforts to get the plague under control. In Africa, for example, rumors that having intercourse with a virgin would cure the disease led to a major problem of child rape and the subsequent infection of children.

8. The Sex Trade- A more specific version of slavery, this is not limited to any particular region. Women and children are sold as sex slaves all over the world. Dateline NBC did a special on the sex trade in America just a few weeks ago. It happens everywhere there are children without parents, where children roam the streets freely in developing countries.

9. Only People in the US and Britain (Western Governments) care if Bin Laden is alive or dead.-The media loves to harp on the fact that OBL has not been caught yet and that he was the one who attacked us, and while it is an exaggeration to say that nobody else would care about his death, it is also an exaggeration that we would be in any different of a situation if we had caught him yesterday. The terrorismwe are fighting is not something that is based on a loyalty to a particular figure or leader. It is based on something that the terrorists believe transcends each on eof them. The feel that they are just fighting the latest battle in a war that began hundreds of years ago That is not to say that catching him is not a priority, I am sure it is. By the way, he offered us a truce last week! Didn’t hear much about that. “Please don’t hurt me” doesn’t sound like someone who is winning the war.

The Experience

If you think this is too long then it wasn't written for you


I was asked to write about an experience that I had this afternoon and honestly, my only fear is that in doing so I will not be able to do it justice. A few days ago an e-mail found its way into my inbox that told of the death of a Corporal in Iraq. In my work I have several, what I call “Reference Sites” that I check out each day. One of these gives me a notice every time a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine is killed anywhere in the world. What made this e-mail different is that it was not from that site, it was from my mom. It informed me that the soldier who was killed was the son of missionaries in Estonia and that his brother is on a mission team in the Ukraine. It happened to mention that he would be interred at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) on 25 January 2006. I immediately decided that if there was any way I could do it, that I would go. So today at 1230 I called ANC from the road and asked where I needed to go in order to attend the internment. Not wanting to invade on anything I pictured myself standing off next to some tree watching the funeral and silently praying for the family. This was not how it went down. I was told that I should pull into the line of cars outside the “Memorial Gate” and wait for the procession to start. I was to follow the hearse until it stopped and then follow the directions given by the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, US Army, the Old Guard. At 1250 I pulled into the back of the line of cars and in a few minutes entered ANC.

For those of you who have never been to ANC, it is a sobering experience on the happiest of days. The rows upon rows and fields upon fields of white marble tombstones are the first thing that overwhelms you. From the right angle it can look like snow covered plain even in the middle of summer. The wind was blowing hard. The weatherman said it was going to be gusting up to 40 mph today and I remember feeling the wind blowing against the Jeep pretty hard as we drove up the hill. The temp was in the low 40s but with the wind it felt like it was in the 30s. The directions given by the SGT from the 3rd IR did not allow for my viewing from a distance. After coming to a stop I got out of the car and slowly walked forward to the gathering group. The SGT ushered us all to the rear of the hearse. Being tall and insecure of my being there I stood at the back and was able to watch everything. The 6 honor guard troopers marched up to the hearse and removed the flag draped coffin and carried it up the grassy hill to the waiting bier. Once it was set, the family and everyone was ushered to the gravesite. Intentionally staying to the back I was caught of guard by the number of fresh graves in the area, and then I realized that we were in the Global War on Terrorism section (Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom). These were the graves of the men and women who had died since the attacks of 9/11. The wall of the Pentagon that had been hit in the attacks was clearly in view.

When we got to the gravesite I stayed at the back of the group. I could clearly see the backs of the Corporal’s mother, father, brother, sisters, and niece (she looked about 3 months old). Of course he was not a Corporal to them. He was their brother, son, and uncle. He was Dustin, the guy they had grown up with, shared so much with and loved dearly. The Kendalls are a good looking family by any definition but they were obviously heart-broken. I can only imagine that they were jet-lagged as well, having flown in from all over the world to say “good-bye.” Almost all of them were noticeably crying as the Army Chaplain began his short speech. Of course I do not remember all the words he spoke but I remember noticing how each of the family straightened up as the word of God was read. It was as if they were drawing strength directly from it and could not allow themselves to miss a word.

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Even as the words were being read the father began nodding slowly in affirming what he had just heard, as if he was remembering that he was on the winning team. About this time the baby niece started crying and was passed off to what I would assume to be an extended family member. This break in the silence made me think of my own children and for a moment I thought about how difficult it would be to explain to one of my precious girls how wonderful their Uncle Andy was. When I realized what an impossible task that was I was thankful that I remembered my sunglasses, because I was starting to tear up.

The chaplain continued for a short while and gave a really encouraging speech. He spoke of the family’s biblically acknowledged right to mourning but how Christian death and Christian burial is unique among all faiths of the world. It is wrapped in hope and bound up in the knowledge that it is not the end, but the true beginning.

The chaplain concluded by saying, “God sent his son Jesus Christ to earth to save us, Christ led the perfect life but was sacrificed in our stead. But He was raised to life and now sits enthroned at the right hand of God. For us here today, this is a matter of faith. Today, for Corporal Dustin Kendall, it is a matter of FACT, a matter of REALITY." With this the Chaplain led the Lords Prayer and stepped aside. Up stepped a Brigadier General that had been standing off to the side. The honor guard folded the flag that was draped on the coffin and handed it to the General who slowly saluted the flag before taking it. Upon taking it the honor guard saluted the flag as well. The General then moved to the mother, handed her the flag and said “On behalf of a very grateful nation, we thank you for your son’s honorable service and as he honored his country in life, we will honor him in his death." The General then presented a flag to the brothers and sisters as well. The General then turned and took two small boxes and handed the first to the father. “Your son, Corporal Dustin Kendall is hereby awarded the bronze star for faithful…” the General really started choking up here “…service to his country and courageous actions in the field of battle.” The General then presented the same to the brother and sisters and stepped aside. An ANC official then stepped up and pointed out the honor guard firing team about 50 yards away up the hill. They fired three shots and then a lone bugler at the top of the hill played “Taps.” I was really thankful for my sunglasses.

At the conclusion of “Taps” we were all dismissed back to our cars so that we could drive to a separate part of ANC to talk with the family. The family stayed alone with the casket for some time. As I watched them from the Jeep with the heater blowing full blast I couldn’t help but think, when are you able to say “Okay, I am ready to leave the casket?”

After a few minutes the family got in their limousines and the procession drove to a distant part of ANC and everyone got out. I thought about leaving but really wanted to say something to the parents. I walked up to the father and shook his hand. I had been trying to think of something encouraging to say but could not think of anything. I said “Sir, my name is Sam and I work with the Department of Defense.” I could tell he thought I was about to ask him to move his car or something so I said, “My mom is good friends with Dottie Schulz with the Missions Resource Network and she sent me an e-mail regarding the internment today. “I just wanted to let you know that you, your son and your family have my respect and gratitude. “It is obvious that you have raised a family dedicated to setting the captives free.” He nodded and said “I keep telling people that this is all part of the gift. “I know where my son is, I know where I can find him. God will see us through all of this and we will see Dustin again someday.” "You guys are doing great work down there at MRN!", He went on. I told him that I was not with MRN but that I agreed with him. With that we shook hands and he turned to talk to a LT from Dustin’s Unit. I shared a similar conversation with Dustin’s mother and then got in the Jeep and headed back to work, amazed that I could be so moved by the internment of someone I didn’t even know. That I would shed tears over a family’s loss that has no connection to me. As I drove back to Fort Belvoir I tried to sort it all out, why had it been so moving?

The Symbolism

I admit that I am a sucker for symbolism, but the whole day seemed draped in it. It was as if the Lord had laid things out so plainly today and did not want a lesson to be missed. We had stood there on the hill in the cold huddled together because that is what people do when times are hard, they draw together, yet there was no warmth in this group. It was only when the bright afternoon sun would shine down on us through some brief break in the clouds that there was warmth. I could almost hear the Lord reminding us, “No matter what you see, what you feel, I am Here with you.” To watch a mother cradle a flag as she had once cradled a baby boy. To hear the sweet innocent cry of a baby in the midst of so many innocents. As we drove off from the gravesite I cried as I looked up the hill and saw only the mahogany casket, facing eternity alone, as we all must.

The Faith

The faith that was so obvious in the family could not help but be moving. As someone who works with the military I was reminded of the old strategic concept of 2-2-1. The concept dictated that the US military should maintain the capability to simultaneously fight 2 enemies on 2 separate fronts with the guarantee of one decisive victory. I could not help but think that the Kendall family had been working under the same concept. They have been fighting both the spiritual and physical forces of tyranny, enslavement and death on two separate fronts and today I was able to witness their confidence in the ONE decisive victory!

The Gratitude

Even on a sightseeing trip you cannot go to ANC without a profound sense of gratitude. Thousands and thousands of men and women who served their country in order to let us do whatever we did today (Is what you did today worth that sacrifice?) But standing alongside the warriors of the Lord today I could not help but be overwhelmed by their sacrifice. Their daily decision to get out of bed and fight! Their determination that they would not lose anymore! Their resolve that they would stand, they would walk, and come what may, they would finish the race, knowing that they will be greeted at the finish line by the One who is now holding their son.

Exactly What We Need

I stand corrected.

Several days ago I engaged in a blog conversation with a friend regarding the responsibilities of international oil conglomerates have to make the third world countries they do business with better (Sound Exciting!? see Syriana post-http://carterdintx.blogspot.com) . While I stand behind the main thrust of my arguments I made the following statement, which I no longer agree with:

“I have yet to see “Syriana” because I think George Clooney is a moron and the ex-CIA agent (Robert Baer) that wrote the book that “Syriana” is based on (See No Evil) is a Class A Tool Bag.”

I still have not seen Syriana and I still think Clooney is a moron, but I have read the book and now have tremendous respect for Baer. His is off base on a few points, but on the whole is exactly what this country needs: someone who is ready to go into dangerous places and do dangerous things with dangerous people.

To Quote Baer (See No Evil, p. 271):

“We are at war in America and throughout the Western world, at war with an enemy with no infrastructure to attack, with no planes to shoot out of the sky, with no boats to sink to the bottom of the sea and precious few tanks to blow up for the amusement of the viewers of CNN. The only way to defeat such an enemy is by intelligence, by knowing what they plan to do next, and by being ready for them when they arrive. And the only way to gather such intelligence is by having the political will to let those who know how to learn those secrets perform their jobs, no matter how murky the swamp is. I wish I had the confidence that we were willing to walk down that path and stay on it.”

Kadi Lael Vaughn-Le Petit bon bon

This is a picture of my precious niece Lael taken from my sister’s blog. Kelly and Randy Vaughn (my oldest sister and her husband) are going through the adoption process and we are praying that it goes quickly and smoothly. No one in my family has gotten to meet Lael in person yet, although my parents are going over there pretty soon, but we are all dying to hold her and kiss on her. She is the latest edition to a family of beautiful girls and studly men, she fits in perfect. As a proud Uncle Sam I wanted to share this great picture.

I have made a few mentions on this blog regarding my sister Kelly and her family living in Benin, West Africa. Without exception, every time they are mentioned I get a comment or e-mail from someone saying that they were not aware of what was going on with them. I strongly encourage everyone to click the “Vaughn’s” link to the right and check things out for yourself.

Singing Turtle

Life on Post: A guy in the cube next to me got a turtle doll that starts singing and dancing when you push a red button on it back (similar to the “Singing Santa”). The first time I saw it I laughed. Not because it was funny but because I had finally found the people who actually buy that junk. Anyway, that turtle is officially the hardest working person here, excluding me of course. It boggles my mind that people will honestly push the button and stand there giggling, swaying back and forth through the whole “Slow down, your moving too fast…” song (not Simon and Garfunkel, that would at least be a decent song).

Typical:

“Hey! We think we have found bin Laden! We have to move fast, he is hiding in a…hey! Is that one of those singing turtles! Those are hysterical! Do I just push this button?” “SLOW DOWN…”

20 Fun Facts

Be Sure To Check Out The Three Posts Below This One!

20 Fun Facts:

1. Brylee’s hair is coming back in. Sadly, she is losing “the Terry Bradshaw”
2. Bailey can sing the ABC’s. It always ends with: “Next time won’t you L-O-P”
3. Brylee is ticklish
4. Bailey will walk up to Emille and me, put our hand on her belly and say “Da-Da more tickle!”
5. Brylee loves to laugh
6. Bailey’s new phrase is “WOW, Cool mama!”
7. Brylee loves to watch TV
8. Bailey Love’s Elmo
9. Brylee will sleep for hours if you let her sleep in the queen size bed
10. Bailey loves and is constantly concerned about her “Neigh” (her toy horse. “Neigh” is what a horse says, pronounced “knee”)
11. Brylee has to be fed in a quiet, dark room. If there is a chance to watch TV or socialize she will take it.
12. Bailey loves her bath and brushing her teeth
13. Brylee just moved up to a size 3 diaper yesterday
14. When Bailey’s hair is dry, it is above her shoulders. When it is wet, it is to the middle of her back (Lots of beautiful curls)
15. After almost three weeks of not having to take a bottle (Emille did not work and was able to nurse her throughout the holidays) Brylee now cries whenever I try to give her one (She wants her mother)
16. On an average night Bailey takes 2 dogs, 2 Elmos, 2 babies, a Neigh (see #10) and at least one book to bed with her.
17. Brylee loves to have her older sister play with her
18. Bailey loves to take care of Brylee. Last night at 0230 in the morning Brylee started crying. I got up and made a quick pit stop on my way to get her. By the time I got to their room Bailey was standing on her bed yelling “Da-Da, Da-Da, Da-Da” I opened the door, picked up Brylee and said “What, sweet girl?” to Bailey. She pointed at Brylee and said “Bry Okay?” I said “yes, she’s fine, she is just hungry (See #15, Emille worked last night).” Bailey said “Oh, Okay, night, night Da-Da” and laid back down and went to sleep.
19. Brylee loves to smile at anyone who looks at her, she is so ready to bring joy to people.
20. This morning I woke Bailey up at 0550. I gave her a bottle and as she drank it and started to wake up her first words were “Da-Da, I love Mama” I said “me too Bailey!” her response, “Cool Da-Da!”

Be Sure To Check Out The Three Posts Below This One!

At Long Last (3)

Dressed and ready to hit the town.

Watching a "Baby Me" (A baby movie) in the morning

Bailey learned how to handle a 4-Wheeler from her cousin Payton. He is a highly trained expert.

Hanging out with Andy and "Presh"

Praying-Bailey loves to grab anyone's hand and ask them to "pay" with her. Brylee does not shut her eyes during the prayers, we think she is Pentecostal.

Still working with Brylee on posing for pictures, Bailey has it down

Bailey is constantly bringing new toys to "Bry"

At Long Last (2)

When Emille's grandmother passed away a few years ago they were sorting through her things and foound a box that said "For Emille." It contained this sweet outfit that Brylee is wearing in these next two pics.

Brylee in her chair in Baird

Brylee Opening Christmas Gifts in Baird

My three sweet girls

At Long Last

Bailey and her good friend Gracie
Bailey riding the motorcycle in Baird

Bailey loves to show Brylee how to get the most out of her toys

Just after bath time

Taking Care

As you can imagine, a good deal of our time is spent taking care of our precious little girls, as it should be. Here is a picture of Bailey taking care of her baby while visiting some friends last week. I will do my best to get some pictures up tomorrow. I apologize for the long wait.