Wendy found this, thought this was just plain...AWESOME!!!

Watch Out Pele!

So while I was in Utah, Wendy signed Alex up for soccer. To say that Alex was excited was a vast understatement. He always wanted to wear his new soccer cleats and really wanted to wear his sock/shin guards. Having never played organized anything this was Alex's first attempt at soccer stardom! The team practices and has its games on base on a miniature field with miniature goals...a far smaller field that I grew up on.

So I sat on the bleachers, (which were covered in bird doo), with all the other moms and dads of all the three foot tall running traffic cones and repressed my desire to interfere and tell Alex how to properly kick the ball...you see this was the coaches job and she surely didn't need a meddling dad in the way.

Alex was by far the coolest looking kid out there and is going to get better and better as he grows up.

Getting Alex in an action pose, (like sticking his tongue out when he kicked the ball), proved a bit more difficult as I am not a vetted photographer by any means. I was very impressed how Alex handled himself. He listened to Coach Bev and really had a lot of fun. Now hopefully it will not rain tomorrow and he can enjoy another practice.

When 4-5 year olds play soccer it ends up being a mass of players in the middle of the field, (like a mosh pit), and everyone trys to kick the ball. Every so often the ball will pop out and and the mass moves to the ball. The goalies are left to pick their wedgie or be distracted by the bug that just flew by.

This all is sidelined by another mass of individuals called parents yelling for there kid to kick the ball, (preferably an upside down gravity defying bicycle kick), into the goalie less goal, (goalie was distracted by a bug remember?)

I guess the next big this is T-Ball...bring it on! Watch Out A-Rod!

Say What?

Found this artical quite fasinating as I (an Iraq War Veteran), fall into this catagory.

The Department of Homeland Security declared this month that Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are at risk of becoming domestic terrorists. While no other government in the world has stated it believes that U.S. soldiers are terrorists – the United States government puts them on a domestic terror watch list. The FBI has recently launched an investigative program, along with the Defense Department, called "Vigilant Eagle," to share information about Iraq and Afghanistan war vets who may have a propensity toward domestic terrorism.
The Homeland Security intelligence report, distributed to local and state law enforcement agencies April 7, is light on any evidence to back up its shocking claim, as put by a Washington Post report, that "the return of military veterans facing challenges with reintegrating into their communities 'could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.'" It cites only to their "skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat" to conclude that these soldiers are, somehow, likely to attack the country they risked their lives to defend.
How does the report get from point A to point B? How does being a soldier put one on the path to becoming a domestic terrorist? The answer is clear and simple – it doesn't.
This war has been going on for nearly eight years. Hundreds of thousands of troops have served in uniform since 9/11. Yet the report finds not a single incident of an Iraq or Afghanistan war veteran becoming a domestic terrorist – not one.

Say No To Popsicles!

Have you seen this guy? You know, the one with the little kids Florida Gators shirt saying no to a popsicle because it would ruin his dinner. Let me introduce my little boy Wyatt. Wyatt is known for spontaneous hugging, kisses, and zerbits (which consist of licking your face). Today Wendy put his hair into a mohawk...well it actually turned out to be a tube of hair running down the middle of his noggin. A very independant little guy, he's into saying "NO" and doing his own thing.
Now to focus on why Wyatt is wearing a Florida Gators shirt we need to go to the source. The Hansens in our ward are hard core Gator fans and when I was on my deployment they saw fit to corrupt my little man and give him blasphemous apparel. RED SOX OR BUST! Anyway this is my Bugaboo! XXXOOO!

A Thought About...Well, Family.

June 24, 2009 brought a few things into my life. Lets start with the obvious point here...my father passed away. Mom was with him at the time and well that's the way it should be. Now Wendy and I had decided that I would go to the funeral. All the brothers, (me included), were all going to be there. Clark (Chief Petty Officer Ret.) suggested that we drive to Utah together which we did. Here lies "the thing that came into my life." I never really knew my brothers the way that brothers should know each other. During the drive back to Utah provided...how did our wives describe it?...brother bonding time. Clark and I caught up on a lot of missed time and back stories. While we had some serious conversations we also had some serious funnies! Let me explained. Clarks wife Mary LUUUVS her Buick...err, ok ok it's really a "grandma car". While we were going through some of dad's personal effects Clark brough back two items of significant humor. I'll let the following two pictures do all the explaining...naaahhhh! Ok so my dad had this taxadermied head of an antelope and we

thought hey, lets take a few pictures of this antelope head in the car. We thought it was as Larry the Cable Guy once said..."that there is funny!" So as you can see the picture turned out perfect. Sorry Mary...we apoligized to Lucile, (we named the car Lucile), another moment of genious by two brothers...two friends.

Ok, so the jokes didn't stop there. Dad also had a pair of mounted spanish bull horns. Now ask yourself what white cadillac from a certain sitcom is the proud owner of a pair of bull horns mounted to the front grill. Yes, Dukes of Hazard is correct. As seen in the next picture we enjoyed a little more mischieviousness at the expense of "Lucile". Again, we're so sorry Mary!"

We took this picture at Wendy's brothers house in Des Moines, IA. Clark is actually consoling Lucile in the picture. Clark and I parted ways here and we both made it home in good time and safety.

During our stay in Utah I experienced emotions that I never thought I'd...well, experience. You see this was all new and foreign to me, (having a parent die), and I wasn't ready and maybe I'm still not to let my father go.

It was planned that all three brothers would be in full service dress in part to pay our respects to our fathers service in WWII. Dad left the Army Air Corps as a Buck Seargent to pursue a passion in painting what he knew...the American West and its beauties.

Mary, my wife, our sisters, yeah pretty much every woman in our family promised to inflict bodily harm upon us if we didn't get pictures of all the brothers in our military uniforms. I know we're pretty much irresistable in uniform, (see below).

So here we are looking smooth...we'll forgive the Clark breaking the Air Force lookalike contest. Scott gave the family prayer before we all went into the chapel for the service.

It was now time to take dad to the cemetary to lay his mortal tabernacle to rest waiting for the resurection to rise up again clothed in Gods glory. This next picture was one of the best ones taken all day, so thank you to whoever pushed the button.

Now I want to take a minute and explain the reason you see a casket made out of pine and not he typical metal ones you normally see at funerals. My dad appreciated nature and the way it showed its beauty. About ten years ago dad had a friend in Mendon make his casket. It then sat in his studio with a indian blanket draped over it. He loved what natue did to the wood and was even more adimant not forcing the family to pay the inflated prices that caskets can reach. It fitted my dad and the life he lived.

Mom asked me to dedicate the grave site and based upon previous interactions with dad I knew this would prove difficult for me. Looking back it seemed as if there was someone comforting me so I could say the words I needed to say. Looking at where he was laid to rest some say that he had the best spot in the cemetary. Laid just West of his Great Grandfather James Hood Hill, he now lays on the furthest west plot there. And if you look up you see this...mind you that this picture is taken further East of the plot.
We will all miss our Father. He touched each of us in a different way. I have wept into my pillow at night with my mind full of questions. Questions that I yearn to have answered. Maybe in time, maybe in time.

But for now I will cherish the time I had with him as a small child when I sat upon his lap and tried with all the persistance of a two year old to push the button on the tape player when he told me not to. I'll remember his many lifes lessons that then seemed pointless to a teenager but now see the years of wisdom behind them, and finally the short time that I had with him at the end. Getting back from a long deployment to Iraq to bid my father goodbye, although in my heart I haven't quite said goodbye yet.

I will enjoy the time that I shared with Clark, maybe understanding him a little better. Thanks Clark!

Thank you Dad, I Love You and I Miss You! Till we meet agian...

Scout High Adventure (50 Miler)

Last week I took our Scouts on our yearly high adventure. As you can see from the picture we went to West Virginia to the Cranberry Backcountry Researves. We had ten young men that made the trip. We did 50 miles Monday through Friday. The boys were so eager to finish the trek they forced us leaders to pull off 15 miles the last day. I learned several lessons on that hike. One of which was that I was NOT in shape for the trek. I was basicly the last one to pull up at each break. I to think that I provided the boys with ample opportunities for breaks, but I digress.

We took detours to see West Virginia's two tallest waterfalls and I must say they were very beautiful.

Yours truely!

64 Feet of beauty.

One of our many campsite mornings.

I had a little contest with the boys. Our theme for the hike was "I can do hard things with the help of the Lord." I told them them that the boy who best embodied that theme would earn a reward. I gave the reward at the last devotional on Saturday. The reward? Well while I was in Baghdad I picked up a very unique pocket knife that was made of wood and brass. It's called an Okapi Knife. It's a German made knife made in South Africa.

It was a great experience that I never want to experience again. My feet took a beating. Emflamed tendons, blisters, and overall fatigue.

David Hoopes and I. We were the shepards and stewards of the Beavercreek Ward Scouts.

Life Begins Anew!

May I die a thousand deaths for leaving my fan fair without the greatness of my genious. Ok, so I'm full of it sometimes but hey...I try. Let me give you an update on my life since my return back to the stated from the sandbox we call Iraq.
As you have probabley read in "my wifes" blog have learned that my father died on 24 June 2009. My family had been in Utah to see my father before he died, (now we really didn't think that he would pass away for at least a couple months). Well two days after we get back to WPAFB, Oh Wendy calls me and tells me that he had slipped away. I made arangements with my brother Clark who lives in McAlister, Ok to meet in Des Moines, Ia and drive together to Utah for the funeral.
I learned one great tidbit while driving to Utah with Clark...Nebraska is BORING! There is nothing...ok, well there is ONE thing that salvaged our drive. Sidney is a small town that is the hometown to what? Well Cabella's of course, and not only just a Cabella's store but the very first one built.
The rest of the trip was surreal and bittersweet. I buried my father and returned home again to start my life again with Wendy and the boys.
I did a little figuring and between 9 June - 4 July I traveled to 4 countries and 12 states. Hopefully the summer will slow down a bit...just enough to enjoy.

UPDATE!

So this is Wendy posting for Will. The government puts all kinds of restrictions on what it will allow it's employees to view on-line. The latest ban is they are not allowed access to any google accounts (i.e. Will and I can't I.M. anymore) or any blogspot accounts (i.e. update his blog or view mine, with the boys on it.) So, Will probably won't have any updates until he gets back, which is mid-June sometime. If there is something that he wants me to share, I will let you know. Be sure to e-mail him though. He loves to hear from friends and family.

Barbers of Iraq!

For the last little while I've been thinking of how I could help the people of Iraq beyond my current job description. I've heard of individuals having family members gather donated toys, clothes, or blankets and sending them over to the children of Iraq and Afghanistan to improve their quality of life. I wanted to follow this in my own way.
So after almost three months of being here I've think I've come up with a way to help a few local Iraqi guys, five to be exact. In the building where I work there are three Iraqi Barbers, in another part of Baghdad there's two other barbers that are really popular to the military. They are very good at cutting hair and I've frequented them everytime I needed my hair cut. Well I've noticed that their equipment, (scissors, trimmers, brushes, etc.) were very much used and dull. So I thought to myself..."self, I might be able to help here"...so I've hatched a plan to ask some friends back home in Ohio and Utah and have them contact local businesses that sell haircutting/barber equiptment and see if they would be willing to donate certain items: Scissors, Clippers w/ attachments, Shave Brushes, Barber Capes, Combs, and Straight Edge Razors w/ blades. Five sets in all of the items listed.
I truely believe that this is for a good cause. Well see how this will turn out...very well I hope. So if you think you can help...please let me know and we'll help out some local businesses here in Iraq.

My Boys...My Son's...My Little Heathens!

These are my boys. Alex is 4 1/2 and Wyatt is 1 1/2. Both are curious little cretins that never cease to amaze me and continually make me one proud papa!
I'm missing them so much lately and it's nice that I get to talk with them on the phone 3-4 times a week.
Iraq is not a toy friendly place for kids, so when I tried to find gifts for the boys it's quite the treasure hunt. The picture shows my findings...(a Nerf football and a AF bear that plays the AF song).
I love my two little guys, their so smart and each one has his own way of showing his love. Wyatt will spontaneously hug people or steal your blankie because he wants it. Alex will crawl up on you make himself comfy and bade you to read from 1-34 storybooks than he has selected for you to read.
Both Alex and Wyatt have drawn pictures for me and sent them in the mail so I can see them...I have them taped above my desk for all to see. According to Alex I have 12 fingers and...well, his depiction of me can only be discribed as a really skinny tree that is smiling. Cute none the less.
Their great kids...Alex is getting so tall, he'll definately be taller than me. Wyatt is going to be our bruiser...he'll be pounding on Alex in the near future. I can't wait till Alex pegs Wyatt for something Alex did...LET THE SIBLING RIVALRY BEGIN! HUA!
Anyway, I'LL BE HOME SOON GUYS, BE GOOD FOR MAMA, GIVE LOTS OF LOVES!

Six Months Of Cursing Speed Bumps #@$%*

We think of speed bumps as an inconvienence back in the states. Well...I will NEVER EVER complain about them again now that I've been to Baghdad Iraq. There are several three types of speed bumps here.
Type 1: These are your garden variety and the smallest of the speed bumps here. They ususally consist of a 3inch diameter metal pole halfway buried in the pavement.
Type 2: These are your medium speed bumps, (SEE PIC TO RIGHT). They're left over bradley tracks lain across the road.
Type 3: This is your kidney re-locater kind of speed bumps. If you hit 'em, hit 'em going 30mph or 1mph anything inbetween is tail bone bruising material.
I truely wonder how the SUV's last as long as they do due to the harsh conditions and the driving we put them through. So I vow here and now...never to complain about state-side speed bumps every again.

Land of the Nasty Dust!

Hi Mom! I'm in Baghdad! This photo op is a must when visiting the Land of the Nasty Dust! These are the "Crossed Swords", "Hands of Victory", or "Swords of Qādisīyah." All in all they are monstrous swords at both the entrances to Saddam's old parade grounds. (SEE LINK ABOVE)
I'm surviving well enough...missing the family to no end. Wendy sends pics of the boys and they love talking to me on the phone. I've survived the "Iraqi Crud" which is a vicious version of the cold/flu...it's compounded by the quality of air and the finite dust that is all but escapable here. It usually lasts 1-3 weeks. I got off lucky with only 1 week.
But life is good...food is as plentiful as the dust. You could definately gain a deployment 20lbs. I've lost a couple inches off my waist and replaced fat with muscle. I go to the gym for two hours every day. I do my lifting and then hit the bicycle for 20-30 mins. You could say I'm looking quite Hulkish...Ok, maybe that was not the best analagy, but I'm in the best physical shape ever.
I'll post more soon about my experiences here.
W-

Just thought I'd post this pretty awesome photo...if you're a FAN!

A Chapter Worth Reading...Maybe!

So my last blog update was June 2008. I get it now...keep it updated for those of you who support my totaly awesome blog.
I've spent the last little while deployed to Baghdad Iraq and with a little more time left. My family is doing well and seems to be enjoying the money that comes with a deployment. Can you say DEBT FREE? I can...DEBT FREE!
My boys are missing their Papa. Alex gets sad a lot and goes and hugs his pillow that I gave him with both our pictures on it. He also got a new Nerf Football that I sent him in a package...(Alex loves packages!). Wyatt got a stuffed AF Bear that plays the AF song. He loved that! Wendy sent me little voice recorders that you can put in a Build-A-Bear, so that should be fun!
I hope to post a few pictures of me that are appropriate to put on here.
W-

The Happening(s)?

So last month we had a few visitors, Gramps and Aunt Cindy came to visit. We had tickets to a Cincinnati Reds game and it looked like rain. We were halfway there and it was called on the account of rain. We turned around and so the following day we all went to the Triple A Dayton Dragons game.
Alex lasted about two hours, a lot longer than expected, but we all had fun.
The Dragons ended up getting crushed pretty good. They had different activities for the kids imbetween each inning.
On a interesting note; at work a friend gave me a Dodgers shirt depicting it's World Series win ove the Yankees. I subsequently gave it to Gramps and he wore it to the game. Imagine that...one of the biggest Yankee fans wearing Dodger gear!!!

Follies of the Medical System!

Ok, I promised an update on the condition of my knee. It seems that it really depends on who reads the X-Ray or MRI, it seems to differ from doc-to-doc.
I went to my Orthopedic Consult, a Maj Schwimley, who after a thoroughexamination of my knee and after looking at my charts said that I didn't exhibit the symptoms of a torn lateral meniscus. In fact he thought that the MRI was initialy misread.
He just said to continue my physical therapy twice a week and some time at the gym developing and strenthening my Vastus Medialis.
The great news it that I can play Church Ball which starts this Saturday! Over all this plays into my New Year's Resolution to start a workout routine which involves weightlifting and a lot of bicycling.

Happy "Politicaly Correct" Seasons Greetings from the Hill's

So this is our atempt at telling all of you that have licence to read my Blog how we are doing this time of year.
Some things that are worth reporting about in our progressively disfunctional family is...and this is good...Alex is now potty trained. We desided to psych him up for this in telling him that after he turned three he didn't have to wear diapers anymore, that he would be able to wear "Big Boy" underwear. Well it worked! Alex now loves to call me at work and tell me about the latest episode of "Things I Did In the Potty!" He's a big kid now and is growing so fast. We spoiled him for Christmas this year, he can't wait for Santa to come and bring him LOTS of presents.
Wyatt is growing like an infectious skin rashm (maybe that was a bad comparison). He is now smiling, laughing, and even carries on a small conversation with Mommy now and then. Wyatt even surprised us one night. Wendy had laid a blanky on the floor and put Wyatt down for some Tummy Time, well he got to rockin' and well...he flipped over onto his back. We were dumbfounded! Hasn't done it since, but I'm expecting he'll soon start campaigning for babies rights and will a Nobel Peace Prize.
Wendy loves being home with the boys, she is now into this thing called "Scrapbooking?" She makes cards for different occasions and such. She loves playing with Wyatt and telling Alex to stop touching the food that will end up being dinner that night. You see, Alex loves to help Mommy make things in the kitchen. He'll pull up a chair next to the counter and "try" to help in anyway he can.
As for Papa, (that's ME, Will), I'm doing well. Work is going great, I'll be progressing on my rotation and move to the Construction Flight. I've been in the Operational Contracting Flight over two years now. I'll then move to a Systems job in October '08. For right now I'm scheduled to deploy July '08 to Dec '08. Now that doesn't mean that I'll actually go, it's just the time schedule that I could go. One thing to look forward to is my promotion this May. That's right! It's been two whole years and I'll be pinning on 1st Lieutenant 6 May 08. This means more money in "Wendy's Paycheck."
I can't believe that we've been in Dayton Ohio for almost two years now. We live in a great neighborhood, go to a really nice ward and really can't complain...about too much!
We have been so blessed this year. We want to Wish You A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

JeFa-Fa Dun-Ham .com

So, a while ago I ran into a video on YouTube called Achmed the Dead Terrorist, (see the bottom of my Blog).
Well Wendy and I were surfing through the cable stations...ok, I was the one doing the surfing...but that's besides the point. I saw that there was a standup NEXT on Comedy Central. So I watch and it turns out its the same guy from YouTube...This outa be good!
For the next hour and a half Wendy and I laughed longer, harder, longer than I can ever remember.
So this guy Jeff Dunham is a ventriloquist and he has 5 acts that he does. First, is Walter, 2nd is Achmed the Dead Terrorist, 3rd is Melvin the Superhero, 4th is Peanut, and 5th is Jose the Jalapeno. By FAR one of the best standup acts I've ever seen. I would recomend seeing the whole act. They all play on each other...the jokes are all interlaced with each puppet.
Look it all up on YouTube! Let me know what you think!
P.S. Jose the Jalapeno IS legal!

The Extreme Suckage That Is USU's Football Team

In attempt to make sense of a football team that seems hellbent on going 0-12 this season.
USU has the claim to fame of being on ESPN's Bottom (Top) Ten List, making themselves quite comfortable there in recent years. This year they're ranked 2nd on that list, only behind FIU.
Within the local community of Cache Valley Utah the residents are hoping for a Athletic Coup. Yes indeed, it does seem likely that Logan High's football team, (the Grizzlies), will try to overthrow the college team in attempt to bring a win or more importantly dignity back to the small college town.
With the TOTAL LACK OF TALENT...I mean who would want to come play here but some of the local kids. Don't get me wrong, USU is a great school...it has a lot of highly respected organizations & departments, but the football team is NOT one of them.
I actually overheard a elementery school kid talking SMACK during a fieldtrip to the school. When asked what he thought about the football team he said; "My dad brought me to the game this Saturday and after the game I told my dad that my home room class could have put up a better effort than USU did." (The truth could have not been more plainly spoken!)
So in conclusion, we can all take our hats off to the USU football team fotr they will do somethning that maybe one or two other teams will accomplish all year. They will be PERFECT! Perfectly BEATEN! ***Maybe it's the coach's fault!**

Alex Meets Middle Size Gruff!

Alex is in fact holding a staring contest with the Middle Size Billy Goat Gruff! This is the walk through where the barn animals are. There were baby calves and this obnoxious family of Gruff! There's a holding area outside this barn where the goats can congregate and can walk on these long balance beams. You can also feed them.