I have Saul’s address in Iraq, if anyone wants to write him, send him a care package, photos, etc. Contact me directly for that info.

For those of you who have been inquiring, Saul is now in Iraq. While he hasn’t been able to call, we have received a few emails from him. He’s OK and acclimating.

I’ll let you know as I hear from him.

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that 4,000 troops are arriving in Baghdad today, and throughout the rest of the week. It’s strange to thing that Saul‘s name is amongst the many that are, basically, going into war.

Resources:

• 4,000 U.S. troops arrive in Baghdad to quell violence, reported by the Houston Chronicle

Saul is in Kuwait and will be there until Wed. Then he’ll be near Baghdad.

For those of you following this, Saul left yesterday to report for active duty. This means that he’s going to end up a few miles from Baghdad shortly.

His orders have changed from when he was informed that he was being called up (or taken up on his volunteer attitude). The good news is that we’re expecting his “visit” to Iraq to last much less than we thought. The bad news is that he’s going to be much closer to Baghdad than we anticipated.

I’m keeping positive thoughts and inviting everyone to join me.

We’ll be keeping in touch with him via snail mail — which should be interesting. I don’t think he’s even going to have his phone over there.

I’m sure time will fly.

Things I was given for my birthday

• a really nice surprise lunch by my colleagues and friends at work
• key lime pie and bayou goo pie from The House of Pies
• a pretty crystal vase in the shape of a floppy hat (with a flower on it)
• some great aromatherapy stuff that’s supposed to relax me, give me better skin, help with pedicures, and keep me moisturized (different bottles, from different peple)
• some toys for my computer — including a great synching USB flash drive I’m trying to cutomize and use to keep my life on
• a digital camera — this was the only item on my “i want this” list
• a lemon cake with cream cheese frosting
• a barbecue of hamburgers and hotdogs, as well as fajitas and short ribs, with my family
• lots of other lunches and dinners and coffees over a five-day period
• some rest

All in all, it was a very good birthday. Happy 35th birthday to me!

Today is my 35th birthday.

So far, I’ve had a good celebration this week. My colleagues took me to lunch at BeniHana’s. I got key lime pie and bayou goo from The House of Pies. And I’ve already gotten some nice presents.

My mother is being mysterious about my birthday present.

Later today I will celebrate with my family at a barbecue at Jessica’s house.

I’m having a good birthday.

I took an unexpected trip to Austin over the weekend. And I write “unexpected” because I didn’t know I was going until Saul called me at midnight on Friday to tell me that he had a flat on the way to Austin and needed me to give him a ride the rest of the way. This was his weekend of drills with his unit (stationed in Austin) and he absolutely had to be there by 7 a.m.

If I had had time to pack, sleep or make plans, I might have actually gotten some sightseeing done. Instead, what I did was drive him to and from the base. I got his tire fixed. I met his commanding officers and fellow grunts.

Anyway, at least the scenery was pretty.

Today would be my Father’s birthday. In Mexico, it’s Mother’s Day. Normally, we try to have some sort of celebration that combines the US Mother’s Day and Dad’s birthday. Not this year.

On Saturday, Jessica graduates (obtaining her Master’s Degree), and we’re having a party that evening. I think we might do something for Mother’s Day on Sunday. It’s just right to celebrate, since we have two and half Moms in the family now (my Mother, Criscella and Jessica… even if it’s just a peanut right now). But for me, this year, this celebration of Mother’s Day, feels wrong.

Just a venting. I’m not sure what I’m feeling.

Last Saturday, at dinner, Jessica and Omar showed be their beautiful dot.

What’s that? you ask. The beautiful dot is the sonogram of Jessica’s baby. She’s six weeks pregnant and thrilled.

Congrats, baby sister and Honduran husband.