Hello Again!

My last post is dated October 2008 right after Daniel left on his second deployment to Iraq and right before I joined Facebook. Looking back at my Facebook page compared to my blog, I guess one could argue Facebook nearly killed my blog. So much has happened in these past 6 years year that I will try and catch you up. Odds are we are already friends on Facebook, which means you are familiar with our family's story. Some big events that have shaped my family and I are:

• November 2008 - My brother USAF SSgt Timothy Bowles deploys to Jalalabad, Afghanistan. 

• March 15, 2009 - Tim along with 3 IL Army National Guardsmen are killed when their vehicle hits an IED while on patrol. Its still hard even 5 years later. This day is a blog post of its own at a later time. 

• October 11, 2009 - Daniel returns home from Iraq deployment. 

• January 2010 - We PCS (Permanent Change of Station)to Fort Drum, NY. Our first week in New York was marked with below zero temperature and I vow not to complain about the heat again. I do not like cold weather but I am learning to embrace it (more on that later)
• October 2010 - Daniel leaves for his 3rd deployment, this time to Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Yes you read that right - my husband was deployed to the same city as my brother was before his death. The Lord held us and strengthen us so much during that year, that it would have been impossible to embrace this trial if it were not for our faith in Christ. 
•  October 2011 - Daniel comes home from Afghanistan and we begin the waiting game for Daniel to re-class his MOS and PCS orders. 
• March 2013 - Daniel reclasses from a electronic mechanic on the Apache Longbow to the UAVs 
• July 2013 - We PCS to Fort Hood, TX and for the first time in the Army we live "close" to family. Today - Daniel is at another Army School this time its Warrant Officer Candidate School! We are so proud of all that he has accomplished with his Army career. The kids and I are definitely along for the ride. In a couple of weeks we will be joining him for his graduation and I will get the honor of pinning Daniel as a W-1. 

The kids have grown tremendously over the years. In fact today is Samuel's 7th birthday! Jarrett just turned 11 on Thursday and Avery is 9. Its crazy to believe that Jarrett will be going into Middle School in the fall. Avery and Samuel will also be changing schools, in order to attend the same campus. The kids are really excited about their new schools, even though we will PCS again in December! I am really looking forward to this next move:)

As for me, I now sell jewelry in addition to being a SAHM. I am a independent consultant for Nomades. Nomades specializes in military and patriotic .925 sterling silver charms made in the USA. Nomades is a great and fast growing company and I love being apart of it. Please visit my website Heather Ketchmark - Independent Nomades Consultant

That's what new with the Ketchmarks for now! I hope to start blogging on a more regular basis than once every 6 years! Thanks for reading.