On this 7th Anniversary of 9/11...

I Ask for Continued Prayers for our ALL of our country's Service Men and Women.

This post honors

those who perished on 9/11 and their loved ones still with us today,

those who died while proudly serving our country and

those who continue to serve our country in the days, mothns and years post 9/11.

My husband recently separated from the Air Force after 11 years of service to our country. This was not a change we were expecting at this point in his career or with current world events. However, our government decided they needed to cut personnel numbers by 40,000 people last year alone. It has been a long transition for us but we're doing well and are happy with our new life. That doesn't mean we no longer feel connected to our Air Force/Military past. If nothing else, we feel stronger about supporting our troops both at home and abroad now more than ever. My husband is proud to have served his country

and hates that he is not serving with his fellow officers even now.

Last year's cuts are even harder for our servicemen/women still serving. There are fewer people to do the jobs and those who remain must do double if not triple the work to keep up. This includes work at home and abroad. Many of our servicemen are deploying more often and for longer periods of time in order to fill the positions. Why am I telling you all this? Because we have at least 10 friends serving in Iraq or Afghanistan right now and they have been or will be there for 6 months or longer. Please continue to keep all of our servicemen/women and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Even better, pray for those we fight against. Pray that their opinions and hearts will be changed and they will come to know we are a peaceful country and mean them no harm. After all, when we have no enemies there will be no wars to fight.

I am including just one update from a friend of ours who has just been deployed yet AGAIN!!! I know you'll understand that I deleted many of the details of where Ryan is and what his mission is. I did this to protect him and our other servicemen/women. It's scary what information might be used against us if placed in the wrong hands. Even with my editing, you get a good idea of what they are going through.

Hello Friends and Family- Here's a quick update of what's been happening while Ryan's deployed to the Middle East.

Ryan says: "I'm in Operations for my team who will be working with the Afghan National Army. We are starting from the ground up...literally. Our commander and team have only been here for a short while and are asking us what we need to do the mission. We are submitting our requirements, but are met with multiple challenges. Never the less we are pressing on, working every angle that we can acquire what is required. Our living conditions are pretty sad. We walked through a room today and the floor caved under one of my Airman's feet, he broke right through the wood floor. We have rat traps set and the dust covers everything keeping us all sneezing and wheezing. Bright side is the food is probably the best in the area.

Ryan also mentioned that he's been outside of the gate a couple of times and that he feels relatively comfortable because it is familiar territory to him since he's been there on previous deployments. They have a PX over there, but it is not well stocked and the variety is pretty poor. I'm sure he and/or any servicemen/women you know would love to hear from you all in a card, letter, or email if you're not sure what to send in a package. If you would like to send a box (with things like dried goods, snacks, movies, magazines, etc.) he/they would be thrilled. Thanks for all your continued prayers and support. We could not make it through this deployment without you all!

As far as the boys and I are concerned, we are doing pretty well. We are 99.99% settled into our new house (guest house at the his parent's ranch) and I only have the book boxes to unpack. I hung the last picture today and boy did that feel good! Our house finally feels like a home now! The boys have loved being right across the way from Grandma and Grandpa. I'm happy and excited about the new place, and can't wait for you all to come and visit us! Well, that's enough for now! Hope you all are doing well and hope to hear from you soon! Love to All, Erin

To all of our friends stationed at home or in harm's way. You are in our constant prayers. We support you 110% and look forward to your safe return. While you are away you can be sure that we will take care of your husbands, wives and children... We know it is because of them that you serve our country at all cost.

To the family and friends of those who perished on 9/11.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET THEM OR YOU! God's blessings and peace be with you today and always.

Love, Major Bird, Frizzy and YaYa