Last Week's Letters

Sorry, I've been out of town...

July 6
Hey babe,
I just got three letters from you and it made me so happy, but sad at the same time. I love hearing from you, but I was sad to hear about how sad you get when you don't get letters. I try to write as often as I can but sometimes there is so much to do and not enough time to do it all. Hopefully it is going to get better because I'm not the platoon guide anymore. I got fired this morning because the same stupid kids keep making the same mistakes. It's a little frustrating and upsetting but at the same time I knew it was coming because they rotate the PGs out occasionally. I'm just tired of dealing with stupid kids who don't seem to be able to learn. So it was a tough day... I'm going to have to finish this letter tomorrow. I hope you know that I love you so much and think of you always even when I can't write or call.
July 7
Today was a pretty good day. We went back to the range to shoot the M240B and the M249 (which are machine guns just so you know). It was way more fun than I deserved. I'd be happy if I could do that every day! Our company shot around 30,000 rounds or ammo today. It was overcast most of the day so the heat wasn't too bad either. We also started getting a little more personal time in the evenings to go run or do other things on our own. It feels good to have a little drill sergeant free time. Tomorrow we have another confidence course which should be fun. I just hope it doesn't rain or get too hot. The weather here can be crazy. It can go from being 90 degrees to the worst thunderstorm ever in a matter of 10 minutes. We have another PT test this Saturday. I just hope I improve from the last one. Well baby I feel like I'm babbling and I need to get some stuff ready for tomorrow. I hope you and Brooklyn had a good day and I hope you both know how much I love and appreciate you both. I'm hoping I dream of you tonight!
I love you!

10 July
Hey baby,
Hey, before I forget would you please check my credit card statements just in case there is some fee or something. By now you should be in Portland and by the time you get this you'll be back in good ol' Utah. I hope you had a good time. I was sad I couldn't call you today. From now on I'm just not going to hope for it and when I do get to call it will just be a nice surprise. Today was a really good day. I am really enjoying my calling. A few of the guys in the platoon have been asking me a lot of questions because they know I'm mormon. I had forgotten how much I enjoy teaching people about the Gospel. It feels good to be doing it again. Two of the guys came to church with me today and are reading the Book of Mormon. Actually they are in bed reading it right now. We took a PT test yesterday morning. I passed but didn't do as well as I had hoped. The guy who graded me was pretty strict. My chest was hitting the ground on my pushups and he said I still wasn't going down far enough so he didn't count all my pushups. My run was OK though but I have a long way until I max out my scores. Tomorrow morning we have a ruck march and our first land navigation course. I'm excited for both of them but I'm sure that will change when it gets hot tomorrow. Well baby I need to get to bed so I have enough energy for tomorrow. I hope you and Brooklyn are doing well and are happy. I love you both so much and think about you all the time. Hugs and kisses!
Love,
Callen

11 July
Sweetie,
I just got your letter about your bad dream. Baby, you don't have to worry about me leaving you. Just take how much you love me and Brooklyn, add them together, times it by at least 1,000,000 and that's how much I love you! I wish I could explain how much I miss you and love you but I don't think I can. Just know that I love you and always will. I'm pretty worried about your new cancer spot. I'm glad you caught it and are getting it taken care of, I just wish I could be there with you for your surgery. Is this one more serious than the other ones you've had? I'm glad you're so tough babe. Oh and I love hearing about how much fun Brooklyn is having with Reed and Grayden. I miss playing with her so much some days I can barely handle it. I'm so glad I have you to support me! There is one guy here who hasn't gotten any kind of communication from his wife at all. No letters or phone calls. He finally snapped and quit. But the worst part is that it takes a long time to outprocess when you quit. Chances are he will be here longer than any of us who graduate. I kind of feel bad, but this is the same guy who tried to quit the very first day. We had a busy day today. We did a ruck march this morning and the land navigation course the rest of the day. It was fun but it was also 105 degrees with the heat index. I love it when I get soaked in sweat... We had a handful of people who didn't drink enough water go down with heat injuries. By the way, Private McCaw just said hi. He gives me a ton of crap about being old but he's a pretty good kid. He's one of the ones coming to church with me and reading the Book of Mormon. I'm supposed to finally talk to the guy about OCS. I hope it works out because I need time with you. Have you talked to my Mom or Dad lately? I've been wondering how they are doing as well. But I use my free time writing you and sleeping. Those are my priorities. I need to go for tonight. I love you baby. Hang in there and stay tough. We will be together again. It may not be all that soon, but we will get there. When times are tough I look at yours and Brooklyn's pictures and play with my wedding ring to remember we are an eternal family and I will have you both forever. I LOVE YOU!
Callen
PS I need my eyebrows plucked when you come. There should be two!

I got a 7 min phone call today. His Company Commander has denied the long pass. Pray that I can find a way to get that changed! I don't do well when I don't get my way.... I'm ready for a fight.