Jordan and Robert
The Uzbeki's brought the watermelons.

Jordan and Chips

Jort and Chips...Best Buds

Uzbekistan Mosque

Uzbeki Mosque

January 7th, 2004

Jordan is finally released from Fort Dix and home with his family.  We are so happy he's home.  Finally we don't have to worry about him.

December 31, 2003

Jordan finally came home today, but the Army in their infinite wisdom, decided NOT to give him leave.  After not seeing their families for 7 months, these guys had to go to Fort Dix.  There was no one to meet them at the airport.  They made 3 trys to come home, but the planes were grounded for one reason or another.  It was a fiasco.  I was concerned for his life on the flight home,  just being in a military plane.  Jort had to go to Fort Dix for about 6 days to be processed out.  The Army stinks.  And that's putting it mildly.  They never give you what they promise you, and they constantly change their minds until you don't know which end is up.  I do not recommend to any young people that they join.  After our experience, and we're just a family of a military person, I don't see why anyone would want to be a part of this organization.  It is a comedy of errors.  An Army Mom's opinion, not necessarily that on the serviceman.  Don't get me wrong.  I support our troops WHOLE-HEARTEDLY, but this organization could use some ORGANIZATION!!!

December 15, 2003

Well, Jordan was supposed to be on a plane home on last Wednesday, December 10, 2003.  It appears he will not be coming home.  We are all so disappointed.  But none of us as disappointed as he is.  Here is a picture of him with Chips, his cat.  While planning to come home, he was made to find Chips a good home near the base.  So Chips is gone now and Jordan is going to be staying awhile more.

Purina sent Jort 25 pounds of cat food and treats for Chips.  They also sent him a camera to take some pictures of Chips and then Purina sent this one to me.  Thanks, Purina.  Please everyone,  buy Purina products for your pets.  They are a good and caring company.

We love you Jordan.  Please be safe. 

This is the first time we've seen him since June.  Doesn't he look good? 

October 3, 2003

Jordan is doing OK in the Middle-East.  He wants to come home badly, but he has adjusted otherwise.  He really misses his family, especially Judy and Rachael.  It's hard on Rachael, too .  Sometimes she just sobs for him.  But we're all growing from this experience. 

Jordan has a cat that has adopted him.  His name is Chips.  At first Jort shared his food with the cat because he was so scrawny.  Then we started mailing cat food to him.  Finally, Jordan wrote to 9 lives and told them about Chips and they mailed him almost 70 pounds of cat food.  So I wrote to Purina and they are sending some, too.   

Jort took Chips to the vet to have him fixed because there are so many cats around there (needed desperately to control the mice).  I asked him if there was a vet on base and he said yes.  I then asked if there were families there? Jort said no.  So I asked him they why does the Army have a vet there.  He said you don't want to know, Mom.  Turns out they are the only ones who can administer the anti-venom for the cobra bites.  Just what a Mom wants to hear.

The Army has a soccer team that plays against the local teams.  They do very well.  Jordan is on the team.  He also is on the baseball team.  It helps to pass the time.  He works the night shift so he's awake all day with pretty much nothing to do. 

We're all praying that Jordan will be coming home in November.  Please keep him in your prayers.  We need him home. 

July 10, 2003

Jordan keeps in touch by email regularly.  He has received the shoeboxes and I keep one on the kitchen counter to fill through the week so that he'll always have one coming.  I'm still waiting for the first letter.  It was mailed a couple of weeks ago and should be here soon.  He sounds fine in his emails but he misses everyone at home.  We miss him terribly, too.

The finished flagpole garden

Plants used:  Stella D'Oro Lillies, Coneflower,
Russian Sage, Crepe Myrtle, St. John's Wart, 
Campion, Roses, English Lavender, and
Autumn Joy Sedum. They all bloom through
the entire summer til frost.  And they'll all
come back next year.

The sign says" The Proud Parents of
SGT. Jordan Kane, US Army

July 1, 2003

Still waiting for my first letter from Jordan.  So far I've sent him 4 shoeboxes filled with goodies.  I'm going to have to research more cookie recipes.

June 29, 2003

Today I had a surprise party for Jordan's Dad.  Jordan called to wish him a happy birthday.  We all stood by the phone and cried.  It was 2 o'clock in the morning where he is.  He was so tired, but wanted to wish his Dad a happy birthday.  How can you not love that child!  It really made his father's day.

June 19, 2003

I got an email from Jort today.  He's reached his final destination in the Middle East.  We don't know what he'll be doing as he can't tell us on any kind of communication that might be intercepted.  Hopefully, we'll get a letter soon. 

June 17, 2003

Jordan called tonight from his first stop in the Middle East.  He sounded very excited to be there.    He said it was just beautiful.  I asked if it was cold there and he said no, that it was warm.  When I hung up I did a search on the Internet and found that the temperature would be 104 degrees tomorrow.   Stay cool, Sweetheart.

June 16, 2003

Jordan left Fort Dix today for the Middle East.  Fort Dix had a family picnic for us on Sunday.  The whole family attended then Dick and I stayed over to see Jort off.  He is in a good frame of mind.  He wants to go and get the job done.  I don't know how I'm going to survive without him.  I don't like not knowing where my son is or not being able to speak with him when I want to. 

Master Chef Kane

The Kane Family

Jort and me

Jort and his Dad

Jort and Rachael going on a turtle hunt

Uncle Jordi and RJ fishing

May 25, 2003

Mart and Jort fly the flag

This may not look like much to you, but it means a lot to me.  This is the beginning of my new flag pole.  We are in the middle of our Memorial Day Picnic and the boys decided to "knock it out" in a few minutes.   A cement project.  Never thought I'd see the day.  I'm so proud of them.  They can do anything.  Can't wait to fly the flag!

May 17, 2003

Jordan has completed NBC School (Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Weapons Training).  His picture was in the Fort Dix Newspaper.  He is still awaiting orders.  I'm still hoping they will send him home.  Jordan is sitting in the first row, third from the left.

We've been really lucky cause he lives close enough that he can get home occasionally.  He was here for Mother's Day.  It was great seeing him.  I was taking a shower and he surprised me by leaving a flower along with his camo hat in the bedroom.  As soon as I saw the hat I started to cry.  I really need him to come home now.  I've had enough of this stuff!  I want my family whole again.... all my chicks accounted for.

Happy Mother's Day

April 28, 2003

Jordan is still at Fort Dix going through training.  His deployment date has been changed 3 times.  With the Iraqi's saying they want Americans out of there maybe he won't even have to go.  We keep praying that he won't have to, and so far it's working.  Jordan came home for Easter and he looked great.  I am so proud of him.

Easter Sunday 2003

April 5, 2003

We went to Fort Dix today to visit Jordan.  He looks great and is so relaxed.  He had just come in from being out in the field for a few days and seems very confident that we'll get the job done.  His deployment date has been pushed back so that the platoon can have additional training in the field.  There are some troops at Fort Dix who have been there for three months.  Wouldn't that be great to have him here that long?  And perhaps it will all be over before he gets there.  Or maybe he won't even have to go.  It was wonderful to see him.

March 31, 2003

Jort is camping out in the field playing war games at Fort Dix.  It's been down to 29 degrees while he was out there.  I hope he's taking care not to get frost bite.

He thinks he's leaving on April 5th.  We're not sure if we'll get to see him before he goes.  I made his favorite oatmeal chocolate chips today just in case.  I want to send him off with warm thoughts of home.

March 25, 2003

Jort called today.  The troops who left just before him were issued 4 sets of uniforms and 2 pairs of boots.  He was only given 2 uniforms and 1 pair of boots.  He is really concerned that he won't be able to survive over there with only one pair of boots.  He's really hard on shoes.  But there are shortages, I guess.

I heard on TV that the North Koreans were thinking of joining in to support Iraq.  God help us all if this happens.  We are sending 100,000 more troops this week.  That's almost 400,000 troops so far.  How many more?  It's so discouraging.

March 23, 2003

Jort called today.  The Army lost all of his paperwork and he had to be processed all over again.  Including a complete physical and getting all of his vaccinations and blood work again.  How typically Army.  Never mind what having those vaccinations twice could mean.  Just get him ready to be shipped out - at all costs.  I'm really getting irritated with them.

I sent an email to President Bush today.  There was a soldier on his stomach with his gun poised to return the fire that was being aimed at him, when a reporter shoved a microphone under his nose.  I was appalled.  What are these reporters doing here.  That soldier was so distracted.  How do we expect them to do their jobs with these distractions.  I'm sure the Pres could give a hoot, but it made me feel better sending it.