Ranger School

Dave started Ranger School yesterday. He was excited and nervous all at the same time. I haven't heard anything from him and do not expect to. With Ranger School, no news is good news. If I do hear from him it means something went wrong and he is either being dropped or recycled. I am praying I do not hear from him. =)

I have a rough idea of what his address will be:
2LT Tyson, David
4th Ranger Training Battalion
ATTN: 001-09, ??????? (I don't know what company he is in)
10850 Schneider Road
Fort Benning, GA 31905

I will update this address as soon as I know what company he is in. If you would like to know exactly what he is doing, you can click on the video link on the right side of this page "Ranger School" videos from YouTube. And you can visit the Ranger School Homepage for more information. Please pray for favor from the guys in his squad and the Ranger Instructors (RI's), for protection over his body (from sickness and/or injury), for strength and energy, endurance, rest, etc.

In other news: please also be praying for Jon and Charlie as they are getting ready to deploy with their units. I can't give dates or more information over the internet or in writing, but we can talk about it. I may have to make this blog by invitation only as the security clearance continues to change. There is a lot I am learning about what we can and cannot talk about. Send me an email letting me know you still want to see this and I will make sure I add your email address to the list. My email is teamtyson@gmail.com.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support. I'm sorry this is so brief, I have a lot going on that I need to tend to. I will write more and post pictures from the past few weeks later this week.

God bless you!

FA OBC Graduation 9-17

Dave graduated this past Wednesday, September 17th marking one year he has been in the Army. He has now completed Basic, OCS/BOLC I, BOLC II, and BOLC III/FA OBC. Field Artillery Officer's Basic Leadership Course. Most of our friends have departed to their various posts around the world as we are in the midst of our packing and moving. Long story short: we will eventually move to Hawaii as that is where we are being stationed, but first Dave is going to Ft. Benning, GA to go through Ranger and Airborne Schooling. Once he has completed those we will join his unit in Hawaii.
Dave never tells me exactly how he has done in school or with any course, I have to read the program to learn anything or talk with his fellow classmates. =) He was one of four Honor Graduates to complete FA OBC in class 06-08. I am very proud of him and thankful to the Lord for the wonderful blessing he continues to be in my life. Below are a few pictures from graduation. I hope you enjoy.


Dave receiving his diploma as one of the four honor grads.


My handsome husband with his diploma.


Me, 2LT David Tyson and 2LT Patrick Wilson (D.C.).


A few of the guys in Dave's graduating class in front of a 105mm howitzer.


The Tyson's pre Hawaii.

We will be packing up here to leave Ft. Sill, OK. We have thoroughly enjoyed almost every minute of our stay here. I am actually going to miss this little town filled with so much history. I'd love to get in a time machine and go back 150 years.

We will be going to Birmingham for one day then off to Atlanta for our sweet friend's wedding, Grace Henriksen. =) After that we will be off to Savannah to visit with JoeJoe, Jess and Charlie. We are hoping to see Jon somewhere in there, as well.

Dave starts Ranger School October 12th. Please continue to pray the Lord blesses Dave, grants him favor and protection.

Mann Tyson Wedding

September Updates

Sorry I've been super busy the last few weeks and have been a total slacker in about every category imaginable. That includes returning phone calls, emails, letters, being a good friend/sister/daughter,etc. Fill in the blank. You get the idea.

After work each day we have spent the majority of our free time tying up all loose ends with the Army regarding our upcoming PCS and TDY (temporary move to the southeast then permanent move to HA). We have also added a new dog to the family and had a CG's Reception (Military Formal). I can't wait for you to meet Boaz. He is such a sweetheart (when he's not chewing my coffee table into a toothpick). Those of us who can't have babies have puppies. =)

Meet Boaz Tyson. This is a picture of him while he was at the kennel. We had to wait an entire week before we could adopt him.

This is a picture of him and Ruth greeting me at the door when I had gotten home from working at Starbucks one afternoon. They typically come to slobber me with kisses.


Here Boaz has taken the couch cover off and has wadded it up to lie on and hide in.

This is one of his favorite things to do...sleep on the cold hard wood floors.


Tuisamatatele and Dave all decked out in their Dress blues.

Dave with Vic and Marut.

I worked for hours on the dress I wanted to wear sewing extra material to make the neck line less revealing. In the end it looked great, but 5 minutes after I was already late the zipper broke before I even put it on. I couldn't get the dress to zip up, so on to my back up dress which I haven't altered yet.

Group of guys in Dave's BOLC III class.


Because we were the last platoon in the receiving line, by the time we got through (where you meet the hosts of the reception and honored guests) the food was gone. We joined Ethan, Jen and Ellie-bellie at Lost Tres Amigos afterwards.

Happy Birthday Dave!!!

Happy Birthday to Dave!!!

My darling husband is 29 today!!! Woohoo! God bless him.
For his birthday, he has gotten a new pair of boots for those horribly blistered feet from the parents. Ruth bought him some new moisture-wicking away material socks. The mice of the house bought him a "Bodyglide Anti Blister Stick". And the next door neighbor's dog, Rocksi bought him a new pair of Sole inserts that are supposed to help keep his feet dry during those ridiculously long road marches.

Ranger School

Dave got his Ranger School slot!!! WOOHOO! or rather Hooah!
Class 001-08 begins October 12th and ends December 12th. He will be at Fort Benning for phase one: Darby Phase, in North Georgia for Phase II: Mountain Phase, and Florida for Phase III: Swamp Phase. It is a total of 61-62 days; however, it is RARE that one goes through without being recycled at one phase or another.

One of our friends has done a fabulous job of journaling throughout the entire process you can take a look at it: www.gabeandlaura.blogspot.com.

Here are some links with schedules and more journals from guys who have done through it to give you an idea of what he will be doing and how you can better pray for him throughout this process:

https://www.benning.army.mil/rtb/RANGER/RgrSchoolPreparation.htm

http://www.tommym1080.com/journal/Ranger%20School/benning_phase.htm

Or you can check out youtube to watch the nine part video on Ranger School.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzg3_LC3bGU&feature=related

Quick Family Updates:
Tysons:
-Jon is in Louisianan doing training with his unit out of Ft. Bragg, NC.
-Charlie is with his Ranger Bat out of Savannah, GA. Dad and Jess have moved to Savannah. Jess can now be considered a Georgia Peach as she has mastered the art of Grits. =)
-Krissy and Shane are with the kids in Minnesota.

Pope Family:
-Bryan and Jenn, Steph & Casey: You can catch up with them by clicking on the links on the right side of the page.
-Mom & Mike - enjoying being out of the hot sun of Oklahoma and being at home. They've been super busy all summer. Time to relax and enjoy not doing anything.

Haynes Family
- Zac and Sissy are in Hawaii loving every minute of it.
-Adam is in an undisclosed location having a blast, avoiding humidity at all costs. =)
-Dad, Cmonster, Sadie, Jesse, Sugar and the chickens are doing fantabulously well. They found a bald eagle in their driveway a few weeks back.
-Craig lives in West Blocton.
-Leah just turned 8 and is about to start back at school. You can check out her blog by following the links on the right side of this page. I miss that little squishy tushy. =) Mom and I just took her back to ABQ after spending a few weeks with her.


Still to come:
Haynes Family Visit Pictures
Pope Family Visit Pictures
Leah's Bday

Need Help...

Dave had blisters a few weeks ago (less than 2 wks) and now just finished a 12 mile ruck march with sopping wet feet. We cannot get his feet to stay dry when he does ruck marches over 6 miles. We've tried everything. Please look at these pictures and let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions. Please pray for his feet: quick recovery and for the pain to go away. We are also praying this does not interfere with his Ranger training.
Thank you. We love you and pray God is drawing you nearer.