Is daddy in the desert?

Yes, honey he is... Alice has been asking this question on a regular basis and I have been happy to tell her no he'll be home from work soon. But today, I have to say yes. Yes, Alice he is. I am sure it is so difficult for her to understand. When Shawn was at Weapons School, she was so little, I don't think she really noticed much. But this time is different for her. She notices and listens to everything.

The other night while Shawn was packing she sat with him... I think mostly to talk and keep him company. He had a flashlight out and Alice asked what it was and why he needs it. He told her because it gets dark and he will need it to light up areas he needs to see. (Shawn has been telling the girls about the really big Camel Spiders in the dessert... go ahead google it) Alice says, "oh you will need it to see the piders?... those really big piders...." Shawn says "yep...I dont want one to jump on my head" Alice now has a D ring in her hand. She asks him what it is. But before he can answer, he was distracted packing, she had figured it out herself... as she is opening and closing the ring she says "this is to chop up those spiders right daddy?"

She will understand this time... I will teach her, daddy is doing good things for our country... we are proud of him.