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We went to our favorite place with our little friend CC. Ali is not mad, just caught off guard.
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The fruit of their labors.
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The fruit of their labors.
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Brittni and Kelli Bisby making a memorial day apple pie with a secret ingredient. Kelli is visiting from Colorado.
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My little friend CC had lunch with us today.
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Meghan in front of the church where she will intern this summer.
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Meghan's birthday meal.
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This is a class A Wisconsin drivers license. Thank you for the prayers and encouragement.
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This is a class A Wisconsin drivers license. Thank you for the prayers and encouragement.
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Tuesday

I am sitting here in Marshfield, WI getting ready to go to class and prepare for my driving test ... But the thing that is on my heart and mind is my dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My desire in life is to please and honor Him and to serve with my whole heart. I have been so blessed by friends and family throughout the years and God has blessed my children and my lovely wife. I thank Him. Use me Lord.
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Test

Hey guys. I test tomorrow morning @ 0900. I will be leaving the yard with tractor/trailer around 0745 to head down. They have made special arrangements for me to test out early, which I greatly appreciate. I'm confident I'll pass unless I do something stupid. Can't wait to see you.
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Close quarter pull-ins.
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Close quarters
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Backing up

Today was filled with challenging backing drills simulating customers and truck stops.
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Inside my lil hotel home.
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Oh the sights to see.
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Pre-test and DOT driving skills evaluation

Today I took my pre-test to see if I'm ready for the Test and also received my DOT required skills evaluation, which is required in your record for any company you drive for. I did well on both. Just a few minor things on the test and I would have passed with flying colors. On the skill eval I had a perfect score. I will be testing in Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday morning @ 0900. It is about 35 miles away and I will test on unfamiliar roads, so I'm a little apprehensive, but I'll do well. Thank you all for your prayers and for the support you've given my family. I miss you all.
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The end of a day. Miss you all.
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I got my backing skills back today. Standing beside watching is my instructor, Dale, a member of the 2 million mile club, which means no accidents in that many miles driven ... Pretty impressive.
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This is prob the rig they're getting ready for me.
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Inside the sleeping berth which is fitted with jump seats for training purposes.
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Meghan

My daughter Meghan as a duck. She got to visit disney land today.
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My stylish jeans

Just so you know I did wear them in public.
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What do you do when your pants rip, you have an iron on patch, but no iron ... ... Use the coffee pot heat pad, then sew around it.
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Backin up

Today I have backed up a tractor/trailer for three miles around 12 ninety degree turns. I am still fighting sickness and am really stopped up and would appreciate your prayers for that. I am exhausted and I think it is mostly because I can't shake this cold. I miss you all.

This picture is of Jeremy backing up. He is from upstate New York.
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Today

Today has been intense. We've been driving county roads and such with the trainer training you from passenger seat every turn of the wheel or shift of the gear. Very nerve racking but necessary ... This is a very large machine rolling down the highway, 80,000 lbs loaded to the max. Not a toy ... I love it.
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Bad accident on the freeway. ;)
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Meghan says hey

Meghan sent me this pic from sunny California. Doesn't look too warm or sunny, but I bet she's having fun.
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Truck and cow. Wisconsin.
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Here is the truck I've been driving today.
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This is the result of not checking the air in your tires. The front dual was flat, got hot and caught the $80k rig on fire, the reefer unit it was pulling and the cargo ... Not a good day.
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This is my reading material for the next few weeks. I do have homework every night. Mercifully though, most of our time will be spent in a truck learning the systems and driving the roads of Wisconsin. Miss you all.
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This is my nephew Jaden. He plays soccer and is seven years old. He has a really cool knife. He's a pretty cool guy.
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This is me and all Heather and Scott's wonderful children. Cole is the youngest. He wouldn't take a picture with me by himself. He is two and like mulky wilk (chocolate milk.). I forgot to mention that Jaden knows everything the golden ticket from Willy Wonkas says, by heart.
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This is my niece Olivia. She is in kindergarten and plays soccer. She has a stuffed pink bunny who's name is Pink Bunny. She won a Dell laptop computer. A very lovely young lady.
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This is my nephew Jaden. He plays soccer and is seven years old. He has a really cool knife. He's a pretty cool guy.
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This is my niece, Rilee. She is 9 years old and is an Iowa state champion gymnast. Her award winning performance can be seen on youtube. She also set the 4th grade school record for pull-ups. She's strong but sweet.
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The Vanderueben

Ok. This is the vanderueben, not your typical rueben. Heather and Scott took me to the Bavarian village inn for a sandwich. I couldn't figure why they didn't serve fries or chips with a $7 sandwich until they placed it in front of me. This thing is two meals. That is a 12" plate and it's covered. They make their own bread (I opted for the Raisin) and the must cut the loafs end to end not like we normally would. It was great.
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Toll booth

Unless you've ridden a bike in extreme weather and had to dress for it, you probably won't completely appreciate my thankfulness for the toll booth guy on Interstate 39 this morn. It is a real pain to get dressed for a cold windy rain, not only do you need to be warm, but also waterproof. I have gloves and then over-gloves for waterproofing. It takes me five minutes to get my gloves on ... ... Stopped at toll booth. Gotta pay. My fingers don't manipulate zippers, pockets and money well in cold with double gloves. The looked at me and I just said through my helmet, "there's a five in that pocket (on my left sleeve) if you can get it." He smiled, unzipped the pocket, got the five, made change and folded it neatly and put it back in my pocket and zipped it shut. Thanks dude.

I then continued riding and in five miles was in this incredible windy driving rain storm with hail and sleet and thunder and lightning, wow! In the midst of that, two other bikers on similar bikes to mine passed me, looked back with smiling eyes and flashed the hang ten sign to me and rode on. I knew then I was in a new club ... The your insane and should be committed club, charter member. I love it.
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Having lunch with the Schroeders. Heather is Brenda's sister.
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Heading out

Packed in tight and heading out on a windy morning. You'd think I like black. It's because I look so good in black, right? I know? Nah. Just happens to be what's always on sale. I really wanted the neon pink. Oh well. The ride through the flint hills was beautiful with the rays of light coming through clouds framing the beautiful green hills covered in cattle. Very cool. I thanked the Lord for the view.
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Goodbye to Mick

Hey. Its a real pleasure to enjoy friendship with your adult children. Today I've had breakfast with Meg and deep conversation. Here is a pig with Mick to say goodbye. Love you guys.
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Leaving

24 years ago I said goodbye to the ones I love and hold dear so that I could go off to serve my country. Over the next six years I would have to say goodbye many times. I had forgotten how hard that is ... The redeeming part, if there is one, is the reflection and knowledge of how much love you can have and the fact that it does matter if you exist. Tomorrow begins a new journey with new challenges and I look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store.
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