Christmas in the heart of Dixie...

Christmas in Dixie...the best kind of holiday. The kids and I spent Christmas with my family in Alabama. The only way our holiday could have been any better was if John had been able to be with us. Anyway, Christmas was wonderful and we got to spend some good quality time with our family. It was SO nice to spend a full week at home. Usually we go down there on a Friday and come back up here on Sunday. There is just never enough time to "enjoy" being there. Here is a little of what we did while we were "home".

On the 22nd, Ariel, Keith, me, Momma, and my Grandfather went to the cemetary to put my Grandmother's christmas tree on her grave. We do this every year. It is just a small plastic tree with bows and ornaments (with all of our names on them). Mawmaw loved Christmas so much and she would have loved to be here to see all seven of her Great-Grandchildren.

The day of the 23rd, the kids, Mom, Dad, and I traveled to town to celebrate Christmas with my Aunt and Uncle, Grandparents', and Cousins. We had lunch, hung out, and the kids opened their presents from their Great-Grandparents'. I had such a wonderful time. I don't get to see them as often as I would like so any time with them is treasured. (I love you, Aunt Connie, Uncle Butch, Scott, Holly and the crew!)

Christmas Eve, my Mom, Dad, Ariel and I hopped in the car and braved the mall...lol. We did really well though and ONLY went into JC Penney's. Of course, we still had to drive across town to Walmart to pick up a deli tray for the next day. Now that was a mad house! Yikes! Christmas Eve night my brother, his wife, and four children came down to Mom and Dads and we watched a few Christmas cartoons with the babies before we settled down for the night.

Christmas Day was nice and relaxed and we spent the day with my brother and his family and my Grandfather. Of course, the kids thought that opening the presents was the best part of the day. hehehehehe. They all got LOTS of goodies. The high light of my day was that morning when I got a telephone call from Iraq...and got to talk to John. I was missing him so very much. I can't wait until next Christmas...when he will finally be HOME with us again. Until then...he will always be...on my mind and in my heart.

Oh and the best news of all came in the wee hours of the morning. My sister-in-law gave birth to my new baby nephew today!!! Mother and baby are doing just fine. I will get on here tomorrow and upload a few pictures from Christmas.

Adios Amigo's...
Daphne



On the 23rd we gathered with my Dad's side of the family, up at my Grandparents' home. We had a nice lunch, visited with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins, and all the Great-Grandkids got to open presents from their Nanny and Papaw.

Hello and a few new Cricut layouts

Hello friends. It's been a while since I have posted. I just wanted y'al to know that the kids and I are doing well. The holidays aren't the easiest of times with John in Iraq but we are doing our best to find some Christmas spirit. I sure wish he was home though. On a good note...I think he will be coming home for his two weeks in Feb. or March of 08. He's trying to be here for our Anniversary in March. :)

I've been in a scrapbooking kind of mood the past few days and I thought I would share my pages. I haven't put pictures on two of them...go figure...but y'all get the idea. Hope everyone is well!!!!

Daph

Our BAMA girl

I came across this picture of our dog, Bama, a few minutes ago and just had to share. Isn't she the cutest?
Daphne

More cards for soldier's

Two more cards to send to Iraq. Urgh...I had the hardest time with the "Dale" Christmas card. Obviously I was doing something wrong because I could NOT figure out how to get the cricut to cut out the white parts. I had to improvise. That's the last time I'll do that! lol.

Another Card for Soldier's...

Here's one more. I thought it turned out very cute. The inside is blank.
Daphne

Christmas Cards for Soldiers

I've been working on some Christmas cards for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ladies on the Cricut MB are trying to send 20,000 cards this month. These ladies are so talented...amazing...selfless to spend so much of their time making cards to send overseas. I'm very happy to be a small part of something so nice. Here are a few of the cards I have made so far...The inside says...Merry Christmas Darling...We're apart that's true...But I can dream and in my dreams, I'm Christmas-ing with you.

Well again!

Another update. I'm finally feeling back to normal again! WOO HOO!

The kids and I are doing just fine. John is well too. He called last night and it was so wonderful to talk to him. I think it was the sweetest conversation we have had since he's been away. He has a soldier coming back in (due to a death in the family) and I am waiting for her to call me and let me know what time she needs to be picked up from the airport.

We are finally getting some much needed rain here. It's been raining for three days straight and it is COLDER than a well-digger's butt outside...lol. I dread winter. I sure hope it isn't a very cold one this year. If so...I will just have to hope for some snow. Snow cream sounds really good about now.

Hope everyone is well...warm...and dry.

Love,
Daphne

Update...

As y'all know, I've been really sick lately with kidney stones, cyst on my ovary, etc. Yesterday I had a procedure (minor surgery) done to go in and look at my female organs and remove the cyst. I am happy to say that I am feeling SO much better today. Yes, I am sore from the surgery but I am not hurting nearly as bad as I have been. Thank God!!!!! My parents are here too. I was so sick I had to have them come to help me. I was seriously wondering if I would ever feel half-way normal again. I am hoping and praying that this is the end of all that pain. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers...if y'all don't mind. Anyway, it is going to take a few days before I am up and running again. I'm resting. Just wanted to give a really quick update.
Hugs to all,
Daphne

John made it to Iraq safely

Just a quick little update to let y'all know that John made it safely to Iraq. The kids and I are doing okay. I'm having a bit of a time adjusting this time around but things will get easier. John was able to call this morning and it was so nice to talk to him. He suggested that I take the kids to the movies tonight so we are going to go see the new Halloween movie. I'm looking forward to it and I am sure they will be surprised when they get home and find out we are going. We need to go and do something fun together. I hope the movie is good!!!! Have a good day, friends.
Love,
Daphne

Ariel's new car

I haven't mentioned it before now but the other day John took his beloved Tahoe and traded it in for a car for Ariel. It's a LONG story. Anyway, he will be getting a new truck when he comes home from Iraq so it is okay. The car is an Oldsmobile Alero...really cute if you ask me. It's a 2001...fully loaded...tan interior and leather seats. Here a few pics. :)

Saying Goodbye...

Hi everyone. Just a quick little blog update. We saw John off to Iraq yesterday afternoon. It was a very emotional and sad day. I feel so lonely right now. It is just going to take me a few days or weeks to get used to him being gone, that's all. Anyway, please keep all of our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers. The picture is of John and Ariel before he left. I couldn't get my camera to work but John's Mom took lots of pictures. She tried to send them and only six came through. This was the best one so I thought I would share it for now.
Daph

Pumpkin Card

Here's a new card I made today with my Cricut (of course...lol). I used Doodlecharms for the pumpkin @ 4 1/2 inches. The paper came from a Halloween kit that I bought at Walmart.
Hugs,
Daphne

Halloween Layout

Hi guys. I couldn't wait to get up today and post this one to my blog. I am so proud of this layout. It is the very first thing that I have made with my Cricut that I didn't "lift" in some way or another. I've had this one going through my mind for a few days now. I hope y'all like it.
Love,
Daphne

Still waiting...

I think this speaks for itself...LOL!


I think this speaks for itself...LOL!

Funny but Scary...

Oh good heavens let me tell y'all what happened the other day. I was home sick (with this cyst) and I was in my bed watching television. The telephone rang and it was Keith (my 13 year olds school) telling me that Keith was absent and wanting to make sure that I knew it. I was like...WHAT????? Keith is supposed to be at school. Sure enough they double checked and found out that he had not been there at all that day. Well, of course, I am freaking out by this time. I ran upstairs to make sure that he didn't fall asleep and just miss the bus or something and no Keith. I called John and started screaming and crying for him to come home and that I was calling the police. As soon as I hung up the phone and was picking it back up to call the police what do I hear? Mom? I was like WHAT? OMG! WHERE ARE YOU? He was upstairs. Apparently he decided he was too tired to go to school that day so he got one of his pillows and a blanket and got in his closet to sleep. I have NO idea what he was thinking. Does anyone understand a 13 year old BUT a 13 year old? LOL. OMG I was so mad. Well, of course, I started boo hooing because I was so thankful that he was okay and that someone hadn't abducted him at the bus stop or something. Of course, then he cried. He can't stand to see his Mama cry. lol...served him right. I immediately called John and let him know that Keith was okay and all was good. Then he calls me back LAUGHING (can y'all believe he was LAUGHING? I could hear his dad laughing too. I'm like okay what in the H*ll is so funny? Apparently the first time John decided to skip school he decided to hide in his closet too. LOL. Pretty funny, I guess.

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Today's Dr.'s Visit

Hi friends. Well, we just got home from the doctor's office. The doctor didn't have the luxury of having my CT scan from BACH but he was able to do a vaginal exam and he felt the ovary. Apparently, or at least it seems, that I have a cyst or some kind of blood clot (which may be the exact same thing) on my right ovary. He gave me some more pain meds (thank GOD because this pain is horrible) and told me to also take Advil. I have to go back to see him in two weeks. I guess he is waiting to see the results of the CT scan to be absolutely positive of his diagnosis but if he is right I go back in two weeks and he will check to see if this thing has gone away on its own. He says they usually do. If it is still there then we will have to talk about going in and removing the thing but I am hoping and praying that it will be gone and SOON. I'll keep y'all updated, of course. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. Also...please be thinking of John. He leaves for Iraq in just a few days.
Love,
Daphne

Update...AGAIN

Well, I found out this week that the kidney stones are gone. That's the good news. lol. The bad news is that now there is a cyst or some kind of mass in my female organs. I'm really still in the dark about all of this. Tricare (our insurance) was thankfully able to get me in to see a civilin OB/GYN tomorrow afternoon. So...we should know something tomorrow. I'll update as soon as I find out. Please keep me and my family in your thoughts/prayers.
Love,
Daphne

It's a GREAT day to be a BAMA fan! :)

WOO HOO! Can I get a BIG ROLL TIDE?????
Final Score...Alabama 41...Arkansas...38

Time...or the lack thereof.

John called home last night and said he had some bad news. I knew, in my heart, that the date for him to deploy to Iraq had been upped. Of course, I was right. I can't give an exact date but let's just say it is really, really soon. I was thinking today that Ariel will be almost 18 years old when her daddy comes home and Keith will be 15. It breaks my heart for John and the kids. He loves them so very much and I know it hurts him to have to be away from them for so long. Thank God we are used to him being gone. This is his 10th deployment away from us. At least we are old pros at this and not going through it for the first time, like some.

I also tried to go back to work today but had to leave and come home. I had to call my urologist because I've still been having pain and it is just getting worse and worse instead of better. The doctor said LEAVE work and go straight to BACH (our Army hospital) to pick up some meds. that he put in the system for me to pick up. I'm waiting for him to call me and let me know when to come in for another CT Scan. He says it needs to be this week. He says he thinks I am still trying to pass stones. I think he is probably right. I'm just so tired of this pain and not feeling good. Will I ever feel normal again? lol. I don't ask for much...LOL. Thanks for listening, y'all.
Love,
Daphne

Cartoon of the day...

It never ceases to amaze me how some people in this world can be so evil. I hope they throw the book at this guy!
Hugs to all,
Daphne

Paper Pups Card

Here's one more from today. Paper Pups...@ 2 inches, I think.
Daphne

Halloween Card

Here is a Halloween card that I made this afternoon. I used Paper Pups for the "BOO" at 2 1/2 inches. :)
Daphne

Update and new card :)

Well, here's the update on the kidney stone. I had to go back to the doctor yesterday for another CT scan. Afterwards, I went back to the clinic to wait for the doctor to read it and let me know what's going on. The stone has barely moved in the past week...SO...I am scheduled to go in for same day surgery tomorrow. The doctor is going to go in there and blast the stone to break it up and then he is going to place some kind of tube in my urethra (to help the pieces pass). On a good note...he says that I should be able to return to work in a few days. :) I'll make sure to give y'all an update as soon as I feel like getting online again. lol.

Also...I've been playing around with my Cricut today and I scraplifted this card. Isn't it the cutest? The trees are from the Zooballoo cartridge and the hearts and "For You" are from the George Cartridge. :)

Daph

Hero's and Friends

Today was organizational day for HHC 1st BCT. It was held at the Cumberland River this year. It was one last HOORAH for the soldiers and their families to get together before the upcoming deployment. John was the organizer this year and everything went well. We enjoyed pontoon boats, jet ski's, skiing, tubing, inflatables (for the kids), fishing, good food, and great company. Here are some pics from the get together. :)

Kidney stone!

Ouch...I've been diagnosed with a kidney stone. It is the first one I have ever had in my life. If you've never had one...it's right up there with child birth! lol. The stone is stuck way up high in my left kidney. The doctor is giving me until Monday to try to pass the stone. I have to go in for another catscan on Monday afternoon and if the stone is still there, I guess he is going to do one of several different surgeries that they can go in and do. I'm praying I pass it or it dissolves before then. They have me on...are you ready for this?...NINE different medicines for this stupid thing! At least I was able to get a Dr.'s note so I could be out of work for a few days. I have to go back to work on Sunday though. In the meantime I am just resting and relaxing. I need the rest so I'm not complaining about that part of it...lol. I'll keep y'all updated. Have a blessed day!
Love,
Daphne

Pics from John's big day

Here are a few pictures from John's birthday. His roses...and him acting silly. lol.
Daph

Halloween Layout

Here's a Halloween layout I made this afternoon and wanted to share. :)
Daphne

John's Birthday

Today is John's 39th birthday. I surprised him on my lunch hour by bringing him cupcakes, a Happy Birthday balloon, and a dozen and a half red roses. :) How sweeet am I? lol. Tonight we are heading to his Mom and Dads to celebrate with them and his brother and his wife and their kids. I'm sure we will have a great time celebrating with them. Can't wait! :)

work...work...and more work!

Goodness, it has been so long since I have even been online. I thought I'd give y'all a quick update. :)

The kids are doing great. They started school last week. So far so good...lol.

John...is getting ready to redeploy to Iraq. Joy. He keeps telling me on a daily basis how many days he has left here at home. It makes me sick to my stomach to even think about it. I'm trying to think of anything positive that I can do while he's away...ie...work, pay off bills...save for Disney World, etc.

Me...I can't believe I am a working mother! God...it has been so long since I've really had a job. I like work though. I thought they were hiring me to make the donnuts but instead I am the bread baker. I have always been a baker of sorts so it is something I like to do. The work is hard though. I stand on my feet ALL day long. It doesn't help any that we are short handed and I am doing the bread alone when it is a two person (at least) job. lol. I work and work and work until I think I can't work anymore and then I work some more. I'm really enjoying it though. :) The worst part about it is that I have to wear that stupid hair net thingie...lol. I'm certainly not Miss America...as it is...but put me in that stupid hair net and there is no hope. Ahhhh...VANITY!

Daph

Orientation tomorrow!!!!!

Well, good news! Walmart called on Saturday and told me to come in for orientation tomorrow. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. lol. It's been so long since I've had a job. I'm really looking forward to it though. Oh...and I will be working in the bakery. My regular work hours are supposed to be 4 a.m. - 1 p.m. for the most part. I wonder how long it will take me to get used to getting up that early. I am *SO* not a morning person! Okay, so that's an update on me.

Here's another card I made yesterday. It's a very simple one but I thought it turned out rather cute. :)