Life and Trials of a Military Wife

Another Valentine's Card (Cricut)

2008-01-10T08:59:00.001-08:00

One more Valentine's Card...made several of these. I just love this bear from Joys of the Season...so cute! :)
Daphne

Simple Valentine's Card (Cricut)

2008-01-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

Just a very simple Valentine's Card to share. Sorry about the quality. I'm having to use my cell phone to take pics. :( lol.
Daph

Christmas in the heart of Dixie...

2007-12-27T21:15:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-06T17:22:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-10-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

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

Christmas Cards for Soldiers

2007-10-24T10:55:00.001-07:00

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!

2007-10-24T10:50:00.001-07:00

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...

2007-10-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-26T12:18:00.001-07:00

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

2007-09-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-09-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-18T07:54:00.001-07:00

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...

2007-09-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

I think this speaks for itself...LOL!

I think this speaks for itself...LOL!

Funny but Scary...

2007-09-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

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.

Check out my Guestbook!

2007-09-17T15:11:00.001-07:00

Today's Dr.'s Visit

2007-09-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

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! :)

2007-09-16T10:23:00.001-07:00

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

Time...or the lack thereof.

2007-09-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-09-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-28T15:50:00.001-07:00

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

Halloween Card

2007-08-28T13:23:00.001-07:00

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 :)

2007-08-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-25T19:11:00.001-07:00

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!

2007-08-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

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

Halloween Layout

2007-08-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

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

John's Birthday

2007-08-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-08-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2007-07-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

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. :)

A few more

2007-07-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today's cards

2007-07-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

Here are two more cards for this CFS challenge. :)

Two more for tonight...

2007-07-20T18:38:00.001-07:00

I got a job!

2007-07-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

I know. I know. It's a shock. LOL. I put in an application, on a whim, at Walmart a week and a half or so ago. They called last week and asked me to come in for an interview. I went...they interviewed me twice that morning...and offered me the job. I'm waiting on them to call me and tell me when to come in for orientation. WOO HOO! I figure working there will keep me busy and, hopefully, make the 15 month deployment go by faster. So...that's an update on me. :)

CFS...new challenge.

2007-07-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here are two cards that I made this morning for the new challenge. Our new challenge is to make "summer" type cards. I admit, I am having problems coming up with summer themed cards. I figure these will work fine though.

One more for today

2007-07-09T16:43:00.001-07:00

One more card for today. :)
Daphne

4th of July!!!

2007-07-09T12:08:00.001-07:00

CFS (Cards for Soldiers)

2007-07-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

Cards for Soldiers...current challenge (Red, White & Blue)

Daphne
Proud Army Wife

Happy 4th of July!

2007-07-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Today as we celebrate the Independence of our great country, I can't help but think about all of those who have ensured the freedoms that we enjoy. I wish I could thank them all. So...to all our military members...past...present...and future, THANK YOU! I am so thankful to be living the American Dream. God Bless America!!!!

Cards for soldiers

2007-07-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

This next challenge is to use red, white, and blue on our cards (they don't have to be patriotic). Here is a copy of the first card I've made. I think I will do several like this and then come up with something else to send.
Daphne

Saturday day trip

2007-07-01T14:41:00.001-07:00

John, Keith, and I took a little day trip yesterday. We drove over a few miles into Kentucky and visited the birthplace of Cofederate President...Jefferson Davis. It is literally out in the middle of nowhere but I must say, a very impressive monument.

After visiting the Jefferson Davis monument, we headed down the road to Dover, Tennessee to visit the battle at Ft. Donelson which occured on the dates of Feb. 13-16, 1862.

We had a wonderful time at both places. Here are a few pictures from our day. :)

2007-06-28T12:49:00.001-07:00

Is it REALLY this close?

2007-06-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

I was talking to John earlier today and he was talking about "block leave". It really hit me then that he will be leaving again, for Iraq, so soon. It just doesn't seem like September should be around the corner. It doesn't even feel like he's been home 10 months!!! It is time for me to start planning for those 15 months that he's away. (I'm a planner...I have to have plans...lol...even if they are only in my head.)
Daph

Last one...

2007-06-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

Last one...

Daph

More cards for soldiers

2007-06-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

I just finished making my 15 cards for the soldiers! I had a great time making them and I thought I would share a few more of them.

Daphne

Cards for soldiers

2007-06-23T20:56:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share a couple of pictures of some cards that I am making to send overseas for our troops to send back home to loved ones. I belong to a wonderful message board and I guess they have been doing this for a while. I thought it was definitely a worth while thing to do. I'm committed to make 15 for this challenge. Anyway, enjoy!

Daphne

Saturday Hello

2007-05-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday...whew...it's been a long week. As some of you know, I have been keeping my Godson for the past (almost) two weeks. He is a joy, for the most part, but I had forgotten what it was like to have a toddler around the house. Hahahahaha. I can't seem to get a thing done around here! My house is definitely suffering. lol.

Oh here is a quick update that most of y'all know. Ariel got her drivers license almost two weeks ago and on the same day...she ended up totalling my Grand Prix. Thankfully, Ariel wasn't hurt bad and only had burns from the airbag and bruises from the seatbelt! We went last week and bought me a new car. It's a 2002 Audi. Very nice! I'll add a picture to this post.

That's pretty much the update here. Ariel is getting ready to go down to Alabama for the summer and John is getting ready to go to Louisiana for some training. Then he will be home a few more months and off to Iraq. I sure do dread it. *sigh*

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Daphne

100 things about me...

2007-05-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

1. I am 36 years old.
2. I am married to my Army man for 15 years.
3. I have two children.
4. I am a scrapbooker.
5. I am a card maker.
6. I love to bake.
7. I enjoy reading.
8. I am from Alabama.
9. I live in Clarksville, Tennessee.
10. I am an Alabama fan. ROLL TIDE!
11. I have 11 nieces and nephews with another on the way.
12. My favorite place to be is on the beach.
13. I am someone's best friend.
14. I am loved.
15. I love.
16. I have lived in Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Germany.
17. I am a military wife! HOORAH!
18. I love to travel.
19. My favorite color is red.
20. I am a brunette.
21. I have my Associates Degree in Medical Assisting.
22. I want to go back to college.
23. I love to crochet.
24. I love long, hot baths with a good book.
25. I'm a good cook.
26. I have hazel eyes.
27. I love to go shopping!
28. I love to lay out in the sun.
29. My favorite smell is laundry that has been hung out to dry.
30. I own a home.
31. I love to go tubing on the river.
32. I enjoy being out on the water.
33. I have a Godson.
34. I had a wonderful childhood.
35. I still keep in touch with friends from back home.
36. I miss home.
37. I am proud to be a military wife.
38. My children are beautiful.
39. My favorite food is steak.
40. My favorite drink (alcohol) is a White Russian or a Screw Driver.
41. My favorite soda is Dr. Pepper.
42. My favorite holiday is Christmas.
43. My favorite time of year is Spring and Summer.
44. I hate cold weather!
45. I hate doing yard work.
46. I have a Southern accent.
47. I listen to Country music, Top 40, R&B, and oldies from the 70's on...
48. I love reality tv shows.
49. I talk on the phone a lot.
50. I am soft hearted.
51. I am strong.
52. I am independent.
53. I'm never at a loss for words.
54. I make friends easily.
55. I can't stand mean or rude people.
56. I love babies.
57. I don't eat very many vegetables.
58. I enjoy going to formals.
59. I like to go clubbing with my friends.
60. I like to go bowling (but I suck at it...lol)
61. I have a good sense of humor.
62. I am dependable.
63. I am funny.
64. I love going to concerts.
65. I enjoy spending time alone.
66. I don't like to wake up to an alarm clock.
67. I am living the American dream.
68. I am very patriotic.
69. I love to laugh.
70. I find humor in all things.
71. I like to be in control.
72. I am scared of heights.
73. I am scared of elevators.
74. I love animals.
75. I have two dogs.
76. I have one cat.
77. I have fish.
78. I love to swim.
79. I like to write.
80. My favorite vacation was Disney World.
81. I love to surf the web.
82. I don't look forward to our next military move.
83. My husband is getting ready to go back to Iraq for the third time in the fall of this year.
84. I hope I never have to live overseas again.
85. I love to be in my pajamas.
86. I'm a jeans and t-shirt girl.
87. I hate drama.
88. I love my internet friends.
89. I get tons of emails everyday.
90. I hate shoot em up and kill em movies.
91. I love romantic comedies, comedies, and thriller or horror movies.
92. My Momma is my best friend.
93. My favorite sport is football.
94. My favorite flower is the Daffodil.
95. I don't like storms.
96. I love snow.
97. My favorite store is Hobby Lobby.
98. I love to go to yard sales.
99. Saturday is my favorite day of the week.
100. I am happy.

Scrapbooking Survivor (My Layouts)

2007-04-27T08:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a while...

2007-04-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

Yikes. It really has been a LONG time since I've posted to my blog. Life is good. John is home from Iraq (for now) but he is getting ready to go back there sometime in September. :( Things are good for us. Since I last posted John was promoted to 1st Sgt., and Keith has turned 13. Imagine! lol. Ariel is turning 16 on Sunday. I told a friend of mine yesterday that she is trying to make me old before my time. Hehehehehe. I'll try to keep my blog better updated guys. Oh, and I will be uploading some pictures from my latest stint in "Scrapbooking Survivor".
Love,
Daphne

Monday Ramblings...

2006-05-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

It sure is a beautiful Monday here. The weather is nice and sunny and the temperature is supposed to warm up to be about 75 degrees today. I love days like this when I can open all the windows in the house and let a gentle breeze come through. :) Not much is going on here. I am still in the process of unpacking (slowly). I've also had company off and on for the past two or three weeks. My friend, Tara, has been here since Thursday. We are having a really nice visit. She is so dear to me and I am so glad that I have the opportunity to spend some time with her before she goes back down to Georgia again. *sigh* This weekend my Mom, Sister-in-law, and my neices and nephews are coming up here for a visit. They are going to take Ariel down to Alabama to spend most of her summer vacation. Keith and I will stay here and spend most of our summer at the swimming pool, I think. Hehehehehe. I suppose I should get back downstairs and do some more cleaning. Does cleaning NEVER end? LOL! ~Daphne~

Doggy Diapers

2006-05-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

I just had to tell y'all what I had to do to my little dog Sissy. When we moved into the new house a few weeks ago she was going around and dribbling her pee all over the house! In my carpet!!!! The carpet that we don't wear shoes on!!!! LOL. I'm sure y'all can imagine my frustration. I guess she smelled the dog that used to live here and decided she needed to mark her territory. I was just about ready to take her to my Mom's house and let her go live with her Granny Mama for a bit. One evening after cleaning up I don't know how many dribble spots...I started asking myself...if they make diapers for baby's wouldn't they possibly make them for dogs too? Hehehehehehe. I grabbed Sissy up and she, Keith, and I took off for Petsmart just as fast as we could go. Thank heavens they did have doggy diapers and this one I got is velcro and re-usable and washable. I have absolutely got to send a picture of Sissy in her diaper. It's the funniest thing ever. There is even a hole for her tail to go through! Hahahahahaha! She's been mad at me but hey...she can't ruin my carpet now! :)

I did it!

2006-05-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

Hi guys. Sorry it has been so long since I have posted on the blog. Good news...the kids and I are all moved into the new house! We aren't completely settled yet...we still have MANY boxes out in the garage that I need to go through. The first week we couldn't find anything and I mean anything. LOL. It took me forever to even find the hairbrush! If y'all could see me without my hair combed and unwashed...you'd know...that was a bad situation! Hahahahaha! I have promised myself that I will take my time unpacking though and I am definitely going to follow through with it. My mother-in-law and I almost killed ourselves trying to pack us up and get everything moved over here. I know I don't want to ever do that again. LOL. I truly LOVE the new house. I just wish that John could be home to enjoy it with us. I can't wait for the next chapter of our lives to begin together. At least he will be home again in September. :)

Counting the days...

2006-04-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

Finally...only ONE week to go before we begin moving into our new home! I have been so busy lately that I haven't even had time to sit down and give an update. lol. Moving alone is definitely not something I would recommend to anyone. Hehehehe. My mother-in-law, bless her heart, has been helping me this week and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The entire house is almost completely packed!!!! I think I got rid of about half of what I had in here so the garbage men are going to hate me tomorrow. Hehehehehe. I never realized I had so much junk!!! I am still swamped with things to do so I am sure this week will fly by and I will be in the new house before I know it. :) Well, that is the update for now. I have to go patch the walls. Joy! LOL! ~Daphne~

Tuesday Tidbits

2006-04-04T05:17:00.000-07:00

Well, we got home from Alabama on Sunday but we brought my Mom back with us (for a week). :) The drive back was a bit treacherous though. We ran into one of those bad storms that hit this area right before we hit Nashville and I had to pull off the interstate (along with many others). The rest of the way was uneventful though unless you consider having three dogs in the Tahoe with the kids, my mom, and I. Hehehehehehe. I had a wonderful birthday and I am so thankful that I was home to spend it with ALL of my loved ones. Then on Saturday my dad took John to the airport in Atlanta and he started making the long trip back to Iraq. It was not an easy day. I can't believe I got so used to him being home for those two weeks. Normally we don't fall back into a normal routine so "quickly". I feel lost without him but my Mom is here now and I have to start packing for the move, etc...so I am going to be busy for the next few months and that will help, I am sure. My housewarming party was on Saturday and I got some very nice goodies for the new house and I also got some money. Mom and I are making a dent in the money really fast. Hehehehehe. I will have to send some pictures of some of the goodies that I am accumulating. It's funny...I suppose I am destined to have a country themed "rooster" kitchen. Everyone that bought me anything for the kitchen bought me rooster stuff! I had already bought a few things that were rooster themed anyway. The lord works in mysterious ways. Hehehehehe. Have a great one, everyone! ~Daphne~

We are HOMEOWNERS!

2006-03-29T13:12:00.000-08:00

John and I were finally able to close on the house yesterday afternoon! We are now "offically" homeowners! WOO HOO! We are so excited. I keep looking at him and saying "OMG...we are homeowners!" Hehehehehehe! Oh my goodness...I don't think it has truly set in yet. I have so much to do around here before I start moving in on May 1st. I don't even know where to start. At least the next month will be busy and, therefore, the time should go by fast. Everything went as smoohtly (with the closing) as it could possibly go. After the closing, John and I, took Kay (our Realtor) out for drinks/food at Ruby Tuesdays. We really wanted to include Kay in our celebration because she has gone way above AND beyond anything she had to do for us. If anyone in this area needs a Realtor...get in touch with me...and I will give you Kay's information. I have nothing but good things to say about her. She's awesome! :) She bought us the nicest housewarming gift too. She got us two $25.00 gift certificates that can be redeemed almost anywhere in the area AND she bought us a homeowners book that has everything in it up to this point. It was truly a thoughtful gift and now we will have everything pertaining to the house in one book...for easy access! Things are really great for John, the kids, and I right now. Even the weather is starting to warm up around here! Did I mention I love Spring? Hehehehehe. Anyway, that's the good news! I just wanted to keep everyone updated on what is happening with us. We are heading down to Alabama tomorrow afternoon. My birthday is Friday and I am so happy to be able to be home with my family to celebrate and then on Saturday my Mom is giving us a housewarming party. John has to leave to head back towards Iraq Saturday though. That's the only downfall but, hey, we are half-way through this deployment!!! ~Daphne~

One week to go

2006-03-25T12:31:00.000-08:00

Where oh where did this week go? *sigh* John will have to leave next Saturday (April 1st) to begin the long trip back to Iraq. :( At least we will be closing on the house this coming week...or we should be. There are still a few things that have to be finished up but everyone is pulling strings and trying to arrange the closing for Tuesday or Wedneday (at the latest). :) Neither one of us can wait for the papers to be signed!! (I'm SURE the seller's feel the same way!) I keep sitting here trying to think of how it will feel to be a homeowner. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Hehehehehe. We sure have a busy week ahead of us...the closing...my birthday...the housewarming party (my mom is giving me) and John leaving again. John's sister and her kids were able to come down here this weekend to see John and he's over at his mom's now spending time with them. Ariel is at the movies and as soon as I go and pick her up we are heading over there to have supper with them. In the meantime...I am cleaning around the house. I had forgotten how messy a man can be! LOL! How easy it is to forget. Hehehehehe. ~Daphne~

The girls...

2006-03-24T12:57:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of me (on the left) and my two best friends...Tara (middle) and Cindy (far right). Thanks girls...for all the good times and for being there for me and loving me...always. ~Daphne~

Better Late Than Never...

2006-03-24T12:50:00.000-08:00

These are the 20 dozen roses that John sent to me and Ariel for Valentine's Day. I meant to post this back in February...man oh man...am I late. LOL! Of course, the picture doesn't do the roses justice and the smell they put off was heavenly. He can truly be the sweetest man. I wonder what he will do next to top this? LOL. ~Daphne~

He's HOME!

2006-03-23T06:50:00.000-08:00

John made it home last week for his mid-tour from Iraq! Yipee! Life is good. :) The kids and I are truly enjoying him being home. Of course...we are dreading the day he has to go back and the time is sneaking up on us already but we are so thankful to have him here for the two weeks. We are half-way through this tour now! Only six more months to go!!! We are on "The Downhill Slide!!!" Other news...we have had to push back the closing on our house AGAIN but that is okay because we have been shopping around with other Mortgage Companies and came up with a much better deal. :) Everyone involved in the situation is pushing to get the closing set for the 28th of March. :) Wish us luck, everyone. LOL. I'm just thankful everything is going smoothly at this point. I know the sellers are ready to get this closing over with and we certainly are as well. I can't wait until we the day when we finally get to say that we are HOMEOWNERS! We have waited for this for so long!!!! Till later...Daphne

Over "there"...

2006-03-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would share...pics of John and Jim in Iraq. :) I'm so glad they can see each other here and there while they are so far from home...

Finally...an update! Hehehehehe...

2006-03-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay...I'm ashamed that I haven't been keeping up with my blog. I am making a promise right now to write more often. Hehehehe. Gosh, there is so much to say. Where do I start? First of all...John will be home in 12 days (give or take a day or two) for his mid-tour from Iraq! YIPEE! I can't wait to see him and hold him in my arms. These past six months have been so lonely without him! I am counting down the days as patiently as possible. lol. So far...2oo6 has been so good to our family. We are in the process of buying our first house and we are *SO* happy about it! We have waited 14 years to finally buy and I'd say it is about time! lol. The closing has been set for the 20th of March so that John can be home for the closing. :) Today is John's 15 year mark in the Army. In so many ways I cannot believe it has already been this long and in others...it seems like it has been a lifetime. Hahahaha. Let me just say how PROUD I am of him and how PROUD I am to be a military wife. I wouldn't want to live any other life but this one. :) Also, while I am talking about news...John and I will be celebrating our 14 year anniversary on the 14th of March. What a mile mark!!!! And then on the 31st...I will be celebrating my 35th birthday but don't tell anyone. Hehehehe. So yes, 2006 has been a really good year for us. An exciting year...and we have so much more to look forward to. God is good! :)
P.S...the picture is of the front of our new home :)

Happy New Year, everyone!

2006-01-06T09:42:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been a while since I have posted. I have no excuse...except that I am lazy. lol. I still can't believe that 2005 is over and 2006 is here and now. On a good note...now I can say with a good bit of certainty that John will be home this year. The kids and I spent New Year's Eve alone. Let's just hope that the old wives tale of doing the same thing the next time around isn't true. lol. Our weather has been CRAZY lately. It's been really cold and then it warmed up to 75 degrees one day last week. Today we are expecting snow flurries. I saw a few teeny tiny flakes on my way home from the store a little while ago. I'm ready for Spring. I want to open all my windows and enjoy the weather again. At least Spring isn't too far away. :) It should be warming up by my birthday this year. :) Well, I need to be cleaning house but I promise...I will blog again soon.

P.S. The picture on this blog is a picture taken on Christmas Day at my parents' house.

Where did this year go?

2005-12-03T16:21:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it is December already! Where did the time go? It seems like only a few months ago we were bringing in 2005!

The past few days have been dreary, rainy, and cold! It would be nice to see some snow. I just hope it doesn't do it on the day the kids and I head down to Alabama (to be with my family) for Christmas. It did last year and the traveling was absolutely horrendous until we got out of Nashville. Yuck. lol.

I got to talk to John today! It was our first conversation in weeks. It was so great to hear from him and it really made my day. I feel so bad for him. The poor thing has to work seven days a week. He sounded so tired and homesick. I've been missing him so much. The kids and I aren't even going to put our tree up this year. We will be out of town anyway, so what's the point? It's just too hard to put the tree up without John and taking it down would be the pits. I'm such a weenie. lol. I did get out my snow house (that lights up) and I need to get a few more things out to at least make it feel like Christmas around here. Maybe I can get to that tomorrow. Tonight, I am waiting on my best friend, Tara, to come over and watch War of the Worlds with us. Keith and I watched it last night and I don't care to see it again but we have nothing else to do and I will get to play with my Godson so that will be nice. :)

Well, my company is here so this is it for tonight. Wishing everyone a good night!
~Daphne~

Always in my heart and on my mind...

2005-11-26T17:18:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of my husband...my hero. GI John, as I affectionately call him. I miss him so much and there is no end in sight in this deployment. *sigh* Thanksgiving was particularly hard without him. The kids and I spent the day with his mom, dad, sister, her husband, and kids. It was nice but I couldn't help but wonder exactly where he was and what he was doing while we were enjoying a wonderful meal with family. I hope he knows that no matter how far apart we are...he is only a thought away from us.

John can be the sweetest man alive. He surprised me Wednesday morning with TEN dozen roses! I took a few pictures of the roses but I have to get the film developed this week (my digital camera is shot). When I get the pics I will scan and send one of them. They are way too beautiful not to share. :)

Daphne

Baby...it's COLD outside!

2005-11-21T15:14:00.000-08:00

Old man winter is most definitely on his way. It's colder than a well-diggers @ss and dreary too. There is even talk of possible snow flurries tonight/early morning (no accumulation). It does seem more like Thanksgiving though than the 80 degree weather we had a week or two ago. I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is this Thursday! The kids and I are going to spend it up here with John's family. It will be a hard day to deal with but I have much to be thankful for. I just hope that John and the other military members over there get a nice, hot meal and some down time. They deserve that and more.

Oh..good news! John made the E-8 list! He doesn't think he will get promoted until this time next year but the fact that he made the list is GREAT news. He made it on his first look and I couldn't be prouder of him. I promised him that he can buy a new boat when he gets home from Iraq. *sigh* I knew I would break down sooner or later. lol. If his boat wasn't at a friends house I would send a picture for y'all to laugh at. It's one of those aluminum John boats (old) and he has painted it and any number of other things to make this thing look presentable. The funniest thing though is that he put our old car stereo and speakers in the thing so he could listen to music on the lake. Hehehehehe. Talk about redneck! :)~

Well, my fried chicken is done and my kids are fighting. More later...

2005-11-21T14:37:00.000-08:00

John and I at the last Brigade Ball :)

Is this REALLY my life?

2005-11-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally decided to start my own blog since everyone else is doing it. Today has been rather trying. My kids were out of school and my 12 year old son (who incidentally suffers from ADHD) is driving me insane. Of course, it doesn't help any that his "daddy" is in Iraq and won't be home for at least another year. So...Keith and I went to Walmart today (he had a birthday earlier this week) to spend the rest of his money and he bought a remote control car. This thing is annoying as hell. lol. The dogs are in "hiding" around here and I have threatened to take the car away from him.

At least I was able to do something productive today. I went to our new Walmart and bought John a Play Station II game, Summer Sausages, stuff to make chocolate chip cookies, two huge things of Citrus Listerine, and I am currently making him a batch of homemade cheddar cheese/bacon bread. This is going to be his Christmas Box. I have no idea what else to send to a war zone. Heck...I think someone should send me a box.