I do not like being around other couples right now. Yet everywhere I turn there is a couple holding hands, smiling at each other and just being down right mushy. I miss that more than anything else. Hubby and I usually hold hands someway with one of the Kiddos hands in our hands when we are going through the store or try to touch each other allot. It is a very soothing feeling for me. It has been hard to go into a store and not having that soothing hand or touch or just a quick smile from my love or see his smile when I turn around.

Hubby always put up with me smelling hm because he knows how much it means to me. Well this week has been a sucky one for smell. I am all stuffed up and can't smell anything. The only thing I can take will la me out and I can not afford to have the Kiddos running loose around here.

Hubby took off for the sandbox last night. I have heard from them once because they had to stop off and pick up some more Soldiers. It was the best 3 am call I have ever had. Now I do not know when I will hear from him again. That is always hard. Not knowing and trying to be normal as possible for the Kiddos. The are doing better than me or they are just faking it. I do know Buddy Lee is having a hard time dealing with his anger. He is 6 and we are working on it.Hopefully as we settle into our routine and know Dad has made it safe to his base this will be better.

I am off for now to deal with housecleaning and PTA things.

OK so things have been really hard around here. The Kiddos are in need of some extra time so I am not going to be around for a few days.

We celebrated two birthdays this past week since Hubby left.Sweetness turned 10 today and Baby turned 2 this past Thursday. Sweetness has had a really hard time and Big Man is showing it too. Since the Kiddos are older this time and more aware of what is happening in the world it is harder.

The next couple of weeks I will be hanging with them and doing the family thing. Trying to make the time better and go by faster for the little ones.

You Are a Pinky

You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird. A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone. You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are. You get along well with: The Ring Finger Stay away from: The Thumb

What Finger Are You?

This Weeks Soldier Was Submitted By Anna

Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt
Superintendent of the 22nd Wing Medical Group at McConnell Air Force Base


Have you heard of Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt? Maybe you have and maybe you haven't. CMSgt. Hebhardt gain some notoriety recently. Not for an action that he took on the battlefield, but rather for a picture(not shown because it is graphic) that was taken of him.

In 2006, CMSgt. John Gebhardt was photographed holding a little Iraqi girl that had been injured. Her family had been attacked by insurgents. Both of her parents were killed, along with many of her siblings, and she had been shot in the head and left for dead. But she was tougher than that. She was brought to Balad Air Base Hospital where she was operated on and ultimately saved. As you can imagine, it was an extremely hard time for this little girl. Her recovery was hellish. But when CMSgt. Gebhardt would hold her, she seemed to be comforted. He spent many nights sleeping in a chair with her in his arms. The picture wast taken by a fellow airman while CMSgt. Gebhardt and the little girl were napping. Said CMSgt. Gebhardt, "I'm sure that probably just gave her some inner peace that she could reach."

On a side note. This is why I started doing these Wednesday Hero posts. Because of people like Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt. It's soldiers like him that make me proud of our military.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Today has been a cleaning mood type of day. I aways do this when Hubby goes away for an extended period of time. I mope around for a few days then I get up off my butt and start my life. I have financial aide packets to finish and Kiddos to care for and love on when they are nice to me. :)

I was able to chat with a dear friend who I meet online the last time Hubby was deployed. Her hubby will be in the same camp as my Hubby and we told them they need to meet up. I am jealous though that they get to meet before we do but at least we as wives know the guys will be able to meet and have a friendly face there.

The Kiddos had an awesome day yesterday. The boys were laid back as much as they can be and played nice most of the day. The older kiddos had a good day at school and relaxed when they got home. We had a late dinner and yummy brownies Sweetness made.

Tomorrow is the Baby's 2nd birthday. I can't believe it has been 2 yeas since he was born. Time has flown. He has gone form being my smallest at birth to a big ole hefty boy. He and his older brother the Bully wear the same size shirts. The did on pants til Bully shot up in a growth spurt.

Tonight is Bible Study and Women of Prayer group. I look forward to this time to just sit and listen lately. It helps to fill me and renew my strength. As of right now I have a very little amount of strength. All I have has been focused on getting Hubby ready and then just making sure the Kiddos are dealing with everything okay.

Today was a little better than the last couple. I almost cried a few times. Last night I slept with the Hubby's pillow under my head and his tshirt clutched in my arms. It almost hurt to go to bed last night. I slept alone for 20 months and he is home for a year and I can't sleep without him now. He has not had an AT since he has been home so I have not had to go to long without him next to me. I think one night he was gone for a class for work. That is it. One night I did not sweat. The second night he is gone on deployment the room and bed felt different. Very lonely in there. I do not like going into our room. Our place to snuggle, laugh and chat. It is not the same without Hubby.

Kiddos are doing great. Sweetness had no breakdowns tonight. She has already kicked into her Mommy role. She will baby me and try to take care of me til her Daddy gets home. Then she will leave me alone. She knows how nervous I am while Daddy is gone and knows that if I do not take care of myself then I can't take care of them and put on the brave front for others. Sweetness is one great girl. She is going to be awesome at whatever she does.

Big Man is just that a big man with a young heart. He is so grown up but at the same time so young at heart. He makes sure the younger kiddos are doing right and tries to help me out. I hate the fact he has grown up so fast and been great about it. He is going to be great in life too. Whatever he does he will be great.

Buddy Lee is having a hard time still. He played sick right before Daddy left to spend some extra time with him. It did not work he still had to go to school. He is missing his Daddy awhole lot. Slowly he is getting back to his old self.

The Baby and The Bully are fine. They play and fight all the time and have a good time. Nothing gets them down to often. I am so glad I have them to occupy my days. It will make the next few months go by fast. I hope.

I am sad. So very sad. We put Hubby on a plane when we should have been hearing a really good sermon. We were able to go to Sunday School and be a part of Praise and Worship. sweetness had a solo dance for her Daddyt his mornign so Pastor mixed up the order of service so Hubby could see it and Pastor could pray for him. The song Sweetness used was called "Peace" and theteam leader dedacated it to Hubby. He lost it and I lost it as we watched our sweet little one all grown up hold herself together and dance her heart out for Daddy. The song was very right for us and touched our hearts beyond any words.

The Kiddos as a whole took Daddy leaving really hard today. It dawned on the Bully today at the airport that Daddy was leaving and not coming back. It did not hit him though til Hubby went through the secruity check point and we could not go with him. Then all the way home The Bully was calling for his Daddy. All I could tell him was Dadd's job has to have him and he will have to sleep where he works for awhile. Such a hard day.

I am going to go clean. Maybe it will help speed up the time. Plus while Hubby was home we just hung out together and nothing got done besides dishes and some laundry.

We had Hubby's Send Off tonight. Since he is going as a filler and are unsure of a few things we wanted to have a chance to say thanks to everyone who has supported us this far in our ever changing emotions and plans.

The tornado watch put a damper on some folks coming out but a few did show up. I had a blast sitting and talking with some people and making sure everyone was filled up on food and drinks. Then the time came for us to say a few words. It was hard but all I could say was "Thanks. Thanks." That was it. But Hubby on the other hand stepped up and spoke his heart and touched mine at the same time. One thing he said was that he is proud to not serve only our great God but a great country. That it is a privilege to serve in the military. He also thanked everyone for their support for our family and him. It was touching and heart wrenching for me at the same time.

I am going to curl up with the wonderful Hubby and kiddos and watch a few movies tonight. More in a few days. I am just adjusting and getting ready for the Hubby to leave and life is beginning to suck big green donkey poop for me. In other words I am just sad. I will be outta this funky mood soon.

From the Bully:

Bully: I HAVE TO DUMP!!!!
Me: WHAT????
Bully: I have to dump.
Me: OK
A few minutes pass and then...

Bully: MOM WIPE MY BUUUUTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!

And I wanted him to be potty trained so bad. This is almost an everyday thing in this house. Makes Hubby proud to know his son takes after him.

This Weeks Solider Was Summited By Lt. Schneider

SSgt. Keith "Matt" Maupin
24 years old from Batavia, Ohio
Army Reserves 724th Transportation Company
MIA Since April 9, 2004



Strength, perseverance and determination is how you would describe the family of SSgt. Keith Maupin. Because even though their son has been missing now for almost three years, his parents still haven't given up hope that he's still alive. Said his father, Keith Maupin, "I'm saying it ain't over till the fat lady sings and when she sings, I'm going to choke her. That's what I say. They're going to find Matt." His mother, Carolyn, was quoted as saying, "We're to keep our hope up. And praying until they can prove to us 100 percent either way. And that's what I'm going to do. And I realize we only have a 50/50 chance here, but I'm not going the low road. I'm going the high road"

SSGt. Maupin, who was PFC. Maupin when he was capture and has since received two promotions, was reported MIA when his fuel convoy came under attack near the Baghdad International Airport. Along with Maupin was Sgt. Elmer Krause and seven employees of U.S. contractor Kellogg, Brown & Root. All of whom were either rescued or escaped. Seven days later, on April 16, Al-Jazeera aired a video tape of Maupin in which he was forced to admit that he was went to Iraq unwillingly. Then on June 28, 2004, Al-Jazerra reported that PFC. Maupin had been executed by a group calling themselves Persistent Power Against the Enemies of God and the Prophet. But no concrete proof has surfaced either way.

His parents have created a website called Yellow Ribbon Support Center if you would like to check it out. And while most in the media have forgotten Keith Maupin, Wednesday Hero hasn't.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

This one is Hubby. Mind you he can not stand Dodge cars. We make fun of them all the time. :)

I'm a Dodge Viper!

You're all about raw power. You're tough, you're loud, and you don't take crap from anyone. Leave finesse to the other cars, the ones eating your dust.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

I'm a Ford Mustang!

You're an American classic -- fast, strong, and bold. You're not snobby or pretentious, but you have what it takes to give anyone a run for their money.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

We have made it to my Dad's house in Nacodoghes, Texas. If I misspelled it please forgive me. I suck at spelling. If I did not have a spell check I would not be doing this.

My Dad' house is beautiful. The kids have a place to run and play and I can have some peace and quiet. I believe this is the 3 rd day that has been relaxed. Hubby got the Baby to fall asleep and he is still sleeping. This is his 3 rd nap this week. He really needs to get back to his routine and our own home. But though we may head home tonight, tomorrow is a trip to Ft Hood. Hubby got orders so I need to get my ID card. It is my life and we do not have anywhere closer than Ft Hod to get one. I am not looking forward to that drive or the day. I hope we get there early enough that we do not have to wait long.

I miss my close friend and mom alot right now. As the day draws near I am having a harder time. With them around I was able to handle things. I do not know if I will be able to hold it together the day Hubby leaves. I have lots of projects to do and kiddos to take of but when the night rolls around I am at a loss. Not to much but reading and thinking can be done at that time.

I am off to do some research on coffee makers. I want a new one. The other one is about 6 years old and the seal is already starting to leak. Even though Hubby has cleaned it many times and kept it clean. But the way I have been going the coffee drinking will keep on while Hubby is deployed. I usually don't drink coffee while it is summer or warm. But it just is starting to feel right to have a cup in my hand most of the day. :)

More later after we get home and settled. I will need a vacation form this vacation.

We are leaving Las Vegas today. And heading to my Dad's house next. Then home. I am so tired. We have orders in hand and life is still moving on. It has been an interesting week. I will post next week.