Congrats to my new Corporal!

Well...I spoke to my son from Iraq yesterday and it was wonderful. He told me his plan for re-enlistment and that he has a four day weekend coming up and he can't wait. Today my DIL sent me an email while Joe was on the phone, to let me know he's been promoted to Corporal and is a Vehicle Commander! Way to go, Joe. Congrats to his buddy...Mueller...for his promotion too. Prayers to you Miles, hoping you're feeling better soon...possibility of gallstones. These are the 3 J.M. boys in Iraq..kind of like the Three Muskateers. All for one and one for all! HOOAH!

Was a rough day today after talking to Joe yesterday...he can't wait for R&R to spend EVERY MINUTE OF IT WITH HIS WIFE ONLY. That hurt but I wasn't going to let him know that. I can understand him wanting to be only with his wife...sort of. She's in texas and I'm in New Jersey...it's not like I can just...'be in the neighborhood.' I'll get over it and I'm still as proud of my son as ever. Nothing could ever change that.

This picture is of The Three Muskateers (3 J.M.s) and my DIL, Sarah. This was taken in April when I went to Washington before deployment. We all went to dinner and back to the hotel and watched "Flushed Away." It was a great night that I'll treasure forever.

The two 2 year olds

Not a granny..here are pics of the babies. Aiden (blonde) is my grandson and he's 28 months. Donte will be 2 on August 2.

Baby Jameson's Baptism/Mom on top, his Aunt Jennifer (Godmother) below.

Prayers please

It has been a crazy beginning of the week for me. Of course, worrying about my soldier is always on the top of the list. Prayers for him and all of our troops are on the top of my prayer list everyday. I found out yesterday that my 5 month old great nephew is being tested today for Cystic Fybrosis. He's had bad asthma since birth and the docs think it's more. He doesn't look like your typical child with C.F. I know this because my aunt had 5 boys, 3 of which had C.F. They lived well into early adult years. As a little girl, I always remember them being very sickly and extremely skinny. Jameson...is a robust, happy and otherwise healthy baby. Prayers for you baby Jameson. Then...speaking with my mom this morning, she informed me that one of my other great nephews, Daryl...6, may have a siezure disorder and he is also having tests today. Prayers to you, Little Man. We also went to a viewing last night for my brother-in-law's mother-in-law. As far as viewings go...this was very easy. Theresa had been sick for many years and passed away peacefully, with her family by her side. Prayers for her and her family.
Now...I'm just wating to hear from my son who is suppose to call me sometime soon. Trying to keep my phone with me at all times is a definite challenge for me...not easy keeping it on me and AWAY from two 2 year olds.
How about Army Mom Times Three getting those generators repaired so quickly for the soldiers in Iraq. What an awesome person to have in your corner. I'd hate to have her as my enemy...ha ha..love ya, Jo.
Anyway...I just wanted to let you all know what was happening and to please keep these two precious children in your prayers. I'll keep you 'posted' --- no pun intended --- I'm such a dork!

Although you see the world different than me. Sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see. All the new colors and pictures you've designed, Oh yes, sweet darling ,So glad you are a child of mine.
Child of mine, child of mine. Oh yes, sweet darling, So glad you are a child of mine.
You don't need direction, you know which way to go. And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow. You're the one who taught me you don't have to look behind, Oh yes, sweet darling, So glad you are a child of mine.
Child of mine, child of mine. Oh yes, sweet darling, So glad you are a child of mine.
Nobody's gonna kill your dreams, Or tell you how to live your life. There'll always be people to make it hard for a while. But you'll change their heads when they see you smile.
The times you were born in may not have been the best. But you can make the times to come better than the rest. I know you will be honest if you can't, always be kind. Oh yes, sweet darling, So glad you are a child of mine.
Child of mine, child of mine, Oh yes, sweet darling, So glad you are a child of mine.
Child of mine, child of mine. Oh yes, sweet darling, So glad you are a child of mine.

Last time I saw Joe --- Good Friday 2007

This picture is the last time I saw my soldier. The stupid elevator wouldn't work so that's why he's laughing. His wife is hiding behind him so we wouldn't see each other crying. He is in Yakima, WA in the "snow" picture.
I don't know how to stop missing him. If you knew this guy, you'd be in awe. He has done so much to better his life which included helping the poor and the homeless in Texas. Momma loves you!!!

I don't think I'm mean..

Liberal Army Wife & Sarge Charlie...I appreciate your comments. Just let me verify...I am not mean to my family. They are just not use to me expressing my negative feelings. I have always been the type of person that let EVERYTHING roll off my shoulders and I kept my opinions to myself. I've always been a PEACE-KEEPER...maybe even an enabler. Somehow, that's all changed and I THINK it has to do with my son being deployed...because I see the world differently now. If I see a problem...instead of fixing it myself and bottling up inside, the frustrations I feel because someone else doesn't recognize the problem. For instance...I take care of two 2 year olds all day---grandson and foster child---I work my butt off all day to meet their needs along with washing EVEYONE'S LAUNDRY (kids, hubby, 15 year old son & 23 old daughter--oh...mine too), cooking dinner, doing the dishes...all the house cleaning---if someone makes a mess, or doesn't know if leftovers are worth saving...don't complain about the mess...clean it yourself and make the decision to keep or throw away the food. Does it take a rocket scientist to figure out that my so called meaness is because everyone here can't see what needs to be done. So, instead of me not not saying anything---like I use to---I tell people, "hey! can't you pick that up?" or..."can't you make the decision about throwing out leftovers yourself?" My job is 24-7...it's with me constantly. It's always been that way and it will always be that way. I DO EVERYTHING for my family...because I love them...unconditionally without fail. I don't want RECOGNITION I just don't want to sit back and take all the crap anymore. I want to say how I feel without someone getting mad at me. Face it, I've changed...with my son in a war zone...my perspective on life has changed for the better. I look at what our soldiers are going through...all they have to see and hear and endure...and it makes life here a piece of cake. Everytime someone complains about the heat, Isay. "imagine the temp being 115 and your wearing full army gear. Then you can cry about the heat to me." WE ALL have the convenience of making our own decisions, our soldiers don't. They work for hours...days on end with little or no sleep...FOR US! The least we can do for our soldiers is to start seeing the world through their eyes and maybe then, we'll appreciate what we have. That's all I'm trying to get across to my family.