Our England Friends

It's been a very busy weekend. Friday evening Dad, Mom, Owen and Dawn (friends from England) came to the house for the weekend. We shopped, shopped some more, went to see my baby sister and her family (which is also in the photo) and then we ended up at a Japanese Steak House for supper last night with Kristy. I don't think they have ever seen a show put on like our chef put on last night. It was great. They left earlier this morning headed to meet Dee and her family for lunch then they were going to head back home.

It was great spending time with family and wonderful friends.

We were all able to chat with Michael for a little while online. He is counting the days down now until he arrives home for R&R/Baby's birth.

Alexis's new outfit

I just could not resist yesterday when I passed by the Army Surplus store at Camp Shelby on my way to the Coast. Thought this would make a great Daddy/daughter photo when he gets home.

Stacy Lee's iPhone

BABY SHOWER

Alexis's first diamond necklace and earings. Yes she is already spoiled rotten.

Kristy and one proud Paw Paw.


It was a great baby shower. The baby is set to go, except for diapers. I think she only got one package of diapers.

BABY SHOWER

The first baby shower was great. Kristy got so many nice things.

Pictures to follow.

4 LONG MONTHS

So, I've been thinking, and yes that can get really scary. If Michael were in the the Air Force, he would be coming home right now, as they only do 4-month tours most of the time.

Just a thought and I will share it with him the next time we talk/chat/text. Thinking he might agree with me right about now, as he is really missing home.

Can't a Mom dream or wish at least once during a year long deployment that something like that could happen.

JUST SAYING...

HURRY UP PLEASE...

It's been 116 days since his BOOTS HIT THE GROUND and only 71 DAYS UNTIL ALEXIS IS DUE.

I think we are all ready for this baby to get here.

Michael text me Thursday night and then called me Friday night and we talked for almost an hour. It had been almost two weeks since I had heard from him. He must know after about 12-14 days he must call so I can just hear his voice. Lots going on with him. He is give out. Working 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week is getting the best of him I do believe. He is exhausted. I can hear it in his voice.

I did tell him that we can start our countdown now for his R&R.

We all think that the baby will arrive before he gets here. Just a feeling we all have. For Michael's sake, I really want her to wait on her Daddy though.

Yesterday I was also able to text with him off and one while I was out and about enjoying my day off. Nothing better than hearing from him.

I'm missing him really bad right now. Sure could use one of his big hugs that is knows how to give at just the right times.

That's all for now I guess.

SHE'S READY FOR ALEXIS TO GET HERE...

She is just too cute with her little belly. The photographer took lots of pictures of Kristy with a flag draped around her and then put them on a CD for her to mail to Michael. He should have them by now hopefully. I don't think he has time to check the blog, so I think I am safe to go ahead and post these.

The doctor said she could go back to work, but to take it easy and no standing on her feet a lot.

HOSPITALS

I sure do hate them. Spent Saturday night and up into the wee hours Sunday morning there with Kristy. She has been put on strict bed rest by her doctor. She has a UTI, and he gave her some antibiotics and put her on a low sodium diet for all the swelling. He also put her on strict bed rest until he figures out why she is swelling up so bad. I did not know until we were told by the nurse that a UTI can cause you to go into labor. She had several contractions while they were monitoring her and the baby. It's way too early for Alexis to make her grand entrance at 6 months, so lets hope the bed rest and antibiotic will work.

Michael had come online about the time we were headed to the emergency room with Kristy, so he was very worried about her and would not get off the computer until we had gotten all the test results in. He was exhausted by the time we finally figured out what was wrong with Kristy. I was able to record the baby's heart beat and emailed it to him. He thought that was pretty cool. Thank goodness for iphones and an application called voice memos that I was able to download. He feels helpless being 7000 miles away, but he knew that Kristy's Mom and I, along with her best friend were taking excellent care of her.

She will now go to the doctor once a week until Alexis is born.

Will update when we know something else.

GOLD STAR MOTHER'S DAY

Today is a day that we are to honor our Gold Star Mothers. Words can't express the thanks that I have for these Mothers who have given so much.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE GOLD STAR MOTHERS.

3 LONG MONTHS

It sure seems like longer than 3 months since his boots hit the ground in Kuwait. Melinda can probably tell you right off the top of her head how much time our guys have left. Me, I don't even want to think about it.

Sure miss his smile. He called again Tuesday night and everything is good with him. He's excited about the baby girl that will be here around Christmas time. He's got lots going on, and will be able to share once everything is final and he gives me to go ahead to tell what all is going on with him. It's all good, I promise.

REMEMBERING 9/11

Jackson's local Channel 12 interviewed me today. She caught me off guard, which I guess is a good thing as it did not give me any time whatsoever to think about it.

PROJECT 2996

Remembering the victims of 9/11

A day that changed the world.

Jose R. Nunez of New York, NY was 42 years young when he lost his life on September 11, 2001. Jose left behind a wife and three daughters, Mirelys, Marelnys and Melissa.

Jose was a food runner with Windows on the World.

I have struggled for days now trying to figure out what I would write on this day about Jose R. Nunez. Very little can be found on Jose. I have searched and searched trying to find any information on Jose so that I could write this tribute.

I know that my struggles of trying to figure out what to write are nothing compared to Jose's wife and three girls that were left behind after 9/11. I am hoping that Jose's family has found peace in knowing that their loved one is now in a better place. My heart aches for this family and all the other 2,995 victims of 9/11.

It's been eight long years that Jose's family have missed and mourned him.

Jose, I remember you on this 8th anniversary and I only wish that I could have learned more about you and your life.

Rest in Peace Jose...

FINALLY

IT'S GOING TO BE A GIRL.

Sonogram this morning told us what we already thought, but we just needed it to be confirmed.

Seems as though it's time to start shopping now.

Michael called last night and he and I talked for an hour and a half. The delay was terrible, but so worth getting to hear his voice. The excitement in his voice about finding out today if the baby was a girl or a boy was overwhelming him I do believe.

He is working night right now. Says he prefers nights over the days and said that it was much cooler at night. Other than that, he is good. He's so ready for this deployment to be over with. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he can come home for the baby's birth.

4TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF KATRINA

It seems as if it were only yesterday when Katrina hit. It will be a memory that I will never forget. Oh how I would like too, but not gonna happen. Mississippi has learned so much over the last 4 years. We are still trying to put our state back together. Too many emotions to try to rehash that awful day.

Michael had just left going back to Iraq after his 16 days of R&R. 4 years later he is back in Iraq for his second tour.

August 28, 2005.

August 29, 2005.

August 30, 2005.

Where were you one year ago today.

Two year anniversary.

Three year anniversary.

PEARL, MS SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

Pearl soldier killed in Afghanistan

A soldier from Pearl was killed Friday during combat in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Matthew Ingram, 25, died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. The blast occurred while his unit was under small-arms fire from enemy forces, according to a news release Sunday evening from the Department of Defense.

Ingram was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Ingram was serving his second tour of duty and had been in Afghanistan since May. His first tour was in Iraq from August 2004 to July 2005.

He enlisted in the Army in 2003.

At least three other service members with connections to Mississippi have died overseas in the last month.

On Aug. 1, two Mississippi National Guard soldiers were killed in Afghanistan.

Sgt. 1st Class Severin Summers, 43, who recently had been living in Bentonia and Natchez, and Sgt. 1st Class Alejandro Granado, 42, of Longview, Texas, were killed by an improvised explosive device in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan.

Summers and Granado were assigned to the Mississippi Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, based in Jackson.

Summers left for Afghanistan on July 2 - a repeat trip for the Special Forces soldier and Ranger who has served nearly 20 years in the military.

Army Staff Sgt. Johnny Roosevelt Polk died July 25 from wounds he suffered when his vehicle was struck by an anti-tank grenade July 23 in Iraq. The 39-year-old was a Gulfport native.

ANOTHER CALL

It's been a very hectic week around here. Michael called again on Tuesday, which was very unexpected. He sounded great, but said he was tired. I received a card from him yesterday and yes it made me cry. He's missing home terrible.

I ordered these two shirts for Kristy and I and they came in yesterday. I also ordered Kristy's Mom one as well.

I'm anticipating that it's going to be another crazy week.

FINALLY

He finally called yesterday afternoon around 1500 and we were able to talk for about 19 minutes. He is good, sounded great and was headed to bed to try to get some rest.

NOTHING

It's been since Monday of this week since Kristy or I have heard from Michael on IM, and its been since August 4th since we have received a phone call from him.

He's sick again, and not sure if they have put him back in isolation or not.

This waiting game is getting the best of the both of us. My phone rings daily or I either get an IM from family members asking if we have heard from him, and I have to say those dreaded words "NO NOT TODAY"...

Not sure how many more days of silence either of us can handle, and just think, it's only been 56 long days since his boots hit the ground.

DEATH OF 3 MS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device Aug. 2 in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan.

Killed were:

Capt. Ronald G. Luce Jr., 27, of Fayetteville, N.C.;

Sgt. 1^st Class Alejandro Granado, 42, of Fairfax, Va.; and

Sgt. 1^st Class Severin W. Summers III, 43, of Bentonia, Miss.

All three soldiers were members of the Mississippi Army National Guard, and assigned to the 2^nd Battalion, 20^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Jackson, Miss.

For more information media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at (910) 432-6005; after hours (910) 689-6187, or visit http://news.soc.mil .

The Clarion Ledger Reports the following:

The Mississippi National Guard has confirmed the weekend deaths of two soldiers who were serving in Afghanistan.

Sgt. First Class Severin W. Summers, 43, of Bentonia and Sgt. First Class Alejandro Granado, 42, of Longview, Texas, were killed by an improvised explosive device Sunday in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan.

Both were assigned to the Mississippi Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group based in Jackson.

"We once again are painfully reminded of the high cost of freedom," Maj. Gen. William L. Freeman Jr., adjutant general of Mississippi, said in a news release. "Severin and Alejandro were two of the best soldiers in the Mississippi Army National Guard and will be greatly missed."

Funeral arrangements have not been announced for either.

An Alabama Army National Guardsman attached to the battalion, Capt. Ron Luce, also died in the incident, according to the news release.

"The deaths of these brave soldiers are a great loss for the state and nation," Gov. Haley Barbour said in the release."Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends."

THAT SMILE

I miss so much. He sure knows how to brighten up my day. He has finally found some internet that is fast enough to use a web cam and to be able to see us as well. What a way to start my weekend.

MICHAEL AND RONALD

THAT'S MY BOY...

SURE CAN MAKE ME SMILE.

Song by Dustin Evans

This song was on my mind last night when I tried to close my eyes and get some sleep.

Then I found this one...

Baby's first outfit

Michael said that I would never find anything on it that said "MiTa", so I had to prove him wrong. The first question he ask me was what colors did I have it done in. I could not think of a better color scheme that red, white and blue.

I KNEW IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN

I missed a call from Michael. Don't ask me how, but I did and I just can't seem to stop beating myself up over it. At least he was able to get Kristy. We had not heard from him in several days. He's been very busy and not enough time to get online. At least I will have the voice message that I can listen to over and over and over again.

FINALLY

He has finally made it to his destination in the Sand after spending a month in Kuwait. He's feeling great he says. He is trying to track down a package that had arrived before he did. He located one yesterday, but still searching for the other one. He received the first package that Kristy and I packed up for him, but not the one that his Grandmother sent.

He was able to call and talk to Kristy for just a few minutes yesterday afternoon, just long enough to tell her that he had made it safely and ask her to call me to let me know as well.

He's not sure just what he will be doing, but knows that it will be in 12 hour shifts. This deployment is so different from the first one. No cameras, no cell phones and all internet is monitored very closely. So, I know very little about what he will be doing, which might be for the better.

Not sure just how much access he will have to a phone or yahoo instant messenger.

Will keep everyone posted and thanks for all the calls checking on him while he was sick.

HEARING HIS VOICE

Oh my gosh. Nothing sweeter than hearing his voice. He sounded great. We got to talk for almost 30 minutes. The connection was not too bad for being thousands of miles away. He is stuck in Kuwait for several more days until the sand storms subside.

I don't recall this many sand storms during his first deployment. It seems like they are having them daily now.

I'm thinking that I can now rest/sleep a little better since I was able to talk to him.

He was released from isolation today and says he is feeling much better. He's ready to get to his FOB and the others from his unit.

24 days is way too long to go without talking to him. If he only knew how good it was to hear his voice.

Now I just need to get the family back into reading the blog so that I don't have to repeat everything so many times.

IT'S BEEN A LONG 9 DAYS

Not a lot to tell except that Michael has been very sick for the last 9 days. We are hoping that they release him today or tomorrow and he can head to his FOB with the rest of his unit. He is much better he says.

He got sick last Saturday and they have had him in isolation ever since with about 12 others. They are still waiting on blood work to come back from Egypt before they will let him move one. He says that he does not wish this on anyone.

His Paw Paw and Grandmother saw him on the web cam on Saturday and Dad said that he looked pale, but considering that he had been sick for the past week, he looked great.

He is ready to get to his FOB where all the others from his unit are. Keep your fingers crossed that today will be the day.

ANOTHER YELLOW RIBBON TIED

Kristy and I have been busy all weekend long.  We spent the day in Louisiana yesterday with my parents at our Fish Camp, then ended up at their house in Bude and stayed the night.  There is never a dull moment in Bude, Mississippi.  Lots of excitement going on and that will call for post right by itself,  and I don't have the energy to tell it all.

Kristy received a text this morning about 0330 from Michael.  Not quite sure what is wrong, but he is very sick he said.  Said he would let us hear from him later.  Nothing worse than knowing that he is sick and there is nothing whatsoever we can do about it 7,000 miles away.

HAPPY 4TH...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!

This will be the second July 4th in 4 years that Michael will not be with us because he is away serving our Country. He sure makes me so proud. He's got a lot going on today, and if all goes as planned I will be able to tell you about it later tonight or tomorrow.

Please keep all our Soldiers in your prayers today.

WHAT WE WOULD GIVE

Just to hear his voice...

Tomorrow will be 14 days since we have talked to him on the phone. It seems like it has been a lot longer than that to me. I can only imagine how Kristy feels.

It's been several days since I talked with him via yahoo IM until today. It was getting late his time and he did not have much time to chat, but just wanted to let me know he was fine. He was having trouble texting with Kristy, so he had me call her to tell her that the internet connection was not too good. 

He's got lots going on, and said it might be a few more days before he could get to a phone to call. He says that the lines are so long for the phones. From what I am gathering from others, the wait at times is hours for the phones. Hopefully that will all change once he is settled on the FOB.

Kristy and I have a busy weekend planed.  We are headed to Louisiana for a family get together on Saturday, then going to stop back by and spend the night at my parents house and go to church with them on Sunday.  Their church has 8 soldiers with ties to the war.  Not sure what all we will be doing, but will make sure and take lots of pictures.

Happy 4th to you all.   

YELLOW RIBBON CEREMONY

It was a very nice ceremony today. Kristy was a little nervous, but she did great.

MISSING HIM

Gosh how I miss that smile.  It's been a tough week for Kristy and I.  We have had a couple of bad days between the two of us.  We have chatted off and on with Michael several times, but it never seems like enough.  

We are going to get a care package together tomorrow and get it off to him.  He has requested several items that he wants, then Kristy and I are headed south to Michael's best friend's wedding.  He has known Zack for 15 years.  They have a lot of great memories growing up together.  Sure wish he could have been here to go with us.