(Yeah I totally geeked out and used a picture of my WoW Character. Seriously, did you expect anything else??)

I am thankful, that even though my husband can’t be here, that I have a great marriage. One strong enough to handle this and any other deployments that come our way. Having the kind of security we have is something that only comes with time, and alot of couples aren’t as lucky as we are. They are still learning to be married (it doesn’t come with instructions) at the same time they are learning to deal with the Army, and deployment.

I’m thankful that my kids are old enough to understand everything that comes with Hunny’s job. It makes dealing with everything so much easier. They understand his job comes first, and that he can’t always be there for the concerts and plays, birthdays and first dates. And they never complain.

I’m thankful to have company this week. It makes the time pass faster.

I’m most thankful for my Husband. He’s stood by me through thick and thin. He’s always worked his ass off at any job he could find to take care of us. He joined the Army to partly give us a better life, but he also enlisted to fight for our country, because he felt it was right after we were attacked, knowing full well the sacrifices he’d be asked to make, and trusting me to be able to handle things at home. 

It’s a brave act to put that kind of faith in your spouse, while putting your life on the line at the same time. So I’m thankful he has that kind of faith in me, even if I don’t always have it in myself.

I’m thankful that next year, he’ll be here with us.

The kids are doing ok in school, youngest is now playing two instruments, heaven help me. Somehow she decided along with violin, she needed to play the clarinet. The oldest is still in Chorus, with an upcoming holiday concert.

The dogs are as bad as the kids. fighting over toys and parental attention.

hubby, as I posted earlier has finally made E6. It should be official next month. About time, considering he went to BNCOC (the school for E6) a year ago, and has already served his squad leader time as well. Too bad he can’t get backpay for that:P

I’m doing ok too. I guess I haven’t updated since my ultrasound, but I finally got the results. My gallbladder is fine, no stones, nothing. The final diagnosis was Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I think I’d prefer gallstones, but I think I finally have it under control. Activia yogurt is a wonderful thing.

Well, that wasn’t real exciting now was it? Guess I need to work on that.

Also worth mentioning this is the first winter in my entire life that is not cold and snowy. It’s currently sunny, clear, and around mid 40’s out there. It’s a nice change. Anyhow…hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas, and a happy new year!

I’ll be spending mine in a drug induced fog between the Halcion before and the pain killers after my dentist appointment. I keep hoping I hear from my hunny before I go, but so far no luck. He doesn’t even know I’m going. At least if I heard from him I’d have one less thing to worry about. I don’t even know if he’s back from his training exercise thing yet. I won’t relax til I know they’re back safely. Having a little time with him would sure help. This is my first trip to the dentist, and my first oral surgery without him to take me, and help with the kids at home. They’ve already had their lecture. And today is a late day, one gets home at 4:30pm (her normal time) and my youngest is in after school program, so that helps.

I decided to stay upstairs this morning until I leave, that way I can see pull in. I missed her yesterday…danged stealth truck:P I’m so not ready for this. I sure hope these pills work like everyone says they will. Fingers Crossed.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

May the new year bring more laughs than the last, less sadness than before, and better days all around!!!

Personally, I’m celebrating in 3 time zones, I had a shot at noon with Ken, his midnight, I’m having one with my Mom in PA at 8pm, her midnight, and then my own in 4 hours.

Tonight, I celebrate the end of the year my husband left, and celebrate the start of the year he comes home!! Let the party begin!!!

( Doll made by @

I also got a gorgeous red chenille scarf/hat set from Mom. Alyssa made me a pretty wreath, and gave me a framed Christmas picture. Hunny’s gift is on it’s way, can’t wait to find out what it is. But the best gift by far was first of all, him being safe, and second, spending the day with him.

Gramma also got each girl a 3 foot bear. they are so soft and cuddly. I want one. brown for my brunette child, blonde for my blonde. Also from Gramma they each got a binder and lunch bag set. From Santa they got portable DVD players and movies, Cd’s (one of which turned out to be an empty case…wtf??), a few toys. They seem quite content with everything. And as of now they are both ready for bed. Leaving me an evening of peace. All in all it’s been a good Christmas. Adapt and overcome. That’s the key.

the count down begins for the New Year. That’s the day I’m looking forward to most. Saying good-bye to the year my Hunny left, and ringing in the year he comes home.

My back has been bothering my all week. It started just before last weekend. The muscle running down the right side of my spine was sore. Nothing really unusual there. By Wednesday, I had pain down to the area just above my hip so i made an appt for Monday. Yesterday, it hurt to breathe, bend, sit, stand, move. I managed through dinner, through cleanup, and until about 7pm, at which point…I headed to the ER.

I got the same doc I had with my Jaw at the beginning of the deployment. Which is good. I had to do a urine test (second time this week dammit) to rule out kidney infection. all was good there. From what I described and his examining my back, he determined that that main muscle went into spasm and pretty much sent everything in that side into spasm too. So I had a shot of Toradol (my second needle this week too) which is an anti inflammatory, related to morphine, but without the drowsiness. And he gave me some Flexeril to relax the muscles. I took one before bed last night, and it feels much better this morning.

The plan for me today is to stay right here in my bed. No shoveling, no cleaning, just relaxing, watching movies, and reading, and playing online. Brenna brought me a cinnamon roll and OJ this morning, she’s quite good at the care taker role. See, I could have taken Thanksgiving without Ken. I’ve done it before. But like I said with my jaw the day he deployed, I can take one or the other, but not both. Here’s hoping for a better Christmas.