Confessions

I'm sorry friends, I was giving you false information last week. I did get my orders, and I was discharged on 21 May 2008...Jackson's 1st Birthday! The reason for my skirting you all was that I wanted my arrival to be a surprise for my cousin Kati. And boy was it ever a surprise for her!! IT worked out perfect, you see, Kati didn't get to see me until the portion of the graduation ceremony when the grads brought a rose and memory book to their parents. I was seated next to her mother. And she walked up the bleachers and didn't notice me til she was right next to us. She screamed "You're not supposed to be here" and I stood up and told her how proud I was of her and we hugged, and the family cried. It was wonderful!!!



That was Friday night, thursday I drove over 15.5 hours with Zeke and made the trip home in one day. That was exciting. And then friday was the graduation and her graduation party. Saturday was a nice day off before going out to my welcome home party at the local bar...we had a BLAST! After that came Sunday and after sleeping in we were off to my nephew Jackson's first birthday party. I got to meet my new cousin Tommy, man is he adorable! It was so wonderful to be surrounded by family! And for the first time in at least 3 years, all of the cousins were together and in one spot...of course we took advantage and had a family picture done of the cousins...there will be a shot of it posted as soon as I get a copy...lol!

After the party Diana, Kati, and myself decided to have a cousin's evening, we called their cousin Tina and we all went to the movies together. We had quite an eventful evening, full of laughs and enjoyed the time together. I plan to have more of these type nights before Kati leaves for basic training.

My memorial day was relaxing I pretty much vegged all day, as I woke up with a HUGE kink on the left side of my neck, and am still trying to get the mobility back to that side of my head. I made an oriental inspired dinner for the mom, gma, and gump. It seemed to go over quite well as we cleaned out all the dishes there was no food to spare!! I like that feeling, I'll be cooking more often!! Jeff and I went and saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall which was really funny and that was my day!!

So, I'm sorry again for not telling you all, but I wanted it to be a surprise for my Kati!

It's a VERY SPECIAL DAY TODAY...

Happy Birthday Jackson!! Auntie Em loves you and misses you sooo sooo very much!

My Friend...

I hope you all haven't thought I've abandoned you. Its just that there hasn't been much to report these last few days. The days come and go so quickly and they are filled with nothing worthy of writing about. The weekend was great!!! I spent Friday evening babysitting for the Steeb's...4 of my favorite people here. I have other favorites as well, but the Steeb's are right up there at the top of the list! They have been so amazing to me while I continue to endure this process of waiting for my time to come. They've also been a safe haven for me, when I was too frustrated, sad, angry. I love getting to go over there and relax. Crimson (2) and Eli (8 months) are just such a joy to play with. Lauren and I get along so well its a relief to finally have a female that really understands how I'm feeling and is ok with me having a bad day. Not to mention she's a really awesome cook!!!! Dan (my boss) is wonderful too, he's really been great at getting me to laugh through all of this, and yes even put up with my nasty attitude at work during the day.

Saturday I cleaned my room and relaxed and then went out to pizza and to see The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian...AWESOME MOVIE...all should go to see it!

Sunday was another fun day I went over to the Steeb's house where I thought I was going to be babysitting, but we actually just had a bbq instead. LOTS of fun! SPC Irons and her family came over for a little bit and then after Crimson and Eli left, Lauren and I did our toenails. She was so sweet, even gave me a French Pedicure. Oh man it was wonderful being pampered!!! Too bad my boots couldn't be traded in for sandals so everyone could see how pretty she made my nails look!

Other than that, time just keeps ticking by. Maybe this week I'll hear something about my going home.

It's Jackson's 1st birthday on Wednesday...where did the time go?? And did I mention that Kati (my mini-me) graduates highschool on Friday? I'm so proud of her, she signed with the Air Force and leaves for basic training this summer!

Never Give Up friends...Life isn't that serious, we all know we're not getting out alive, so enjoy it and don't stop following your heart. No matter how many times it gets broken, kicked, stepped on, stabbed. Follow it anyway.

btw

in case you were wondering...the big news was a false alarm :-(

blah blah blah goes the day...

Well I'm afraid there is nothing new to report my friends. The days continue to drag on out this way, and I'm upset that I wont be getting to see my nephew's first birthday or my cousin's highschool graduation. But, I do plan to go home for a mini-vaca in June so I will get to Kati before she takes off for the Air Force, at least I hope to anyway! Thats about it. This weekend should be fun though!!! I am going to an installation wide Unit Ministry Team BBQ which should be lots of fun. Get my mind off of things for a little while at least :-D

Have a great day guys!

....

STANDBY TEAM FOR HUGE NEWS...COMING LATER ON THIS MORNING/AFTERNOON

Well...the good and the bad...

Ok friends heres the scoop. One of my Chaplains (yes CH Conner...you are my Chaplain!) was able to get me up to one of the case worker's office to find out where my packet is...and well here ya go.

Bad news is my packet has been pulled.

Good news is its being reviewed for a possible increase in my disability percentage that the Army will pay me once I'm out for good.

So, this means I will def. be here for longer, maybe even months longer. I know...NOT what we wanted but I dont have a choice, or a say in the matter. But I could end up with more money when the time comes to finally go home. So, we shall wait and see.

Keep me in your prayers. Next week is Jackson's 1st Birthday and my mini-me Kati's highschool graduation and party; not to mention that her older brother Russell will be home for the first time since his deployment to the war.

Love you all! Thank-you for your continued support and prayers!

What a wonderful weekend!!!

I had such a great and exhausting weekend!! All day Saturday I got to have a girls shopping day with my friend Lauren and her 2-year old daughter Crimson! We garage-sale hopped for a good chunk of the morning, then we hit a few antique stores and then we went to a few flea markets. Man it was so much fun! I got a few things but the most fun was searching for the toys that we used to play with for her daughter's enjoyment. We found Care Bears, Rainbow Brite, My Little Ponies. It was a lot of fun!!! I haven't had a girls day like that in ages. It was wonderful!! Sunday I got a lot of R&R and then went over and babysat so Lauren and Sgt Steeb could go out and celebrate Mother's Day. It was lots of fun spending time with 2 of my favorite little ones. Eli and Crimson are such a joy to watch and play with!! I hope you all had a great weekend and an even better Mother's Day! Can't wait til I'm home.

Still no news on that! :-(

A little piece of home...

So, I found that in a cracker barrel down here in Augusta...pretty sweet huh? It reminded me of the 6million dollar man stickers that were placed throughout the US in the movie Chasing Liberty. The goal of one man was to pass the stickers to everyone he met and for them to post them as they went along their daily lives. Then they'd forget about them, and one day, when they were down or havin bad luck, they'd look up and there would be one of those stickers, and it would remind them that they aren't alone in the world. And thats exactly how I felt when I saw our good 'ole ear of corn. Like I wasn't alone.

Today marks the end of the 4th week since supposedly my orders were authorized to be cut. I was told that it typically takes 3-4 weeks but it can go up to 6 weeks. Which, as you guessed it would take me to the 23rd of this month...Kati's grad. weekend and Jackson's birthday weekend as well. So, I'm wearing my smile today, cause if that information is true and even if I don't get that call today, that means, I have 2 more weeks to get that call...I pray the 2 weeks are right this time. This is about the 5th time I've been given hopes like that...but never to fear, my ringer is on full volume today and its programed to ring Footloose when I finally do get the call. To me it fits perfectly "if you'd only cut loose, Footloose, kick off your Sunday shoes, please louise..."
I'm just waiting on my time to "cut loose!"

Kick off your work week shoes! ITS FRIDAY!! WOOHOO!!!

And I thought today was going to be a bad one...

I got a call early this morning from mom. She was at work, and watching Jackson. I could hear him squealing in the background. Mom let me "talk" to him for a little while, mostly me saying Hi to my little love, and asking if he was having fun...and in his 11month old ways, he just squealed in return. It was adorable, melted my heart as always. But thats not my post today, however, it did certainly set me up for a GREAT DAY!

Mom let me know that there were some really nice postings on my Great Great Uncle Fred's passing. So I googled his name...and sure enough, there was link after link after link of all different sorts and shapes of articles on him. He was a truly amazing man (as if I didn't know that already!) He helped shape the way people view disease and exercise. You see he held 2 doctorates. And back in the 40's and 50's he began voicing that he disagreed with their thinking that heart attack survivors should try to be as non-mobile as can be. He wanted them exercising. And he fought for what he believed against all the criticism and teasing he got for it. Dr. Frederick W. Kasch, look him up sometime, it's unreal all the things he did for the medicinal world as they knew it.

I also didn't know how really into long-bow hunting he was. I knew he loved archery, but I didnt realize how much he did. And for that matter, how much his fellow brother's and sister's in the archery world, loved him too. I thought it was extra neat how he refused to use store bought bows and arrows and made all of his own by hand. There's a really really long forum just celebrating his life...I'll add the link to the bottom. I sat all morning just reading the posts one by one, looking at the pictures, and laughing cause I could just see him doing the things he did in the stories that they all shared.

I'm so honored to have known, danced with, and loved Uncle Fred. I know I will see him again someday...and I hope he can show me how to shoot a good arrow. Cause I did really enjoy it when I have tried it!

http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm?forum=23&threadid=172990&messages=68&CATEGORY=9

Check it out, at least to see the pictures of this amazing man that I and my family know as Uncle Fred!!

What we do directly affects those around us...

So, I've been thinking about what a certain woman said to me yesterday. No one knows her, I dont even know her name. But the things she said to me were rude, and uncalled for. So. I've been thinking last night and today. Do people honestly think about how their words will affect someone else before they say them? I mean seriously? What kind of a person in a hospital would ask a woman if she had just given birth or tell her that her clothing (uniform) is inappropriately tight. You don't say things like that to women. Especially when that woman is hurt, overweight, and is very aware that she is overweight. But the Army won't let her do anything about it right now. Then there's a good friend of mine today that told me, he missed the old Emily, the happy one. That he was going to pray that I get my orders to go home sooner so I would be happy once again. I hate it when people say that stuff to me. Of course I know I'm unhappy. I'm very aware that I am miserable. Do people honestly think that I'm not aware that my uniform is tight, that I'm not happy? Really?? Or do they just not think before they speak?

My challenge to you this week, is to think before you speak, think about how your words will affect the one receiving them.
HAPPY TUESDAY!

Taking the time to brag!

I'm so proud, and I'm beaming right now as I type this. My Chaplain took another group of Wounded Warriors on a this last Thursday and Friday...and this time the media was all over it!!! Here's a link to just one of the MANY stories that made it out to CNN, Yahoo, Fox, etc. I'm so proud! If you watch the video, you'll even see my Chaplain speaking to the group before the dive.

I got to participate in a dive like this in December at the Epcot aquarium in Disney World. It was a life-changing experience for me. I know just about all of the Soldiers that went on this trip personally, from other trips and hospital visits. They are amazing Warriors, and I am honored to these Heroes!

http://www.wsav.com/midatlantic/sav/news.apx.-content-articles-SAV-2008-05-02-0009.html

follow the above link, then don't read the story, instead, choose the video option!! You'll get to actually see the Warriors and my Chaplain!!! I'm so proud of my team! It took a lot of work to get them there and it was WELL worth it!

Here are some photos I was able to dig up as well!

CW3 Jeff Snover, seated in wheelchair at left, and Spcl. Scott Winkler, right, wave to fellow service members as they were scuba diving, after the two went on a guided swim in the tank at the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, May 1, 2008, in Atlanta. Ten injured U.S. military service members and two chaplains from Eisenhower Army Medical Center were invited to participate in the swim by the aquarium and a group called Champions Made from Adversity which seeks to advance the lives of the physically disabled through sport an leisure activities. The aquarium used the event as a practice session to prepare for the upcoming June launch of a program called 'Swim with Gentle Giants' in which guests will be allowed to swim with the whale sharks and tens of thousands of fish in the eight-million-gallon exhibit.
(AP Photo/John Amis)


A whale shark swims past service members and veterans as they are guided on a swim in the tank of the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, May 1, 2008, in Atlanta. Ten injured U.S. military service members and two chaplains from Eisenhower Army Medical Center were invited to participate in the swim by the aquarium and a group called Champions Made from Adversity which seeks to advance the lives of the physically disabled through sport an leisure activities. The aquarium used the event as a practice session to prepare for the upcoming June launch of a program called 'Swim with Gentle Giants' in which guests will be allowed to swim with the whale sharks and tens of thousands of fish in the eight-million-gallon exhibit.
(AP Photo/John Amis)


A whale shark swims beneath service members and veterans as they are guided on a swim in the tank of the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, May 1, 2008, in Atlanta. Ten injured U.S. military service members and two chaplains from Eisenhower Army Medical Center were invited to participate in the swim by the aquarium and a group called Champions Made from Adversity which seeks to advance the lives of the physically disabled through sport an leisure activities. The aquarium used the event as a practice session to prepare for the upcoming June launch of a program called 'Swim with Gentle Giants' in which guests will be allowed to swim with the whale sharks and tens of thousands of fish in the eight-million-gallon exhibit.
(AP Photo/John Amis)

This is not the week either...

It's crazy, my gut said Monday morning this was going to be the week my orders would come. My head laughed, my heart laughed. And yet I still clung to the hope. I just got off the phone with Mr. Lewis, again, I check in with him almost weekly to see if my name has appeared on his screen. The poor man is so kind and patient with me, bless his heart I'm sure I'm driving the man crazy. Again, its not my turn. Maybe next week it will be my turn to do my paper work and finally get in my car to go home.

This weekend should be a good time and will keep my mind off of it all. Tonight I'm going over to the Steeb's house. Its my favorite place to escape it all. They have become a part of my family. Except SGT Steeb's right behind me...be back soon.

I'm back. We're all bullshitting today. Nothing to do, and well we're bored. Anywho I love to play with Crimson (2) and Eli (7 months) and it keeps me distracted from thinking when I'll get to go home. So tomorrow is Crimson's b-day party (2nd b-day) and then Sunday is Shirley's daughter's baptism and then we're all going to the lake!! Fun!! I'm going to pick up Zeke and take him with me. I miss my lil boy.

Anyway, nothing else to report. I still have no clue when I'm coming home, so please don't ask...lol!