Deploying

Well, it is happening to me. I am going to be one of those parents who has a child serving in the military overseas. Shay received word that she will be deploying to Sather Air Base in Baghdad. She has to be there by Jan 15th so not sure when she has to leave or which route she is taking. Lots of things to find out and lots of things to do. I did find a website that helps me determine what time it is and what the weather is. Current local time in Baghdad. I guess I am going to have to blog more so I keep my sanity. I am very proud of her and I know she is going someplace that is very safe. But it does not keep me from being nervous. Keep with me on this journey.

It's only been 2 months

since I last blogged. Life is so busy and I feel like I don't have much to blog about. But I do update on facebook so pretty much anyone who would rad this blog already knows what I am doing because they are friends on facebook. Let's see, what have I done? Did I tell you that Shay and I went skydiving? Yup, sure did.

Out of the plane

Flying high

See the ground below?

And here is Shay's picture. For me it was a "Been there, done that" moment and I don't have to do it again. But it was something I have always wanted to do. Hubby was a saint and sat all day with us waiting.

I should probably give a puppy update. We had three puppies on May 4th. Well, Binde had the puppies. She was an excellent mom. We kept 2 of them and the third one (little girl) went to live with her daddies family. They are:

2 Stars Rolling Thunder (aka Boomer) & 2 Stars Simply Irresistable (aka Yummy)

We went to a B Match this weekend (Oct 18th). Yummy and Boomer got first in their class. Then they competed against each other for Best Jr Puppy. Boomer won. Then he competed against other Best Jr Puppies in the Non Sporting Group and he got a Group 4 (4th place). We are very pleased with the results of this breeding. Here are Boomers and Yummys ribbons.

I went to Seattle for a week in September. I attended my 30th High School Reunion and got to see my Shay Shay for the weekend. Then my plan was to train the rest of the week but I got sick so was only able to train a few times. But it was really nice to see my brother and friends that I have not seen for awhile. I will be back in Decemeber for the Black Belt Promotion. Wish me luck!

Did I tell you we got a new car? We had to because the Envoy did not have enough room to transport 5 dogs. I thought we would get another Town and Country van but we ended up getting the Ford Flex. I really like it. It is like a station wagon on steroids.

We sure do turn some heads when we are driving around. Still don't see too many of them on the road yet.

Well, that is about it for now. Maybe I will have something to write about later. I mean, we are going to Key West for Fantasy Fest over Halloween Weekend. Should be fun!

Wednesday Hero

Pfc. Tavonte Johnson


Pfc. Tavonte Johnson, a field radio operator with Headquarters Company, 7th Marine Regiment, provides security after a simulated attack by a suicide bomber on Aug. 8, as part of 7th Marine Regiment’s pre-deployment training exercise.

Photo courtesy of United States Marine Corps

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

I WON, I WON, I WON

Ok, I have been shamed into posting an update here. I know I have been an absent blogger and I apologize to any (if I have any) loyal followers for not posting anything in over a month. But I actually have something to post about so here goes.

I WON, I WON, I WON!!!!

I won yesterdays prize package over at Wonderful World of Weiners. I am so excited! Go see what I won. It is this really cool candleabra, $50 Starbucks, a Donor Pin, and some artwork. Hallie is doing a wondeful thing and this is just icing on the cake for those that donated to her cause. Thanks Hallie!!

I will try to put a decent post together for you all. Until then....I WON, I WON, I WON

Destin Vacation Pictures

So I have been quite busy the last week since returning from vacation. It is that 4 letter word that takes up so much of my time....WORK. Well, that and puppies. You cannot believe how much time taking care of 3 little puppies takes.

I wanted to share with you some of the pictures that Lisa from My New Thing To Do took of ouyr family during our vacation. Check them out and leave Lisa comments about how great a job she did. Did I tell you how hot it was? Even at 9am? Well, it was. Thanks Lisa. We can't wait to see the rest of them.

Party and Vacation

So I have been on vacation for the past week and had a wonderful time. The first thing I did was fly to Portland, Oregon and met my daughter at the airport. She flew in from Spokane, Washington. We had a 40th Anniversary Banquet on Saturday. It was wonderful. We got to see some old friends and dance and sing (karaoke). I have not seen Shay since last November, except on Skype and it is just not the same. Here are a few pictures from the event. I will make comments where I can. Some don't need it. Enjoy

Shay and me with my brother Jay

Shay with Sensei Marta

Me with some of the other black belt ladies from my dojo in Washington.

Shay and me with Sensei Chris

Me and Shay with some more black belts from Washington. Yes, they are black belts and yes, she is pregnant. And she could probably still kick our asses.

Me with Sensei Mark

Here I am singing Reba McEntire "Take it Back" and Sensei Cameron was willing to be my subject.

I will try to get some of the vacation pictures posted within the next few days. I also can't wait to see the ones from Lisa Jobes. Lisa and her husband Scott drove down and did our family pictures for us. You guys will be impressed I am sure.

Later

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies

These first shots are of the boy

These are of Little Girl

These are of Big Girl

I know, I don't have as many of the big girl as I do of the other two. She is on the shy side and isn't as outgoing as the other two. But I am working on her. She is getting more confident each time she comes out to play.

They walk among us

No comments from me. I will leave those to your imagination. If you want to share via comments please feel free to do so. Enjoy (or not)