My Bubb is on his way back to Iraq. "May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other." Genesis 31:49

I'm Back!

It is weird looking at a computer screen after 8 days has gone by without it. It's almost a feeling of "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?" and "wow. my life seems so much simpler without having to look at you!" Anyway, I had planned coming home from my friends wedding and blog about the greatest weekend ever. But right now my heart isn't in to sharing all of my fun details...although I have never laughed so consistently hard in all my life. I will have this perma-headache forever I think. Anyway, more on the weekend later. Right now I am heading straight down the serious road.

You know those stories where you end up feeling sorry for the person who is getting jipped by life because he or she is such a great person...and why do things like this happen to great people? Well this is basically the situation. This is a story about my favorite uncle. And to all my other uncles out there, I apologize but Georgie is only 8 years older than me and the closest thing to an older brother that I have ever had.

Growing up we had the typical competing behavior...me competing for his love...him competing...well just to get rid of me. I was the follower, I like X-Men because he liked X-Men, Batman because he did, He-man because he had the tower, and so on and so forth. I wanted to mimic him in every way possible, because he was my "older sibling." Our favorite competition story is one where he is eating a pickle...and since he is eating one...I of course want one. So I beg and beg and beg for him to get me a pickle. And when he finally does, I take my first bite into the not so tasty jalapeno. I may have been 4 then, him 12, but we never are reluctant to relive that moment when we see each other.

As years go by, I take note of all his high school stories, just thinking he is so cool. And then I relish in his college breaks because I thought it was so cool that he got a whole month for Christmas vacation. I started listening to music that he seemed to worship...Aerosmith, U2, etc. And then he got married to his supercool wife and our friendship turned into one of grown up family members...where we talk when we see each other, and our kids now play together. I was so blessed to have him sing me down the aisle 4 and a half years ago on my wedding day. I was ecstatic when he said he would sing and play at all...he literally has a voice of an angel, and can play the guitar like a god. Secretly I have always wanted him to be a rock star so I could boast that he is my uncle and once gave me a jalapeno.

Anyway, he is one of the sweetest pieces to my families puzzle and we recently found out that he has a type of cancer that is resting deep into his throat. I don't know all the details...and I'm not sure what they know yet, but besides my worst fears of losing him, I am so scared that when he makes it through this alive...that I will not be able to hear his sweet voice again, whether talking or singing. I believe they meet with doctors today, and talk about their procedures next week...but I'm asking if everyone could please pray for this delicate situation, their two sweet children who may know nothing of this, for Karen's strength and peace, and for Georgie's safety. I know there is always room for a miracle, but they are short without prayer, so please keep them on your minds.

Oh Yeeeaaa.

Cooper has been defeated, once again by the Warbirds!!! Close game though...almost too close, but they pulled it out!

HE'S BACK!!!!!

Well, this morning...around 9:30...Jaxon and I are still snoozin and I get a phone call saying my brother will be here at 11:00...I jump, spin, fall out of bed, while tangled in my sheets and get ready faster than I ever had. I'm sure y'all think that an hour and a half is plenty time to get ready...but really Jaxon needs her breakfast...and I NEED my coffee, which I still have only had half a cup today...and we just like to take our time getting ready for the day. Anyway. We did it...we made it...and I have tons of pictures to share of my brother's homecoming!!

I know..where is he? Well let me work into the pics...first Jaxon is stylin in a little polka-dot frock type thing...i love it...and she likes to keep the hood up over her head (surprisingly enough b/c she hates things over her hair) Giving Pops a kiss...share the love sister.

Jaclyn is all smiles waiting for her daddy to come home.

Jaxon and her Neenee.And here he is...blurry pic...but Jaclyn ran past the gate into her daddy's arms.

Mama and bubb.
bubb and baby J. he was trying to hide from the camera...but I'm just too fast. There is even a hint of a smile on his face.
He LOVES being pictured! Luckily he let us take a few shots.

Jaclyn couldn't get enough of her daddy.
The happy fam.

Awe look at my cute cute cute daughter...and my puffy face (remember half a cup of coffee)
All us kids...and Papa in the back ground. I'm so happy everyone is home. *Jaxon is telling everyone to be quiet.

Also, the other night we took Jaxon to the fair. She was a little overwhelmed and didn't want us to let her down...but I think she enjoyed it. She did have her first funnel cake. and loved it.

This was her face, when I told her we were going to the fair...she really didn't seem to care too much.

And even more disappointed when I told her she had to wear a bow. But she kept it in all night.

She stared at the Ferris wheel for a while...then she looked like she wanted to try to ride something...But you have to be this tall...and she's not. Next year though :) While there, Mitch tried to win a big bear by shootin some hoops...and $15 later...he said "screw this...I have never missed 9 free throws in a row" which is true...janky fair and their shenanigans.
She LOVED the petting zoo...we pet donkeys, cows, goats, and a horse. Here are two cute goats who were head butting through the fence...it was adorable.

Jaxon didn't want to go home empty handed so she thought she would try her hand at the fair games and WON!! We played the "pick the duck game" and she picked 3 ducks and won a bear! I think she really just wanted to jump in the water with the ducks.

her bear.

And after we got to wear our new jammies that have frogs on them...she points to each frog and says "dat...dat...dat"

Coming home?!

Well a couple weeks ago I heard my brother was coming back to Abilene for a two week leave, and arriving on September 7. Well, tomorrow is September 7th and I haven't really heard anything further on his "vacation" from Iraq...but if it's true that means he should already be in the air heading back to the comfort of his families arms. Keep him in your prayers.

And you may be wondering if he always looks so angry...well in pictures, he does...it's his perma-scowl...I always say he should just go into modelling because he has that natural angry look. Love you bubb.

I don't have any pics to post of Jaxon because my trigger finger on the camera has been a little slow, I promise I'll get on that. Anyway...most of you know about my family's love for the K-9 breed...well sadly one of ours has gone to a better place. NO! not one of mine...or else I would be hyperventilating right now...but one of my little brother's dogs (Lilly, the overweight beautiful bulldog) went to meet her maker. And it truly breaks my heart, but worse is that Michael is having a hard time with it. He is simply the sweetest little guy (who am I kidding the 11 year old is as big as me) but his heart is just so tender...so keep him in your prayers too because he is having a difficult time coping.

Also, the Eagles are off to a promising start. We are 2-0 going into the game against the crosstown rivals...ooooo Cooper...or should I say boo Cooper. It's amazing 8 years out of high school and my arm hair still raises at the thought of them. So with football underway, y'all know that Mitch is overwhelmed...infact until late this afternoon, I hadn't even seen him since Wednesday...and we have been in the house at the same time. Poor guy didn't make it home at all last night...sleeping at the office can't be fun...but I know he is having a blast winning on Friday nights!

Alright, until next time...I promise new pictures of baby J soon enough!

Because they're fun.

1) What's your favorite salad dressing? Ranch
2) Have you ever smoked heroin? See here is my predicament about drugs...i don't know anything about them...only what movies have tought me...do people actually smoke heroin? I thought needles were involved...
3) Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving and Christmas
4) Favorite drinks at Sonic? Cranberry Limeade
5) Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? all the time...i hate needles, another reason why i'm clueless about the drugs
6) What do you think of hot dogs? Covered in Chili, Cheese, and Onions please! 7) Favorite Christmas song? O' Holy Night...Preferably sung by Kelly Clarkson or Eric Cartmen
8.) What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee...a whole pot
9) Can you do push ups? yes...i dont have a clever answer for this random question
10) Can you do a chin up? hahaha...i'm laughing at the time i had to do one in class to get an A...hahaha i just hung there, and the teacher, Dr. D, started listing all of his past softball players who could do this, and I couldn't...he called me a woose. I wanted to throw a ball at him. (I like him now though)
11) What's your favorite piece of jewelry? my wedding ring...Mitchell has impecable taste!
12) Favorite hobbies? right now it is reading. OMG i can't stop, and sleep means nothing to me when i have a good book
13) Ever been in a car wreck? eh. yaes...i looked right when i should have looked left, was coasting and a car hit me...bleh.
14) Do you have ADD? haha i read the question 5 times before i got that it was asking about A.D.D....i was like "do i have add? do i have add? ...i don't get it"
15) What's one thing that you love about yourself? The family God produced for me when I started dating Mitchell
16) Middle name? Dawn
18) Name 3 things you bought yesterday? I stayed home away from all currency blowing activities.
19) Current worry? whether the ending to The Host will leave me satisfied or not.
20) Current hate right now? I hate knowing that the ending to Midnight Sun may never come out
21) Favorite Restaurant? hmmm too many to list
22) How did you bring in the New Year? i do not remember...and not because i was intoxicated...because i'm never intoxicated...i just really don't remember
23) Where would you like to go? All over Europe
24) What's your favorite food? Chines, Italian, Seafood...see why i didn't answer the resteraunt question
25) What's something exciting in your life? I get to be with Jaxon EVERY DAY!
26) What shirt are you wearing now? a janky, holy, orange Polo shirt
27) Do you like to sleep on satin sheets? well yes and no...yes...they are compfy...but no b/c when someone has rough feet they make scratchy noises when they move :)...i dont have rough feet.
28) Can you whistle? sweet tunes...yes...to get someone's attention...no
29) Favorite color? GREEN
30) Would you be a pirate? On the set of Pirates of the Carribean...yes.
31) What songs do you sing in the shower? whatever i can hear...usually an episode of the Backyardigans...so i sing along with them
32) Favorite girl's name? Bella has grown on me
. 33) Favorite boy's name? Maddux
34) What's in your pocket? no pockets...just some old abilene high football shorts
35) Last thing that scared you? when my dad had an alergic reaction to something and i had to take him to the hospital...i had no idea what was going on
36) Favorite TV show? K you asked for it. One Tree Hill, CSI's, Law and Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, Grey's Anatomy, American Idol, Supernatural, The Office, Smallville, Gilmore Girls...Dawson's Creek and Friends are still up there too.
37 ) Do you love where you live? it's grown on me...but i wouldn't mind getting out of here
39) How many TVs do you have in your house/apartment? 2 that are hooked up one sitting and waiting for Jaxon to get older
40) Who is your loudest friend? Kim Partin...or maybe Kim McDonald...2 different types of loud, but i love them to death
41) How many pets do you have? 2
42) Do you have any tattoos or piercings? my ears are pierced
43) Whats your husband's/wife's name? Mitchy-poo
44) What is something you can't live without? God's love and my family
45) What is your favorite candy? chocolate anything
46) What's your favorite sport to watch? Baseball!
47) What were you doing at midnight last night? The Host has taken ahold of me
48) What's your favorite store? Target 49) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Where is my book...Jaxon won't wake up for another 30 minutes
50) What time is it? 1:12 pm