Going home for a visit, Soooo Happy!!!

Well we are leaving today to head for home. Our home town is Union, Ms. Which is a very small town. No Red lights, 1 grocery store, and very few shops. It's a nice quiet place to live. Everyone we know there is very down to earth people who love the country life. John and I own land there. We call it the Old Home Place because it goes back to his Great Grand Mother.She was an amazing woman because her husband passed away and she made it on her own with help of her children. They worked the land by growing Cotton, Peanut, raised hogs, and general farming.
When John and I lived there we always had a garden, We could grow some of the prettiest vegetables you ever seen. We didn't have cattle or anything, but We did have one horse, 2 goats, 2 ducks, 4 dogs and 6 cats at one time.I also had the most beautiful flower gardens, people would stop and tell me how pretty they were. We loved it there and hated to leave it for the Military life of moving every 5 yrs. But we both made the decision it was the best thing for us. There's not a day that goes by we don't miss it. I don't know about everyone else but we miss having our hands in the dirt. I guess you could say I never out grew playing in a mud hole. (LOL).
  We do plan on going back when John retires. Our new house hopefully will be done by then and we can start all over on our land. It has grown up so bad with weeds and brush, my flower gardens are gone and it doesn't look the same anymore. It's amazing how you can put so much time and effort in a piece of land and let's not for get love. As soon as you leave it, it's like it feels abandoned and just dies. One day it will be alive and beautiful again. John and I look forward to that day.
These are some photo's of when we started working on our land:



My little pond I put bream in it that was caught in my husbands Grandfather's Pond.

My flower garden in the beginning



Some of the flowers I planted.

More of my flowers

My Daylily bed.

Busy Day

I've been up since 3am. and been going ever since. I decided to do some spring cleaner EARLY. It's something about the way a house smells when it is completely closed up during Winter and I couldn't take it any more. It is so pretty outside today an on top of it we haven't had much of a Winter in Mississippi. I open the windows, washed all my curtains, cleaned my carpet, washed clothes and the list goes on, an on, an on. John and I have spent alot of time together since he has been home for R&R. I wish him being home with me didn't have to end. It's so wonderful having him home. But he has a job he has to do and I support that, we will be able to be together soon. I look forward to it.
   He noticed that I have been depressed about him being gone and kinda shut down for a while. I have to admit I have cried alot and I don't get out of the house like I should. But us not being blessed with children and being in a place where you don't know anyone it can be hard. I made him a promise that I would get off my rump and get going again. That's what I'm going to do, not only for myself but for him also. It's amazing how one person who's love can be so strong that they never give up on you. I am so bless to have a husband like him.....


The love of my life.

The Adjustment....

John has been home for 3 full days now. It has been more of an adjustment for him then I realized. All he talks about is what is going on over there.( An when I say all he talks about, it's every word that comes out). Before he lift for deployment he always talked about our future together, all our plans for our house we are going to build , our land and just life in general. But it's different now. Then on top of it the T.V. stays on the military channel. Of course I love him and I listen to everything that is on his mind. He's also having a hard time sitting in one place for to long. I never seen him with so much energy before. I'm an old home body and he use to be so it's a little hard on me at times. He has seen alot over there and I feel like I'm in an unknown world and I don't know what to say about all of it. I'm just trying to be there for him and listen to whats on his mind and let him know I'm here in whatever his needs me for. I guess that's really all a military spouse can do. I pray for him everyday and with every prayer I ask God to give him the strength to make it thur this and come out in one piece. I know GOD is answering my prayers because it could be alot worse. I love my soldier, But I love my husband even more, and yes they are to different people. When he is in that uniform he is SSG. Skinner, when he's not he's the wonderful man I will spend the rest of my life with and always support him 200%......

Mom made this photo for me. I love it!!!

Poems I've written....

Date written May 9, 2011

Our Family Dogwood Tree...

Our Family Dogwood Tree started from a seed, God
gave it care and made it straight , tall and strong
enough that it would never fall.

One day this glorious man was nailed to our
tree, God spoke ," never again this can not be".

So he created another that was crooked and
strange to our sight, But the beauty inside
"Oh, what a delight"

It had beautiful green leaves that came out each
year with flowers shaped like a cross. A beautiful
sight , But what a cost.

There were blood stains on each petal to show
Gods power. So much to learn from this
little flower.

So everytime you pass our family tree lower
your head an remember "God did that for me ".


Date Written: June 19, 2011

When I Get To Heaven....

When I get to Heaven, Who will be there
for me, My family or will it be just me?
Will I kneel down before the Father as
humble as can be.

Will he wrap his arms around me and
say " walk with me". Will we talk about
my life and the choices I've made before
or will he simply say," I have loved you for
ever more."

You are my child you see, I have created you
in my own imagine and gave you free will
to make your own decisions.

I know your life was hard and I gave you alot of
lessons. But my child you succeeded them all, Thats
why your with me in Heaven.

The poems I've written...

Date written: 4/10/11

The life of a Military Wife....

You sit and wait in your daily life for

your soldier to come to his wife.

You long to see his face, his smile

that holds your heart in place.

You wonder how much longer

this has to be the separation from

my soul mate will be.

A military wife's job is never done and

at times it's certainly not fun.

You must stand strong and you cannot fall 

because your soldier needs you by his side.

He whispers to you,

"just a little longer my love and the job will be done".

So you put your loneliness aside an wait for the

day to come when a soldier he will no longer be

and the job is done.

Date written: Feb. 14, 2011 on Valentine's Day

SO PROUD...

 

Each day I awake Proud to be your wife,

with a smile on my face that

no one can erase.

I sit and watch you dress for your daily job.

Uniform perfectly straight down to

your boot lace.

As you stand there my heart runs a race

with pride. So proud of this man of mine.

I'm so blessed to call you my husband , and my friend.

But most importantly you are a soldier who defends.

You stand tall and protect one an all.

An honorable man you are to me.

I know sometimes it seems to tuff .

An that's when I come stand by your side ,and

whisper in your ear I love you John and do not fear.

We are together until the end,

The love of my life , My Husband, My Friend,

But most importantly a soldier to the End....

Date Written: March 25,2011

The Loneliness of an Army Wife...

The days are long an very tiring at most.

It's never time to be close. I'm an Army wife you see

that's why sometimes it only me.

I sit and wait for my soldier to come home or

wait for the phone to ring so you can hear

his voice once more.

The days are long and the nights are tuff.

The loneliness you feel inside all you want to do is cry.

It's hard at time to be strong and stand by his side.

But that's my job you see,

I'm an Army Wife an that will always be.

So I sit and wait for this war to end , Then you

will be all mine once again.



To my wonderful Soldier.
SSG. John D. Skinner



  

MY SWEET HUSBAND IS HOME FOR R&R

I picked up John last night at the airport. I have never been so happy to see him. When I saw his face I fell in love with him all over again. He looked really good to have been in  a war zone. I've been so worried down about all of it and when i  saw him my body just relaxed.

I've taken some photos of his homecoming decorations:

John and I. ( my mom did this photo for us.

John's Chocolate rose I took

Our window.

More decorations

Mail box

I'm so proud!!!

4 MORE HOURS!!!

Well I have 4 more hours before I go pickup John at the airport. I can't tell you how happy and alive I feel right now. I feel like a whole person again with him with me. He's my rock and things are no good without him. I'm so proud of him and for his service to his country. I'm very proud to have him in my life , God has truly blessed me in so many ways but the best blessing is John. I would go to the end of the earth for him and would glad give up my life so he could live. The world can be such a bad place and to find a love for one another like we do now days is like finding a rare jewel. If you do find it hang on to it. Everyone needs to remember to always tell your loved ones what they mean to you, I just recently learn that when we almost lost my dad. My eyes open wide to how precious life is. An John's life is very precious to me. He is the love of my life. We have no children and never will as for our family together we have each other and our babies (2 dogs and 2 cats). An I'm very happy with just that . Thank you God for everything you have given us and especially to me.

I love you John with all my heart and soul.

SISTERS AND BROTHERS!!!!!

I have 3 sisters and 1 brother. Our names are Angel, April, Amie, Amber and Andrew. ( Don't ask what my mom was thinking all A's).We grew up in a family that had a good bit of disagreements, but also had alot of love for each other. My sisters and I were very ruff and tuff. Dad didn't have a son so he taught us as if we were boys. We fought and worked like we were young men. We always pulled together as a family to get the job done. My sisters and I didn't always get along, and if we got into a fight , believe me when I say it would get bad. But we always stuck together. If someone would hurt one of us we were there to help them pick up the pieces.
Then Andrew came along. See Andrew was Adopted and He was the best thing that happen to our family he was such a cute little guy and was always smiling. When we got him has name started with an A so it was like he was meant to be with us. We have had him since 9 months old. He's 17 yrs old now I look at him now and it seems like time has just flew by.
I love all my siblings very much an even though we don't always agree we love one another. We are always there if we need each other. I will always be there for them. I love you guys! 

April

Amie

Amber

Andrew

Angel (me)

This Waiting is killing me ,GRRRR!!!!

Well John got thur on the phones yesterday in Afghanistan. He will be flying out on the 21th, It's taking forever. It amazes me how the Army waste no time in getting your spouse over in the middle of a war but they take their sweet time bringing them home. But that's the way it goes. I'm just ready to see my baby, we have been apart so long and i haven't had a good nite sleep since he left. I worry for him all the time. The life of an Army wife is not easy ,you have to be the strong one all the time. There is no room for the weak at heart. Being married to someone in the military you have to have a love for that person like no other.
The days can be long and lonely. They never have a day off because usually the phone will be ringing all day. No matter where they are ,home, vacation they still find you. It also can be a good life. I'm very proud of my husband and I support him 200% . He is a true hero and it's amazing to be married to him. We have a great relationship and having because stronger because of his deployment. I really don't want to give anyone bad ideas about the military it is a wonderful career and life is good alot of the times you just need to ask yourself if you are strong enough to handle the separations because there will be many of them...

SSG. Skinner ( my hubby)

Another 6 years



Swearing in another 6yrs. I'm proud of you!

Missing My Grandparents....

I woke up this morning a little after4am. I had a dream about my grandparents all four of them. We were having a family reunion and they were there. It was such a good dream. They have been gone for a long time. February is coming up it is a ruff time for me.  See my papaw Whitaker was killed in a robbery on Feb 23,1983 and My mamaw Whitaker's birthday is Feb. 22,  and My mamaw Ford died Feb, 22, It's funny because mamaw Ford was born on Oct. 1, and so was My papaw Whitaker ( Oct. 1). My papaw Ford died in August 1983. So I lost them both in the same year. My mamaw Whitaker passed away on Sept. 7.
Let me tell you a little about them. My papaw Ford and I weren't real close. He was a quiet man. He work hard for years helping to bring up 9 children. He was a hard man at times to deal with . I remember story's my Dad told me about him, Like how my mamaw hit him on the head one time with a steel skillet. He had been fussing all day long and her got feed up and grab the skillet off the stove ( and it was hot) hit him in the head and told him to shut up and go to his room. Later when dinner was ready he came to the table and was starting to pray when everyone noticed he had a big red spot on his head ( he was bald)  everyone started laughing so hard he got up and went back to his room.

My Mamaw Ford was very special to me. She was the type of lady that if you needed anything she would give it to you. She would feed the homeless that would come in on the train or if they came to her door. She always said you never know when you may be in the presents of an Angel. She had a garden every year and Many times I watched her shell peas and butter beans , make jelly and pickles. An could cook like no one else I new. I remember being in her living room and we would be dancing and she would come in doing the Charleston. She was so cute. I miss her so much especially around Christmas time she loved Christmas.

Papaw Ford

Mamaw Ford



 My Papaw Whitaker was the grandfather I was very close to When he died I think a piece of myself died with him. It's hard knowing that because some one decided to rob his store that it was their choice when his life would end. He was always there for me and took me every wear with him. I guess you could say I was his little side kick. I remember when I was little he had a CB in his truck and we would talk to truckers that were on the road. We went on trips together. He owned his own store when I was little and I would go in there and get what I wanted off the selves. He spoiled me real bad. I still miss him everyday. This Feb 23, he will be gone for 29 years and it still like yesterday at times....

My Mamaw Whitaker was a real lady, She never went any wear with out her nails done, Hair  and makeup on her face. she was so beautiful . I use to tell her all the time that she should have been a model. She was a very strong woman after papaw passed away. She worked as a dispatcher for UWA, in Livingston, AL. She worked hard and never asked anyone for help. She did everything on her own. I was very proud of her. When she found out she had lung cancer it was hard watching her go down. We all took turns staying with her and I stayed alot and alot of running back and forth. The whole time I got it in my hard that I was trying to save her and she fought for 6 months. When she passed I felt like a failure. It was very hard because we got very close. We all loved her so much.

Mamaw Whitaker

Papaw Whitaker

We all miss them everyday. I remember thinking when Mamaw Ford passed away, that I was no ones Granddaugther any more. But I was wrong as long as I live they will live inside me.

I don't understand people sometimes...

I really don't get some people these days. You try your hardest to be nice to some one and they just stab you in the back. You know it's hard enough to get by in this crazy world with out having to deal with stuff like this. You try to be a good person and someone comes along and takes from you, whether it's personal belongs , ideas you have or suggests that you make. An on top of it they take credit for it. It just doesn't make sense to me. There is enough room in this world for everyone to do there on thing. Why try and take someone elses. It's all I can do to live here in the delta I don't know anyone here it's just me , my 2 dogs( Crocket and Festiss) and 2 cats ( Sadie and Lil puss). So it's hard to get out and meet people here because it is dangerous. John is in Afganistan for another 6 months. So let me have my blogs, Face book and email. Get your own ideas you don't need mine. God gave us brains lets try to use them please. I want to be a good person and good to everyone I know. I thank god everyday for all the people I do know and I love them all. I am done venting now. Everyone have a blessed night.

Another long day of waiting.......

Well I woke up this morning at 4:30am and could not go back to sleep. I'm waiting for John to call and give me an update on where he is. The waiting is killing me. I have missed him so much. He really is the love of my life. I can't believe he's coming home. I just wish it was for going. When he get home we are going to spend a few days together then it's off to Union and Meridian to see our families. My dad has been in the hospital and I've been sick for the last few weeks an haven't got to see him it will be so good to see with my own eyes that he will be okay.

This is John in Afganistan  holding a pretty little bird.



John sent this picture to me in December, the date on the photo is wrong. I don't know how he got that bird to do that I guess he's just got that way about him.

COMING HOME!!!!

Well John will be on a plane tomorrow Heading home it should put him getting here around the 20th or 21st. They are a day ahead of us so tomorrow will be the 18th for them. I can't believe it is finally here. 15 days home . Of course I'll be really happy when this is all over for good and he's home where he will be safe. I'm very proud of my husband an proud to be married to him. John has always been great at what he does and the only other man in my life is my dad. Both of them are alike in some ways , working hard, try to provide for theirs families and loving them every step of the way. John is like that he is always talking about our future together and what will do when he retires. I love when he talks about those things it makes me feel so secure and safe. I love him for that. We have been married for 14 yrs and it still feels like yesterday when we fell in love.

Well got to get up and start getting ready for his home coming. John be safe and I love you more everyday.

Time is flying by...

Time is just flying by. in 3 more days my husband will be on a plane heading home to me. I'm so excited to see him. Their has been so much going on here at home that it will be so good to have him by my side again. I've missed him so much. When the person you love has been away for awhile you go around feeling like half of your soul is gone. Nothing makes since without the love of your life is not there with you. An then on top of it he is deployed to a dangerous place where you stay on pins and needles all the time waiting for a phone call or waiting for a knock on the door . I pray everyday for that not to happen. It's scary when you don't hear from them for days at a time. An when you do finally here from them you want to just broke down and say where have you been? But you can't do that because you don't want to put them under more stress. But he will be here in a few days and he will be safe at home for 15 days. An I can't wait. I love you very much John....

Some of My Tattoos...

These are just a few of my tattoos . I have 13 in all and I'm not done yet. I plain on getting another one when my husband comes home from Afganistan.

Getting ready for his home coming......

Well we have 5 more days and John will be on a plane heading home. I've been busy getting the house ready and groceries bought The cabinets are stocked with his favorite foods. I've also been working on welcome home signs and also getting ready to have our own Christmas together. It's a late one but that's okay because you can have Christmas when you want to. I have been so excited I can't sleep at nite. Sometimes it feels like the day we met. Like we are just seeing each other for the first time. I love this man so much. I couldn't imagine my life without him it's just us in this world and we were made for each other.

Another sleepless nite....

Another Sleepless nite for me. I don't know what it is that is causing not to sleep, if it because My dad has been so sick and I have worried so much, or if it's because is coming home for R&R. All I do know is if I don't get some sleep soon I'm going to crack. The military life is very stressful under normal circumstances But when your dealing with a deployment on top of it all it's the worse. It will be over in another 6 months and we can get back to our life together. I give him all the support he needs but sometimes you feel like your alone must of the time . It's a hard life and it's not for everyone. You have to make alot of sacrifices , if it's feelings or time with you spouse, he can be gone for long periods of time and being alone it much worse then anything the military throws at you.  Well I'm through venting for now.

6 days to go....

6 more days to go. John will be on a plane coming home. He will have a 24hrs lay over so he should be home no later then the 20th or 21st. I can't believe after 5 months I will get to hold him again. It's been so long and I am a little nervous I don't know why we have been married a little over 14 years. But our love has  grew stronger thur all this. I guess it's true separation only makes the heart fonder. It's hard somethimes to decribe in words what I feel for my husband. I could not imagine my life without him in it. 
I'm a stay at home Army wife and there is a part of me that wants to go back to work but there is also a bigger part of me that loves to be home an take care of my husband. I love cleaning for him , cooking , and taking care of things for him.  Being able to be there when he needs me makes me happy. I know this sounds like well old fashion. But I love it. The amount of love I have for this man there's no end to it.  

When he comes home we are going to make the most of his R&R. the first few days he will get some rest and then we are going to have our Christmas together. Then a couple of days after that we are going back home for a visit with the family. And the rest is our time together. God I have missed him so much. I love you very much John. See you soon baby.......

Thank you God for all your blessing....

First off I want to thank God for the blessing he has given to my family. The gift he gave us is my dad. He has been on life support for over a week now he was very sick and we almost lost him. It was amazing everyone we new pulled together and prayed . They came from everywhere from friends, family , and even prayer groups. We have never felt so much love before. Dad and Mom always told us if you aways help others it will come back to you one way or another. God gave my Dad back to us and the doctors said he could live along time with COPD. You my parents are the glue that keeps us together, and I love them very much. So If anyone says God is not real to me just read my blog and yes he is very real. He is good and kind. Something else my parents told me that has always kept me going is that he never put more on you then you can handle. This was a real and true miracle.                                                                                             

My Dad has had a hard life he been in 6 car wracks , had a Fork lift fall on him, his body was taken over by chemicals at work and that doesn't even cover how sick he was from the time he born until he was around 12 years old. He has come so close to death so many times and every time God has told him "no not yet". He has worked my whole life sometime 2 or 3 jobs at a time, Mom also worked there were time in my childhood that things could have been a little better. But I have always carried the life lessons that they taught me. Even tho I haven't always been the greatest child and I'm sure there were times when I disappointed them and times when they were proud to be my parents. They have always been there when I needed them and I couldn't imagine my life with out them. I love them both and Thank you God for them and for blessing in so many ways.

My baby called. yay!!!!

My baby called me tonight . It feels so good when I hear his voice I wish I could here it more often. It's funny no matter how down I get when he calls he always gets me to laugh. That is one thing I love about him. He's over there fighting a war and he's making me laugh. I love him so much and there is only 7 more days and he will be heading home to me. I would give anything up if he didn't have to go back. But we will face that together when the time comes.

You don't know how much they mean to you...

My Dad at the Ford Family Reunion.

 My Mom Holding my sweet
little neice.

You never know how much they mean to you until you almost lose them. Dad has been real sick. He's in the hospital on life support. They are trying now to wing him off, but it's made me realize just how much I love my parents. I don't want to lose them anytime soon. I know the day I will lose them but until that time I will cherish them each and every day. We are a family and have always worked through everything. They watched me grow into the woman I am today. An they have always been there for me in good and bad times and I love them for that.

My parents wedding day July 25,1972. They will be married 40 years this year. They have had alot of ruff times thru out their marriage But all the good times they have had has made it worth it.

A surprise for Mamaw Skinner

December 27, 2011
The Skinner Family Christmas

Mamaw Skinner on the phone with John. He called from Afganistan an she was so surprised. I've never seen her smile so much. I really think this made her Christmas......

Missing my baby....

I haven't had a good night sleep since John was deployed. Does the worry ever subside.  With no children it's just John and I. He will be home in another 9 days for R&R. I hope I can sleep then. I worry all the time about him. He's my rock and I'm his. We share everything together an we are each others best friend. Always have been from the start.
Sometimes I miss him so bad my heart hurts. I'm going to be busy from now til he gets home trying to get everything ready. I've already cleaned everything once and I'm sure I will find more to do. It's amazing how nervous you can get when your husband has been away for awhile. But it makes him coming home even more special.

PEOPLE JUST DON'T GET IT THESE DAYS!

People just don't get it these days. You try to get to know someone or lead a hand and they don't get why you want to help with whatever they need. Before my husbands grandfather passed away he told many stories about the people he grew up with and new through out the years of his life. The story I loved was him telling about him building there home. He said back then if someone saw you working on your home or what ever they would stop and bring their tools out and start working beside you. Barn raising's were the most fun to here him talk . All the people you knew would come and bring food, tools, wood ,etc. and make a day of it. They would eat and fellowship and by the end of the day the barn was up. Today your lucky if you have one good friend who will always be there if you need them. This world now is in such a fast pace that families don't even have time to eat together anymore. When I was little we always went to my grandparents house to eat and watch TV. We always attended family functions. We took time for each other. Now I look at the world and all I see is children who are always in daycare, school, and with a sitter. I see couples getting divorce and have forgotten the love they once had for each other. Babies born without fathers. The fast pace lives mother lead today it's no wonder our babies are born with ADHD and others problems as well. I wish we could step back and look at the years that have pasted and see where we have went wrong to get to where we are now. An Change it! Make a difference in someones life . Make a change and choose to up lift someone else. whether it's a family member, friend, or a perfect stranger. This will be my goal for 2012. It's time for us all to make a difference..... i hope everyone has a wonderful year and is blessed as much as I am....

Here's the love of my life.....

The first photo was taken at mom and dads house a week before John had to report to Ft. Hood, Tx. August ,2011. The second one was take at Ft. Hood,Tx. 4 days before John Deployed.

This is the unit John Deployed with. I'm very proud of him.....

The 1st.  photo was taken at Ft. Hood , the next one was taken at the Alamo. and last is the back of John's unit tshirt. I am so proud of my husband and very proud to be married to a US. Soldier... I love you Baby. See you soon......