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.