The date is set!

After months of trying, contemplating, complaining, putting up with (dealing with) and frustration, we finally have a surgery date for Joey-May 17th.  Yes, it’s approaching extrememly fast, and you think of all these things you want to get done before then too.  But whatever gets done, will get done.  What does not will not.  This has been much needed. 

Joey has been trying for months to get the VA to approve a surgery from an ankle specialist he was referred to last year.  As you can tell, it was finally approved and his ankle will be completely rebuilt, all new.  I’m not sure how long it will take, what repairs need to be made, or how long til it heals, but I know this:

No more pain!  No more pain! 

We can go on walks with the dogs together, possibly hiking.  I don’t need to be a crutch he can lean on, he can enjoy when we go to sea world, or just plain grocery shopping.  Please don’t take this as Im complaining about these things or that he can’t do them.  I still do my hiking, walking, running and crutching when I need to.  I’m mostly excited about the no more pain! 

Please mark your calendars (if you are friends/family) and think of him on May 17th at 10am when the surgery starts and pray it all goes well.  We are all a little nervous/curious and I know everyone will get him through. 

Might look like this for a while again-but much better and less other scars this time.  I love you baby and am proud of all you put up with and accomplish despite your pain!  You are my hero and remind me to appreciate life and take it all in!

The End of a Series

After a year, I have finally finished the Left Behind series; 12 books depicting what happens during the rapture, when Jesus takes his believers, what happens during the seven year tribulation period up until he finally returns for his final judgements.  I’m glad I read it all, despite the couple of books that were slow that made me want to stop. 

I recommend this book(s) to anyone who wants to renew their faith or just learn more about the Bible and what He fortells in a more interesting way. 

Next on the bedside table…The Shack

This damn flu bug…

Sorry I haven’t been on in a few days, I’m still getting over what I think was the flu.  One week now and I’m ready for it to be over, seriously.  Its really drained me to the point where I’m sleeping 10-12 hours out of the day and still tired and sick.  Bleh!  I hope no one has to have this, but its been going around AZ like wildfire, and I think I got this from Joey. 

Because of that, I do not have much to write about, I just hope everyone is enjoying their week and I know many friends who are preparing for the Lent season.  I’ve always done lent b/c I had to, never really knowing why, or somewhat knowing, but never really sure.  I think as catholics we did lent b/c we were always seeking a way to get into heaven, ways to prove our love.  In my view, I feel that I do not need to give up anything or sacrifice anything to show my love for Jesus.  He knows me, I know I’m going to heaven, but I will continue to strive to live through his word everyday, like I already do.  I’m rooting for everyone doing something for Lent and I’ll be here to help you through it.  I have consulted my friend Indi who has been teaching me things and new ways and I feel comfortable with my decision.  I guess Lent is a choice, and I choose to participate every day of the year! 

Countdown til the Grand Canyon 3 1/2 weeks! 

My God mother will be in this week, stopping to see my cousin before heading to DC and I GET TO SEE HER!  Yeah!  So hopefully I’ll have even MORE good pics for you to see! 

Headed to a new location on sunday for 4 wheeling, Lake Pleasant here we go!

Lifehouses’s Everything Skit is Everything

This skit says it all, all the struggles I and even you have been through, all the hardships, tears, and fights we have put up, but we still stand strong and with Him.  Enjoy and don’t cry too much!  Thank you to Jeni at Enjoyer of the Journey for finding this one!

 

The Ultimate Show of Respect

The following was an email sent by my mom.  Luke is right by me, been there many times, and personally I love to see the planes fly by

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.  A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit. The complaint:  ‘Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base’:

 

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune!  Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special?

Any response would be appreciated.

 

The response:

 

Regarding ‘A wake-up call from Luke’s jets’ On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave
of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer’s recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I’m sure you didn’t hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son’s flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured..

A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the
letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, ‘Whom do we thank for the morning air show? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation
of their lives.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you….Jesus Christ and
the American Soldier.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr., USAF

And the cat came back….

On the hunt for a new vehicle last night, I get a random phone call from an AZ number and answer it.  Low and behold its Phil, Joe’s brother saying sorry, blah, blah, blah, I gave the phone to Joey right away.  He’s out of jail and at our house right now.  The amount of tension in the household cannot even be described to you.  He claims he was let go of all his charges (chuckle here).  I called the courts today.  He is just let go b/c they do not have enough evidence at this time.  He was driving w/o a license (on probation) and so they need to contact the state of Colorado to find out more.  It could be 2 weeks, it could be 2 months.  Therefore, he will have to go home and when he gets summonded, find a way back.  It is no longer in our hands.  I dont want him here, neither does joe.  The hardest thing right now is that he has NO WHERE to go, no family or friends to live with, nothing but the street and Joey does not want to do that to him.  I’m going through a hard time right now.  I do not trust Phil.  Whenever we are both gone, he is not allowed in the house.  So I woke up early and went to the gym for a long time.  Then I left again to go test drive cars.  I’ll be gone a lot the next few days if he is still here. 

I had to pay an extra $150 yesterday to the Phx police department due to the fact that my car was involved in a DUI, just so my insurance company can tow it away.  And USAA will not be able to tell me about the status of my car until fri or monday.  I need to know if my car is totaled, this looking for new cars is stressful and I want it over with!  To think this would’ve never happened if he neve r lived with us.  You put so much trust into people, and family, and I guess we learned our lesson. 

Its wearing on Joey and I, especially last night when he was back at our place.  I hate Phil so much that it put us both in a bad position.  I will forgive him someday….but that’s  along ways away.  In order for me to be forgiven for the things I have done I have to learn to forgive.  Why does it have to be so hard?  It would not be if he was not here, if I knew he was in colorado or better yet, locked up! 

Thanks for your support and friendship.  Wish me luck!

Learning How Beautiful Life Can Really Be

This week has finally led to some good, positive, and stress relieving changes.  I truly believe that things happen when they are supposed to and that when you keep your hope and faith, good things will happen as they should. 

On December 31st, 2008 at 2:15pm mountain time, I will be heading into court to get my deeds done and over with , might I emphasize FINALLY at the end of this.  Most of my good friends know of the events that also led up to this and what I am referring to, and I am grateful that they are here, that’s why they are called FRIENDS.  In order for this  to proceed, I had to see what was really important to my happiness.  No amount of money is worth exchanging for your happiness, remember that.  Peace of mind is priceless.  To put my mind at ease, my relationship, and to move on with my life is worth so much more! 

Life really can be full of happy surprises as well.  Today I went to a church with my good friend Indi.  This was no specific religion, but she considers herself a christian.  Now, I grew up in a catholic church where things were always done methodically and repeatedely.  I guess I wanted to know the main difference between the two.  It’s strange, but after all those years, I really did not know what I was believing.  Well, as a catholic, I was believing that my good “works” were going to get me to heaven.  When would I have time for anything else?  Well, as a Christian, just by realizing that God sent his son, who died for our sins, and accepting him into our lives, we are saved and will go to heaven.  Does that just not sound too easy?  Well, it’s not for everyone, but I know for a fact I’m going to heaven when I die   I’ve been reading a book series called “left behind” and I’m on book #7.  If anyone has time to read these, its a must, especially if you have a fear of revelation or what may follow.  (I’ll be long gone before then though, I like previously stated).    All these things are subjects I have been thinking about for years as it was.  Now I’m just much more sure about where I want to be in life.  Its exciting but frustrating at the same time when you want everyone around you to realize what you have realized but you have to have the patience for them to realize on their own.  

You take life differently when things are going right or wrong, and like I stated, things happen when they should.  When you take time for what is important in life, good things come your way.  My businesses are doing better, my friendships are getting stronger, and my family life is amazing, as well as my health and well being.  Just keep striving for what you believe and live with HOPE that you were given.