Special Moments Like This....





........are just about the only thing that can make the rest of the world fade into the background...even if you are at a ball game, and you are supposed to be keeping the score book, and your son is pitching, and you also happen to be A-Ron's Mommy.


Or maybe it's not too late to reconsider the size of your family. Or maybe your husband has been in Iraq too long, and too many times. But........




These special moments are even more special when you know you can hand the baby back to his real mommy because you have teenagers, and you've survived so far.

The Highs and Lows.....

....or the winners and losers of Valentine's Day 2009.

In the world of Grandma J, Valentine's Day isn't a particularly eventful day.

What I mean is it's a holiday without much in the way of change in my schedule. There are a few things I won't do on Valentine's Day

1. I won't go to the movies...which is why I missed my Friday Matinee this week. I know Friday was the 13th, but please...do you really think all teenagers waited until the 14th to go celebrate? NO...otherwise I wouldn't have gotten a call to deliver flowers to a certain boy at a certain high school on behalf of a certain granddaughter this past Friday. Oh, and don't try to call a florist on Friday before Valentine's Day....they don't answer or actually have recordings telling you they won't answer

2. I won't go out to dinner either.....it's bad enough on a regular Friday. I do tell those that I love "Happy Valentines Day" just like I say "Happy Chinese New Year".

For the WINNER (of winners and losers).....


One person I sent an email to was my son-in-law 1SG John. If you've visited my blog in the past, you know all about my SIL.....and that he's now serving his third deployment in Iraq. I want to share with you his response to my e-mail. Just click on the picture of the email to enlarge it.



Sgt John has often said the difference in Iraq since his first deployment is like night and day. I have offered to send him whatever he wants and basically he said there is nothing they can't get right there in Iraq. So, while it's surf and turf every Friday not a picnic , it sure is a far cry from just a few years ago.



And, it's appropriate to honor 1SG John during 2009 - The US Army Year Of The NCO.

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Now for the LOSER (of winners and losers)...

Papa John's Pizza!




They had the nerve to send me this Loser E-mail...offering me a deal on a heart shaped pizza..... at 11 a.m. the day after Valentine's Day. Just click on the picture!

Was your day perfect? Was your pizza cold?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE GIRL

I'll never forget the day you were born. You were perfect. Not just healthy perfect, but so beautiful that my internist stopped by and would hold you and rock you ....in awe of your beauty....and that's the truth. You continue to be beautiful inside and out. I am proud of the woman, wife, mother and daughter you are today. I love you.

That's right, it's my little girl's birthday. Well, my middle daughter. Since she works long hours and yes, her husband just left three days ago for Iraq, the kids wanted to fix dinner for her. Actually, my granddaughter made the dinner with my help, and her brother decided on the menu. Stuffed baked potatoes with the works.


JJ bought his Mommy gifts and flowers.


He also bought her a tiara...

The kids were happy to smother their Mommy with love.

And when my grandson got carried away, You-know-who got jealous.

My granddaughter made a chocolate cake with ice cream filling in the center.

And yes Grandma J dove right in.....my bad!

AMERICA'S FIRST TEAM

Today was a cloudy day in Central Texas, as 1st Sgt. John, along with other members of

The First Cavalry Division deployed from Fort Hood, Texas to Iraq.

Last night we celebrated with BBQ

The family is used to deployments. This is John's third tour in Iraq, with two tours of duty in Korea sandwiched in between. That would be over five years out of the last seven away from his wife and kids.

My middle daughter will be OK

And the kids will too......because

They are close, and....

Know how to love, laugh and act silly...

I'm sure today was a day of both pride and sadness as they had their private, personal and formal good-byes. I spent the day with JJ.

Stay safe soldier, and thank you for your service, and keeping America safe and free.