Happy Anniversary to John and Carolyn Sr! Congratulations! We do find it interesting that both our sets of parents married two weeks apart in the same year! We love you both and will keep Dad in our prayers for his surgery on July 2nd. I am going to upload a short video of John bring home the rig. He didn't have to back it up, at least not in this video but it is impressive to see just how large this thing is. I have a few photos of the outside as well but will wait to post a "tour" video of the inside once we are hooked up this weekend and have power to have the slides out. the inside is a bit cramped with all 4 slides in so I may not video until we are fully expanded...


First the video. Ok so the video wont load.... sorry


Next some photos of the outside parked in front of our house. The first three are just the 5th wheel...



the last is a snap shot of our "semi" license tag required !

So today was the day we actually bought the 5th wheel... and per the subject line, at walmart. ... haha... John just thought it was so funny that we bought the 5th wheel at walmart. I have always said that is what I love about it, you can buy ANYTHING at walmart. To clarify, we met at the bank inside walmart and they signed over the title.

Tomorrow john will get it registered and we bring it home tomorrow night! We have booked our first (and second) weekend trip already ... first to Bowling Green, KY for the 4th of July weekend, next to Hurricane Creek on KY lake the weekend after. We are going to do our "test" run this weekend so we can figure out how to sleep others as well. I think we can do it but it will be good to see how well Annabelle and Addison do for their first "camping" experience.

We finally bought some items for our new digs, first being toilet paper. No kidding, you have to have special tp for an RV so knowing tp is a must, we got it first! We also got some other extras, like a coffee pot, broom, toaster, plastic cups, flatware and the likes. As stressed as I was/am about the $$ for this new toy, I am really excited about getting it here so we can load it up. We have plenty of camping gear that will have a new home and maybe we can free up some of our garage space..

We go tomorrow morning to drop off John's truck to get in fitted with a 5th wheel hitch and then after work we will all go watch John TRY to drive it home! haha.. I really might have to video his first attempt backing in into our front parking area. Lucky for us the camp ground (KOA) is a pull through so backing 38 feet of trailer won't be an issue, THIS TIME! The next weekend however is a back in site so videoing might have to happen.

One a more somber note, 4 years ago today we lost 16 brave soldiers. One was one of our own, a brother. James (Tre) Ponder III. His wife and daughters are still a part of our lives and we pray that each of you say a prayer for them... for their continued healing and for God to keep His hands gently guiding them along their way. Leslie is a pillar of strength and Tre must be looking down with such pride seeing what an amazing job she is doing with raising their two beautiful girls. Tre will always be remembered and loved by his friends and Nightstalker family. Freedom isn't free and we all need to remember this.

Here is a song/video in honor of our fallen.. Leslie, Tre and the girls are shown at 1:33 in the video and Tre is shown at 3:21 bottom left...

Love to you all,
Carolyn

For those of you that just read the subscription email that comes, you are probably wondering what I am talking about when I comment on "theme" music or video. They only appear and are activated when you go to the blog and view from there. I am really not crazy though when reading the emailed post I can see how some might think I might be! If you are curious about the song and/or video selection just go to the blog and see for yourself!

love and hugs

So it seems I have thrown some of you off with my "I didn't actually have a radical hysterectomy" comment.. to be honest, I was thrown off as well as I have for the past 17 years thought that was the procedure I had. Seems as if my definition of "radical" was incorrect. Dana drew a diagram for me to show the difference, I will try to tell you verbally. With a "normal" hysterectomy, they cut along the uterus, tubes and ovaries keeping as much muscle tissue as possible. When a radical hysterectomy is performed, they cut the above mentioned organs as well as most of the surrounding muscle tissue. Dana said there was no reason to remove the muscle as there were no caner cells found there so they didn't and therefor I "only" had a hysterectomy, not radical.. Truthfully, I thought the definition of "radical" was the removal of everything reproductively speaking... not so... You learn something new everyday it seems!
Theme for today's post....this is what Annabelle has decided is her all time favorite song... enjoy!


On to the other news... Addison has her SECOND tooth! I picked her (and Annabelle) up from hourly care and they said she was really sleepy, I told them she is teething and that is probably why. When I looked in her mouth, I could see the second bottom tooth coming in.. Too cute! She is napping now but when she wakes I will try to take a photo. Annabelle is supposed to be napping too but it seems she'd rather talk to her dolls and sing chitty chitty bang bang instead.

I spent most of my day shopping for random thing for the RV. Interestingly enough though I didn't buy ANYTHING!?! This after going to the following.. Target, walmart, kmart and hobby lobby (I did buy something at HL but not for the RV) How can this be? 4 hours of shopping solo and nothing to show for it! I think the pain in the wallet from the Truck/RV purchase might have something to do with it that and not knowing what exactly we need for our weekend get-a-ways. After our first outing I am sure I will know what we need and go hog wild.

First I have to say what a sad day hearing both Michael Jackson and Farrah Faucet have died. I hope Patrick Swayze isn't next though I fear he will be not far to follow. I am not a fan of Michael and I do believe he has some issues but it is a shame he is dead, leaving three small children with no father. I remember the day, at my next door neighbors house, Amy, waiting to see the video of "thriller"... We didn't have MTV and they did so I begged and begged to stay a little later than my curfew just so I could see it! It was amazing... He has wonderful music and will be missed.


Farah.... I watched her story a month or so ago and just cried... It is such a shame to see someone with such strength and determination fall to such a horrid disease. Cancer... why in the heck isn't there a cure or a prevention for this? I am not going to get on my soap box here but it is just ridiculous to me that cancer is still killing people.

On to my day.. It didn't start well though I feel much better and the vertigo is fading thank the Lord. I had plans to take the girls for a walk but it seems neither of them agreed so we stayed in all day. Both are feeling well, Annabelle is better and Addison hasn't gotten what Annabelle has/had. I had to cancel her hourly care today because she was still running a slight fever today (99.5) though I was tempted to take her anyway... I would have never forgiven myself if I had because that is my biggest pet peeve... People who take their children to childcare/preschool/daycare/public playgrounds/restaurant play areas WHEN THEY KNOW THEY ARE SICK. So, as badly as I wanted a day for a little AJ time, I sucked it up and kept her home.

I started the day bored but decided to clean and rearrange the kitchen top shelf area. It hasn't been cleaned in 2 years and with the dust and grease from the cook top it was gross. So 4 hours later... the kitchen is cleaned, rearranged as was the dining room!! WOW... I am really not sure what has gotten into me because I spent two hours yesterday cleaning the master bathroom! (yuck) For those of you that know me, know that I like my house to be clean but I really don't want to be the one that keeps it clean! With our previous house cleaner a thief, I have not found anyone to clean and it has been left to John and I. Anyway... It looks great and I really like the new layout. John likes it too which is always nice.

Tonight A friend and I are heading out for some girl time. Dinner and girl talk will do both of us good!

I am going to get ready!!
Love to all...
Carolyn

Turn your speakers on!! I am going to start something new with my blog entries. Each is going to have a theme song that you will click to hear while you read! (if you want) I am going to remove the music that automatically plays but might elect to add it back in the future.

Click on this link for the theme music and video..


So, today we made an offer on a really nice 5th wheel. The offer we made was $4000 less than what they were asking but still $500 more than we really wanted to spend. We NEVER thought he would take it but he did! I should say, they did as they are a couple that travel here from Arizona to help their daughter with the grandchildren when their son in law is deployed or TDY.

I must admit, John certainly doesn't waste time... First a truck now a 5th wheel all in a weeks time and faster than it would take for me to change my mind. Sneaky bugger. I don't have photos of the exact 5th wheel but I will post some of what it looks like now and once it is at our house I will post the real thing!

We are both really excited. It really is a nice 5th wheel and has been well taken care of. We are very serious for y'all to join us so just say so and we'll plan a weekend trip!!

Here are some photos of the inside.. it looks pretty much exactly like this. There is also a fire place and satellite dome (for Direct TV) as well as surround sound throughout the rig.

Here are the photos!
xoxo
Carolyn

I can't believe I actually got a photo of Addison's first tooth. Who knew how hard it would be to actually capture such a milestone?

Anyway, I felt it two days ago so we are going to count the actual tooth day as 7 months 2 days.

I don't have much to post about other than this and John's new truck! I have photos of that too. It is a monster let me tell you, I need to jump to get into it but it is fully large enough to tow anything we decide to buy. We did go look at a 5th wheel yesterday that someone is selling... VERY NICE! I swear it is just like sitting in a living room in an apartment. I am impressed though a little cautious about spending the money.. one thing is for sure, we will be weekend "camping" often. For those interested you are all welcome to join us! We are making an offer today on the 5th wheel so if we work out the details and we all agree on a price, I will post photos of that too!

Here are a few photos of John's truck and one of Addison's tooth.

Love to you all
Carolyn

I thought I would do an entry a bit different today so I am going to give my post in numbers..

1 is the number of fingernails chewed off waiting at the doctor for my oncology check-up!
1 is the number of things I learned today at my appointment (I did NOT have a radical hysterectomy, it seems)
1 is the number of hours I waited for above Dr appt.
17 is the number of years since I have been cancer "free" if you want to call it that!
2 is the number of sleeping angels on the way home from Nashville today
0 is the number of photos of the girls I had to show Dana (the P.A. at the office) Shame on me
180 is the number of miles I drove today!
3 hours is the amount of time spent driving today! yikes
2 is the number of months I have waited for Annabelle's first dental appointment that is now rescheduled for August because of our lack of enrolling her in the dental plan! DANG!!!
1 is the number of country songs that had me in tears today here is the link to the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9-r5qtq2hM
10 is the number of pounds I need to lose.
96 is the number of days I have to lost those 10 pounds ... (it can be done dang it!)
4 is the number of days until John has a job again (with a title!)
5 is the number of poopy diapers I have changed today (all Addison!)
2 is the number of loads of laundry I have done and I have more (and will have even more tonight)
100.5 is the number on the thermometer when checking Annabelle's temp this morning..
96 is the number on my temp gauge in the car!
1 is the number of giant spiders I killed today! Accckkkkkkkkkkk...
4 is the number of days I have had vertigo.
25 is the age difference between me and all of the other patients at the office.. I am BY FAR the youngest in the crowd!
countless is the number of sand particles I am going to wash off Annabelle tonight.

Well, it is dinner time and Addison needs her carrots! Love to you all.

PS. My appointment went well.. I am perfect...

Happy Anniversary to my parents!! I can't tell you how many years but I am going to guess, 45? I know I am close so don't be too mad that I don't know for sure.

Addison had her 6 month well baby check up today and she is just perfect! she "officially" weighs #19.2 and is 26 1/4 inches long. He weight is 86% and legnth is 56% so she is indeed perfect! :) She was a trooper after getting her shots and big sister was happy to try to help and VERY thankful she wasn't getting any shots. She kept saying "I stay in the sroller.. Right?" it was really cute.. both are napping now and I am taking a much needed break. I enrolled both girls for on post mom's day out and Annabelle will start tomorrow, going on Tuesday and Thursday just like preschool.. in fact two of her buddies from preschool are going to be in her same class! Thomas and Jackson.. Addison might stay an hour or two just when I need a mommy day but I don't plan to have her stay much.


John is gone but will be home tomorrow and then he starts his new job = lots of work but he will be home every night (for the most part) I am looking forward to having him home and I know the girls are too.

Next week is a big week as well, Annabelle goes to the dentist (tuesday) for the first time and I have my oncology check-up (Monday) Wish us luck for both.

I am going to run and relax! Much love to all
Carolyn

Hello everyone.. I hope you are all well. I have been meaning to post an entry but I just haven't found a moment to do so until now. I have lots to talk about so I will try to remember everything and will add lots of photos as well.

We got home from our vacation at Kurt and Sharon's cabin on Wednesday and we had a blast! Really, the best time, the perfect location, the best company and just a wonderful time. Day one we didn't do much because it rained. Some rather strong and sitting hanging off a mountain side at night listening to the storm was a little unnerving for me but we made it! Day two John and I took Annabelle to the aquarium. She wasn't really into it so we didn't stay long. Day three we went to Cades Cove. My favorite place to visit in the mountains. It was dreary and rained on and off but we got to see 5 bears, yes 5... two adults and three cubs. It was amazing and the first time I have really seen a bear in all the years I have visited... it was a great day. Annabelle had fun too especially sitting in the back seat with Daddy, Addison and Gran... We stopped on the way home and had lunch then back to the cabin for naps ... all of us! Day four we took Annabelle to a little carnival like park. They had a small train, swings, little saucers that spin, a carousel and some other things you'd expect at a carnival. She rode everything and we captured some cute shots of her on everything.. imagine that.. haha... Lunch again and then home for naps. That afternoon John, Annabelle and I went to splash world (a new part of Dollywood)It is a HUGE water park. Seriously, the biggest that I have ever been to and bigger than Disney as I remember it. Annabelle was NOT happy and pretty much screamed or cried the whole time we were there. Good thing they have an after 3 get in free the next day policy so John and I went back the next day (day 5) for some "kid free" fun. We had a blast! Really... we rode everything, to include the Fire tower (it is a free fall basically) but I made the mistake of riding one ride too many times and made myself sick. It was an enclosed tube that corkscrews and dumps you out at the bottom. We had to leave and I slept for three hours before I felt human again. Dang I hate having motion sickness!!! That afternoon John took Annabelle to Dollywood, after three, and forgot his cell phone. She loved it and they closed the place down *while the rest of us were sitting at home waiting and wondering where they were* So the next day, day six, the whole gang went! My first time at Dollywood and it was really nice. I even dared to ride the Mystery Mine that drops you 85 feet into darkness.... Needless to say, John rode the next ride solo and then we went home. I wasn't sick though! :) Day seven.... home!
It was a great vacation!

Some high lights other than what we did each day are for Addison...
ate solid food for the first time! We decided to let Gran and Odie see this first with them missing so many and no surprise, Addison took to eating solids like a champ. She is now eating both oatmeal and carrots and is growing like a chunky monkey. She is also sitting unassisted now! Gran just decided to see how she would do sitting and there she goes, sitting there just perfectly! I have some great photos I will post of her new achievements!

Now for Annabelle. She really is growing into a little girl. It is just amazing to me how well she communicates and how she tells her stories and the things that she comes up with is just amazing (and most of the time very humorous). A first for her this trip was sleeping in a big bed by herself! We were unsure where she would sleep so we thought we would try her in one of the big beds down stairs and she slept there with very little issue and napped there as well. She also has a taste for scrambled eggs.. John and I took her to lunch (but they were still serving breakfast at 1115?) and she got pancakes and a scrambled egg.. she devoured it! So now she'll eat eggs.. she also has discovered fried rice and Mexican rice.. They are two favorites now as well.

Now for us. We have been looking into buying a class A motor home, you know the bus type ones. We got as far as going to drive one (used, mind you)and were going to bid on it (ebay) but after much research and a few phone calls we found there are no methods of securing a car seat in any RV?!?!?! What???? nothing... So, with a broken heart, John has started looking at 5th wheel goose neck trailers. Yes, this means we will most likely have to buy a new truck to pull it but at least the girls will be save and secure *and I won't puke on our trips* haha..

I know I am missing something but I can't think of what that might be. If I think of it, I will post again. For now here are some photos from the vacation as well as some random ones I took this afternoon in the back yard. Ok... so I am having a time getting photos to load so I will just add photos to a separate post!

Love to you all and prayers for our country, troops and families!
Some from the vacation













Some from the back yard today