I have only one judge!!

Please keep my family in your prayers!!!!

Justin is good...missing him for the holidays!! I am gonna be a Grandma and I am excepting that...totally unexpected but everything will be fine!!! Just whisper my name when you pray...god knows all about it!!!!!

Power of Prayer!

Yesterday was a good day! I had heard from Justin on Saturday morning and I knew he was doing good...just not getting his mail as quick as I would like but he was GOOD!!

So at the end of the service Ganky as that our Pastor to anoint Bradley and pray for Justin...I never question prayer but kinda thought it was strange for Ganky to do that knowing we had JUST heard from him. Bradley was anointed and I know that extra prayers just keep him covered a little more!

So then again last night I got in bed late...My Bradley needs some of those prayers! He is going through a break up with his girlfriend and he is so tender hearted he is not dealing with it well! So anyways...about 2:30 my phone rang and well it was Justin!! He once again is doing good!! We talked for a good long time and I just love it that when he gets to a phone he calls!! :) It makes me one happy mama!!

So now back to the anointing of prayer...Justin began to tell me that while on patrol about 8:30 or 9:00 on sunday night which was about 12:30 or 1:00 our time he found an IED and it was a BIG one...10 pounds!! It would have killed him!!!! We both knew that when he was telling me this!!! Then he was hunting the secondary one and never found it!! Later the bomb guys came to the squad leader and said who ever was out hunting that second one was all over the pressure plate but it did not go off!!!

Well I can sure tell you why!!!! Ganky felt it in her heart to have Bradley anointed and well that is why...THE POWER OF PRAYER!! It kept Justin safe from that IED blowing him up!!! My heart is full and I was telling Justin all about this after he had to told me and his words were

"Ganky always needs to follow her heart because that prayer saved my life!!!"

If you don't believe that there is a God...Just say a little prayer and see what he can do!!

Thank you Jesus for answering prayers and Thank you Ganky for following your heart!!!!

Keep Praying....IT WORKS!!!

Please keep Praying!!!

This is my son and I miss him terribly!!! I did get to speak to him this week...he got the sat phone and so he called me !!! I love him so much and will be so glad when all this is over!!!

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!!!

Where have I been????

I have been around just been busy!!! I have been taking care of this sweet girl while her daddy is fighting for our freedom!! And she is spoiled rotten!! I have taught her some tricks and I have gotten so attached to her!!

Reecy Lynn Simmons

I have been spending a lot of time praying for the other half of my heart!!! I miss him terribly and will be so glad when he is home!! I got a phone call this morning and he informed me he only has 286 days left and he will be home for good!! I cant wait!! I have got lots of letters from him and several phone calls and well all of that makes it a little easier!! And the thoughts of NEVER having to do this again makes it so much better!!! Just keep him and all those serving in your prayers!!


And well the next thing is I am still doing WW and well hopefully today when I weigh in I will have lost 40 pounds!! I am so happy...still got over 40 to go!! I am working on it and it is working!! I had to go buy a new pair of jeans and went from an 18 or 20 in womens to a 14...SO EXCITING!!!

Well just wanted to bring you all up to date on what is going on with me!! Hope that you all are doing well!!

Remember...KEEP PRAYING...IT WORKS!!!

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Mama!!!!

At the age of 18 I had to say goodbye to my sweet precious mama...she was only 63 and well that is way to young to go and I was way to young to loose her...But God knows best and although we may never know why...HE DOES!!!

My Mama was my world...she was my best friend...I NEVER left her side!!! I NEVER spent the night away from her!!! I was with her up until the last breathe she took!!! I can never say how my heart feels because I miss her soooo much!!!

Happy Birthday Mama!!

I miss you each and every day...I know you and Daddy are watching over my Marine and will make sure he is brought back home to us safe!!!

I Love you Mama!!!

Keep Praying....IT WORKS!!!

oh so sneezy!!

Well at the beginning of the week, I began to feel not so good and well I bet I sneezed 10,000 times in one day!!! I felt like the sneezy smurf!!!

I seem to be better now and I am so glad!!!

Got packages mailed out to Justin this week and I will be making him monkey bread in a jar to send out monday!!

Hope all is well with all of you!

Remember...keep praying...it works!!!

Wonderful Weekend!!

I had a wonderful weekend!!!

I had got a phone call from Justin on Wednesday and then woke up Saturday to a chirp on my phone that he was online...we chatted for an hour and then again later for about 2 hours and then he called!! My heart was so happy!!!

All I want is to be able to hear from him...but after all my questions he may not call or get back online for a while!! HA! I asked him every question you could imagine, and he answered them to the best that he could!

OH HOW I LOVE YOU LCPL. SIMMONS!!!

Then we went to a birthday party for Alexis at church and had a wonderful time!! I can't believe that she is 6...where does time go????

Her memaw made a smurf cake and did a really good job too!!!

And here are two girls that are the best of friends and wanted me to take some pictures of them!!

Brittany on left and my Britani on right!

My Britani was really sick thursday and friday...Thank God she is better!!!

Yellow Ribbon on the Old Oak Tree until My Marine comes back home!!!

I am so blessed and I know that! I love being able to share with you some of my small blessings in life...God is so good!!!

Keep Praying...IT WORKS!!

Guess What????

I GOT A PHONE CALL!!!

Thanks for your prayers!!! He was good!!

Keep Praying...IT WORKS!!

I got a twitch but still had fun!

Well to go ahead and get the complaining out of the way...I have a twitch in my left eye and it is driving me crazy!! I have had it for 4 days now and well from what I can tell it is from stress and tiredness!!!! Imagine that...I have both of those and do not see any break from either!!! I wish it would just stop!!!

OK so now on to the fun part...I WENT TO SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA!!

I hate that place...I DO NOT ride any of the rides!! The USMC keeps me on a roller coaster in life and I do not like it, and I really do not like any of the real roller coasters!! I am terrified of them!! I rode a couple of rides with Alex and Aver but for the most part...I SAT AND WATCHED!!

This is the group that went and as you can see it was a large group!! Had a lot of fun with them and glad I went except it was SO HOT!! I know that the kids enjoyed themselves and maybe next year I will just stay home and have dinner ready for them when they get back!! HA!!

Still no word from Justin! I know that he is busy and I have to keep in mind that "NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!!" Sometimes that is easier said than done!! But I am trying...and well I am not doing such a good job at it!!! I have a package I am sending out today...sure hope he is getting all his goodies that we are sending him!!

Keep Praying...IT WORKS!!

Not much more

I know that Justin is busy and doing his job and I know that when he gets a chance he WILL call!!! I know all of this and I know....I KNOW!!!!

I am so close to my children and well it has been 17 days since I have heard from Justin and just to be honest it is killing me!! I am staying busy at work and trying my best not to eat through my stress and I try to think positive and be understanding about the situation that he is in!!

But each of you put your child on the battle field and don't hear from them for 17 days and tell me how you feel!!! I hear all the time he is ok and not to worry. Well its not that i think anything is wrong...I JUST WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM!! He is out in the heat and wearing full gear and walking everywhere he goes! I am so glad that I NEVER have to do this againg once this is over...He will be done!!! I see where others get phone calls and still I get nothing...My heart is HEAVY!!

I WANT A PHONE CALL...I NEED A PHONE CALL!!!!

This was taken Mother's Day and I was one happy mama to have all 3 of my children with me!!!

Please continue to pray for the troops!!

I just had to get this out and not everyone wants to hear me moan and grown about not getting a phone call!! Just pray that I get one soon!!!

Just stopping in for a bit!!

I jsut wanted to stop by for a bit!!! Special prayers needed!!

One of the group in Justins unit ran over an IED the other day and thank God they are all ok...those things are so dangerous and I hate them!! They seem to me to be a cowardly way to hurt our guys...they don't want to face them face to face so they bury these things and when our guys ran over it...well it blew up the truck!!!

I can not imagine that phone ringing even to tell me that he is fine but...

I am thinking that Justin is VERY busy doing his job...have not heard from him in 16 days and well I just am not use to that!! We talk all the time and this is very hard for me...but I am coping with the situation and thankful for my family and friends that keep me calm!!! I have my moments just like most Military Moms do that has a child in the sand box!!!

Sent out more packages this week already and actually got the stuff to fix up another one!!!!

KEEP PRAYING...IT WORKS!!!

I love that voice

During the Deployment period I keep my phone glued to me...ALWAYS!!! I never know when it may ring and someone special will be on the other end!!!

When I go to bed, it is right beside me next to my ear so that I make sure that I hear it ring!!

When Sunday night/early Monday morning it went off...Oh the excitement!! I just straight up out of bed and answer!!!

And yes...IT WAS MY MARINE!!! Calling from thousands of miles away and it was clear as a bell and did not have that delay!!! I feel so very blessed!!!! He is so darn sweet and I love him so much but after a few days of not hearing from him I LOVE hearing that voice say "I love you Mom"!!

Keep Praying...IT WORKS!!!

Doing His Job!!!

Its that time again...pray pray and pray some more!!!

Justin is a Grunt/Infantryman for the USMC and well that puts him right out there on the front line!!! My nerves are shot and my heart is broke!!! I hope to hear from him soon, but I know that NO news is GOOD news!!!

He knows his mama loves him and that I am here praying every second of every day until those boots touch US soil!!!

I ask each of you to please put him on your prayer list!!

Thanks...You all are so special to me!!!

July 4th 2011

Ganky had us all over for a swim and a hot dog for the 4th and well it was a wonderful time!! We each enjoyed it so much and memories were made that will never be forgotten!!!

Thanks Ganky for a wonderful time!!!

Kids all enjoyed it and were so happy to be together!!

Tracy got a picture with our Hero!!!

Alex and Avery love Justin and pray for him every night!!!

It was a wonderful day!!

Welcome Home (even for just a few days)!!!

PRE-DEPLOYMENT LEAVE...UGH!!!!

That's right...he is going back...not looking forward to it!!! :(

He got to come home for a few days and I am sure enjoying him being here!!!

The church did something special for him and gave him a sweet gift to carry with him while he is in the SAND-BOX!!! Covered him with lots of prayers and will continue to pray for him while he is gone!!!

I love this young man...my son...my Marine....my HERO!!!!!

My heart is so heavy and dreading the day he has to pull out of my driveway to head back!!! I just got him back and now he is leaving again!!!

I am soaking every moment with him in this week and doing only what he wants to do!!! I am cooking what he wants to eat and well just focusing on him!!!

Please keep my son in your prayers he will be heading back to Afghanistan VERY soon and all your prayers help bring him home safe last time and well LADY'S let do it again!!!!

Remember...Keep Praying...IT WORKS!!!

Sweet Summer Time

I LOVE SUMMER!!

And I am looking so forward to spending a week at the beach except for the fact that my Marine will probably be deployed while I am there!!! Can't change it...already paid for the room!!

But while he is home for his pre-deployment I am taking a day and going to Tybee Island so that he can get in some beach time!!!

My chair is waiting on me ( I wish) ...See ya later!!!

Have a good day...remember...Keep praying!!! IT WORKS!!!!!!

Heavy Heart!!

This young man sure knows how to pull at my heart and it sure does hurt sometimes!!

I know we have made it through one deployment and now we are facing another one and the time for him to leave is quickly approaching and well it makes my heart so heavy!! I worry so much...he joined the infantry and so that right there puts him on the front line!! I can't stand the thoughts of him going back to that big sand box!! I woke myself up the other night crying and had dreamed about him!! I know that prayers work and I will be doing lots of it in the months to come!! I just sure hate to see him leave!!!!

I have not got to spend a lot of time with him this time and he gets a short pre-d leave and well I wish I could just keep him here but the USMC is bigger than me and he has to go!!! I just pray for his safety and for me not to go insane!! I think that my tears are stuck in overflow and that is all I have been doing...CRYING!!!

I will get to see and talk to him for a few weeks to come and then after that I will be depending on those darn satellite phones!!! I need bounty to soak up all these tears!!!

You all have a good day and please please pray for our troops and that they all return safe!!!

An Old Fashion Home Coming!!

Each and EVERY year we have homecoming at our church on the 2nd Sunday of June!! And so yesterday was the day!! We have taken pictures each year and Ms. Janice does this board and it shows those that have joined us in the past and present!

We had a table full of food that I never even went through the line and looked at! I took my plate of food, I got weight I am still trying to loose! I knew that looking at all that food would temp me to make bad choices and so I didn't want to mess up the fact that I have lost 23 pounds!! But I can promise you there was good food on this table!!

Everyone enjoyed it!!

It was a wonderful day, but by the end of everything, I was exhausted!! All that cooking and setting up just wore me out!! I came home and relaxed in our pool for a bit!!

Off work today and gonna get some house work done!! Hope that you all have a wonderful day!!

Happy 18th Birthday!!

WOW!!!

My babies are 18 today!!

It just seems like yesterday I was doing nothing but changing diapers, making bottles and constantly feeding these two!!!

Happy Birthday Bradley and Britani!!!

I love you both with all my heart!!

I hope that you have the best day EVER!!!

Pool Party today at Ganky's!!! Cant't wait!!!

You all enjoy your day!!

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day has a special place in my heart now days!! I have realized the danger our troops are in and to be honest it scares me for Justin to go back!! But to all those that have lost their lives I thank them for giving all!!!

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and remember...All gave some but some gave ALL!!!

One proud mama!

Oh yes I am...ONE PROUD MAMA!!

All three children have now graduated!! That is a big accomplishment these days!! Jeff and I were talking just a few minutes ago and we made through all the years of school with no one getting suspended, or getting in any kind of real trouble! I AM SO PROUD!!!

These two people in this picture with Britani and Bradley, are two of a kind! They have been there for my children like no other two people could or would!! Ganky and Pa are so much like their grand-parents!! My mama and daddy would be so proud and Theresa has seen my family through so many hard time, happy times. sad times and well she is there for me no matter what!!!

Thank you Theresa and Marc!!! You two are so special to us!!

You will never know what y'all mean to us!!

When we began this home school journey I was sure how we would do but Ashley and Kurt moved just minutes away and well she knew all about the work they were doing and was able to help the to the very end!!! Thank you Ashley!!

This is a picture of Bradley with a very nice man, Mr. G! He worked in the office of Newton High all the time Bradley and Britani was there!! He really took to Bradley and was so happy that he was invited to the graduation!!

Since the day she was born she was special to me!! Tracy and her family have been such a special part of my life and my childrens life!! I always said if something happened to me before my children were grown I wanted Tracy and Derek to finish raising the for me!! They have been there for me all the way through!! I love them all so much!!!

Six years ago this very special man came to our church to be our Pastor and he is not only our Pastor but a very dear friend!! He has now been able to see all 3 of my children graduate!!

Bradley is a people person and loved most of his teachers throughout the years but this teacher, Ms. Carlock was his very favorite! She has stuck with him and help him when all the other teachers would have given up!! She still to this day is so special to him!!!

Robert and Bradley have been best friends since middle school and no matter what they still find their way back to each other to be there when they need each other!!

My sweet baby girl!!! I am so PROUD of her!!!

My handsome son!! I am so PROUD of him too!!

I got the catch a picture of them walking in!!

And from Kentucky, Bradleys sweet girl friend came to see all the festivities!!

And here at the twins heading out to practice their graduation!!

I can't believe they are all grown up!!

Justin was not able to be here for the graduation but put a sweet post on facebook!!

He said "I am proud of my bro and sister, sorry I missed it...but know I love y'all and I am here for both of u...call me if you need anything"!!! Such a sweet brother!!!

All three of my children have made me so PROUD!!!

Where has time gone?

I want to start out by saying I am not a Grand Mother but Tracy's children are about as close to grandchildren as I will have for a while (I hope)!!

I can remember the day Alex was born and she stole my heart!! I never thought she could pull at my heart strings the way she does and then came along Avery and well I had enough love for all four of Tracy and Derek's children!! I just can't believe how they have grown up! Both Alex and Avery were graduating and well we all could not be at both so they put all our names in a hat and picked who would go where!! I was chosen to go to GWA and see Alex graduate!!

She is so precious!!

She will be the graduating class of 2023!! That sounds like a long way off but time is flying by!!

She got her diploma and was so happy!!

Alex and Pa!

Tracy(Alex's sweet mama) and Alex!!

And last but not least...ME and Alex!!!

Uncle Jeff was there but had got caught up in a horrible rain storm and was all wet and we will get a picture of him with her another day!!

Now the Graduations continue...My Twins Graduate tonight!! My heart is full and I am so happy for them! I just sit and think about all the children growing up and well I begin to let the tears flow!! I am just not doing very good with it!!

Justin is doing good and I get to text with him a good bit for now, but he will go to the field Sunday and be gone for a couple of weeks!! I love him and miss him terribly but I know he has to do all this to stay safe during his deployment!!

You all have a great day!!