Promised Pictures

I got Zach these two post cards. The Amicalola Falls card we all signed to say hello and that we love him. The Fried Green Tomatoes card is from me! He calls them "green fried tomatoes" and we always argue about what they are called... I thought he would get a laugh out of it! I also told him that I would make him some when he gets home! (In 19 days!!!)

Amicalola Falls

Nanny, Brenda and me at Amicalola Falls!

Me and Nanny

Brenda, Nanny, and Jimmy

Brenda and Jimmy

There are deer everywhere up here...

The beautiful sunset on Thanksgiving day!

Dahlonega, Georgia

We spent the day rambling around Georgia today. We ended up in Dahlonega. I love to just get in the car and ride around... We got some pictures of us but Blogger is being difficult so I am not going to fiddle with loading them right now.

We are having a great time! I will write more when I get a chance!

Thankful this Thanksgiving day...

I just got off the phone with my soldier. That is something to be thankful for...

They had a Thanksgiving lunch served by the commander and drill sergeant. They were able to watch some of the parade and they didn't have to rush to eat and they were able to sit around and talk. They have the rest of the day off...

They are starting the second phase of basic soon... Only 21 more days and he will be here for Christmas. We talked for about 14 minutes today. He was going to hang up with me and call his parents! They will be so happy to hear from him.

Nanny and I got up here to Brenda's a little after 9 last night and we stayed up until 2 (Georgia time) this morning talking.

We had lunch and now we are sitting here talking! Not sure what we will do the rest of the day, hope everyone is having a happy Thanksgiving!

Packed and ready to go...

I dropped all of my bags off at Nanny's this morning so they don't have to sit in my car all day... So as soon as I get off work we will be heading to Georgia.

Pray for a safe trip for us and pray that I don't get us lost because this is the first time I have actually drive myself up there!!! (Normally my mom drives)

Keep Zach in your prayers too as he spends Thanksgiving at Fort Benning... Hopefully they will cook them a Thanksgiving dinner... and maybe even let them call home!

I will try to update from Brenda's over the weekend!

22 days and Zach will be home for Christmas!

A great weekend...

I have already posted about my great day on Saturday! It was so great to hear from Zach AND to get a letter from him!

On Sunday we had our Thanksgiving dinner at church... It was fabulous and it was so great to see everyone!

Around 8:45 last night I was packing to go to Georgia this week my phone started ringing and I looked at it saw it was from the 706 area code (which is where Fort Benning is). I started to panic because Zach had told me before that lights out was at 9 which is 8 Alabama time. So for someone to be calling from Fort Benning after 9 was a little scary, so I answered and it was my wonderful husband. Apparently lights out isn't at 9 anymore... We only got to talk for 2 minutes but it was great to hear his voice. I didn't cry last night though!

I am so proud of him. He is a wonderful man and will serve our country to the best of his ability! I love him more than anything in this world and I am truly blessed to be his wife!

Only 24 more days and he will be home for Christmas!

Please keep me and Nanny in your prayers as we travel to Georgia on Wednesday! Also please keep my friend Kydie in your prayers, she is having a c-section today and her beautiful baby girl will be brought into the world sometime after 12:30! Just keep praying for Zach and me as we go through this time of separation... it is really hard on both of us.

Thanks for all of the support over the last few weeks... your comments have meant so much to me and they help to get me through each day!!!

God Bless Fort Benning Day

Today is apparently "God Bless Fort Benning Day"! And I LOVE this day!!! Zach and his fellow boot campers are off base celebrating "God Bless Fort Benning Day". You may be asking, "How do you know this?" Well I talked to my soldier a little while ago on the phone! They were allowed to call home for FREE (no phone card needed)!!! I was so happy to hear his voice. I asked him if he thought he would be able to call tomorrow and he said maybe, because Sunday is their normal day to call home! I hope he can!

I also got a letter today... He said that they had their first "ruck sack march" the next day (which was the 20th, Thursday) and they spent the night in the woods. The letter was not long but I am thankful for anything!!!

Keep him in your prayers and keep me in your prayers too! Only 26 more days and he will be home for Christmas!!!

One year ago...

One year ago today I got the worst phone call of my life...

It was from my dermatologist's office and I was shocked to hear my doctor on the other end... (they usually make their nurses do the dirty work but my docotor knew how scared I was so she wanted to call me her self) The words I heard her speak hit me like a ton of bricks. "Kristen you have melanoma in situ"... I heard the word melanoma and I lost it. When I finally calmed down Shelley explained to me exactly what melanoma in situ is... It is indeed melanoma but a non-invasive melanoma. She informed me that I would need surgery to make sure they got it all and she told me they had a spot open for the next morning (Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving). I was at work when I got the call so I pulled it together, thanked Shelley for everything and for calling me herself and went to my supervisor's office to tell her that I would be out of the office the next day for surgery. I will skip the unpleasant details that surround that and fast forward to the next day. I had my whole family with me almost. My mom, Karmen, Zach, and Mrs. Kathy (Zach's mom)... I was taken back to the surgery area of my dermatologists office where I was promptly given a Valium and prepped for surgery. I was awake for the whole thing (numbed with local anesthesia)... I ended up with about 16 stitches and a 3 1/2 inch scar above my left boob. The coming weeks were hard, I could not use my left arm until my stitches were removed in mid-December. So clothing myself was hard and bathing myself was hard, washing my own hair was impossible. Zach helped me bathe and clothe myself and Karmen graciously washed and dried my hair for me...

Here I am, one year later, cancer free!!! And I am SO thankful for that!!!

On another note, I got a letter from Zach today! He said that he is losing a lot of weight and getting used to the schedule there. Only 28 more days and he will be in my arms again!!!

Have a fabulous evening!!!

29 days!

Zach will be home for Christmas in 29 days!!!

I got a letter from Zach today. He said that they have issued their rifles and that they already know how to take them apart, clean them, and put them back together... He said that he hasn't had much sleep, hopefully when he comes home for Christmas he can catch up on that... I miss him SO much. I am not sure if he has gotten any of my letters yet. I hope he gets them soon if he hasn't already gotten them.

In other news: Nanny and I are going to Georgia next week to spend Thanksgiving with Brenda and Jimmy! I am so excited! We are leaving Wednesday after I get off work! This will be our first time to stay at their new house!

Zach didn't get to call Sunday. I am praying that he gets to call this Sunday! I will be spending Sunday afternoon at Zach's parents house again in hopes that he calls... I want them to be able to talk to him too.

In my letter he said that he was sorry for crying on the phone, he was tired and they had been yelled at all day and he misses being home and he was just happy to hear my "sweet voice"... He asked if I had been feeding his fish, which is at our house. I have been... not my top priority but alas the fish is still alive and kicking, I mean swimming... He is ready to come home for Christmas and I am ready for him to come home too (29 days!)

Please continue to pray for us! We really appreciate your prayers!

It's here...

The letter I have been waiting for has arrived. Zach's address is finally in my possession!!!

We found out that he can be picked up for Christmas break on December 19th at 8:00am... and he doesn't have to be back until January 6th and 9:00pm!

We also got all of the other important dates and stuff...

Sorry for the short post, I am actually tired tonight so I am heading off to bed!

Stolen...

I stole this from Karmen's blog...

8 things I am passionate about:

1. My Husband

2. My Family

3. My Niece

4. Photography

5. Reading

6. Skin cancer awareness

7. My friends

8. SLEEP

8 words or phrases that I use the most:

1. Cool beans!

2. I love you!

3. Turn it off... usually to Zach listening to talk radio

4. I hear peanut! (when I hear Ava outside my room)

5. FYI

6. That stinks... a nicer way to say that sucks

7. Roll Tide!

8. What is your manner word? (to Ava when she asks for something)

8 things I want to do before I die:

1. remodel a house

2. be debt free

3. have babies

4. travel

5. retire early

6. be a professional photographer

7. be the best wife, mother, friend, daughter, aunt, and sister that I can be

8. sell my current house

8 things I need right now:

1. for my husband to be home with me

2. wash some clothes

3. clean my room

4. a phone call from my husband

5. start my Christmas shopping

6. finish my Christmas shopping

7. to change clothes

8. the days to go by faster

8 places I want to visit:

1. DisneyWorld

2. Paris

3. New York

4. Las Vegas...again!

5. Washington D.C.

6. Germany

7. Italy

8. Gulf Shores...again!

8 favorite restaurants:

1. Outback Steakhouse

2. Olive Garden

3. Applebee's

4. anything Mexican

5. FireBirds

6. Stix

7. Cracker Barrell

8. Panera Bread

8 TV shows I watch:

1. LOST

2. Jon and Kate Plus 8

3. Tori and Dean

4. 17 Kids and Counting

5. Big Brother

6. Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern on the Travel Channel

7. Good Eats

8. The Military Channel with Zach

8th picture in the 8th folder

Boot Camp has started...

Boot camp has started for Zach and guess who got to call today??? My Private!!! I was SHOCKED when I saw the number from Fort Benning show up on my cell phone! I quickly answered and I was so happy to hear his voice. He started crying (don't ever tell him I told you guys he cried, but it takes a strong man to cry in front of other men), my first thought was that something was wrong so I asked him and he said nothing he said that he just missed me... so then I lost it. I had to step away from my desk and go to the back... We pulled it together and he said they officially started boot camp last night and that he should be able to call home again on Sunday. Everyone has been telling me that he wouldn't be able to call home for a few weeks after he started boot camp but I am so excited that he MAY be able to call. I am going to his parents house to hang out after church on Sunday in hopes that he gets to call, that way they can talk to him too...

He said that he mailed me his address so I will have it soon! WOOHOO!!!! I think that is part of why he was crying today. He is lonely and he can send letters and stuff but no one is writing him yet because we don't have his address... As soon as I get it I will start mailing him stuff!!!

Please keep us in your prayers as this is hard on all of us! We are such a close family!

Zach comes home for Christmas in 34 days!!!

(See new post below.)

The big announcement...

The news you have all been waiting for...

Erika and Lee are having a little BOY!!! Congratulations!

Breaking News... Niece or Nephew update!

So, do you remember me telling you about the exciting game of hangman? Well I found out what the little one is going to be... I can't tell yet because not everyone knows... but definitely be looking for an update later tonight with the answer...

Boy or Girl? What do you think?

Quilt Giveaway

Head on over to Old Red Barn Co. and look at these beautiful quilts that she is giving away!!!

I WANT ONE!!!!

What a wonderful day...

Zach called me on my cell phone while I was at work today! He forgot that he is on Georgia time and an hour ahead of me. I talked to him for about 10 minutes then and he said that he would try to call back between 5 and 6. Guess what? He was able to call back and I was with his parents so they got to talk to him too! He did tell me the second time that he didn't think he would get paid until December 1st. Financially right now this isn't good for us because we still have TONS of bills for this month and my salary isn't enough to pay everything. One good thing he did say was that he thought he would be getting more money than we thought so that will be good. Please say a prayer that we don't have to wait until December 1st for a paycheck.

It was SO nice to talk to him... TWICE! He starts basic Thursday or Friday and he said that he would try to call before they went.

Happy Veteran's Day to those who have served and are still serving!

ANOTHER background change

I know you are all thinking, quit changing your background already...

But I am so ready for Christmas I thought I would get my blog prepared...

I am still working on my "I am thankful for..." list.

Keep giving thanks for all of the great things God has done in your life!

On another note: my emotional day today (see two posts below) ended quite well. I received my first letter from Zach today. He has a nice stack of letters growing from me. We haven't been able to write him yet because he doesn't have his official address. He has a letter for every day since he left so he has a lot of reading to do!

Ava drew him a picture last night and I am including it in my letters. He will be so excited to get a "letter" from her!

Have a great day!

Update on an emotional day (see post below)

Jo my assistant manager here at work gave me a phone card that she got from a friend when she went to New York last year. Well her card was expired but we thought the 1-800 number was probably the same as what is on Zach's card so I got online and tried it and it WORKED! It showed he only had 26 minutes left so I was able to add some minutes to it for him!!!

HUGE thanks to Jo! She just made my day!

I also got my issue with McCormick and Schmicks resolved. They are crediting my debit card for the extra $6.00.

The only thing that could make this afternoon better would be a call from my hubby this evening!

God answers prayers!!!

An emotional day...

It is 10:30 and I have felt like crying ALL day... First, I tried to add minutes to Zach's phone card and I don't have the 1-800 number that he has to dial so they won't let me do it. I talked to one lady who transferred me to someone that would be able to help me. Well the lady she transferred me to was quite rude and said well call the card holder and get the number and I said that he was at basic training and that I could not call him, she then proceeds to say "oh well I can't help you then". So I hung up and just about lost it.

I checked my account this morning and the place we ate for lunch yesterday charged my debit card $6 MORE than what the final total was so I have to call about that.

It is just hard right now because of the waiting and not knowing... I am praying that Zach can call me tonight and I can get the information from him that I need to add minutes to his card. Everyone say a prayer that he gets to call me at least before Thursday!

Thanks again to everyone for the support and love you have shown us. We really appreciate each and every one of you.

He called!!!

Zach called today after church and luckily I was with his parents so we all three were able to talk to him. We got to talk to hime for at least 10 minutes today as opposed to the less than 5 on Thursday! He said that they weren't doing anything today. He said they had been watching movies. His basic training doesn't actually start until Thursday or Friday of next week.

He said he has sent some letters to me and his parents. He sent mine to our house, and for those of you that don't know I am not living at our house right now. I told him that he was a goofball and that I wrote down the address of Karmen and Matt's house (where I am staying) for him to mail everything there. So I have to go to my house several times this week to check the mail.

I was just glad to hear his voice. I did good today, I didn't cry until after we hung up the phone. It is so hard for me to say good-bye to him not knowing when I will hear his voice again. I am so used to picking up the phone and calling him when I feel like it...

He gets to come home in 39 days for Christmas. I am on the countdown! I am so glad he went this time of year because I don't think I could make it the entire time without seeing him... We are very close and being away from him for any length of time is hard for me.

Please keep praying for us and pray that he gets to call me at least one more time before his basic training starts...

Lots of Background Changes

I know I have changed my background alot in the last few weeks but I found this background and couldn't pass it up. This time of year is the perfect time to look back over the last year and be thankful for everything that has happened! We ALL have a lot to be thankful for. Whether it is the birth of a child, getting a new job, buying a new house, your college football team doing well (ROLL TIDE!) and anything else that goes on in the year. Every single thing we do is something to be thankful for...

I am going to create a list on the right side of my page that I will update between now and Thanksgiving with the things I am thankful for.

Our last pictures...

Zach and his parents the day he left...

Me and Zach the day he left...

Zach leaving for Fort Benning...

The one time I don't have my phone in my hand...

Zach called... luckily Karmen had hers in her pocket and he called her phone... I was SO glad to hear his voice!!!! I cried, people stared, I didn't care...

All is right with my world tonight. Zach said that he will get to come home for Christmas Decemeber 18th and he will be home for 16 days! I am super pumped about that!

He actually starts basic training on Thursday of next week and I will have an address for him then. If you would like to send him something let me know and when I get his address I will send it to you... If you would like to actually send him something we are asking for phone cards because apparently some phone cards deduct several minutes for every one minute you are on the phone. His 150 minute phone card that Shannon got him is down to 70 minutes he said... so if you would like to send him a gift please do a phone card! He and I will really appreciate it.

I think it is national Call and Check on Chickie Day! It is fabulous to know that so many care about us! Thank you to everyone who has called, emailed, and sent text messages to check on me. I REALLY appreciate it!!! It means that world to me that you all are there for support!

Erika called to check on me and invited me to dinner on Sunday with her and Lee and Zach's parents...

Anywho, I have to be at work at 6 in the morning so I am going to head off to bed. Have a fabulous evening!

Secret Ornament Swap

I am participating in abbily ever after's secret ornament swap and I just got my first comment from Louisa who is also an ornament swap participant but says that she isn't my ornament person (the person who sends me an ornament). I will find out in a few weeks!!! She isn't my ornament person though (the person I send an ornament to)...

I can't wait to get a chance to read the blogs of everyone participating and hopefully I can make some blogger buddies through this! Wouldn't that be fun?

On another note: still haven't heard from Zach. He didn't get to call me after he got there. Hopefully he will be able to call soon or maybe I will get a letter. I just need something from him!!!

Anyways, if you would like to look at the blogs of the people participating in the ornament swap click on the picture above...

Saying Goodbye...

We were able to go with Zach to Montgomery for his departure today. He had to be down there last night so guess what my fabulous in-laws did??? Got us a hotel room in the same hotel that Zach was staying in!!! So we went to dinner and Zach got to spend the night in the room with the three of us!!! It was fabulous!

Below is what I wrote this morning...

Wednesday November 5th 5:49am:

I am sitting here in the bed waiting on everyone to get dressed so we can go over to MEPS to wait with Zach. He is already over there; he had to be on the shuttle over there at 5:00am. He was able to stay in our hotel room last night since we are in the same hotel that he is in. So we were able to snuggle for one last night. It is going to be odd to go home and sleep in our bed by myself tonight. That is not something that I am looking forward to.

I am also not looking forward to saying goodbye. It is going to be so hard to watch him get on that bus and drive away without me by his side. And it is going to be even harder to get in the car and drive back to Birmingham without him.

When he gets to Fort Benning he should be able to call and let me know that he is there. After that phone call I don’t know when I will hear his voice again.

You know when you were a child and you were sick or hurt all you wanted was your mom? That is how I am today… I wish she was here with me today… she couldn’t be off today because she couldn’t find a sub. I have Kathy and Larry here but for me it is like when you were sick as a child, I just want my mom!

I have no internet access so I have to save this and upload it later. I brought my camera, I can’t guarantee how many pictures I will take if I take any at all, but if I do I will load those too…

Keep us in your prayers; it is going to be a long, hard day for the Self family!

Wednesday November 5th 2:59pm:

I am home now just sitting here taking everything in. Zach left for Fort Benning around 12:30 and has already arrived there. He called me about 2:30 from one of the other guy's cell phones (he didn't take his since they aren't allowed to have them at Basic). He said they weren't actually there but they would be in a matter of minutes and we would call me when they let him.

It has been a VERY emotional day and I would classify this as one of the hardest days of my life... right up there with the day I found out I had skin cancer.

There were only 4 guys going to Fort Benning from Montgomery today so they were in a mini-van.

I can't believe he is gone... I have cried a lot this afternoon and yet I am so proud at the same time!

Please keep us in your prayers! Thank you!

Thanks!

I just wanted to thank everyone who came out yesterday for Zach's going away party! It means a lot to both of us that you came to support him.

If you would like his address at Fort Benning please email me and I will send you his address as soon as I get it.

Please keep us in your prayers as we go through the next several months. Zach leaves on Wednesday for Fort Benning but he will be going down to Montgomery tomorrow afternoon and spending the night down there. I will be going to Montgomery on Wednesday to see him off. Please say a special prayer for us as we travel over the next few days.

I hope everyone is having a great day!