Good Morning to All

I just wanted to greet all of you this morning and say I think of you often. I guess all are busy just doing their thing! This is moving week for Auntie Flo. She'll be going back to Villa del Rey about Wednesday. Jack and Kevin are both due today to take care of things.

Considering everything that is going on in our country today, I wanted to pass on my thoughts.
I think we ALL have to turn to GOD for guidance and leadership at this time. Just pray that HE will be with the candidates and will guide them in all of their decisions and actions. May it be HIS choice that is the winner. Our country is getting away from the Christian beginnings we had and we must do what we can to protect our believes and live our lives accordingly. Remember, PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!! Love to all of you. Auntie Carol

We're here....finally

Just thought we'd say hi. We are now part of this blog....probably won't be on very often, but wanted to let you know we are alive and well in northern Alabama. Weather is decent right now. More this weekend. Blessings, Ola and Roger

Sad news and new adventures

Sadly, Jed and I lost our baby at 17 weeks gestation (on 9/11 to be exact...what's with that day?!?!?). The docs don't know why and believe our next pregnancy (whenever it may be) will be healthy and hope I will be able to carry to term.

Due to a number of factors we have decided to move from Flagstaff to Buckeye (where Carolyn and Marc are). Jed is starting a fabulous new job as the Special Education Coordinator for one of the middle schools and I hope to continue my career in higher-ed student services.

Sending much love to the rest of the Rat Camp, Jed and Tracey Hayes

ERIC'S Wedding

OH MY GOD!! Eric Congratulations!! I am so happy for you. I did not know that you got married. Way to Go! I will e-mail you later. Carolyn Lee

Mom & Andrew update

OK, here I am again. I had to call Jed to find out how to sign in.
Update on Mom & Andrew. First, Andrew. He is still at the VA and is in the SR. ward. He is up walking a bit. He likes the food, and knows me and his daughter Debbie, but still calls Mom his mother. Go figure. He called Mom last night wanting out of the place because the "people" are mean to him. They have him schedule to move into a nursing home after Labor Day. He needs at least 2 full time people to take care of him. Mom cannot do it alone.

Now for Mom. I took her to her surgeon on Friday. He was amazed and said because of her age, 77, he figured she would take at the bare minimum of 3 months to get back on her feet. She is up and walking with a cane and is looking forward to driving again in two weeks. She has a titanium hip and is showing everyone the picture that they give you to pass through the airport. She is quite pleased with that. She still scares me going up the stairs to her closet; but she promised she would not do it unless someone was there... so we will see.

It is still hot in AZ. 108 today. The rainy season has not been much at our place, but overall Phx is up 3.55 inches for this year alone which is good.

Casey is back from Germany and is in Tucson. Jed and Tracey are in Flagstaff and I know you probably already know BUT I am going to be a GRANNY!!! I am so excited!!

That's the news from AZ. Now that I know my password again, I will try to post more often..Auntie Carol :) Love to you all, Carolyn Lee

Another addition to the family next February

I received the following message today from Kimberly and I asked her if I could post it here and she said sure. So, here it is:

"It is with great pleasure that we share with you, ourfamily and friends, that we are expecting again. We have reached the significant mark of 12 weeks and therefore we thought this would be a great time to share the news with all of you. While we do not knowyet if we will be having a boy or girl, we did get confirmation of a very strong heartbeat and active baby growing inside at today's doctor's appointment. Dylan is very excited about the baby inside mommy's tummy and about becoming a big brother. We expect our newest family member to join us somewhere around February 22nd of 2009. We look forward to sharing more excited news with all of you as we know more. Love you all!!! Eric, Kimberly & Dylan "

We're OK here in the Land of Enchantment! Hope all are well! Love, AC

Photo's of Brad's Homecoming Ceremony

Hi everyone! Well, maybe I have finally figured this out...was simple...don't know why it didn't work (or I couldn't get it to work) before. Now the next step is to figure out how to add a picture or two...so, hopefully I'll be able to do that! I hope to add some photos from Brad's homecoming ceremony from Iraq, on Monday, July 28!

Love to you all!!!! JOYCE aka JOYCE ANN

HA! Well...I did it...I hope anyway! The top two pictures are of Brad holding the company flag...called a "Guide". He was the bearer when they departed as well as on their return...more weight for him to carry all the time! You would not believe how much all of their gear weighs!

The lower photo is, of course, Craig and I with Brad! We brought him some smoked salmon from Oregon and a T-shirt from a favorite place here on the coast...the Beach Dog Cafe!!!! We are all very glad to have him and his company home safely!

Brad has now left on leave...he is in LA to visit Dave and Jeff this weekend. Then he'll fly up to Portland on Monday 8/11 to come home for a while....then it will be back to Ft. Campbell and on with his life!

Take care everyone!!!! Love...JOYCE