Jeremy is doing fine and staying safe. He is going on ANOTHER mission as I type this, which is why I am still awake! I just can't wait to talk to him again. Good news came today, we found out that he will be home in late June for R&R and we are both ecstatic! Less than 2 months and he will be here. We already have a cabin booked for 3 days about the middle of his R&R. Other than those 3 days, we have nothing planned at all. He will be home for Independence Day and our first anniversary though. We feel very lucky.

Well I have to be at work in the morning so I guess that's all for now.

Pitiful...

Barney has been such a good dog, so today he enjoyed a special trip to the groomers! He felt like a celebrity being pampered all day. He came out of there with cologne on and everything.
Like what you see?
He knows he is precious!
Chloe got to go bye bye a lot today too. Recently she crossed over from a baby to a teenager, so she has to wear her denim bottoms for the next couple of weeks...I had an appointment to get her spayed this week too. Oh well, I guess we will be waiting on that! I think she likes her new bottoms anyway, she has been extra prissy.
We went to Sonic(happy hour), the pharmacy, and here we are about to leave Nana's house (my mom's) to go get brother from K-9 Clips and More. She was waiting on me in the driver's seat, since my lap is the only place she will ride. That's right, we ride "Britney" style I'll admit it.

She wears out easily though.
She was so tired when we got back from my grandparents' house tonight. We went over there to watch a home video from 1995 of me getting a pie in the face from my now husband. Yeah it is really funny! I haven't been able to get in touch with him today, but he FINALLY sent me a text tonight. He had been driving all day and was still on a mission. I can sleep now though, since I heard from him. They are about to make him a permanent driver, so this will probably happen more often. I don't see how they can really call it permanent though, its the army. Nothing is permanent except for the contract, and even then maybe not so much depending on how lucky you are. He can't do both of his jobs if he is constantly driving, so we don't think they will have him driving for too long. Who knows?

I went to the doctor today about my wrist. It has been hurting since April 5th (the night we went to dinner for Brandi's birthday). It was getting worse so I ran by there after I dropped Barney off. My doctor is right across the street from the groomer, and I noticed he wasn't busy so I dropped in. They put me on the 5 day steroid pack, so I anticipate more sleepless nights. If the steroid doesn't help then I have to go back. I have had tendinitis since high school (from playing lots of sports) and he said that is probably what is wrong.

Well that's all for now, I realize that I am way into my dogs and dedicated most of this blog entry to them. Give me a break though I have to focus my time and energy on something fun to get me through this deployment! One positive thing that Jeremy has on his side: He is always busy! No down time. Okay one more positive thing: He doesn't have to co-exist with couples. I never thought about that aspect of the deployment until he was gone and I started noticing that everyone else got to have their significant other and I didn't. Some of those people didn't even care to be around their significant other either. Too bad they couldn't trade places with us :) I know it will make us appreciate things more though. When this is over, we will only be stronger!

Lastly, the dogs are making sure that I don't get used to their daddy being gone at night, therefore they keep me on my side of the bed at all times....

and this is how we sleep every night.

Hurry up May!

I talked to Jeremy a little while ago (at about 2:00 a.m. our time) and he is doing fine. Lots of stuff going on as usual! We are about to go crazy waiting on May to get here. The last week of every month drags by (I have decided). I got a new camera and I love it! I am sad to tell my old one goodbye though. It was a great camera. It finally just gave out so I went and got another one. I was looking at my old memory card and noticed some old random pictures that I never posted. Since not much is new with us today I figured I would go ahead and post them. As I suspected, after getting in from work really late last night, working the day shift today, and shopping with mom tonight...I am very worn out.

On to the older pictures!

This is a picture of Jeremy's Easter surprise that I sent him. Since this is his last Easter in the army, I went ALL OUT on the army theme. He had a camo basket,camo grass,camo eggs(with notes and candy inside each one), an army parachute egg, green cadburry mini eggs, a green chocolate bunny, a green silly puddy egg and who can forget the Army Easter Bunny? Which reminds me, I wonder what Jeremy named him? I will find out. Anyway, he also got some Reese and Dove eggs and a little fuzzy headed baby duck thing that holds more stuff. I remembered the majority of everything I think.

This is a picture from last month when we were at a Greek Cafe. It was really funny because this flood of little girls came in the restaurant all at once on a scavenger hut. The had to get (on video) someone to sing "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" with them. They walk in and if there are any singers in the place that might sing with them. :) We volunteered Brian immediately. It was hilarious! I think he felt really funny singing that song with a bunch of little girls. It is hard to embarrass Brian, but they might have succeeded!
When I got out of the shower, they had played themselves to sleep. Awww

Well I didn't get very far on posting the old pictures because I am finally sleepy. At this point in the game when I am sleepy, I must take advantage.

Happy thoughts

So Jeremy is doing good out there in the desert. He is hanging in there! He tells me that we are 30% finished with this deployment! Thank God. We have 2 months and he will be home for R&R!

I worked tonight at Mazzio's and oh my goodness....we were SOOO busy. It was prom night and there were softball tournaments in town. Softball tournament + Pizza Place = Loud, Large groups that make large messes. Yeah it was a very interesting first night back on the floor for me. To make it even better, Brian and I were the only servers for the whole place! We really had to work together and work hard! It was so crazy. I may not be able to walk tomorrow actually. I didn't get out of breath or anything, but I can tell physically that I am worn out. This is a good thing, I can make money and get exercise! Ohhh I have so much to do this week

Last night we went to On the Border and then out to Cowboy for a little while. We didn't want to stay late because we all had stuff to do today. Brandi was my date :) Her husband works out of state too (well I guess mine is more out of the country) but anyway.

These girls are my rocks

Jana, Me, and Brandi

From one job to the next...and a spoiled little red head

Chloe had a bath again last night... she kept jumping on my bed so I used the blow dryer on her :) She was a good girl and didn't even try to get out of my lap! Barney watched and thought it was funny.

I started back at Mazzio's tonight and things went great! After 2 years, going back was like I never left (except for I was working with almost all new people). However, I am already tired of the following questions from random people:

"I thought you were living in Maumelle?" (I was then I went to Hawaii, then I came home)
"What are you doing back here?"(Jeremy got deployed)
"Why aren't you in Hawaii?" (We were, It was awesome, I miss it, I'm home for now)
"Weren't you in college?"(Yes and I graduated in 2005...talk about some confused looks)
"So what have you been up to?" (Went to Hawaii, got married, He went to war, I came home to wait on him)
"Any babies yet?"(Lord No! I would be crazy)

Of course each person asked me one or more of those questions. I really do appreciate every one's concern. We all know how small towns are and I did miss home while I was gone. My coworkers were probably so tired of hearing my story though (and I shortened it by hours).

Please pray for Jeremy, I talked to him at about 3 a.m. our time and he was having a bad day. He couldn't talk for long. I was actually lucky that I caught him for a minute. He is really stressed out and under A LOT of pressure. Any job after this one will be a walk in the park for him. It sounded so chaotic in the background I could hardly hear him!

In the Sand Box

As you probably know a few weeks ago Gen. Petraeus decided that anyone deployed after August of 2008 would serve a maximum of 12 months in Iraq/Afghanistan. When the request to shorten the deployment of soldiers presently deployed to 15 months, Gen. Petraeus denied it. This obviously disappointed me since I'm scheduled to be here for 15 months. However, yesterday Bush decided to place it back "on the table" so to speak. Now the decision to shorten my deployment (along with every other soldier here with me) to 12 months will be voted on by our government. This would put me back in Hawaii by Christmas. There are numerous prayer circles here in Iraq praying that we are home by Christmas. I am asking everyone to persistently and fervently pray that we only serve 12 month here. I know God listens to the hearts and voices of his children. My heart, along with every other soldier here, longs to be home with their families. And with our voices lifted to HIM, I know God will answer. Please pray with me.

I signed online to wait for Jeremy, he should be on soon to talk to me!! Not much new here. Jeremy is doing good out at J.S.S. and I am preparing for some work next week and LOVING the weather! Please watch this short video I just love it...I have no idea who these kids are but I come across this stuff from time to time!(Before watching, Don't forget to hit pause or turn down the volume on my music list at the bottom of the page).

From Jeremy

(Above) In the driver's seat of the stryker (Below) Always starting fires.
Milloy (friend and coworker) joining in the fun!
The way Arabs sell gas.....
New pet, outside the arms room sitting on an egg.

Hey Everyone.
I'm still in Iraq! I haven't talked to Amanda in a few days. We had a sand storm and the network has been down on Camp Taji for quite some time. I'm out at JSS-Saba AlBur now and the Internet and phone are working out here. I'm anxious to call my beautiful wife but I know she's probably sleeping right now. So I'll wait for a few more hours.
Life for me has been extremely busy, stressful, and physically demanding. I'm making this deployment one day at a time (the only way I know how). I have decided it's definitely time to get out. No re-enlistment for me. I tried downloading pics so you can see what my life is like here, but I keep getting some sort of Internet error. Hopefully I can send them to Amanda and she can post them on the blog.

~~~He still hasn't called me :) But I got his e-mail and added the pics up top~~~Amanda

Still Waiting...

No word from Jeremy yet :( I hate this.

A couple more pictures from last night!

Chloe Mae loves her new Tinkerbell nightgown that her Aunt Ashley (Brian's girlfriend) got for her!!

What mommy we are busy?
Tax season is over and it was so pretty today! Everything is going great except that I haven't talked to Jeremy in a couple of days now. He usually warns me when he won't be able to call me, or at least will send me an e-mail or text message. I'm sure everything is fine but as usual I can't help but lose sleep over it. I don't necessarily worry about the worst case scenario even though it does cross my mind, I just worry about how he is (like, are they letting him sleep, eat, are they treating him right, etc.) The last time I talked to him he felt really stretched to the limits and crazy busy. That's probably why he hasn't called. Anyway, he will hopefully call soon! I'll update as soon as possible when he does.

All McNairs

(Me, Papaw Louis, Mamaw Louis, Eric, and Logan)

(Kira took the picture)

We all had dinner tonight at the Mexican place here in town. It was great to see everyone! Logan is growing so much. He will be walking all on his own very soon. Also in the near future, plans will be in progress for a Welcome Home for R&R party for Jeremy, which is very exciting!! Less than 3 months!! The fun part about planning this party is that we can plan every detail early except for when?! The date will be up in the air until right before he gets home. Sorry! Blame the army.

Also, tax season ends tonight at midnight. I think everyone is taken care of on our end...I hope. We are having a yard sale this weekend at grandma's house, then I'm taking a break for about a week. I know for sure that I am working the 26th at Mazzios's. They are short handed due to prom and a music festival that weekend. I'm really not sure how much I'll be working there. It is a really flexible position for me because I already know how to do the job (since I worked there all the way from 10th grade until I graduated from college). Also, I can basically make my schedule how I want it and the tips are good. I am really good friends with the management, Brian works there, and several other people are still there that I am pretty close to. Another thing is that if I don't commit to a full time permanent job, I will be able to leave for Hawaii when Jeremy gets out of Iraq. We (tentatively) will be in Hawaii from the end of February until the end of June. At that point we are back in Arkansas....finally.

Along with working at Mazzio's, I plan on working as the VIP hostess at Discovery. I worked there last year on Saturday nights while I was in graduate school (During the week I worked at Enterprise in management). I enjoyed the job except for the hours. Since I was so busy they were really hard on me. NOW I am doing anything and everything to stay busy, and Jeremy's phone calls favor the late night hours anyway. So I think working once a week (Saturday nights) at Discovery along with random times at Mazzio's will work out well for me until next year. My schedule will probably be pretty sporadic until Jeremy gets home :) I usually hear from him between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m (when he gets a break early on at work). Then other times he will call at like 4 in the afternoon (when he gets a chance to nap, I certainly wouldn't call it bedtime). It doesn't really phase me on the time he calls, as long as I hear from him. Speaking of, he is supposed to be getting on here in the next couple of days and updating our blog with pictures and stuff...so be watching for an update from him! He has tried to get to a computer several times, but hasn't had any luck.

An article about our guys from Hawaii. If you're interested click the link below!
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080407/NEWS01/804070350

I have mentioned before that Jeremy is in a Stryker Brigade. Lately, he has been out on lots of missions. He is the driver for one of these...

This is their group when they were in Kuwait waiting to go into Iraq. They slept here for weeks. Talk about close quarters! The tent was at least climate controlled.

Below is Jeremy's Command Sergeant Major Cook with some of the locals :) The innocent are what we are fighting for over there and they really want to help.


Nothing else is really going on with me the past couple of days. I (as usual) have been waiting to hear from Jeremy. Ok As I was typing this he called! So he was heading out on a mission and it got cancelled while he was talking to me. He is supposed to call me back in a little bit. Yay! Anyway, I tried to wash the Tahoe last night and it didn't go well. I can't reach the top no matter how hard I try. At least I got all the pollen off though, it was looking greenish black. I knew it was going to rain today but it really needed it anyway. It has been storming here all night again. I can't believe how much rain we have gotten!

$$$$Tax Season ends in 5 business days$$$$

Jeremy is missing home, green grass, and everything really. I took some pictures today while we were sitting outside across the street at grandma and grandpa's house.

Chloe Mae McNair
Barney Keith McNairGrandpa holding the world's longest dachshund.
Chloe and Itsy Longfellow. Mom had Itsy over to visit with us. He is Shari's dog (the Shari that I work for). He is funny to me because he has blue eyes and a tan nose :)

Today was Brandi's Birthday so we had been planning on going out last night to dinner and then downtown. As Jana and I were getting ready, I started getting a sore throat. We made it to dinner (at Loca Luna) and had some great food! Brandi started feeling bad while we were there so we went to the store and got her some medicine. It helped eventually but we decided against going anywhere else while we were in Little Rock. As the night went on my throat got worse and worse. By the time we got back to Brandi's she was feeling a little better and I was feeling terrible! I talked to mom all the way home because I was so exhausted and I was shaking from chills. I got home and took my temp and it was high, I can't remember exactly how high but I considered going up to Saline Hospital because I was miserable. My eyes were hot and watery and I could not stop shaking with 3 blankets on. Anyway, I hate waiting in the emergency room so I took some Theraflu and eventually fell asleep. I woke up all through the night, I was jumping awake a lot and stuff. I guess from the high fever. Jeremy also called at about 3:30 a.m. and I'm not really sure about anything we said to each other. I do remember him saying they were going out on another mission today. He hasn't called back yet so I don't know how that went, fine I'm sure! Today I feel better, my throat is still sore but I don't have the body aches and that makes a huge difference! I stayed in bed until about 3 this afternoon and then I went over to grandma and grandpa's house to sit outside for a little while. Even though I felt so weak and bad I had to get some air!
These were the only pictures we got from last night...Me with Jana and with Brooke
Even though we didn't do much last night, we still had a great time catching up!

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.


It was never between you and them anyway.

-found on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta

Tornado Time and Jeremy Called!

First of all, I just got off the phone with Jeremy. He is so tired! They have been working really hard but he is safe.

Jeremy keeps up with a lot that goes on here in Arkansas through this blog. It is kind of like a journal/record keeping for us. This way, I don't forget! 15 months is a long time...plus he stays in touch with things that are going on in every one's lives. I plan on updating a lot even after he gets home too. Anyway, I'm posting this from yahoo news. I cut out all the interviews and small details, and just copied the general idea.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A tornado hit parts of Little Rock and its suburbs Thursday, injuring an unknown number of people while damaging businesses and downing trees and power lines. Over the past two months, parts of Arkansas have seen a tornado during a storm outbreak that killed 13, a foot of snow, more than a foot of rain and near-record flooding.

See, they need to send him on home. Arkansas just can't function normally anymore without him :)

I showed up at about 12:30 a.m. this morning on grandma and grandpa's front porch...Chloe in my arms, purse, cell phone, keys, and Barney to my left. I had just gotten home from work and realized the second round of storms was moving in. I saw the 5 rotations heading our way and got scared. I grabbed my keys because we (the dogs and I) were going to mom's. The wind was terrible and the rain was coming down so hard! So I decided to just run across the street and chance waking the grandparents up. Grandma was still awake and when she opened the door I was dripping wet and obviously the dogs were too. She busted out laughing and let us in. I'm glad because the dogs were pretty scared! Brian was at mom's house so he didn't bother coming home til the storms ended. We waited the storm out at grandma and grandpa's for about an hour then came back home. It still is coming down really hard and lightening about every 10 seconds or so.

I heard from Jeremy yesterday but not today. I am waiting on his call...again!! They went on another mission and I'm sure he is fine. I tried calling him a little bit ago and no answer of course.

If God brings you to it, God gets you through it.....

Well, I am still waiting to hear from Jeremy. I am getting pretty sleepy so that is a great sign! I'm about to go to bed. I imagine he will call soon, probably after I doze off :) I tried calling him quite a bit today, but no luck. So as soon as I hear from him I will update! Thanks to my friends and family for being there for me! I appreciate your understanding. If you know me and/or our families well enough to read our blog, you aren't who I was venting about last night/this morning. I just wanted to clear that up! It actually helps me to talk about things with people that I am close to or people that can relate. In fact, I realize this deployment is hard on everyone not just Jeremy and myself! Anyone that is in contact with us feels it too. Things will get better I know! Its the others(that have no idea)that are getting to me.

Sorry I have to vent

So it hasn't been a great week for Jeremy. He has been on numerous missions off post, not to mention his sleepless nights due to attacks on his post. Most of you have probably noticed that things are getting worse out there. Please pray hard for Jeremy and the troops. Remember them when you think you have had a bad day!! He is safe and doing fine, I don't want to worry anyone. I have a couple of newsletters I am going to post on here within a day or two. I have to ask Jeremy and make sure it is okay to post them first. They are very informative! His commander writes once a month to the families about everything they are doing and he sends pictures too.

As for myself, this is night number two without sleep. I've tried Benadryl and Dramamine and they don't phase me at all! I just can't sleep when I know what he is going through. In fact, I talked to him for a minute at about 11:00 p.m. (he had to go, said he would call me back) and I'm still waiting on his call...and it is after 6 a.m. My closet and cabinets are so organized it is borderline ridiculous!! So anyway, since the violence has gotten worse things are just really hard on both of us. I can't do anything to help him and that bothers me. I know others have it worse than we do and I am so grateful for everything we have been blessed with BUT.....

Lately people have been telling me I look tired, like I'm having a bad day, sick, worn out, upset, angry, grumpy, etc. I respond with a simple answer (like well I'm just stressed or haven't had much sleep) Then if they ask why I tell them basically that I'm just ready for Jeremy to get home. Reminder: I did not ask to even talk about the deployment, in fact I usually try not to!!! The usual response from people (that aren't in the military) is: "Well, these guys signed up for it" Jeremy will tell you that what you sign up for and what you get are two totally different things. He is very happy to defend his country, he did sign up for that; but sadly a lot of these guys aren't told the WHOLE truth up front. Anyway, I guess you can probably tell that I am so tired of the attitudes from people that have never been in this situation. They have no idea what it is like and I am tired of defending our right hurt, as if it isn't hard enough.

Found this on the army wife website...

"The goodbyes are what make the hellos so wonderful."


For all of you who wake up in the morning, lay there for a few moments, trying to swallow the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach as you wonder where your soldier is, or how he's doing...

For all of you who start a countdown the minute he leaves, and continue to until he is back in your arms again...

For all of you who tear up every time "Far Away" comes on the radio, or who press repeat when "Come Home Soon" plays in their car...

For all the times we roll our eyes when another girl is depressed because she hasn't seen her guy in a week...

For all of you who see Army billboards, ads in the paper, or commercials on TV and next notice the tears rolling down your cheeks...

For all the times we sleep with our phones on the loudest possible volume, not wanting to miss the call that just MIGHT come...

For all the times we hear our soldier's name mentioned out loud, and are momentarily frozen...

For all the late nights that we spend alone, cuddling with our stuffed animals, wearing his PT's, and clutching our hearts...

This one's for us.

We may feel weak on the inside, but on the outside we're strong.
We may be drowning in tears on the inside, but on the outside we are a rock.
We may want to crawl in bed and sleep until he comes home, but instead we get up and go on with our daily lives.
We may feel like we're slowly dying with each day we spend apart from them, but we put one foot in front of the other, and take each day as it comes.