Straight From the Heart......

This is Poohy's younger brother Taylor.For years, many thought they were twins, they look that much alike!...Poohy... Taylor wrote this post for you.. Im going to post it exactly the way he wrote it... straight from the heart!!

...A soldier’s mom waits. A soldier’s family waits. The thoughts of my sister being deployed are horrifying. People say, “Aren’t you worried she won’t come back?”….I’ve pondered on this. I am to an extent. But at the same time, I’m not. I feel in my heart that my sister will stand tough over there and be back before ya know it….without a scrape. She’s a strong-willed person, with one hell of a family to come back to. (not bragging lol). It’s upsetting, but I keep good spirits about the situation. In my creative writing class, we were told to write a poem about regret, shame or loss. I chose to write about loss….through the eyes of a soldier’s family that waits. (Mainly Punkin’s) :

Hooah…
…5-4-5…
Twelve to eighteen
Twenty-two,
Two alive.

Bird family backwards
Kissing her parents,
Leaving,
She stays.

Love pulled so far,
Buses make tears,
Flocking to serve,
In land of fireworks.

Ink-penned hole,
in the heart
A signature of life,
Uncle Fear has her.

Woman of arms
Praying to stay alive,
Hooah,
Hooah,
…5-4-5…


Poohy, I dedicate this to you and all those soldiers with you!! My eyes are tearing up, but jus know my heart is smiling at you!! I miss you more than you know, and you will always be with me. I know this is probably going to make you and mom cry….and I’m sorry that it’s tough for you. Just know that in a few months you’ll be back sharing a smile with us, for soldiers….like we are for you!!

I love you!!
--Tay (Your Big Little Bro)

Like Mother ...Like Daughter

Boy Oh Boy! Like mother like daughter...lol...which also means... always on the phone! She's starting young Poohy...lol.I took these pictures last night while she talked to you . She's about got it down now... laid out on the couch, just like you've done for years.This is what you get to look forward to from now til she's grown.. hehehe cant wait to watch you, watching this thru the teen years! Ya know the old saying, I used to say to you?..otherwise known as the "Mother's Curse"... "One day you'll have kids that are just like you !!!" TADA!!!
She sure loves to talk on the phone, and gets so excited when it's you :))
We had our 1st test of wills today! She's got your stubborn streak thats for sure... Im really having to remember wayyyyyy back when, on how to handle defiance! Yup just like her Mama thats a given! She too does'nt like the word NO!



For those checking in on the blog, I thought Id share a few pictures of Poohy and Punkin, so that when you read you'll have a face to go with the names :)
I love this picture of Poohy in her Class A's. A soldier in full dress uniform, makes a striking impression! But being a soldier's Mom, it just makes me swell up with pride and admiration :))



Here's a few pictures of my 2 girls together. Poohy, you have truely turned into a GREAT Mom! As I looked thru pictures to post, and reflected on them all, you have really become a Mom to be proud of. Punkin is so blessed to have you...

Here are a few more, some are from when Punkin was just a little bitty thing, but they are my favorites:))

Hats off to you... Jackie... Applause!

Here in Indiana we give a huge THANK-YOU to Mrs. Jackie Joines! She's our Family Readiness Group Co-ordinator. Not only does she belong to us the 1008th QM Co.Wood River, Il, but she also handles the 380th QM Co. Evansville, In. and 380th QM Co. DET 1 in Terre Haute, In. as well!!!

~ Mike & Jackie Joines ~


That spans families from Southern Indiana, Central Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, and probably more places than I know of! I don't how she does all that she does....and always with a warm smile and kind word. Shes always quick to respond and if she cant answer a question or get something done,( ya know... like those sticky little military issues we civilians have noooo clue how to handle...lol)... she's ready to chew tail and get answers!!! We love her and are blessed to have her! She has adopted all of our soldiers as her extended family. Her husband SGT. Mike Joines is also on deployment with the 1008th QM Co. with my Poohy, he's a wonderful man, with a hysterical sense of humor. Poohy thinks he's a riot, and Im sure they will banter much over the next 18 months. I feel so much better knowing she's serving with a group that are very close. In the 3 years Ive known them, they are all part of my family as well, and always will be!

Just a quiet Night

Is it really the weekend already? I've had such a busy week, tryin to get all of Poohys loose ends taken care of... and re-arranging the house to work better for Punkin. I finally got her room all done, where she can make the biggest mess she wants ,with all her toys. Boy oh boy I had forgotten about toys of a toddler...lol been many years since Ive tripped over the mountains of toys they leave in their path!
I've always kept her a day here... a few days there, when Poohy would have AT or Drills, but I have forgotten just how tired you get on a day in day out basis. I love it tho and wouldnt trade this time for all the world. ..... It's a very quiet night for me tonite... Punkin is with her other grandma and family for the weekend. Her daddy too, is deployed with the same unit as Poohy. So its a double tough time for both families, especially for Punkin. But she's well loved and terribly spoiled... and one day will understand and be proud of the sacrifice her parents are making.
My hubby is out visiting realitives, and my son is back to college after the holiday break.. its a nice break, to be "home alone" but feels very strange after this past hectic week.
I spoke to Poohy this morning... shes doing well, very busy with the mobilization process, and will be out in the field soon, so Im cherishing every call I get as they come :))) I sure miss her!

Many Thanks!

I think I just might be able to get the hang of the blogging thing! LOL
I wanted to give a very heartfelt THANKS to "Doc" for allowing me to use his beautiful Military graphics for this page. Only someone who's been there could possibly create graphics that really hit your heart the way these have mine. I personally would like to thank you for your service to our country. It took very special men and women to endure Vietnam. But your courage and service, gave you a gift to make beautiful images that help us to remember. Youve touched my heart with your kind words for my daughter, thank-you so much.
I have added a link to "Doc's Military Graphics"... please visit and see his beautiful images!

You Never Say Goodbye.....

I felt like my heart was tearing from my chest...... Watching my baby girl board that bus... mind you she's no baby anymore. She a beautiful , vibrant , strong willed young woman, off to serve her country proudly. She herself is a Mom, with a 2 year old bouncy, loveable baby girl of her own! SPC Nikki Davis, With the US Army Reserves, 1008th QM Co. Wood River, Illinois. Who from this day on, will be refered to as "Poohy"......I never dreamed, that my daughter would follow in the footsteps of her Grandfather and Grandmother, who both served this country in the Armed Forces. Im so proud of her. I guess it's " in the blood", as we come from a long line of soldiers! Even though Im full of pride, it doesnt take away the pain of watching your child leave for deployment. I have been honored and entrusted with the care of her baby girl.. Breanna... who from this day on, in all of my journaling will be called "Punkin".The purpose of this journal? I wish to document day to day life, while Poohy is gone, to save all the silly moments, and all the joys of her baby girl,that she wont be here for... so that perhaps she can read these postings, and feel a little closer to home. She's sacrificing alot for our country and for the freedom of other nations. I admire her strength and courage, and hope that this small token of my Love will comfort her on the long journey she has ahead.
So babygirl, my "Poohy"... This is for you! Ya never say Goodbye....only so long and Ill see you soon!!