Today was tragic!!

So yesterday morning I was woken up by a dreadful knock on my door from a concerned person (wont mention names) about a neighbor of mine. I was asked if I had seen him and come to think of it I hadn't seen Scooter Guy in days. From about the second day of me living here in Newport News I had known Stephan. I right away coined "Scooter guy" because he drove this red scooter and it was the most appropriate name after knowing him a short time.

Scooter was a Used Car Salesman he could have tryed to sell you anything because he was just like that. He was a very concerned person he was always helping people, one night I went outside to smoke my last cig. for the night and I happen to look at my car , mind you it was like 11:30 in the night. He was waxing my car in the dark by street light... So I asked him WTH he was doing; he replied " your car is so nice and has beautiful lines with all the pollen you couldn't tell" lol he was a special kind.

As I mentioned I hadn't seen him in a couple days so the leasing manager went upstairs to check up on him. A few chilling seconds later, I heard screaming for me to call 911. I couldn't even dial the numbers i was terrified!!!! So in speaking with the dispatcher she was asking me all kinds of questions I couldn't answer without seeing him like Does he have a pulse? etc... I ran, as if there was something I could do. Apparently, Scooter had been there for a while. I know it was sudden he was a 39 year old man with a wife and several kids and grand kids!! What a tragedy!! I will be forever impacted by what I saw,something changed in me when I went to the service held in memorial of him. He has the strongest and amazingly beautiful family. They made his service in memorial of his life and not his death. His children sang this song by paramore-


and I will never forget his kindness. His wife and family is in our hearts and prayers. Keep looking up because he is looking down.'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you' RIP Stephan G. (a.k.a. "Scooter Guy") U will be forever missed.

Today and everyday We Honor Our Fallen!!!

So we know we are PCS'ing to Ft Campbell in Aug. and for the most part I am overwhelmed with excitement! So in finding out all the information I can about our new home, I am doing my research on the area and seeing if I can find out more about the unit, and mostly meeting wives there who are more "seasoned" so to speak as far as them being there and knowing the ropes. About 98% OF the wives I have spoken to; their husbands are Deployed.

In knowing this was part of the lifestyle we chose in order for our kids to have the future we so much desire for them to have, I am as adjusted to the inevitable as much as possible at this moment. With AIT wearing me thin I have started to question my motives for being here... until today when the powerful, heart-stopping reality smacked me in the face harder than a closed sliding-glass door.

That OUR men, (sons, husbands, brothers, fiances etc.) are paying the ultimate sacrifices... THEIR LIVES for a selfish American nation that wouldn't even think twice for laying their remotes down for a M4. Our loved ones are out there fighting for the freedom that isn't so free after all.




So in honor of just a few of our men today, I have to say that The Screaming Eagles, Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. lost five brave Soldiers June 7, when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in the Dangam district, Kunar province, Afghanistan.



These men paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country the least we can do is honor and remember them. They have left wives, children, and parents behind that will forever be impacted by the selflessness that took the lives of they're loves ones.

Just the other day a man was telling me his son was joining the Army to become Infantry.
I said "Wow, you say it like you encouraged it"... he said "Yes, actually I do!"
"May I ask why" ?
He said this.." because at least I know he is fighting for some kind of greater good, even if we don't know what that is yet". Uhh umm I was choking up a little only for the known fact I would never be so nonchalant about my child dying especially for a mostly ungrateful nation...

If in any way someone was offended reading this let me clear something up. For the most part I am generally speaking about our country and the rat race where people are more interested in football games, Starbucks and fashion , just to name a few. When, if.. 1/3 of that energy was put into the welfare and concern for our family's sarcificeing their sanity, time, marriages Mommy's, dads etc. this nation would be something to be somewhat proud of. Our Armed forces are what makes us a nation and it seems like that image would warrant some appreciation!!!

A Little HOOAH Pride today!!

Well today Its official, My big girl isnt little anymore! Wow I didnt knoiw that it was going to make me so emotional, actually today was the first of many events I am sure her Daddy wasnt able to be there. I was just so overjoyed and sad he didnt get to see the look on her face when she looked into the crowd to find us.




I was so proud of her and she knew it! Jenni and Brianna met us for breakfast at IHOP after the graduation and we celebrated together as friends. I cant even tell you how much having a ginuien drama free friendship is!! There comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it, and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all life is too short to be anything but happy.

Introducing you, to me today....

Hey,

I'm Candice born and raised in Naples, Fl. My immediate family lives there and extended family in New Jersey. They are always far in distance but never in heart! I met my amazing Husband practicaly right out of high school. I was 19 and he was 25. His name is Jeremy and he is my other half, life partner and the one I will grow old with. We kinda did things a lil arse- backwards! I got preggers and then after our beautiful baby girl Katelyn Abigail Johnson was born on April 24, 2004, 8 months to be exact. We tied the knot. I dont agree just becasue you are pregnant you should marry that person. I truley believe in my heart of hearts that If it is ment to be... it will be. My new family and I then moved to Georgia, where exactly two years to the day Katiebug was conceived, on July 31st (aparently I am furtile mertile on this day) My son James Joseph Johnsonwas concieved, and he was born on April 17, 2006. Completing our lil family of four. I couldn't be happier with our decision to become a family and we have "JJ" take such good care of each other. I am excieted to see the friendship and closeness they are building, they amaze me everyday!

EOC Q'ued today... Is a wonderful day!

I just have to say that this day marks our journey here at Ft. Eustis almost done. Eoc- End of Cycle Pt test puts my husband on Phase V Plus which in turn means: we get him home with us after FTX- Feild Training Exercise. (This is a week long gruling camping, marching, survival kinda thing). In lamman's terms. Just when I didnt think I could be overwhelmed with anymore pride or exceitment for him, its not ever cesing to amaze me!!

I do have to touch on this one subject though, meeting new, interesting and intreguing people right before u move is I know, I know something I will be doing alot, but friendship to me is something rare. Every friend that I have brings different things to the table. No friendship is the same... I just dont find it easy to just be "great" friends with just anyone. You move to a new station or city and there are several really nice girls, there are only one or two that u could truley be close enough with to actually consider them someone you can share your desires or stresses with. With that being said moving from Virginia I will totally miss the companionship I have had with these girls and I will forever cherish the moments we have and or had with them.




Wow, another milestone for my baby girl. Katelyn graduates Kindergarten tomorrow morning... Does that mean this is the beginning to an end? I mean before I know it she will be in 5th and so on. I am in complete denyal. To be quite honest I want to keep her all to myself. She is the most loving, caring, and most of all emotional child. (which btw in case u dont know, she got from me) I wish she would have gotten her strength from her father. Emotions these days come off as a weakness and she is by far not that!!! Its funny the other day I was going through her backpack and I found a little cut out heart that read; "Katelyn, I think you are very beautiful. When you are 30 can we get married?" Amazingly I thought I had a few more years before I had to hunt down a lil boy. It was the cutest thing though I couldnt help but to think the common motherly saying "awwww my baby is growing up", Sad as it may be I know she is going to be an incredible woman and I will sit back and enjoy the ride.

My Soldier PV2 Johnson

So Close... Yet still so far

So My husband Jeremy is the most thoughtful man he knows that I have been a lil down with this whole training process. He actually offered for me to go ahead of him to Ft. Campbell and get set up there. My whole thing is if I do that than my moving to Ft. Eustis was completely unecessary! I want this to be over it is definatly wearing me down. I dont feel like I am home and with AIT taking 98% of his time, I dont know what being 5 min away from him does for our family. Its almost harder to be so close and at the same exact time be so far. Here's what he had to say:
"i love you more baby! Thanks for all the support and love that you give to me and our family. i dont know where i would be right now if it werent for you. you are my world and and my motivation baby! i love you more than words can ever say! i miss you and love you. Stay strong and hang in there, because without you and your support i wont make it. love you babe".

If those werent words of encouragement I dont know what are! Little does he know he is my motovation and my strength. He knows nothing about how I draw my strength each day from the sacrifices he makes for us on a daily basis! So here are my thoughts on that...

My husband is more special than words can even begin to describe, his love is mixed with friendship and a million memories to last a lifetime.

A husband is a hand within mine, enfolded with hope and understanding for the future. He is underneath all the toughness; a warm-hearted soul who always knows my worries wishes and dreams. No one else even comes close!

Everyday of my life he gives me a feeling, that makes me never want to know what this life would be without him by my side. No-one is loved and appreciated more.

We've been together a long time now. We have laughed, cried and everything in between. We have seen each other through the best and worst of times. Today I look at you and I feel even more love than I have ever felt before. You are so much a part of me and my happiness. You are my partner, the soldier of my heart and the love of my life. I want nothing less than to grow old and grey with you!