Thinking of you, Shepperly

Some of you remember the blog post I wrote a couple weeks ago (Friday, September 5, 2008 Thankful) about how thankful I am that Tyler has been so protected these last 10 1/2 months that he's been in Iraq. Well, one of the soldiers that got wounded in the incident I was talking about is Sgt Shepperly. My dad called me today, and he was thinking about Shepperly and googled his name since we hadn't heard anything else about him. He found this. Thanks dad, for finding this for us.

Video:

http://www.weyi.com/news/video.aspx?id=188429

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sgt. Shepperly wounded in Iraq; receives Purple Heart
The family of Jason Shepperly would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community for coming together Thursday night Sept. 4 at the Marlette Baptist Church for a time of prayer for Jason and his comrades.
Sgt. Shepperly received the Purple Heart after being wounded in Iraq on Labor Day. A 2000 graduate of Marlette High School, Shepperly joined the Army National Guard when he turned 18. He graduated boot camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky the year before his senior year of high school. After graduation, Shepperly went Active Duty. This is Jason’s third tour in Iraq. On Labor Day, while on patrol, they came under attack by insurgents. Two Antitank grenades hit the vehicle he was riding in. All four soldiers inside were severely wounded. Jason suffered many shrapnel wounds to both legs and an arm. He also suffered abdominal injuries. He was shipped to a hospital in Germany and is expected to be in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 5.
Jason has had at least two surgeries to date and will require additional surgeries to repair the damage.
Once in the States, they will reevaluate him to determine the next course of action. Jason is currently expected to remain at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
His family wishes to be there for him as much as they possibly can. Anybody wishing to help the family with these trips or expenses that they will incur may donate to: Jason Shepperly Fund in care of the Marlette Baptist Church, 6469 Chard Street, Marlette (989) 635-2570.
Also, if you wish to track Sgt. Shepperly’s progress you may go to www.caringbridge.org, site name jasonshepperly (all lower case, all one word). Cards and letters may be sent to Jason Shepperly, c/o Tonya Evans, 3228 Fenner Street, Marlette, Michigan, 48453.
Jason is the son of Lyle Shepperly and the late Linda Shepperly. His family includes sisters, Cassie and Tonya and a brother, Scott.

It's been nice, Pepsi...

In my valiant effort to shed some extra pounds, not only am I working out like a crazy woman and eating better than I ever have, I'm also saying bye-bye to my very best friend, Pepsi.

I'm already on day three, and it has so far proven to be an increasingly difficult task.

Can I do it? yes. Do I want to? not really, but I'm gunna!

I just keep looking at this ticker on the top of my blog, seeing the days pass until Tyler comes home. I only have 4 months to become a smokin' hot mama!!!

So Pepsi, my love, farewell for now. You've been a good friend to me, but with your yummy sugars and unwanted calories- we just can't continue this love affair!

Someday we might meet again, or perhaps I'll get acquainted with your sister. Diet.

SOOOO much fun!!!

I found this online and for $30 bucks, I just couldn't pass it up!!! Now, I didn't realize exactly how big it was before I got it... it's 6 feet wide!!! ACK! It takes up my whole living room- but I don't care, Josh loves it! It came with a bag of 100 colored balls and Josh is just in heaven. I'm going to keep it out for the next few days, then deflate it and stick it in the garage... I'll be sure to put it somewhere that I can get to it easily, because this is definitely a favorite!!!
Does this mom rock, or what?!?!

becky's baby-bump 19 weeks

Ahhh, my big sister! Isn't she cute!?!?!?

Joshy's Halloween costume:

incase you have other ideas or arguments for or against either costume.

discuss.

:)

Interacting with Josh is getting more and more fun.

Me: Here Josh, get in your chair it's lunch time.
Josh: Ok Mom.
Me: Do you want some peanut butter for your banana?
Josh: Yeah. Can I have water?
Me: Sure, Here it is.
Josh: Oh thanks, sweetheart.

5 minute update:
I turned around after writing this and saw that Josh was SOAKING wet from spitting his water everywhere, and there were peanut butter-covered banana pieces thrown all over the floor.

...sigh...

At least he called me sweetheart.

prayers please

Tyler is going before the E5 board (to make SGT) over in Iraq on October 4th. This will be a great step up for him and he deserves it. Please be thinking of him while he prepares and goes before the board on the 4th.
Thanks.

Kiddie Kandids

Some random pictures and video clips from our trip so far

Sorry I haven't updated in so long! I've been super busy over here in Roy with some of my in-laws! Here are some pictures, starting with some from when we went to dinner at Mike and Tonya's house.





My favorite picture of Tate!

A face I've seen a lot of lately....

Some of the family


Union Station


Dinosaur park... didn't get very many pictures of this.




Cutting Brad's hair! He was a little scared about me having scissors so close to his head...



Oh, here's a good one- Shaney and I freaked out because we couldn't find Josh and Kaleigh. We looked everywhere for them, then finally we heard giggling from downstairs. Here's where we found them! Stinkers.



They thought it was pretty funny to crawl into the tub before we got a chance to catch them and strip their clothes off. niiiice.


Me and Shaney, in deep thought with our chess game.





Jumping on Grandma Shaney and Grandpa Ken's bed with Kaleigh

Time out at the Tree House...

a little potty humor never hurt anyone...

So one of my best friends in the world is Kristi. She lives in California and even though we see each other often whether I go there, or she comes here, I just can't help but include her in everything we do. :)
Potty training is no different! She called tonight and talked to Josh for a while. "Flushing the poopies" came up into conversation somehow, so Josh decided that he needed to flush the poopies right then and there! Look out potty, here we come!
One problem.... no poopies. The incredible friend/Auntie Kristi is, she was right there rooting and cheering Joshy on in his pursuit of poopies.
I was laughing too hard not to go grab the camera and record this forever. :)

Thanks Auntie Kristi!!! We love you!!! :)

Thankful

As some of you know, Tyler had yet another close call this week in Iraq. It's been difficult for me to think of anything else the last few days. Everything I do gets interrupted with flashes of Tyler's face in my mind. Sometimes I swear I actually hear his voice.

...5 more months...

After getting the news from Tyler, my friend Debi and I went to the Temple in Denver and put Tyler's name on the prayer list along with the names of the other men who were injured in the incident. There's something about feeling completely helpless and scared, then actually going down to the Temple and doing the only thing you can about the situation. Pray.

I am so thankful for the power of prayer. I am so thankful that my husband has been so protected the last 10 months. I'm thankful for such incredible friends and a great family that I married into, in addition to my own, that has taken such good care of me and Josh while Tyler has been away. Thank you. It's incredibly humbling.

I'm not typically a mushy person... I really don't open up to people very often... but it feels good to purge some thoughts onto the keyboard and indirectly thank all of you at the same time. Heaven knows I don't do it often enough.

...5 more months...