Hmmm ...What are those crazy Carpenters doing now????

Dad got a DEER!!!

2009-10-27T11:00:00.001-07:00

First we have Shaun mimicking George.

Then we have George mimicking Shaun. :)

Here is everyone watching and supporting Dads long awaited victory. :)

Shaun and Dad are very happy and proud!

And Finally the mighty HUNTER has his Prize! Great Job DAD!

Holy Mooooly

2009-10-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't been on here in ages! lol Just a quick update.. Matt is doing great. He has been keeping busy by going to the gym and watching movies in his down time. And of course talking with me. :) We skype almost daily in my morning and he calls when he gets to work at night. So most of the time I hear from him 2x Day. Thank you God!
They have been giving him building projects lately, like building closets and shelves etc. For the extra people coming in their dorm and so on. So he is totally loving doing that. He really misses his work in CE. Which is Civil Engineering Squadron that he was in before having to move to Services 3 years ago. He is totally a hands on man. :) Which so am I, our brains work the same on that one. hehe
He did get to go on a helicopter ride a week or so ago. But sense yesterdays news of the two helicopter's going down.. I told him no more rides for you! He misses everyone and of course wishes he could be here for the holidays.
Thanks for all your prayers.. Please keep them coming! If you want you can put Matt on your churches prayer request list. The more the better! :)
I am doing good. The up and down days come and go but for the most part I am staying healthy and active. I just joined the YMCA to work out during the fall /winter months. Its getting a bit chilly to run outside! God has blessed me with a free military membership to the YMCA. woohoo!!
I hope everyone is doing good and staying healthy!! :)

Haven of Hope

2009-09-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

So as for now, God has shown me that he wants me to work at Haven of Hope (a woman's and child homeless shelter). My first day was on Monday, which I helped coordinate 6-8 work stations for doing their monthly newsletters. So it was very easy to do and I got to interact with a lot of the women who live there. At first when I got there, parked my car and then I prayed that God would help me get out and walk up there. For some reason I get spiritually attacked big time when I first arrive at places like these to work at or what ever. But he came through and I walked up those stairs and the door was already opened with other ladies inside. The first set of ladies I ran into was the director that I have been in contact with. So that was my first huge praise! :) So looked at me and said hi and then turned away to finish a conversation with someone else. Then instantly she turned back around and said are you Darcy.. I was like yes I am. :) From then on it was very smooth sailing. I stuffed and addressed envelopes for 3 hours non stop. PHEW! It didn't feel like a job at all. That's what I love about doing Gods work... it never feels like a job that u are staring at the clock waiting for your time to be up. I had no set time.. so I was good to stay for how ever long they needed me for that job. The director and I got to talk a bit and she knows my mother n law. :) So she thought that was way cool! Some of the homeless woman sitting at the table with me, were asking me why and how was i there. Like it was foreign to them to have people just show up to stuff envelops at their shelter. I told them that I have done and enjoy doing mission trips.. but my health wont let me go this year so I found this place and emailed the director and wala here I am. They were like wow that's really cool.
I had such peace and joy in my heart while i was there and working with them. And as I type this I am feeling a pulling or longing to go back and help out more. So I totally know that right now, this is where God wants me to be. :) Thank you Jesus!

Robin Hood or Mateo Carpideim?

2009-08-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

So Matt has taken it upon himself to be thee " Robin Hood" taking from the rich and giving to the poor theme. hehe For some reason there isn't money to buy equipment for the kitchen Matt is trying to help. So he has taken on the role of finding ways to get baking pots and whatever he needs to help this poor kitchen get healthy and stay healthy. 2 days ago he saw some nice cooking pots and pans that ran around 40 bucks a piece. Laying in front of the A. military man. So Matt took his translator to this guy and asked "Are those yours?" The man says " o no they are my generals, u can't have them."Then Matt asks "Where did u get them?" The man says " o no they are my generals, you can't have them!" Then Matt asks "What would you trade for them?" (not 5 seconds went by) The man says " One of those I.D. badges that you use on your arms." Matt says ok, 10 min later he comes walking back with a I.D. badge for the man. He went and bought one with his own money. They trade and Matt takes the pots and pans and gives them to the kitchen people. So what say you? Is he a Robin Hood or a Mateo Carpideim?

Matts new job

2009-08-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

So they finally figured out where they want Matt to work. He will be teaching the Afghanies who are contracted into the base to cook. Here is a little blurb of how they have been doing it for a long time! lol

This is part of Matts email he sent me today.
When he got to see the place where he is working for the first time!

"I went to go see the kitchen that I will be working in with the
Afghanis, the first thing I seen when I walked through the door was one
of the cooks sitting on the ground chopping up a whole lamb that was
already gutted and skinned. He was using a cleaver and a tree stump as a
chopping block! And tossing the meat into a fly surrounded bucket. Blew
me away! The Major said that's how they have been doing it since they
got here. But the facility is pretty much brand new, so that's really
nice. "

SOOO Matts job is to teach them how to cook cleanly and safely. lol But I can see how this interaction with the Afghanies will really be cool for Matt to meet the true people of that country. Kinda like doing a Mission trip. Woohoo! I am excited for him! He said they are really nice people, even Matt's Major said he has been there for 5 months and has enjoyed getting to know them. :) Praise God!

Change of orders!

2009-07-30T10:55:00.001-07:00

M figured out yesterday that he isn't where we were told he is going to be! Instead it is north east ... and it starts with a A! Very scary place to be right now... So please update all of our prayer chains and churches prayer teams etc. If u don't know which place I am talking about then just email me or call me, mom or Naye. I told them all last night as I just found out last night.. and as did M! CRAZY HUH?!? 1 guy that M talked to said that base has been safe over the last 5 months with only one missile attack! I don't want any attacks! shish! Major prayers please!!!

He made it!

2009-07-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

He made it to his final destination this am our time and pm his time. We figured out that if you subtract 1.5 hrs from our time. Then change the pm to am or visa versa. Then that is his time over there. This way it is easier for me to remember.. other wise I just have a hard time figuring out the time difference. He was able to call me yesterday morning and this morning around 11 my time. He will find out tomorrow if he gets a day to deal with the jet lag or not. And might find out more about where he is staying and working etc. I have to make sure I don't give out to much info on here as well as on the phone calls with him. They are being listened to. :) Kinda weirdo huh?! If anyone wants to email him and send words of encouragement etc. His yahoo email is mj25carpenter@yahoo.com. He isn't good at responding but it depends on what time allows. So if you don't hear from him, please don't take it the wrong way.
He doesn't know anyone so far... so it kinda sucks for him in that aspect.. We are hoping that his friend he meet in New Jersey will be at the same base and that they can work together.
As for me.. I am just hanging around and staying as healthy as possible. My parents and I are going to go camping this weekend! woohoo!

As for all my new doc apts. and stuff.. Nothing has been figured out yet. They are sending me back to a G.I. tract doc. on the 11th of next month. So we will see where that will go. :) But at least they are looking for an answer! :) Praise God!!!!
Here is a pic of us when he came home to surprise me in June! :)

Matt leaves...

2009-07-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

TONIGHT at 7pm. He is flying via military planes from a naval base in Virgina to the Middle East. I don't now his 1st stop yet but it should be in Europe for refueling. Please pray for a safe flight for him. And that he gets good sleep. We are really hoping that he gets to work at the "place he is going to".. with a guy he really clicked with at the "Training". If he doesn't get to, then he won't really know or have any friends there until he makes some. And both Matt and I are picky friend finders. LOL Um prayer for me would be to not stress out.. when I don't hear from him for 3 days to a week at a time or more.. When I get stressed then my pain gets worse. We don't know how the communication will be over there. Last time it was great but that was also at a A.F.base. This won't be like that this time. :( Pray that God fills the emptiness in my heart with is love and truths from his words.. :) And that he gives me supper natural strength to keep being strong for myself and for Matt. The last thing he needs to worry about is me not doing well. Also please pray for Matt's mom and sister. They are going through a VERY rough time right now and it is killing Matt that he is leaving the country. Thanks for all who are praying and keeping up with my spiratic blogging. :) Some times its easier for me to not be on the computer.... so I try to stay away from it as much as possible. Loves to all!!!

A little news..

2009-07-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

We know that M is suppose to be in the middle east by July 28th. So there is rumors going around about him leaving around the 22nd of July. Right now he is just working and staying at his friends house still. It has already been 2.5 months sense I moved up to Wenatchee! M should be gone for about 6 months instead of 9 but that is always subject to change. But 6 is sounding nice these days. :)
As for my medical issues... I have started on some birth control to help slow down the endometriosis scaring. In about 3 months we will see if it is helping with pain or not. If not then we can at least rule out that factor of thinking. All my docs thought that was the cause... and I am not sure it totally is... it probably has a role in the pain but not the big daddy of pain maker. lol Does that make sense? lol hehe So any who my next appointment with a new doctor who specializes in muscle and joint pains is July 21st. So my primary doc and I are anxious to get his take on everything. :)
I have been keeping busy... going to Chelan to lay in the sun x2 this week, my cuz's wedding is today so I will help take some pics for them. I went to Long Beach with my parents over the 4th. That was really cool!! All the fireworks on the beach and over the ocean..LOVED IT! This next weekend I might go camping or if it works out.. drive down to OR to meet M for our last good bye.. for the 4th time. :) hehe Ummm I have been trying to run 3-4 times a week.. and that makes me feel so gooooood! ahhh I love running! It makes me like myself, feel good about myself, lets me feel free of emotional stuff for that time and for the next day afterwords. It lets my spirit free to be who I really am. With out all the crud the world stacks up on me (us). I have to make sure I don't run on hills though... my doc told me no hills.. cause one day i did some running on the heights roads where we live. And the next day it really hurt to get dressed. When I would lift up my legs to put them into the shorts holes. It felt like my back was shocking me, all the way to my upper leg. Weirdo I know... Any who I better get going! Loves to all! :)

What have I been doing?

2009-07-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

Lets see.... I just got home from Mtn. Home on Monday. Matt was sent back to sit and wait on the Army for his deployment. It has been good to see him again but it also sucks that we might be moving back to Mtn. Home. Grrrrr... So its totally a waiting game. Matt has been staying in hotels and at peoples houses. Hotels get expensive fast! So ya... Matt decided he wanted me to come visit him there. Even though he DID get to fly to Wenatchee for like 3-4 days at the end of his training in New Jersey!!!! PRAISE GOD! We have caught up on our movies for the next few months! haha Well I just wanted to send a blurb out really quick to update everyone. Please pray that he is sent soon and that he gets to go to a safe place over seas. And hopefully it will only be 6 months instead of 9. :) Thanks for your prayers! :) Have a happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!

This last Friday...

2009-06-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

Was Meera's Wedding :)

I was tx-ing with her that morning and asked if she wanted me to take random pics for her with my nice camera and she said "that would be awesome" so I did. :)

Here are my favorite ones:

I was teasing her about having so many people playing with the back side of her dress... :)

I wanted a pic of those famous boots she was telling all of us that she was going to be wearing.. and I got Zac in on the pose to!

Amy's bouquet with Meera in the back ground.... cool!

Meera looking beautiful and stunning!

Amy and Lara looked beautiful and could be twins beside the age difference.. :)

Lee telling Meera something to make her laugh to take the tension away.

Congrats to Meera and Zac!

I hope you are having a great time in HAWAII! :)

oh how I love...........

2009-05-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Lake Chelan!!! I have been able to go up there 2 times this past week. The first time was on Memorial Day with my friend and sis n law Michelle. We found some cool floaties for half price at Bi-Mart along with a pump to blow them up. Then off we went to Chelan! :) Lake side was really packed as usual but I managed to find a side street to park on.
The water was about 10 feet lower than normal but I am thinking this is normal. Anyways we found a spot on the sand about 20 feet from the water. The water was pretty cold but there were lots of people and kids swimming in it anyways. I didn't go swimming that time but I did get wet enough to get on my floatie. Mich and I slowly managed to get out to the rope and hung on with our feet. It was great just laying there in the sun watching all the parcelling, and paragliding, boats, jet skiers going buy and riding the wakes coming into shore. hehe I love doing that!
The second time was with my friend Mykal. We went up yesterday and found a nice quiet lake side park but we went a little further and there is a tiny local beach that we always go to. And no one was there! PERFECT! I unloaded the floaties and our tasty treats while she crabbed the cooler and her pit bull dog named Anabel. :) hehe She taught Anabel how to swim. It was so cute.. she would be standing on the ground in the shallow water but her feet were doing the jog swim that needed to be doing. She knew she needed to be doing something here. lol
The water was a lot warmer than I expected it to be. I was actually willing and able to go swimming for a bit. The rest of the time I was on the floatie but it was again so beautiful and relaxing... I think we spent like 3-4 hours on the beach. Both of us needed this... we love going up to Chelan especially on a hot day! And there are many more trips to come! I am already getting a good tan with tons of freckles! lol but as my Grandpa Elliott would say " they are angle kisses"! :)

Only 2 more weeks...

2009-05-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

Matt has 2 weeks left in his "special training" before he graduates. We still don't know if I will be able to go see him or if he can come see us here in WA. Please pray that he can come here so everyone can see him and have another chance to say goodbye. But if he cant then at least let me go there and see him off before he leaves the country for 9 months. :(

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers! :) They are very much needed and thoughtful! :)

I am keeping busy and try to just keep moving. I am so thankful that my best friends is here with me during this time (Michelle and all my family). Thank you Lord for placing me where there is great support all around me!

On next Tues. the 26th I have a doc. appt. with a pcm. here in E. Wenatchee. He studied at UW. And if he thinks I need to go over there to their pain mgmt. clinic then he will not hesitate.. so I am told. So another prayer request... that he will know what tests to preform etc. And that he is very nice and understanding to all my issues/emotions that are all tied together.

EVERYONE HAVE A GOOD MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!!

I thought this was cool.. :)

2009-05-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

“Why Women Cry”

A little boy asked his mother, 'Why are you crying?''Because I'm a woman,' she told him, 'I don't understand,' he said,

His Mom just hugged him and said,'And you never will,

'Later the little boy asked his father,

'Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?''All women cry for no reason,'

was all his dad could say,

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry,

Finally he put in a call to God, When God got on the phone, he asked,'God, why do women cry so easily?'

God said: 'When I made the woman she had to be special,

I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world,

yet gentle enough to give comfort, I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children,

I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up,

and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining,

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances,

even when her child has hurt her very badly,

I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults

and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart,

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly,

And finally, I gave her a tear to shed,

This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed,''You see my son,' said God,'the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,

the figure that she carries,

or the way she combs her hair, The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes,

because that is the doorway to her heart -

the place where love resides,'

Isaac James is here!!!

2009-05-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

My sister had her number 3 baby yesterday!!! We have been so excited to see/meet him! He was 21 inches long, 7lbn 13 oz! :) At the moment I am taking my brother n laws place at being at Denaye's side while he went home to shower and eat etc. Naye and Issac are getting some good rest while I play on the computer trying to be as quiet as possible. :) hehe Here are some cute pics that I took yesterday!
Enjoy!!!

He is a keeper! :)

a fun story... :)

2009-05-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

Soooo I hate needles! I get very clammy and nauseated when I think about them or see them coming at my arm... uhhhhgggg!
Matt had the awesome experience, having one of his fellow A.F. buddies practice on his arm (as if they were in the field and needed to give each other I.V.'S to save their lives. The guys first time of poking Matt's arm was a disaster!!! He thought he had the needle in a vein.. and proceeded to try and push the I.V. in. When a bubble or weirdo looking bump started to appear then both of them were looking at each other and saying uh oh... :( ! So the teacher came over to investigate and sure enough it was not in the vein at all. Matt made the mistake of watching the whole time and now he was getting clammy and feeling like he was going to faint! hehehe SOUNDS LIKE ME! So they pulled it out and had to try again on the other arm. So by this point Matt was not feeling very well .... and did NOT look this time. The guy finally got it right but what a nasty mistake the first time.... I would have screamed and hit someone. Matt sent me a pic of his arm and his whole forearm was blue and purple... YIKES!!!

This last Sunday ( mothers day) we went to my grandpa Bryant's. Celeste had her blood sugar checker poker thingy. And we were passing it around to everyone so each of us could poke ourselves and seeing what our blood sugar levels were. When it got to be my turn... just the thought of poking myself was making me all freaked out!! I would hold it next to my finger and then scream and pull away. Finally after about 10 trys. I told Celeste to turn on the machine and said 123 poked myself , screamed and it was over. The only way I could do it was REALLY QUICKLY! Of course everyone was laughing at me but I was proud of myself. lol :) And it was kinda fun to see what my blood sugar was at cause I have never had it checked before. It was 101 . YEAH!

1 week done

2009-05-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

Well the 1st week of Matt and I being apart is over. I came at a good time due to the end of apple blossom, seeing my dads side of the family Saturday and then my moms side on Sunday. So the first 2 days were filled with lots of smiles and people. So most of the time I was able to keep my mind off of us being separated.
This week I meet up with 2 old friends. I LOVE those friends that it doesn't matter how long you have been apart, you just pick up right where u left off. Like there was no time spent apart. No superficial talks etc. Both my friends Mykal and Mary are like this. I love them and appreciate them so much! My family and n laws are AWESOME! God couldn't of blessed me more with LOVING people. I am staying at my parents house with my "kids". Then at least 1 time every day I am over at my hubby's families house visiting/chilling/exercising/eating. It is literally my second home. Mojo comes with me most days to participate in what ever I am doing. He really enjoys car rides! Its pretty cute to have a dog pass out on his bed that is on the floor of the front passenger seat, as soon as you put him in. lol

Huge thanks to Michelle for driving me to Utah and then up to WA with my full car and two animals!!! 8 hour drive with a meowing, upset kitty! :) woohooo!!

Empty house .... upset smeeky.... momo is wondering what is going on???

2009-04-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

HEHE BRING IT ON!

Just thought you all would like this photo of me in Matt's full chemical warfare gear.

So ya today we move to the hotel this evening. Matt is working nights until Monday morning. So it will just be me and my animal kids. This should be interesting!!! We took down Smeekys kitty tower.... and with in 5 min. I found her standing over a packing popcorn thing that was totally tore up!! She never does that! So obviously she wanted me to know that she was NOT happy!! lol I had to sit her down and have a talk with her. Now she is ok, she knows that her kitty tower will be put up at her new home in a few days. Please pray that Jadi and Mojo behave in the hotel when we are gone. They are allowed to stay but if they are to noise they we have to do something about it.... So I am going to try and bring them with me ( at least Mojo) when ever I can... and just let him run around in the garage. I have today and tomorrow to clean. Monday the carpet cleaners are coming around 11am. Our "Final Inspection" is Tues around noon. Michelle flies into Boise around 3:30 pm.

We are doing better than last time Matt deployed.. So thank you for those who are praying!! Please pray that we pass our "Final Inspection". They are really picky and things have to be done a certain way.

Thank you!!! :)

Big move day!

2009-04-23T09:56:00.001-07:00

Today is our "rent the uhaul and gather up the men" moving day. lol Matt and I have been going crazy packing everything and trying to clean to get ready for the Final Inspection on Tues.
Michelle ( my sis n law) is flying down to drive me down to UT for my final appointment on Thurs (30th). Then we will drive up to WA. either on the 1st or the 2nd. Matt is suppose to leave on the 2nd of May.
Also today I have a appointment with a surgery doc. to get a weirdo bump removed from my back today... so please pray it gets done and I don't have to worry about it anymore.

some pics from McCall area

2009-04-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

It was so COLD!!! :)

This is lake in McCall.

I only have one camera downloaded... so I have lots of other pics but they are on the small camera that has a dead battery and I cant find the charger. lol So there you have it. :)

McCall, ID.

2009-04-10T16:39:00.001-07:00

No pics yet but I will have some after this next week. We are going to spend a few days with my parents at McCall this weekend. There is snow there still and the weather forecast of up there looks like snow will come every night! So I am excited to go snow shoeing, Nordic skiing and tubing!!! Plus there are like at least 2 hot springs to swim in there! WOOHOO

Arches National Park, UT.

2009-04-10T16:22:00.000-07:00

The three gossips.

That's me!

Mich and I

Balanced Rock

The sheep

This place is very neat and Majestic.

Vail, Colorado

2009-04-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

Riding on the Gondola!!

This was a nice stop/ break from driving. :)

Road trip all over... phew lol J/K

2009-04-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

We made it!!! I will post pictures later but I just wanted to write a little something to let my followers a update. :)

Michelle made it safely back to E. Wenatchee, WA. We drove from Denver to Moab the first day. Then went through Arches National Park for a couple hours. Then off to Salt Lake City. Then next day we made it Mtn. Home.
Thursday we ventured to a hot spring pool about an hour away from where I live. It felt great to soak our weary bones!! :) lol There was a floating log to play on and we both were able to stand up on it once or twice before falling off. lol
Matt's mom flew in on Friday and we had tons of fun teasing each other, celebrating Matts birthday and just hanging out.

Now I have 3 days before going to McCall for my dad's birthday/Easter/Matts birthday present/Celebrating our Ann. for 6 days!! WOOHOO!!!

As soon as we get back from McCall.. we have 2 weeks to get all moved out of our house and squeeze another trip to Utah in again!!! YIKES!

3 week delay...

2009-03-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

We get 3 more weeks together! So instead of leaving April 18th. He leaves sometime between around May 2nd. Praise God!!
We went down town and got a storage unit today so little by little things will get moved out. Having 3 more weeks takes the 50% of the stress away. Very nice! :)
Woohoo!