Allie Nichole Soileau writing.  I hope this finds y'all well and (reasonably) happy.

I am sorry for not writing in several years:  life continues to keep me busy, even though I am no longer in the military.  Got honorably discharged; I'll never be able to fight again ... lost both my legs in a bomb blast in Fallujah, Iraq, back in the fall of 2006, then spent the next year and a half in the hospital.  It was one of the darkest periods in my life.

I still have some pain, but I can handle it now; it's not nearly as intense as it was; however, I still have PTSD; still have nightmares/flashbacks to when I was injured and saw some of my buddies killed in the Fallujah attack.  Seeing a counselor to deal with that, but sometimes, it doesn't seem to be doing any good.  Some days I'm an emotional wreck.

I am walking again: walking on two artificial legs.  At first it was very difficult, but now can get around quite easily.  I was on crutches for a while, but now can walk unaided; it's been nothing short of a miracle!

I try not to dwell on the war; I try to focus more on the hear and now.  Also have three nieces to keep me busy.  My sister Amy lost custody of her kids; now I'm raising them, and they've settled down considerably:  they're not nearly as wild as they used to be.

Amy lost custody of her kids because she started doing crystal meth, and she got herself messed up real bad.  She's currently in jail; she will probably be in there until the end of the year, the way things look now.  Then she will have to go to rehab to see if she can clean up her act.

Let's see.  Harmony, Hayleigh, and Hannah are no longer so little:  Harmony is 11; her sisters are 9 and 5.  This fall, all will be in school:  Little Hannah will enter kindergarten; it's a big moment in her life.  She is looking forward to going to "the big kid's school", just like her big sisters.  They are all so sweet; I just love them to pieces (though a few years ago, I wouldn't have been so bold to say that:  they were first-class brats!!).

I also have a beau in my life.  I met him last year at one of my doctor's appointments of all places!  His name is Trent, and he's a US Air Force Veteran.  He was injured in a plane crash and is now paralyzed from the waist on down.  He has such a good outlook on life, even after being injured.  And he's a Christian; he's teaching me all about Christ.  (I am starting to believe in Christ; just haven't made the commitment yet to ask Him into my life.  But I'm close! :) )  I'm just scared of going up to the altar at church and making a fool out of myself by falling or blubbering all over the place!  LOL

I do go to church now, so that is a huge step, considering the acerbic tongue I used to have!  Hoooo-boy, I cussed like a sailor; I would have made a nun blush with some of the profane words I spewed from my (former) filthy mouth!  LOL  God is working with me on that, so I am realllllly trying to watch my step this time!  LOL

I didn't have too much in the way of damage from the flooding Nashville had one month back; hard to believe it's been that long since it happened.  It was a bad time; I had to stay with some friends who lived further away from where the real bad flooding took place, and she had to put up with me and three small girls!  LOL  I think when she goes to Heaven, she should get a medal of valor for putting up with US!  LOL  Four crazy Cajuns:  three kids, and one big kid (me)!  LOL

That's enough to put anyone into the looney bin!  LOL

I am working:  I work at a daycare center while the girls are in school; now that school vacation is quickly approaching, I will have to put that on hold so I can spend time with Trent and the children and do things with them.  I still get my VA disability check (100% disability rating), so I don't have to worry about money (or getting the help I need when I need it).  I'm living a very good life right now; it's a vast improvement over a few short years back!

Well, I have bent your ear long enough; besides, it's time to get Hannah, Hayleigh, and Harmony out the door, so they can meet their bus.  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Allie Nichole Soileau saying so long!  God bless you and thank you for putting up with me!  LOL

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Allie Nichole.  :)