Changes to our page

My apologies as I have been playing around with our page. As you can see above, I have added a slide show that contains pictures of us over the past 3 1/2 years. I have also moved a couple of things off to the side and have removed a few pictures.
Hopefully, we haven't confused you to much, but thought we might spice things up with a little change. Hope you all enjoy the slide show!! Let us know what you think!!

I'm ready for some football!!!

Well, thanks to the ole' hubbie, I'm officially an NFL fan!! I've always loved football, but more along the lines of college...GO HOGS!! For the past three years, football has been ever present (and sometimes too much) in our home. So, it was either hate it or learn to like it. To my surprise, I'm lovin' me some football! It helps that this year there are guys like McFadden, Felix Jones and Hillis playing in the big leagues....and guess who's the fav? RUN DMC!! (If you follow the HOGS...you know I'm talking about Darren McFadden!!)

So, pull up a chair, get a nice cold Coke, and some pop corn (or whatever your heart...or should I say tummy desires)...it's time to watch some football!!

Remembering 9/11

Today was a day of reflection...a day of remembering. Like many of you, I recall where I was the very minute that the World Trade Centers were hit. I remember being in complete disbelief that such events were unfolding. I sat in awe, with my roommates, as we watched the 2nd tower being hit, as we watched the attack on the Pentagon, and the final moments of both Trade Towers. As I watched on I thought of my cousin, Larry, and was hit with panic as I wondered if he was ok. Later that day, we got word that he was safe....unfortunately days later, I received word that a fellow soldier and friend had died. My friend, Tonya, whom I had met at bootcamp and endured AIT with perished as the 2nd tower fell. As a NY native, she volunteered to go into the towers on a rescue mission. She never made it out....and her remains never found or idenified. Watching it now, I'm glad I didn't know then what I know now.

For many, this day will never be forgotten...those lives lost will forever be remembered.

As I sit here to reflect, 7 years later, I honor those who so couragously gave their lives....who turned back in last attempts to help those who needed it. Let us not forget those who served and still serve our country to ensure our freedom and our safety. May the heroes of 9/11 never be forgotten.

"We Will Never Forget"

9/11/2001

So grown up!!

I just wanted to take an extra minute to say how proud we are of Aeris. She has proved over the course of weeks that she isn't our baby anymore (although to us, she is!!) and is officially our BIG GIRL!! Here are her new accomplishments:

• She has mastered the potty!! At school she has been able to stay in ONE pair of "underwears"
• She learned to drink out of and carry a cup with no lid
• She can sing her "ABC's"....we're working to perfect this one though
• She can count to 10 all by herself. Somehow the numbers 4 and 6 tend to get left out, but at least she can count!!
• And if you can't handle an ounce of "ewww", you might want to skip this one....but she finally pooped in the potty vs. in her "underwears". That's a big one for us....she just had some reservations over this, but finally got passed it.

So here's to our baby being so grown up!!

Labor Day Weekend Pics

Katie in her leotard for Gymnastics.

Showing me how she can do the splits.

I took this while the girls where outside playing; Katie bug!!

She's a natural in front of the camera.

Aeris Ella...isn't she so pretty!!

And I'm not quite sure what this is that they are

sitting on, but it was loads of fun sliding off of...

as you can see!! Katie's my "goobernaut".

Labor Day Weekend

We hope that everyone enjoyed their Labor Day weekend and trust that you all stayed safe. Our weekend wasn't too eventful, but rather nice. Friday afternoon, I took Katie for her first gymnastics class. She was very excited to be trying something new and was eager to show off her abilities to do the splits. She was a PRO!! They did warm up stretches, practiced working several pieces of equipment. They moved from station to station where they did cartwheels, back kick-overs, they jumped on the trampoline, and worked different height balance beams. Katie has great balance and was the only one to walk the highest beam with no help. After all that, they played balance games, and did mini-workouts. Later that night, I started the weekend off by getting all of my homework done so that I could enjoy the rest of the weekend. I think I manage to finish up around 3 am Saturday morning. I meant to go to bed long before I did, but I got my second-wind and just stayed up until everything was done. It's made this week very relaxing for me. Saturday, consisted of laundry and cleaning, but at least it got done (though it wasn't fun to do)!! We also watched Mim's Island...and if you haven't watched that with your kids, I highly recommend it!! Sunday, we all went to Greenbrier to visit Pherby, David, David Alan, and Kenneth, who came in from the storm in New Orleans. This was also our last little visit with David, as he is being shipped out to Afghanistan for 6 months. We had a blast as usual. We ate great food, spent countless hours in the pool, checked out Nana and Papaw's cows, got an unexpected lift in the tractor's bucket (Pherby and I...and may I add the kids thought it was hilarious!!), and then we made our way home. Steven, Justin, and Andrew camped out at our house playing Madden (football game for those of you who aren't game savy) until the wheee hours of the morning, so that pretty much meant that Monday was a recovery day. Later that evening the girls played outside while Steven and I chatted with our neighbors for a little bit. And to polish off the last few hours, I ventured out and cooked!! We had bbq chicken, corn, and baked beans. And because I was feeling so industrious, I made Steven's favorite...custard pie!! Watch out Granny...he says I'm getting pretty good at making it!! So, I guess that was our weekend in a nuttshell.
Hope you all had just as much fun as we did!!





David, Pherby, Kenneth (in front), and David Alan (Christmas '07).
We are praying for you all and hope that your home
is not damaged by all the hurricanes. We are also
praying for you, David, and your safe trip to and from
Afghanistan. See you when you get back!!