Riverbanks Zoo Columbia, South Carolina

Lions and Tigers and Bears OH MY!!!!!

Grandma comes to visit....

The girls absolutely adore my parents...Papa and Grandma!!! They had a blast waking Grandma up every morning and just having her around was a delight. Isabella had the chance to show Grandma her school, meet her teacher and some of her friends as well. She also got to see Isabella do Ballet and Tap. As for Mackenzie she absolutely loved just having Grandma around... We spent a day at the beach as well as took her on many errands that usually need to get done during the week on any occasion. It was a great trip and we hope to see Papa within a month or so. We love you and miss you!!!!

Pre-School 2010-2011

Once again we say good-bye to those long days of summer and back to the swing of getting the girls back on a steady schedule for school. Not that much for Mackenzie...but definitely Isabella. Isabella is so ready to start yet another year at St. Luke's. She has been looking forward to finding out who her new teacher will be as well as hoping to see some of the same faces she saw last year. It was a little hard for her to grasp that Mrs. Catherine would not be teaching her again, but after a little pep talk she finally understood that everyone will be getting a new teacher. So far so good.....

Trip to Florida

We've been trying to get back to Florida to visit some good friends for about a year now.... This past week was finally the trip that we have been waiting for. I decided to break the drive up into two days. Two short days rather than one long day. It worked out great!!! We ended up stopping in Jacksonville, Florida which gave us the perfect opportunity to catch up with an old friend from elementary school. It was great to see her again. Once in Jacksonville our day started with a trip to Build a Bear. The girls had a blast building their own furry little friend. (Or reptilian friend)

Once in Tampa, we ended up staying with some friends of ours. It was a great trip and I couldn't have asked for better hospitality. Thank you Sue, Jason and Jackson for opening your home to us. We had a great trip!!! Hopefully we will be able to do it again soon...

Sack Lunches....Please Read

I received this in my inbox just the other day. Just wanted to share... Please remember and continue to pray for all those men and women that continue to fight for our country!!! We miss you Ryan!!!!!


The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan.'

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base.'

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes were wet with tears as she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. After giving each soldier a sack she stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.

'This is our thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked - he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the other passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for another sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little.


A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made out and payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is honor, respect and dedication - and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand it. We should be very proud of those soldiers.

Calabash North Carolina

Ryan's Aunt and Uncle have been visiting Calabash for years. Since they were so close we decided to take them up on their offer and visit them for the day. We had a blast!!!

Ryan's Aunt and Uncle come for a visit....

Aunt Doris and Uncle Bill......

Isabella's School Picnic...

Tonight was Isabella's school picnic. I am truly blessed that I was able to find a great school with the limited amount of time and resources. What a terrific year it has been. Not only did Isabella love school, but she also gained so much more!!! Thank You to Mrs. Catherine for the "TERRIFIC" job you did!!! She can't wait til next year. Enjoy your summer and we will see some of you at summer camp!

Visit to California for Uncle Mark and Aunt Janette's Wedding...

The last two weeks were spent in Southern California for my brother's wedding... BUSY!!! BUSY!!! BUSY!!! But we also had a BLAST!!! Thanks you Mark and Janette for letting us be apart of your wedding!!! We love you guys!!!

We also had the chance to spend the day with family at Disneyland... The Most Magical Place on Earth.
What a GREAT day!!!

Easter 2010

Happy Easter to all our Friends and Family!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Mackenzie....

Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday to MACKENZIE
Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!

Soccer

Isabella's soccer season finally got off in full swing last Saturday. After two weekends of bad weather, they were finally able to start the season off with great weather, I might add.... The only one that missed the excitement was daddy, but hopefully he will be back real soon to see her play. Isabella did AWESOME!!! She was tired by the end, but I was so proud of my little soccer player. GREAT JOB SWEETHEART!!!

Snow in South Carolina....

Who would of thought that Summerville, SC would see snow.... We sure didn't. Friday's weather report was forecasting a winter storm for our area and predicting to get 3-6 inches of snow. Once again who would of thought!!! I myself had my doubts until we went out for dinner Friday night. As we approach our restaurant of choice, it started... First it was sleet, then by the end of dinner it was officially snowing. As the night progressed and the temperatures got lower, a dusting of snow turned into a measurable amount... (About 3 1/2 inches) It was just beautiful!!!. This is some of our sights Saturday morning as we ate breakfast and then got the kids ready in as much snow gear as we could find. Both Isabella and Mackenzie had a blast!!! This will be one winter wonderland that will not be forgotten!!! Hope you enjoy some of our pictures....

Stairs....

One word.....FAST!!!! This is how Mackenzie comes down our stairs....

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Project Bird Feeder

Ryan has been looking for the perfect project to do with Isabella and after a little bit of searching, he finally came across it. Last week he and Isabella worked hand in hand building a bird feeder.

Nothing New

I know I really haven't posted much lately and I will be the first to apologize. It seems as we say good bye to the hectic holidays, we swing right back into the normal routine of things. Ryan was home for three weeks for the holidays which was great. I had three weeks of much needed adult conversation. Just having him home was a great delight!!! He had the chance to take Isabella on a father-daughter lunch date which the both of them enjoyed. Isabella's best part of the day, was riding in daddy's truck. Since she got to sit in the front seat. It was great to hear all about their day especially from dad's point of view.... He couldn't believe how many questions Bella asked during the car ride to and from lunch. All about the gadgets and gizmo's that she could view from the front seat. All I could say was, "Welcome to my World". For the past six months it has been pretty much just the girls and I. But to have Ryan home gave me the chance to get away for much needed "me" time too. Don't get me wrong... I absolutely love being around my kids, but everyone knows that you still need that time for yourself. Now that Ryan is gone to finish up the last of his training it is the littlest of things that I miss the most..... We love you and miss you dearly!!! Come home soon!!!

Trip to D.C.

We spent the week of New Years with some great friends we met in Grand Forks, ND. It is too funny that the time may pass, but once you get us all together it seems as though we just pick-up from were we left off. It was a great trip!!! Thank You Brandi, Brian, Austin, Raelyn, and Peyton for giving us a place to stay. Hopefully we can get together soon. Here are some photos from our stay. Hope you enjoy!!!