Happy Memorial Day and reflections...

It's been a very beautiful day today for Memorial Day and I took the day off namely for some quality family time and I can honestly say it was a day well spent. I am very grateful for those who gave their lives in service so that we may enjoy the privileges we do today. With all that's going on in the world that is negative with crime and the price of gas being at the top of that list there is so much good that we have to enjoy. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech (without that we couldn't blog -- GEEZ!!), and so many other things that bring us happiness are just a few of a long list of rights we as Americans have because of those service men and women who fought for these rights for us and continue in the fight for others all around the globe. I hope we all take the time before closing our eyes tonight to pray and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for so many blessings He has given us and pray for the safety of those who serve our country.

Because I haven't blogged in over a week I'm going to include some photos and just highlight some of the activities we've been involved in recently:

Wednesday, 5/21/08 - Joey picked me up from work and took me fishing to Dale's. It was fun but I was not really in a fishing mood because Snuggles, our outside dog we'd had for 8+years got run over and killed that evening. It was a sad time for our family and we'll miss Snuggles. Chloe was going to the door and window looking for Snuggles the first couple days after the accident but I think she's realized now that Snuggles is not here. On the fishing trip, though, we brought 9 really nice size bass home - I'll be more in a fishing mood next time so you better watch out, Joey, you may not catch the most next time when I feeling a little more chipper!

Sunday, 5/25/08 - stopped by Tiawanna and Ginger's for a while to check on them and their move they're making and the boys had such fun outside for a little while. They enjoyed racing both on foot and then on their toys. They're so cute!!!

Today, Memorial Day, 5/26/08 - Ethan, Addison, and I enjoyed some time at the neighbor's pool just sunning and swimming (well, not me for the swimming - the water was still too cool for me!) and Wesley and Melissa joined us in the afternoon. After a few hours in the sun we get ready and went to Mom's for dinner and it was delicious. Daddy had barbequed hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, barbeque chicken, and rice and hash with all the trimmings. Yummy! Joey ate with us before leaving for his last night on night shift. We had a fun day!

Wesley's family (except Cole) at the ATEC Awards Day and National Technical Honor Society Induction - Tuesday, 5/20/08. He has such a great family! Joey and I used to date with Bubba and Karen and we've all been friends for a very long time. It's neat that Addi and Wesley are dating (even though I still don't feel like we're all old enough to have kids all these ages! ha!) They are so much fun to be around. On Sunday, 5/25/08 Wesley was baptized at their church. Addi and I attended and then had lunch over at their house and it was so good. Karen had an absolute feast and we had really nice time. Her red velvet cake is nearly sinful it's so good! Thanks, ya'll, for a such a great lunch and an enjoyable afternoon - we sure enjoyed it!

Addi with Sherrill at the end of her intership for the Community Internship Program. She learned so much and Sherrill is such a wonderful mentor teaching Addi so much about the newborn babies. Addison even got to watch a real birth which was a great experience.
Addi with Darlene, her mentor at the dentist office where she spent the first half of her internship program. Darlene was also an excellent mentor - so patient and so kind to Addison showing her so many aspects of dental hygiene and what to expect in this profession as well as giving her some hands-on experience. This is something Addison will always remember and we are so grateful for this experience and the kind people she had as teachers and mentors to her.
Congratulations to Joey and Alex for placing among the top 20 out of more than 100 participants in the "Take a Child Fishing" tournament on Saturday, 5/17/08. Alex was so excited about his trophy he won and Joey was quite the proud papa! They had a really great time and did a super job placing like they did! Way to go, Joey and Alex!!!
Addi with Mrs. Vidal, her Health Sciences teacher who taught her so much this past year. Thanks, Mrs. Vidal, for the valuable lessons you've instilled in these students and for the encouragement and enthusiam you demonstrate which helps them to choose their career paths. It's been a fantastic year for Addison!
Addison and Wesley at the ATEC Awards Day and Technical Honor Society Induction, 5/20/08. Wesley was named Most Outstanding Student in his class (Building/Construction). Way to go, Wesley!

I was so excited that my parents came for Addison's Honor Society Induction at ATEC. It was a very nice program and Addi felt so special to have them there! They are so incredible. Thanks, Mom and Dad -- YOU'RE THE BEST! Congratulations to you, Addison, for all your accomplishments your junior year - you're an amazing young girl! I love you bunches!

Other news for our family the past couple weeks:

• Ethan began his job recently for the summer at Patterson Fans in Blythewood.
• Erika and Jack are loving their stay in Wilmington. Jack's work is going really well and Erika is working part-time in the office which is all right close in the same apartment complex. They didn't make it home this weekend but plan to come some time next week. It's so near knowing they're that close!!! (I wish gas wasn't so expensive so we could visit more often!)
• Ginger and Shaun and Tiawanna have made great strides this weekend with the move and it should be complete very soon. I know it's been a lot of work for them but will be so nice when it's completed.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe rest of the week!