Navy Blues #2

Oh My Goodness!! Since the 1st Navy book was soooo good, I couldn't help but race through the 2nd one!! It revolved around the same characters as Navy Wife, & expanded on two other characters.

This book was Navy Blues. Here is a little about the story:

Despite her ex-husband's bullheadedness, Carol Kyle knew he'd be the perfect man to father the child she so desperately wanted. Yet she also realized that the strong, honorable man would never allow his child to be raised without a father. So Carol needed to plot, to plan, to maneuver, to seduce Steve into her bed for one last time...

And then once more.

Still, the passion when they were together was never the problem- it was the absences that tore them apart. Had they grown enough to chance trying again- especially when Carol's plan seemed to work.

I am looking forward to starting #3! It is a whole new set of characters!! Let the reading begin!

Birthday Boy, Cowgirls & Baby Bennett

Crockett, our sweet nephew, celebrated his 1st birthday a few weekends ago. He had a cowboy themed party. The girls love playing with Crockett!

As one of Crockett's party favors, each child got a red or blue cowboy hat.


Notice the sheriff badge on Nattie's waistband!?!


Here is a picture of Emily, Great-Great Aunt Doris & Kayleigh.



That same weekend, we attended a baby shower for an extended (Stone) cousin (Jake & Chelsea Wilson). Baby Bennett is due in April & he is being named after his Great-Grandpa B.W. Stone.

The shower theme was heavy equipment & the centerpiece is actually Jake's (the father) from when he was a boy. The card on the flowers says:

Dump Trucks, Dozers

Hammers & Nails

Bugs, Frogs & Fishing Tails

Popsicle Kisses & Big Bear Hugs

That's what Little Boys are made of.

Navy Wife #1

The 1st book I read by Debbie Macomber, was given to me by a dear friend, Leigh Giglio. Leigh gave me the 1st three books of a series titled Blossom Street. From then, I have gone on to currently own over 75 Debbie Macomber books. Some of them have been very hard to find! So I am very proud of my collection! Thank you Leigh for getting me started!

I have just completed the 1st of 6 in the Debbie Macomber Navy Series.

Navy Wife, was wonderful!!!

Here is a little piece of the story:

Impulsive, wounded, vulnerable, Lindy Kyle was unprepared for a roommate like Rush Callaghan. Strong, sensitive and sexy, the temporarily dry-docked naval officer was everything she'd ever dreamed of in a man... in a husband.

But Rush placed duty to his country above all else. Though he and Lindy were swept away on a tide of passion, he was called back to sea. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder- but will their marriage survive their partings?

I have always been intrigued by the lives of military families. My Mom comes from a military family. Her father served in the Air Force until he died. When my Nanny remarried to my PaPa, he too was in the Air Force until he retired. I have a few friends who are military & my stepsister Missy is also military. I find their lives very interesting, the places they travel & the people they meet. I think it takes a special person to live this kind of life!

I'll Fly Away

Kayleigh & Emily both enjoy singing in the kid's choir at our church.
This past Sunday, the choir sang "I'll Fly Away". This is one of my favorite songs!

It is also very special because it was one of my Nanny's favorite songs too. We played this song at my Nanny's Memorial Service. This Easter, it will have been 9 years since my Nanny died. I love her sooo much, still to this very day! She was one of my very best friends!!

You Are My Sunshine!!

My dad took this picture of Nathalie at my nephew Andy's birthday party!
I love this picture!! It shows the sweet girl side of Nathalie!

Bowling Green

Kayleigh, Emily, Mom(Sue) & I celebrated St. Patrick's Day at Village Bowl. We had such a good time! The girls really enjoyed the competition & they each had victory over the other.

Here are a few pics of our fun day:
Our styling shoes!


Kayleigh


Emily


My Sweet Girls!!!

Spring Break = Sleep Late

We are early risers at our house! Bedtime is 8:00pm and we rise & shine at 5:30am! This is our routine weekdays, on the weekends & yes, even during Spring Break. The girls fell asleep on the couch watching cartoons. They looked so cute, I couldn't help but get a few pictures.

How could she be comfortable?!?
Emily


How sweet!!
Kayleigh w/our sweet cats Jazz & Jezebel

Never to Old to Dream

I absolutely love this house!! Like I said before, we lived in Gainesville for 5 years when I was growing up. Since I was 4 years old, every time we would drive through Saint Jo, I would say, "I love that house!" Now, I am almost 30 & every time we drive through Saint Jo, I still say, "I love that house!"

Muenster Stars

Muenster, Texas, is a small town on the way to Gainesville. They are known for their Annual German Fest. They have these really cute painted buildings. I bet, we have driven passed them a few hundred times over the years. This time we decided to stop so that I could take some pictures of the girls.









I thought these were funny!

Kayleigh over posed!
Emily is just Emily!
Nathalie, what can I say!?! She should have been a boy!

ZOO-rific Trip

To kick-off Spring Break, Casey, the girls & I took a short trip to Gainesville. I love this little town! As a young child, my family lived there about 5 years. They have the cutest little zoo (Frank Buck Zoo). We enjoy going!


Here are a few pics:

How do we measure up?


Eat your heart out!


Over the bridge we go!

Skate Your Way To Andy's B-Day

This weekend my oldest nephew Andy turned SEVEN!! He is growing up so fast, & is looking so much older! Andy, along with the rest of the family had a blast at his skate party!

Here are some pics from the big event:


Blowing out his candle & opening gifts!


Nan w/Kayleigh & Emily
Joseph & Jennifer w/Andy & Tommy


Family enjoying Andy's cake!

Skate Whirl has always been a fun place to go!
As kids, Joseph (my bro.) & I spent many a weekend there!

Shades of Grace

First of all I would like to thank Grandmaw Elwanda for providing me with another good read!! Thank You!! Thank You!!

I loved reading this book!
It was like looking into the personal life of Dear Abby!

I also loved it, because it was about a 61 year old woman suffering from AD,(Alzheimer's Disease). 61, that is so young!! The youngest AD resident I worked with was 59. It was so heart breaking!

Here is the set up for the book:
Shades of Grace
By: Barbara Delinsky

An End Offers Hope Of New Beginnings

Grace Dorian is a national treasure. She is The Confidante, America's favorite advice columnist. Her wisdom and guidance over to generations have helped millions, including her daughter Francine and granddaughter Sophie, who both manage the vast Dorian empire and oversee the thousands of details in Grace's life.

But suddenly, Grace does not seem right. Her razor-sharp mind is showing strain; her columns wander. Now, in addition to worrying about Grace, Francine must step in to fill her legendary mother's shoes. But Francine must also live her own life- which includes her confusion over her feelings for Grace's handsome doctor and her worry about her tempestuous daughter Sophie, who needs as much guidance as Grace's public does.

Shades of Grace is a poignant and heartfelt story, in which love, devotion, and romance are put to the ultimate test.

Super Sixteen

Oh to be SIXTEEN again!?
I don't know that I would go back!?!
What about you?!?

My stepbrother Jacob, had an early celebration last night.
We all went to El Chico! The highlight of the night was watching Jacob turn 3 shades of red while being serenaded by the singing staff & family! He was such a good sport!

I just can't believe Jacob will be SIXTEEN!!
Our parents married when he was six so I have seen him grow from a little boy into a young man!

Here are a few pics:


Grandma Faye, David, Sue, Uncle Gary & Jacob


Jacob, Emily, Kayleigh, & Nathalie

Dare to Be

I enjoy my monthly M&Ms (Mom & Munchkins) group. I have met so many wonderful women within this group.

At our meeting last night, we enjoyed Mexican food & had a speaker that talked with us about crafts for kids. We even demolished a pinata. It was great seeing a bunch of grown women beat the heck out of it!

I was so excited to win one of the door prizes (really cute hand made cards)! We always get a really good newsletter with recipes & craft ideas. This time it also included a poem! I love poetry & this poem I thought was wonderful!

Steve Maraboli is an Air Force veteran turned motivational speaker.

Dare to Be
By Steve Maraboli

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
when something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you're feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best.
Dare to be the best you can -
At all times, Dare to be!

Jump Rope Jill

Jill Strong aka Jump Rope Jill came to the girls school.
I went to watch the assembly. She was awesome!!


Here are some facts about Jump Rope Jill:

Jumping rope since she was about 6 years old

Competing since the age of 10

6 Junior Olympic Individual Gold Medals

3 Time Individual World Champion

Jill was so much fun! The kids really enjoyed her!!

Kayleigh brought home a jump rope to show us some of the skills. It was fun watching her. She was really proud of the things she has learned! The kids will participate in a Jump Rope For Heart fundraiser towards the end of school.

Joseph

Joseph & The Techni-Color Dream Coat

My mom, Kayleigh & I went to see this musical! It was GREAT!

The man (Joshua James)that played Joseph reminded my mom & I of the guy I dated in high school. You know, kinda loud & obnoxious, but you can't help but like them. We laughed the whole time, it was soo, funny!

The man (Matthew Swift)[No relation to Taylor] that played Pharaoh was hysterical! His character resembled Elvis. Again, we laughed soo hard!!

Kayleigh said, "Mom, I thought this was a Bible story!?!"

It was a blast!! We had such a good time & laughed until we cried!!
The Musical ended with the cast receiving a well deserved standing ovation!!

Good-Bye Basketball

Basketball season has come to an end!

Kayleigh's team, Holliday Hotshots finished with a 5 win/3 loss and came in 4th overall. Kayleigh really picked up the sport quickly. I hope she will consider playing again next year!?!

Here is a picture of Kayleigh's team:
Holliday Hotshots 2010


Emily's team, Holliday Heartbreakers ended up an undefeated team! They came in 1st overall. Emily struggled at the beginning, but made us all proud by scoring a goal at her last game! Everyone cheered & some had tears of joy!!

Here is a picture of Emily's team:
Holliday Heartbreakers 2010


I am so proud of both Kayleigh & Emily for playing their 1st season of basketball! They had so many fans (family) cheering them on! Thank you to all the family for taking time to come & support the girls! It really means a lot!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA JERRY!!

Today is my PaPa Jerry's 75th Birthday!! We celebrated last night at mom & David's. PaPa loves my mom's spaghetti! How could he not!?! My Nanny was Italian; she had tomato sauce flowing through her veins. Papa has two rules about Italian food; NO mushrooms & NO garlic on his toast.

Here are a few pics of the celebration:

PaPa w/his cake


PaPa w/Emily & Nathalie
(Kayleigh had baseball practice)


PaPa w/Andy & Tommy

Happy Birthday PaPa Jerry!! We Love You!!