Happy Birthday my angel!

Wow! 7 years! Not a day goes by that I don't think of you! 7 years ago tonight your dad and I were in the hospital waiting to hear when you would arrive. Your big brother was with Uncle John and Aunt Sara. I couldn't sleep, and your dad tried to ease my pain by bringing in romance movies for me to watch..(he, of course, fell asleep) The next afternoon you came into this world and your dad got to see the whole thing. He was wrapped around your finger right away! You share your birthday with Aunt Sara, and she got to hold you before John. You were so tiny, but so perfect. A little trooper! I think you came so early so your dad would get time with you. We had so much fun! You made our family complete! We miss you soo much, but I know we'll get to see you again! Happy Birthday my little angel!

Happy Happy Birthday bug!

We Will NEVER Forget

As I sit here today watching the tribute and memorial, I am brought back to Tuesday, September 11, 2001. I remember waking up next to Grant, getting ready for our normal day. I turned on the TV and gasped. That was the day that the world changed for me. At first, I was shocked at the hatred that one must have to take all those lives...but then, slowly, I was reminded of how much love there is in the world. How many heroes we have. How many friends we have. I watched in terror as the Pentagon was hit. I was stunned at Flight 93, and I was terrified as the Twin Towers fell. Then I was amazed as I watched the New York Police, The New York Fireman, and countless others run back INTO the destruction hoping to find survivors. I watched in awe as military members and first responders run INTO the fire engulfed Pentagon. Days later as the story of Flight 93 came to light, I felt an overwhelming love for those passengers. I realized, that we, even in the worst of times, have the ability to save another life. I realized that the human spirit is greater than any evil that exists. For days the world watched the American Spirit, in all it's glory. The world watched as America pulled together. The world watched as we, once again, became "One Nation Under God, Indivisible.." The world watched as Americans remembered where we came from, what we believe in, as a nation.
I remember the sadness I felt over the loss of life. My heart ached for those who perished, wondering what what was going through their minds as death approached. And then, I knew, even without seeing it, that those people were not alone in the end. They had others with them..they had angels, arms encircling them, guiding them to Heaven. I realized that they had peace at the end.
These people would forever be etched in our minds, in our history. The world will always remember 9/11.
Today, I am honoring all those who survived. Today, I am honoring all those who didn't. Today I am honoring the heroes of September 11, 2001. "These are not lives that were taken, these are lives that were given."

First day of School 2011/2012

Look at my men! Grant got to be here for his first day of school. He had to come back from work, but he made it!

He's sooooo flippin' cute!

Ignore the old lady with the cute boy!

Macen and his first Busch Gardens Rollercoaster!

Williamsburg Cannon!

These boys...how they make me laugh. Macen misses Geran so much!

The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg

Another good thing about having Geran here is that he didn't mind me dragging him to points of history. One of my favorite places to go is Williamsburg. It's 10 minutes away, and the history is AMAZING! Here we are at the College of William and Mary. (This is the school that I wanted to go to) It's right in the middle of historic Williamsburg.

Yorktown Beach

This is my favorite beach in the whole wide world..okay, maybe not the WHOLE world, but at least in Virginia. It is 5 minutes down the road from our house. The local pub is here, and the history is amazing. For those of you who have not brushed up on history, this is the place where the British surrendered thereby ending the Revolutionary war. The British had bombed this beach (which was a trade area back in the day) thinking that it would stop our allies from getting here.. The French showed up just in time, and with George Washington on the south side, they cornered the British.. (Watch "The Patriot" for a more dramatic view) anyway, Cornwallis actually held up in a cave and sent a subordinate to sign the Surrender...the cave is still here..and if you ever feel like a visit, I would love to take you here!

The brothers!

The Surrender!

Come on Irene!

Hurrican Irene..Gerans first EVER!! So what do we do when a hurrican comes to our door? We PLAY!!!

Our Visit with Geran (aka Macen other brother)

My best friend Nan let her cute son Geran come and play with us for a few weeks. Of course, he arrived and we had an earthquake, a lot of rain, and the Hurricane Irene came knocking...gee thanks Geran... Anyway, we got to pick Grant up on the USS Cole and he gave us a tour. It's an amazing ship and I invite all of you to come for a visit so we can show you the history!

Geran checking out the ships at Norfolk!

Yup..Geran at Waffle House!!!