I am thankful...

- For my Savior who loves me, and my faith that keeps me believing.



- For the past that has made me who I am, and the future that I am helping to shape.



- For my family that has stood behind me and beside me... depending on where I needed them at the time.



- For my AMAZING husband who is fighting for our freedom, and watching his children grow up in pictures and videos.



- For my brother Marcus and friend Mark Stone who went to Iraq with every intention of coming back home in a very different manner. We love you both, and miss you everyday!

- For my best friend, Lori, who has been there since before it all... knows all the secrets and loves me still :-) and my sister, Jules, who is an inspiration to get out of bed everyday~even though we NEVER know what that day will hold.

-For all of YOU, who support our family, pray for my strength and celebrate the freedoms that our troops are fighting for. I love you all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Uncle Brett Graduates!!

As most of you know, my brother Brett has been in a men's ministry down in Sarasota for the past year while working on some addiction issues. He is doing SOOOO well and graduated last Friday!! We were so proud of him! Lysee couldn't make it to the dinner, because she was with her Dad but me, Kayne and Jules rode down to the Sarasota Marina Hotel to have dinner and celebrate the occasion. We got all dressed up! I even wore pantyhose. Now that is crazy!! Brett will be going to India with the leader of the ministry, and be completing some missionary work. We all can't wait to see what God has in store for Brett's life... There is a video on the youtube bar to the right of him speaking at the dinner~enjoy!

Veteran's Day Pics...

Here are a few pictures from the Veteran's Day Celebration at FL NATIONAL CEMETERY. We had a great time hanging out with Marcus and the other heroes that are buried there. The Governor of FL was there, as well! Thank you to ALL of our Veteran's for their service!

Bring them home, Santa

First, let me apologize for missing an ENTIRE WEEK on the blog... I know that some of you check it on a daily basis~and I SO appreciate that. However, life has been crazy lately! We put a bid in on a house and GOT IT! So, we are officially planning a move at the end of this year.... again. :-)
There are videos on the youtube sidebar here on the blog if you want to take a look! Also, there have been a lot of rumors that Bry may get to come home a little bit earlier than expected... and in the spirit of that, I made ANOTHER slideshow! LOL!

KAYNE IS ONE!!!!!!!

Kayne turned ONE YEAR OLD yesterday! It was a bittersweet day, considering it meant that Bryan has been gone for just over 11 months. I was so busy with planning his special day, that it really wasn't on my mind what all of the planning MEANT. So, when everyone was singing him Happy Birthday I almost started crying. In less than a minute I thought about every thing that Bryan has missed, and all that we have been through in the past year.

Stuff like... Moving to FL ( after having the movers cancel on us the DAY OF MOVING, and having to find NEW movers ), Kayne going into the hospital for a week, Aunt Janie getting sick and passing away, Marcus and our good friend Mark being killed, and sending Bryan BACK to Iraq.... Kayne rolling over, crawling, saying 'Dada' and now working on walking.

It seems as though we have had a lifetime of stuff happen since Bryan left last November. I think that we are all just ready for this deployment to be over with... ANYWAYS... We had a great time at the party, and here are some pics!

Me and the Birthday Boy

My Grandma and Bryan's Grandma hanging out with Kayne.

Look Kayne, it's Daddy!! (Bryan was present via webcam for most of the party!! Grandma Tina in NY also watched!!)

I hired a soldier to guard Kayne's gifts... that soldier SURE DOES look FAMILIAR!!

Just kidding!! It's just Aunt JULES!!

Opening his new DC shoes and shirt from Daddy... now they really WILL be twins!

Sister was such a BIG helper!

After ALL this time of encouraging him to eat natural foods, and little-to-NO sugar... he would NOT eat his birthday cake.

NO, Mommy!!! NO CAKE!!!

Look at my tongue!!

We asked everyone to bring a few items for the troops. We are going to make bags for the returning single soldiers in Marcus's memory... Look at ALL that stuff!!

Heyyyyyyy Daddy! Come home and watch me on my four wheeler!

The shoes that Daddy got Kayne!

I had everyone make fabric squares with quotes, Bible scriptures or wishes for Kayne. This is mine to him...

These are some of the squares from the people at the party! Can't wait to see the quilt!

Setting up a playplace for the kiddos...

Bryan's Dad got Kayne a mountain climber for his birthday, however... the ONLY one we could find was pre-assembled. And, because Grandpa Mark lives in NY... Lysee and I had to move it from the truck, to the back porch. Thanks alot, Grandpa! ;-)

It's Ok, Mommy... I've got it!!

Whew, it's getting HOT! This is taking FOREVER...

LAST PIECE

Finished product... the start of a play room for the kids!!

We had Kayne's birthday party at Mom and Dad's right down the street from us... Pics of that to come in the next post. Now that the climber is put together, I am SERIOUSLY considering charging Grandpa Mark for shipping and HANDLING of this present. LOL! :-)

Happy Halloween!!

Greetings from Tigger and Rock Star Elyse!

So, I have to say... I pretty much fell in love with my kids all over again after getting them ready for trick-or-treating tonight! They looked ADORABLE!! I went to Elyse's school earlier in the day for a "party" her class was having. However, I was quite disappointed!! Her teacher is kind of rediculous, and wouldn't even let them talk while they were eating ( can you imagaine, Amy?? Kids sitting and eating with NO talking at a class party... Never would happen in OUR classes! LOL! ) I was feeling quite akward, so I checked her out early to start getting ready to go to the church for trunk-or-treating. After a snack, a nap, about an hour of fixing Elyse's hair and coaxing Kayne into his outfit we were ready to head out!

Hey Mommy, I said 'Trick or treat' and this is what I got... WOW!

After a while of pounding the pavement, we decided to cheat and take the golf cart! :-) Muuuch better!

It was too hot for the Tigger costume when we went to Sissy's school, so Kayne was Superman!

We are praying that all of you are well, and that you all had a GREAT time making memories with your families. What a great realization it is that life is not about 'getting there' but it is about the journey... and that has helped me to try to not get so stressed about small things. I always worry that the kids won't "look perfect" or "act perfect" when we are out, so I usually get stressed while we are getting ready. However, I am trying to slow things down and just enjoy every precious moment of their childhood~because I know that there is a man in Iraq that is just waiting to have the opportunity that I do, to spend all this time with them. Baby, you are an amazing man that has afforded me such a great opportunity to stay home with our children. Thank you is not nearly enough... You are a blessing from God and I love you!!