Del Mar Fair

Today is Chuckie's Birthday. His big birthday present from Janet was 2 HUGE corn dogs from the Fair. He got them!! He was very happy with them. Happy Birthday Chuckie!!

Of course, the first thing we did was to start eating. Teriyaki chicken, beef, brocolli bowl, egg rolls, and nachos all were on the table within 1/2 hour of our arrival!! While we ate, we watched this bungy jump thing!! A couple of the guys chickened out but the girls actually jumped!! Oh, to be that young and trusting again!! LOL

The first ride was this monstrosity that twirled and twisted and spun upside down!! Debbie and Janet went on it and Keith and I chose to watch and take pictures!!
Look at those faces!! They said that they probably wouldn't go on it again!! Debbie tried several other rides and we all had a blast!!




Then we all went on the Water Slide Ride and got soaked!! Debbie said it was because we had to much weight in our car ~~ can't imagine that~~ We played games, I won an itty bitty bear (about the size of my little finger!) and a red, white, and blue Bear on the Horse Race game. Keith barely missed a BIG animal on the basketball hoop thing, we also played thequarter toss, Janet took a turn at darts And we all got wet!!
And then we got some more to eat and came home to rest!!! We had a good day!!

Busy Sunday!!

We all got around on Sunday in time for some pictures before we headed off to Church. Here is Keith and I and the littlest - so far! And then all of the kids in their Sunday Smiles!!




Here is Ladaria, Tyrique, Raquel, (next row) Jaleel, Brayana, Destini (next row) Taniyah, and Makkiah. Tetee is standing on a bench. She definately isn't as tall as Kiah. And here is my baby - and she still has a month to go!!! (at least that's what the calendar says)

Then after Church, S'te took the older kids off to see a movie on base so Keith and I took Tetee and went over to Coronado Island to Coldstones Ice Cream (see the evidence?). It was a beautiful day. Keith eventually took off his South Pole shirt and enjoyed the nice breeze. We all had huge chocolate desserts and Tetee was quite the little lady. She had a blast just hangin' with the old folk. After we finished cleaning up and changed her clothes. . . we took a walk around the park to see what has changed. They took the fountain out, the ducks and pond are gone. . . but we found . . . .

Dixieland Music. She danced and watched the people that can really dance, she ran, Keith napped, she danced some more and then she met a friend that wanted to dance too!! I tried really hard to get a picture of them doing the "swing" but the shutter just wouldn't work fast enough!!

We stopped and got a "caricature" done of Tetee and I by the sidewalk artist. She was quite the Ham. As soon as I figure out how to, I will post it. I LOVE it. She was so cute!!! And of couse, no trip to the Park would be complete without a little trip into the sand. . . . She didn't like the water much - actually - she didn't like it at all - but the sand was ok.

So after all the fun, sun, sand, and dancing ~~ we took a very tired little girl home - she was so tired ~ she put herself to bed!!!

S'te and kids arrived via a friend - the van wouldn't start, wouldn't jump start, wouldn't move at all!! She is blessed to have a friend that also has a vehicle that an entire basketball team can fit into!!!

What a wonderful Day!!

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever!

There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today;

but I did!

And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments,

the many blessings, and,

yes, even the hardships

because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart.

I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts:

the morning dew,

the sun, the clouds,

the trees,

the flowers,

the birds.

Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people.

I'll make someone smile.

I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down.

I'll tell a child how special he is, and

I'll tell someone I love just how deeply

I care for them and how much they mean to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and

start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed,

I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens.

I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and

I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow,

I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life.

And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child,

excited with expectation because

I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

I don't know who wrote this, I received it via email and I really, really liked it so I thought I would post it. Maybe everyone else will like it too!!

Best Wishes and Lots of Love!

I know that this week-end - especially tomorrow - is Sharen's long-awaited SPECIAL DAY! I am sitting here sort of feeling sorry for myself because I'm not there but really feeling that I should be here. A bit conflicted. By now (I've been here just short of a month - S'te may be wishing that I was there by now!) I really do hope she knows that I am there in spirit and best wishes. I am so happy that she will be surrounded by family and special friends as she and Jack renew their vows. From the small amount of "chatting" and the noticable lack of any news on her Blog - I know she has been busy, busy, busy.

I cannot be there in person but I want to give my Congrats and Best Wishes to the Happy Couple and for everyone to have a great time - and email me the details ! ! ! ! !

Happy Birthday S'te

I can't believe it's been 30 years since I first held you in my arms. You were a tiny little thing. So beautiful!!!

It is amazing how times change:
I don't have a newborn picture of you on my screensaver. In fact, the hospital where you were born didn't take nursery pictures and we didn't own a camera. So we have NO newborn pictures of you. I have ultrasound pictures of the grandchildren - but I never had an ultrasound before you were born. Those were special and used only for "problems". Since you had no problems - we saw the OB every so often until the last trimester. Then we went every 2 weeks (mostly the last month) and since not many of us had more than just a guestimate of our due date - all of the dates were +/- several weeks.

We didn't know if you were a boy or a girl - it just wasn't done in those days. One of the baby shower "games" was to swing a wedding ring over the belly - if it went in circles it was one (don't remember which) and if it went like a pendulum - it was the other (obviously)!!

I cleaned house like mad - it was a Sunday and your father was trying really hard to put a new foundation under his house. I was bothering him - so he told me to go find something to do. So I took Jeremy and went to Grandma's and bothered her. I just couldn't sit still. Aunt Sharen came over to Grandma's too - she was pregnant with Brett - Grandma was having a Gin Rummy game at her house so we chatted, hovered, cleaned the kitchen, watched Jeremy at the park across the street, and Maggie Larsen laughed at me and said "won't be long now". I figured she would know - she had 6 kids herself ~~

Dinner time came and we went home to cook. I went to the bathroom and then called the hospital. I didn't cook. . . . I got your Father out from under the house, he took a bath and changed clothes, and THEN my dear husband and I took Jeremy up to Aunt Susie's to stay - Aunt Susie said "see you in an hour or two - you aren't ready". . . Stopped at the A&W Drive Inn (since I didn't cook) and he wanted to go inside and eat. Now, I wasn't really in any bad pain - it was dinnertime - but I was just uncomfortable - and my BACK HURT - so I talked him into getting his dinner to go. The options were - get it to go or take me to the hospital and come back. I really think I was getting crabby about this time. It was after 6 - I'd been trying to get him going since about 4:30 and we had to go to the next town!!

Well, we got there at 6:45. Dr. Wolfe came in and said hi. Your father walked the halls. No phone, no tv, no family, no friends. That's how it was. Only husbands allowed in the labor room. He wouldn't even call my Mom because he thought it was a false alarm. The belt for the monitor wouldn't stay on my belly :) and my BACK HURT. I slid clear down on the bed so I could put my feet on something to take the pressure off of my BACK!! Your father thought I was being silly. He told me to quit whining and "toughen up" and left me in there alone.

Then you decided - it was no false alarm. I rang the nurse. The nurse said "hold on a minute!!" and ran for the Dr. (who, by the way, was stitching up a motorcycle casualty in the ER) who made it into the delivery room at 9:11 and your arrived at 9:12. Dr. Wolfe said you were beautiful, coo'd over you for (oh about) 45 seconds and returned to the ER to finish up. I was cleaned up and in my own room (there wasn't any other patients in "that wing" of the hospital that weekend. They brought you to me. It was instant, whole hearted, life expanding love, the minute I saw that tiny little face!!! Then you Father was allowed in to see us. He thought you were the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen!! And of course, you were!!! Visiting hours (like there was someone else there to desturb!) were long over - so he had to go - and he went to spread the news.

Next day we needed to decide your name. In those days, they wouldn't let you out of the hospital until you had an official name. He didn't like any of the names I came up with. Not Jessica, not Betty Jean (after grandmas), not Alexsis, not nothing. He did like the Marie part. During the afternoon visiting hours he came with a card that had the letters S'te on it and said "This is her name. How do you want to pronounce it?" I tried hard to think of how it should be pronounced. I finally came up with S.T. as a pronunciation. He agreed and you've been Miss Bright or Mrs. Elmore ever since. We put S'te Marie Bright on your Birth Certificate and off he went (visitation over again). He was going to return to work on Tuesday, so Grandma came and picked me up and we went to meet your brother. HE was EXCITED. He kept touching your little fingers and running that single finger across your forehead - because you made a face when he did that. We spent several hours at Aunt Susie's before Grandma took me home - so I'd get there before your Father go home from work. Guess what - we woke him up!!!! He had "spread the word" so hard that he was just waking up.

And our life began. It has been full of ups and downs, hills and valleys. But there is no one on this earth that can doubt that I have always, will always, and never faltered in my unconditional love for you. All it took was to gaze on that little face!!!

Happy Birthday S'te. Love Mom

Keith away!!

Keith had to go back to Florida to get our car out of the "Long Term Lot". When we left it there - we planned to go back together and spend a few days "summerizing" our home, but, with Rod going out to sea, S'te and her "funny" due dates, and Kiah's surgery - we thought it might be best for me to stay here. So I did. She did take it easy for a few days:

And then here is what we did:

Cute huh?

And today we put together dressers.

Memorial Day 2007

God
Bless
You
Each And
Every

One!!!!

Thank you for our Freedom to:
Pursue Life, Liberty, and Happiness
and to
Speak Freely
Educate Ourselves
Pursue a Career
Choose our Religion
Travel Freely
Choose our Clothing
Choose our Foods

and just so many more - I cannot begin to name them.

Thank you for defending these
Precious Freedoms
even for those who do not
"believe in the cause"
but reap the benefits without a qualm.

Jeremy's Birthday

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY

JEREMY!!

I love you and miss you

more than

you could ever know!!

Love MOM

My little sickie

Medicine makes me feel "Yucky"!!

Trying to rest.

" Never brushed my teeth in bed before!!"

Our Sunday Morning

The big girls are ready!!



Naner is in a dress!!!!

Kiah loves his suits!!

Rod does the Baptism's that bring 5 people to the Lord.

Hospital

Please pray for S'te as she went in for a checkup last evening - and they have admitted her to the Naval Hospital to try to stop her contractions. This is way, way to early for this precious little bundle to come into the world. Help us pray that it be God's Will that this little person stay warm and protected for AT LEAST 3 more weeks!!!

And since you will already be talking to God - please also pray for His Will to have Mak's surgery on Thursday (same hospital) come thru successfully and that the little guy has a minimum of pain and discomfort. They will basically be drilling a hole through his face to make a drainage tube for his sinus. With his already compromised respiratiory system - this is a really major surgery. And of course - he doesn't really understand just what it is.

Thank you all!!

Fun Fest

We went to Faith Community to the Fun Fest on Saturday. S'te waddled around a bit before she just found a place to sit - and sat!! Thankfully!!! Ever since Wednesday, when she started having "cramps", she has done a fair job of staying off of her feet. The kids don't really understand - but - que sera sera!!!

Anyhow, the Action Team did a short presentation, Ty, Naner, and Jay all headed for the skate park, Makk was amazed by the Fire Engine, Police Car, and of course, (as well as Dery and RQ) the CHARGERS PLAYERS!!! There were 3 of them there and we got AUTOGRAPHS and a few PICTURES !!

Wonderful Time

Keith has had to work the last few days (like all day meetings!!) so I've just been having fun!!! S'te and I have been shopping several times - buying strange things like - wood waterseal, doorknobs, just miscellaneous stuff - I spent $23 at the DOLLAR STORE!!

So yesterday, I attempted to put some of the waterseal on the fence - nada - not something I can do. I got a bit of it done (used a gallon) but I couldn't get it on uniformly so - someone else will get the honors for the rest of it. Now they have a rather blotchy looking fence to live with until the weather evens it out~~~

Then on to the evening entertainment. S'te and Keith both had evening meetings and I went to every.single.open-house for my kids (that I knew of anyway). They didn't really have them all that often in the itty bitty town that we were in. Anyhow, I revisited the nostalgia - went again and it was really great. The open house was for 4 of the kids that attend the same school. After wandering around the auditorium and finding and oohing and aahhing over the special artwork that each one had the honor of being posted we went out to the Quad. They had Pizza, bottled water, coffee, and juice all set up - so that when you had stood in line for long enough and said "yes, there are 9 of us" (Papa didn't go! S'te didn't go! just me and the kids!) they handed us a whole pizza in the box. We gathered plates, napkins, etc - found a seat for us - the weather was perfect - and devoured this pizza. Then one of the girls went back thru the -much shorter- line and got another box. I think everyone got filled up. I was served a very hot cup of coffee and watched the kids play until they opened the individual rooms so that we can go look at all the special projects, reports, additional artwork, etc that our precious little ones have worked their little fingers to the bone on. . .


The 3rd grade room was first as it was the closest - imagine the look on my face when I go into the room trailed by 7 children, 1 over my shoulder and look at our special one's desk 3rd one in from the door and see:

MY DAUGHTER SET ME UP FOR THIS!!

The teacher hurried over and described in detail the excellent craftmanship that went into these works of art. Especially the brown one because no one thought the "nose" would make it thru the firing process. . . I had every parent around me staring at the items I was holding in my hands. . and said student was as proud as could possibly be. It seems that they have been studying masks and totems in class and this was his interpretation of what they must've looked like. The teacher also seemed very proud of this artwork also. Now to be fair - it did take a few minutes to focus. . . but. . .
With this information - and from the right angle, they do look a little more like a mask and a totem pole than they did at first. This was definately our highlight of the evening - we then met the class lizzard and. . .
We then went on to the 4th grade room and looked at all of the things that she had prepared for her open house. She worked hard too. There were poems, pictures, State Reports, all kinds of stuff. Her state was Montana - sure wish she had picked a state that we'd gathered our paraphanilia from during our Novice RV Trip!! Then on to the 5th grade room. We met the Rat named Peanut (the class mascot), looked at Rhode Island, saw her desk, more artwork, the different boards and all the work they had been doing all year.

And then on to the kinder room. Now remember, we've been at this for 2 hours now!! The baby was trying real hard to sleep on my shoulder, we've had to put the backpack on the kinder kid to contain him, the 3rd and 4th graders are bored now that they've shown their stuff. . .

So we get to the last room. He too has worked hard on paintings, drawings, a farm report complete with illustration. He showed us where he sits for story time, his desk, his computer that he does his flash cards on. . .

It's for sure different than when I went to school!!!

We got home, did chores, had bedtime story and prayers - and they ALL went right to bed and right to sleep!!

Then S'te got home and saw the only artwork that was sent home and we had a good hard laugh about me and 8 children carrying the mask and totem throughout the school for the evening. . .

So - I had fun - and you know the rest of the story. . .. . :) and if I missed any part of it - I'm sorry - I'm still laughing!!!!

Beautiful

View the slideshow

Today was a fun day. After the kids got back from school and reading club we had all the hair and nail paraphanelia out. They girls (including Tetee) all took turns working on my and Ladaria's hair. We had some wild styles!! I have more mouse and hairspray and "leave in conditioner" in my hair right now than I've had in years put together!! We had lots of fun while Mom rested. Rod is underway and she has been having those wonderful charley horses at night - so she was exhausted. We all also practiced walking like her - to her dismay :)

The older girls are now sporting white tipped nails but I just had to take the "pretty" yellow off of mine - they just got all scrateched up - even before they dried.

Then it was dinner and off to bed!! All is well here and we are having lots of fun. Am so blessed by being able to be here - It's so hard to even describe how happy I am to be here with everyone.

Only a week until Kiah's surgery. We pray nightly for a good outcome. The little guy has already had so many medical problems!!

So it's off to say my prayers - for me and all the others that are in need>

Mother's Day

I started Mother's Day out with "first shot at the shower" (and in a home with 12 people - that's special)!! I also spent a few minutes pondering and reminissing about my dear Mother and of thanking the Lord for all the things that I learned from her. Above all, the empathy and compassion. Bless her and keep her always. I learned many many good things from her. She has been with the Lord for many years now - but I think of her often and many of her "ways" will be with me always. We then joined Rod and S'te for church. It was an amazing message ~ as usualy. Pastor Vines has such a way with words!! He bragged and blessed us all while teaching the Word. We acturally learned about the women in Mary, Mother of Jesus', maternal lineage.

THEN:We had 3 really happy Mom's here today. Here is S'te and her family. Ages 16 all the way down to our little Tetee who is 2. Makkiah is sitting on her lap - he is our "accident looking for a place to happen"!! Check out the Money Pit for his latest escapade. . .

I took 3 of the girls shopping (WHEEEEEE) while dinner was cooking and we were blessed that the rest of them decided to wait until we returned to eat. We shopped as fast as we could ~~ but there were just so many.stores. and.so.little.time!!! We said a wonderful group blessing with each of us asking the Lord to help us with our own personal "character defect" that we felt needed special work. THEN WE ATE!!! AND ATE!!Rod really put himself out at the BBQ!! We had carne asada, chicken asada, jambalaya, and all the goodies that go with it. I was soooo full!! But it was soooo gooooooddddd!!

This is Marsha and her family. She is S'te's best friend. Her husband Will is under way so she came and joined us for our Happy Day. She spent the day keeping S'te company, showing us how to work Ladaria's hair, and I do believe she had as much fun as the rest of us. There was much laughter and and good times!!

We opened our gifts and cards after dinner and it dawned on us to take a couple of picutes (dhuh)

S'te commented to Rod "Do we really have to have our faces in this?" and the result of that question was a "faceless picture" Can you tell who is 7.5 months pregnant? That's really not saying much for the other one - is it?

Ater dinner and wind down, we watched a documentary DVD on Arlington National Cemetary - which is a very emotional link to what these 2 families live every day. Many of thier friends and other family members are in harm's way as I type. The DVD itself was very informative and very humbling in the portrayal of the beginnings of the Cemetary as well as the Honor, Respect, and Pride which every member of our Military deserves. The History of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is especially poignant to me - - but I'm into history any how!!

So, I had a lovely Mother's Day and feel wonderful just being able to be here with my lovely daughter and her family. Just, please keep Makkiah in your prayers for his upcoming surgery. It has us all a little bit skittish. . .

We are here

We had a great flight across the country yesterday. All went wonderfully. I had never been on a plane as big as Delta's Boeing 767. We both got isle seats right across from each other. We had a short flight from Orlando and then a longer one from Atlanta to San Diego. The kids all seemed glad to see us. I didn't see Tyrique until this morning just before he went to school. He is playing Lacrosse so he has practice after school and I laid down on the couch about 9 (midnight in the time zone we left) and didn't wake up until about 2. It was a long, long day. We actually even stopped by Channel 1 for about an hour.

Today S'te and I went to the Muffins for Mom's "Concert" that was performed by Mak's kindergarten class. It was great!! I think I embarrased him. Tetee ate her muffin and drank her water like a little lady. The kids were really good. The "Concert" was for Mother's Day and they all just worked really hard. It was amazing and really touching. I am so glad that I was able to be here to see it. I felt like the worst Grandma ever - I forgot my camera!!!!

I cooked a big meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy tonight. It's been awhile since I've made a meatloaf for 12. There was a little bit of meatloaf, a spoonful of potatoes, and some gravy left. But not much, so it must've been ok. We all sat down to the table and had a wonderful family meal with all the kids taking turns being told how to sit up to the table, keep their elbows off the table, talking, chatting, laughing. We really had a great time. We were only missing Ty (again) as he had practice and a game tonight. I hope we do it many times in the next couple of weeks - and I hope that Ty will get to join us a couple of times.

I am impressed totally about S'te "nesting" abilities. The fence looks like it was professionally done and the painting of the library and all the pictures in the library and hallway hung. She's sure been busy, busy!!

No plans in the future except for enjoying the kids and keeping Kiah healthy so that he doesn't have anything get in the way of his having his surgery on the 24th. I am soooo blessed with having such a wonderful, kind, caring and empathetic husband. He is so dear.... he immediately re-booked our return flight as soon as we got news about the surgery. And the helper at the Airlines actually shopped around and got us flights for the same price so we only had to pay the change fee.

All seems to be going well and I am sure glad to be here.

Spring Repairs Done

We've had a busy day today. The roof repairers were here at 8 am to start fixing the leaks on our roof. The manufacturer never put a "flashing" on the roof when they made it. When it rains (which is usually often) it pours into our screen room. They worked all day but got it all done. Now I'm waiting for a rain so see if they found the leaky spot(s). It looks pretty good but I was suprised when he guessed the age of the roof to be 7-8 years old. The "manufacture date" in the closet says October 2003. Not a good sign!!!! We also got the a/c units thier "annual" checkups and cleanings. hehe Vernon from In Reason HVAC did an excellent job - as usual.

We also went to Okeechobee for our first time. We went to the hearing that was real close to what we used to watch on "The Guardian". Everyone introduced themselves, the judge asked the case manager what was going on, she replied with less than basic, truthful info, the GAL that I've never met had submitted a less than truthful report, and the Judge never read my letter. Basic JR. Crap. I did talk to Mom for a few minutes and she seems to be in a good frame of mind and thanked me for the personal pictures and videos of the kids that I sent with them. Glad they made it to her - I was concerned after the last workers lost the picture albums. I wish her good luck. The kids deserve it. They deserve a real life instead of being shoved from home to home by the system.

Anyhow we are childless and getting ready for yet another short trip before we head out for the summer. It's way to quiet here. Gotta go see the kids. I've been checking my "blogline" often for updates. S'te is working hard on her house - she is "nesting" big time - I vaguely remember that time - just before the baby comes. Fond memories. Check out her newest pics on her blog. The "Money Pit" is looking better all the time!!

Got some closets cleaned out and dinged out the shed. Put a pile of "stuff" out on the curb. By this morning everything was gone. Better that than the dump.

Trying to eat all the open stuff and keep leftovers to a minimum. It's hard not to open that jar of something - because it will have to be tossed before we can turn off the fridge. Just little things. . .

Oh, and I went shopping. Repairing my wardrobe. :) Tried on a pair of shorts. They fit so I got the same ones in 2 other colors and a pair of jeans. The pair I tried on still fits, the other 2 are 2 big and the jeans are 2 small. All the same size, same brand. Go figure. Took the 2 small and the 2 big stuff back, tried another pair on, they fit - so I finally wound up with 2 new pair of shorts. And 2 more pair to return. I'm working on getting something to wear on the cruise in August. Another bit blessing to look forward too. I have so many!! It is going to be a great summer!!! Wedding, baby, cruise, family, friends, wonderful husband. . . . life can't get any better. Only 1 thing could possibly happen to make it all perfect. . . .

I am so looking forward to seeing my little fat girl. . . . . .

Missing and Exploited Children

It has been 21 years since this family portrait was taken. In so many ways it seems like it was just yesterday and in so many others it seems like several lifetimes ago.

This was taken right after Jeremy's outstanding basketball season while playing for South Middle School in Grants Pass, Oregon. His coach nominated him for the United States Achievemnet Academy 1986 Awards. I still open Volune 31 to see his picture there. I'll never forget the pride and honor his Coach bestowed on him in a letter written to me along with a copy of this stats for that season. He was never happier than when he was playing ball. It never mattered if it was basketball, baseball, or pinball he loved it. And he had such a natural talent. Since he was tall for a 13 year old, and left handed, he could sneak up on the opposite team and suprise them easily with both right and left handed moves. The summer after this Portrait was taken we spent most of our time at Riverside Park. I was attending Business College and worked evenings but the afternoons were all ours. Jeremy and his constant shadow, S'te, ran, fished, swam, and biked all over the park while I studied both my books and them. That summer was the first (and only time that I know of) time he "liked" a girl. Actually took her to the movies. Her name was Eve. I'll never ever forget her name. It was my first realization that my "baby" was growing up. And so handsomly too! In my hazy memories, it was the best summer we ever had together.

Then something bad happened. We still do not know what happened. We may never know what but I pray that we will know where he is someday soon. The Coos County Sheriff's Department has spent countless manhours on investigation ~ for naught. But they haven't given up!! They are still working this as an active case - it hasn't been relagated to the "cold case" stack. Even after all of this time. The tools in place now for protecting children were not even thought of then. I fight between jealousy and relief every time an Amber Alert has a positive outcome. Sometimes even when the news isn't good. At least here is news for the grieving family. It is bittersweet knowledge that these families have to grieve senseless, sadistic acts brought on by the perverted people that have abounded. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children had only been in existence for a couple of years at that time. They have had Jeremy registered there since 1986 - and they have also not given up. All that we need is for the person or persons that has the missing puzzle pieces to come forth. The piece may not even be something that seems important. I pray that no one will take the pieces of our personal hell to thier grave with them rather than to help this one family solve a senseless event. I call it that ~ only because I do not know what else to call it.

A few years ago, I received this picture from NCMEC. It is an computer age-progressed idea of what Jeremy would probably look like at the age of 26. Isn't he still handsome??

A few weeks ago, I had more realization that God was still giving out tools for finding him. NCMEC contacted both S'te and I for DNA samples. We gladly complied. They will use these samples to run against the DNA collected from John Does. This program will hopefully answer questions for many families. I know in my mind that answers are needed - even when they douse that flicker of hope that has remained in our hearts - even after all these years. Pray for the families that have missing loved ones. We need these answers. We can't grieve until we know we have something to grieve for and we can't give up that glimmer of hope until we must.


Just this week, I received another age progressed guess of what he may look like at age 34. The end of this month is his 35th Birthday. His birthday is the same day as the Missing Child Awareness Day. He is still soooo handsome!!

I see the same humorous glint in his eyes that I see in S'te's. He would be so proud of her. She has so many qualities that she must've learned from him. The empathy, sympathy, humor, and steadfast loyalty that he always showed is so very apparent in her. He blessed our lives for such a short time - but left such amassive number of great memories. . . We love you, baby. Please, help us find you.

Jamestown and Arlington Cemetary

We got up and packed our "gear" to check out and be away on the last leg of our journey. We decided to drive down to the Jamestown Settlement before heading north again. After 3 days of walking all day, we opted for the drive thru tour of the island that the original settlement was founded on. As always, the history of our Country amazed me. The trials and tribulations that the early settlers went thru to found our Nation were truly amazing. The melding of cultures and the many things learned by all is what made our Nation the "melting pot" that it became. We saw so many things. The Island itself has pretty much gone back to nature - but we were able to see the swamps and bogs that were so instrumental in moving the settlement more inland. There are spots that trees are growing straight out of the standing water!!

After taking the long route around the island, we took the "scenic route" back inland. We drove thru about 40 miles of back roads to see the plantation homes of yesteryear. I was amazed at how small many of these homes actually were. Of course, they were closed to the public - the "season" hasn't started yet. But I got to see the outside of them. We did take pictures of the signs that gave the history to them - and that was in itself interesting to me.

After finishing our second "tour" of the day - we headed back to the Rappanahock to cross over to the Potomic back into Maryland. Then we headed west again as we decided we had time to do a quick view of the Arlington National Cemetary. We went on a mini tour there also. I was at the Cemetary during my 9th grade school year - so it has been awhile for me. I was amazed to learn that Keith never visited it - even when he worked right there at the Pentegon!! We had to wait for the tour to start as the Japanese Minister of Defence was touring and it was closed to the public until he was out of the area. It was worth waiting for. It was a very moving tour - including the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the gravesites of the Kennedy's - both President and Robert Kennedy's sites, the Monument in Memory of the Space Shuttle crash, and many many many others. If you are ever able to get there - it is certainly a very moving place to visit. In one spot of the tour - you see graves - as far as the eye can see - in any direction. This is the price that our Brave Men and Women have paid for our Freedom. The same freedom we take so for granted!!

After that, we toured on down to the Monument "Park" and saw the Jefferson Monument, the Vietnam Wall, Washington Monument and so many more of those that I couldn't even begin to name them all. It too shows the great people and great works that are so part of our heritage. The AMERICAN Heritage. We have that whether our forefathers came from Japan, Korea, Ireland, China, Africa, England, France, or anywhere else. Maybe we should be dwelling on our Freedoms instead of chafing on the unfairness that we seem to want to waller in~~

After again putting miles on our feet, we headed closer to the airport. Driving thru Washington DC I was able to get a pretty good picture of the renovated "row houses" in the downtown area. They were renovated some years ago (but since I was there last) and are actually in a pretty seedy part of town - but hey are still really awesome looking. These aren't the best ones I was - just the only ones I got pictures of.

We then headed over towards the airport. We had the only poor experience of our entire trip. We got a lousy, smelly, dirty room. And by the time Keith went back up to complain, they were full. He left a scathing comment card - and we actually got a follow up phone call, an apology, and our room charges reversed. The carpet was so sticky and dirty that I spread bath towels out on it to walk on so I didn't have to do the floor in my bare feet. I will walk thru security at the airport barefoot - but that carpet - no.no.no!!

So this was our last day before heading back home. It was a jammed packed week - with lots of sights, lots of history, lots of laughs and a very good time.

We had a great flight back to Florida, seemed like it went by in a flash!! Stopped at the Lone Cabbage, ate stuffed crab and watched the gators floating in the marsh. Welcome home!!!!

Photos

Some pictures from our days at Solomans and the good time we had with friends. I think the bridge is longer and higher than the Coronado Bridge!! I spelled Potomac wrong on most of the pictures and the party was overlooking the Potomac River - not the Bay!! But once I got the text on the pics - I wasn't able to get it off!!!

Here are some of the Day 1 pictures of our drive down to Williamsburg - the farms and some scenery. The Inn where we had lunch was very unique and it was in Tappahonnock on the Rappahonnock River. They will be celebrating 400 years this month and the town was all decked out for it.

Many of the buildings in Colonial Williamsburg are actually closed this weekend to get ready for Queen Elizabeth's arrival on Thursday. She has already sent over her carriage, bed, and many of her linens for her 2 or 3 day stay here in Williamsburg and the drive down Duke of Glouchester Street. She will be here to commorate the 400th Anniversary of the founding. Thankfully, we are here this weekend!! It has been a great weekend - but next weekend will be a crush - and very limited due to high security. The news said she was here for the 350th Anniversary also. Now that's a real piece of trivia :)

Solomans, MD

We had a pretty good 2 days at Solomans in Maryland. Keith had to attend meetings - so the first day I dropped him off and went out on my own. I hit every little shop in the historical fishing village while he worked. I also went out looking for the power cord for my laptop - as I forgot to bring mine from home :(. This quest took me to the next town - 40 miles away and I found several other shops and an Amish market to browse thru. Complete with the corral for the horses and the buggies pulled up behind each bazaar table. There were absolutely beautiful quilts, hand crocheted afgans, blankets, bonnets - everything you could imagine - but absolutely nothing that I couldn't live without!! It was definately worth the trip out there to see what wonderful work they do.

After my trip out there and checking into the Inn in Soloman, Keith and work crew showed up to take me to a retirement party that just happened to be happening. It was held on the base at PAX and had the river and bay as a backdrop. We had a very nice time. The Retiree (Malik) was suprised and very happy to have his book filled with people that he had worked with from all over the country!!

From there we went to the famous Tiki Bar and enjoyed friendship and halarity for a bit longer before we called it a night.

The next day was a bit cooler and rained off and on so I didn't get to do much more sightseeing - but did make it down to the harbor between squalls to watch the boats (beautiful boats too) come up the river from fishing out on the bay. The picture above is a bird's eye view of Solomans from the top of the bridge over the Patuxant River.

We saw friends and Keith's coworkers from all over for the two days before they all headed back to thier respective homes and we headed out to Williamsburg. We continue to enjoy ourselves on thru the trip. We can't hardly wait to see what Williamsburg will bring. The weather hasn't been really nice but is supposed to be nicer for the weekend. We will see....

Lexington Park, MD

When Keith asked me if I wanted to go to Baltimore with him - I jumped at the chance. I had visions of looking up old "times and places" and pretty much re-visiting my own history - on my own - while he was in the meetings that brought us here to begin with. Imagine my suprise when I found out that we are actually in Lexington Park, right down the street from California, MD and not to terribly far from Myrtle Point, MD. If I can find those signs again - I am going to take pictures of them. I don't think I will make it on my historical sabbatical as we are about 3 hours south of the Baltimore Washington International Airport (it was Friendship International last time I was there hehe). We drove down thru several small towns, I saw some beautiful homes, and even tho' Keith let me steer - he did most of the driving.... too fast, slow down, wrong lane, light is red, car is stopping, turn here . . He just loves to be in control!!!

I didn't find out until after we landed and were in the car where ~ when I asked for a map and was told he knows where we are going~ did I realize that I would be visiting to far from anything to see anything. If you look at the northern shore of the Patuxant River (near the state line off of the Chesapeake Bay,) clear at the end point, you will see a little dot called Soloman's. This is where I will be entertaining myself while the meetings are on. The meetings are at the Patuxtant Naval something or another. . Keith used to do a lot of partying here (at Soloman's)~back in the day~ we drove by all his old "favorites" (didn't stop anywhere) found the motel we are booked at and he is napping as I write this.

I'm sure I will find something to entertain myself with - I did bring two books - so I can read and watch TV if nothing else....

So much for the best laid plans . . . and the daydreams:( And I still have Williamburg to look forward to - I hope - :)

Friday Night

We took the boys and went to a Southern Gospel Concert at our Church last night. "Hearts of Harmony" were great. I dearly love Southern Gospel Music. I always have - so call me a dork - but it definately is one thing that I've enjoyed all my life. There was one change - the blond in the picture was replaced by one of the other members' daughter for last nights event. It was great. They had some wonderful music - the boys were behaved - a friend and her Mom joined us and we just had a nice evening. And, of course, we ate. I ate my coconut cream pie and then had some of the extensive salad bar that was set up. Ever since Pastor had his heart attack - we've all been treated to healthier foods at the Church events. I messed it all up by taking a huge crockpot full of S'te's Chuckwagon Beans. It must've been enjoyed - it was empty when I took it off of the table!!

Still trying to get all the details together for the boys to go on Monday and get ready of our trip to Williamsburg!! I am going to have sooooo much fun!! And then to go see S'te on this unexpected short trip with Keith. The Lord is blessing me at every turn!!! I am truly lucky.

Excited!!

Ok, I know it's still 110 days until the Cruise but there is so much to do!!! Since I coordinated it and it is booked under my name - I have to gather the necessary info from everyone - which means that everyone needs to get their info together. . . It is going to be sooooo great!! The test cruise that Keith and I took was wonderful - and this is going to be even better!!!

Not only that - we have the Williamsburg visit coming up so I am researching the history and trying to decide what I want to see while I am there. I'm sure that I can totally pack the 4 days we will be there. Doing the research is almost as exciting as the trip. I am so blessed!! To be able to spend this time with my wonderful husband, then do the "homeless thing" and hop from family to family all summer, and come back and then out to see Mom B!! It is all so mind-boggling!! And now I find out that we may be able to drip in on family mid May also!! This not having kids is getting pretty amazing!! Not that I don't enjoy them immensly and there are many months that we don't have packed like this - but still. . . . I'm excited.

Maybe I'll go shopping. . . .

Just an Word or Two

It was warm here yesterday!! Warm enough that we took the boys and went to the pool at the Rec Center. The oldest really enjoyed himself and I managed to keep enough sunscreen on him that he doesn't show any signs of being out swimming in the sun - except for a little more color in his face than he had before. One of the problems with living here is that it gets to hot to go outside at all - so we look like Pillsbury doughboys all summer long!!! The little one didn't like the water AT ALL!!! he screamed so long and so loud that you'd have thought someone was drowning him in hot oil instead of sitting in the 0' part of the pool that had water over his ankles only!!! I finally (after about 10 minutes) took him over to the umbrella, sat him on a mat, gave him a toy and called it good. Of course, I got burned. I sat in the sun so he could have the shade. He finally laid down and took a nap. We spent the day there - it was 91 when we left at 3:30.

Today it is raining (thank you God!) and the wind is blowing. Kinda gloomy - but we can't have sunshine and water at the same time - so right now - I'll take the water.

The small amount of time I've spent helping a friend understand and use her email has richly paid off. I've (we've) just finished a wonderful loaf of homemade whole wheat bread. In the past weeks we've had home baked cookies, bread, candies, all sorts of STUFF. It has been great but I'm not losing any inches!! We loaned another Villager some baby equipment - for use by a Grandchild that is visiting - and got a box of really good German candies. Another diet hazard :) and my love of any kind of bread is almost overcome by my sweet tooth.. . . Aren't I blessed!! My volunteer duties to the Village have been terminated so I have lots of time to devote to my "suppliers" :)

116 days until the "mini" family cruise, something like 90 days until the new grandbaby, about 60 until our visit to Oregon, 7 until our trip to Virginia. Lots coming up. . but other than eating - not much happening.

Hope more is happening in your world. . . . . .

Happy Easter

As with Thanksgiving, we have so many Blessings. Too many to count. Here is our Blessing Wall. We add to it and change it around regularly. Especially when we get new pics to hang. We are happy to be sharing our Easter Blessings with new visitors. We had a wonderful Sunday School and Church Service this morning, went to a really nice Brunch afterwards and then our littlest kids took a nice long nap. The Easter Bunny has dropped his loot and is waiting for the "nappers" to wake~~

We are busily trying to put together our Summer plans, trying to fit everything in that we want to do and also what others want us to do. So many things, so little time!!

We so far have Oregon, California, Mexico, Oregon, home, and then a short run up north.

We had planned a Williamsburg trip but now that we again have visitors ~~ who know's!!

SO, God Bless and Happy Easter to ALL .

Anniversary

Well, it's our 3rd Wedding Anniversary and I am home alone :( Keith is in St. Louis, doing a meeting and staying with April but due back home tomorrow. He has been "invited" to a meeting in Maryland towards the end of the month so we will celebrate a belated Anniversary then - as I will get to accompany him. After the meeting days, we have planned to drive down to Williamsburg and spend a couple of days there. It is something that I've always wanted to do. I spent many years of my life right in Maryland and missed many of the Historical Sites that were very close by. Of course, when you are a 2 working parent family with 4 children, vacations were spent seeing grandparents - not touring the "tourist traps" hehe. Now that I'm grandma - I get to tour. I'm sure it will be lots of fun and we are both looking very much forward to the trip.

Not much else is going on - cleaning and re-arranging and waiting to see if they come up with any real short term babies that want to come share our home for a time. We will see what God has in store for us now.

It is so funny to have an "empty nest" again. Much to quiet. I love the sound of baby sighs and the little giggles.

As I sign off for now - I'm HOME ALONE!!!!!!