FRIENDS

I am so proud of the fact that I have kept in touch with so many beautiful people in our 20 years with the USN. Of course advanced technology has helped my process....YOU GOTTA LOVE THE INTERNET. I went from hand written letters to over 200 friends yearly to Email and now Email AND Facebook. It makes keeping in touch, sharing our daily stories and struggles so easy. Fun happy moments, sharing videos, pictures and watching our children grow along the way. Friendships I am so happy to still have and really cherish. I just love our friends. This weekend we had a small reunion with friends from Sigonella Italy. We were stationed overseas and that really is a special time. Your friends become the family you leave behind stateside. When you return...its a bit sad and bittersweet. Your happy to be back but a part of you stayed behind on the island of SICILY, GUAM or wherever the USN sends you. We had a great time with our friends from Sig. They are beautiful people. We are happy that our friendships have withstood the hands of time.

The Rodriquez & Haffner Family

Rodriquez, Beltran & Haffner Family @ Our house

Luis and Alexandra Paredes, Luis wife,  our dear friend Adriana Paredes died 4 years ago when she returned to the US. It was a deep sadness and loss for us all. Adriana was an amazing person and friend. Our time in Sig together was very special in deed. We cherish her memory and are so happy her husband and kids still keep in touch with all of us.

These are the kids, James jr.  had to work and he missed most of the weekend.

 They are all growing up so fast.

Marin and Kris hit it off. They are the same kinds of kid thats why. Its nice to have a friend from childhood and still think they are pretty cool. I hope their friendship continues...I hope OUR FRIENDSHIPS STAY STRONGER THRU THE YEARS

Its July already??

Truthfully...who am I kidding ?? Its MID JULY already !! Not sure where our summer is going but its on the fast track to "OUTTA HERE" UUgghhh....Time is flying by us and I dislike when that happens.
The 4th of July wasn't a great big deal at our house this year. Jimmy had duty. The kids and I were alone. So I attempted to grill and burned everything to a nice charcoal crisp. In my defense...its a new grill and I haven't gotten the hang of this one yet. So dinner was burned dogs and burgers. I tried...I just failed doing it. LOL
Jonathon's afraid of fireworks so we hid indoors and just watched movies and chit chatted. My nephew JD was still here from Puerto Rico so we enjoyed any and all time spent with him. We miss him dearly when he is gone. I dropped him off back to my mom's house already. We got to spend 2 weeks with him. Here are some pics of his visit.

While JD was visiting us...Marin got her braces off. Now all 3 of the kids have no braces and just beautiful smiles. I love it. James got his off about 2 years ago, JD treatment finished last summer and now this summer was Marin's turn. We were all happy for her, especially JD...Take a look...

We just love having him with us. We bowled, went to the pool, beach, St, Mary's Aquatic Center and enjoyed our JD time.

Not sure whats in store for the rest of the month. We will just take each day as it comes and celebrate summer.

Father's Day

We celebrated Father's Day with Jimmy HOME !! Yeah...cant tell you how awesome that is. We have had so many special days with him missing. Its just an overwhelming feeling of JOY when he is here so we can all enjoy it together. So we tried to make Father's Day as special as he is. I woke up and put my Betty Crocker apron on. Jonathon was awake early with me so between the two of us we made French Toast, eggs, Bacon, sausage and toast. Had some OJ and coffee ready and we went to go bring it to him.  He had already been up and showered. He is used to getting up at 4:30 everyday so 8:30 is seriously sleeping in. We got the kids up and we all ate a fabulous breakfast together. Then we made ham and cheese sandwhiches, packed the cooler w/ chips, water and capri suns and off we went. Jim wanted to try out the new pool at NAS Jacksonville. It was perfect HOT Florida weather and off we went. Jim wanted  'cruise' clothes and we opened those up at night. The highlight for me was when Jon gave his daddy his most favorite blue army guy and his 2 beloved hot wheels cars...He is the best daddy ever !! Jim loved that so much. He took his "gifts" to work where he told Jon he put them on his desk. My nephew from P.R was visiting for the summer too. We were so THRILLED he could be there with us all day. We said a prayer for Jim's father, may he rest in peace and my father. Hope your Father's day was wonderful too.

Summer 2010

OK...So today is the last day of school. Jon graduated kindergarten, Marin had A-B Honor roll all year and James had wonderful grades too. I am looking forward to a wonderful summer. Jon doesnt have summer school this year. This will be the 1st year since he was 3 yrs old that Jon doesnt have school. We are looking forward to a nice summer.

Nature...

Life is like a Rainbow

You need both the sun and the rain

to make its colors appear.

Granpa's Birthday

The very next day after the recital and prom...was my dad birthday. We invited him up to our house. I made rice, blackbeans and Jim grilled the best ribs ever. It was a great afternoon. He loved his gifts...we gave him a new polo shirt, a gift card for dinner at Applebee's, and a nice cologne. He enjoyed his afternoon. We loved hosting my parents for a nice Sunday afternoon. Happy Birthday Grandpa =D  WE LUV U

RECITAL & PROM

Well...It seems that like always I'm playing catch up to my blog. But its the end of the year and end of school, plus the kids activities. Our final recital took place on May 15, 2010. Marin danced her heart out and we couldnt have been prouder of her. She performed the opening and closing numbers, plus her ballet, tap, jazz, clogging and dance teams #'s. I am so happy she is old enough to change and take care of herself. I just got to sit and enjoy the show. Of course it also wouldnt be craziness in our house if we didnt have some running around to do. James JR. Prom was also on the same NIGHT. So Marin and I ran home from dress rehearsal and James got dresses in his tux and we got to take pictures. James didnt have a date, he went with his friends. Marin got him a boutineare and he looked so handsome. It actually brought me to tears. He looked so sharp and we were proud parents. After we took a ton of pics w/ James,  Marin and I ran to the performing arts center and Jim took James to meet up with his friends for dinner and the hummer limo. He then ran w/ Jon to the performing arts center to see Marin's last few dances. Jon brought his "mae mae" flowers and we had coldstone ice cream afterwards. It was a busy day/ busy night but always a proud one for Jim and I as we watch our kids growing up. James enjoyed the prom. He called after and spent the night w/ friends. Marin danced her night away. I know she will miss dancing... 

Mom and Bea's Day

So...my sister's 43rd birthday and Mother's Day fell on the same day. LOL..I had FUN 'teasing' her about turning 48 :) We had a very nice family Sunday. We got there early, had a wonderful homecooked  dinner and then opened some presents. I was completely spoiled on Mother's Day !! We gave Bea a few things to make her home "pretty" and her too. It was a nice day spent w/ my parents and older sister. Happy 43rd Bea and Happy Mother's Day everyone.

JUST DANCE

Jonathon's best friend is a little girl named Sarah Turner. They met 3 years ago when we moved to Nassau County and they were placed in class together at Yulee Primary in the ESE ( exceptional student education) program. They became buds. Her mom and I soon followed. Sarah has a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy and she struggles. Jon just adores her, we all do. She is smart, funny and just awesome despite her painful disability. I encouraged her mom to let Sarah try dancing at a studio near us in Callahan. I am proud to say she had her 2nd recital !! We were invited to attend and we had such a great time. Jon brought Sarah flowers...it was a sweet moment. Kids are amazing and could give grown adults a lesson on loving each other unconditionally and looking only at the ABILITY of what you can do. We were honored to cheer Sarah on.

                                            We hope YOU DANCE always Sarah T.

                                                                      

MOSH

Went on a field trip to the Museum of Science & History with Jon's Kindergarten class. There were 6 K classes total approx 130 5 year olds. I can say we had FUN and I was totally EXHAUSTED. The great thing was there was alot of parent chaperones and we only had 3 kids. Not too bad. Jonathon LOVED it. We hadnt been to MOSH since Jon was in a STROLLER...so he actually got to walk around...touch and explore. Right UP a 6 yr olds alley. I think MOSH will be in our LIST of Family THINGS TO DO this summer. James and Marin havent been in years as well. There is an outside picnic area and we could pack a lunch and then walk to Friendship fountain and the Jax Skyline...YUP...sounds cool to do. Anyway...they had a great MY BODY exhibit and Jon loved it. I have to say it was my fave too. The kids were all squealing. Laughing and totally enjoying trying to pick the giant nose !! Gotta love it

SO....

Jim jumped right into the Honey- we- need- to- do list !! We have replaced the water feature that the Armadillo got into last year with a new one. We planted $250's dollars worth of annuals, perinnuals, and fertilized, and mulched ( 10 bags ). We replaced spot lights, added new lights, cut the lawn front and back. We installed new verticals, 2 other sets of blinds. We got the car fixed ...new battery, belts and brakes. We did Marin's room makeover.  We went to my Dr.'s appt for a biopsy and the LIST GOES ON. Having him home is so wonderful. We both enjoyed our off time together. But he will be returning back to work tomorrow and I cant believe how fast time flies when your having fun. I wont lie...I am sore as heck from all the physical outside labor but I love working with him and I am so blessed to have such a great husband. LIFE IS SO GOOD....

HAPPY 14th

Today is Marin's 14th Birthday. We cant believe that she is 14 already. Where o WHERE did the time go?? We celebrated with a pot roast dinner, and a cheesecake. A bit "untraditional" but thats what she wanted to have was a cheesecake. I personally love Love LOVE CHEESECAKE...she really couldnt be my kid??
Anyway...I love this daughter quote so I will end this post on that note. She is an awesome daughter and we couldnt be prouder of her.

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future. ~Author Unknown

My Sailor Man is finally HOME

Homecoming ....there really are no words for all the emotions you feel. It was a COLD morning...but we managed. We brought our jackets and coats until the sun was high enough that we were warmed up. It was also an ealry morning 5 am...we left at 6:15 and arrived at 7:15. The ship hit the bouy outside of the basin at 8:15 and they were in view by 8:30. As the ship pulled in the other ships "honked" their horns in welcome. It also saddens me as our ship pulls in another pulls out and those familys are left to wait. I say a prayer for both. A prayer for the returning vessel and a prayer for the departing one. The missions are never ending. The fight always on and the service men ready for the challenges and duty that lies ahead. But the USS MCINERNEY FFG8 came home safely and we waited INpatiently....

Once eveyone could see the ship, the crowd was screaming and waving thier flags. We were no exception. Bea, Lily, Mom, James had the posters and I was too excited but was waving that flag !! The news crew was there. This is the Mac's last deployment after 30 yrs of service. She is the oldest Fast Frigate in the USN and she made her last and final voyage. We were just so happy that she made it home safely and we were all ready to have our loved ones back.

The only one that was not here was Marin. She was actually onboard the Mac. She went on the Tiger cruise. She boarded the ship in Ft. Lauderdale and rode it up the coast. The Tiger cruise is for the military dependants and James had attended last year. This year was her year to go. It was OK. A good experience and one she was happy to have had but the weather was rough and she got sea sick for most of it. But once she was on land she was fine and we were so happy that she was back and happier that dad was finally home.

The rest of the pictures really tell the joy, happiness and emotions we felt to finally having Jimmy back home

Welcome Home to all the sailors of the USS MCINERNEY and to our special sailor and daddy