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