Candlelight Vigil

Well...the candlelight vigil happens the night before the ship is due to arrive home. Its a naval tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Its done a little differently now but still the tradition is upheld w/ modern touches. The kids use falshlights, the "wives" or a "family member" are given a flower to toss into the ocean. This symbolizes that the ocean took 'them' away but the flower washes back ashore symblolizing that the ocean will bring them "back home" My sister and mom came w/ my niece for the homecoming and vigil. It was an awesome evening. We all enjoyed it and we couldnt be happier at having our sailors returned home safely.  My sister was deeply moved by the POW/ MIA table set. Its a reminder of the members of the armed forces who have paid the ultimate price for all that WE HAVE TODAY.

The POW/MIA Table

You may notice this small table here in a place of honor. It is set for one. This table is our way of symbolizing that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly call P.O.W.'s or M.I.A.'s, we call them brothers.

They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them.

This table set for one is small... it symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors.

The table cloth is white... it symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.

The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades in arms who keep faith awaiting their return.

The red ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting for our missing.

A slice of lemon is on the bread plate... to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate... symbolic of the family's tears as they wait.

The glass is inverted... they cannot toast with us tonight.

The chair is empty... they are not here.

Remember... all of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended on their might and aid, and relied on them... for surely... they have not forsaken you.

Disney On Ice

Prince J ( Jonathon) and Princess K ( Katrina Fluker) had an awesome time at Disney on Ice. The USO sold tickets to the military for $10's a piece and HOW CAN YOU PASS THAT UP. It was such a fun time. Charlotte and I went with our two royalty members and then we did the MCD's afterwards. We spent all day together and it was so nice. We even went shopping at K-Mart and found my red shirt for homecoming !! Which is just around the corner. But regardless it was nice to have a FRIEND DAY for the both of us.

Easter 2010

Well...I went home to my parents for Easter. We had a great time. We got there Friday afternoon...and stayed until Monday afternoon. On Friday we dyed eggs and Saturday we went to Lily's first soccer game of the season. I watched her and remembered James that small. He wove himself into the goalie net...Jim had to go get him out. Now I am watching my niece who looked pretty GOOD out there play with a bunch of little girl spunk ;) It was cute. After that we went to a carnival that Beatriz took us too. Jon loved that  !! Saturday evening we went to Easter Vigil at St. Peter's in Deland. That was a beautiful...BEAUTIFUL MASS. Jon fell asleep in the pew, Mom and Bea came too...it was awesome to go home and eat some carrot cake and have such a wonderful day. Easter Sunday was just as INSPIRING !! Jonathon had a blast. with Lily and Amare searching for Eggs in my mom's yard !!! They each had a GOLDEN EGG to find. When they did they discovered some $$ hidden inside. I think James and Marin were bummed they didnt get to search this year. We had dinner with Tio Jose and Joey...he was released from Hospice until 8 pm to come celebrate Easter with us. I will hold these memories close. Jon was so happy to see Joey. I often wonder if he will understand Joeys passing. Its me...and I dont understand it...how will I say goodbye to that sweet boy. But I wont think of that sadness...I enjoyed every minute with him. I took pictures and I know later those will bring comfort. We went home on Monday. Great time spent w/ family together celebrating Easter. He has RISEN...Happy Easter 2010 We miss you Jim, wont be long...

Soccer anyone??

So...I am not sure when this obsession with Soccer started. I am Ok with any physical activity the kids do considering the cyber age they are growing up in.  So many techy items they have Cell phones, Ipods, Computers, Video games...its all sedentary and no real outdoorsy kind of stuff. But James really never played much soccer. He had always played basketball. He played B-ball in elementary school and some in middle. He played on MWR and Upward. He seemed to us like that would be his "sport". Out of the blue he formed a desire to play soccer. So...like anything else they want to try we told him..."if we pay for the season you will follow thru" We paid for the season and he hasnt stopped since. He played on his High School Varsity squad his freshman year and  he has played Varsity since. His # is 15 and even off season to stay conditioned he  plays for Amelia Island Youth Soccer League. This year we signed up for AIY after the season was over in HS and we put him with U-16 ( his age group) Well...the coach called and asked him if he would consider playing U-19 as well. SO he is...he is soccer obsessed. So we basically paid for 1 team and he is playing for 2. Its games all weekend long...sometimes even 3 games but I have never seen such dedication from him. He likes B-ball but he LOVES Soccer. Officially I am a soccer mom...I dont mind. I go to as many games as I can. This wont last forever and he will be entering the real adult world when he graduates next year. I go cheer him on... Its nice that I am not the only one that loves him so. His coach and teammates I can hear screaming and cheering him on..." Go Haff " "Way to set it up" "Way to block Haff "  "Great Game Haff"...  James knows no bounds. He is strong but kind hearted. Jim and I we couldnt be prouder of this young man we have raised. He learned the game, he learned to stay dedicated and focused. Those traits will stay with our soccer kid for life...WAY TO GO HAFF....I love you

The Tired TOOF FAIRWY

Ok...so with James and Marin when their teeth came loose or out it was a big drama. James' teeth NEVER budged. He lost his first tooth at age 8 and eventually just had to have most of his baby teeth pulled. Which wasnt the greatest for him. Marins teeth were loose and did come out but she didnt want them too and would cry and ask if she was "DIENG??" It was the funniest thing. Jim and I would try SO hard not to laugh and help her thru it but honestly...she could have taken an academy award. Now Jon's tooth has been loose and well I will be honest I wasnt sure HOW he would do. I took him for his regualr dentist exam and she told me all his teeth on the bottom were loose but that they would be fine. Jon didnt seemed phased a bit??? OK. The dentist and I told him to wiggle it everyday. Well....he bit into his pj pants and pulled the dang tooth out. I was shocked. He just pulled it OUT. He came to me laughing and said...I LOST MY TOOF....I looked and sure enough he was bleeding and the tooth was on the floor. I couldnt believe it....WHAT NO DRAMA. NO $400 VISIT FOR AN EXTRACTION....NOTHING...just a tooth pulled out !! He was so happy. Out of the blue he starts saying. THE TOOF FAIRWY IS BRINGING ME $5's !!! I have no idea what tooth fairy told him that but regardless...$5's it is. We ran to the bathroom where he got a bit quiet and nervous at all the blood. Then he said I NEED A BAND AID. He was so funny...Needless to say I sent him to bed. Where he proceeded NOT to SLEEP. I checked on that boy every hour and finally by 2 AM and a very CRANKY TIRED TOOF FAIRWY got onto him to get to bed RIGHT NOW. The *humm** Tooth fairy FINALLY made it back to his room by 2:30. Only for Jon to wake her up at 4 :30 AM to show her the money. AYYEE...It was a LONG NIGHT...and there was a very weary tired toof fairwy the next day I can tell you that. I told Jim...next time its your turn buddy....

Sports Banquet

It is so hard not to be impressed by the young FOCUSED children of today. When there are so many things that can make them step off the path its a pleasure to sit in a room full of great middle school kids who are just amazing. That was the case yesterday when I attended Marin's sports banquet. The school athletic director figured out that the children in that room AVERAGE GPA was 3.5 !! Several of the Yulee teams excelled beyond belief. The entire basketball team was the state champs in their district 2 years running. The football team were the champs 4 years in a row. The cheerleading team took 3 first place trophy's in competition. The track team took their first place win in the state meet. It was just incredible. Most of these children played more that 1 sport. They play 2-3 sports and maintain thier academics. YEAH...THEY DESERVE A STANDING O !! I was very proud. They are going to be a power house in high school.
Go Hornets.

Katie/ Track : Marin & Peyton/ Cheer : Jenn/Soccer

Cheer Captains Tori and Marin helping with awards

Yulee Middle School Cheerleaders !! GO HORNETS

WWWOooooHOOOOOooooo

Its Official....the count down has started. We made our paper chain last night and we are SO SO SO EXCITED. We are ready for Dad to get back home. I am ordering t-shirts for us all ;) Hopefully...that will fit into the budget. We also got our invitation to the candlelight vigil the night before. We havent been to one here so I think we will also attempt that. We can go and see what the last one will be like. I am getting choked up just thinking of homecoming....We are so ready to have the sailors home, our family back....