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

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.