Merry CHRISTmas!

I just wanted to wish all my friends and family a very Merry CHRISTmas! Don't forget the reason for the season...Jesus Christ. After all it is His birthday!

Jackson as Joseph at the Christmas play!

3 of my beautiful children

Ryan, Jackson and Mason

I Elfed My Kids

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Can it be?

Well, Ryan didn't get to enlist yesterday...but he will. His father was born in Germany and adopted and brought to the US as a newborn. He has to show his naturalization papers before Ry can enlist. Unfortunately his Dad is out of town til Friday. Ryan will have to go back to Jacksonville next week to finish the process. He was so disappointed. He was so funny as he was telling about his adventure, you know the military physicals. You know, turn your head and cough, need I say more? He is such a comic anyways and to listen to him telling what he had to do, well I was cracking up. I love him so much and was so relieved when he got home. I can't even imagine him going away in the military. He has my heart and will take a piece with him when he does leave in August. My first born is going to be a man on Sunday as he turns 18. It blows me away that he is almost an adult. My prayer is that he will take all that the Lord has taught him and uses it to be a very successful young man. I couldn't be more proud of him! I love you my little Ry-guy!

Ooh Rah!

So, I can't even believe that Thanksgiving is next week. This year has flown by and so much has happened. Today I am praying for my son Ryan as he travels to Jacksonville, Florida to go through the enlistment process to join the Marine Corps. I think I am more nervous than he is. If he makes it through this, he will go to boot camp August 2009, after he graduates high school. I am so extrememly proud of him. He will be 18 this coming Sunday. He is a fine young man! I have beeen very lucky with him. He is a good kid and I am proud to be his mother.

Living right here in the south with Parris Island right here in Beaufort, I worry about him going through bootcamp in August during the hottest months, but I am hoping since he is from here, he will adjust quicker.

Ryan and Bernie earlier this year

I had a weird moment this week. When Ryan made the decision to enlist, I was so proud that I wnated to call my family and tell them the news. One of the first people I thought to call was my Mama. Then I realized that she was not here, that she was in Heaven and she already knew and that she would help keep watch over him. She was always so fond of Ryan. I really miss her so much. I go and sit with her and my Papa at the National Cemetery often. But it is not the same as sitting with her in her little green house or going to lunch with her or just hanging out with her. She was such a cool grandmother!

Howwwwloween

My beautiful cowgirl...Jess My cutest ever Pippi Longstockings...Jordan

And last but not least, my scariest, most frightening skeleton guy...Jackson.

Adoption Rocks

So, if you didn't already know, my sister, Lori, is in the process of adopting a baby girl and we are trying to do all that we can to bring Baby Ellison home and into our family. With that being said, my nephew is an artist in training and he has his own version of the Palmetto Moon design. So we put it on T-shirts to sell as a fundraiser. We are selling them for $15. If you are interested, please let me know and I will get one for you. They are absolutely adorable.

Front

Back

Port Royal Bulldogs

Saturday was the team party for Jackson's football team the Port Royal Bulldogs. We hosted it at the pool house in our neighborhood. Tony made hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill and everyone brought a dish. The team rented an obstacle course blow up thingy-magiggy. We brought our basketball net down as well. The kids had a blast. The adults had a good time as well. We have all become a bit closer during the season. I am gonna miss them. We all hung out during practice and chit chatted till it was over. And Fun Friday's...what am I gonna do now on Friday afternoons? I am kinda sad about that. We had a great group of boys and personally I can't wait til next year, hopefully Jackson will want to play again. But for now we are getting geared up for basketball season. The fun never ends!

Our Port Royal Bulldogs (Jackson is #44)

Football field cake I made for the team party at our place on Saturday.

Jackson with Brad after he got his trophy. He was so proud. Well, I better change that, they were both proud. Crazy kids!