BHS JV Softball- Wando Tourney

Yesterday was an amazing day for my Jessica! The BHS JV Lady Eagles had a softball tournament in Charleston. Although they didn't win any games she played amazing! I am so proud of her! She hit a home run against Summerville and got the All Tournament Team plaque. I love you Jess and you continue to impress me everyday! xoxo

Jess playing short and Madison playing 3rd

The Home run hit

Busy, Busy, Busy

That's what my life is right now, Busy!

Carolina Rags is pretty steady right now! I just ordered tons of new fabric and I am ready to make some new, pretty things. My favorite fabric I ordered looks like this...

I can't wait to make a diaper bag out of this. It's gonna be so sweet! Isn't this the greatest pattern?! I also ordered this one...

I thought it would make an adorable diaper bag for a boy...whatcha think?

Besides all of this going on, my girls are both playing softball for their schools. Jordan at BMS and Jess at BHS. Tomorrow Jess has a game in Bluffton, and of course we are going! I love this time of the year! Jackson had his baseball assessments last week, so here we go!

Ryan is still in Afghanistan and I miss him so much! He calls about every 2 weeks. I can't wait until he comes home, for 2 reasons. 1. I miss him and am ready for him to be home safe and sound! 2. I will be getting married to the love of my life and Ryan will be walking me down the aisle (or whatever)!

I guess pretty soon I will need to start planning our wedding! It's gonna be very simple with just family and close friends (which is probably about 150 ppl)! But it's gonna be very casual and laid back and I can't wait!!

So, until next time...Happy Spring y'all!

Kiddos

All our kids together before Ryan left for Afghanistan

Happy Birthday Marine Corps

Congratulations Pvt J. R. Albridge

I am so incredibly proud of you!

For My Son

I held you close when you were just a baby,

I snuggled tight, and thought just maybe,
How could I now live up to the honor
Of being your one and only mother.

I tossed the ball around with you,
We did whatever we wanted to do.
I played with bugs and slimy creatures.
I even had to deal with all your teachers.

I prayed for you from day one,
My sweet and precious little son.
And now you are on that journey away from me,
Trying to find your destiny.

As your mother, it is hard to let go,
How to wait and let you grow.
And now as the dawn draws near,
Your time to shine is finally here.

I am now bursting with pride,
As I sit and pray with all I have inside.
I know that you will succeed,
Just like the ones that you may someday lead.

When I sang those sweet lullabys in your ear,
I never thought the time would be here.
And as I kissed your tender head I never dreamed,
That I had kissed the forehead of a United States Marine.

I love you Ry-guy!

Production Progress

Working hard tonight to get some of the newest designs completed so I can add them to the re-vamped website. I am trying a new "production assembly line" tonight to see if I can push more out in a shorter amount of time. The biggest thing is when I get side-tracked and have to sweep the floors or wipe the counters (again) or check Facebook. I am not real good at focusing on the task at hand. But I am getting better...I am working very hard to improve. :)

My real job at Beaufort Rentals is going good too. We moved to a new office this past weekend and have been busy setting up and taking care of business. I just love working there. (On the slower days though I wish I had my fabrics there so I could cut them while I am idle.) I hate being idle!

3 weeks from tomorrow I will get to hug my new Marine son. I am so incredibly proud of him and can't wait to get my arms around him! 2 weeks from today I will get to go over to Parris Island to see him and his platoon in the Final Drill competition. His platoon won Initial Drill and they won on the Rifle Range, so if they win the Final Drill then they will be Honor Platoon! Ooh-Rah! He is very confident that they are going to "rock it out". I am excited that I get to be there to witness it, to see my boy do what he does!

Busted!

This was after they found out they won Initial Drill. Boy, I have missed that look!

I know he really wanted to blow me a kiss but....

Carolina Rags Website

Well, finally, it's about time! It has taken me 4 days and a couple sleepless nights but here it is....my Carolina Rags website is back up and running! I have been pretty busy the past couple of weeks with a new line of purses and really thought that now was a good time to get this booger back up.

On another note, 23 more days until Ryan graduates a United States Marine. Then found out for sure yesterday that Jackson's class is going to take a field trip to the graduation on November 6th. I talked to Ryan about it and he is very excited about it. He said that he talked to some of his buddies and they all are going to take a picture with Jackson's class. Then he said that he is going to wear his uniform and to go visit Jackson's class the following week and talk to their class about the Marine Corps. Ryan is so pumped up right now...I just love it! I have never seen (actually read) him so excited about anything like he is about the Marine Corps! I continue to pray for him and all of the recruits everyday, especially during this very tough Phase 3. But did I tell you 23 more days, oh, ok, I guess I did...sorry!

Jessica's volleyball season is coming to a close. The have only lost 3 games this season. They are going to hosting the playoffs at Beaufort Middle next week! I am so proud of all of those Lady Gryphons! They have done a phenomenal job this year, not to mention that they have an awesome coach who loves all of those girls like her own!

Jackson continues to do very to well in school this year. His teacher says he is a pleasure to teach! Wow! She also said that he is very good in Math. That's my boy!

Jordan is doing very well in school too. I did blow her away today when I took her Algebra homework and completed one of the problems. She checked it and looked at me and said Whoa, Mom, good job!" I like impressing my kiddos, gotta let 'em know I am not only a fun Mom, but a smart one. Woot Woot!

Letter

I finally got my first "form letter" from Ryan today. It was a pre-typed letter with his address and a little bit of other information we need to know. I have already mailed the letter I wrote to him out. I had it all ready to go so I could send it as soon as I got his address. I also printed out the MLB standings for him. I am going to try to send something a few times a week. The letter did say that we could send protein bars and powdered gatorade, so I will be doing that this weekend.

I am very excited that I can now communicate with my boy now!

On another note, Jessica made the Beaufort Middle School Lady Gryphons Volleyball team, I am very proud of her too. She loves playing volleyball and I hope she continues to play all the way through school. Besides the fact that I LOVE to watch her play!

Sunday Chapel

Just got a call from my Mom, that my Dad met Ryan's Drill Instructor this morning. My Dad volunteers for Campus Crusade for Christ and preaches at PI to the recruits on Sundays. Today he had DI Lounge so he didn't get to see Ry, but he did meet his DI. Not sure if that is good or not. The DI said he just met him yesterday and that he seems to be adjusting well! I guess that is good to hear. Dad's friend was in Chapel and did see Ryan and he said that he like just like the rest of the recruits..."like a deer caught in the headlights".

I just wanna hug him so badly! I want to tell him how proud I am of him, I want to tell him that everyday! First of all, I am proud that he went to Chapel today! I am sure that he was hoping to see G-Daddy today but now he can look forward to next week.

So school starts tomorrow, I am hoping that when we get into a schedule that time will go by a bit faster. Volleyball games will start in a month and of course homework. Here we go...Jackson starts 4th grade; Jordan starts 6th grade; Jessica starts 8th grade. They are all growing up so fast.

My Future Marine

This morning at 7am my oldest son, Ryan, left the nest and went to embark on his new life as he becomes a United States Marine at Parris Island Recruit Depot. I am so incredibly proud of him! This is a decision that he made on his own. I believe that it was a very wise decision for him, especially in this economy. He will learn so much about his field of choice as well as about himself.

I said that I wouldn't cry today but as soon as Tony left to take him to meet his recruiter, I realized he was gone. He may never live with us again. He is a grown man, at least he will be come November at graduation. So, how ironic that in the Beaufort Gazette this morning there was an article about Parris Island making Marines. You can go here to read it! It is very touching and moving. I can't wait to see my Marine at graduation. But first I really can't wait to get a letter from him saying that he is OK. Until then, I will keep praying for him and his strength.

Recap...

Why oh why can't I go to sleep?! I am so tired but when I go to bed I just can't get to sleep! I have checked up on all my facebook friends so now I am getting bored! I've got to get up at 6:30.

Plus, my baby boy will be home tomorrow afternoon from RA camp. I have really missed him. But I am sure he had a blast. Camp McCall is the same camp that Ryan used to go to. He had fun and talked about it for days! Jackson has become a very indepedent kind of kid lately. He has chores that he is responsible for every week. He takes out the trash and cuts the grass and weed eaters on Saturdays! He appreciates hard work, sometimes he doesn't like it but he will do it.

Speaking of Ryan, he will be leaving for Marine Corps Boot Camp on Monday. I am super proud of him for making such a huge decision for his life. I think that he will be an awesome Marine. He will graduate in November. But I will have a huge hole in my heart until he gets back. He won't even be coming back home here to our house but at least I will be able to talk to him regular. 13 weeks with no contact but maybe a phone call toward the end, wow, never gone that long before. But I am gonna pray that he wears his armour everywhere he goes. The Armour of God. I pray that God will protect him in all that he encounters. I am excited that my Dad will be able to see him on some Sundays. He is part of the Campus Crusade for Christ and preaches at Parris Island some Sundays.

Jessica has been in Atlanta for a week now, and I miss her too. She has become such a mature young woman over this summer. She is so beautiful. She will have volleyball tryouts this coming Monday afternoon. She loves volleyball and is really good at it! I am super proud of her too. She will be in the 8th grade this year...wow! She has come along way!

And there is my sweet, sweet Jordie Pie! She has come into her own this summer as well! She always has a smile and is willing to help me out whenever I need it. She has developed a little personality of her own. She gets sassy but with Jordan it's in a respectful way! Only she could do that and get away with it. Love her!

And there is Lizzie, she is definately a little firecracker, just like her Daddy. She has been here for the summer. She was goingto stay with us but has know decided to go back home with her Mom. We will miss! She is leaving on Thursday. That will be a tough day for Tony but we will all be fine! I can't believe that the summer is coming to a close already. I has been a good one. We went to Atlanta for a mini vacation with Lori, Brett and Mason. Spent many days and nights at the pool grilling out and havinf quality family time.

I love my life and really would not wish to be anywhere else but here. I am blessed and happy right where I am!

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!

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!

You like?

Well lookie here, I got a face lift. I absolutely love it! Jenna did an awesome job. If you want to get your blog redesigned then go see her. Serendipity Designs is the place to go.

One another note, football and volleyball are over...yay. We probably have only a couple of weeks until Jackson starts basketball practice. Jessica is thinking about trying out for school basketball. If so she will start the first week in November. So off we go again. But for now, we are taking a small and much needed break. Plus, the younger ones are out of school for 2 weeks on intercession. I am so ready for home cooked dinners at home around the dinner table. No more take out and sandwiches.

Providing

My oldest son, Ryan, is following in his granddaddy's footsteps. Yesterday he went shrimping with a friend of his and they caught a big cooler of shrimp. He was so excited. They came home and he and Tony headed and peeled them. So for dinner last night we had fried shrimp. It was so neat. The kids gobbled them down and thought it was very cool that Ryan had provided dinner for us. It was a spectacular dinner. We all sat around a full dinner table. Tony's sister and Ryan's girlfriend ate with us. We blessed the food and had great conversation. Thanks Ry for such a great meal!

Bored

Today the kiddos had a day off from school, but unfortunately Mom did not have the day off of work so guess what...they got to go to work with me.  This morning I had parent/teacher conference with Jordan's teacher....she's doing awesome.  Then this afternoon I had a conference with Jackson's teacher....he is doing awesome.  So proud of you guys!  Sorry you had to be bored at Mom's work all day and not at home playing in the pool.  

This afternoon Jess has a volleyball game at school and then Jackson has football practice, a little bit overlapping, but we will handle it.  Always on the go!

Striped Bass

Jackson has done his first real project for school.  He had to pick out an animal and do some research on it.  He chose to learn about the Striped Bass.  Last night he had to do a diarama for his animal.  He put blue paper in for the water and rocks and grass for the river bed, then cut out construction paper and made reefs and fish.  I printed out a picture of a striped bass and he cut it out and stuffed it and hung it from the top so it looks like he is swimming in his habitat.  I think he did a great job with it considering he told me about it yesterday afternoon.  Nothing like waiting till the last minute.  Good job Jackson!

My Sweet Baby Darlin' is growing up...

Can you even believe that I have a son that is driving? Ryan got his license on Monday and now he is officially on the road. I am a nervous wreck. I am hoping that that will pass as time goes on. He leaves for school around 6:30 or so, gets out at 2:35 and then goes to work at 4 and gets home around 11:30 or so. I now get to see him for 15 minutes in the morning. I hate that.

On the other hand, I have seen a huge difference in him since he started working. He is always been a good kid mind you. But he is so responsible all of a sudden. He is saving his money. He is paying for his own insurance. He takes me out to eat once a week or so....just me and him. I really am trying to keep our communication lines WAY open. He is at that age, ya know? But I think that he enjoys spending time with me, at least I hope he does. He even gets up in the morning (own his own) and helps me get the other kids up for school. I think that he loves doing that too. I hope this lasts forever.

I am quite proud of him and I am glad that he is home where he belongs. I love you Ry-guy!