Becca Went to Prom

Becca went to prom with her friend Joey and they had a wonderful time. She said it was the best dance she had been to and was so happy to go. She looked beautiful that night and I am sure it will be and I am sure it will be a night to remember here in America. Of course during picutes we all had to have our photo op with her!!!!

The Day After

After an emotional night at Camp Pendleton.... we drove to Anaheim where we had a motel and woke up the next morning and spent the entire day at Six Flags with Lee!!! It was fabulous to spend an entire day with him after he had been gone for so many months. Everyone had a great time.

Happy Birthday to Becca/ Happy Easter

Beccas birthday and Easter have always been close to each other. Her First Birthday was actually on Easter Sunday. She had some friends over and they all spent the night and were just silly girls. They had a lot of fun. Rachel also came over. WE love Rachel and love for her to come over. We are so happy that she has kept us as a part of her life!!!

Easter was fun this year. WE do not have the pitter patter of little feet in the morning waking early to discover what the Easter Bunny left during the night but he kids are kind to their mom and still search for the Easter Basket so nostalgically left for them. Thanks kids.... I love you!!!

April 14th

Lee will be home on April 14th.... We are so excited to see him.

Lee is Coming Home

I can not express the Joy that I feel to know that my son is going to be home and that he is safe!

Here are some pictures that Lee sent to Mattie and she forwarded to me. We can hardly wait for Lee to get home and give him some warm hugs and kisses. We have missed him!!

Lee with Iraqi child

I feel honored to have a Marine son who has served our country with such determination and dignity. I am excited for him to come home and teach us all that he has learned while being in Iraq. I am sure that we will see a side of the world that is unknown to us through his eyes. He will be home sometime between April 14 and the 18th. We are planning a trip to Camp Pendelton CA as soon as we get the date. Then he will have a leave and will get to come home and spend some time here with us. We can not wait to see him. We love you Lee

Happy Spring

WE are all looking forward to spring coming. I don't know about anyone else, but I am anxiously waiting for warmer weather and no snow. I was in the valley today and it was so beautiful!!!
Lee will be coming home from Iraq in about 14 days and so we are planning a trip to San Diego to see him. I can hardly believe it has been 7 months since he left. It will be good to have him back in the USA. It has been great having Mattie stay a part of our lives while he has been gone. I love her so much.
Curtis is doing great in Spain. He loves the people and is having some wonderful experiences there!! We are so grateful he is serving his mission! Rachel comes by and sees us every weekend and we love having her still be a part of our family. She is very attached to our hearts so she will always be one of us!
The kids are all doing great in school and I am plugging along. I can't believe there are only 7 weeks left, but I think they are going to be a long 7 weeks. Biology is almost killing me. Our exchange daughter does not have much time left with us either and we will miss her very much when she goes back to Norway. It has been a joy to have her in our home!!

Lee is in Iraq

I got a message from Mattie today letting me know she heard from Lee. He arrived safe and sound. Basically he said he is bored!!! I would rather he be bored than be in battle!!!!
I am sure everyone is concerned about the state of our nation, and our world. I believe there is more going on in our day and age at this time than there has been for a long time. Definitley in my life time and I would almost venture to believe I could say that applies for the last couple of generations. I know our grandparents had WWII to deal with and I know that was horrible and many sacrifices were made. History has a way of repeating its self!!! The kids and I were talking about this the other night. How very grateful I am for the people that are willing to sacrifice so that I can have the freedoms that I have had. So many people protest war. Dont get me wrong. I don't like war!!! I don't think anyone does. But, it was through war and battle that we have the freedoms we have. It was because of war fought and won, that we have the right to protest!!!! I am grateful to those who fought in the past and their families and to those who stand up for the right and fight today. It will be a sad day in the world when people turn their cheek and "don't get involved" when others are being brutalized and mistreated. What if we would have taken that stand in WWII against Hitler and just let him do what he wanted!!! Why do so many think that we should not stand up against terrorism when they hurt so many? I reiterate, I don't like war, noone does. But we have to stand up for the right, and you can not reason with unreasonable people!!!

An update on the family

Wow, I lost my page!!! The family is doing great. Curtis has moved down to Tempe to attend ASU. He is living with his brother Adam and they are doing great. Adam and Janna are expecting and Janna is looking pregnant now. She is beautiful. Our little granddaughter has even let us feel her moving around. Nothing in life is better than being a mother.
Lee is leaving for Iraq in 6 days. We spent last weekend in San Diego with him and saying our good bye's for now. He will be gone for 7 months over there. Our hearts go with him. He is a good son and I love him so much for what he is doing. Remember, Be the Good Water!!!!
Melissa had her baby yesterday morning. Mommy and baby are doing well.
We have a new exchange daughter, Rebecca, from Norway and she is a lot of fun to have in our home!! We are enjoying her personality and sense of humor.
Becca is participating in varsity cheer and enjoying that. Our daughter in law, Shanlee, is her coach. Jacob made the varsity football team but then got ANOTHER concussion, so he is going to sit it out for this year and let his head heal. Michael is in 6th grade now and will always be his mothers little boy. He is so sweet to me. I am a blessed mother.
Things here in our community are slow, just like the rest of the country, but we are moving forward.
Summer was hectic. I had 2 surgeries that took their toll on my family and me a little, but things are back in the swing of normalacy and life is good!!!!
Til next time
We love you all!!!