Labor Day

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend. I know many are getting a last minute camping trip in and others enjoyed a wonderful day tail-gating at the WVU game-- go 'eers! You can bet that Coach Rodriguez is wishing he would have stayed in the mountains instead of heading for the hills of Michigan! His loss!

Most of all, our prayers are with those in the path of the storm headed for the coast. We pray that all the preparations will be for nothing and it totally surprises us all and takes a different course leaving the states (and our oil rigs!) unscathed.

God bless,

Month of May (In Review)

So here's the month of May in review. When I left off it was Mother's Day, we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Puccini's after church with my mom, dad, Carole and Olivia. Adam was on the road traveling somewhere - hard to keep track of his many journeys! Isn't my mom just gorgeous - no one ever believes us when we tell her age. Yes, she's 59!

Christina and the kids arrived around the 21st or 22nd - we were so relieved to have them arrive safely. It was a very emotional return since the last time they were here was to bury Aaron. We vowed to work through it and enjoy each moment, making more memories.
That Friday my mom, dad, Christina, the kids and Raegan and I went skating. Everyone of us skated and I believe everyone had atleast one bruise to show for it! It was quite an experience to be at the skating rink - it's where the 4 of us kids spent alot of our Friday and Saturday nights. We loved to skate and it was THEE place to hang out. I don't think they've changed a thing since then! Same floor, same carpeted walls, same bathrooms and yes, even same skates -ha, ha!

The lighting is terrible there and my old camera doesn't do well with any movement, but this is Christina and I with Raegan and Lanie.

Love this picture!

Samuel, Chandler, Raegan and Lanie smiling big - Bennett wasn't in the mood at the time.

We all went to church together that Sunday and they had a Memorial Day Tribute - tears, tears, and more tears! Our family had a picnic afterwards and then the kids wanted to go for a ride in Pap's truck. Something we used to do alot as kids but is less than legal these days since there are no seatbelts in the back of trucks. Oh well, in the small town of Centerville you can get away with a small violation of the law. : ) So we all piled in pap's truck and went for a very long ride that included a drive past the house where we grew up. Lots of stories were told and I think the kids enjoyed hearing stories of their parent's exploits from Grammy.
When we got back we all enjoyed rootbeer floats in honor of Aaron. In the heat, they were a welcome treat!
Christina pushing Lanie and Bennett. Raegan is on the left

Like most families, the kids always want to go to the other's house or have one of them stay over. Well, before you know it all the kids were divided up and Christina was "kidless" - we took them all. Samuel and Bennett came with us. But before we went home we drove to the cemetary to see if Aaron's stone had been delivered. Christina, Samuel, Bennett, Raegan, Joel and I stood and watched them unload, arrange and set the black granite headstone. As heavy as those stones are, it's quite an accomplishment for anyone to set them but two women set this stone by themselves, very impressive!!!
Mother and Daddy did an excellent job picking it out and designing it. The picture of Aaron in the left hand corner is in color and guaranteed not to fade, the top right corner shows a C-130, a Bible is displayed in the bottom left corner and in the right corner there is a big buck bounding through the woods. The back of Aaron's headstone includes each of the children's names. It brings tears to my eyes each time I see it. This stone is the epitome of all that Aaron loved.

This is the footstone placed by the U.S. Air Force, not sure why it does not include the Iraq War on it as well. I'm sure there are guidelines, etc. I'd love to know the specifics if anyone knows. by this time the sun was going down and the kids were tired and needed baths so we headed for home. Raegan and Samuel got in some valuable Wii competition while Bennett got a bath.
Bennett really liked Uncle Joel's bear

The next day Samuel and Joel went to the farm and played on the tractors and 4-wheeler. We joined them later until Bennett fell asleep on the 4-wheeler WHILE we were in the woods!
Joel took the time to teach Samuel how to use the weed eater.

more male bonding time. Bennett & Raegan on the trampoline
We loved having the kids at the house but Bennett wanted mom after 2 days, so he went home to Pap and Grammy's and Samuel stayed with us.

Raegan loved having "a brother" and Samuel loved picking on her. Here she made him sit and listen to her read a book for school. He was very patient and even watched Hannah Montana with her - way cool!

Which one is really asleep?I can't explain the emotions I felt as I looked at Samuel sitting on the couch. He looks, acts, talks just like Aaron did at that age. Watching him and Raegan was like watching a replay of my childhood. Sooooo wierd. But what great memories!

Coming next......June!

Leah

Back to School!

I've basically taken the summer off from my blog and I've been informed by many of you that you are waiting for updates. Honestly, I've been surprised by how many people have been reading the blog (I didn't know so many people knew about it) and humbled by your comments. I do enjoy the writing and honestly I hope the Lord continues to use it.

Yesterday was the first day of school for WV schools. Raegan started 2nd grade - what a BIG girl. Her school day begins very early at 6 am!! When I went in to wake her up she was smiling and said "is it time yet?" Wow, I hope this lasts for a couple weeks, but it's likely to diminish as the novelty wears off. I drove her to school - they have to be there by 7:30 and she chattered the ENTIRE time.
As you can tell the hair has grown back but we both are anxious to cut a few inches off of it again. She has also grown taller, the girl just keeps growing!
Not my choice for a backpack, but can you get the girls to choose anything but Hannah Montana these days? She's the "senior" of the primary school because it only goes to 2nd grade. She's enjoying this fame and extremely excited about the year and her teacher Mrs. Wagner. Can't you tell?!

I have always found it difficult to "leave" Raegan at school. She has been (is) a complete blessing in my life and I tend to want to protect that innocence and gentle spirit that can be so easily tarnished when it is exposed to so many other influences in the world. My prayer each day is that the Lord will grant her protection and strength to guard her heart and mind. This prayer will be even more passionate as she enters the higher grades!!

Coming soon.....overview of the last 3 months!

Trying to catch up

Leah