HowManyOfMe.com

There are 3 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Political Humor

Thanks to my cousin Diane for this timely Halloween humor!

Hope there aren't any socialists in your neighborhood this year!

Tinsel Teeth!

At the tender age of 7 my baby girl has braces!!!

She started with a palette expander in August (PAINFUL!) ...........

.... and yesterday they put on her top braces. She'll have these for 18 months. In the meantime the palette expander will come off sometime in February. Just in time for her 8th birthday!

"Putting on the gear"

She did great and was pretty excited to see them on herself. She chose black and orange bands so that she could match the Halloween season. She plans on red and green in November to prepare for Christmas. Only she would plan that far in advance!!

Raegan and Dr. Jenkins - what an awesome orthodontist!There goes the savings!!! But oh that smile will be worth it.

October 5th - It's Been A Year

One year since Aaron's "homegoing". It seems like yesterday we got the terrible news of my brothers death. But, strangely, there is a feeling that it happened years ago - like I haven't seen him in ages. That feeling gets stronger and stronger.

It is odd, I admit, that we recognize deaths with anniversaries. But as several friends have reminded me, it is how we mark time and how we choose to never let the memory of those we love die. Our family put this in the Bedford Gazette and the Cumberland Times News marking the one year milestone.

In Honor And Memory of Aaron D. McCoy

1/9/72 to 10/5/07

He was more than just a son, sibling, husband, father, friend

A hunter who loved PA mountains, every hill and bend

He was more than a member of the U.S. Air Force each time he flew,

A distinguished loadmaster on a C-130 Gunship crew

He was more than a singer with a strong tenor's voice

A person who greeted others with excitement and joy

He was more than a hero and a motorcyclist

A sparkling smile that we'll forever miss

More importantly Aaron was a Child of God

He trusted that Christ died for him on the cross

A servant of the Lord, He taught God's Word

And shared it with passion to all he could

His life was lived with purpose and his death was nothing less

For our God is sovereign and He knows what's best

He would want you each to know that Jesus died for all

Accept this gift of eternal life - for soon, He will call!

We'll see you there, Aaron!

We all attended church together and my mom actually sang "I Can Only Imagine". The Lord gave her an amazing amount of calm and composure. She shared how we all were celebrating Aaron's homegoing and trying to imagine that awesome sight of our Lord Jesus that he saw when he was immediately caught up to be with Him that day, October 5th, 2007.

After church Joel, Raegan and I stole away to spend some time at the gravesite. When we turned around my mom and dad were right behind us. We shared a few tearful stories and laughs together and then headed on our separate ways.

Aaron's grave is never lacking for decoration. Daddy said that he's never seen such a decorated gravesite. My mom laughs and says, "Aaron knew I liked to decorate for the seasons".

We have come to know the peace that passes all understanding that comes only from knowing the Lord Jesus as our Saviour and that He has a plan for each of us. As I've said before - there are NO accidents. Each event in our lives is to be used to bring honor and glory to our Lord and to lead others to Him.

October

I knew that I was dreading this week. I just didn't want to flip the calendar and see that month OCTOBER staring me in the face. It's not as if I didn't know it was coming but I guess I was in denial or just wishing it away. It has affected my mood. I've found myself preoccupied, emotional, and anxious. Each day inches us closer to reliving that terrible traumatic day. But a verse came to mind this afternoon:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7 (NIV)

As this month begins and the day draws near, my prayer for each one of us that have been touched by Aaron's home-going is that we will not be anxious and distraught but rather we will seek the Lord in prayer offering up to Him our fears, our heartache and our emptiness. And that the peace that He promises will guard our hearts and minds to see His ways and His plan.

In much prayer and thanksgiving,

Rivals!

Just like many of our friends, we spend most of our Saturdays at the peewee football games. I told my mom that I think it just might be a cult! Seriously though it demands alot of time but there are valuable lessons that the kids learn in the process. Atleast I hope so - I'm not spending all this money for nothing am I?!

This past weekend was especially neat because Raegan and her cousin Olivia (Adam's daughter) played against each other. Olivia cheers for the Saints and Raegan cheers for the Colts. You will notice the considerable amount of space between Raegan's front teeth - she's had her palate expander on for 6 weeks and the braces are coming in 2 1/2 weeks. yippee.

When I took this picture the little boy moved - #30 had been leaning over on #4. It was darling.

Cheering loud and very proud - the colts WON!!!

Grammy and Pap got to come to their first game - it was perfect, they pleased 2 grandkids at once!
They had to run between sides but that was okay with us. Here my dad was talking Lance's ear off during the game. Lance goes to church with them and we all grew up with him and his siblings. Raegan's twin cousins came to watch her - well, they really watched the game but she liked that they came. They are big into soccer but now have the fever for football.......lookout!!
The weather held off for almost the entire game but near the end we got some showers. The girls were prepared with their ponchos. Raegan and her friend Maddie posed for me. Another month to go of being cheer mom!

Weekend Escape!

Joel and I gathered 3 other couples on Friday and headed to Canaan, WV for a weekend away. It was time for us to escape (yes escape) from kids, jobs and responsibilities - that sounds extremely mature doesn't it? Well, every once in awhile it's a good thing to do. So we did it.

Joel and I have stayed at this house before and really enjoy all the space and extra amenities.....flat screens, hot tub, fireplaces, etc. We spent our time playing a game that is called Corn Hole (hate that name, I think it might mean something really nasty in other contexts) it's just a bean bag game that has become popular in the WVU tailgating circles.
Competition was stiff and who knew we had a CHAMP in the group - Brady, you're "amazing"! ha ha. That's Brady on the right.
It was obvious that we had some competitive spirits among us when we pitted gals against guys for Taboo, Battle of the Sexes and Cranium! For the life of me I don't remember who won which game but I can tell you the guys were astounded at the vast knowledge we women had of obscure subjects like pan fish, snare traps, golfing and oh, yeah Monica Lewinsky!!

We also spent a fair amount of time in the hot tub (no pictures allowed) and lounging around.

We are definately creatures of the technology age! We had laptops, Iphones, and cellphones all in use during the weekend! Bridget and Brad - the best pictures are those spur of the moment ones.
Smile Lucien, it's just a game! Joel, decked out in his camo apron, making bacon for breakfast.
Five of us ventured off to go horseback riding. Joel set it up for us and did a great job. He knows how much I LOVE to ride and I think this may have been the highlight of the weekend for me. Brad, Joel, Bridget and Mindy all ready to hit the trail.

OH MY GOSH! That picture just got erased!!! oooops

Mindy's first time horseback riding (well, she rode one once in high school). Let's just say she was very nervous about this experience. I was so proud of her - she did it! They gave her this horse named Cricket - it's the one they put all the kids on. He was perfect for her!

I requested a spunky one and they gave me just that. His name is Chamois and he definately made it worth my money! Reminded me of my horse from home, Tashi.
We rode for an hour and a half through the State Park - the weather was perfect and the views were picturesque.

At the 1/2 way point we stopped "on top of the world" for our Koday Moment!!
What a weekend!

Thanks honey, for making it happen.