Believe -

Yes, you know that I truly believe everything happens for a reason, right? Monday was a perfect example....

I got up extra early, headed to the airport for an early flight to South Carolina for another week of work. Traffic was heavy not only on Route 9 but also on the Toll Road. Parking was minimal which meant I had to park pretty far from the walk-way and check-in was backed up. All this equals....yep, you got it - missing my flight. Urgh!

But...while I'm waiting for the next flight I get to witness flags being hung, decorations being placed by a specific gate and a banner being hung....what was all the fuss over? Well, you know me - I had to ask. Here's what I learned....during the week of Veteran's Day flights come into gate Z9 bringing Veterans in to go into DC and tour the area - specifically the World War II Memorial. Wow - that's just the best.

So I watched all the activity and learned that my 'later' flight was yet delayed...so what did this mean? I got to see a plane come in with Veterans on-board. I learned that it's tradition for them to shoot water over the plane in honor of those that served our country. As I watched, it honestly gave me chills.

I was so happy to witness this -

But, even better than that, last night when I came back in, the gate was still decorated with some activity underway. Several were boarding after a long day of touring to head back home. This gentleman was anxious to have his picture taken =) LOVE that!

So - here's to all those that SERVE our country! Thank you - HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!

It's YOUR day -

so make the best of it!
Happy Birthday Jeremy - 27, wow! We hope you have a great birthday and wonderful year doing all the things that make you happy.

Double or nothing -

Last week our Pastor challenged the congregation to 'double' our money. She gave everyone in attendance a brand new, crisp $2 bill. Our goal was to double (or better) our money by the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Hmmm... and what shall we do with our $2? Well, we first decided to put all of our's together. Now we have $8. Next we decided to bake some goodies and have a bake sale after church. And, that's exactly what we did. We baked brownies, pumpkin bread, cinnamon streusel bread and oatmeal cookies, put them in our basket and headed to church.

During the announcements Cierra shared what we had done and let everyone know we would be back in the kitchen after church. Our results?! $48- Wow! The church is so supportive. Now we go buy more and keep working to raise additional money next Sunday. Not sure what our next goal is going to be but it sure is fun.

Of ALL times -

to not have my big camera...urgh!

Saturday night Chase went to a birthday party. It seemed to come up at the last minute and I never saw an invitation, hmmm. So we drove him there and when we pulled into the driveway, there was only one car. Because I didn't know these people, I went up to the door with him and introduced myself to the Mom. She said the kids were down stairs and he should be picked up no later than 9.

Around 8:55 we arrive to pick him up. Still only one car in the driveway so we ring the doorbell. Very quiet. The house is dark. Suddenly Ronnie said he heard kids out back so we head around the side. Next we see two boys. Ok, feeling better..Chase wasn't the only boy. The boys looked worried....so we said "hey, we're Chase's parents and we're cool", lol. Well, that must be true because the next thing we know, about 10 kids come running! It ends up there were over 40 kids at this party. Shew...glad it was them and not me, haha.

I wanted a picture but only had my pocket camera. I ran to the car and got it and without even asking, several of them came to the fence and started posing, ha! One little girl said "am I going to be on your web-site?" So I asked how she knew about the blog. She said Chase had showed her so now she looks every day. I'm honored to have such young fans (smile). The best thing is that it was her birthday party so Miss Kylee....this is for you! (sorry the pic is not the best).and here's some of the group being silly. They did make us laugh after such a sad day..Of course I have to show one of Chase and Lexi although he's going to be mad since it's not a 'great' picture....and then there's the girls -What we wouldn't give to be 12 again....

Tis the season...

that our food bank NEEDS food. Which is why the Scouting for Food drive is SO important. This weekend approximately 12,000 door hangers were placed throughout the two counties asking people to help those less fortunate by leaving a bag of canned goods or non-perishable food on their porch next weekend sos it can be picked p and delivered to our local food bank. We had Packs, Troops, Crews and all boys and girls associated with Scouting as well as the American Heritage girls West Virginia 1148 participate in this effort.

Ronnie is the coordinator for the Mannahoac District which is Jefferson and Clarke counties. Each year for about 2 months this can be seen hanging in his office.

What is this you ask? Well....it's a map of the county which reflects all the housing developments, and areas that can be covered by our groups. Here's a close-up of a small area...Changes are constant with this and tons of e:mails go back and forth up to and even the day of placing the door hangers. It takes a lot of coordination and patience!

With this in mind, for any of you in the county that received a door hanger, THANKS in advance for helping out the county and for those of you that maybe didn't receive one but want to donate, just let me know and we will coordinate getting your food. We get really excited on the day of pick-up when we see bags everywhere!

If I Die Young...

There's something about the song that The Band Perry wrote. I love it and sometimes it gets stuck in my head but I only hope it won't ever fit our life....I don't want to lose a child that hasn't 'lived' their life. Don't want to go through that....always want my children to out live me. But tonight....two families might be thinking about how this song fits SO into their life. At a little after 11:00 a.m. I heard our scanner go off. Shrill sounds. Constant. Panic heard in the voice of the dispatcher. An accident. Then I hear DOA. Multi Car. Entrapment. Priority1 patients. Oh no. I do what I always do. Find all my children. Shew - they are all accounted for. Thank you God.

Ronnie and Chase were helping a man with an old house today and I knew his phone had been ringing all morning as he is the coordinator of the "Scouting for Food" effort underway today. Unfortunately that didn't matter. I called him. Explained how unsettled I was. An accident on the road we travel every day. Multiple times every day. Nothing I could do but listen to the scanner and pray that everything would turn out. I heard a couple of things that didn't sound good. Like, send additional equipment "non emergency". Why? Isn't this an emergency? Or did this mean more than one person had lost their life?

A few hours later I decided to take Ronnie and Chase some lunch. As I made my way down this familiar road, I was stopped. Short of my exit. Detoured and from what I could see, the accident was still under investigation. Wow.

So I headed in the opposite direction. Dealing with unusual bumper to bumper traffic all around. But I told myself. It could be worse. I could be in the accident or know someone.

Hours later (nearly 4) the road was opened up. Still no real word as to what happened or who was involved.

Chase has plans to go to a party which means we have to travel that road. He hit it on the head. It's sad knowing that someone died right where we just passed. Chills.

Cierra later informs me that two girls both of which I think graduated last year lost their life today. It's all over Facebook. So sad. I read comments, look at pictures and can't seem to understand why. I can only pray for their families. Pray they get strength to get through this traumatic, difficult time.

One of the girls was a best friend to someone we knew. Pictures of them together, vacations, graduation, just being 'girls' and now their lives will never be the same.

While we tried to move on, watching music videos, talking about the past week then making our way to pick Chase up so we could go out to eat. A great dinner. Good food and entertainment. Then...my phone flashes. A prayer request. Now not only the two young girls lost their life but two people that attended our church were also killed today. The woman was Jeremy's kindergarten teacher. In the blink of an eye, four people lost their lives. Things won't be the same for their family members. So sad.

But....this is a lesson I too need to learn. Make each day count. Tell those you love that you LOVE them. Treat others as you want be treated. Give your children and spouse a hug. Live life to it's fullest.....and pray for those families dealing with this tragedy tonight. Just sayin'!

Not our "norm"....

Nope, Friday wasn't our typical night out. We had plans but the beauty of "our" time is that we can easily adjust when necessary. So - Chase wanted to go to the school for a Ghost hunt and Halloween party and Cierra had ANOTHER bomb threat so was picked up early from school by Brittany which meant she spent the evening with her.

Plan B? Of course, we enjoy some quality time right at home....sharinging none other than a special bottle of wine we loved at the Wine Fest on the Beach. Accented with some cheese and crackers to go right along with it. We have gotten really used to spending an hour or so several nights during the week watching GAC videos, just rocking the time away....can you tell me which video this is from?I love this song =)

We did get to meet Chase's girlfriend's family when we picked him up from the party. He ended up going there for a little while which landed us at an 'old' spot - Glory Days! We have spent a lot of Friday nights there so it was kind of nice spending some time there.

The weekend was jam packed so it was rather enjoyable just chillin' out close to home. Funny how things always seem to work out just perfect.

This...

is for my girls, lol!and without a doubt, they will roll their eyes and say "urgh"!

Not sure about you but I always use my towel more than once. My girls on the other hand, use a towel for their hair and one for their body each day without recycling. I can tell them over and over to REUSE but they just don't see the need. Well....Marriott seems to be with me.
And....I can even get extra points so - next time I fuss at you, just think about the trip we can take using my extra Marriott points, ha!

Miles Apart -

Just because they are here...

and I am here...doesn't mean I can't give them kisses...

Nope, they get one a day right from my heart =)

An 'unexpected' trip sent me out of town this week so Ronnie is keeping things running (with the help of Cierra and Chase). The way time flies these days, I will be back home before we know it. But in the mean time a little bit of chocolate should make everyone feel better, right?!

So......

It's your BIRTHDAY Brittany Janelle!I'm sorry I am not there to celebrate with you so we'll just have to extend your birthday through the weekend, ha!

Have a wonderful day and know that I'm with you in heart and mind today....do what makes you happy, I love you very much!