My little drama queen

Oh! I almost forgot something! Friday night was K5/6th grade graduation at Grace and Katie's class had a part in the program. Normally we don't go to those things unless our kid is actually graduating because they are just sooooooo boring!! But Katie had a speaking part that night, so we took her. She introduced a song that they were going to sing. We have it all on video but I only uploaded the cutest song they did because it really showed Katie's personality. She is so dramatic and this video shows it!! Check it out:

I'm 29....for the 11th time! lol

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a GREAT day! Tom had the day off and our girls are out of school. It was just the 4 of us and we had a wonderful day just spending time together. Tom baked me a cake. No really....he did!! He baked me a cake for the first birthday I had after Brittanie was born and that was the last time....till yesterday. It was my favorite....yellow cake with milk chocolate frosting. It was delicious! Later that afternoon, he helped me make meatloaf for dinner. While the meatloaf was cooking, I seasoned 16 pounds of ground beef and Tom and I shaped them into hamburger patties.....ended up with 100 patties total. The day after graduation we are having a cookout/football party for Brittanie and her friends. There were 50 people invited and since her sweet 16 party was legendary, everyone is looking forward to this party. We are grilling burgers and hot dogs, having chips and cake, and our wonderful friends, Frank and Lynn, are bringing sound equipment so we can play music. It is going to be alot of fun....if the rain stays away. Brittanie is really looking forward to playing football one last time before everyone goes their separate ways.

Brittanie really enjoyed my birthday. She has been talking to a guy named Joe for a couple of weeks now and last night, he asked her to be his girlfriend. She is very happy. He is by far the best catch she has had to date! She has liked him since 9th grade but nothing ever came of it. But he is graduating with her, is the top wrestler in the state, was in JROTC with Brittanie, and will be attending the University of Chicago in the fall on a full wrestling scholarship and will be majoring in pre-med and plans to be a plastic surgeon one day. He wants to help soldiers who are injured in the line of duty. And he is a Christian! I'm thrilled because even if this ends when he goes to Chicago in August, he will have set the bar high for other guys that she will meet while in college.

So, all in all, I had a great birthday. Now I'm just looking forward to tomorrow when my mom, sisters, and Jonathan come in for Brittanie's graduation!

What a GREAT day!!

Today, we had a belated baby shower/welcome to the family party for our new precious niece, Leah, and her mommy and daddy (Tom's little brother, Jesse, and his beautiful wife, Melissa). We held it at Grecian Gardens in West Columbia. We reserved the private dining room and had a great time. They got some wonderful gifts. The food and the service were great! But the best part was getting to hold Leah. She is just so beautiful. I love her head full of hair and before we left she even smiled at us. I wish we lived closer. I would love for Katie to be around her Uncle Jesse and Aunt Melissa and cousin, Leah and I would love for all of us to be there watching Leah grow up. I forgot my camera but did take some pictures with my cell phone. My father-in-law did get some pictures so hopefully he will send some to me so I can post them. But here are the ones I took with my cell phone.Brittanie and Jessica made this diaper cake as the center piece for the shower.Daddy holding Leah. She looked so relaxed and comfortable in that position. It was precious!!

Grandpa holding Leah while mom and dad look on. Grandpa holding Leah while Uncle Tom watches. That's Aunt Ann on the side. Grandpa and Leah and Aunt Ann and her grandchildren, Luke and Laurel. Grandma (to the left) with Daddy, Leah, and Mommy and Evan across the table.

Brittanie left the shower early because she needed to go with her friend, Courtney, to tour the apartment complex that Brittanie is moving to in August. Well Courtney loved it and signed the lease papers today. She and Brittanie are going to be roommates!!

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Here we go again

Last week Tom needed tires for his truck....earlier than we thought he would. Yesterday our microwave went out. (I can't count how many of those we have gone through since we have been in this house!) And last night the TV in our room started acting up again. It has been turning itself off but once it is warm, it will stay on. Well last night, it went off in the middle of the night and we couldn't get it back on. I have to have the noise from the TV because this house creeks at night and scares me and I won't be able to sleep. Thankfully Tom got it working again. But I know it won't be long before we have to replace that as well.

Our house must be a lightning rod or something. Back in the days before DSL, we lost quite a few modems during storms. We have also lost numerous rice cookers and of course microwaves. It is frustrating.

Brittanie is taking her Biology 2 final this afternoon and tomorrow she will be taking her English 4 and her US Government and Constitution finals and she will be done with high school. After her finals, the seniors have graduation rehearsal and then they are free to go...which should be around noon. She is so excited!! Next stop graduation on May 30th, ROTC orientation on June 6th, and USC Sumter orientation on June 13th. Seems like only yesterday she was graduating K5 and now she is planning for college. Time goes by way too fast!

Our little Jesse Jackson strikes again

We have always picked at Brittanie for sounding like Jesse Jackson with her made up words. Well tonight she came up with another "Jacksonesque" word....politicianism. Tom and I were cutting up with her and I was laughing and trying to ask her something and she said "Uh uh! No! I'm not answering you. I'm practicing politicianism." Then we really started laughing. She told us she is going to publish her own Brittanie dictionary. LOL

Countdown to graduation is on!!

We are less than 18 days away from graduation day and we are so proud of Brittanie and all of her accomplishments. Tonight was awards night at Swansea High and received another leadership award...this time from the Marine Corps! I received an appreciation award for helping out Swansea's Tiger Battalion for the last 4 years. That really touched me!

Here are some pictures from the ceremony tonight.Last night I found out that my nephew, Randy, is not who I thought he was, nor does he love us like I thought he did. But I did find out who does love us. My nephew is mad over something his wife did and now denies so he is refusing to come to graduation. Yes it is as stupid as it sounds. Brittanie is his godchild and he has claimed he loved her for 17 years. Now we know better. I was angry over it and then I talked to my biological sister, Aimee, and eventually a 3-way call with our little sister, Jeannette and found out who really loves us. I told them Sunday night that Randy wasn't coming and mom was scared to come here without a man in the van so I didn't know if mom was even coming....which is what upset me the most. Well today Aimee called to ask me if mom has decided for sure whether she is going or not because she and Jeannette are going to rent a vehicle (she called around and was looking at $400 for that vehicle!) and come by themselves. No matter what, they were NOT going to miss Brittanie's graduation.

I grew up with Randy. He is my age and has always been like a brother to me. I have only had my biological sisters in my life for the last 3 years. But Randy isn't coming here over something stupid but my sisters aren't letting anything stop them...not even paying an outrageous price for a rental car when they really can't afford it....from being here for Brittanie's graduation. I was so touched that I literally cried on the phone. It meant so much to me that they would do that. My niece (who is also like a sister to me because we grew up together and are only a year apart) has been very upset that her boss won't give her off to come and has been trying to get another job to start the Monday after graduation so she can just quit the day before leaving to come to graduation. It hasn't worked out. But she really really wants to be here. My mom is scared to come without a man but she isn't missing it. My wonderful godson, Jonathan, is flying in with his wife and daughters from Germany to be here for Brittanie's graduation, when he will be here at the end of June for weeks for training here at Fort Gordon in Augusta and could see her then. But he loves us and wants to be here.

My new philosophy is "Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe that everything happens for a reason."

Proud of my wonderful godson!!

He made the European news!!

STRASBOURG, France (April 16, 2008) -- Soldiers of 5th Signal Command's 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, became the first U.S. Soldiers to ever compete alongside European partners in the Eurocorps Support Battalion's hosted shoot-run-shoot duathlon in Strasbourg, France, April 16.

Eurocorps is a cooperative European military organization under the European Union created officially in 1993 with the aim of supporting European security and  contingency operations.  It currently comprises military contributions from its five framework nations: Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg.  The  headquarters, located in Strasbourg, also contains Soldiers from Austria, Greece, Poland and Turkey.

The event was started by a previous battalion commander (German) Lt. Col. Frank Wachter.  "He created the event to aid in the cohesion between the multi-national Soldiers who are constantly on missions, but aren't always involved in the same exercises," said Belgium Adjudant (Master Sgt.) Nathalie Dhuyvetter, the support battalion's operations officer.

"The duathalon run is different then normal morning  physical training, because teams consist of three Soldiers and the time is based on when the last Soldier of a team crosses the finish line, and you're responsible to keep everyone up to speed," said Dhuyvetter.  The Soldiers were also scored on their ability to shoot the French-made FAMAS assault rifle before and after the run.

"The second shooting part is the most difficult, which is done immediately after crossing the finish line," said Dhuyvetter.  The 6.2 kilometer run was done in full uniform through various slopes and hill, on a mixture of gravel and pavement.  "It was a great course and very challenging," said 1st Sgt. Douglas Lynch, 72nd ESB.

1st. Sgt. Lynch, Spc. Alan Fennell, and Spc. William Barker from 72nd ESB managed to take first place among the 20 teams who participated.  At a close second place was Capt. Thomas Laney, Sgt. 1st Class. Martin Rosenfeld and Pfc. Joshua McGinnis, 72nd ESB.  This duathalon was Laney's first time participating in a Eurocorps-sponsored event, and plans on doing more in the future.  "It was a great opportunity to learn
all about the Eurocorps and their structure.  There were a lot of similarities to the U.S. Army," said Laney.

Laney heard about the event through 5th Signal's Deputy Chief of Intelligence, Robert Hembrook, who has taken the lead in organizing numerous partnership events in the past, including this June's 36th Annual International Shooting Contest in Eschbach, Germany.

"Capt. Laney had us train by running up and down stairs numerous times to get our heart rate up before trying to qualify on the Laser Marksmanship Training equipment, said Fennell. "That way, we would feel comfortable when it came time to shoot after the run during the duathalon."  "It was very different running with boots because it adds an extra pound and a half to your feet," said Laney.

During their stay in Strasbourg, the Soldiers of 72nd ESB, were first given a tour of the Eurocorps Support Battalion, and then taken out and shown the surrounding  areas, consisting of its famous 500-year-old cathedral.  The following day after competing in the duathalon, the Soldiers were allowed to try for the German  marksmanship Schutzenschnur Badge.

STRASBOURG, France (April 16, 2008) - (center) Staff Sgt. Eric Butcher alongside Staff Sgts Robert Ferguson and Jonathan Muse, 5th Signal Command, shakes hands with a Eurocorps German Soldier after completing the Eurocorps Support Battalion's duathalon.  The Soldiers from 72nd ESB were the first U.S. Soldiers to compete with the Eurocorps Soldiers in the event, which consisted of firing the French made FAMAS assault rifle before and after a 6.2 kilometer run.  (Photo by Spc. Evan D. Marcy)
(That's Jonathan right smack in the middle.  He's so handsome!)

STRASBOURG, France (April 16, 2008) - 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion Soldiers with Eurocorps Soldiers after competing together for the first time in the Eurocorps Support Battalion's duathalon. (Photo by Spc. Evan D. Marcy)

Happy Mother's Day!!

I am having a wonderful Mother's Day!! I didn't have to cook. Tom ran out and got me exactly what I wanted.....BBQ wings from Carolina Wings. Katie and Brittanie gave me a Hallmark card with their voice and a song on it (like on the commercials) and a Precious Moments musical snow globe. I LOVE Precious Moments and I LOVE snow globes. So it was a perfect gift! I cried and Katie thought that meant I didn't like it. That was cute. We had to explain to her that it was tears of joy.
The inscription across the front says "Mother, you are my gift from God for every good and perfect gift is from above"

I'm truly blessed to have the husband and daughters that God gave me. They are everything to me!!

Another reason to hate Joe Montana

It is no secret to the people who know me that I hate Joe Montana. I have hated him since SuperBowl 19 when he was so arrogant in his win over my beloved Dolphins and my first love, Dan Marino. But now Joe has given me another reason to despise him. He is petty! His first wife evidently sold off some old stuff that obviously he didn't want after he left her....only 3 years after he married her....and now he is bringing a frivolous lawsuit to stop her. If he really wanted his old student IDs from Notre Dame, love letters, marriage license, etc., he should have just taken them. But he became a big shot and dumped her and didn't look back. To me, he is acting like a spoiled brat and clogging our legal system with this nonsense. He really does think he is something. He gags me so much.

By the way, I just thought he was ugly when he played for the 49'ers. Check out this ugly mug when when he played for Notre Dame! He was lucky anyone would marry him with a face like that BEFORE he made his millions.
If you want to read the story, go to thesmokinggun.com.

She got it!!!

Brittanie has been awarded the $1000 Civilian Marksmanship Scholarship!!! I know when compared to how much college costs, $1000 isn't much but it is the type of scholarship that is exciting for her. It is a reward for being such an excellent shooter!!

Want to see her name in the list? Check out the Civilian Marksmanship Scholarship Honor Roll site and look for her name.

DUH!

I called DirecTV to get my mom's bill changed from paperless to a paper bill. The automated system is stupid and just kept repeating payment options. When I finally got customer service, the guy barely spoke English....obviously from the Middle East somewhere....and I had to change my mom's billing address because they had it listed as the physical address and she doesn't get mail at her house. So I gave him the PO Box number and told him the city, state and zip were the same. He read it back to me and said "Krotz Springs, Los Angelas 70750." Wow what a moron. Why do they hire people that can barely speak English to do that job? English speaking people need jobs too! grrrr

Brittanie is realizing how great her extended family is. Her graduation money is starting to come in and members of Tom's family that Tom and I know but Brittanie doesn't have sent her money. I told her that is what close families do. She was very touched that they would send her money even though she doesn't really know them. I told her not to expect that from my family. She will get something from the few that I'm close to but that's it. Tom's family is much better about supporting one other that way than my family is. She definitely is seeing that now. We are blessed.

By the way, all of Brittanie's graduation invitations have gone out and so far none have been returned. So if you haven't gotten one, email me and let me know and I'll send out another one to ya!

Remember Airport High's military ball?

We FINALLY got the pictures back from Airport High School's military ball. John Micheal was her escort. I love seeing them together. But it just wasn't meant to be. I love her dress!

Normalcy returns!

Tom only had the virus for 3 days (as opposed to my 10 days and Katie's 7). Brittanie has tendonitis in both feet, left worse than right. She started physical therapy Friday. She has to go twice a week for 6 weeks. Tom went to his parents out Saturday and got Katie. So we were all home together Sunday. It was so nice. Katie said she had a blast at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They have friends with kids Katie's age so she had playmates all week. In fact, she was playing with one of her friends when Tom got there to pick her up and instead of being excited to see him, she saw him, started crying, and ran past him. She was not happy to have to leave her friends. lol

Brittanie's prom pictures came in today. So I'm going to put those picturs, as well as the candid shots she took that night, below:

Eryka, Brittanie, and Courtney(above) Jeremy, William, and Michael(above) Lyndsey, Chris, Jeremy, and BrittanieBrittanie and JeremyBrittanie and her friend, Franklin, the prom king!!Brittanie and Mr. Levoisier, her English teacherWilliam and Eryka, Michael and Courtney, Jeremy and Brittanie, Chris and Lyndsey

Remember if you want a closer look, just click on the picture and it will show you it to you bigger.