The Generation of Warriors

Not being a huge (or even slight) Joe Biden fan, it is a bit strange that a comment of his would be the one that has resonated the most with me this weekend.  He said in a speech at the memorial in Shankesville, PA that 9/11 galvanized a “generation of warriors”.  I have had the pleasure over the past ten years to know many of these warriors. I have taught their children and lived next door to them. I have been best friends with their wives and celebrated birthdays with their children.  I am blessed to have known each of them, and am forever thankful for their sacrifice.  They are the generation of warriors. They are the men and women who voluntarily stepped forward to defend our nation at a time when we needed them the most. 

As I have watched the coverage of the memorials over the last few days, and seen again those horrible images of the devastation and destruction in New York and Washington DC, I have really been reminded of what I think we were all reminded of as the sun set on September 11, 2001.  Life is fragile, and can be taken from us so quickly and without any notice.

As a crazy busy working wife and mother to three little children, September 11, 2011 has been a day for me to remember what I am working so hard for, what I am most proud of, and what is clearly the most important thing to me....being a mom to these three amazing little people!


They are my hope for a better, brigher, and happier tomorrow!

 

La La, LaLaLaLa, Sing A Happy Song

Well, this has yet again turned into another moment when I am possibly more excited than the kids about an upcoming movie. They have watched the Smurfs a few times, but I am the big Smurf nerd in this house! The Smurf movie comes out next weekend (in 3D!!!), and when I heard that Build A Bear had the Smurfs, my two favorite childish indulgences collided! Even though I had had the week from you know where and a cold, we hurried into Savannah last night after I got off work so the kids could pick out and bring home their very own Smurf! It was so worth it! We took JoAnna and Amy (our little neighbor friend) and had a Smurftastic (I already warned that I am an the Smurf nerd) time! I am looking so forward to the movie next weekend that I can't hardly stand it. I have such sweet memories playing with my little mushroom playhouse and dreaming that I would someday be as gorgeous and captivating as Smurfette, and wondering if people really lived to be 543 years old like Papa Smurf. I am sure that the pesky Azreal is probably even the reason why I have never cared for cats! My funniest story about the Smurfs is one that Steven will never let me forget. So, we apparently didn't get a color television in my house until I was about 5 or 6. By then I was well into my Smurf additiction! I woke up eager every Saturday morning to watch them, and my world was changed forever when dad turned them on in color. I shouted in pure amazement, "MOM....The Smurfs are BLUE!!!". A fact everyone else in the whole world probably already knew....except me. My love for the Smurfs was pure....even without knowing their three apple tall bodies were really blue!  

Little League Opening Day!

Aiden had has first game of the Little League season today! He did a really great job. He has moved up into the coach pitch division. I was so proud of him "swacking" (as he says) those balls! He really seemed to be paying attention to the game today. For the last couple of years, I would catch him in the outfield watching the birds or collecting bugs!  Susanna's softball games will start soon, so Steven and I will be taking turns running back and forth!

The Color Guard is presenting the colors during the Opening Ceremonies.

Aiden and his team, The River Cats,  jogging by after being introduced!

Aiden is getting a few last minute pointers from dad.

Up to bat!

Taking a few practice swings!

He's ready!



Waiting to run home!





Little stinker....Connor and 3 hours at the ball park do not mix!



Blue and Gold Ceremony 2011




Aiden with his Tiger Scout badge!





  


Dinner with friends!

 

The Tiger Den skit...see my Ninja Turtle?!

The cutest ever table decorations! Cub Scout moms are the best!

So after years of making Aiden wait for her at dance practices and performances, he is paying her back with Cub Scout functions!

What a lucky dad!














Look out Kobe!

Aiden is on the court! Aiden decided to try his skills at basketball this season. He really did a great job! The 9 a.m. games were tough on the rest of us, but it was worth it to watch him play!

Aiden has his favorite next door neighbor Matthew! They are playing baseball together this Spring too!

Key Largo, Montego, Baby Why Don't We Go?

We didn't make it to Kokomo, but we did have a super great trip to Miami and Key Largo over President's Day weekend! It was our first big road trip since we downsized to the Camry. Suprisingly enough, we all fit just fine! We made the straight shot on I-95 to Miami in just a little over 7 hours.  We found a great hotel and a banging Cuban restaurant the first night! We loved it so so much there that we came home and immediately booked a cruise leaving from Miami in December! I am so excited about it! We will be gone over Christmas to Miami, Key West, and Cozumel. We are going to hang over in Miami for a few more days after the cruise to see some of the sights that we didn't have time for on this short trip.

Now this is just funny!

I had to capture this rare moment of sibling sweetness!

These two dolphins followed us out to the coral reef!

Susanna and Aiden are looking at the coral reef on the glass bottom boat tour in Key Largo

The beautiful sunset as we were leaving Key Largo.

Beach babe!

Look at my handsome hubs!

I love this pic! They were checking out the fish swimming below us while we were eating lunch.

Sweet Sus!

I am so glad that Susanna is old enough to operate the camera! Now Steven and I can be in the same pic!

The fam!!

Things are abloomin' in Richmond Place!

Instead of taking time to smell the flowers, I took a few minutes to take some pictures of the pretty trees that are starting to bloom in our neighborhood. I have been working so much lately that I  have been missing my camera! Does it make me a nerd if I actully miss things like my camera and ipad when I get busy? Anyway, I digress...back to the trees. I did feel a little like the paparazzi snapping pictures of people's blooming trees. I was completely prepared to hand over the SD card if things got ugly! I thought that my many blog visitors (lol....I can dream, can't it?)  would appreciate a break from all the pics of the kids! 

The Susanna Tree! I have no idea what the name of this tree really is, but it is the Susanna tree to me! We used to have one in our yard on Arcadia Drive.  It blooms once year right around Susanna's birthday in late February! The blooms only last for a few weeks, but I just love the color.

Achhoooo....that's right..the Dogwoods are blooming. I think these big beauties are responsible for my itchy runny nose!

Even though it doesn't bloom, I had to include this pic of the Dogwood with the Weeping Willow tree. We had a Weeping Willow tree in my backyard growing up, and it was one of my mom's most favorite things!

My neighbor's little pink bush things!

The little pink bush things in our yard. I love the contrasting greens in this pic!