A dream realized...

In April I finally made the walk I had been looking forward to for many years. What a wonderful day it was. Family and friends who were with me all the way there to celebrate with me.

Dreaming...

Mike and I visited one of my favorite places the other day...The Mini Cooper Store. I had fun checking out all the new colors and pretending to pick out which one I was going to take home with me. I definitely want a convertible but am torn between the Pepper White and the Horizon Blue. The only convertible on the lot was black and I just had to take a picture with it.








We are definitely not in the market for a new car but sometimes it is just fun to dream.

The End is Near!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I applied for graduation this week and I only have two classes left this semester. I can't believe after all this time I will finally accomplish what I set out to do in the fall of 1980. Of course, there has been a lot of living done along the way. I wouldn't give up the years of raising children and the blessing of being a "stay at home" mom for anything. All my experiences have made me appreciate this even more. I will be interning with the Clay County Department of Juvenile Justice and I am so excited. I have been looking forward to this for over a year. The icing on the cake will be spending time with two of my favorite people; Rick and Joy Curtis. My other class is a hybrid class on Homelessness. We will only actually have class seven times during the semester. I will have the opportunity to work in shelters and participate in the Homeless census again. After going to campus five days a week this semester I will really enjoy not having to make the drive every day.

Fall Fun 2008

We finally got around to carving the pumpkins. Katie decided she wanted a "Jack Skeleton". I think it turned out really good. The pumpkins were not easy to carve especially if detail was required so Mike got out the drill and we did pumpkin surgery. We didn't get around to roasting the seeds yet, but we will.

Mike and Nana

She was always Aunt Jackie to me when I was growing up. She was like a second mom when I spent my summers on the farm working in tobacco and getting myself into all kinds of trouble. I will never understand how she did it with all of us kids but she did and we learned a lot about how to run a household.

Now she is Mike's Nana and he is getting the same love and care that I got. I am so glad they have each other.

Smith Family Reunion

We had a great time this past weekend at the Family Reunion. I appreciate my Aunt Berlene and her efforts to make sure we all get together at least once a year. I want my kids to know the importance of our extended family. It is fun to watch the younger cousins trying to keep up with their "young uns" It brings back memories of trying to keep up with mine. It reminds us of the wonderful heritage we have been blessed with. I am grateful for aunts and uncle that have loved me unconditionally throughout the years and cousins who were the siblings I did not have. The best thing is to know there will be another reunion one day where we will all be together again and those who have gone on ahead will be with us once more.

Are you ready for some football? (part 2)

Grandma Kate got three free tickets and a Parking Pass so the two groups rode together and then went their separate ways!

This was Katie's first professional football game and the Jags did not disappoint. I think spending the day with two of her brothers was just "icing on the cake".

Are you ready for some football?

Jenny planned a Father Daughter day with her dad and bought tickets to the Jaguars vs Texans game. She was so excited about having him all to

herself.

Our newest Eagle in uniform

After watching her brothers march for as long as she can remember, it is finally Katie's turn. It is so much fun watching her with all her friends, working hard and enjoying the results. She has not complained at all about the heat, rain or extra practices. I am so proud of her. With this being our youngest I am beginning to see an end to our days as "Band Parents". Since this chapter of my life began with Chris in 1999 I can't imagine what it will be like not to have games on Friday nights and competitions and band trips.

I intend to enjoy these next four years for all they are worth.

Grandma? Mimi? Nana?

Hooray! There is a baby on the way and I am so excited. Amanda and Steve let us know on Saturday that we will be grandparents in May. Finally a cure for my "baby fever". I think Mike is relieved! So now the big question from my other kids is "What are you going to be called"? The truth is, I have no idea. I just know that no matter what I am called, I am really looking forward to it.

FSU band day.

Fleming Island Band traveled to FSU to participate in Band Day. Katie had never been to a college game before so she was very excited. She screamed so much she was hoarse the next day. I am trying to get used to the idea of being a Seminole since it looks like I will be getting my Masters in Social Work from there. I did enjoy the game but I found myself more interested in the updates on how my Georgia Bulldogs were doing!

Back to School

We are all back in school now and settling in. It is busy as usual but we're enjoying it. Jenny is working as a full time nanny for a family from church so she is not in the first day of school picture. She is attending FCCJ for her SENIOR year and living at their house. Josh is excited to be a SENIOR and is participating in Chorus and a guitar class. Katie is involved in musical theatre and band and seems to love being a freshman. She marched for the first time on Friday night and I think she is hooked! Lil' Mike is a junior now and looks forward to the weekends when he isn't in school. Mike is still working two jobs, at CVS and the high school so I can go to school. I am finally a SENIOR and will be graduating in the Spring along with Jenny and Josh. For the first time I have classes five days a week so I am trying to figure out how to make the most of my time.

Fall Reading List...

Sunflowers

I have always loved Sunflowers, and my husband has given me arrangements of them before, but this one was special, because these are homegrown.

Soggy Band Camp

Usually "the heat" is the issue at Marching Band Camp, but this year it was the rain. Marching in the mud made for some dirty legs and shoes. Thank Goodness, both are washable!

Mike's new buddy

Introducing Callie and Pistol

We added to our family on Sunday during a trip to Middleburg. The calico is Callie and the black and white is Pistol for reasons which I am sure you can imagine. I had forgotten how much fun kittens can be. We haven't made the big "introduction" yet. The kittens are residing in our room for now and the dogs are very curious. I've no doubt the kittens will be able to defend themselves when the time comes.

Four A's

The Summer grades were posted today and I finally did it! For the first time in my life I got straight A's! (Actually one of the A's is an A- but it is still an A) I was never concerned about grades in high school, much to my parent's dismay. I now realize if I had cracked a book once in a while, I could have done much better. I was fortunate that my test scores were high enough that Valdosta State was willing to take me, in spite of my less than stellar performance. Its funny how differently I feel now. Part of the issue is that now I am really interested in learning and that does have an impact on your grades.
This next semester should be challenging. My schedule includes: Into the Asylum, Sociological Theory, Sociology of Women and Sociology of Human Interaction. I will only have two classes in the Spring. One will be a sociology elective and the other is my practicum (internship). I plan on interning at the Juvenile Justice Department in Green Cove Springs. Ultimately, I would like to work in a program that services foster children who have aged out of the program. My ultimate dream is to do a study and collect data on the number of children who were foster children, currently in the Juvenile Justice System. With this information I would like to write a grant request to fund a resource center to help the kids with their educational, housing, vocational and psychological needs. Basically, to fill in all the gaps they may have so they will be equipped to be successful in life. It won't be residential, just a drop in place. If it all works out I will name it Jeremiah's Place, based on Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future". I know these are big dreams but I will keep doing what I need to do on my end and see what happens.

Grandpuppies

They came to visit on Sunday and will be staying the week. With the two we already have, there are more dogs than humans here right now. The first few days are always a little loud as they all jockey for position but for now there is peace and quiet. I absolutely adore them which is a good thing since all the rain these past few days has made the backyard very wet and there are little paw prints all over the tile floor downstairs. I mopped once today but you can't even tell now.

Mama Mia

I have been looking forward to this movie ever since I saw the previews so we decided to brave opening day. The place was so packed we ended up sitting on the third row but it was worth it. It wasn't the expert singing that made it so much fun. No matter how much I like Pierce Brosnan, I have to admit he is not a singer. What made the movie was the memories all the songs brought back and the fact that everyone involved did not seem to take themselves too seriously. It was nice to relax and enjoy the music and the scenery was breathtaking. I sure wouldn't mind visiting Greece one day.