Taking on the 365 challenge...

A dear friend of mine took on the challenge to post a picture and blog every single day last year and in two short days she will have fullfilled the challenge. The year was an interesting one for her, to say the least, and although it was difficult at time, the posts she has now to remember the year by are very special. I have decided to take on the challenge myself this year. I don't know what to expect, for none of us no what each new year brings but I do know that it will be full of love and laughter and special moments with my family.

So many things to be thankful for....

It has been such an amazing year that I really don't even know where to start. I am thankful to all who supported me in realizing my dream of graduating form UNF. I know that I could not have done it without my family and friends who encouraged me along the way. We had two high school graduates in the family, Josh and Jenny. It was an exciting time to see them reach that milestone. I am grateful for the blessing of my children. They all fill my life with joy. We had a new addition to the family with the birth of our grandson Landen. He is my sunshine. We have had so much fun with him these last six months. Amanda's husband Steve will be coming home soon and we can't wait (especially Amanda, she has been such a trooper). I am so glad that he is part of our family. Jenny had an exciting year as she and her boyfriend Josh are engaged and planning to be married in April. Josh is still making music and leading the youth worship at Fleming Island Christ Church. Katie has had a good year following in the tradition of her brothers and marching in the band. Michael is looking forward to graduating in the Spring and going into the Navy (I think that is the service he is looking at this week ;). Chris has made his way from Alabama to California and seems to like the west coast. He has a job and seems to be content. I just wish it wasn't so far away. Shawn has also made his way to California and I am not sure we will ever get either one of them back on the east coast. I am thankful there are finding there own way but I sure do miss them. Matt is finally enjoying the college scene at UCF. He and Ashley rushed a Christian Fraternity and Sorority and they have been extremely busy. My brother Adam is finally getting married and I am so excited for him and Scarlett. She is a wonderful addition to our family (and she is a seminole too). Dad and Anita are enjoying the fellowship of their church and as usual blessing everyone with their generosity. I am grateful for their new life in Christ. Mom is still working. I am beginning to think she will never retire and just take it easy. I am thankful she has a job she loves and that she is across the street when I need her. Mike and I are doing great. What a precious gift he has been to me. He is working at CVS in the pharmacy and looking forward to the day I have a paying job and he can go to school. I am in the FSU School of Social Work graduate program and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Of course I don't like doing the papers but I am learning so much and have made wonderful friends. I am currently interning at YCC (Youth Crisis Center) as part of my program. I am a therapist intern working with youth who have been placed in the residential program. The goal is to help the youth and family get through the current crisis and connect them with services. I will finish my internship at the end of December or the beginning of January. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to see what it is like to work with youth at risk and I am even more certain this is where I want to be.

We have close family friends who have been tested this year and I am grateful for a God who is faithful to them. I am so thankful that God spared Mr. Gould so that we can enjoy him and his friendship for many, many (many etc.) years to come. Mrs. Gould finally has a job where countless children will be blessed by her talents. My sister in Christ Meryl has been through a horrible tragedy and God has been there for her all along. Her strength and faith have been a source of encouragement to me of God's faithfulness.

I am overwhelmed at how God provides for my family and friends and can't wait to see what He has in store for us next year. Because I know:

Roman 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation , will be able to separate us from the love of God that is is Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV

Hard to let go...

She was my comfort when there was none...

Sadie Rose 7/03-7/09

Two new Eagle Alumni

Josh and Jen graduated from Fleming Island High School in May. We invited friends and family over to celebrate with a Luau.

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