Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with
family, food and fun!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
I'm Thankful For...
It’s that time of year again (can you believe it?), time to look back and reflect on my year so far. This Thanksgiving I am thankful for so many things - my husband, my family, and my friends. I’m thankful for love, support and friendship I’ve been given. For the opportunities and the disappointments that have made me stronger and more aware. For the men and women who sacrifice so much to ensure that I have freedom and protection. For the friendship, love, laughter, hugs, shoulders and tears shared - both physical and cyber ;o) The list goes on and on… The people in my life are awesome!
I have been so blessed to have you all in my life. I can't thank you enough for making my life so rich and full, Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Make a Difference... Please...
I was cruising blogs today and found this great idea for the Christmas season at La Dolce Vita: The Sweet Life . Check it out...
Taken directly from Big Mama:
A few days ago I received an email from a reader named Amanda. Her husband is in the Army and currently in the midst of a 15 month deployment. They have two young children and in her email she said that although it is often difficult, they know it’s the path to which they’ve been called.
Amanda came up with the idea to collect 2000 Christmas cards to send to the families of deployed soldiers. They are calling the effort “Dear Army Family”. They are hoping that each family will receive a card that reminds them that someone across the country values their sacrifice and is remembering their family through this Christmas season.
This is an excerpt from the letter she sent me that outlines the program.
“Our goal is to send an extra Christmas card to each family of a deployed soldier on our post. We are hoping to encourage those that are walking through a particularly difficult time of deployment. We want each family to know that the sacrifice they have offered is cherished. We are hoping for a personal note in each card. Please include words of gratitude as well as words of encouragement. We want Army families to know they are being thought of across this country; that their sacrifice is important, and that they are being covered in prayer.
Please pray for the family as you seal their envelope, knowing with certainty that God knows exactly which family will receive your card. Continue to pray for the families throughout the holiday season. Ask God to bring them to your mind throughout the festivities. You will bring blessings to these homes.
We are striving to get 2000 cards!
Please include your hometown & state with your signature inside your card, this will ensure that Army Families know people across America are praying for them and thinking of them. You may include a return address inside the card as well, but this is not required.
A few reminders:
1. Write “Dear Army Family” in the greeting of the card
2. Please include a personal greeting inside each card. Include your hometown & state.
3. Please STAMP the envelopes! You may send all the stamped cards in one large envelope or box to save on shipping.
4. Please return cards by December 1, 2008.
5. Please mail the cards to the following address:
Dear Army Family
Fort Sill – PWOC Frontier Chapel
4121 Thomas Road
Fort Sill, OK 73503
Taken directly from Big Mama:
A few days ago I received an email from a reader named Amanda. Her husband is in the Army and currently in the midst of a 15 month deployment. They have two young children and in her email she said that although it is often difficult, they know it’s the path to which they’ve been called.
Amanda came up with the idea to collect 2000 Christmas cards to send to the families of deployed soldiers. They are calling the effort “Dear Army Family”. They are hoping that each family will receive a card that reminds them that someone across the country values their sacrifice and is remembering their family through this Christmas season.
This is an excerpt from the letter she sent me that outlines the program.
“Our goal is to send an extra Christmas card to each family of a deployed soldier on our post. We are hoping to encourage those that are walking through a particularly difficult time of deployment. We want each family to know that the sacrifice they have offered is cherished. We are hoping for a personal note in each card. Please include words of gratitude as well as words of encouragement. We want Army families to know they are being thought of across this country; that their sacrifice is important, and that they are being covered in prayer.
Please pray for the family as you seal their envelope, knowing with certainty that God knows exactly which family will receive your card. Continue to pray for the families throughout the holiday season. Ask God to bring them to your mind throughout the festivities. You will bring blessings to these homes.
We are striving to get 2000 cards!
Please include your hometown & state with your signature inside your card, this will ensure that Army Families know people across America are praying for them and thinking of them. You may include a return address inside the card as well, but this is not required.
A few reminders:
1. Write “Dear Army Family” in the greeting of the card
2. Please include a personal greeting inside each card. Include your hometown & state.
3. Please STAMP the envelopes! You may send all the stamped cards in one large envelope or box to save on shipping.
4. Please return cards by December 1, 2008.
5. Please mail the cards to the following address:
Dear Army Family
Fort Sill – PWOC Frontier Chapel
4121 Thomas Road
Fort Sill, OK 73503
As you all know I have a big heart for our soldiers and their families so I will definitely be sending out some cards for this project. This Christmas would be a great time to acknowledge the sacrifice others are making for us. It would be awesome if those of you who stop by here would participate. Thanks Rebecca and Mark for posting about this wonderful project.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Veterans Day...
When America had an urgent need,
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand.
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand.
They left their friends and family;
They gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God,
They plowed into the strife.
They fought for freedom and for peace
On strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives
In long and brutal wars.
Other veterans answered a call
To support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for
The essential skills they brought.
We salute each and every one of them,
The noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today,
And those who rest in a grave.
So here’s to our country’s heroes;
They’re a cut above the rest;
Let’s give the honor that is due
To our country’s very best.
~By Joanna Fuchs
To those who are serving, have served and their families ~ You are my heroes.
Your sacrifice, honor, and willingness to serve overwhelm me. Thank you for you courage, service to this country and for the protection you provide.
May God bless you and keep you always...
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Congratulations...
To all those who have received their referrals this month. I know it has been a long, long wait and it must be absolutelywonderful to be looking at your childrens faces for the first time. Wishing you all speedy travel arrangements and wonderful "gotcha" days!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Josh's Last Game...
Josh had his last flag football game a couple of weeks ago (I know, I'm a bad Aunt for taking so long to post about it). After the game they were all presented with a medal by a varsity football player. I think that was the highlight of the day for all of them. Next up, t-ball. Stay tuned..
Halloween...
Here are some pictures of the cutest Boba Fett ever! Yes, this little bounty hunter is my nephew Josh. This year, for the first time, he was able to go trick-or-treating with his friends from school. Looks like he had fun ;o)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
7 Weird Things...
I’ve been tagged by my cyber-friend Donna to list 7 weird things about myself. Hmmm… that might be hard as I’m a relatively normal person. Relative being the operative word there, lol ;o)I love to read… I can read a good book in a day with time providing. Since our child isn’t home yet and I’m finished with school that still happens occasionally. There is nothing like settling in with a comfy blanket and a good book. The hard part is putting a good book down at a reasonable hour on a work night!
I love hockey fights… I know I know some say I’m “blood thirsty” but that’s simply not true. I like fights in hockey because it gets the team and the fans going. Besides most fights really only amount to a couple of guys skating around in circles while hanging on to each other & waving their arms in a kind of odd dance. Although on Saturday night Ryan Malone (a Tampa Bay Lightning player of course) got a nice left in :o)
I am not Irish… despite the reddish colored hair, blue eyes, and the name Kelly. I don’t have any Irish blood in me at all. I’m kind of Heinz 57 Variety with large doses of Italian and English. The light hair and fair skin could be from my Northern Italian roots. My great-grandfather came to America from Genoa, Italy.
I have only lived in two different states/countries my whole life. I was born in Weisbaden, Germany (no, I am not a military brat) and have lived in Florida since I was about 3.
Hmmm… okay I’m starting to struggle with interesting stuff now… not that the previous stuff was significantly interesting…
I hate mayonnaise… it’s an artery clogging condiment that should be outlawed. I won’t knowingly eat anything with mayo in it. There is nothing like seeing an infomercial at 3:00 AM (insomniac) on how to can learn to make homemade mayo. Just whip up some eggs, oil, and a little lemon juice, yuk! Now let’s try to go back to sleep without visions of your arteries slowly being closed off by that combo :o/
Since we’re talking about food… I love onion rings but am not big on onions in any other form. The other foods I won’t eat are tuna, dark meat chicken/turkey or pork, and eggs (except scrambled). Oh, I also have a real phobia about chicken or beef fat!
And for my seventh and final weird fact about me… my sign is Aquarius. I’m really not into the zodiac thing but I do find it odd that in a lot of ways the characteristics of this sign are me to a tee. I am friendly and caring, honest and loyal (to a fault), very, very independent, and a thinker. Unfortunately, I also possess some of the not so good characteristics too. It has been said that at times I can be stubborn, unemotional and detached. I find it hard to walk into a room not knowing anyone and begin conversations. I prefer to think that at times I have trouble sharing my emotions rather than that I’m unemotional. Although I admit certain emotional situations do leave me a little bit flabbergasted, I just don’t always get it.
So, now that you know some more about me… I’m supposed to tag 7 people but since most of us play in the same sand box I’ll do this – if you want to play along leave me a comment so I can go check out your answers. Inquiring minds really do want to know!
Monday, October 20, 2008
More Starbuck’s Wisdom…
The Way I See It #292
The way we get to live forever is through the memories stored in the hearts and souls of those whose lives we touch. That’s our soul print. It’s our comfort, our emotional nourishment at the end of the day and the end of a life. How wonderful that they are called up at will and savored randomly. It seems to me we should spend our lives in a conscious state of creating these meaningful moments that live on. Memories matter.
~Leeza Gibbons
Another tidbit of wisdom found on my morning tea cup. The truth is that this is something we all know but it something we all need to be reminded of from time to time. The shared laugh with a friend, the big smile and hug from a nephew, the easy camaraderie of spouses… are all things that we often take for granted. Then for some reason a random thought brings it all back. A thought that for a moment of time brings a smile to your face and warmth to your heart, a lost memory recalled. Often this random memory is a much needed pick me up in a chaotic day. Other times it can be a sad but much welcome reminder of those whom we’ve lost. But always it takes us away from the present and into another time or place. A reminder to appreciate all that we have and have had, to cherish the little things and to remember that these snapshots in time are the legacy we leave behind.
The way we get to live forever is through the memories stored in the hearts and souls of those whose lives we touch. That’s our soul print. It’s our comfort, our emotional nourishment at the end of the day and the end of a life. How wonderful that they are called up at will and savored randomly. It seems to me we should spend our lives in a conscious state of creating these meaningful moments that live on. Memories matter.
~Leeza Gibbons
Another tidbit of wisdom found on my morning tea cup. The truth is that this is something we all know but it something we all need to be reminded of from time to time. The shared laugh with a friend, the big smile and hug from a nephew, the easy camaraderie of spouses… are all things that we often take for granted. Then for some reason a random thought brings it all back. A thought that for a moment of time brings a smile to your face and warmth to your heart, a lost memory recalled. Often this random memory is a much needed pick me up in a chaotic day. Other times it can be a sad but much welcome reminder of those whom we’ve lost. But always it takes us away from the present and into another time or place. A reminder to appreciate all that we have and have had, to cherish the little things and to remember that these snapshots in time are the legacy we leave behind.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Husband Meme
I saw this on Angie's blog. Since most of the time I am writing about me I thought I'd do this so you loyal readers (wink, wink) can learn some stuff about Matt. Here we go...
1. He’s sitting in front of the TV; what is on the screen? Hockey, Football or baseball. Rightg now it's game 7 of the playoffs - Rays vs. Red Sox.
2. You’re out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? None - he won't eat it
3. What’s one food he doesn’t like? Salad, he hates it
4. You go out to the bar. What does he order? Beer
5. Where did he go to high school? Plant High School
6. What size shoe does he wear? 8 or 8 1/2
9. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Hockey memorablia
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? 5 Guys Bacon Cheeseburger?
9. What would this person eat every day if he could? Country Fried Steak
10. What is his favorite cereal? Captain Crunch or Lucky Charms
11. What would he never wear? I'll go with a speedo too
12. What is his favorite sports team? Tampa Bay Lightning, Bucs, and Rays
13. Who will he vote for? John McCain /Sarah Palin
14. Who is his best friend? Me
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do? Worry
16. How many states has he lived in? 1 - Florida
17. What is his heritage? German
18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? yellow cake with chocolate frosting
19. Did he play sports in high school? Football and basketball
20. What could he spend hours doing? Watching sports or playing PS3
If you decide to post about your husband let me know so I can check it out.
1. He’s sitting in front of the TV; what is on the screen? Hockey, Football or baseball. Rightg now it's game 7 of the playoffs - Rays vs. Red Sox.
2. You’re out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? None - he won't eat it
3. What’s one food he doesn’t like? Salad, he hates it
4. You go out to the bar. What does he order? Beer
5. Where did he go to high school? Plant High School
6. What size shoe does he wear? 8 or 8 1/2
9. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Hockey memorablia
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? 5 Guys Bacon Cheeseburger?
9. What would this person eat every day if he could? Country Fried Steak
10. What is his favorite cereal? Captain Crunch or Lucky Charms
11. What would he never wear? I'll go with a speedo too
12. What is his favorite sports team? Tampa Bay Lightning, Bucs, and Rays
13. Who will he vote for? John McCain /Sarah Palin
14. Who is his best friend? Me
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do? Worry
16. How many states has he lived in? 1 - Florida
17. What is his heritage? German
18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? yellow cake with chocolate frosting
19. Did he play sports in high school? Football and basketball
20. What could he spend hours doing? Watching sports or playing PS3
If you decide to post about your husband let me know so I can check it out.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Please continue to pray...
for the Phillipson family. Little Sam is doing better after having undergone several surgeries. He is starting to show glimpses of his true self here and there. (make sure to go to the link below and check out that adorable smile). Despite how well he is doing there is still a long way to go. Please continue to pray for his healing and comfort, for strength, comfort and endurance for the rest of his family, and for his medical staff to have wisdom concerning his treatment. 
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friends and good times...
We went to the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot last weekend with some friends. We had a great time hanging out and "traveling the world" (wink, wink). Some of the highlights were the crab cakes in Boston, seared beef medallions with cheese pollenta in San Francisco, Chilaquiles (baked tortillas with chicken and cheese) in Mexico, and Spanakopita (spinach and cheese pastry) in Greece. Needless to say it was a good thing we were walking around the world with all that eating!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
25 Months...
Today is our 25th month LID-aversary. It's hard to believe that it has been this long since we were logged-in with China. On one hand time has slowly creeped by and on the other time is flying by. It's hard to beleve that is already October and the holiday season is around the corner.
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