Monkey Boys

Britt has always accused her boys of being little monkeys - I think Andrew has proven her point!

This is at his 1/2 Birthday. (I started this because I couldn't wait a whole year with AC to celebrate so just family celebrates 1/2 birthdays)

FLASHBACK - Soph Year Highschool

Found this on my BF - SIL's blog and thought it was kind of cool!

Sophomore Year
Fill this out about your SOPHOMORE year of high school. The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be:

1. Who was your best friend? Leslie Mosley
2. What kind of car did you want? 1974 Mustand II - Red and White (I loved that car!)
3. It's Friday night, where were you at? In the fall, I was at the football games because I was in the BAND. The rest of the year, I was usually hanging with friends.
4. Were you a party animal? Compared to some No, compared to some YES.
5. Were you considered a flirt? YES
6. Ever skip school? YES - wrecked my car doing it :(
No.7. Ever smoked? Not in HS
8. Were you a nerd? NOPE - not the most populare but not a NERD
9. Did you get suspended/expelled? No - detention a few dozen times.
10. Can you sing the Alma Mater? Yes & so can my children who never went there.
11. Who were your favorite teachers? Coach Reese
12. Who was your least favorite teacher? Coach Bridges (he was a JA)
13. Favorite class? Drama & Typing
14. What was your school's full name? Palo Duro High School
15. School mascot? Dons
16. Did you go to homecoming? Yes - w/o a date but had a blast
17. If you could go back to SOPHOMORE year and do it over, would you? YES
18. What do you remember most about SOPHOMORE year? Taking my sisters car to "skip" and being busted by her boyfriend (now husband) In my defense I couldn't take my car because it was always parked where it could be seen from the Principles Office
19. Favorite memory of your SOPHOMORE year? Drama Trips
20. Were you ever beaten up by an upperclassmen? Picked on YES - beat up NOPE!
21. Did you have a job your sophomore year? No
22. Where did you go most often for lunch? Taco Villa & Weinersnitzel
23. Have you gained weight since then? who hasn't?
24. What did you do after school? Drama practice - or to a friends house
25. When are/were you suppose to graduate? I graduated as scheduled 198o


OKAY YOUR TURN........IF I CAN REMEMBER (and I'm old) I KNOW YOU CAN!

Timeline - Milestones.

Sept. 15, 1979 - I married my High School Sweetheart (actually Jr. High is when I fell in love)
April 1980 - Had our baby girl
May 1980 - I graduated from High School
Feb 1982 - Had 2nd baby girl
Nov 1983 - Had a baby boy
May 1988 - Randy graduated from TSTI
Sept 1988 - Lost Randy's Dad
June 1989 - Moved to Allen, TX
April 1998 - Moved to Tampa (leaving behind our oldest - hardest thing I'd done to this point)
May 1998 - Eldest graduated & got married the next morning, living in Texas
May 2000 - 2nd baby girl graduated
Oct 2001 - 2nd girl married, living in Florida
March 2002 - #1 Grandson was born in Florida
May 2002 - Our baby boy graduated
Sept 2003 - #2 Grandson was born
Feb 2004 - Baby boy moved to Texas
June 2004 - Granddaughter was born
Sept 2004 - Baby boy married living in Texas Panhandle
March 2006 - Baby boy graduated from Police Academy - #3 grandson born in Florida
June 2006 - #4 grandson born in Texas
Sept 15, 2006 - Randy and I are celebrating 27 years of marriage

Looking back over the BIG milestones in our life - I can only say WOW HAVE WE BEEN BLESSED!

Looking forward to our family of 13 continue to GROW in numbers and closeness.

Remember 9-11

I would like to challenge all my blogger friends & family to post sometime this week their memories of the Morning of Sept 11, 2001. I know lots of you have posted a "Tribute to the fallen" but I would like to hear how you heard about it, what your reaction was & how it has changed your life (if at all). If you would prefer to just post a comment on my blog on how this played out that's fine. But please share.

Here's my story of 9/11/01 - in order for me to share it I need to start with 9/10/01.

9/10/06 - After spending 4 wonderful days in Vegas with my honey, BIL, & SIL. I boarded the red eye to fly back to Florida. Red eye had NO problems landed in Atlanta for a quick stop over. Was dog tired but had a little over an hour to grab some breakfast before my flight took off. Loaded the plane without incident and took off. About 30 minutes into the flight the whole plane shook and the captain came over and said that we had lost an engine. Reassuring us that the plane could fly on the other engine without any problems but they were going to try a couple of things to restart the dead engine. It became so quiet on the plane that I could hear an infant 6 or 7 rows back sucking it's bottle. After about 5 minutes the whole plane shook again and dropped enought that the diet coke in my cup hovered above my cup for a few seconds and then dropped back into the cup. I went from praying that we would get on the ground SAFELY to praying that God comforts my family - I was that certain that it was my time. The Captain came back on the PA and Laughingly said well that didn't work so well so we will be returning to Atlanta. He made a sharp turn and we headed back. Firetrucks met us on the runway - councilors were in the airport waiting on us. It was that scarry. After calling Randy in Vegas forgetting there was a 3 hour difference and it was only 5 a.m. there - I woke him up. Finally we were put on another flight and sent on our way arriving without incident.

Sept 11: I drove Brittney to work and was going to run some errands - as I was leaving her parking lot I heard on the radio that a plane had hit one of the Towers. As I turned it up to hear more they said a second plane was headed right for it. I called Randy again waking him up - Asking if he was watching CNN or FoxNews he reminded me he was sleeping. I insisted he turn it on and after he did we cried and prayed together. I completed my errands. As soon as I got home (resisting the urge to go get Britt from Work & Shawn from School) I started watching the news. My mom called to say goodbye and that she loved me (in case this was the end - they live near the #1 Atomic assemby plants.....so they have always figured they would be the target). As we talked the towers fell. I can't even begin to recount how many tears and prayers I had that day. I spoke with Nyki to let her know I was thinking of her. It was another 4 days before Randy could come home...........long long long days. He did get to witness the Moment of silence and darkness that Vegas had on that day....he said it was undiscribible for a city that never sleeps for no lights - no noise in the casinos.

How it has changed my life. I've always been a God fearing/believing person. I've always been very patriotic - I've always cried during the National Anthem & God Bless the USA. I still do all of these. However, I no longer have the sense of security that came with being an AMERICAN. I no longer assume that each trip Randy takes he will be coming home to me. I am more aware of people in the airport - mall - at games. Things that have not changed - I do not look at Musleums as if they are all the enemy - in fact I have a friend that is musleum and I know in my heart that Antar is not the same as the ones that plotted or are plotting against us. Just like I am not like the Christians who blow up Abortion clinics and shoot the doctors to protest murder.

Grease (My favorite Show)

http://rpwolfe.tripod.com/id21.html BABIES

Fun & Miracles

I have no idea where to start! I will start with last weekend that was so much FUN and end with Labor Day weekend that brought our family a miracle. WARNING an extremely long post ahead.

Last weekend: Randy's oldest brother (DHbro) & his wife(DH SIL) drove in from Texas to see their granddaughter MommaJ and her family at Patrick Air Force Base. (It was no fluke that their trip coincided with the scheduled Space Shuttle launch). Randy & I took a vacation day on Monday so we could go over and see them and watch the launch. We called R to see if he could take off on Monday and so B, R & all 3 boys went with us. We left Sunday morning to go to MommaJ's and had a great time visiting and catching up - they had already decided to postpone the launch because of the storm (Ernesto) but we were hopeful for Monday launch. BigJ cooked us some fried mushrooms (oh my gosh - they were better than any I've ever had) he also made us steaks for supper. We sat in the air conditioned house while the boys played in the little wading pool, MommaJ had for her boys, we were just about 5' from the boys and keeping eyes on them, they loved the freedom and we loved the fact that we could still be right there. They had a blast - they were brought in after turning into shriveled plums (and they still didn't want to come in - Even T who if you remember from past posts hates water - didn't want to get out) While the boys swam the men went and got us registered for the Hotel. After the guys got back we ate supper old folks went to living room to visit while the boys started a video and the young adults (MommaJ, BigJ, B & R) visited in the kitchen and garage. (I knew if R & BigJ ever met they would hit it off - like interests, love of music and more in common). T (with a 5 minute nap) fell asleep on the couch so Randy & I gathered up B's boys and took them to the hotel and MommaJ or BigJ were bringing B & R over later. The next morning we discovered the Space Shuttle was not going to launch due to lightening strike. We went swimming in the ocean - then the pool - T went Potty for the first time on the toilet. YEAHHHHHHHHHHH We went to visit MommaJ and family again - went to lunch came back and hung until we could say goodbye to BigJ then headed back across the state. Wonderful weekend! I always enjoy spending time with MommaJ and her family and it was a special bonus to see DHBro & DH SIL.

The week went normal - except for the added bonus that T was potting in the potty like a BIG BOY!!!!

Now for this weekend. Friday night was lazy - Saturday a.m. R & Randy got a good ride in. B & I went to a Women's Prayer Breakfast & Baby Shower. We got home and #1GS wanted to stay so I said he could but T went with mommy & A. #1GS watched Robotz (If you haven't watched it - it's GREAT!) with Grandpa & I then he was ready to go play. He informed GP we were all going to the computer/toy room. GP can play a game while #1GS & GM (me) played cars. We were having a great time when N called she was just leaving her Aunt JD's house (Randy's sister) and DHBro had called to tell them BabyJ had nearly drowned in the pool and was being care flighted to the hospital. I let her go as DHBro beeped through - I got very little details from him. Just that DH SIL & MommaJ had been playing cards at the coffee table watching the boys wade & play in the pool just 5' or less away. DH SIL looked up and LittleJ was floating. MommaJ ran and hollered for BigJ (who was doing school work on the computer in another room) and grabbed BabyJ . By the time BigJ got in the living room MommaJ was caring their limp non-responsive blue little boy back into the house. BigJ took him and shook him a couple of times gently calling his name with no response so he laid him down and began CPR while MommaJ called 911. After about 2 compressions and breathes he threw up lots of water - but was still not breathing on his own. The paramedics came and took over from MommaJ and BigJ who were both doing the CPR at that point. They loaded him & MommaJ in their ambulance and drove outside of the airbase where a care flight was waiting to take them to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando - due to bad thunderstorms they went to the Hospital in Melbourne. DHBro knew he was hooked up to a respirator and was somewhat responsive when he called. We called and started prayer chains.

MommaJ called me and said they were taking him to Orlando soon, I asked if she needed us there and she cried and said yes. So Randy and I called B to come get #1GS and packed a bag with toothbrushes and change of clothes etc. MommaJ called back and said it would be 8 before they started transporting and she wasn't sure if they were going by ambulance or helicopter. Randy and I got in the car and started the just under 2 hour drive to Orlando at about 6:45. We beat them all to the hospital. I spoke with the nurse who told us what bed he would be in and that when he got there BigJ would be told where we were. We ate some supper and waited. MommaJ calls and said they were on their way and BigJ was with BabyJ in the Mobile ICU unit. She had to go back to the house to show a detective & CPS rep where the incident had occurred. She also packed her and BigJ some clothes then drove the Hour and half to Orlando. LittleJ stayed home with DHBro & DH SIL.

BigJ came out while they were settling BabyJ into his bed and evaluating him. BigJ looked awful (as you can imagine) he said BabyJ had faired the trip well. He also informed us that the Doctor's had said that we would know something in the next 72 hours. Finally after what seemed to be hours (actually less than 30 minutes) the Doctor & Resident came out and took us into a room. Asked BigJ if he was there and could he tell them what happened. (which is where I got all the details I have stated above). BigJ's military background kicked in and he told the Doctor in an unemotional voice step by step what they had done. It was so clinical the Doctor asked if he had medical background. I told him Military and he nodded. The Doctor also told us the on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 the worse BabyJ was between a 2 & 3 which was good news however, he was still on a ventilator and not really breathing on his own. He couldn't guarantee there was no brain damage but said it should be minimal if any. Before he left he shook BigJ's hand and said "congratulations you saved your son's life". We took BigJ downstairs for some food (since he had not eaten since breakfast) and made phone calls to let everyone know what the doctor had said while we waited to be able to go back and see BabyJ. MommaJ got to the hospital prior to BigJ being allowed back to see him. They got to go back together and then we basically settled in (took over one whole waiting room) for the night. The hospital gave us sheets to cover up with we had all grabbed pillows from home and they had chairs that folded flat for a bed. I got up a couple of times during the night and went back to check on BabyJ. They were keeping him heavily sedated so he wouldn't be fighting against the respirator. BigJ woke each time I came back in the room for an updated. MommaJ had finally fallen asleep. Once she set straight up and cried out for BabyJ - I cannot imagine how this whole trauma felt to her. We talked for hours about lots of different stuff and she finally went back to sleep after 4. BigJ's mom arrived about 5:30 having driven all night from Alabama. Randy and I moved to another waiting room with her and Zack (BigJ's brother) and let MommaJ and BigJ get a little more sleep since neither had slept worth a darn. They went back to see BabyJ about 7:30 and the Nurses had just given him more sedative (Actually 3 different sedatives because none was working). The Respiratory Therapist came out and said as soon as he woke up they would remove the respirator because he was breathing over 90% on his own. An answer to prayer I guarantee it! They said he should be awake in the next hour or so & it was 8:45. We waited, waited & waited some more! finally at 11:30 I texted message B to have her SS class pray that he wakes up soon. By 11:40 he was awake and they were ready to remove the tube. He faired as any little boy would - he pushed them away and fought the medical staff arching his back kicking his legs.....the Nurse said this was a very GOOD sign. MommaJ got to hold him after they were finally done - BigJ got his pacifier and BabyJ sighed heavily and went back to sleep on mommy's shoulder. MommaJ after holding him for an hour or so discovered she was hungry - she had eaten NOTHING since breakfast the day before and it was after lunch time. BigJ went in and took BabyJ so she and LittleJ could go get something to eat (DHBro and DH SIL had gotten there about the time they removed the respirator with LittleJ). BigJ called while we were getting something to eat and said his mom had BabyJ and he was coming to join us, in the mean time some of their friends from the base had arrived so MommaJ got their food to go and Randy and I went and loaded up our stuff and headed home. Knowing that the worse was over and that BigJ and MommaJ had other family with them. MommaJ called yesterday and they were headed home - Doctor's see no lasting side effects. So basically prior to the 72 hours the doctor had declared "wait and see" time, they had dismissed him.

It was most assuredly a miracle! It could have been so much worse.