A Kodak Moment Missed

I always take my camera with me but, when we went to pick up Blake and Kellie I didn't see a need to take it, that won't happen again. I missed some off the sweetest pictures that forever will be held in my heart. I wrote this in an e-mail to my Aunt a couple days ago and I didn't wanted to leave it as I wrote it to her. So I copied and pasted it from the e-mail I sent her..

When we picked him up at the airport these little kids would tug on his uniform and Blake looking down he found extended tiny hands thanking him for what he was doing for their future - every small child brought extra tears for me. I wondered if they really understood what Blake fighting for us meant. Blake would graciously take their tiny hands and with that strong military hand shake say you are Welcome.

Another Message From The Other Side

We went to see John Edwards last night and out of 500 people we got a reading. We made friends with several people in line and three of them wanted to sit with us. While waiting we talked and found out we had so much in common. John Edwards energy was being pulled to them and they stood up. He then began to see a bear a build a bear a special bear and I raised my hand and told the story of my son taking his grandmother his pooh bear when she was in the hospital. He asked me if it was a special bear, yes it was a bear he carried around as a small boy. Then he mentioned the name Mary Elizabeth I said that was his grandmother. She acknowledged the bear and then he said someone is in uniform and I said my son is in the military and he said that was her way of acknowledging Blake and then he asked who Scott was I then thought Scott was going to drop to the floor. I handed him the microphone and both his mother and brother had come through and they brought through someone for the other side of the room tied to me. After about 10 minutes and John Edwards saying my name over and over I asked if someone over there maybe had a root canal in our office. That was the connection her friend sitting next to her husband had been in our office several times and our energy brought through someone for them. It was awesome..Scott is still shell shocked

The "BIG" Surprise

Scott updated my wedding ring.. Does he rock??

Blake and Kellie's Visit Continued

Thursday I show up to work. Michelle reminded me that Blake and Kellie had to turn in their marriage license before they left, which meant they couldn't get married at sunset as planned. They were flying out Sunday. Blake and Kellie went to Disney for the day so the marriage was planned via text and phone calls. If you can't get married at sunset, the next best thing was sunrise. Blake said is was a stress free wedding. Are you kidding me?? Scott and I went to pick out wedding bands for them - their weeding gift from us. I picked up a simple bouquet of bright colored roses and wrapped them with satin and tied a bow and found a simple white dress perfect for a beach wedding at Ross for $25.00

Friday the big day I was mother of the groom, the notary and the photographer with help from Scott. The Groom was handsome and the bride beautiful.
In memory of Blake's grandmother a rose was removed from Kellie's bouquet and Blake kissed it before tossing it into the ocean.
My new daughter in law
Blake found a piece of sea glass handing it to Kellie. When Blake was a kid we use to go to the beach and look for sea glass.
They spent the rest of the day running errands.
Saturday it look like cupid had exploded in our house. Blake and Kellie had decorated the house for Scott and I for Valentine's Day. It was great.
Well what would you do if you were home on leave...

Blake and Kellie's Visit

Blake and Kellie were bumped up first class on their trip to Orlando because he was in uniform. As Blake and Kellie were waiting on their bags these little kids were walking up a shaking Blake's hand and thanking him. It was a mothers heart felt moment as these kids would tug on his uniform to get his attention just so they could shake his hand. Our first stop Doubles Hoagies. He said he has been thinking of Doubles since he has been at Ft. Drum. It was great because his grandfather and Matt and Michelle met us there.
Scott and I headed home and Blake and Kellie began to make their trips around to see family and Blake meet up with a high school friend. Later that evening he hung out with his friend and a few sparklers lead to this. Kellie being from Boston thought that she could throw sand on this fire to put it out. They needed Smoky The Bear for this fire. So they ended up calling the fire department.

Blake was being baptized Sunday afternoon, so we went to the 8:30 service. Blake's grandfather surprised us and showed up. It was bittersweet because I do not believe that he has been in the church since Blake's grandmother had passed away. Scott and I are just as guilty. We had a small cookout with family and friends before Blake being baptized. Scott grilled his yummy ribs.
Blake's faith has really grown since losing his grandmother. He thought how great it would be to be baptized in her pool. Pastor Loomis was all for it even though the water was a bit cold.After Blake was baptized the kids played on the beach. Skylar found a nice old man that let her help him fly his kite. Skylar was so happy to have her Uncle Blake home and so was his mom.
On Monday we went to Disney Kellie hadn't been in years. Scott and I thought we would tag along. Scott and I rode one ride and decided to go to downtown disney for people watching and to build my little ponies for Skylar. It was great you have a box and it is $25.00 for as much as you could stuff in the box. So Skylar ended up with three ponies dressed with all the accessories. It was sad because we had to have these little kids help us. We had tickets to The Hoop De Doo dinner show.

Tuesday evening Blake was to go purchase a white shirt for engagement pictures with Erica on Wednesday, instead he showed up with a marriage license and wanted me to marry he and Kellie on Friday at sunset on the river. Is this legal?? Yes, in the State of Florida it is legal for a notary to perform a marriage of a family member.

Wednesday we went to and had lunch and drinks at the cocoa beach pier. I just wanted to get a feel for the pictures Erica was going to take. This is a picture I took on the deck. Erica did a fantastic job on their engagement photos. I can't wait to see the rest. Here are a few.
T

Back On

Blake just called everything is back on schedule : )

The Army Pisses Me Off

I purchased plane tickets when Blake first told me he had leave and gave me the dates. Then the Army decided to change the leave dates to a week earlier. So I had to pay the fee to reschedule their tickets. I spoke with Blake this morning to see if he was as excited as I was - one more day.
His response was I may have bad news I'll let you know later. Not something you say and then hang up so I say, what's going on Blake - he may not be able to sign out until 0600 tomorrow I don't know if it's am or pm. All I know is his flight leaves at 6:00 am out of Boston. Six hours away from his base because that is where Kellie lives.
I am so sick of the lack of consideration of our soldiers - who have not seen their families in a long time and make plans only for the Army to have the upper hand and change plans or make decisions for them. I am also sick of the military time bulls**t. Report back at 1300, why can they not say 1:00.
I am also sick of hearing that is what he signed up for, well it's not what I signed up for. Those soldiers have families to. My whole family is meeting at the airport to welcome Blake home.
Skylar was upset she couldn't make Belle's birthday party , so I had to explain that Belle's party is the same time Blake airplane lands. She understood and was OK with that. But, now if Blake doesn't land Skylar is not going to understand.

Three More Days

Blake and Kellie are arriving Saturday the 7th for a week long visit. I am over the top with excitement. We have so much planned. The Saturday he flies in, my "whole" family are coming over for a BBQ.
Blake lost his grandmother about a week before he was to report to Ft. Drum NY. Since then Blake has grown in his faith and wants to be baptized while home. When I spoke with him yesterday on the phone, he decided he wanted to be baptized in his grandmothers pool. I am on an emotional roller coaster, trying to find the source of it. When Blake told me of his plan , I began to think of how thrilled his grandmother would be and it made me cry because I wish she could be here to see it. Blake's grandfather will be there and I wonder how he will do. So on Sunday at 3:00 Blake will renew his faith.
Monday we plan to go to Walt Disney and we have reservations for the Hoop De Doo show @ 5:00.
Wednesday Erica is going to take pictures for Blake & Kellie.
It seems like so much to cram into one week.