We Must Never Forget

Once again the 911 anniversary is upon us.

Let resolver forget..

• those lost that horrible day

• their family, friends and coworkers that survived

• our glorious nation that came together in one resolve

Thanks to the Hero's

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Finish December Before I Start 2013!

We made cookies!

Audrey got a new BJD (had nothing to do with her Christmas presents!

Left cookies and milk for Santa. Still ;)!

Ready Christmas morning,

the presents under the tree!

Did you notice him in the picture above?

Audrey doesn't like for me to post pictures of her so I didn't really have any of her opening presents that she wasn't in! Except this one hehe!

Audrey got me this from Etsy! I LOVE it! 

It's exactly like my parents! I've wanted one forever!

Thank you pumpkin!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Love you so much Mom!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Here's a few famous birthday's for September 19th
Joe Morgan
Jimmy Fallon
Trisha Yearwood
Joan Lunden
Leslie “Twiggy” Lawson
Jeremy Irons
Randolph Mantooth
“Mama” Cass Elliot
Adam West 
(check for more birthday's or historical event's here)

Never Forget

We must never forget!

Thanks to all our American Heros

~oOo~

God Bless America

Happy Independence Day!

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

During the War of 1812, the British captured
the city of Washington, setting fire to the Capitol building and the White
House.

In the blaze of cannon fire, Francis Scott Key, a lawyer living in Georgetown, could still see an American flag waving over Fort McHenry. When
the bombing suddenly stopped during the night, he had no way of knowing if the
flag was still there or if the American stronghold had fallen to the British.
But at dawn the American flag became visible, still intact over the fort.

Key was inspired to write a poem. His brother-in-law took it to a
printer and copies were circulated around the city.

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was adopted as our national anthem on March 3, 1931.

Star-Spangled Banner
Written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812
Oh, say can you see
By the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed
By the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars
Through the perilous flight
O'er the ramparts we watched
Were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket's red glare,
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that Star-Spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen
Through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host
In dread silence reposes.
What is that which the breeze
O'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows,
Half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam
Of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected
Now shines on the stream:

Tis the Star-Spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band
That so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war
And the battle's confusion
A home and a country
Should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out
Their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save
The hireling and slave
From the terror of flight,
Or the gloom of the grave!

And the Star-Spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! Thus be it ever
When free men shall stand
Between their loved homes
And the war's desolation;
Blest with victory and peace,
May the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made
And preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must,
When our cause it is just,
And this be out motto:
"In God is our trust!"

And the Star-Spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
~oOo~
Enjoy Your Freedom
and God Bless Our Troops.
~oOo~ Thank you to all the men and women that have fought to keep us free!
A very special thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Hubert, Arnold, Curtis and Estes (whom I never met because he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944. Buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France).

~oOo~
In God We Trust

Pray for America!

To My Daddy & My Daughter's Daddy

WHAT MAKES A DAD

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad

~Author Unknown

~oOo~

I love you daddy ♥!
I love you sweetheart ♥!

Memorial Day

As Memorial Day was approaching one of my cousins started posted pictures of our Uncle Estes on Facebook. 

I never got to meet my Uncle Estes because he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944 during WWII. He is buried in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

Memorial Day is a special day set aside to remember all our fallen soldiers. So I wanted to post pictures of my Uncle Estes and the medals he received.

The medals across the top L to R: The Bronze Star; The Purple Heart; The Army Good Conduct Medal; American Defense Medal WWII; European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal WWII; WWII Victory Medal.

The small medals on the bottom right are mini versions of the top row to wear on their uniforms, as are the bars in the middle above the brass plate.

I don't know what the other's are.

~oOo~ 

Happy Memorial Day!

The Word "Thanks" Just Isn't Enough!

I received this in an email, I had to share!
Happy Memorial Day!

~oOo~

 As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open. The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car, and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away. I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying: 'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight, and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.' He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around, I saw a gas station up the road, and I told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went I inside. I saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them, and related the problem the old man had with his car. I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman. When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?' He said that he served with the first Marine Division at Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and Okinawa. He had hit three of the worst ones, and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card. He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it, and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station.

Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me. One of them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name was written: 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society'. I sat there motionless, looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence.
(story from an unknown source)

(Present day variations of the Medal of Honor L to R: Army, Navy/Marine, Air Force)
(photo from cmohs)

Remember, as we celebrate another Memorial Day, many men like this man gave you, and all of us, FREEDOM for America.Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who supported them, and who continue to support them.

America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.

If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!

Remember, Freedom isn't Free. Thousands have paid the price, so that you can enjoy what you have today.

(photo from unknown resource)

~oOo~



A very heartfelt thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Joe, Hubert, Arnold, Curtis and Estes (whom I never met because he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944. Buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France). Special thanks also to my brother-in-law Jeffrey, my nephew Keith, and to all my cousins who have served. A BIG thanks to every man and woman who has ever put on a uniform to protect our freedom and our wonderful nation.

Happy Mother's Day!

"Happy Mother's Day" means more
Than have a happy day.
Within those words lie lots of things

We never get to say.
It means I love you first of all,
Then thanks for all you do.
It means you mean a lot to me,
And that I honor you.

But most of all, I guess it means
That I am thinking of
Your happiness on this, your day,
With pleasure and with love
~Author Unknown

~♥~

I love you Mom!

A very special first Mother's day to 
my niece Britainy, 
also to

Mitzi, Bridget, 

all my aunts, sister-in-laws, nieces, 

cousins and friends:

I hope you all have a wonderful 

Mother's Day!

I love you all!


Thank you Audrey for making me
a very blessed momma!
I love you very much!

Merry Christmas!

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:1-14
~*~*~*~
Thank you Father for sending your only Son to pay my sin debt.
Only by Your grace and mercy am I forgiven.
Your grateful daughter,
Tammy
Amen
~*~*~*~
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:15-18
~*~*~*~
Have a blessed Christmas with family and friends!

I'm So Thankful

I have so many blessings that I'm thankful for. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for me. Do you know Him? I'm also so very thankful for my wonderful husband, daughter, mom, dad, sister & her family, brother & his family. My aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors, online friends, blogging friends, a roof over my head, food to eat and my list could go on and on!
How about you? 

Thanks

Remember

by Brittany Vigoreaux

American soldiers sacrifice so much,

All for the freedom of our country.

Leaving their families and heading off to war,

Not knowing what the future holds.

Working day and night

Determined to stay strong.

Watching friends be killed every day

Letters from home inspiring them to keep fighting

So little is given to them

Although there is little to do,

For those who have died in war

We can still remember

Remember all the men who have died.

Remember all the battles fought

Remember all the tears families cried

Remember it was freedom the soldiers brought

To this very day soldiers are under-appreciated

Veterans Day is the day

For the dead, living, and fighting soldiers

To be remembered

~oOo~

Enjoy Your Freedom

and

God Bless Our Troops

~oOo~

A very special thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Joe, Hubert, Arnold, Curtis, Estes (whom I never met, he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944He was buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France), my cousins Kevin, Brenda & Sandi, my brother-in-law Jeffrey. 

Thanks You Is Not Enough!

NO, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE
(Author & photographer unknown)
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform;
so young, so tall, so proud.
With hair cut square and eyes alert,
he'd stand out in any crowd.





I thought how many men like him
had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil;
how many mother's tears?

I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.





I heard the sound of Taps one night,
when everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
that Taps had meant 'Amen.'
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
of the mothers and the wives,
of fathers, sons and husbands
with interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington .
No, freedom isn't free.

Enjoy Your Freedom
and
God Bless Our Troops.

~oOo~





A very special thanks to my dear husband Rudy for his service in the Navy, my uncles Joe, Hubert, Arnold, Curtis and Estes (whom I never met because he gave his life on Tuesday, July 25, 1944. Buried during WWII in Normandy American Cemetery; Colleville-sur-Mer, France). Special thanks also to my brother-in-law Jeffrey, my nephew Keith, and to all my cousins who have served. A special thanks to every man and woman who has ever put on a uniform to protect our freedom and our wonderful nation.

Rain + Rain + Rain... = Beautiful Flowers

I'm sure you've heard of the rhyme "April Showers Bring May Flowers". 

(Photo from Photobucket)

Well this year we have had April showers and May showers (with forecasts of a lot more May showers).

(Taken from Cincinnati.com)

However, I'm really not complaining, because the rain really has brought May Flowers!

Thank you Lord for all the beauty around us!