Part 1: The Grandkids Visit Grandma & Grandpa

For the first time ever, both Justin & Olivia were able to visit us in June! They were with us from June 4 - 23. Joshua's new orders moved him to Massachusetts. Instead of driving the entire family & the dog from CA to MA, the kids stayed with us while the movers came & packed up the house. Then Josh & Stacey and Gabby (the dog) drove east. I flew out to pick them up on Memorial Day & spend a few days. Justin, Olivia & I flew from Ontario CA to Dallas Ft Worth where we had a 3 hour layover. We had some lunch then were going to the USO when we discovered a children's play area. As nice as the USO's are, this was the perfect place for the kids to burn off some energy. Because Justin's reservations were made after Olivia & mine, he didn't sit with us, instead sat in a window seat both flights all by himself. I think he liked being 'big enough' to sit away from us.

Missy Finishes Her Sophomore Year of HS & Goes to the Citadel

Missy finished her sophomore year of high school, where has the time gone? It is hard to believe in 2 years she will be a high school graduate! 

Missy attended Officer Leadership Training at the Citadel June 13-18 and attained the rank of Lieutenant upon completing training. She's pretty excited about that. She said she loved being there, wants to go back but it was, in her words: h-e-double hockey sticks! She also came back wanting to go to Singapore as part of the leadership training school exchange program. I doubt either of her parents are big fans of that plan.

She has spent the summer with her mom & will be home on the 31. I, for one, can't wait, as I've been missing her. She's spent alot of time with her boyfriend, Austin; made some new friends; been to the beach a couple times and did some babysitting for some friends of Austin's mom.  I'm sure she will have lots to share and perhaps I can get her to write something here.

Prom 2011

Missy is off to prom, looking beautiful! She & her mom bought her dress when she bought her military ball dress. She & Austin look very nice & he took her to Lowe's Motor Speedway Club for dinner. 

What was I thinking??

I looked at the weather forcast for western PA and yet I still drove up here. Today, it is grey, chilly (that's being generous) and rainy, just like it was forcast to be!
It was a fun drive up here with Jessica. We spent about 2 hours at the antique store in Beckley WV; went to see the bridge at New River Gorge and had good conversation. We managed to turn our 7.5hr drive into 12! 
I've had an Oram's cream filled donut, 35cent pancakes at the Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe, a freshly made burger with cheddar cheese & chili and chili & cheese fries at the same hot dog shoppe. Those were musts on my list of things to do while back home.  I'm enjoying spending time catching up with friends and visiting with relatives (especially Jessica). I wanted to go to one of my nephews track meet today but the rain cancelled those plans for me.
Shhh, don't tell Mike & Missy but I'm missing them greatly!

Central Cabarrus ROTC Earns Awards

Despite the lack of organization & all the changes during the last week of practices, or perhaps because of these changes, Central Cabarrus ROTC brought home several awards.  Missy was very happy for her friend, senior Marie C who placed first in female individual armed. Missy completed in AS1 unarmed flight, AS1 female unarmed element, placing 2nd in each event.

Here are pics taken from the drill meet held Saturday at Independence HS, Charlotte NC.

 Missy cuts up for the camera!

waiting for the judges before unarmed flight

In other news, Missy will have her wisdom teeth removed on Friday, all 4 of them.  I see lots of icecream and soup on the menu for the weekend!

Cinderella Goes to the Ball

Today is Saturday 05Mar2011, it is also the day of the Cabarrus County ROTC Ball. Missy has been waiting for this ball all year! This is also the evening of Missy's first date!!! Poor Mike, its tough for him to see his 'baby girl' growing up. Her date was her boyfriend, Austin. He is a nice young man even if he is one year older than she. His parents took them to dinner, then to the ball.
Some of you may not know but it is a joke between Missy & I that she calls me the 'wicked stepmonster' & I call her Cinderella. The joke today was if Cinderella didn't get all her chores done, she would have to stay home from the ball.
Here is our beautiful little girl, all dressed up with somewhere to go!

Missy Celebrates her Sweet 16!

Missy is celebrating her 16th birthday today! It is hard for me to believe that the little girl I met 5 years ago is now a young lady. Mike & I gave her a pair of freshwater pearls, ones she can wear with her ROTC uniform. She & Mike have gone on a father/daughter dinner date. Then we'll have cake & icecream when they get home. She requested me to make her cake again this year. Disclaimer, I am not Betty Crocker LOL. It looks like Mike & Missy are thinking, 'can we go already?'  They were!