They grow so fast!

Laura's School asked that all the kids wear their favorite college t-shirt today (or the one they would like to attend) and she has already decided she wants to go to Texas A&M to pursue her degree in Veterinary Medicine. A few weeks ago when they told her about the college t-shirt day, she came home and asked us what the best Vet schools were. Luckily one of the top 5 showed up in Texas, Texas A&M as well as our home state of North Carolina, NC State University. I have to keep in mind that Laura is only 5 years and 11 months and things may change down the road, but I don't think I was really talking about what I wanted to do at that age. Heck, I'm still trying to figure it out!

Tim and I have been so proud of Laura this year. Even though Laura had gone through a Private Kindergarten class, she could not start 1st Grade in the public school system because of her age. We new she was ready, but she had to prove that to her new teachers. Well, after testing the first 3 weeks of the school year, Laura was promoted into 1st Grade. Her teacher as well as the testing teacher and Principal were so pleased with what all Laura knew. They said she was already cable of reading, writing and had math skills of that of a 2nd grader. I can not tell you how big our smiles got when they said that. We knew she seemed very smart for her age, but until you have someone else who verifies it, it doesn't sink in. Tim and I both hope and pray that she'll continue down this path and like school as much as she does now.


Laura is not only into school, but she also loves to dance. Around the time the school year started, we joined a new dance studio. The one Laura used to attend was through her daycare and they came to her once a week. She seems to really enjoy her new class and loves her teacher, Ms. Erika. In fact this past week, Laura was chosen to go in the front of the class with the teacher as a helper. She seemed to do a really good job and had fun doing it, as you'll see in the picture below.

Help Little Luke

I came across this story while surfing the web this morning and was so taken back by how quickly our lives can change. I thought about how heartbreaking this would be if it happened to me and about the mother and father having to live through this nightmare.

Here is what transpired... "On Wednesday, September 2, 2009, little four-year-old Lucas Holko was sitting with his parents, Chad and Nicole at a Mahoning Valley Scrapper’s game. He was sitting on his father’s lap chatting with his mom when he was struck in the back of the head by a line drive foul ball. Luke underwent immediate surgery at St. Elizabeth’s hospital to remove the piece of fractured skull that was depressing his brain and spinal cord. He has since been transferred to Akron Children’s Hospital where he remains in critical condition. The family requests continuous prayer for this strong little boy who is so precious to them."

The picture you see below is Luke just minutes before he was struck. I'm hoping those of you who read my blog will help Luke, monetarily or through prayer. I'm attaching the link to his website where you can send Luke an encouraging email or donate to help Luke and his family.
http://www.helpluke.com/Help_Little_Luke_Holko/Help_Luke.html

Birthday Weekend

This past weekend, Tim and I celebrated our Birthdays in Dallas, TX with our little one, Laura. For Tim's Christmas present, I had bought tickets for the NHRA Race. Tim has been wanting to go since we got here, so I thought it would be something fun for all of us to do. Unfortunately, I think Laura was too little to enjoy being at the races. She did not get in to it at all. At the beginning, she was ok as you can see in the picture above, but the mood quickly changed once the Top Fuel cars started to race. Even though Laura wore protective head phones on her ears, it was too much for her. Every time the cars would start their burnout, Laura would just cry. I ended up getting her down from the stands and she and I walked around to all of the vendors and to some of the little "shops". We ended up getting her another stuffed animal, like she doesn't have enough, and that seemed to work for a while. Then it got so hot and once again the tears started because all she wanted to do was leave. Needless to say, we weren't there for the whole day but Tim did get to see some of his favorite cars.

We also got to see Ashley Force Hood, as well as her dad, 14-time NHRA Funny Car National Champion, John Force. That was the highlight of my trip. If you don't know them for drag racing, you may know them from their reality show "Driving Force". It's one we never missed an episode of.













After leaving the track, we ended up having a relaxing afternoon and headed home Sunday after having lunch with one of Tim's old bosses, Sam and his wife Fran. If you're ever in Dallas, you must go to Babe's Chicken. We go every time we're there and it's well worth it.

Overall, we had a good time and if nothing else... next time we know Laura will not be happy at the drag strip.

Patrick Swayze dances "One Last Dance" with wife, Lisa Niemi

Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)

Every time I saw the ending of Dirty Dancing, I got chills up and down my spine. It's one of my all time favorites. Patrick Swayze will be missed.

Dirty Dancing - The Final Dance

Happy Anniversary Honey (09-09-09)

It's amazing to think we married 9 years ago today. Yes, it was Tim's brilliant plan to get married on the 9th month on the 9th day in the year 2000. That way he would always remember our Anniversary. Well, today is an even more significant year. It's the 9th month, the 9th day in the year 2009 and we've been married 9 years. I've had a great 9 years years and look forward to many more of them.

We've had our ups and downs and neither one of us has been perfect, but we've hung in there.... together. We've remained side by side and I'm so glad we did. I'm married to my best friend, to the one that's there to listen to my trials and tribulations, to make me smile when I need it most. Many of you don't know this, but Tim does everything for our family. I mean that when I say it. Everything! He doesn't hold the same belief that most husbands do, that a woman's job is to cook, clean and take care of the children. He's better than that, he does it all. Yes, he cooks, he cleans, he does the laundry, he does the grocery shopping and the best thing I know that he does, he looks after Laura and I. I'm so appreciative of everything he does. I don't say it enough but I'm so appreciative. Here's to another 9 years... I look forward to them all! Love you Babe!

So Sad

Back in May of this year, I blogged about Frank and Anita Milford celebrating their 81st Wedding Anniversary. They are the oldest couple on record to make it 81 years. Unfortunately, I've learned today that Frank has passed away, ending their 81year romance. My heart goes out to Mrs. Milford!

Original Post: http://behindthewallsofvanderwilt.blogspot.com/2009/05/congratulations.html