The End of the Season

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Dave & Tim (Score Board in the background)

The Last Senior Game for David ended with a great victory: 56 - 41. It was a great last game. It was a great week leading up to the game. It was homecoming week.The students at MICS started out the week on Sunday working on their floats for the Friday Parade. Monday was Gilligan's Island theme day (guess who was the skipper?) Monday night was their homecoming dance on a river boat (yes, it was a 3 hour tour).


David and his date, Katie --> by the way, Katie wins homecoming queen on Friday

The students did make it back to shore from their "cruise homecoming dance" and were able to sleep in and go into school late Tuesday, which was M*A*S*H theme day--> a night of volleyball game and victory would be a great end to Tuesday: then Wednesday was bowling in the morning while the theme was "Happy Days". As you are reading my blog, you must be getting it, the theme for the week was TV shows of the past. Thursday was introducing homecoming court, Lip Sync competition, and "Bevelerly Hillbillies". But it was also major surprise day....Mark flew home from Oklahoma just to see David's last football game. Mark's friend Beef picked him up at the airport and he surprised me at work & then David at school. What a nice surprise. Sooo Mark was here to see David announced as one of the senior boys on the homecoming court. He does not win King...but he will always be my prince!


Mark & Dave

The seniors did a Happy Day's song and were great...they did a dance routine and looked like professionals (okay...I am the mom and this is my blog based on my view point).

Friday...the day of the game!!!First was the parade. Being on the court, David got to drive in a convertable and throw candy out to the crowd. Their float was great..it was a ship based on Gilliagan's Island.

Then the night of the game. The weather was perfect...friends came to the game. David had his own cheering section: Myself, Niel, Mark, Mr. & Mrs. Anderson, Kristen, Beth, & Chelsea. It was a great night for football. It ended the way any football player would want their senior game to end...with a victory. 41 -56...Cougar Victory. I will leave you with some great pictures of the day and night.


Dave & Ryan


Dave & Caitlin


Captains of the Game: David #79 & Ryan #32


Mark & Dave


Mark, Dave, & Kristen


Senior Boys at the end of the game: Luke, Miles, Dave, Tim, Blake, Ryan, & Spencer

Below is a picture of David & his coach...who stood in for us for David's senior night while we were gone the week before for Niel's mom funeral. The team is Dave's other family:




The last picture.....is David walking the field one last time by himself....the first steps from the football field to his future....

October 30, 2009

(Above picture) Niel & Karen & Geoff
We would like to thank all of those who have sent cards and prayers our way for the loss of Niel's mom. She lived a long life and was loved by many. Even with a handicap she touch many lives by opening her home to the neighborhood children as a care giver and even to young adults as they made their way in life. She raised three wonderful children as a single mom and did a wonderful job. Her daughter (Karen) has the gift of caring and helping others...her gentleness with her own children is a trait she received from her mom. Her oldest son has a heart that is thankful for what he has, and he tries when he can to help others. Niel (her youngest) also as the gift of thinking of others and helping others, a trait he received from his mother. He is always willing to help others, even when it is not convenient for him. His thoughtfulness is a wonderful gift his mother gave to him. All three loved their mother and she loved them. She might be gone, but she will live on in her children's lives and her grandchildren lifes. Again, thank all for the prayers and cards. I leave you with a few pictures of our trip to Rochester, NY.


(1999: Niel, Eric (in back) , Marge (MOM), Karen )

Oct 2009

(Picture taken by Chelsea before Niel and I chaperoned the Edgewood Homecoming)

Happy Fall!! I say that totally jokingly because the past two weeks here in Florida we have been setting records high. Last week, every day was over 93 degrees. I will say, I totally miss New England this time of the year and this extra heat makes me miss it more. Fall has not come to Florida.

But since it is fall....well, we are in the middle of Football season and David's senior year. This year, with the economy down, his school's enrollment has been down, so they only have 22 guys for his football team. David is playing center and some times when needed (has happen every game) he plays Defense as well. Here are a few pictures of David:

David and his friend Luke

David Hiking the ball

David and Tim Captains for the Game

Sooo, you can see we are really busy with on the weekends with Football. This weekend David has an away game in Morehaven Florida (South Florida..about 3hours from here). We will go to the game, spend the night and since we are in South Florida, we will go see Niel's brother Eric who is in a nursing home in South Florida.

Work has been busy for both Niel and myself. Niel's work has been having some layoffs, but so far we have been blessed and he still has his job. Myself, my classes are crowded (over crowded if you asked me) but going great! I am teaching Government HOnors, AP Government, and 8th Grade US History. I enjoy my job and my students. This past week has been our homecoming and being the SGA Sponsor, it is my baby. Spirit week was great and the homecoming dance was beautiful. Our theme this year was An Evening Under the Stars. We decorated in blue & silver and of course stars. It was really nice. I am tired, very tired, but seeing the kids having a great time, well, it is worth me being tired.

Brian and Chelsea came over this weekend. It is always good to see them. Brian is still looking for work...so prayers in this area would be totally welcomed. He has completed the application process for the police academy and has passed one of the test already. If all goes well, he will be in the police academy in January or February.

Mark is in Oklahoma taking classes. He has been really busy but he still manages to call home once a week (which makes me happy). He is in on campus apartments, so he gets to cook some of his meals. He will be flying home for Christmas Dec. 18th. He will turn 21 the next day...does not seem like he will be 21.

David will be singing with his choir at Epcot on the 18th of December for the candle light procesional. So, if you live in Florida and want to see a wonderful Christmas Concert, I highly recommend this one. You need to book special tickets through Disney for this (you can always google Candle LIght Processional to get more information).

I hope and pray that all is well with eveyone and that you are enjoying time with family, because in the whole whelm of it, family is the most important part of life. I will leave you all with David's senior year picture...yes he is a senior....he will turn 18 on December 4th ....time sure flies when you are busy with life.

July 2009

Wow...the summer is almost over and somehow I just feel like it started. David has his senior picture appointment for the yearbook scheduled on Aug 3rd. First I can not believe that is already happening. David a SENIOR in high school. Time sure does fly. I am looking forward to watching him play CENTER for his football team. But SENIOR year, not so sure I am ready for that. As you can see from the above picture, he is taller than his older brothers.

July 4th came and went with some fireworks but the best part, we were all together as a family. Brian & Chelsea came over for a few days and we all had a great time. On the 4th we went to a church picnic....all of us went...all of us had a ball. On the 3rd, we did our own fireworks in the back yard. Yes...I broke down and Brian & I got the fansy fireworks that go up in the sky. No hand ones for anyone. ;o) I am glad I did that, after spending time with friends and family at the July 4th party I was totally over heated...so I was asleep on July 4th by 9 pm....but I had my show on the 3rd, so I was okay with it. I will say, this is when I miss Maine the most. I love Maine in July and I love the Rangeley fireworks. Sure wish Maine was closer than a 3 day ride. ;o) Brian and Chelsea had to head back to Tampa for thier jobs. Brian is working at Midas and Chelsea is working at the water park for Bush Gardens.

We had some friends visit us from Austrial and Mark got to go wakeboarding:



Niel's Uncle Joe came over for a visit and we met Uncle Joe and Niel's dad (Stoyel) for lunch after church one sunday. It was a nice visit. Niel's dad seems tired all the time, that worries me. So please pray for his health.

David went on a mission trip to Cincinati to teach VBS in the inner city. He was in a skit and played the jailer:


They had a great time. The bus broke down on their way back but otherwise it was a good trip. Yesterday, David started his first job at Chic-fil-le.(He got in from the mission trip at 11 the night before) Here is him in his new "work" outfit:


While David was on his mission trip, Memaw and PopPop came down to Florida for their doctor visits. PopPop got the all clear from his doctor to do what he wants but if he gets tired, he needs to rest. This is good since he has been already doing what he wants to do (like mowing the lawn). Mark and I made a trip up to Cracker Barell to have dinner with them...it is a half way mark for both of us. We had a good visit with both of them. Memaw seems to have a cold that will not go away. PopPop looked good but looks like he needs to gain a little weight. We had a good visit. They are already back in NC and I think planning a trip to Maine to see the other grandkids and great grandkids. Did I mention that my niece Connie is pregant with TWINS. Yes TWINS! She is due in Jan or Feb.

My knee is healing and I am feeling better. Therapy in the pool is the best thing. I have a few more weeks of vacation left. Go back to work on August 3rd. Niel and I went on a mini-cruise for a mini vacation. We went out of Fort Lauderdale which was nice since we got to visit with Niel's brother Eric who is in a nursing home in South Florida. We got to see him on Thursday before we left and then on Monday when we returned. We had a good time. We got to do some snorkling and see some historical places in Key West. But the best part of the vacation was just spending time with each other. I just like hanging with Niel. We had a great table on the cruise and ended up hanging with one of the couples a lot. The couple we hung with, lived near Uncle Joe and the guy used to work in Uncle Joe's park. What a small world. ;o) The below pictures is a picture of us before the formal dinner.



While we were on the cruise, Mark and Janel went up to Gainesville to visit Missy and Granddad. I hear through Janel, that Mark's grandmother (Missy) smoked him on a game of tenis. Guess the poor kid does not get his tenis talent from missy but me. (Sorry Missy). They were also abel to see their Cousin Jenny and her children. They had a great visit. And per Missy....Brian & Chelsea, Missy wants a visit from you two!!! I would recommend, practice tennis before you go. ;o)

I hope everyone is enjoying their family this summer. Family is so special and I enjoy every minute with mine. Part of my family is growing up but that is part of life...sometimes I just wonder where all the time went but then I remember, time has gone by while we have been enjoying each other.

The New Pet in the House

The new addition to our family is Stormy the Cat. She is a total princess and has taken over the house.As you can see, she loves to play in boxes...so in our room we have two boxes that she totally plays with. She thinks Chewy is a weird looking cat and tries to play with him (sometimes he seems to like the attention). Cody acknowledges her but that is about it. But down deep I think he is glad she is here...a few times I have found them cuddled next to each other sleeping.

I am doing better since my knee surgery. I am up and walking and have stopped the heavy pain meds...personally, they were horrible and made the room spin. I want be running anywhere soon but even with two good knees I would not be running anywhere in this Florida heat. Therapy is going good but I am looking forward to get the okay to do therapy in the pool. I go to the doctor on Monday...so hopefully I will get that okay to drive again and permission to get in the pool. Since the surgery was on my right knee, no driving until the doctor clears me. So Niel has been my nurse and driving me around. Yesterday after therapy, he took me to the movies and dinner. The movie was great, we saw Proposal and I recommend everyone to see it. A really cute movie. Even Niel enjoyed it..it has a lot of funny spots in it. We ended the evening with dinner at LongHorn. It was nice. I will say I was tired, but it was a good tired.

Boys are doing good. Brian is looking for work again and is thinking about going to the police academy. Something to pray about. David is at Wet N Wild today with friends from school and Mark is working.

June already

It has been awhile since I blogged. I was going to blog when school was out....send pictures of my vacation...but then my vacation did not happen and I have been basically been laid up with knee problems. It is called condramalicia. Nice name for rough and loose cartledge behind my knee cap.

So...instead of a trip to DC....I spent the time on the couch...resting my leg. The doctor says that sometimes resting the leg helps with the inflamation...so I rested. Now, I proble did not rest like I should have....but I rested as good as I could. While I was resting we got the new addition to our family. STORMY. She is a medium hair gray & white cat with the sweetest personality. She loves to purr and she loves to cuddle. She even likes the dogs...now, she has let them know she is head princess of the house. So...instead of DC...I have become friends with our new member of the house.

Well...resting did not heal the problem, so last Thursday, the doctor did surgery on my knee. Basically he went in and cleaned up the cartledge. Now, in my mind, once he did that, I thought I would be okay. Everyone I bumped into this past month, said, I had knee surgery and I was up and about....I guess they forgot about the pain from surgery. I am not up and about yet. It has been 5 days and to be honest....it hurts. My leg is swollen and I do not feel like getting up and about. Now, I will say, Niel had warned me. He said this would happen but then he said, well, when I had knee surgery 25 years ago....so I thought, things had change. The lady in the line at Walmart had knee surgery and she was back to work in three days. I guess they only let the fast healers to talk about their surgery....three days. I took a shower and thought being dirty was not all that bad if taking a shower was as painful as mine was. I will admit, our friend Bill did mention on the 3rd day I would feel like a ton of bricks landed on my knee...I feel he discribed it totally correctly. So imagine, a ton of brick pain and I am trying to take a shower. OKay...now I have brought humor back into your life.

Today...day 5: Physical Therapy. You know they make you exercise and work out your pain while you pay them. What is that all about. Okay...in reality, it was not all that bad...but today was the first day. I have physical therapy on Wednesday and then Friday. Niel went with me today...he went to see what I am suppose to do at home. Yes...not only do they expect you to pay them to make your exercise, you have to do homework. Do they not know I am on summer vacation. Now I have homework...and it is not fun homework, it is stretching exercises. Does this mean I have made it to the big time with my own trainer.

On a good note. All three boys were home these past few days. Brian & Chelsea came over to see me but also to celebrate father's day over here. The reason they had the extra time, well, Brian lost his job. So he is job hunting again. This is a tad bit discouraging but I know he will find the right fit for him soon. Please pray for that. So..while they were visiting, Throttle got hurt. He got a huge gash in his back and had to get about 8 staples. Poor little guy. He took it better than I did with my knee but him & I spent the day resting on Sunday. We could have put a sign out front: rehab for all. They headed back to Tampa today...hopefully Throttle will heal fast and that Brian will find a job.

Mark and David were at summer camp two weeks ago. Mark was a counselor and David was a camper. They both had a great time. David even earned the award Mr. I (some award for the best guy camper). He is back at doing Iron Claw (football conditioning). This past Friday, Mark(as acting intern) took the youth group to Rock Springs. They had a great day tubing and relaxing. Funny though, when both Mark & David came home at 5, they both went to bed for the rest of the day...so how much relaxing did they truly get.

Niel....I think he needs a saint award. He has been the chief nurse through all of this....he is so sweet and takes everything with stride. Did I mention the new kitty Stormy likes to play with his legs at midnight. The boys did take him and his dad out to eat on Sunday...I was not up to it...but then Niel brought me leftovers home. He is so sweet. I feel so blessed to have Niel.

Guess that is it. I will not be running any marthons soon (okay,even without this ingury I would not be running any marthons...but that does sound good).

I hope you have enjoyed your June and July will be here before we know it. Summer will be over and I will be back at work. Then I will say, what did I do this summer? Oh yeah....knee surgery and physical therapy.

Mother's Day Weekend

I will say I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. All three boys were home for the weekend. We all went to church, David played in the Praise Band and then sat with us, afterwards we all went to lunch at Fujamias (Japanese Steak House). After the wonderful lunch we headed to the movies and saw Star Trex. It was a great movie and a great time. The rest of the afternoon I watched home improvement shows.


Besides Mother's Day weekend...David had PROM on Friday night. His school does a Junior/Senior Prom. We took pictures down by the River Front before he was off with Friends to dinner and then Prom. For some unknown reason he did not want us to follow and take pictures. But we did get a lot of pictures at the River Front.
Here is David at the house before we went to the River Front:

Here is David with the football boys:

Here is David with his friend Donna:

Here is David with his friend Taylor:



Mark is home from college. He is going to take 4 classes this summer besides work a part time job. His old job at Florida Seafood hired him back for the summer. He will also be helping our youth leader at our church this summer as well.

All is well in Cocoa Florida. It has been unbearable hot lately. I will say it has totally wiped me out. I had an MS attack on Friday but I am doing better. I am trying to take it easy and avoid the heat as much as I can.

I hope all had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend as I did.