Remember our Men and Women of the Military serving near and far

Gary


May we always remember them.
A Different Christmas Poem
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us." PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq

A Christmas Poem

Twas the Night Before Christmas--for the Parentless.. ...Twas the night before Christmas and all through the landthere are parentless children, with no toys in handNo stockings to be hung by the chimny with careno hopes for a family soon to be thereTheir beds are not snug--but cold and quite barethere are no goodnight kisses--no one to careWhile we in our homes, laughing in delightall settle down for a Merry Chistmas Eve nightWhen in someone's heart--there arises a clatterthere are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!Away to the computer please go in a flashto see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglowcould this be MY child--could I already know??When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appearsis a family to love them, to care and hold dearAs you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--for you know in your heart that sweet face will stickMore dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to callnow child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flewto hold this dear soul--a wish did come trueAnd then in a twinkling-I saw through the doorthis child of my heart-that was waiting no moreAs I got my camera and was turning around-into my arms did he come with a bound!He was dressed in many layers from his head to his footand into my heart his life was just putthere was no round face--no plump little bellyjust sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jellyIn a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a sealmy world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at alland I knew in this moment where I got this callGod layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I roseand He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....It won't be a shout--no not even a whistleit won't be real clear--but faint like a whisperCan you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?And make a difference for one--help them see the light?I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!

By Amy Dinnitello

Grateful

Sometimes things happen which make you grateful for many things. Sometimes it makes you reflect on what matters and what you want in life.

Christmas is such a time and I feel grateful for family and friends.

NOW IF I COULD JUST DECIDE WHAT PATH I SHOULD TAKE

Happy Thanksgiving !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gene Kelly November 9, 2001-November 5, 2009

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

McKenna's beloved cat Gene Kelly passed on. I guess Grandpa and Isaiah needed a companion to join them.......Until we meet again we LOVE and Miss you Gene Kelly and our hearts are broken this morning...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Love YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Halloween

Our Halloween pictures have not arrived but here is my niece wanting to wish everyone a Happy Halloween.

Missing Grandpa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well it has been a year since Grandpa went to heaven and still it seems like it just happened yesterday. We love and miss you dad.

12 Years

Happy Anniversary !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My nephew

So proud of him. This has been a dream of his for a long time. We will pray daily for you that GOD will keep you safe in this time of our countries history.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

September 11.

Thank you to all the men and woman of our armed forces who love us and our country so much and our willing to serve ESPECIALLY with the current situation in our world.

We will never forget those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and for the families left behind.

China

Once you go to China you leave a part of yourself there. Children are in need all over the world.
This is a great website regarding China and her children.

www.lovewithoutboundaries.com

Thoughts

Well the first few weeks of school are done and I think McKenna likes it.

I finally passed ABC3 (I think I have Heavenly help).

Goals are a funny thing...you try and try and still you sometimes fail.. Feeling frustrated beyond belief. You are doing OK and then BAM it gets thrown of kilter but I will not let it beat me.

All in all we are doing OK. Just trying harder to be a better example to my kids. Trying harder to be a better church member. Trying hard to do as much as I can to keep all happy.

Work went well this past week. Soon ACLS ugggggg that is a hard test for me, we don't use the information as much as other units so even though it comes back I still get nervous at least a few of my co workers will be there also.

Found DAVE RAMSEY and my goal is to be able to call and say I AM DEBT free....one of these days it will happen.

2005-2008 We WILL NEVER FORGET YOU

This precious baby is with the Angels. Please Please Please if things get to much with your precious little ones, walk away and call for help. To many little life's are lost to soon.

First Day of School

Just lounging around with my sister !!!!!!!!!!!

We are cute aren't we !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah SCHOOL is starting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

more pictctures of the kitty

Presenting the new kitty

Still need better pictures but here he is.

Swimming Pictures

Summer 2009

It was a great summer. We had cousins down to play and have fun tending while mommy work.

We had a great time in Hawaii with UCC.

August has been hot and fun. School supplies, school clothes and class assignment.

Last year of elementary for one and last year of preschool for another.

Smart little cookies who have a lot of fun.

Mom FINALLY passed abc 3 and is concentrating on accounting class now. Mom also learned about Dave Ramsey and hopefully in about a year or so we can call in screaming I AM DEBT FREE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

One thing we missed this year was the camping trip...with Grandpa gone it just did not feel right attempting to go but next year I promised the girls back to camping. We still miss Isaiah and Grandpa so much.

We also have a new addition a kitty and will post some pictures later. Below enjoy some pictures from Hawaii.

Beautiful Princess

Hawaii---Turtle Bay (but we did not see any)

Learning about the Hula in "Tahiti Village"

Hula and More at the PCC

McKenna making her headband at the PCC

PCC Climbing Trees to get the coconuts

View From Hotel Room at Turtle Bay