House - Weeks #10 & 11

Since we were gone to NC to welcome Perry home, I did not get week 10 posted. So I'm playing catch up now with both weeks. Sorry. When we returned from our trip, we were astonished to see all that had been done while we were gone. To recap: the brick was completely finished, the roof was finished (except over the front porch, where the rock layers were working - but it was completed today), the rock was hand cut and laid, being completed, the entire house was dry walled and was sanded today, lighting was picked out and ordered, and appliances were ordered. There's just as much going on for this week, but I'll save it to go with the new pics, which will probably include the inside. Sorry about all the pics to come...

Halloween Fun!!

I know I'm late getting these Halloween pics up. Sorry! Friday, Alysa went to school wearing Halloween "dress", but not her costume. She promptly called me asking me to bring her costume to school, since she'd JUST learned she could have worn it. I did take it to her and was so glad I did because when I got there, the ENTIRE school was in an assembly where all the teachers and faculty were dressed up and doing various skits. It was a reall "scream" (pardon the punn). She quickly changed into her costume and went back to the fun. Later that night, we took pizzas to our friends, the Jacob family, and rode on a hayride around our soon-to-be new neighborhood. We had a great time and look forward to many more trick-or-treat nights out there.

Happy Birthday Wes-Wee (Wesley)!!! and Sissy!

Tomorrow (Nov. 2) is my Wesleys 25th birthday!!! I can't believe he's already 1/4 of a century old!! Oh my, what does that make me?? I can remember the day he was born as if it were yesterday. He woke me up @ 4 am, twisting and turning best he could, trying to get out. But he didn't actually make it until 5:22 that afternoon. It was a long day...but SO worth it. Wes has brought us years full of laughter and smiles and wonderful memories. It has been such a joy to watch him grow up and acquire a family of his own. And what a beautiful family they are.....we love them all so much. Seeing him interact with his own children is amazing. We visited them this summer (waiting on Briley to show up) and were so touched to see the love in their home.......just what a parent wants for their children. Happy Birthday, Wes!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

It also happens to be my sisters birthday, Jeri Ann. She's 2 years younger than I am and quite the clown. She's so much fun to be with....I really miss her. She has always delighted in the fact that Wesley was born on her birthday.....she got to get out of school to come to the hospital! She's always called him "her baby", being that they share the same birthday. Here's to you, Sissy!! We love you bunches!

Perry's Home!!!!!

After 7 long months in Iraq, Perry is finally back on US soil. I can't tell you how happy we were to see him. Mark, Alysa and I drove to North Carolina to see him in, along with Marks' sister, Lois, her husband, Mike, and their two teens, Nate and Margaret, AND one of our neices, Megan. Perrys dad and little brother, Jay and Tex, were there too. The weather was beautiful that day....good thing too because we were expecting him in at 10:00 am and he didn't actually make it in until around 3:30 pm. But we just enjoyed the day, watching all the other Marines seeing their families again, some of them meeting their babies for the first time. It was a very touching and humbling experience. It really made us think about and appreciate what these men (and women) are sacrificing to serve
our country.





Perry looked wonderful and it was fantastic to actually be able to hug him and know he was real and safe. We had a great visit with him. He was able to reunite with his buddy, Khris, from Louisiana, who is also stationed at Camp Lejeune. They even brought their guitars and gave us a private concert. It was just like old times. Of course, Perry was glad to get back to his "baby" (truck). I can't imagine what it would be like to not drive for 7 months - other than a Hummer every now and then. It was so hard to leave him again so soon. But the world keeps turning. At least we can keep in touch via phones a lot easier and more often now that he's home.




Thanks, Perry, to you and all that serve along side you. All our love.......

Our Darlin', Alysa

These are a few cute pics of Alysa, one with her friend, Kate. She's getting all ready for fall and lovin' it! Can you tell, by her boots? She's going to need them, too. It's already gotten quite chilly here, but it a very welcomed change for us. Isn't she growing up to be a beauty? She'll be 9 in just a few weeks! Where does the time go? She's just as sweet as she looks, too. We love her so very much.

10 Things I LOVE.........TODAY

First of all, let me just say "Family" is a given and will not be included in my lists............

1. Long, curly eyelashes - I have spent no telling how much $ to find a mascara that will give me the lashes I crave. I finally found XXL Curlpower by Maybelline. Love - it!!
2. Comfy jeans.....slenderizing, not too tight or too baggy
3. Fleece....in all shapes and forms
4. Hot chocolate with whipped creme
5. Fall....and everything associated with it
6. People who are where they say they're going to be when they say they're going to be there!
   
7. Getting things done
8. Laughing.....HA! Ha-Ha!!
9. Thick, cushy, cozy socks
10. A good ribeye steak.....Marks are the best!!
    

Best and Worst of Times

I can't believe it! It's finally time for Perry to come back from Iraq!! He's been there for seven months, which means we've been in Kentucky for seven months!! This coming Sunday, we will be traveling to North Carolina, where Perry and the others from 3-6 will land on US soil around 11 a.m the following day (27th). I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!! He has already requested to eat at Chili's (his favorite restaurant) for dinner. Of course I told him we could go anywhere he wanted to! So far, his plans are to leave for Lake Charles, LA around November 15 to work in the recruiting office for a month. Then back to NC for a short time and then, hopefully, he'll get a Christmas leave. Naturally, I want him to come to Kentucky to see his mommy. We'll see....which reminds me.....I've been very sad that Wes and Wendy and the babies aren't going to get to come at Christmas like I was hoping. I've tried to be very strong about this, as I've never been away from my boys at Christmas. Times, they are a changin', and my babies are growing up. Not being with my family during this special time of year is going to be the hardest thing about living here. Sigh.