Fifteen!

Happy Birthday Jacob! The baby is 15 today. In 9 short months he'll be able to get his driving permit...please say it isn't so! Hope you have the bestest day ever! Enjoy!

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for! Today is a good reminder to stop and think of those people and things. We spent the day visiting with local family and had more than our share of great food! I have great parents...all four of them! I've been blessed four times over. They have each molded me in some way and made me who I am (they might not think that's a compliment ha! ;))

Daddy, me and Linda

Mom, me and Jeff

All in all, I'm a pretty lucky girl!

I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving too! One month 'til Christmas...just sayin'!

WE ARE....

Penn State played Indiana University at FedEx Field! Jim was fortunate enough to get tickets through his work. So, Jim, Jon and I headed to the game. While it was a home game for Indiana, you couldn't tell from the fans! There were far more folks cheering for Penn State!

We had great seats and perfect game day weather.

We even got to witness Joe Paterno in action...

And the game score wasn't bad either! =) A PSU win!

Hope you're having a great weekend too!

Happy Birthday Jim!

Today's your special day...your day to celebrate and look forward to another year! We hope that you're day is extra special and all of your wishes come true! ;)

The bus left...he's on his way

Matt (Julie's boyfriend) left for basic training today. He joined the Navy and has known for a while that this day was coming. Funny, I think Julie's been preparing for it in her own way. Knowing it's inevitable I've watched from a distance as she's made room between the two of them. Finding little things to bicker about and things that she doesn't 'like'. Took me a little bit to figure it out but truth is, that's her way of protecting herself from this....this day. But when the text came that read 'the bus just left..on his way to the airport', I know my Jules well enough to know it didn't work. There was too much emotion in those words.

She'll be fine and so will he! And no matter where the road leads them I know they'll be just fine! Whether it takes different paths for them or ends on the same, they're both good kids and will find their way. I'm sure I seem harsh when I say this but the reality is that he signed up for this. He did...no one made him and life's about choices. Even the really hard ones. So, Matt - no sympathy or extra points from me on that one (not that you wanted either)! :) But I'd be lying if I said when I told him goodbye on Sunday that there wasn't a part of me that felt a little sad. A little because I don't like to see Julie upset but mostly because he's someone's child, someone's brother, someone's friend, someone who's loved making a huge life decision! I can only imagine! We wish you the best Matt and know you'll do great! And remember what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Do good Matty and Jules - you know where I am if you need me! ;)

A few minutes of fame

The kids cousin Georgia sings in a band. We've seen them perform many times so this weekend when we heard they'd be playing at a local place, we thought we'd catch them one more time! They were great and even got Julie in the show. She was a little hesitant at first but with just a little coaxing, she was in the spotlight! I couldn't resist grabbing my phone to record her little moment of fame! ;) Good job Bugs....work it, work it! ;)

(don't forget to pause the music at the bottom of the page before you play the video...)

A different view

Jon was home for the weekend. Sad part about that is that an injured collar bone is going to keep him off the ice for a little while. (yes, again!) But since Jake's team was playing in a tournament this weekend, Jon got to see lots of games. At the last game, Jake's coach got ejected....so Jon got to spend a little time on the bench - just in a different role. He was offering a little coaching advice from his experience....and I think this picture is priceless!