VP-26 Dining Out

TJ's squadron had a dining out on March 26.  It was at the Jacksonville Golf & Country Club - it was beautiful!  I felt bad because it was on Tyler's birthday.  But, the event was a mandatory event and we had to attend.  We told Tyler we would really celebrate his birthday the next weekend when he gets baptized and grandma, grandpa, and Aunt Steph are in town. 

 The Dining Out is a very old tradition.  It was fun to get all dressed up - although finding a modest dress was no easy task!  Most the time TJ never wears his dress uniforms, and although I wish it would have been the whites they got to wear, the blues still look nice.

 My handsome hubby!

It was fun to go get my hair done!  I haven't done that since my wedding- 14 years ago!

 It was a delicious dinner!

 The POW/MIA table.  Every thing on this table has a meaning.  It is all in memory of the POW's and MIA. The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing men. The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty. The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and the loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers. The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land. A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers. The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.  The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's toast.  The chairs are empty -- they are missing.  More info here:  http://www.powmiaff.org/missing_men_ceremony.html

 The grog - the toliet contains the alcohol, the thing next to the toliet is the non-alcholic grog.  Just another part of the tradition of the night.

 TJ at the grog - the non-alcholic grog that is!  You get sent to the grog for any wrong doings.  TJ got sent there for a video skit some of the guys had done kind of making fun of the squadron life.

 Most - not all - of the wives of VP-26.

VP-26 command picnic

TJ's command had a picnic on Friday.  It was such a gorgeous day!  We had a good time playing volleyball, eating and socializing.

Friday Flashback

Today's Friday Flashback is from March 26, 2003.  The day my sweet little Tyler was born.  He was our first baby, so it was all so exciting, overwhelming, exhausting and a lesson in patience!  That boy was a week and a day late!  The NAVY wouldn't induce me any earlier than that, and I was miserable!  But, he sure was worth the wait. 

 It's funny how I still think he looks just like this - especially at night when I check on him and he's sleeping - this is still what he looks like.

Love, love, love this boy with all my heart.  He is my special boy.

Friday Flashback

This Friday Flashback is from September 8, 2006.  This was our last trip to Disneyland before we moved from CA, to FL.  I don't remember much about the trip.  I do remember how easy it used to be for TJ to get a day off.  Not so much anymore.  Ahhh, the life of sea duty (errr, plane duty)....  I guess I have been reminiscing about this day because I want to take a vacation so bad.  TJ is working non-stop - literally.  The poor guy climbs into bed at 12:15a.m. after flying all night the other night, then his alarm went off at 4a.m. the very next morning to go to a sim flight.  He has been flying weekends too.  It's crazy nuts around here I tell you!  I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water some days.  And, it's not about to get any better.  This is another deployment year after all...

Spring

We have been having spring for awhile now.  I noticed the other day that we have this beautiful tree in bloom in our front yard.  No one else on our street has one that looks like this.  It's so beautiful.  It makes me so happy to see it every day.  I have a love-hate relationship with Spring.  I like it because the weather is gorgeous.  I hate it because of the bugs, and because I know the awful humidity will be here very soon...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The kids set their trap up before they left for school today. 

 They left some "gold" as an enticement to enter the trap.

 We didn't catch the leprechaun.  I think we almost caught him though - his hat got left behind!

 Those leprechauns sure do make a mess of things!

 And, they can't spell very well either!

 They kids were so excited when I picked them up from the bus.  It was non-stop talk about if the leprechaun was in the house.  They ran in the house before I could even get out of the car!  They found his hat with lots of candy in it.

 And, that naughty leprechaun pooped on their beds!

 Tyler eating leprechaun poop - eewwwww!!!

What a fun day we had!

Traps!

The kids made their leprechaun trap tonight.  We will see if it catches anything tomorrow!  They are so excited!!

Zoo

Today I got to go on Brenalee's field trip to the zoo.  I was in charge of her and 2 other little kindergarteners.  It wore me out!  It was a gorgeous day at the zoo.  Brena had fun in the educational center petting the animals they bring out.  This was a chicken of some sort named Tina.  Brena loves animals.  I can see this child being a vet.  She wasn't scared a bit of the snake they brought out either.  I, on the other hand, had no desire to touch the thing!

Friday Flashback

This Friday Flashback is a picture of me, in my freshman year of high school.  This was my picture for cross country.  Wasn't I cute??  No wonder TJ fell head over heels for me - ha ha!! 
Taken probably around September, 1992.