The Question

He Did It..... He Popped THE Question!

Kim and Kyle met back this spring during military training.
He went one way and she another...... but my phone bill told the story!
They talked and talked and talked some more.

Last month Kim was stationed near us and was able to spend some quality time with Kyle.
On Thanksgiving Day, while playing a game of Apples to Apples, he set up a dummy card with the phrase "Kim, will you marry me?" He arranged for her to have to read it! You see the result above. There was screaming and crying and laughing. The ring was presented and she accepted.

Now the question is " March or upon Kyle's return from Iraq?" Kyle is due to ship out in late March. Kim will remain here near our home during this time.

I am excited and sad. I am happy and devastated. My baby is growing up. He is a soldier and young man and soon to be husband. I wish them the best. A long happy life and many children!

I love you Kyle! My new daughter to be, Kim, I love you too!

Stumble It!

Bon Fires and Family

The holidays have come to an end. As always it is a bittersweet conclusion. My children have packed up and gone back to their lives.... being full time working parents --far away, being a full time grad student -- again far away, and off to basic training --so very far away. I tend to ponder (with my cup of coffee nearby) quite often about my children and grandchildren, about their lives and the choices they have made. I see my daughter trying to balance being a wife, mother and working professional and wish that I was closer so that I could ease that burden, but as I look from far away, I realize that I have given her the skills to successfully manage these roles. She is doing an admirable job. I see my son struggling to find his path in life, then I realize we all have to find our paths in our own time. He focuses on his studies, wants to make the world a better, greener, more sustainable place to live for all peoples. My baby, rudely thrust into manhood by his father's premature passing, trying to be like his dad, do what his dad did- make the world a safer place. Soldiers have a big burden, I am proud that my son is willing to take on this burden - for his family, his home, his country. So, I sit ( with that perpetual cup of coffee), and smile. I look forward to the gathering of my children and the Christmas Eve Bon Fires of the future.