Unique is good, right?

Sailor has always been a little unique. She doesn't feel the need to color within the lines, she manages to turn everything into a rainbow and her sense of style is definitely all her own. All I can say is to expect the unexpected with her, she is certainly one of a kind! It's hard to tell, but in addition to everything else, she has butterfly wings on.

Geo-Bee

Tucker's school recently participated in a nationwide competition put on by National Geographic. The geo-bee, as it's referred to, is a geography competition. The winner from each school will complete at a higher level until they reach the national competition. Tucker didn't really prepare or study for this so we were quite surprised to see him win for his class. After the class competitions, it went to a school wide competition where they narrowed it down to the top 10 finalists. Tucker not only made it to the top 10, but ended up finishing 5th for the entire school. We are quite proud of him and he was thrilled when the local paper came for interviews and a photograph. Tucker is located on the bottom right (wearing the NC State shirt).

Heavenly Birthday

Twelve years have come and gone and although some days it feels like a lifetime ago, other days it seems like yesterday. They say time heals all wounds, I think we just learn to deal with the pain and sorrow that we feel. Hank and I feel very special to not only be parents, but to also be the parents of an angel. We love and miss Troy so much but know he is in a better place and certainly with some very special people. I can only hope his day is half as special as he is. Happy Birthday my sweet boy, we love you!

I never got to hear you laugh
you never saw me cry
didnt get a chance to say "Hello"
you never said "Goodbye"
I didn't think that I could feel
so sad, lost and forlorn.
I never knew God chose his Angels
before some of them were born.
Your life was short yet special
I shared it all exclusively
I felt you breathe, I felt you kick.
You were alive inside of me.
Every baby is an Angel
and every angel is divine
God needed one in heaven
He came down and took mine
And although we are not together
we're not really apart
for you'll always occupy a space
deep within my heart.
Time has begun to ease my pain
It's only some days now I cry.
When I wish I could have said "Hello"
and heard you say "Goodbye"
~Author Unknown

Yep, that's really Jim Cantore

Just before Christmas mom and I managed to get over to Destin one day to get in a little last minute shopping. While in Wal-Mart, of all places, we saw a man that looked like Jim Cantore. I kept yelling "excuse me" but he either didn't hear me or chose to avoid me all together. I continued to follow him to the back of the store but he managed to get to the restrooms before I could catch him. I stopped and talked to a young girl that was with him, turned out to be his daughter. She confirmed it was Jim Cantore, and that they were down from Atlanta on vacation. After waiting for him to emerge from the restroom, he happily agreed to a photo with me only to have my mom not know how to take a picture with my phone! So thankful his daughter was able to get the picture for me. For all you Weather Channel fans, not only is he super nice, but he's a little guy as well, not much taller than me. And should he ever mention a crazy Wal-Mart stalker in Florida, that would be me! :)