Mini-Marine Boot Camp

The Family Readiness Team for Doyl's battalion hosted a Kids' Mini-Marine Boot Camp yesterday. It was fabulous! The "recruits" were divided by age into Companies complete with Company Commanders. The training events included a mini-PFT, a mini-CFT, a shooting range (with Nerf guns), Camo face painting, and a rock-climbing wall. I was sure this was going to be Anna's event, and she did have fun, but Whitley was the one who really "Marined-up"!

Anna wanted to hang out with the "girl Marines"...

...and climb...

...and shoot.

Whitley wanted to exercise.

One Tired Little Girl

We went to the pool yesterday around 4:30. We were only there for about an hour and a half, but when we got home, we had one tired Anna. She played so hard and swam! Yep, that's right. She took off her vest for awhile and swam. Well, it was more like deep water running...Those feet never did get behind her...That just means she got a better workout! When we got home, she got a bath while dinner was in the oven. By 6:45, she was so asleep we had no choice but to put her to bed without dinner. She slept until 6:15 this morning and has been eating ever since. Now, if we could just get Whitley that tired...

Busy week of pictures

The start to a very busy July 4th weekend. June 30th, Doyl had a retirement ceremony for a Navy Chief aboard the USS North Carolina.

Below: July 2nd out at Onslow Beach


July 4th:

July 5th: Since the weather wouldn't permit us to go to the pool, we made due with the aquarium.

June 26 at the beach

We headed to the beach this evening and spent about an hour and a half. I love the beach in the evening. Don't worry. No introspection. No essay on the beauty of God's creation. I love the beach in the evening because when we get home, this happens...

No whining about not being tired. No telling the girls to stop talking and go to sleep. In this case, no pajamas. She comes home so tired, she just passes out.

They both play so hard when we go. Tonight, Anna easily ran 1/2-3/4 mile at one time. That's not including the mile she walked looking for sea shells.

Whitley was almost as tired. She at least managed to get pjs on and pray with us before she surrendered to sleep.

Anna's 4th Birthday

Anna has been asking for a set of Digital Deserts like her Chaplain daddy wears for a year. Well, she doesn't have to ask anymore. Look closely. Doyl had name tapes just like his put on and even gave her the rank of LTjg!

We had her party at her gymnastics school. By far the easiest birthday party we've ever done!

2010-2011 School Year

August 26, 2010 - The first day of KindergartenJune 16, 2011 - The last day of Kindergarten

Whitley is published!

As a writing project this year, the students in Whitley's class each wrote a story. Whitley was so eager to write that she finished her story before Christmas. A couple of volunteers had them "published" and bound as hardback books. Today the families were invited to "An Author's Tea". The students read their books and then hosted a reception.

Johnson Primary School Fine Arts Program

Whitley loves to sing and music class is one of the highlights of school for her. For the Veteran's Day and "Holiday" Programs, the kindergarteners were not included among the performers. She was sooooo disappointed. She knew the songs and wanted to sing too. Well, this time EVERYONE was included. Doyl joined Anna and I at her school this afternoon to see our little star.


Now, I love to see her perform. She just shines! However, at the very beginning of the program I was sure I'd already experienced my favorite part. The high school band was there to open the show. For the first number, they played the Star-Spangled Banner. Of course, we all stood. Civilians with our hands on our hearts. Marines and Sailors at attention. Then the elementary students began to sing. They weren't prompted. They simply sang because they love our National Anthem. It was so moving, my eyes filled with tears. I was sure a series of 3 or 4 kiddie songs couldn't touch it. Whitley proved me wrong. It wasn't the song selection that did it. (The tunes I knew..."Yankee Doodle", "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, etc"...The words had been changed.) What overwhelmed me was when Whitley finally spotted us toward the back of the room. She just beamed! She had been singing well, but knowing we were there brought her to a whole new level. That melts this mommy's heart. My little girl, who is growing so fast, still wants us there! She wants to make us proud (which she does) and delights in our support. What's more, she's not ashamed to let us know it!

First Beach Outing - Summer 2011

I love the beach. Someday I'll get time to say the same about the mountains, but for now, we get to indulge in the beach.

This summer will be a bit different for me. Instead of playing in the surf and running along the shore, I'll spend most of my time in a comfy chair, under an umbrella, with the cooler close by. All in all, not a bad spot. And I'll do some walking and sea shell hunting with the family. Once I find a couple of maturnity swimsuits, I even plan on making it in the water...At least until I get big enough to possibly be mistaken for a whale.

As much joy as I get from watching my husband and daughters play, my favorite part of a beach trip is it's grandeur. I love the moods of the beach. Today it was serene...easy, lapping waves; water just as clear as I've ever seen it; easy breeze; lazy seagulls soaring above. The last time Doyl and I went it was during this past winter. Then it was wild. I've seen it playful, mysterious and down right angry. Still I am struck with the same sense of awe. Our fabulous Creator put a glimpse of Himself in His creation. Combining the people I love with the beautiful backdrop of the Atlantic allows me to bask in the joy of His presence all the more.

I'm Lousey at this...

Apparently a Blog is something I will get around to only about 1-2 times a year. Again, a picture can do more than words, but I do want to highlight a few things.

• In January, Anna began taking gymnastics. She is a natural! Hopefully, I have some video to share soon.



• In February, we were surprised to learn we are expecting another baby! He is due at the end of September. His name is Jackson Emory. Jackson after my grandfather and uncle. Emory after Doyl, his Pappa, and his cousin.



• Also, in February, Doyl promoted from LTjg to LT!



• In March, Whitley prayed and asked Jesus to forgive her sins and be "her boss". Doyl and I had the blessed privilege to talk to her on several occassions answering her questions about what that means and pray with her.



• Also in March, Whitley began playing T-ball. She's on the Padres.



• In April, we made the trip to Mississippi to visit some family and friends over Spring Break. We loved being able to celebrate Easter at our home church. Even more, we loved having our friends and family present as Doyl got to baptize Whitley at Longview Point.



• In May, we learned that we are having a little boy! (If we include the dog, Doyl's no longer outnumbered!)

Now, in no particular order, for the pictures...