God Bless Our Soldiers

I got this as a forwarded email, but it touched my heart-

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq '
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago ' His friend agreed.
I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best, beef or chicken?''Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.
It seemed so little... A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it.'

Yes, My Baby Wears a Leash!

Jack loves to go to Sea World to see all of the "bish" and stuff.
Have you ever seen such a cutie??

Taking a break from the sunshine.

Badmitton Champs

Jack and I made a quick trip home for my Mom's birthday. While we were there we went to an end of Summer party where they had a badmitton net up, Jack and his Papa took that opportunity to show their mad racket skills... Jack was pretty much ferocious!
They wore matching team outfits.
Papa seemed a little more serious, but Jack sure was cute!

Jack loves his Gram!
But the sun and the moon rise and set in his Papa! Patiently waiting for the birdie to come his way...
Nice hit!
We won!!

Radio Flyer/Super Climber

Jack got this Radio Flyer from a very dear friend, he didn't show too much interest in it until lately. It has a little bell on it that he loves to "ding", mostly though he just likes to climb all over it!





Got caught!

Super Cute!!

The Money Spent on Toys part 2...

Jack likes to bake, or at least play with the mixer.

I see future hiding places in our near future!

He is very inquisitive and has to check it all out!

All the money spent on toys...

Jackson loves climbing-it doesn't matter on what, in what, over what or whatever! I can only shake my head at the money I've spent on toys when he gets such joy from climbing in and out of the kitchen chairs!

He has jibbits for his crocs but they easily get stuck on the railings and cause great distress!
Check out those biceps!! We have come to the conclusion that boys are very, very busy!!

Super Brave!

Jackson got this awesome car from his Grandpa for Christmas. He has recently started climbing in and out of it on his own. His latest discovery is to stand on the seat and watch how excited his caregivers get...
If we aren't paying full 100% attention, you can here him holler "SI-IT"
He really enjoys spinning around on the seat while standing!
I'm guessing that it is going to take at least one big falling disaster for him to start to realize why Mommy doesn't think this is a good idea!