I received another email from the assistant coach yesterday, which included these pictures of Britany. He informed me that he had spoken with Britany's commander and "he only had great things to say about her". I think it is next weekend that she will get the weekend off to hang out with her "dooley family". This is a sponsor family that she will be spending time with on her weekends off. Each cadet has a sponsor family. Britany's sponsor is Major Martin and his family. Major Martin happens to be the tutor for the gymnastics team as well. He will be traveling with them to competitions. I am told that during her time at his home, she will be expected to lounge around the house, talk on the cell phone, watch television and relax!




On another note: Christopher is starting to feel the effects of not having his sisters around. He informs me multiple times a day "Mommy, I miss Hopey. I miss my big sister". Obviously, I want to start bawling. Poor baby. It breaks my heart. This morning I asked him if he wanted to go to MOSI. "But Hopey is not here. We can go when Hopey gets here". I tried to call her, but no answer. "Did she answer?" he asked. "No. Maybe she is still sleeping" I said. "Let me just go check her room to see if she is here" so off he ran to her empty room. (sniff sniff)

Taylor got a job at GAP for the summer. I am not sure if she will continue to work there after school starts. I imagine she will want to hang on to the job. She will no doubt have to cut back her hours once cheer season starts. She has been under the weather just the same as Brit. Hopefully, she will start feeling better soon!

I have spoken with one of Britany's coaches a couple of times now and she is doing okay. She had a bit of a rough time for awhile, but things are getting better. She has been sick with a cold. Her coach told me that he requested some medical attention for her and she has seen a doctor and is now on antibiotics for bronchitis and the cadres are now aware that she is ill. Despite being ill, however, she has managed to secure a place in the top two of her squadron. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but her coach tells me it is quite an accomplishment especially considering that she has been sick. She and a football player have been ranked #1 and #2 in the Squadron. These are a few pictures sent to me by her coach that he took personally. She got to spend a little bit of time in the gym yesterday, which I am sure was a welcome relief from the Cadres. She got to chat with the other girls and even managed to laugh at some of the experiences of the last few days. She is attending church and made arrangements to go to church with some of her teammates. I am so happy that I will be getting regular updates from him.

I have decided that Christopher and I will be making the trip to the Academy in September for Parents Weekend. I sent this news by text to her coach, who in turned let Britany read it. He said she was very happy.

Thanks for all the love and support. Keep those positive, upbeat letters coming to her, they help alot.

Back home for now...

Well, we got back from Toronto yesterday and we are heading back again on Thursday! It is going to be a crazy summer! My poor puppy is going to think the Kennel is her new home. But I have to say, it is not really a kennel, but a pet resort! It has a built in, heated, salt water pool built just for dogs. It starts off at 6 inches deep and gradually increases to 30 something inches. Of course, it is an extra fee to have your dog get some "pool time". This last trip, I did put her into "doggy daycare" for part of the time so that she could interact with other dogs. I'm told she loved it. For an extra fee you can also get a private room for your pooch with a toddler bed and 19 inch color t.v. Yes, they watch Animal Planet. So funny.

I have been scouring the Air Force Academy's website for a glimpse of Britany. None yet. I did copy a couple of pictures though just so we can get the feel of what is going on there right now! I am pretty sure she is in Squadron I, but no doubt my little 5 foot tall peanut is lost in that sea of huge cadets!

Greetings From New Hampshire!

Well, it is official...Britany is a graduate of the Franklin High School Class of 2009 exactly 24 years after her mommy was!! I am so very proud of her. I can't believe that I didn't cry. I choked up a couple of times but that was it. I think it hasn't really hit me yet. I think there was just too much commotion last night for anything to really sink in.

She is coming back to Florida with me for just a couple of days to wrap things up with friends and family there before heading to Colorado Springs and her date with destiny at the United States Air Force Academy ;)

I'm hoping to have a nice dinner in Orlando for her and a little sending off party of my own there. She has a lot to do in order to be ready to leave here on the 25th, so she is heading back on the 19th.

As you can see from the picture, Taylor had a hard time last night. She and Britany have been best friends since birth. They have had their ups and downs but have always had each other to lean on. This will not be an easy transition for Tay...

Hope jumped right back into her "old life" when she arrived. Two of her friends (and her dog) came to the airport to greet her and she hasn't stopped since!

Christopher is enjoying his sisters and I am very seriously concerned about how he will adjust to not having Hope with us in Florida. He still doesn't know that she has decided to move back to "Hampshire". Yesterday, Brit had to leave us after breakfast and he wailed for 30 minutes until Taylor showed up. :(

My Children - My Treasures!

I am leaving for New Hampshire this evening at 6:05. I will arrive at 9:10 PM. I will be with all four of my babies again!! I may not have a fancy degree framed neatly and hanging on my wall. I may not have a million dollars in the bank. But I have been blessed with wealth beyond imaginings in the gift of my four beautiful, amazing, smart and talented children and I am most happiest in life when I am spending time with all of them. They are the greatest treasure on earth!!!!

Back again...

United States Air Force Academy Class of 2013 (NH Cadets)

Well, a quick trip, but so glad I went. I enjoyed meeting the officers who came to the dinner and listening to them speak. I have never been so proud in all my life! I am looking forward to seeing the changes in Britany as she starts this amazing journey.

I am off again to New Hampshire on the 11th for graduation on the 12th. I'm not exactly sure as of now how long I will be staying this time, but I am looking forward to it!

Christopher had a wonderful time seeing his girls again and he loved Auntie Mimi's new kitten! He enjoyed watching the high school boys baseball game as well. Needless to say he was pretty tired yesterday and after being such a good boy on the plane, he had a total melt-down on the ride home from the airport. But he was a trooper the entire visit.