A Poem By My Daughter...To Her Marine Cousin

Until Your Boots Touch American Soil

When you went to Afghanistan,
It was a very frightening day.
We all knew you had been trained so well,
And all we could do was pray.

You packed your gear and said goodbye
As ready as could be,
To be a part of an important mission
Carried out by the USMC.

The months went by, your mom was sad,
The stress, so much to bear.
Her oldest son, so far away
With danger everywhere.

We prayed, we cried, we sent you food,
We waited to hear from you.
All the while, having no idea
What you were going through.

Seven months came and went,
Across so many miles.
Seemed it had been forever
Since we saw your smile.

Out of danger, home again.
So glad that you are here.
After many months of worrying
We’re all relieved of fear.

You will leave again this month
And to your Country, stay so loyal
We will miss you once again
Until your boots touch American soil.





Autumn Parrish

TWO Graduations in one day!!

We had a HUGE dilemma last night! Avery was graduating from Preschool and Alex was graduating from Kindergarten. :( We were upset. We were sad. And then we decided it would only be fair to draw names. Each girl drew names to find out who would attend their Graduation.

Alex drew my name, along with Pa, Cindy and Uncle Jeff.

Off we went to see this little sweetheart graduate!

She had wonderful teachers her first year in the big school!

New friends to last a lifetime..who knows, maybe I will get this same picture 12 years from now!

"I am a first grader now."

We enjoyed our evening with Pa.

And Aunt Cindy!

Gifts from Ganky and Pa.

Alex got the LAST piece of cake...thanks Aunt Cindy!

Hope you enjoyed my pics. Now run over to Mom's blog and see Avery's Graduation! :)

Two in a Row!!

We have two glorious Holidays in a row! First, Mother's Day and then today, your BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest and BEST Mom in the whole world! I can not imagine taking this journey without you beside me!

Happy Birthday from the whole "Village". :)

Love you to Hawaii...and BACK!

To My Mom...

Happy Mother's Day to the most thoughtful, kind, selfless, compassionate, caring, loving Mom. I have learned so much from you. I enjoy every moment we spend together.

You are my Best Friend.

...and the most wonderful Ganky to all your Grandchildren!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

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I love you so very much!

Happy 5th Birthday, Sweet Avery!

My sweet Avery, I can not believe you are five years old today! Time is flying by, but I am enjoying every minute of you! You are so precious, sweet, kind-hearted, loving, snuggly and pretty! You always tell me I'm pretty, even when I know I am not! :)

My walk down memory lane is so bitter sweet!

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You had so much fun at your birthday party!

I LOVE how Alex is so proud that you are enjoying YOUR Birthday. Look at her face..such a great Sister.

Happy Birthday Avery Michele, Shelly Bear, Shell Bell! I love you to Grandmother's house and back, too! ;)

My baby went to Prom!

It is really hard for me to believe my baby went to Prom this weekend, but she did! She went with her boyfriend, Justin, and they had a great time! Hope you enjoy the pics, although you may have seen some if you follow Mom or Aunt Cindy! :)

*Click the pics to enlarge them!!

Alex LOVES Justin! She was fixing him for pictures. So sweet!

I love this pic, because it shows her hair. So lovely!

There was a lot of preparation...it was all worth it! :)

Have a wonderful day!!