Ain't life Grand!

I can't believe it's been so long since my last blog....here's the update on our lives!


I was so happy to spend nearly 2 weeks with Jacob while he was in transition from tech school to North Carolina where he'll be stationed for the next 2 to 6 years! They found a cozy home 3 minutes from base...they aer so excited to begin their lives together!


Golf season is ending for Wesley and Russ however, Welsey is busy preparing for Marching MPA competion in November!


She Scrapbooks celebrated her Grand Opening on October 10th with the ribbon cutting ceremony just prior to opening the doors! We have put so much time into bringing The Villages a "WOW" paper crafting store that it was great to meet our fellow paper crafters and share the store with them.


What a wonderful day...my dream has come true and I was surrounded by family and friends when it happened! Life is WONDERFUL!

Rundown of the week

Monday SHE
Tuesday SHE
Wednesday SHE
guess you get the hint....alot of SHE going on!

Thanks to all of you that have given of your time to help get SHE up and going. We are so close now that we can feel the inspiration that SHE will be offering to everyone very soon!

She made her debut in the Daily Sun...great article!

Big annoucments this week! Keep an eye on the SHE blog!

Jacob came home from Texas on Thursday...and I was so so so glad to see him! Crystal, Jacob and Copper (my grand dog) are spending the weekend...love having them around!

Founder's Day Festival on Friday was a success.....

Russ, also known as GM (gondola man) is so happy that his efforts in getting this store opened are about to be complete.
Wesley will be happy to have a weekend and Pickles just wants someone to come home and play with him!
Stephanie wants, well Stephanie is looking for that EASY BUTTON that so many people talk about!

What happen to August?

Where did August go?

Did we even have a month called August this year?

I think not!

Here's the scoop on my life (apparently without the month of August)...

Jacob's graduation was very rewarding for this mom

who's doubted she did her best for her son!

Enjoyed spending time with Crystal last week...

looking forward to more quality time with her this weekend!

Wesley entered his sophomore year at the Villages High School.

The band played at the first football game last week and they ROCKED!

Golf is going well ...Russ is the assistant golf coach so the two

of them are getting in some quality son/dad time!

We took possession of She Scrapbooks September 1st.

Remodeling began the next day.

Painting will be complete tomorrow.

We move in fixtures and product on Saturday

Yahhoo, yippee, woohoo!

My last day with Farner Barley and Assoc. is this Thursday.

I move my offices to Arnett Environmental on Friday.

I've joined forces with a long time friend

so that I may continue to serve The Villages and it's predecessors.

So a sad week of goodbyes to the Farner Barley gang!

I'm on an emotional roller coaster this week...

pray that Russ and Wesley make it through the week with me!

Graduation Memories

Airman Jacob L. Vaughn

Jacob's graduation ceremonies were without a doubt a life changing experience for me! I get choked up over traditional things....weddings, funerals and ceremonies! Jacob went in a boy with little motivation or goals and has come out a man well on his way to greatness, at least in his momma's eyes!

The things that you hear about the military bootcamp are true...it is a grueling 18 hour day, with little sleep and often a very short amount of time to shovel grub in your face. They must drink 12 canteens of water a day and drink 3 glasses of water with each meal. Your pride goes out the window with dignity following behind it! Only after you have hit rock bottom do you get to believe their is light at the end of the tunnel. One of Jacob's Training Instructor's(TI) was a women...and she was about 5'-4"! Each time she spoke to anyone taller than her, they were made to bend their knees until she could look them in the eye and they had to remain in this position until she told them they could stand tall again. That stunk for Jacob because he is 6'-4"...he spent alot of time slouching so she could yell at him!

Jacob left Lackland Air Force base Monday at 3:45 AM for Sheppard Air Force Base where he will spend the next 8 weeks in tech school for munitions. Sometime around the middle of September he is set to graduate from tech school and will have earned leave.

Jacob has already put in for me to cook a couple of his favorite meals when he comes home!

He sure knows how to make his momma feel good!

Week of new experiences

This week we will flying out to Texas for Jacob's graduation from Air Force Boot Camp. He is graduating with Student Leader honors (which also allows him to march infront of his flight) and 3 ribbons for Markmanship (one for the M 16). Needless to say, we are excited to see him and tour the Lackland Air Force base. The Air Force graduation ceremonies are made up of the Airman's Run and a Coin Ceremony on Thursday and on Friday the Airman join in a parade where each Airman carries the flag from his State. It is quite the ceremony with 750 Airman participating.

Below is the Airman's Creed:

“
I am an American Airman.

I am a warrior.

I have answered my nation's call.
I am an American Airman.

My mission is to fly, fight, and win.

I am faithful to a proud heritage,

A tradition of honor,

And a legacy of valor.
I am an American Airman,

Guardian of freedom and justice,

My nation's sword and shield,

Its sentry and avenger.

I defend my country with my life.
I am an American Airman;

Wingman, leader, warrior.

I will never leave an airman behind,

I will never falter,

And I will not fail.
”

This is where I will be...it will be emotional because I know that my son has finally become a man! What a proud moment in a person's life!