9/11: Ten Years Later

Today, I spent my day remembering the lives that were lost on September 11, 2001.  I felt myself drawn to the memorial services this morning and news footage of the attacks this afternoon.  Tonight, I was drawn once again to watch an update to the stories behind the photos we all have seared into our memory.  We were celebrating my nephew, Jatin's 4th birthday today, so I was surrounded by my family all day.  Throughout the day we shared our own memories about where we were when the towers were hit. I can remember my husband, sitting by the tv all night long, watching . . . just, watching.

Today, as I watched the stories of lives that were changed from that day forward, I thought about all of our lives and how we, as a nation, have changed since September 11.  I knew that on that day, my life would be changed.  Brian and I had been married just one week shy of a year.  Brian had been in the KSARNG for almost 8 years and he was a soldier that took his job with pride and seriousness.  Something that I admired then and still do now.

Ten years after the initial attacks against the United States of America, the death toll is still rising.  Tens of thousands of soldiers have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to continue defending the freedom that each of us deserve, yet don't always appreciate.  Many of those soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice and have  come home with flags draped and medals polished.  Let us take this September 11 to remember those soldiers who have fought and given their lives because of the threat of terrorism.

Brogan's First Day of Preschool!!

Brogan woke up so excited this morning, he finally got to go to school like Sissy.  He was excited to have Papa take him to school, meet Mrs. Weiser, and ride the bus home to Nana's.  He had his book bag ready and put on his new Buzz Lightyear shoes.  I took the morning off so I could take him to school.  We took pictures at outside the house and then went over to Nana and Papa's so Nana could see him before he came home a big boy!!

As we pulled up to the school, Brogan came barreling out of the van and was very excited to go inside.  As he walked the long sidewalk to the front door, it was almost as if he was growing up with every step.  Once inside the front doors and Brogan stayed right beside me as we walked the long hallway to the preschool room.  I think the quiet, long hallway was bigger than he expected.  It was kind of fun to walk him down the same hallway that I had walked when I was in grade school.  So much seemed the same, yet so much had changed since I had walked that long hallway in my childhood.  I hoped that Brogan would make wonderful memories just as I had so many years ago.

We reached Mrs. Weiser's classroom at the end of the hallway.  Brogan was pretty excited once we went through the door and he was greeted by Mrs. Weiser's smiling face.  He seen a couple friends and was ready to stay.  I had to go find him in the classroom to give him good-bye kisses.   - - --  -Wow!!  It seems as though I just blinked and my little Brogan went from a baby cradled in my arms to an energetic preschooler.

Bob the Builder - Hard at Work

Brogan's new favorite toy is this 6 ft. 2X4 piece of wood.  He pulled it out of the wood pile on the side of the garage.  It's warped and weathered, but HE LOVES IT!!  Every night he gets his 2X4 out and decides what he's going to build with it for the night.  On some nights it's a ramp for his cars, other nights it's a climbing board to get into the tree, and then some nights he just packs it all around the yard as if he's a carpenter who has lost his plans.

The creativity and imagination of young minds . . . . . I wish they would stay open-minded forever!  Their dreams would always come true, they wouldn't know any differently.

Ainsley's First Day of School

I can't believe our little girl is a third grader this year!!!  It seems like yesterday she was in Miss Jenny's preschool with Kinley and Kaylee.  Now she's growing into a beautiful girl who is a great reader and likes to socialize!

Ainsley was really excited to get Mrs. Slack for third grade!  I can't wait to see all the new things she learns in class this year.   It's going to be a great year - - - I just know it!!

Fallen Pilot's 10-year-old son.

Please help us show this little boy and his family that his Daddy is a hero!!  Hays VFW Post 9076 is organizing a tribute to fallen hero Chief Warrant Officer-2 Bryan Nichols.  Our fallen soldier will arrive in hays this weekend.  We would like to line the route from the Hays airport to the mortuary with people waving American flags.  We will have more details as they become available.  Please forward this to everyone to help spread the word!!