12 years ago

please say a prayer for the familes of the Columbia 7!

"My fellow Americans, this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country. At 9 o'clock this morning, Mission Control in Houston lost contact with our space shuttle Columbia. A short time later, debris was seen falling from the skies above Texas. The Columbia's lost. There are no survivors.

Onboard was a crew of seven -- Colonel Rick Husband, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, Commander Laurel Clark, Captain David Brown, Commander William McCool, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon a colonel in the Israeli air force.

These men and women assumed great risk in this service to all humanity. In an age when space flight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers of travel by rocket and the difficulties of navigating the fierce outer atmosphere of the earth.

These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly, knowing they had a high and noble purpose in life. Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more.

All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you. And those you loved will always have the respect and gratitude of this country.

The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on.

In the skies today, we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see, there is comfort and hope.

In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

The same creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth, yet we can pray that all are safely home.

May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America."

Statement To The Nation By President George W. Bush
1 February 2003

2014, its the perfect blend of new and old.

This has been such a crazy year as it saw lots of changes the biggest being the move to Cali. Still can't believe that its almost been a year, sometimes it seems like it was only yesterday that we arrived. The most amazing thing about the move has been the growth of friends and faith. This year alone i have seen Esa 3 times, which i believe may be a record and I have talked to my dad more. I have found a church that i really feel like i can call home. I have an amazing circle of friends out here and i am still able to keep in close contact with my east coast friends and family. 

here are some highlights of the past year :

Good-bye FL!

Hello Cali!

East Coast on the West Coast!

New and old friends!

Gals Night!

Lots of late night Game nights!

a visitor all the way from the East Coast!

Its been a great year, looking forward to the new Adventures in
2015!

That Christmas feeling

So excited for over the weekend and with the help of Cali mum and dad we got the lights on the tree and a tree skirt! Next weekend we should be getting the ornaments and tree topper! Also excited for Chloe Ianto decided on her own to prose by the tree long enough for a pic to be taken. She hates having her pic taken, she must be feeling the christmas spirit too!

In other Christmas news Esa should be here soon! As each day goes by its starting to feel more and more like the Holidays! 

Its starting to look like Christmas!

Christmas time is my fav time of year, love all the good cheer and family time! This year is going to be different but still fun! This will be my first Christmas in Cali and while i am looking forward to starting new traditions with Froggy i am going to be missing my FL family! Its going to be funny not have Christmas Eve movie marathon with K and P. Its going to be funny not going and see the Christmas lights with Linds and having our Christmas at Estreet, or seeing Mouse and Monkey open there gifts! But thankful there will be pics and videos!

I am looking forward to seeing how Christmas is done Cali style and it will be fun for E will be in the same state seeing her Family, so if it all works out she and I shall get to see each other! Nelly and his gal will be coming up from LA over Christmas weekend and its always fun when they are in town for the Cali Family is complete. It will also be fun to see what the Cali Crew does. This should be a Christmas to remember!

My life with Bells (happy 21st birthday sis)

Tomorrow or today (12/2) depending on when you are reading this is my sisters birthday! So i thought that it would be fun to highlight some moments in our lives!

In Chicago on our to a Notre Dame Game

Helping me into my dress!

Pics of Thanksgiving 2014

Thaanksgiving 2014

This year i am thankful for my friends and family! I am thankful for the open arms that i have received in Cali. I am thankful for my good heath and new friends. I am thankful that we survived our first year of marriage and are stronger! I am thankful for our apartment and it all of the parties we have had in it! I am thankful for my new friends and Church! I am thankful for my job that lets me work from home and the trust that has been given to me by working from home! I am thankful that my friendship with the Fab 4 is still going stronger and that when we have all needed each other we have been there for one another!

2014 has been such a crazy year, fun year, i am thankful that its almost over and the next chapter can begin for 2015 is looking to be even crazier!