I Pledge Allegiance...My Brother Craig

My Brother Craig

Craig & Lesa the day Craig left for basic training

Craig & Lesa at Craig's High School Graduation

I would like to dedicate my Memorial Day post to my younger brother Craig Alyn Updegrove. He is my only sibling and the only person left in my immediate family.

In 1983 my brother Craig joined the Army and became an Airborne Ranger. He was involved in the Grenada invasion called called Operation Urgent Fury.

While in the army he was injured and diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Syndrome. He was sent to an army hospital.

My brother is a Disabled American Veteran. He is also my best friend. I am very, very proud of him. This Memorial Day I honor my Brother, my Grandfather and all the brave men and women who fought and still fight for our country.

God Bless America!

Stay Off the Roads!!!!!

Anna and I went to get her Learners Permit today. Katie had an appointment too, but didn't want to go as she was studying for a Spanish Final.

Jia has a Playlist

I take the girls to school every morning and we have an IPOD that we play. Jia dominates the music selection and has quite an eclectic taste. Every morning we must listen to: Bye, Bye, Bye by 'N Synch, There's your Trouble by the Dixie Chicks, Yahweh by U2, Vertigo by U2, and Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2, in that order! Not exactly the quiet waking up music I would prefer...and by the way, why did we leave her in charge???? Happy Monday.

Anna's Award Presentation

Today Anna had her Award Ceremony. unfortunately only her Dad was there so we only have one picture. This was Anna's last year of rec soccer, ummmmm, I think I already mentioned that.

Jia's Field Day

She looks like a bug.

Those who don't play soccer....

Big post about Anna right under this one, but here are the other two lovely princesses and their way of handling the soccer field.

THE END OF AN ERA....

Anna and Daddy the first year she played soccer

Anna had to wear Dad's Jersey for this picture as her 6 yr old
jersey did not fit 8-) (no all-star at this level)

Second Year

Third Year - The Piranhas

4th Year: The Green Goblins (Katie's last
year playing, she was all-star instead of Anna, hee hee)

5th Year: Gators

6th Year: The Mimes

7th year: "yellows"

8th year: The Sharks

Anna has played soccer since she was 6 years old, mostly with West Pembroke Pines Recreational Soccer (she did take 1 year off to play travel soccer). At West Pines she has played under a lot of different coaches, including Coach Dad. She just finished her last year today. She will still be playing Varsity Soccer for her school, but she is at the end of her rec career. Every year except her first year when they didn't have all-stars, and one year when Katie beat her, she has played on the rec teams she has been chosen as an All Star, one of the 2-4 best players on her team. At the end of the season there is an All Star game, and Anna's last one was today. A bittersweet Mom day. We all wore tee shirts that we made, and I found ALL her jerseys and we have a photo retrospective of her "career".

Where did the time go? Where did my baby go?

Mothers Day with Little Jia

All of the girls really spoiled me today, and I took advantage of it! I woke up with Jia poking me in the arm saying "Mom, Happy Valentines Day!" I had to tell her first of all that it wasn't Valentines Day and second of all I had no intentions of waking up at that moment.

Drew, Katie and Bennyfoo went out and got me bagels for breakfast. I told all the girls they had to make me cards, no Hallmark allowed. They were all beautiful, I will do a post on them tomorrow. Then I asked for a pair of red converse sneakers. They are so cute with jeans.

Anna and Katie made dinner. Drew paid for Jia to be able to decorate a little cake for me in school, this is sponsored by Publix, she was so very excited.

All in all we had a wonderful day and I am very, very grateful for the family that I have.

Thank You...

"Rejoice in all the good things the Lord has given you and your household."

Deuteronomy 26:11

Mothers Day. Everyone who celebrates this day does so in appreciation of their Mothers and Grandmothers, or the women who bore them a child. For me this is a day of gratitude and thanks.

There are two women out there in the world who have given me the treasures of my heart- Katie, Anna and Jia. I do not know anything about them except the fact that their sacrifice has given Drew and I our greatest joys. Our beautiful, miraculous daughters.

I cannot even begin to fathom how hard it must be to sacrifice a child because you know that you cannot provide them with the safety, health and home that they deserve. What a selfless act...

In doing this, two women, one so close and one a world away have given me my Mother's Day, my every day, and in return I have always and will forever take care of "our" daughters.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

John 14:18

Jia's Kindergarten Production

Today was Jia's kindergarten show. Each class got up and sang a little song with hand movements and then the whole kindergarten sang a song. It was sooooooo cute. The last time she did this she was awkward and didn't know the hand movements.

THIS TIME SHE NAILED IT!!!! What a difference, she was so pleased with herself, we are starting to find out what a smart little girl she really is. In the last month there has been a HUGE difference in her language skills. She is speaking like a little American girl.

What things Jia has had to endure and overcome in her short little life and she is so brave and handling it with grace and dignity!

Jia & Mom