Thank You

It is really easy to get caught up in the simple stresses and pleasures that happen to me and my family each day. It is really easy to ignore the dramas unfolding far away, in another front, for my fellow countrymen.

But I am often overcome with pure gratitude and up most respect for the brave men and women serving us so well in a foreign and sometimes confusing war. Today is such a day.

On March 20th 2005 the loss of war hit very close to home when Jay's dear friend and mentor Paco lost his only son to the cause of Freedom. Paquito, not even old enough to buy a beer, sacrificed the most precious gift he was afforded for our way of life. Paco's composure and actions following such tragedy has influenced me and my own actions more than I can ever state. With an unimaginable loss he found indescribable courage.

Following in his sons heroism, Paco re-enlisted in the Air Force and will be joining our troops in Iraq next week. Please join me by including him in your prayers daily and wishing him a healthy and safe return to his wife and daughter.

Read the latest news article on Paco's bravery at -
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/753969.html
http://www.mfconsulting.com/blog/


Thank you to all our country's Heroes. We are forever in your debt.

Unaccompanied Minor

Estimated arrival time 5:56pm, Actual arrival time 9:58pm.

Dallas is known for its thunderstorms this time of year. But when the intercom announced Kordell's plane was diverted to Waco, my heart skipped a beat.

I have been waiting almost five months to see him, after his Father and him moved to Colorado. And now, now he was in Waco. Now the airport was "shut down" all for some lightning and rain... Ahhhhh!!

When we talked of sending the kids back and forth alone on a plane... it was with great hesitation I purchased the tickets. All because this scenario lay back in my mind, my child alone, in another city. Noooooo.....

Luckily, once the woman at the ticket counter calmly explained the plane would only sit in Waco until clearance was given and Kordell would not be left alone at any time ... my heart slowed, my hand steadied and my tears dried.

Of course the 4 hours of waiting drug along and Jay and I were not prepared for such wait times with our little Elle. We will definitely prepare better for the next arrival!

The time only drug along for some of us.
It seems my Kordell enjoyed the experience and was even given special privileges.. as you can see below, as he sits in the cockpit of an Airbus A-319 with Frontier Airlines. A special special thanks to Rob Saul - First Officer for sending me this picture. Its truly priceless!


In the end his trip was a great experience, and Frontier did a wonderful job keeping the worried parent in me calm, and the adventurous 14 year old in Kordell thrilled.

Wish us luck, Jules gets home tonight.....

Telly and Benjamin

We were lucky enough to have cousins Elizabeth and Benjamin visit this month.
It was so nice to see them both and Benjamin has gotten so big.

Elle especially enjoyed having someone around closer to her age.

Thank you for making time to visit us while in A town!
Best of luck in your new home and with the expecting new Baby!
February is going to be quite a month for the family.

New Dugan

We're Pregnant!!

Another family member scheduled to make his/her debut with Valentines Day!
We are so excited and cannot wait to meet him/her!

Happy Father's Day Butters!

Litter Box- Part 2 Fishing Buddies

Jay and Bill have yet to loose their thirst of fishing and in an attempt to broaden their catching opportunities purchased a very affordable Bass Tracker - Nitro.

This particular boat is 21 years old and after spending at least the last 3 years parked next to a nice home in Bonham Texas, uncovered and unused, was more so rescued than purchased by my husband and his friend... as you can see above.

At first glance, you might say, well its not that bad. But let me point out how the angle of the camera does not expose the inside of the boat, as I do believe such images are too graphic for this posting and may constitute an investigation by the FCA and possible fines.

Look even closer and you will notice there is absolutely nothing where a rather large windshield should be. As seen below on the cared for twin of our boat.

Now let me explain the title of this blog and Julia's given name to the boat... "Litter Box"

As fate would have it, the tires on the boats trailer were not in very good condition. In fact thanks to 20/20 Julia and I were able to decode their creation as the 10th week of 1995. Yikes!!
The 2 managed to air the tires enough to get them to the Wal-Mart, where they spent a couple of hours trying to keep the tires inflatted for the long drive back home, and fix the element exposed wiring to the trailers brake lights.

When alas, Bill and Jay realize , there is a litter of kittens in the boat.
That is right, 3 tiny kittens, imaginably terrified, found living in the Bass Tracker!

What were the guys to do?
Were these kittens trapped in the boat while looking for their mittens?
Was this some new twist to Geraldine Robinson's "Three Kittens in a Boat"?
Had Jay and Bill truly met Micky Kitty and Jack, on their famous holiday?

Unfortunately, the kittens were not old enough for me to meet, and Jay and Bill did not return with evidence of this encounter, therefore, I cannot post pictures.
I am glad to tell you, the kittens were safely returned to their owners.

Sadly, we will forever wonder if Mickey, Kitty and Jack, were real, perhaps searching for their mittens crossing paths with Jay and Bill in Bonham Texas on a cool spring evening.

To much relief the boat's neglected motor and such run wonderfully and the boat has been out a total of 5 times without incident and with much successful fishing! In fact there will be a fish fry soon. Who knows, perhaps the spirit of its once residence lives on in our boat, adding to the wonderous fishing talents of Jay, Billy and Alain.