Nashville Visit - June 2009

Anita and I have been friends since we were 12 years old...about the age that Greg and Connor are now. It's really amazing to look at our kids and think back to that time when we were that age. (Were we that silly??...seriously, do NOT answer that!) :) Being raised as a military brat, you never know where the journey will take you, or what will happen along the way. You make friends, leave friends, friends move...the only thing guaranteed is constant change. But now that I am grown, I look back over that time and I'm thankful for the people that God placed in my life...some for a season, others for a lifetime! Anita is one of those lifetime gifts, I'm thankful to say! We have shared much during the course of our friendship and are closer today than ever...to use the teen phrase, I'm glad she's my BFF. :) It's been so cool to visit through the years and see our lives evolve...from teens, to young adults, married, children, job changes, loss of loved ones...we have laughed and cried together too many times to count! We still try to stay up all night, although not as easily as in our younger years. LOL But, we can out-talk the best of them. This trip was such a wonderful time with our kids...they had a blast! They played, went swimming, and yes, we even let them pillow fight. We ordered room service and just hung out. We did go to the mall one afternoon...until the transformer blew and shut down the entire grid around the mall area. We took the kids to the Adventure Science Center...that was a fun afternoon for all! (Anita...you "jumped" that Mary-had-a-little-lamb tune perfectly on the floor-piano! )I'm so thankful for my wonderful friend and the incredible friendship that we share...thank you God for the journey that has brought me many wonderful friends along the way.

GSA Super Cup 2009

Memorial Day Weekend was a busy soccer weekend for the Stepps Boys! All 3 of the boys played this tournament...Brandon, AFU U13 Elite, Austin AFU U10 Gold and Connor guest played with GSA's U12 team. It was a fun weekend of great soccer! We are so proud of the boys and their hard work this season. They have practiced 3 times a week, played countless weekend games several tournaments and spent time at home working on their skills. They love the game and I love to watch them play...it truly is a beautiful game! They enjoy soccer and they give their best at every game. This tournament they each brought home more hardware. :) Brandon's team won the Championship and Austin and Connor both placed 2nd at the Championship...they all played hard to advance throughout the weekend. We are so proud of them...both on and off the field...

Connor Academy Cup

I am so proud of Connor and his team! They played in the Academy Cup and had a great weekend of soccer! They won all 3 of their games which put them in the finals....Gooooo Tornadoes! It poured down rain and they didn't mind a bit...they played non-stop in the pouring rain and loved it! They were awarded medals for 2nd place. I am so proud of Connor...not only is he a talented, incredible player, but he is a leader both on and off the field and always displays wonderful sportsmanship. Congratulations, Connor!

Friendship...a wonderful gift!

I was so thrilled to go see Beth in April! It was my wonderful husbands birthday...and for his birthday, he wanted me to go see Beth. I'm so lucky to have such an amazing husband! I can't say enough about how much it means to me that for his birthday, the gift he wanted was for me to be happy and have this time with Beth. I was elated to go see Beth and touched beyond words that Jeffery cares so much for my friend and values the friendship as much as I do! Our visit was priceless and I just wanted time to stand still for a moment. Laurie flew out from Atlanta too and our visit overlapped which was incredible...God has blessed me with the most amazing girlfriends and I don't take that for granted. While in Seattle, I was surrounded by the wonderful friends that God has brought into Beth's life...each one was just incredible and I thoroughly enjoyed this time with them. I shed more than a few tears over this long weekend...tears of joy, tears of laughter and tears of sadness. So many emotions, all swirling together. I spent time with Beth's family...my extended family...talked, laughed, cried, laughed, talked and cried some more. The girls had some hair and make-up time...somethings you never outgrow! :) I didn't want to say goodbye...we are so far apart - coast to coast. I treasure every single minute of this time with Beth. For whatever time God gives Beth, or any of us, on this earth, I am truly thankful. For the eternity that He gives us, I am both humbled and awed at His Grace. Thank you, God for my incredible friend...she touches my heart and is a tremendous gift to me...Bless her with your presence and Grace as she fights this battle with cancer...be ever close to her as she relies on your presence and love each day.

Austin had to do a science project on Solar Energy. He was quite creative with his project, deciding to make a solar cooker. He did a GREAT job and did it on his own! He even added the rotisseire for hotdogs and even meatballs! He had fun trying to cook on his new invention. He had fun and did a great job...and he got a 100%! Way to go Austin...our "Master of the Solar Grill"!

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day was a truly wonderful day! From the moment my eyes opened until my head hit the pillow, it was wonderful! My sweet husband spoiled me all day long...along with all the kids! Connor made me eggs for breakfast...they were perfect! The kids and Jeffery made this beautiful fruit arrangement...sprinkled with gift cards to my favorite places...Kirklands, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Bone Fish Grill...perfect choices...they know me so well!

I love Mother's Day...celebrating my own Mom - who is very, very special! I'm also very thankful on Mother's Day for the joy and privilege of being a Mom. I always wanted to be a Mommy! God has blessed me beyond my imagination in this department...being a wife and mother is truly a gift from God! I look at our children...who are growing up so very fast...and I just marvel at the wonderous creation that each of them is. Each one is uniquely different...I'm tremendously proud of each of them! I love being a Mom...it's my greatest joy and my proudest accomplishment! Thank you, God for such an amazing family!

We were off to the early service at church, which was a wonderful service as always! After church, we went to my sister, Kathy's, house and celebrated with her, my Mom and Julie. The boys were into their electronic devices...IPOD, handhelds, xbox and cell phones and the girls were all about dressing up and make-up! We had a mexican fiesta...keeping it simple! We headed home in time for dinner and Jeffery and the kids had a wonderful evening planned...J grilled steak and shrimp...yummy!!! We had a fun evening....and I even got a foot massage...ahhhh...my favorite! A perfect end to a really perfect day!

Happy Mother's Day Mom - I love you!! Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible Mom's I'm privileged to share this "Mom's" journey with! Thank you, Honey for making me feel incredibly special today and every day...you are the love of my life. Thank you, Brandon, Connor, Austin and Anna for being the incredible kids that you are...I'm so proud of each of you and I love you more than anything...it's amazing to be your Mom...WOW!! You all made my day perfect...I'm thankful for you!

Little Ballerina

Anna just finished her first year of Ballet. She enjoyed her class very much and her teacher, Ms. Nicole, was fabulous! She was so proud on the day of her recital and she looked beautiful in her pink and green tu-tu! She had a wonderful performance!! We are so proud of our Ballerina Princess!!