CHRISTMAS ...... CARIBBEAN STYLE!!

Ahhhh.... what a nice way to spend Christmas. While I wouldn't do this every year, it was nice to get away and be in the hot sun for awhile. It is a holiday that both my boys will remember for many reasons. Here are some:


1. Austin getting sick (truly sick.... and still is sick). Although he enjoyed himself for the first 3 - 4 days, the last few really wore him out.



2. Collin being at that "magical" age of 5 and truly loved seeing all the characters. That age still holds the innocence of believing that the characters are real.


3. Collin jumping to me off the catamaran ( 20 ft. of water ) and him holding on for dear life as we swim ashore to the beach. I was swallowing more salt water and going under trying to get us to shore while he had a "death grip" around my neck. Felt like Tom Hanks in Castaway.


4. Watching my boys dance to island music on the catamaran and soak in the warm rays.


5. Spending an afternoon on Magen's Bay in St. Thomas. What a gorgeous place to be. Apparently, Michael Jordan owns a home over looking this beautiful spot.



With the exception of Austin getting sick, we had a really fun time. This trip was planned over 16 months ago, so it was great to finally enjoy the magical trip. I hope everyone else had a great Christmas, and I'm going to attach some pics from the trip. Oh, friends and family.... I will be sending out "New Year's" cards, for we were so rushed to get out of here for the cruise :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM US

It's almost been 5 years, that's so hard to believe. If I could send a letter to Jody, this is what it would read.

Our boys are doing great, and they are growing like weeds. I have a feeling that you are looking down and I hope you are pleased.

I've kept my promise to you, as I'm sure you can see. Not only am I involved with soccer, baseball, but now even Little League.

Austin has your charm, and your ability to talk. Collin is always asking about you, as you passed right before he began to walk. Please don't worry, Austin, Collin, and I are doing our best. However, it hasn't been the same since you left.

On Christmas Day this year, the boys and I will be on a cruise. We will be on a catamaran.... for we wanted to try something new. Please keep an eye on us and hold us close to your heart. Not a day goes by where you are not in our thoughts.

Merry Christmas Love!

p.s. I miss you

PIZZA ANYONE????

I'm still touched by the kindest gesture my friend did for the boys and I Friday evening. After going thru a nasty tooth extraction Thursday morning, I thought I would just bounce right back to my normal self. Not the case. I went to work on Friday and was basically miserable. The pain medication was making me sick to my stomach but if I didn't take it my jaw just throbbed. My friend advised me to take Friday off also, but I didn't listen... no surprise there. I try to save my sick days for the boys when they are going to need me, so I didn't want to burn a day just on me. Anyways, by the end of the work day on Friday I must have looked pathetic. Austin and I left school and picked up Collin. As I was holding a "take-out" menu in my hand that evening, our dog Cody started barking very loudly. I thought my neighbors must have people over. However, our doorbell then rang and there stands a pizza man looking at me. I told him he must have made a mistake because I didn't order a pizza. He then verified the address and asked if I was Angela. I said yes BUT I didn't order a pizza. He said that the pizza had been paid in full and was to be sent to me. I asked the man who had done this (even though I pretty much knew) and he said he didn't know.

How blessed I am to have friends that look out for me and the boys. This simple gesture meant the world to me because I knew it came from the heart. When you surround yourself with positive people who really care.... great things happen. There isn't room for negative people who do nothing but complain. I wish for everyone to have "true friends". People they can count on, people they can talk to, and people who will send a pizza out when you are sick. A miserable day that ended wonderfully due to sincere friends.

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING.....HEAD OUT TO OHIO!!

That's right.... I did it!!!! The boys and I drove to Ohio to spend Thanksgiving with family. While we usually spend Thanksgiving with my immediate family (mom, dad, brother, etc..), we drove the 11 hour trip out to Cincinnati this year! I missed my family back home, but boy oh boy, what a sense of accomplishment. Since we all were in school on Tuesday, we stopped over night in Hagerstown Tuesday night and then made the rest of the drive Wed. I must say that I am so proud of my boys for being great riders in the car and just enjoying the scenery and singing songs together. They didn't have gameboys, toys, or even a working dvd player and they were just fine. Only had to raise my voice a few times.... other than that, GREAT trip!

Finally got to see 2 new additions to the Martin family ( Madeline and Kyle). Maddy just turned 1 the day before we arrived and Kyle is just 9 months. Beautiful children. Stayed with my cousin and her family and the boys and I felt right at home. Although we were only there for really 2 1/2 days, it was well worth the trip. The boys and I had a GREAT time, we just wished we lived closer. Turkey Day was spent with family and Friday we went downtown Cincinnati to ice skate, take a carriage ride, and go thru a famous display of trains (decorated for the holidays). Friday night was a surprise party for my cousin's sister in-law. Had a blast just having a few beers (knowing I had an 11 hour drive the next day) and talking to people I never met before. Had a blast playing a game us Marylanders would consider close to horseshoes.... but it was called corn hole. Huge game out there and it was fun to play. Steve ( my cousin's hubby) should be making me a set in Redskin colors.

All in all, it was a great way to spend the holiday. Today it's unpacking, laundry, grocery shopping, and of course football. I will say that this trip had me anxious at first. Knowing that I was responsible for all three of us driving 11 hours thru mountains and jumping deer..... but I did it! Hopefully my boys can see that sense of responsibility and pride and realize that we are a great family of three. After Jody died, my security and Austin's were shattered (Collin was too little). Hopefully, little by little, they are gaining it back like me.

THE GULLS WILL NEST.... WHILE THE MULES CONTINUE IN THE DIVISION 3 PLAYOFFS!

What a game to watch!!! Nov. 17th at 12:00, the Salisbury Seagulls had to migrate up to Scotty Wood Stadium in Pa. to take on the Mules. The boys and I drove up Friday night and stayed with Coach Knarr ( Uncle Jeff to us ), Katie, and cousins... Megan, and Jake. The funny part is that all season long a good friend of mine and I were talking how cool it would be if the Mules faced off against our hometown team.... Salisbury. Even though I graduated from Salisbury (which is a great college), my loyalty was with family. Having watched Jeff thru the years move up from high school football coach to coaching at Muhlenberg College has been exciting. This is one person who always knew what he wanted to do and does it well.... very well!!
Back to the game! Mules came out with the drive to win this football game. I believe they were up 21 to 6 at one point. The first half of the game was the best from the Mules offense. However, their defense remained strong the entire time, which in my opinion helped win the game. After half time the Gulls came out and tied up the score and the stadium was quite taken back. The defense from the Mules took charge and caused 3 ( I think) turnovers, which allowed a 31 to 21 VICTORY over the Gulls. Mules will now travel next weekend to Dover to play Wesley College for game 2 in the NCAA championship playoffs.
Muhlenberg players, and coaches should be commended for all their hard work and dedication to the game of football. Also, the families of all the coaches who sacrifice so much to support their spouse. Many don't realize, but football started the first week in August. Coaches at Muhlenberg work, work, and work. There is much to be said for the wives of the coaches at Muhlenberg. Not only are they supporting their husband but also raising a family alone much of the time. So my hat goes off to EVERYONE!!!!! Job well done, and best wishes to you all when you come and play Wesley. GO MULES!!!!!!!!!

COOL PICS!!!!

Here are some pics from the Skins vs. Arizona game that I went to with a friend. Game was great and it was nice to kick back and relax and watch the Skins pull off another win (although it came down to the last few seconds). Tried to get as many pics of COOOLEY for my friend Amanda... as well as me! Notice the rear shot Amanda....just for you!!! Cool part was getting a picture of all the Redskins cheerleaders for my boys. Just had to spin a wheel and you received whatever it landed on. I talked to the guy in charge and asked if it could (with his help) land of the poster. After he realized I had 2 boys at home that would just love the poster.... he made sure it stopped on it. Great day, great time, and I thank my friend so much for inviting me.

AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN!!

Wonder what my grandfather was thinking when the beach home he built back in 1968 came tumbling down? For those of you who don't know, my grandfather (along with others) starting building a beach house in Ocean City for his family to enjoy back in 68. Unfortunately, my grandfather never saw the completion of this house because he died on site while building this house. Most unfortunate, I never had the opportunity to meet my grandfather, but heard many wonderful stories about him. I wonder if he is aware of how many lives he touched, how many generations made this beach house a "home".

Some key moments at our beach house : going to the beach with my brother

waking up Easter morning to filled baskets

cousins always coming to visit

going out with my dad on the boat

taking friends out on the boat

steaming crabs on the deck every other day

Lacey's special island

surviving hurricanes

clamming in the bay or tuna fishing offshore

Dairy Queen with my grandmother

meeting my future husband

having him propose to me on the deck ( in front of close family and friends)

bringing my own boys to the beach house

There are so many other memories and wonderful times that I experienced at the beach. I just hope my grandfather knows that he not only touched his daughter's life (my mom) but also generations to follow.

It was quite a bummer walking on the property that use to belong to my family and not seeing the beach house. My parents sold the house 3 years ago to a man who is made of $ and plans on building an enormous house on the small lot. That's all that O.C. seems to do anymore. Big house on the canal and no yard to play in. When my grandfather was building, our house was only the 2nd house on the dirt road. You could see out to the bay when you stood on the deck, backyard, or anywhere in the house. Now, the homes are so large you can't see anything. Hence the picture below. This was a new home they just built on the same street.

I'm glad I have my memories, because O.C. just isn't the same. I usually don't wish ill will on anyone, but I hope this man who demolished our home doesn't find any joy or pleasure in the new house being built.