Operation ANDY'S GIFT

Emily Stewart, one of my dearest friends from college, has started an endeavor on behalf of her brother Andy, who is serving our country in Afghanistan.

Here's a little background on her brother:

He arrived in Afghanistan in early July and was stationed in Kabul for a few weeks at Camp Phoenix. Needless to say he was a little shocked when he arrived. His last two deployments have been in Iraq: one in Kirkuk and one at Bagdad International Airport. When he landed in Afghanistan he was saddened by how VERY VERY poor these people are. The living conditions are that of a third world country and the average Afghani makes a mere $300 per year.

When asked what could be sent to assist his time, he asked that they send soccer balls for his men to distribute to the Afghan children. Soccer is a game that requires very little equipment and can provide children with hours of enjoyment. It is hard to imagine what a new soccer ball would mean to these children who have next to nothing.

Both in Kabul and in Andy's current station he has noticed that most kids are playing with flat soccer balls in the streets and his goal is to provide these children with something new. SO, Emily has decided to take on a project of asking friends, family, companies, organizations etc… to donate soccer balls and air pumps for this cause calling the project: Operation – Andy's Gift. Her goal is to send over 1,000 soccer balls during the next 10 months (before Andy returns home).

There are a couple of ways you can help if you are interested in participating:

1. Send money to the cause which will be used to either purchase soccer balls OR pay for the shipment of those balls.
2. Order or buy soccer balls and air pumps and drop them off at my house.
3. Distribute this information to anyone and everyone you think might be interested in participating in this project. The more people aware of this drive the more likely we hit or exceed the 1,000 ball goal.

Emily has started a blog for Operation - Andy's Gift and was also featured on the nightly news in her town - http://raleigh.mync.com/site/raleigh/news/storey/7862/triangle-resident-collecting-soccer-balls-for-afghanistan-children

Please let me know if you are interested in donating or contact Emily via her blog.

Thanks!

playtime

My friend watched my kiddos yesterday while I took a few pictures. It seems she had a little photo shoot of her own...

I captured a few pictures of Jude and Sophia too:

In the beginning

josh sent me this picture as a forward...thought it was pretty funny.

itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini

Palmgren sent me this picture from Friday night, I thought it was too cute to pass up.

blue eyed girl

park play

Following church last Sunday we set off to the park to accomplish a) removal of energy and b) kill some time before Planet Sub opened. On Saturday, we dug out the ole' Chuck T's for Sophia. This child LOVES shoes and ALWAYS wants a pair on. Not really appropriate for church, but whatever works.

And, here's an attempt of my latest endeavor...a vow to somehow, someway, accomplish the task of capturing a picture of my girls together.

Miracle of life

My cousin had a baby girl yesterday. Honestly, she received the "easy to deliver" gene that skipped over me. She went to her weekly dr. appt. feeling great, with no real signs of discomfort. The dr. checked her, since she was 37 weeks prego and said..."hummm, are you sure you're not having any labor pains? Because, you're dilated to a 6." A 6?!?! A 6?!?!? Do you know HOW MANY HOURS IT TO ME TO ACHIEVE A 6! Anyway, I digress, needless to say, she went directly to the hospital and delivered (5 pushes later) this beautiful 5 lb 10oz bundle of joy. What a sweet heart... Great Grandma welcomed the joy and happiness of new life in little Kennedy Dawn.
And, although I'm a tad bitter and the ease of Kelly's delivery, I could not be more happy. Congrats Kelly, Eric and Brooks. Kennedy is absolutely stunning!

remember to

It's a Boy

Cash Philip was born yesterday at 2:25 pm weighing in at 8 lb 8oz and measuring 19 inches long. CONGRATS Cami, Aaron and family. I can't wait to meet him.
Also, my Josh's sister had a baby last week but we are still waiting on pictures.

honeymoon's still kicking

after 6 years. Honestly, time has flown by since we were married 6 years ago and truth be told, I love him even more today than I did all those years ago.

Birthday Bash x's 2

Saylor Lillie enjoyed back to back birthday parties on Saturday. Alex took gold at his 5th Olympic party. I missed the opening ceremonies but enjoyed the relay race and cake!

future husband and wife

Madeline's 6th birthday party was FANCY, as in FANCY Nancy. I could not smiling at my fancy girl as she's not the type to enjoy dressing up.

fancy Claire

fancy Madeline, the birthday girl

watermelon wonder

Sophia LOVES watermelon...can you tell??

we've got the itch

and hopefully the knock off, target brand, caladryl will cure it. I'm not sure how, but both my girls were eaten alive on Tuesday night as we picnic'ed outside at my grandma's house. We were outside for a only a brief amount of time and I even applied lotion to their legs...Saylor Lillie won with a total of 17 bites, Sophia a close second with 8. Me, I was bite free. Guess my kids are just that sweet.

been farming...

We stopped by Deanna Rose again last week while in KC. The girls LOVE this place and I love all the photo opts. This time was extra special because we had Papa Bruce along for the adventure.

sad news

My grandpa passed away this morning at the age of 89. I'm thankful that we saw him just two days ago and I gave him a kiss and a hug.

I'm thankful that we just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a large family fete in June.

and I'm thankful that he went peacefully this morning. Grandpa and GG ate breakfast together, peeled a few apples and then he passed...just like that, sitting up in his wheelchair. I'm thankful for so many things that my grandpa brought to my life but currently, sadness consumes me. I loved him dearly and he will be deeply missed...

loaded lemmy

we loaded up on Lemmy's last night under the Friday night lights. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious and the company was VERY entertaining.

how about them apples

we stopped by my grandma and grandpa's house on Thursday on our way to KC. We decided to sit outside to visit and enjoy the amazingly frigid August temp. While outdoors the girls spotted grandma's apple tree. I'm not sure what they enjoyed more...picking the apples off the tree or devouring the SOUR fruit.

papa has a new do

I went short style today with my pop's hair. I dig it...

and the girls dig him.

We're back

we've returned from Vegas and my was it FABULOUS! technically, what happens in vegas, stays in vegas but...when you travel with 8 well-mannered couples, not much happens :) except when a pole is involved...

this is just a short preview...

Arriving at the Belliago

Piano Bar at New York, New York

before boarding the partybus Saturday's prepartyview from our room
girls gone wild...