Thursday, December 10, 2015

Merry Christmas


Hello!

I thought I’d fill you in on our family life this year. Since there is so much to tell and I’m too lazy to write it all down in each and every Christmas card with a pen, you’re getting this note.

#1 is now 23 and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in May. He commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and is currently stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  He left here in July and spent a few months learning everything about his new job as an Intelligence Analyst at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.  While he was in Arizona, he studied hard, had a great time, met a lot of terrific people and even purchased his first new car – a Honda Accord – which he absolutely loves.  #1 arrived in El Paso on a Friday night and jumped in with both feet first thing on Monday morning. He is currently looking forward to moving into his first apartment – on December 17th.  Gram and I packed his pod with all kinds of “goodies” and shipped it to him right before Thanksgiving. I am so glad we don’t have to unpack it!  FYI: Mr has claimed #1's room as his new Model Train room.

LLB is a Junior Applied Mathematics and Physics Major at VMI. She continues to play the trumpet and is a member of the Regimental Band, the Jazz Band, and the Brass Ensemble. She will be marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena for New Year’s. This is one trip that Marc and I refuse to miss. Watch for us on TV!!

LLB has had an amazing year. She continues to embrace all that VMI has to offer. This past summer, LLB spent a week on a submarine and absolutely loved it. She enjoyed everything about her week - except the flight to California and back. Because the dates of her sea week changed a few times, it turned out that we would be in Canada upon her return. So – we booked her a flight to Burlington, Vermont, and picked her up there.  We brought Captain America with us to Canada. Somehow he managed to survive the family for a few days without her and didn’t hop on the first flight out while we waited for her to arrive at the airport. He was and is a real trooper... 

Mr was LLB's date at the VMI Ring Figure Ball this fall. He dressed up in a tux, didn’t drop the ring, and danced the night away. He enjoyed every minute of the evening. Mr is still at MITRE doing whatever it is he does there. He enjoys sawing fallen trees with his chain saw and mowing our acreage with his tractor in his spare time.  He continues to play bass guitar in the Church Gospel band, and rings bells in three choirs.  I now direct two handbell choirs and ring in one. I am active in the Prayer Shawl ministry at a local United Methodist Church.  Mr and I are involved in the VMI Parents Council and a half dozen other volunteer committees. Basically, we keep busy.  

We had a rough summer and fall. My father contracted West Nile Virus in early July. He fought it valiantly, was doing great, but succumbed to congestive heart failure in early November. We all miss him dearly, but know that he is in heaven with his siblings eating my grandmother’s cookies, donuts, and pie. Zeb, our sweet corgi, crossed Rainbow Bridge this past Sunday. We aren’t sure what happened, but we do know that he and my dad are together – sharing snacks.

If you’re ever in DC, shoot us an email. ladybugxing@gmail.com. We’d love to see you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 09, 2015

26

26 years ago I said, "I do".

I still do.

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Bug.

Monday, December 07, 2015

Our Zeb

Our sweet Zeb crossed Rainbow Bridge on Sunday morning.
He was the best dog. He will be missed.

We have no idea what really happened. He tested positive for Lyme, but...


Saturday, December 05, 2015

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas!

How did almost another month go by so quickly?

It's been quite a ride.
Grandpa died just a couple of days after my last post. We miss him, but we know he is in a much better place. I am sure he is eating my grandmother's donuts and hanging out with his siblings.

#1 has moved to Texas and his pod - which we packed with all kinds of goodies including our family room couch -  arrives at his apartment on December 17th. He can unpack his stuff, relax on his couch, and set up his tree just in time for Christmas. FYI - Mr has already called dibs on the empty bedroom - I think a model train room is in our future.

LLB got her VMI ring. It is perfect for her!  Mr and I made dinner for 9 between the ring presentation ceremony and the evening festivities. It was really fun to relax and share a meal with all of them.  Captain America took his mom and LLB took Mr as their dates to "Ring Figure". They danced and laughed and had a terrific time!

We spent Thanksgiving with Captain America and his family. We had great food, awesome conversation, and lots of laughs. On Friday, we skipped the early morning shopping and opted for a little extra sleep.  We got out all of the decorations at Gram's and our house and set up our tree. Gram and I have been decorating and cleaning at both houses ever since.

December is upon us and our annual Christmas Open house is a short 14 days away. We have a lot to do before then... We have bells to play, events to attend, and presents to purchase and wrap.