Oh what a night.....

It was an amazing night...the Oregon All Military Gala was held on Saturday, August 23rd at the Salem Conference Center. This event hosted six Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, Gold Star families and several hundred Oregon military heroes. It was truly history in the making. Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, Art Jackson, Richard Pittman, Roger Donlon, Rudy Hernandez, and Nicki Bacon came to Oregon as our honored guests. These men are amazing and they just keep giving to their country, with wisdom, patriotism, and honor.

SSgt Christian Bagge, US Army and Disabled veteran returned to the Oregon All Military Gala as our guest. Last year Christian was our guest speaker and we were awed by his heroism. This year Christian brought his beautiful wife, Melissa.

Anjee and Bill came home from Arizona to attend the Gala. Jeff Clippinger and Rich Cervantes also flew in to be part of the celebration. It was a night to celebrate "Real American Heroes" with "A Salute to Patriots" as the evening theme. Dinner and dancing were included, but among all this Military Royalty, who needs to eat....

I NEED A VACATION.....

It's my first day back to work and already I wish I could get away... Things piled up while I was away and I can hardly get into my office. On top of it all I forgot my office keys this morning and had to call security to open my door. They think its funny when I do things like that. They should have been around during my first five years when I would lose my car keys, run out of gas and sometimes get the "boot" because I hadn't paid my parking tickets. Yes, they give parking tickets at Chemeketa....and I even hear that they will turn you over to collection if you don't pay up. So, far I have been able to talk my way out of a big parking ticket bill.

This week will be HELL week. If you don't hear from me please contact Chemeketa Community College and let them know that I'm lost in the nursing labs.....:)

And, I'd rather be someplace near a nice warm beach....

We are finally home.....

What a great experience for us all. Billie was a trooper, putting up with the long trip to OK City and back. She weathered the trip literally, with harsh storms all the way home. Needless to say she was very happy to be home. Shea on the other hand is already planning for next years return visit. HMMMM, I'm thinking more that Cancun or Italy...........anyone game????? Maybe I will go by myself.

Here are a few more pictures of my amazing daughter....wouldn't her great grandfather be proud!

AQHYA WORLD SHOW UPDATE

Shea and Billie were a winning team at the world show. Unfortunately, the judges did not provide the scores that would have put them at the top. Here are a few pictures to share with you all. It has been a great time. On Shea's first day of showing she developed a wrenched back and even in dire pain she rode like a champ. Billie could sense that Shea wasn't herself and performed for both of them. We love her even more than before, it that is possible. Showmanship was awesome. It was a great pattern, but again after the judges watched all 197 competitors it was hard to remember the best. The good news is that Shea wants to come back next year for a return engagement.....she plans to bring pain meds for that trip....:)

WE ARE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.....

Today is Shea's first day to show. I'm sure it will be a long day since it is not expected that Horsemanship will begin until tonight. Shea's outfit still has not arrived, so even if it isn't until tomorrow that she shows we would be happy for a little more time. I will post pictures soon....stay tuned.

Too much to share about DC.....

Here are a few pictures of the momuments at the Capitol Mall. It was a very emotional trip. Maybe because I am so much more aware of the sacrifices we have made for freedom, for peace and for the world. I am proud to be an American, to have a son who is a US Marine, and for the opportunity to know so many amazing people who share this part of my life. Thank you to the Marines I love......

Washington DC

I had the most amazing trip to Washington D.C. It was much more than I ever would have imagined. I joined the Marine Parents United conference and we spent three days touring before the conference began on Friday evening. There is so much to share but I will begin with the greatest part and that is friends. For the past four years I have attended the conference and each year I reconnect with great friends, special because we share a common love for our Marines. This year is was great to reconnect, share and renew our friendships. But, I also got to meet new Marine parents, share and connect with the newbies. I remember those days of a total focus of where my Marine was, who he was with and fear for his safety. Being with these parents makes me so much more aware of how precious life is and how important we are to each other.