Been a while...

My daughter-in-law asked me a while back what happened to my blog and to be quite honest, I don't know!  Life got busy, I guess.

We're staying busy here in the Anderson household!

Grace is entering the third grade...I have such a hard time saying that!  She's still my baby but is definitely growing up!  She's excited about school starting up in the next few weeks, ready to see her friends again.  She didn't have the opportunities this summer to see her friends that Emily has had and it never hit more close to home than when I overheard a conversation between them.  Grace commented that she wants to move to California, specifically San Diego where daddy's home office is located.  Emily told her she'd miss her friends but Grace replied she didn't have any.  Yep, I privately teared.  Maybe this will be Grace's year...*fingers crossed*  Up until this week she's been taking gymnastics but decided it's not really what she's interested in so she wants to start playing piano!  I've found a teacher locally so she'll start up lessons soon.

Emily is my big-shot fifth grader, wise beyond her years and far too mature for my comfort.  Despite our attempts to keep their environments age-appropriate, she's just beyond that.  Lord, please help me NOW!  She's excited about being in the top grade at the school, and has developed a wonderful group of friends.  She received a phone for her 10th birthday but she's good with the rules...and I end up with it more than she gets to keep it!  Her friends learned quickly that I read her text messages!  What a great group of mom-friends I have with her friends' moms!  We watch out for each other and have no problem jackin' up when necessary.  The kids have learned fast that we talk and nothing is kept secret.  Yes, I know they'll find ways around it, but for now I'm ok with it.  Now if I could just get a handle on her mouth and attitude!  LOL!  I know, the best is yet to come, right???

Randy is blessedly employed and truly loving his job.  The corporation he works for is creating a Special Operations and Intelligence Division!  They will be their own entity.  His boss is absolutely awesome, a former Unit Commander and one of the absolute greatest people you will ever meet.  A few months ago, another Unit member was added to the team with the promise of more operators to be added in the near future!  Business is growing!!  Randy's doing more than just holding his own with everyone he's working with...and I am so proud!

He was elected as Treasurer of the Air Commando Association Tampa Chapter last year and has been actively involved.  He came home a few weeks ago from an officers' meeting and said that they were going to have a membership drive in September and oh, by the way, would you organize it?  So of course, I said yes.  I've spent the past few weeks securing a location and food vendor, working on appropriate entertainment and helping plan a 9/11 Remembrance ceremony.  I've spent the past several days going through music, listening to LOTS of 9/11- and America-themed music and really feeling proud of our troops.  And yes, I do miss being active duty Air Force.  One of the greatest things about the path of work Randy chose post-retirement is that it still keeps us in the community, keeps him actively involved, keeps us involved.  I love the men and women who wear the uniform and serve this country!

Once again, for the fourth year, I find myself part of Maniscalco's PTA...and for the third year as president.  Things are kicking into high-gear for us with school starting in just 2-1/2 weeks.  I'm blessed to have a FULL board of volunteers this year!  I look forward to working with the outstanding group of women who have volunteered to serve this year.

Randy and I are headed up to Fort Walton Beach up in the panhandle again this fall for the Air Commando Association reunion.  Oh!  And a collection of his writings about military life was compiled and submitted for publication in the August edition of the Air Commando magazine.  He's going to be published!  I am so proud of him!

The rest of the family is good.  Our granddaughter, Liliana, began first grade this week.  Katie and Lili are still in Georgia, Efren in the Azores, waiting on orders so he can come home.  Ryan, Jenny and Nathan are doing well, too...Nathan starts preschool soon (still can't believe that!).  Ryan and Jenny are both in school as well.  I miss them all terribly!!!!

Until next time...and hopefully that will be in the near future!