Memorial Day - Remember Those Who Have Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice

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As the mother of a soldier who returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, I am so grateful that he suffered no injuries and has had no lingering mental effects. He did however, lose one member of his unit while he was in country, so I dedicate this post and this weekend to SSG Edwin Rivera and all the other members of the Military who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service to our country.

 

God bless them for volunteering to protect the United States of America buy doing whatever was asked of them... and blessings and sympathy to their families for all they have sacrificed.

 

To them I dedicate the following songs.....

 

 

As you have your picnics and family fun at the beach or wherever, please remember those who serve our country now, in the past, and those who lost their lives doing so.

God bless our Military and God bless the USA.

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Our 16th Wedding Anniversary

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Like you're surprised I had Mickey Mouse Invitations.

 

Sixteen years ago today, I married my best friend, the love of my life, the most wonderful man in the world, and each and every day since then I have grown to love him more and more. 

 

 

My beautiful boys gave me away. (L: Nik; R: Alex)

 

 

Bill has been there for me and the boys since the first day we met, to love and care for us and to always make us laugh. Even our wedding was filled with love and laughter.

 

I'm sure you can't see it, but my boxer shorts match Bill's tie.

They are both St. Patrick's Day Mickey Mouse.

 

 

I am the luckiest woman in the world to have Bill in my life. We have had some tough times during our marriage, but through it all we have stuck together and grown closer. Since he is retired and I am disabled, we spend almost all of our time together. When he is upstairs on his computer and I am downstairs on my laptop, we send each other IM love notes - he is so sweet!

 

Bill, I love you more today than I did the day I met you in 1995 and more than the day we married in 1997. Every day I love you more and more... I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you.

 

 

 

HAPPY 16th ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

 

Photo Credit

 

 

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Veterans Day 2012 ~ Remember and Honor

 

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On this day of remembrance, please be thoughtful of all of our veterans who bravely served so that we can live in the greatest country in the world, with all the freedoms that enjoy.

 

Please also keep in mind those who are still serving and are away from their families, and say a prayer that they all come home safely, soon.

 

I would like to give a shout out to my father and Uncle Raymond who served in the Air Force, and of course my son, Nikolaus, who is in the Army Reserves now, and spent a year in Afghanistan. I am so proud of you and thank you for your service and am so blessed that you all came home safely to our family.

 

Uncle Ray in Korea

 

 

Nikolaus in Afghanistan

God bless all of you who serve and have served to protect us and our country, and God bless America.

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Flashback Friday - The Boys with Grandpa

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I'm joining Camille over at Crazy Mama for Flashback Friday to, as she says, link up an old picture and/or an old post! No rules, other than that. Have fun!! :)

 

So this is the photo I chose to share this week. It is the last photo I have of my dad (he passed away 6 months later), and I'm really glad that my two boys are in the photo with him, they had a very special relationship with their grandpa. They are the only boys in that generation... all my sisters had daughters, and even the greatgrandchildren are girls.

 

 

So, post your Flashback photo or post and link up with Crazy Mama, then check out the other posts and leave a comment for those participants.

 

Have a great weekend. HUGGLES!

 

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Happy Father's Day to the BEST Father, Step-Father, and Grandfather!

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Today I want to wish the most wonderful man in the world a very happy Father's Day... Yes, Bill is the most wonderful father to his two children, the BEST step-father to my no-so-little boys, and a great grandfather to his four grandchildren.


We all love him so much and are SO lucky to have him in our lives.

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Three Generations of Shewbridges: Bill, Colby, and Del (plus Debbie sneaking in)

I'd also like to wish a very happy Father's Day to my step-son Del, who is a fabulous father. I saw first hand just how wonderful, a couple of weeks ago when they were visiting from Texas. His son Colby is such a well behaved, polite, and loving little boy. And that can only be from the way he has been raised by his father and mother. So happy Father's Day, Del... you deserve it!

Bill and Nikolaus at Basic Training Graduation

Bill and Alexander (one of my favorite photos)

Hope all my friends have a very happy Father's Day and get to be surrounded by the ones they love.

As always, please keep in mind those fathers who are not able to be with their families because they are protecting us all by serving in the military. Praying they all return home safely soon.

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Friday Flashback Photo: Remembering our Military this Memorial Day Weekend

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Alicia from More Than Words says she started Friday Photo Flashback because "I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you.. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to link up so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!"

I have been so busy lately, that I haven't done one of these posts in several months, but I wanted to take this opportunity to showcase my Uncle Raymond (my dad's brother) in Korea when he was in the Air Force.

I also want to share a photo of my son when he was in Afghanistan serving in the Army. Today is the 2nd anniversary of the death of one of his brothers-in-arms.

As you celebrate your holiday weekend, please remember those who have served to protect our country and their families. Pray for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice:










Share your flashback photo on your blog and link up with Alicia on her blog.

Wishing you all a fabulous holiday weekend with those you love. Be safe!






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So Proud of my Son, Nikolaus, Promoted to Sargent

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I just got a message from my son, Nikolaus that during his Army Reserve weekend drill service that he has been promoted to Sargent!!  WooHoo...

Nik in uniform with new Sargent stripes!

He is SUCH a good soldier and has been since his first days at basic training, where he graduated as soldier of the cycle (which is top of his class).

I am so proud of the man he has become and how hard he works at becoming a strong soldier to protect our country. Every day he does something that makes my heart swell with love and pride. Including his choice of companion, who has stood by him during his deployment in Afghanistan. I truly adore his girlfriend, Michelle, and hope she becomes part of our family some day soon.

Michell & Nik after his promotion.

Congratulations to my dear little boy... you make me so proud and I love you with all my heart!

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21 Years Ago, Another Miracle & Blessing in my Life - The Birth of Alexander Alfred

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My dearest little boy Alexander was born 21 years ago today at 2:07 in the morning. When he came into this world, he was blue, and it scaring the heck out of me. But my doctor said, in the sweet voice that always put me at ease, "Don't worry mommy, it's just because he is so big and he's cold." That's when I found out that my chubby little man was 9 pounds, 10 ounces and it was in the middle of a snow storm, no wonder he was cold. =)

Once they got him under the warming lights and cleaned up and wrapped up, he pinked right up. Actually he was quite red faced with red hair - such a butterball. He loved to snuggle and be sung to and didn't even care that mommy couldn't carry a tune to save her life.

He has these beautiful blue eyes and this hair that always stuck up because of a cowlick, so I would use gel to make him look adorable.

As he grew, he was still a cuddler and a truly loving boy. He became extremely artistic in both the arts and music getting high marks and praise from his teachers every year.

He still loves them both an plays in a rock band. He also has always had a love for animals and grew up with a Beagle named GusGus (short for Octavius from Cinderella) and now has an adorable cat named Wompa. He and his brother, Nikolaus, have always been close and still talk to each other often.

Alex is always ready for fun and loves to hang out with his Mom & Pop doing silly things, especially going to Disney World. He and Pop love riding roller coasters together, but he will still do the "boring" things with mom like shopping and riding the carousel and trying on funny hats.

So on your 21st birthday, my little man, I want to let you know how much Pop and I love you and how very proud we are of the man you have become. You are such a special man and anyone who knows you is very lucky to have you in their life.

But, to me, you will always be my little boy.....

Happy Birthday, my darling little boy!!

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Remembering the 1st Happiest Day of my Life: Happy 24th Birthday Nikolaus William Murowsky

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Twenty-four years ago today, my world changed for the better. One of the most wonderful things ever happened to me... I was blessed to become the mother of a precious little man named Nikolaus William. I was immediately in love! I never knew that kind of love existed, or the kind of joy when those beautiful blue eyes looked into mine with such trust and love.

He grew to be a fabulous little boy and then a wonderful big brother.....

Always the Disney Fan



Reading to his little brother, Alexander


As he got older, he was always so sweet to people of all ages, including his grandfather who he truly loved.

First time at new house



Last visit with grandpa





















Then as he got older and graduated high school, he decided to serve his country by joining the Army Reserves and was sent overseas to do his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Even getting a promotion while in country. Making this mama SO PROUD!

Saying good-bye at the airport before he went to Afghanistan

Receiving a medal for Soldier of the Cycle
at his Basic Training graduation

Bill and Nik after his Basic Training graduation

Official US Army Photograph

 In Afghanistan

Now as he continues to serve our country whenever he is called, he is also taking classes to be and EMT/Paramedic and trying to get a job in a local police department. He works so hard and makes me so proud. So, Nikolaus, I just want you to know how very proud both Pop and I are of you and how much we love you.

Wishing you a wonderful birthday and all the happiness in the world. Love to you TTM&B!!

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Wordless Wednesday: 2/1/2012 ~ My Son, Nikolaus and his Girlfriend, Michelle

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Welcome to Wordless Wednesday..... I'm looking forward to seeing all of your photos, so if you leave a comment, please leave your email address so I can come on over and take a look.

 

I miss Nikolaus SO much, and I can't wait to meet Michelle in person!

 

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, head over to the WW Hub, leave your link, check out the other participants, and don't forget to leave a nice comment - you know you like comments, they do too!!

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I Love Christmas Post #5

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The Most Wonderful Boys in the Whole World!!

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