SGT Joel Lewis, We Remember

1978-2007

Back in May, I made the sad post that a best friend of mine lost her fiance in Iraq. Julie and Joel were engaged to be married and we had met him on several occasions. We attended his service and burial and I have been wanting to post something in remembrance of him and how deeply touched I was by the whole day. I was so moved to see people at his service that didn't even know him, such as another soldier's mom who lost her son and now goes to as many service like this to be of support or that of a man who stood up and gave a beautiful speech on how much these young men should be admired and thanked for their service. I was deeply moved by the presence of the one survivor from Joel's Stryker group that day. Larry, with his arm all bandaged up, was there and even said a few touching words about Joel. The impact that this had on my was so profound and I just pray that Larry can get through this hard time as well. The full military honors were beautiful and yet hard to watch and realize how many families were experiencing this same loss. Joel was buried at Tahoma Cemetery and Julie is able to visit him as she wishes now. Please keep her in your prayers and she struggles with such a huge loss. Julie, I love you so much and know we are here for you. Your scrapbooks you did for Joel and a treasure and I hope a comfort to you. I will never forget the dinner we had with Julie and Joel and will probably never be able to eat spaghetti the same way again. Below are just some pics I wanted to share of that special day when we honored this true hero and a couple links about him. I had to laugh, becuase in the video, Joel is always the one shown in the silly outfits...at least we know they were able to make themselves laugh in a hard situation. We will always remember...

http://www.iraqwarheroes.org/lewisjw.htm

http://www.strykernews.com/archives/2007/05/10/sgt_joel_w_lewi.html

http://www.soldierwall.com/wall.php (he is last one in row 521)

Baby Hartsell - 16 weeks

Amazing that this week the baby's toe nails are forming, the circulatory system is working and his/her scalp pattern is developing. The baby is probably around 4.5 inches long and weighs around 5.5 ounces.

Disappearance....

I know, I am so sorry!! I have left the blogging world, which I love, for some time now. It has been a crazy month or so. I have had three bridal showers, planned and successfully pulled off a surprise 30th anniversary party for my parents, been chasing a very independent little one and dealing with the joys of the early stages of pregnancy. But.....I hope here soon to get caught up posting some new pics and video of Angel, my parents party and much more. Sorry to family and friends that miss the Menu Plan Mondays....when food becomes my friend again I will give it a shot. Thanks for checking in at our site and I promise there is good stuff to come.

It's Official...

Yes, the rumors are true...my sister Meghan got engaged this past Thursday night in NYC. She will be the future Mrs. Chris Sturhahn.

Happy Birthday Meme!!

Happy Birthday Meme. We love and miss you so much. Can't wait to see you again. Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Amazing video of love and life...

Mother's Day Pics

Another outfit...

Here is a cute Hannah Anderson outfit from Aunty Megs....

First pic of Baby Hartsell

DUE DATE DECEMBER 5th!!

Prayers for the soul of a soldier...

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Joel Lewis. He was in the ARMY stationed here at Fort Lewis. He was killed yesterday by a road side bomb in Baghdad. He was the fiance of my best friend, Julie Smith. Julie my thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad and hard time. I love you so much and we will get through this together. Thank you all for your prayers.

Angel's First Birthday!!

Our sweet Angelica Rose turned the big ONE this past Monday, April 30th. We celebrated her birthday with family on Sunday and had a great time. She looked so pretty in her birthday dress from Grandma and loved opening all her presents. She also really enjoyed being able to dig into her birthday cake, Chocolate Carrot Cake. This was a new recipe I made and it is a keeper....so good!!! Hard to believe one year has already gone by....we have been so blessed with Angelica and can't wait for all the years to come. Enjoy the pics!!! There are some captions on the pics in the slide show if you click on them.

Sunday outing...

This Sunday we went to Pikes Place Market, then the Seattle Aquarium and Angel stayed awake the whole day. But as you can see from the last picture, we wore her out enough that she didn't even want her dinner...

Swing time...

We went on a walk last Friday, and Angelica enjoyed her first swing ride...we need to get one of these one day!!

Absence...

Forgive me for not posting musch lately...even my husband who likes to know what is dinner each night, misses being able to check the Menu plan online. I have been busy with the "joys" of pregnancy...you know

-feeling tired
-enduring waves of nausea the moment I am vertical
-having a metallic gross taste in the mouth
-feeling tired
-crazy cravings of potato chips and ice cream and guacamole
-enduring all the yucky smells
-feeling tired
-wondering how I am going to get thru 7 more months
-going to the bathroom a lot!
-trying to find something to eat and drink that tastes good
-and did I mention feeling tired??

I promise I will try to keep some posts coming.

Saint of the Day

St. Teresa of Los Andes

(1900-1920)

After 56 years...

...they are still in love!! More than ever. Happy Anniversary Meme and Pepe. We love you so much. Your marriage is such a blessing to us all and I hope you have many more years together.

Question to all you moms....

This past week Angelica has gotten some pimples on her face....not like a rash but more like acne. I also did some this past week as well. I am still breastfeeding...has anyone ever noticed this correlation before if you were pregnant and still breastfeeding a baby? I am wondering if this is hormone related.

Saint of the Day

St. Stanislaus

(1030-1079)

A day or two late....

Monday: Dinner Out (thanks to the basketball team)

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Parmesan Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Caesar Salad

Thursday: Tri-Tips, Noodles & Asparagus

Friday: Spaghetti with Crushed Tomato Sauce

Saturday: Pork Tenderloin with Dijon Marsala, Crispy Potatoe Bites, & Broccoli

Sunday: Dinner with Family

Going for a walk...

Angel and Daddy went for a walk the other day and I snapped a few pics...so cute!!

Easter Pics (slideshow has a lot of pics)

Easter Table...

For Easter this year, I made place settings. The girls and boys had different birdies. The bird nests and eggs were even edible which everyone loved. What special ways do you decorate your Easter table?

Easter Recipes...

We had a wonderful, happy and blessed Easter yesterday. We went to 815 mass where my youngest sister sang in the choir. Angelica slept thru it all on Grandma's lap...she had a rough night the night before. Then we went to my folks for the day. Had a yummy brunch, I made a spring-brunch bake and mom made hot cross buns and a fruit salad. We had a yummy lamb dinner with a new potatoe recipe (mom I need that one!), jello salad and a new broccoli recipe I made. Later we had neighbors for dessert. Let's just say I went crazy trying new recipes this year. Thanks, Kate for two of them. If you click on the pics, you can get the recipes as well!! If you had anything yummy for Easter please pass on the ideas and recipes!!! Would love to hear them and try them.

Grasshopper Pie

Here is that recipe I promise to many of you from St. Patty's Day...sorry so late. (click the pic)

Angelica has an announcement....

Yes...we are expecting baby Hartsell most likely around the first week of December, don't have a confirmed due date yet. But, wanted to get everyone praying that the sickness I have had so far doesn't end up being as bad or as long as last time & that this new little life grows strong and healthy!! Will keep you posted!!

Been away...

Sorry, I have been absent from my blogging world for a bit...Angel is having the major runs and not wanting to eat or she throws it up....poor thing. No fever or anything else, so assuming it is a tummy bug......all you moms out there....any good aids and cures to help fight this? This is the first time she has really ever been sick, no fun! thanks!!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Chicken Tenders & Waffle Fries

Tuesday: Flank Steak (marinated in a little ketchup, oil, garlic and onion powder, honey, ginger, soy sauce), Asparagus & Red Potatoes (in olive oil and Italian seasonings and baked)

Wednesday: Soup Supper at Church

Thursday: Grilled Bratwursts & Broccoli & Tater Tots

Friday: Homemade Mac n' Cheese & Tuna Fish (I add a little mayo, apple, celery, onion, pepper, salt, mustard)

Saturday: Grilled Italian Chicken Salad

Sunday: Dinner with Family

This is a cool pic....

...can you see the baby??

Sporting the Adidas wear...

...click here to check out pics taken last night at my folks house. Angelica did not like the grass much at all (was confused by how it felt I think), and Aunt Caitlin was trying to teach her how to play soccer!! And yes, it is another outfit from Aunty Megs. :)

Saint of the Day

Blessed Didacus of Cadiz

(d. 1801)

Cross stitches I made for wedding gifts...(click on pic to see detail...)