2009 Coming to a Close

So much has happened since September when I last updated this blog. We sent Kyle off to school, we moved, we closed 2 businesses, started a new one, and celebrated 2 of our grandchildren's 1st birthdays. 2009 will just be one of those years you look back on and say, "we made it through, and not look back." As for others in our family, they will look back and say, "we were so blessed in 2009; as they were blessed with beautiful baby boys. Lauren and Evan had a beautiful baby boy in September and Noah and Holly had an adorable little boy in April. So as always, we take the good with the bad - but in the end, it's all good and we're family.

Kyle's football season ended on November 14th with a win in the Oyster Bowl played in Newports News, VA. The week prior Kyle played in South Florida and the entire family showed up...In one car; Gloria, Chloe, Austin and Cheryl and Sarah, car #2 was Scott, Mikie and Austin Stahura. Once we arrived, Mike (Michael's dad, Taylor, his half-sister, Michael's grandma and grandma arrived) along with some friends of ours from Tampa/Orlando, and friends from here that wanted to see Kyle play and some parents we've met throughout football season showed up. So we had a great time!

They struggled as a new team of mostly freshman, but pulled off 3 great wins and Kyle started on the offensive line. He really enjoyed football and is now moving on to wrestling when he gets back from Thanksgiving break.

Kyle #74 on offense at left guard

Kyle in action on offense

Kyle and this defensive player went around and around all day...

So for the most part, it was an ok season, Kyle learned a lot and grew so much in his favorite sport, their season ended 3-8. He's ready to move on now.

Our other major life change was moving to a new house. It is still located in Gulf Breeze, just a few blocks from our old house, just higher and dryer! Surrounded by woods and tall pines and the bay is in the back side of our neighborhood and the Garcon Bridge is behind us as all; which connects north Santa Rosa County to South Santa Rosa County (us). Makes is so much easier to get out if necessary to higher ground and to travel, of course the 3.50 each way toll is a bit much; but convenient enough to pay for it. Here are just a few photos of our new house...I'm still working on the bedrooms, one is to become my craft room and the other a guest bedroom; both having beds. Our new home is: 1540 Oakhill Road, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

Entrance Way, spare rooms and guest bath through archwayGuest/hall bathroom

Fireplace in living room

Living room/dining room

Grandma Mildred's dining room table with the extensions! Setting for 10; plus kitchen table of 4 and outside table of 4...that was thanksgiving dinner. Usually we just keep the setting for 6 up.Kitchen/breakfast eating area with kind of a view of outside...no view of kitchen yet - this was thanksgiving afternoon - too messy! But you get the idea of how it looks now, and when the rooms are done, I'll post them as well.

We love our new little house, it's cozy and quaint. And we're ready to take on 2010 with a gust. Ready to make new things happen and continue to watch our family grow. So for those of you who did not know, Denise is pregnant and due late June. We couldn't be any happier!

Off Kyle Goes to Virginia!

Welcome to Southern Virginia University, come along on our road trip!

Our journey began around 4 am and Scott, Kyle, and I headed out all packed up with Kyle's stuff in the back of the SUV. Pillows, blankets, 2 laptops, a cooler, snacks, and our pre-determined roadtrip CD collection--and we were off. We found a new route to take different than what Scott and Kyle took earlier that year. The first state we hit, Alabama, which really doesn't count because we've been through Alabama a million times, so nothing new there. The next state welcomed us was Georgia, one of my favorite states! Here is the sign once we were well into Georgia, where were going to head towards Chattanooga (don't ask who took the picture)!So we head towards Chattanooga and stop to eat some BBQ, I mean when in TN, you must eat BBQ! Now as we head towards eastern side of TN, the beautiful mountains start to appear in the distance - but nothing like Southern Virginia in Buena Vista.
Once we get throught Chattanooga, we head on up towards Knoxville through Bristol into Virginia.
The further east we go, the more beautiful the scenary. Now I know why they call them the "Blue Ridge Mountains" - they are blue!

So here we turn off at Bristol, which is right outside of Knoxville, TN. And we're on our way, about 2 hours. Here is a shot of one of the mountains that had low lying clouds on it and it was getting ready to rain-it was just absolutely beautiful!

We're coming up to our exits; about 45 minutes away from Buena Vista....and we're down to our last 4 CD's for the road trip; Billy Joel (The Piano Man), Garth Brooks (The Dance), Tim McGraw (Live like you were dying), and Bon Jovi (Lost Highway)...mine and Kyle's fav CD's...

Here we come Buena Vista!!

One more exit, Kyle is getting anxious!

And here we are...off the ramp, a few miles down the road and we're there!

And here it is....Southern Virginia University, Buena Vista, VA.

What an adorable quaint little town. I fell in love with it right away. You really don't need a car, a bike would do, except for riding up all the mountains, and I mean mountains, not hills!

The first night, we check-in to the hotel, then go out to the school to check around campus, see where Kyle's dorm is-in the basement which he doesn't mind, it's cooler he said. Went out to eat for dinner and then called it a night after a 13 hour drive. The next day, we got up early, headed over to the University to check Kyle in to his dorm, eat lunch, and meet with the coach for a parent's meeting. We also met Kyle's roommate, Kyle. How ironic. But they get along great. Kyle's room is in the basement and directly across from the main "TV, game room", so it gets noisy sometimes. And I think Kyle finally realizes the value of a quarter or rather a roll of quarters because he goes through them often to wash his clothes. Oh, and one other thing, Kyle's RA's room is right next to Kyle's! I thought that was poetic justice.

First day on campus, after church. Single ward was wonderful, in fact, 2 of the sisters keep in touch with me via email and at the last game, came running over to me to say hi and enlisted me to help them decorate for homecoming, since we're going to be there. So I loved the single ward.

Checking into his dorm, Craton Hall named after one of the founders.

Before mom came to the rescue~Kyle "OMG, where do I even start, this room is the size of a closet!"

After mom kicked the boys out and went to work with all the cleaning products you can imagine, swiffer mop, swiffer broom, clorex clean-ups, febreeze! Here is the finished product; now does it look like this now? I doubt it, but he doesn't have much room to make too much of a mess!
The first day of practice before 2 a days, Kyle is at center.

Kyle's possie...after just 2 days!


Our Knight - Kyle Magnes, #74

This is where it began, the tears. We had breakfast and it was time to go. Two other sets of parents were still there lingering the inevitable goodbye. Kyle is off to grab his books and on to his first college ever. I told him not to look back, but I'm glad he did so I could snap that one photo. As we pulled away, my eyes swelled up and I thought to myself, well, he's the last one to go; my baby, my buddy, my friend. And I saw a boy turn into a young man and I knew Kyle would be ok. He loves the Lord and strives to make right choices, he's honest and most importantly he has integrity. He will survive college and the Lord will protect him on the field, what else does a mom pray for?

I hope he had the time of his life....

As the days approached Kyle's graduation I think it finally hit me that he was a grown man now. We had taught him everything we could to help him be a responsible member of society, to make good choices, and be honest in all that he does in life. To honor God and to keep Him first in his life. Now comes that time when all of those lessons of life, all of the sacrifice and love is put to the test.

As we sat there waiting for Kyle in the procession, there he was, my son Kyle, all grown up. He look sure of himself, confident, and proud. He gave us the "sign" which is something we've done since he was a little boy, it's the sign for "love", just something between Kyle and I. And then my heart melted. The tears started.As Kyle came across the stage, I flash-backed to his first day of school in Navarre, his fifth grade graduation in Navarre, his first day of middle school in Gulf Breeze, his eighth grade graduation, and first dance and then his first day of high school. And I realized Kyle has spent his entire time in school in one place, and that we have lived in this area for 19 years. And that was probably one of the best things we could give our kids is a long lasting memories of their school days and friends they will hopefully always stay in contact with throughout college and beyond. We sat with our whole family on one row and looking down the row my heart was over-joyed with love. To be living in a community where your family is so close where Kyle's sister and brother, sister-in-law and grandparents watch him take this final step into the next phase of his life. Along with parents of other boys who have spend many nights in my home, eating dinners, playing xBox games all night, and just hanging out. They too have been such a big part of our lives.

And so the next phase of Kyle's life begins. He has many choices to make that will affect his future. He comes off the stage with his diploma in hand, his first major life's accomplishment-- with so many more ahead of him. The life of a high school student is behind him now...

And his future ahead of him...he may look back at all the memories; football camps, games, friends, nothing to do but hang out, remembering those sweet summer days at the beach as those memories will always remain with him because they are apart of who Kyle is. As I see Kyle come off the stage with that diploma, Scott and I say to each other, we did it. And he walks past us, looking straight ahead, I'm sure he is thinking...what next?

The best ever Mother's Day!

The family!

We are so blessed to have such a large wonderful family, with the most wonderful, loving, supporting and encouraging grandmother at the head of our family - Grandma, we all love you and wish you many, happy more years with our family! Just think, this is just the half of it!! We'd have to do a poster size photo if our entire family were included. It truly was a blessed Mother's Day!

This Mother's Day I was blessed to have all of my children and grand children with me, along with Grandma Mildred and Scott's sister Stacy. It was the best gift any mom could ask for. We started the celebration by picking up Jon, Denise & London on Thursday afternoon. My mom wasn't even aware they were coming so I took her with me and told her I was picking up Grandma. As we sat there waiting for (Grandma), I saw Jon and Denise walking towards us with London, my mom completely overlooked them and then all of a sudden she screams "Oh my Gosh, there's Jon and Denise!" Denise said she was wondering why we weren't waving or saying hi or anything, but I wanted my mom to notice them first and she was so excited. London smiled right away at us, and I think she remembered me from December when I visited her as a newborn! I know she did as a matter of fact! This was the entire family's first time seeing London so everyone was excited!Great Grandpa Don meeting London for the first time at Brunch!

We spent the next few days just hanging out and going to the beach. Thursday happened to be mine and Scott's 21 anniversary so Denise, Gloria and I went food shopping and bought boiled gulf shrimp, crab legs, and steaks. Gloria marinated the steaks and we all chowed on some good food! That night we went to see Star Trek. It was a great day!

I think London got enough sun to hold her over until the move back here in the fall/winter! I know she went home to Rexburg the tannest baby in Idaho!

London in her shades "Miss Hollywood"...

Daddy and London at the beach.

Cousin Mikie and Cousin London soaking in the sun!

While we were on the beach on Mother's Day, we had a private showing of the Blue Angels! They flew right over our heads while we were taking family pictures...here's a few of Mikie and Mike as the Blues fly over head.

I took this opportunity to take some great shots of the girls and the babies...we'll you be the judge, I just love these shots!

Gloria and Mikie with the sunset in the background - just beautiful!

Denise and London...simply beautiful!

Holly, Noah & Baby Michael Cohen

Noah and Holly were able to come out with their new baby boy, Michael Matthew and we were able to get a few great shots of Noah and Michael and Holly, Noah and Michael. It was awesome watching them together as a family, and Holly's first Mother's day!

Holly, Noah and Michael Cohen

Noah, sunning with his son!

Awe, my boys! These are my strippling warriors!

And the girls - who make the world go 'round! We were missing grandma and Stacy for some reason - but they also make the world go 'round for our family!

I cannot wait for the next holiday for our entire family to be together again! I wish everyone didn't live so far apart from everyone and we could be together like this every weekend! I am so blessed to have such a beautiful family and be a part of a beautiful family. The Lord has truly shown favor on me as a mother, wife, grandmother, and as a daughter.

Welcome to our Family, Michael Matthew Cohen II

A beautiful baby boy blessed our family on April 16; Michael Matthew Cohen II, son of Noah and Holly Cohen. He is just beautiful and Noah and Holly are such good parents. Holly looks great and is so well adjusted to Michael and Noah is just great with him. We're so proud of them.

Michael and Aunt Cheryl

He is so alert and attentive!

Mommy and Daddy and Michael

He's just perfect!

Saturday, April 25, Michael Matthew Cohen had his brit milah in keeping with his grandfather Michael Cohen's Jewish tradition. Before carrying out the circumcision, the mohel recites the benediction: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us with Thy command­ments, and hast given us the command con­cerning circumcision." As soon as the mohel begins the circumcision the father recites: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us with Thy commandments, and hast commanded us to make our sons enter the covenant of Abraham our father." All present then respond: "Even as this child has entered into the covenant, so may he enter into the Torah, the nuptial canopy, and into good deeds." The ceremony ritual reminded me of the way be bring up a child in our church, and these specific blessings are handed down to our infants upon their blessing and name. What struck me most was the nuptial canopy. I think it is so important that parents raise their children up to the Lord and by doing so our children receive the blessings our Lord has promised his children.

B'Nai Israel, Pensacola, FL