My Memories

A Sweet 16

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 17:30:00 +0000

Our daughter turned 16 last week. With so much going on right now, I am very late in posting. As always ~ better late than never!

College Time

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 13:12:00 +0000

After many, many hours and thousands of miles, we have returned home from taking our son to college.
I have so many mixed feelings about it all. I am excited and hopeful for him, yet sad about not seeing him every day, etc.

High School Graduation

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 06:00:00 +0000

I have been bad about updates, etc., but here finally is a quick-page from my son's high school graduation.

As they announced his name, they also stated "Highest Honors; AP Academy Graduate; I.B. Diploma Candidate." We are proud of all his hard work!

Big Girl Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:53:00 +0000

My great-niece and her new "big girl cup". She is growing up so quickly!

Saturday Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

While at my sister's house last Saturday, I decided to try and get some pictures of my great-niece. Since she began walking, she is always on the move and most of the images end up blurry. This one with my daughter and son it as well, turned out the best.

I love the way her hand is on my daughter's knee for stability and comfort! :)

Happy Valentines Day

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Me and my valentine over the years:

Our Son turns 18 today!

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Today our firstborn, our son turns 18! It's hard to believe how fast the time has flown by. We are so very proud of the wonderful young man he has become!

Baby's 1st Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

My nephew's daughter Olivia turns 1 today!

Here is a gif I created of her eating her cupcake:

My Nieces

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Last Saturday my niece was trying to take some photos of her niece (my nephew's daughter). I finally took the camera from her so she could pick the baby up. I just started rapidly clicking the shutter in hopes of getting a good picture. I didn't get to see the results until she posted them online. This is my favorite!

Christmas 2012 Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:42:00 +0000

(1) my sister, her husband, son, daughter and granddaughter
(2) my nephew and his daughter
(3) me, my husband, son and daughter
(4) my brother, mother, sister and myself

2012 Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:07:00 +0000

Where Was God

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:11:00 +0000

{quote taken from this video}

Thanksgiving 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Thanksgiving dinner was held at my sister's house this year. The day was filled with family, friends, laughter and great food!

{Me and my children}

{My niece and my children}

(DigiScrap QPs by Just So Scrappy)

Autumn Memories Made

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Just some sweet photos of my sister, her granddaughter Olivia and me!

Halloween Party 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:38:00 +0000

Just some shots from a friend's Halloween party we attended last Saturday.

{l to r: my Nephew and Olivia; Me; my daughter}

{my sister and her husband}

{my brother, sister and nephew}

Remembering Nick on his birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Some of Nick's closest friends gathered in front of the memorial wall in Nick's home.

{my niece and nephew are on the right}

Oh Nicki, how we all wish you were here with us to celebrate what would have been your 22nd birthday!

Friday Photo: Sweet Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:00:00 +0000

My grand-niece Olivia at 7 months old. She is the just the sweetest baby I know!

Health News

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:30:00 +0000

In late June I went to the dermatologist to get a red sometimes itchy spot on the top/crown of my head checked. The doctor thought it presented like skin cancer and sent a biopsy off to the lab.

Those lab results came back with a different diagnosis altogether. It is not cancer, it is Discoid Lupus Erythematosis. [The results were confirmed by three doctors.] I was then given a copy of the lab results and told to see a Rheumatologist.

In late July, I had my first visit to the Rheumatologist who sent me to a lab for extensive blood work. Yesterday I had my follow-up visit to discuss the lab results.

Here is a brief synopsis of the results: Sed Rate by Modified Westergren (test for inflammation): Abnormal/High - level was 42h. (Normal is 20 mm/h and lower.)

Thankfully, the results were negative for: Systemic Lupus Erythematosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjorgen's Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowl Disease, Lyme Disease.

Conclusion: Chronic Inflammation, auto-immune in nature. A connective tissue disorder in the Lupus family.

"Autoimmune diseases arise from an inappropriate immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks its own cells... Chronic inflammation can cause considerable damage to the tissues of the body, and it can lead to a variety of problems, depending on where it is located."

Prescribed: Plaquenil 200mg to help with both the DLE and the chronic inflammation.

I go back for more blood work in November to see if the numbers have changed.

Happy 15th Birthday Dear Daughter

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to you!!

Back to School

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:00:00 +0000

So the kiddos went back to school this morning. I can't believe that my boy is now a high school senior and that my daughter is now a sophmore! But instead of sharing "then and now" photos of them, I have a scrap page of my grand-niece. :)

Prayers Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 11:00:00 +0000

*my niece Kelly, Nick and my nephew Allen*

Please continue to keep Allen and Kelly in your prayers. They are both hurting really bad right now. And please keep my sister Cheryl in your prayers as she helps Nick's Mom with everything.

Nick's funeral will be held on August 13th in Inverness, FL. He will be laid to rest on August 23rd at the cemetary on the school grounds in Annapolis, MD. The formal military memorial service will be held in Annapolis, MD on August 25th.

From the Untied States Naval Academy:

"The Naval Academy family is saddened by the loss of Midshipman 2nd Class Nicholas J. Tarr, 21, of Inverness, Fla., who died of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident near Inverness at approximately 2 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9. Midshipman Tar
r was on summer leave from the Academy. The cause of the accident is currently being investigated by local authorities.

"The Naval Academy family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Midshipman Tarr. His family and friends are in our thoughts at this very difficult time and we will take great care to remember, celebrate and honor his life when the Brigade returns for the fall semester."

"Words seem so inadequate to describe the sense of loss we feel in losing another member of our Naval Academy family so suddenly. We at Annapolis are brothers and sisters spanning generations of tradition, camaraderie and sacrifice for more than 160 years. As we grieve the loss of two of our shipmates, we will persevere and continue in solemn service to our nation," said Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Michael Miller.

Midshipman Tarr was a member of the 26th Company and a general science major at the Academy. He was a member of the Semper Fi (Marine Corps) Society and the oceanography, mountaineering and math clubs."

Thank you!

Heartbreaking Sadness

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 23:00:00 +0000

*photo of my nephew Allen (left) and his lifelong best friend Nick 12/31/2011*

I last saw Nick on Saturday, July 28th as we celebrated Allen's 25th birthday.
We found out that this morning, Nick was killed in a car accident.
I am at a loss for words. My heart is breaking for the loss of him, for his family and his friends.

The Many Faces of Olivia

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I love them all!

Sweet 6 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:00:00 +0000

My grand-niece, Olivia at 6 months old. She is just too cute!

Daddy's Little Sweetheart

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

My nephew and his daughter...