Happy Memorial Day 2011

My Grandmother and Grandfather

My Grandfather

Thomas (on left) and my Grandfather @ Thomas's grave in Epinal, France during WW2

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As I reflect upon this day, I am reminded of my Grandfather. He served in WWII. Thankfully he survived all the fighting, however, his younger brother Thomas Garrison, did not. My Grandfather didn't really speak of his days fighting in WWII unless you asked and when you did, you could see the memories flash in his eyes. I wish now, I would have taken notes of all the stories he told when he was alive. Its hard for me to recall them now because I was a teenager and not all that interested in history. But now as an adult, it fascinates me. I can't even imagine the images he remembered and I can't even begin to image what it must have been like. All I know, is I am so thankful that he survived, otherwise I would not even be here. We just marked the 1 year anniversary of his passing earlier this month. He was a wonderful man, Father and Grandfather and I am so lucky to have been blessed w/ knowing him.

Picnic Lunch @ the park

Mommy, Chase and me recently went to the big wooden park, as I like to call it to have a picnic lunch and to play on the new playground. There use to be a big wooden playground that had tunnels and stairs and twisty slides that I really liked to play on. But for some reason, it was torn down and a new playground was put up. Its just as fun, but I really like the wooden one. My baby brother Chase went on a swing for the first time. He wasn't too sure about it until I started to push him. Then he liked it.

My daddy has been gone on the big ship for a week now and I miss him. I keep looking out the window to see if he will be coming home, but mommy keeps reminding me that he has to go protect some other people on the other side of the world. She said that we will see daddy when the weather gets cold and after Thanksgiving. I wonder if he will have Turkey on the big ship for Thanksgiving? Well, its time for me to take a nap. Until next time.

Countdown Mode

Its been 2 days since we saw daddy off from the Navy pier and mommy has already started her countdown for when he comes home. She says that time will fly by and before we know it we will be back on the pier waiting for his ship to come back. Mommy says that we have lots of plans this summer to keep us busy. She is signing me up for swim lessons again w/ Mr. Steve and she said that she is even going to sign my baby brother up for lessons. Mommy said that we are going to visit Grammy and Pop-pop in Pennsylvania for Grammy's birthday and we have a big trip planned to Florida to see Nana and Pops. There are lots of things that daddy is going to miss while he is gone especially w/ my baby brother - like crawling, talking, walking, his first birthday. But she says that she plans to keep daddy updated as much as she can.

Mommy ordered Pizza for dinner tonight and its here, so I need to go eat my dinner. I miss you daddy where ever you. Kiss Rawdy good night for me! I love you 2 more!

Its that time again....

Yep - its that time again... Daddy is going on deployment again! We watched the Sesame Street video w/ Elmo. Its about Elmo's dad having to leave and how Elmo has to stay behind but all his friends cheer him up and keep him busy while his daddy is away and then his dad gets to come home. I liked it alot and ask mommy every day if I can watch it again.

Mommy took me to a very special place the other day to get daddy something very special for when he goes to leave. I can't say what it is yet, because its a surprise. We plan on giving it to him the night before he leaves - IF I can bear to part w/ it!

Mommy says that this deployment will go by fast because we plan on staying real busy while he is gone. She said that we are going to go to PA and spend time w/ Grammy. And we are also going to go to Florida again to see Nana and Pops.

Mommy said that she will pull the giant map out again and put push pins on it, showing where daddy is in the world. I think its neat that he gets to go all the way on the other side of the world! I wonder what its like over there?

Well, its time for me to eat breakfast and my baby brother just woke up. So bye for now!