8 wonderful years .....

Tuesday was my 8 year wedding anniversary. I can not believe how time flies. Two states, two deployments and two kids later we are still going strong. I am in awe of how much my love continues to grow for my husband. Everyday I feel I love him so much that I could not possibly fall deeper in love with him. Then the next day hits and well I love him even more. I know sappy stuff but its true. Even with an argument here and there, I am so deeply in love with that man.

We were able to get my mom and dad to watch Jackie Rose and baby Willie. It was his first official time to be left alone for more than 30 mins with out us. WOW. I had two bottles ready for mom and dad. Will and I ate at Carabbas. It was great. We sat up right were you can watch them cook. It was fun and our chef was from Boston so he had a great accent! We then went to get some ice cream. I called to check in and mom was just giving Willie his first bottle. So I went and got my toes done. What a great husband to sit there and wait for me! By the time we got home mom was sitting on the stairs with Willie. Apparently he just calmed down. He drank 2 of the 4 ounce bottle before realizing it wasn't mommy! Will and I had only feed him once before from a bottle. He just isn't used to it yet. But man he better learn fast. I really enjoy my freedom there. So thanks to mom and dad for letting us go out on our first official date in months! We really needed it. And thank you to my wonderful husband for putting up with me for so many years, for giving me two wonderful children, for helping me keep my relationship with God solid, and for loving me so deeply. I am the luckiest women in the world to have such a great husband! I love you always and forever babe!

My Special Sunday!

This Sunday was not an ordinary Sunday for the Gazes family. It was the day our son was baptised. We were blessed to have Willie's godparents fly in from Texas for his big day. We couldn't have asked for sweeter moment. I was so proud of my son. What a special day it was to show our family and friends the love we all share for Christ. He was so patient, that is until he received his holy water... it was a bit hot. Ok very hot! Poor Willie's head was so red!



To my dearest godparents,

I want to thank you so much for becoming my God parents. I know that my parents chose wisely the minute I met the two of you! I am blessed to see the love that you share for each other and for your faith. I am looking forward to learning so much about our Lord and how to walk these roads that lay before me as a man of Christ. My mommy and daddy will help to guide me and show me the love of Christ. I am humbled to know that you both will help me in this journey and help to strengthen my faith. Mommy always said that God has a plan for everyone. I am so grateful that Gods plan was to have you both be teachers of his word. I love you. I can not wait to grow closer to you and to my savior. Thank you for loving me and for promising to show me the way of the Lord.

Your sweet godson, Willie


What..are you going to pour on my head?

My wonderful godparents, Sarah and Ryan.

Hello,, its hot hot hot... anyone... hello...

I can handle some oil...

Ryan lighting my candle.

My favorite family!!!

What a wonderul day....





On Monday my family got the wonderful opportunity to see our DANIEL graduate from the University of Marylands Business school. What a joyous moment it was. Our family was able to see him walk across the stage and receive his degree. He has always been a bright student. He has worked hard to get were he is at. We are all just so proud of him! He is now off on a 3 week trip to Europe. I am sure he will have allot of time to relax before coming back into the "real"world.



Congrats to you Daniel for all of the hard work you have done. We are so proud of you. You have turned into a wonderful man. Great job to Kathy Jo and Johnny for raising such a great kid! All of your love and wisdom have paid off. Daniel is truly blessed to have such wonderful parents. He is a joy to us all!








Daniel and Lindsey.. so in love!

Proud parents. Johnny and Kathy have done

a wonderful job raising Daniel. We all couldn't be

more proud.

The Alexander Gang, minus Penny cuz she was

taking the picture!

Do I need to say anything here?

My brother shows just how proud he is of his big D.

Party time!

Gotta love kiss!

What a great family!

Need I say more?

Kathy Jo designed this awesome cake!

Its of Daniels Business school.

Daniel and Lindsey smile for the cameras!

They are no on their way to a 3 week

European tour!

Johnny and his cutie cat named Bache'??

(dont know how to spell kiss in Italian!)

Best Friends!

Daniels pre packing list for Europe!

A special book made with love full of advice from family and friends!

Party Time!!!

Saturday the Gazes and Alexanders headed off to my nephews girlfriends, Lindsey's, graduation party.(did you get that,,, kinda a mouth full) She is such a sweet girl. We couldn't have wished for anyone better for Daniel! After a long hard four years she graduated as an RN. She even has her job lined up in an ER in a MD hospital! She doesn't start until August so she will be able to take a break during the summer. Well, a little break that is. She has to take some class before she can start working. UHHH, its always something. I cant say I feel to bad for her because she and Daniel leave this Friday for a 2 week trip throughout Europe,, yes I said two weeks and I said Europe. I am a bit jealous.. I will make it there one day! Tomorrow is Daniels graduation , so I will be sure to take tons of pictures of my nephew. I am so proud of him. He is so smart and has his head on straight! Kathy Jo , Johnny , and of course his Dad and I can't leave out extended family , did a great job raising him! You gotta love him! Enjoy the pictures!

We are looking to cute !

My little guy is getting so big!

What a cute couple!

Couldnt leave out little Mathew. Jackies new best buddy!

My sweet sister in law and nephew,

Guess who is under that blankie...HMMM

Mom, Nana, and Maryann.. yes her eyes are closed.

Nana, Dad, and Alex.

Deb and Pen,, what hams!

Thank You Mom!

What would we do with out our mothers. We wouldn't even exist if we didn't have our moms! I thought I always appreciated everything my mom had done for me. Taking me to and from softball and swimming practices, staying up late helping me w/ school projects, listening to me vent about school and friends and of course boys, putting up my attitude.. you all know what I am talking about! But i have come to realize that I truly couldn't appreciate all that my mom has done for me until i became a mom too!

Thank you, Mom, for showing me the way to my relationship with God. Thank you for allowing me to grow into the person I have become today. Thank you for showing me what unconditional love really is. Thank you for preparing me to be a mother myself. I only hope that I am as great of mother you have been to me to my children. I pray that I can show them to live the life God has laid before them. I hope that in the years to come I can be there for them the way you have always been there for me. Thank you , Mom, for being the best Mom I could have ever prayed for. Know that I appreciate all that you have done and sacrificed to make my life the best anyone could have made it. I will carry all the lessons you have taught me through out my life always! You are a great mother and I love you so much.

Here are some pictures from our Mother's Day Brunch. It was so fun to be with my family. We ate tons of food and of course we made great memories.

Tea Time Anyone....

Mother's Day wouldn't be Mother's day with out a Tea. My church had decided they were going to put on a small Mother's Day Tea for all their Moms. We had to wear hats and dress up. It was so much fun taking my little girl to her first official tea and having my mom there made it even more special. They had tea, cookies, sandwich's, and of course they had some games for the kids and bingo for the big kids! We didn't win any prizes but we had the best time! Oh did I mention baby Willie had to join us to. Daddy missed his bus that day and was running late. So I decided that Willie would experience a all girl's tea too. I didn't hear him complain one time about being in a room full of beautiful women. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Va Gold Cup...here we come!


Thanks to a great brother in law, my husband, Jackie Rose and I got to see the VA Gold Cup in The Plains VA! It was so much fun. Bryan had a VIP parking pass and tickets for us to eat and drink and hang out under a tent. Thank goodness for that tent because it was raining all day long! We all dressed up to the nines! Jackie Rose had a cute hat on. I didn't because I refused to pay 50 bucks just for one day. I will look all year for a hat for next year though! We had a blast. Jackie Rose just loved watching those horses running their hearts out! She was freaked out when one of the jockeys brought there horse close enough to pet. Man those suckers are big and magnificent. My niece Emma Jean also joined us. She is only 9 months but boy she was a happy camper too! It was a great day, even though it was rainy and cold!





Yes,,,, I know I am cute!

The prettiest girl around!

What a sweet moment for Daddy.

Say cheese..... arent they so cute!

My gorgeous family.

The Jockeys about to warm up.

And off they go.....

Just the gals!

Can't forget the brothers...

My Birthday ...what a day!


Another year had come and gone way to fast! I turned 31 this past Monday. I was so lucky to be able to spend it with my family! Will, Jackie Rose, baby Willie and I went to lunch and off to shop. I finally got the Bare Minerals Make up I had been wanting! Thank you Tyson Corner for finally putting the store in your mall! We also shopped a bit for Jackie Rose which was fun! Then we headed off to get me my Banana Cheesecake from Cheese Cake Factory. YUMMY!! Will later surprised me with a family dinner at Caraba's. I love there sauce , its oh so good! It was a great day and was nice to be in Virginia for a birthday. I am looking forward to a great year. I have to wonderful kids and a great husband. What more could I want!



Man, I said Cheese already...

Little Miss Emma Jean and her mommy and daddy...

What a cute family shot...

That's right, we are a good looking family!

I can eat this cheese cake everyday!

Me and my handsome young man!

Can't you just eat him up!

Jackie's Big Day!

Jackie Rose is three and half and has never had a hair cut! We always had an excuse that her Daddy was at war and that we would trim it when he got home. Well two deployments later and she still hadn't gotten her hair cut. Will just wasn't ready.

Since moving back to Virginia Jackie has been exposed to hair cuts because of her cousin Junior. He is always getting his hair cute and Jackie seemed ready and willing to finally trim her hair. One again there were excuses, Daddy was off to California, Japan, and North Carolina. We needed to video it , so we had to get a video camera. Long story short. It was my birthday and we were spending it together as a family. I said lets get Jackie's haircut. Its time. Will of course had to point out we didn't have the video camera. Oh well we had a camera and that was good enough for me. So I hope you enjoy the pictures of my daughter getting her first haircut. I cant believe how big my baby really is. She is such a joy in our lives. I thank God everyday for giving her to us.




What's this place?

Ok, I am not liking this at all!

Don't let go of me Mommy!

That wasn't to bad......right?

No turning back now!

I can get used to this!

Uh, Mom I cant see...

That's right, I am gorgeous!