Even More Pics

Celebrations

We've had a few events to celebrate over the last few weeks...Danny's birthday, Mom's birthday, and Reed's birthday. Reed graduated from Infantry School, and Kendall cheered in her first game as an MSU cheerleader against LA Tech. Reed has left North Carolina and is safe and sound in Missouri and will be starting his specialty training in October in the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear fields.

Dara's Wedding

The last few weeks have been pretty busy with two trips to Dallas and Dara's wedding, which was a blast. Dara was absolutely gorgeous. Kt told her she looked like Priscilla Presley on her wedding day and luckily she took that as a compliment. It was great to catch up with old friends from college and even Dara's private school friends, or as Kt and I refer to them - 90210. Happy honeymooning Dara and Doug!

Wedding Weekend Pics

Dancing

You can't see her face but yes, this is Eva dancing (on the left).

Catching Up

Reed left yesterday after being home for a week. We're not sure when we will see him again but at least he is still stateside. He'll be at infantry training for a month and from there goes to Missouri for more training. Hopefully we'll get to see him in the next few months. It was great having him home for a week and we miss him.

The Kids

A lazy Sunday afternoon.

Dara and Doug's Pary

We helped give a couples shower for Dara and Doug this weekend at Kt's house. We are so happy for them and will miss them when they move!

Miller Boys

We had the Miller's over to see Reed before he left Monday for Infantry Training at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Any doubt that these boys are related?

Mom and Dad Visit

Mom is becoming a computer wiz. Dixie's favorite resting place is my Dad's lap. Notice the blankets on the light, cream sofa...the sofa I got before we had a dog.

Welcome Back

Dixie was really glad to see Reed...

Semper Fi

Ooh Rah! Our son is a Marine. Words can't express the joy, excitement, and pride we've felt over the last few days. We just got back from Reed's Marine bootcamp graduation in South Carolina and we got to bring him home for a few days! He'll be home for a week and then he's off to North Carolina for a month for combat training. From there he goes to nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) training in Missouri. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers for him while he was gone. Your continued prayer is much appreciated! Now for graduation. We got up at 4 a.m. and drove all day Wednesday to Parris Island, South Carolina. Then on Thursday we got up at 4 a.m. and drove to the base early to see Reed's platoon leave for their morning run. When we got to the base it was completely dark and when we stepped out of the car we couldn't see much but we could hear the sounds of hundreds of Marines marching and echoing the voices of drill instructors in perfect unison. It was surreal. It gave us chills and it brought the first of many tears to our eyes. After the run we spent the day with him for family day and then Friday was his graduation ceremony. The whole experience was incredibly impressive and Reed looks and sounds terrific. We are so proud of Private First Class Miller!

Family Day and Graduation

Go Dawgs

KK cheered for the first time as an MSU cheerleader at the Bulldog Extravaganza in Jxn. She looks so cute in her uniform and did great!

The Crucible

Please keep Reed in your prayers this week as he begins "The Crucible" Thursday morning at 2 a.m. This is it...the final test...the tests of all tests at Marine bootcamp. (The following is from the Marines' website. It describes what Reed will go through Wednesday through Saturday). "The Crucible tests every recruit physically, mentally and morally and is the defining moment in recruit training. The Crucible takes place over 54-hours and includes food and sleep deprivation during 45-miles of marching. The Crucible pits teams of recruits against a barrage of day and night events requiring every recruit to work together to solve problems, overcome obstacles and help each other along the way. The obstacles range from long marches, combat assault courses, the leadership reaction course, and team-building warrior stations. At the end of the march the recruits participate in the Emblem Ceremony. This is the moment when the legacy is handed down, they earn the title “Marine,” and the newest Marines are presented with the Corps’ emblem, the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, by their drill instructors."

Friends

It was fun getting together with the girls at Dara's shower. I'm blessed with great friends and I'm so thankful for them.

Ross Bridge Resort

A few months ago my cousin and I decided we would meet for the July 4th holiday to catch up and relax. And relax we did!! We spent the weekend at Ross Bridge Resort in Birmingham with Meg and her husband Wesley (have you ever seen a more gorgeous couple...and they are fun and sweet too!). We left the boys to the gym while we hit the spa. Let me just say that the hot stone message is worth every penny! We did some shopping, got some pool time, and ate a lot of great food. M and W took us to some fab places including an awesome upscale mexican restaurant and Lakeview Oyster House...yummy! We had such a great time we decided to take a trip every year together!

Dixie Is Home

Thanks M, D, and B for taking such good care of her!

Reed's Letter

We got our weekly letter from Reed...he reports that he has become a "freak" about physical training and working out. He challenged his dad to an ab conditioning workout he calls "abdominal suicide." Glad he didn't challenge me to that test. Basic warrior training ended this week and tomorrow he will begin something called the "confidence course." He also gets to have a little fun, the Marine Corps way, through competitions between individual recruits, teams of recruits, whole platoons, and even the drill instructors. They have sprint races, pull-up and crunch competitions, tug-o-war, and something called the dizzy izzy. Will have to ask him about that one.