National D-Day Memorial

It's actually October 13 when I am finally writing this post.  I haven't updated my blog in almost 5 months!!  And I thought I had a lot going on when I dumped all my spring pictures into one long post!  This summer and fall has been even crazier.  I spent the summer (starting toward the end of April) as a single parent through the week.  Jerry started work in PA and came home on the weekends.  It was a huge challenge to keep up with Will and the house by myself all week.  I wanted to make sure Will enjoyed his summer since the school year was so miserable for him, but at the same time I had to keep the house clean and the grass mowed (which is about a 3.5 hour chore each time).  The house went on the market on May 5 and we averaged about 2 to 3 showings a week until we signed a lease/buy agreement in August.  I am now an expert in last minute house cleaning and hosting since I really did try to have coffee and/or some baked treat out for our showings.  I finally found a practical use for a Keurig!  : )

 

So, these next 40+ posts are very belated but I didn't want to miss out on capturing my memories of our one summer in Roanoke!  : )

 

 On May 31, we rode to Bedford and visited the National D-Day Memorial.  I'm not usually one to be moved by visiting a plaque or statue to commemorate an historical event.  I have to say though, this memorial was incredibly well executed.  I learned more that day than I ever learned in history class and was very moved by the depictions of the battle that day.  The symbolic layout of the whole memorial was beautiful.  We took the guided tour, which I would highly recommend since so many details could easily be overlooked and underappreciated.   

 



 

This necrology of the Allied forces on D-Day encircles the central plaza and lends some
perspective to the more than 4,400 soldiers who were killed on that one day.  The last picture
here shows a larger view of the plaza.

This monument is representative of the amphibious landing the
soldiers faced on the beaches at Normandy.

Our Spring in 51 Pictures

This has been an emotional spring in so many ways.  Some really exciting things have transpired - we are moving back to Huntingdon where Jerry will resume his previous job!  But most of the spring has been overshadowed by Napoleon's battle with congestive heart failure which led to the heart wrenching decision to end his suffering on May 5th.  I'm sure I'll be able to post more later but I'll capture the basics for now.

 

A Grandma Margie kiss!!
I know Kristen, Tyler, Emily, and Jacob can appreciate this one!

Linsday, her mom, and her aunt stopped by on their way home from
vacation in Florida!  This photo was before Will and Natalee
scared themselves on the four wheeler!

It was Brady's birthday so we had a surprise cake.  : )

I found this ball stuck away in a drawer.  Poley was excited but couldn't play for long.

 

I lost my most willing photography subject - he would always pose for a picture.

Playing in the water on an unusually warm spring day.

 



We hiked to Bottom Creek Gorge, which forms the headwaters of the Roanoke
River and is the second highest waterfall in Virginia at 200 feet.  It wasn't the most fun hike ever.
It was hot, not very scenic, Will was tired, and I cried most of the way because Poley needed
carried and I knew it would be his last hike with us.

The only part Will liked was playing in the small creek.
Note: this was NOT the creek above the 200-foot waterfall.  ; ) 

Will and Brady had fun with popping balloons in Jerry's office, which
was looking very festive upon his return!

Poley guarded a treat Lindsay gave him but he wouldn't eat anything because
of the abdominal fluid he was retaining.

After 6 weeks of waiting for our driveway repairs to be completed,
we finally got our house on the market.



Will's Mother's Day school project.  Don't I look good for my age?

Mother and Son Date Knight at Chick-fil-a.  It was a great way to spend a
Tuesday evening while Jerry was in PA!

The evening was complete with carriage rides, face painting, jousting,
and ice cream.  : )

Will decided he wanted to plant a garden this year.  He grew these
seedlings and mom marked off a section of her garden for him.

 

Anxiously awaiting daddy's arrival

A much needed break!



Last Friday we went fishing at Poor Farm with granddad, Andrea, and Richard.

I can't believe granddad can still wade the river and fish! 



Will caught two fish by himself.  Mom and Tom had taken him fishing a few
weeks ago and he wasn't ready to leave even after hours of fishing with no luck.
I was glad he caught something this time - even though I had to take them off the hook!!
Now THAT'S love!!



Richard showed him how to clean the fish.  I told him there would be a quiz
afterward to make sure he learned something since we skipped school to go fishing!



Here's my proud mother picture!  : )
Will is doing great with reading even though he hates it.