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Joyful_82
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Name: Mary Jo
Gender: Female
Interests: My family-My children and their friends-I love old movies{My favorite...It's A Wonderful Life}and movies with Fred Astaire {as a child I used to send him birthday cards every year on his birthday!!!} cross-stitching --and needlework,cooking and baking,and I have recently developed a fondness for scrapbooking!
Expertise: Once upon a time----- I was a highly skilled and efficient intensive care nurse...my specialty was cardiac nursing and I loved it- and my patients ........at the present time-the Lord has called me to be a" keeper of my home"- as well as a home educator since 1985-- I love these even more!!!
Occupation: Education/training
Industry: mommy
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
Member Since:
12/29/2005
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| i AM SITTING AT THE NURSES STATION ON THE MOM BABY FLOOR READY TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE FLOOR AND I AM SO VERY SAD THAT IT IS OVER BUT GLAD TO BE RETRAINED.....MORE LATER | | |
| Christmas 2008:.......
A Magical Christmas if ever there was one.
So many fun traditions and then a brand new one added just this year, which will most assuredly turn into an annual event from now on, I pray.
I love Christmas I love everything about it. But then again, if you know me, you already knew that. :)
My favorite movie of all time is : "It's A Wonderful Life" and I watch that one more than once a year to be sure...:) But always, is the way we close out our Thanksgiving Celebration.
I LOVE , LOVE, LOVE , CHRISTMAS......
I love the decorating, the baking, the parties, the shopping, the gift wrapping, the giving of presents and the delight that giving brings to my heart.
I love that we sing of Our Savior's Birth...I love that I met my husband at Christms and gave birth to my firstborn son at Christmas.
I love my family all together around the Christmas tree, "all wrapped up in one another"...
That's the best present of all !
I love our family's tradition of having a birthday party for Jesus and we make a snowman cake for Him every year.
I love that my husband and I met at Christmas, Carolling to shut-ins, and we take our children carolling every year.
I love to put a Nativity Scene and a Christmas Tree in every room of our home, even the bathrooms.
Some are big and some are small, but all bring Christmas Cheer.
I love to go "Christmas -Light -Looking" and when the kids were small we would take them out on some great adventures...I can still hear my Chris as a baby saying quite loudly and in an elongated cheery tone.....
"S ~ A ~N ~ T ~ A !" It was super adorable !
I love our annual neighborhood "court" party, which just last year, I turned into a Progressive Dinner with Christmas Carolling. Everyone participates as we move from home to home, and everyone loves it.....:)
Well, almost everyone. Just one house didn't join in the festivities this year, out of 9 homes.
I would say that was pretty good participation, wouldn't you ?
Most of all, I love the music that is Christmastide......:)
I love "The Candlelight Christmas Eve Service" at The United States Air Force Academy.....It is SOOO beautiful and elegant. The entire chapel is full to the brim, as people travel from all over Colorado to attend this service, which is the only one by the way, open to the public when the cadets are not on The Hill.
Last year we met folks from all over....several women wore evening gowns and when I asked if they were attending a Christmas Eve Ball afterwards, the oldest of the 5 women replied, "Why, we are at The United States Air Force Academy!" "It seems appropriate to dress our very best !"
Although I whole-heartedly agreed with her and still do to this day..... I laughed silently to myself, as I ponder the cadets leading Worship in that magnificent Chapel in jeans and a tee shirt...... Relaxed and Happy to be out of their pressed and starched, flawlessly groomed uniforms.
The Chapel is always decorated beautifully....But, at Christmastime , it is magnificent!
The aisles are lined with beautiful golden candle holders on every pew. The golden holders had large Red Christmas Bows and shining softly inside each were white pillar candles. The sanctuary was aglow with candlelight, brightly decorated green trees and wreaths....and The Magnificent Organ with its 4,400 pipes made one stand in awe and listen. There is one pipe in that gigantic organ , for each cadet attending the academy.
Of course the numbers fluctuate from year to year , as some drop out, some are dis-enrolled, etc.....but, generally speaking, there is one pipe in that magnificent organ, for each cadet represented.
The service is quite long , with 2 readings from scripture and then the gospels are read. There is a good deal of special music and sharing an then "The Lesson". Also, there is always an opera singer present sharing his or her talent with operetta solos.
Truly a delight for all the senses is : The Christmas Eve Service at the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel.
There is one memory , however, from that wonderful evening, that will be etched forever in my memory bank. And...... it isn't the opera singer, or the Pastor with his wonderful Christmas Message, or the hundreds, perhaps thousands of candles aglow in the presence of the glorious mountainous back drop.
Nor was it the decorations which go up year after glorious year.
BUT, it was a simple, but profound statement whispered softly in my ear by my husband sitting beside me....As he leaned over and whispered to me..."Look to your left........it's a beautiful sight.....the children born of our love"
It was then that my heart overflowed with joy in the form of teardrops.
For, I know these days are precious.....These days are few......To have 6 of us all together in a pew.
I love opening Christmas cards and letters....and seeing the family pictures that come inside , year after year...seeing the changes in all of the children, but never in the parents.....:)
And now after this year, I have something new that I LOVE.....The All Academy Christmas Ball....
Carrie arrived the evening of Christmas Day ...to attend the Ball with Daniel nd our family.
Much excitement and anticipation was building about her arrival and then the upcoming Ball. I have, in the past referred to this event as "The Christmas Dance" but that would be an entirely inaccurate description. I guess I did not have an accurate idea of exactly what the ball entailed or what it was all about until we attended this year.
You see, The All Academy Christmas Ball is really an extravagant event to HONOR the young men and women who sacrifice their many freedoms of youth to prepare to be this nations' finest officers and leaders of this country's armed services.
The Ball has been held at "World Famous" Broadmoor Hotel for the last 26 YEARS...with one exception. The blizzards of the winter of 2006 canceled the event for the first time in history.Our first Colorado Christmas.... Although sad that we weren't able to attend, we carried on, trying to make the most of our disappointed spirits.
As we had several guests who had flown in for the event, we all dressed for dinner, the girls still did their hair in fancy updos, I put out our fine china and crystal, in the dining room, made an elegant dinner, moved some furniture, put on some dancing music and we carried on" The Ball" at our "Hilton Home"....:)
Great memories followed a bittersweet day indeed. A day I will always remember, for MANY reasons, not the least of which was watching my young 17 year old son, brave the blizzard for a 5.5 mile hike through the snow drifts to the florist to pick up his girl's flowers. An amazing man, that son of mine.
I was surprised to see him go out in the blizzard, and yet even more surprised to learn that the shop was open.
2006 canceled, 2007 unable to attend for many reasons , not the least of which were the remnant illnesses that our family faced that dreadful fall.
So, now it is 2008, a brand new year , and a brand new opportunity to make a wonderful family memory.
Plans went into effect early for the tickets, the formal wear, the flowers, and most unexpectedly, a one night 24 hour blissful stay at the World Famous Broadmoor Hotel. A place where the "Stars" and "Presidents" have stayed and do stay..... and yet, throughout the numerous rooms blocked for the academy families, we found we could stay quite reasonably compared to what a normal stay might cost.
Ladies and gentlemen, My husband and I have stayed in some pretty amazing places throughout this great big beautiful world, but this was truly a delight for all the senses. We arrived early to find that 2 of our 3 rooms were available...I reserved one for the girls', one for Danny and I, and an adjoining room for the boys'. While we were waiting for our room, we set out to explore the lobby. OHMY, we found the "Walls and Walls of Fame" with picture after picture of every famous person who had ever stayed lining the walls. The lobby was magnificently beautiful. ....and the service at every turn was phenomenal.
I was particularly tickled when I phoned the front desk and was greeted with a cheery...."How may we assist the H------ Party?" :)
I had packed a cooler with refreshments , so we decided to have a picnic in the boys room, awaiting the 3rd room availability, with some sparkling grape juice, for the minors in our party....some champagne with orange juice, {mimosas}and some pumpkin bread and banana bread...that would hold us till later on for what we knew would be a late dinner.at The Ball.
The time came to make ready and I went to the girls' room to get dressed so my husband wouldn't see me before hand. What a fun girls' afternoon.we had. Our hair had been done earlier in the day by Maria's employer , Misty, who loves to do hair. Carrie did our eyes and we did each other's makeup, helped each other with jewelry, shoes and gloves and before we knew it there was a knock on the door.
Daniel, son, had arrived with a gorgeous corsage in hand, to pick up Carrie who looked stunning in her blue gown, complementing Daniel's uniform Daniel looked so handsome in his Service Dress Blues....We took pictures, many pictures, and discovered that right outside all of our rooms , just beyond our balconies, there were huge lighted Christmas trees and ornamentations...a little bridge with lighted reindeer...firepits with wooden rocking chairs for couples in love to sit and visit...:)....or in our case, families in love....
The lake below was the lake, Olympic Gold Medalist, Peggy Fleming skated on during her stay at The Broadmoor........It was all so perfect, so romantic.......
Maria and I , once ready headed for daddy and my room and when we opened the door, he simply smiled and told us how beautiful we looked...it was a fun moment. He gave us our corsages and then we all headed down to catch the shuttle to ""The Colorado Room where "The Ball" was being held....on the Broadmoor Campus......
When we departed the shuttle, and entered the Colorado Room, OHMYGOODNESS, it was a sight to behold.!!!! The beauty of the tables, the exquisite feeling one had just walking through the door. As we entered there were 5 signs directing each of the 5 service academies as to where they should register, and to which table they and their party were assigned. Christopher and Daniel left us to sign us in and locate our table and were then informed that there was going to be a "walk-on" hahahhahahahaha....I heard several comments about this being "vacation" and all...:)
It was then that the evening took a turn for all of us...This was no longer just a Christmas Dance for entertainment, This was indeed an event to honor the young men and women, from all 5 service academies, who have sacrificed so much to prepare to be not only officers in the armed services of our great nation, but, the great leaders of tomorrow that our nation so desperately needs.
Tears flowed throughout the evening , as my sons and their "brother's" were honored. The veterans were also honored and were asked to stand at one point in the evening. I squeezed my husband's arm as he proudly stood with the rest of the veterans present and I saw the look of pride in the eyes of my sons as they watched their father being honored.......For, they, too, will proudly continue on, and carry the torch for freedom and democracy.
I watched All Stand Together.... Army, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Navy, and Air force...
Standing United in Purpose; United in love for their country....All willing to sacrifice the precious freedoms of their youth, to learn to be the great defenders of the country where we sleep ,eat and play in peace.....
I was so deeply honored by "The Proclamation" put forth from The Governor of The Great State Of Colorado, declaring December 27, 2008, a state holiday, in recognition and honor of the men and women of this nation's service academies.
On the very first page of the 2008 Colorado All Service Academy Ball Program ; 26th Anniversary Celebration, The Proclamation Reads: HONORARY PROCLAMATION
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
UNITED STATES SERVICE ACADEMY DAY
December 27, 2008
WHEREAS, the military of the United States is the best-trained, best-equipped, and best-educated military in the world; andWHEREAS, the United States Military Service Academies---the Military Academy at west point, Ne York ; the Naval Academy at annapolis, maryland ; the Coast Guard Academy at ne London, Connecticut ; the Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, New York ; and the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado----provide training and education to the future leaders of our country's armed forces ; andWHEREAS, the citizens of Colorado appreciate the dedication and tremendous sacrifices of those who serve in this nations military ; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate that a day be set aside to honor our nation's future officer's, and to reflect upon the sacrifices made on our behalf by past , present, and future classes of the United States Service Academies ; THEREFORE, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim December 27,2008
UNITED STATES SERVICE ACADEMY DAY
in the state of Colorado. GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of Colorado, this tenth day of September, 2008 signed, Bill Ritter, Jr. Governor There was a hush across the room as The Honorary Proclamation was read, and then the "March- On" began, starting with the oldest of the service academies to the newest....in reverse order of classes.
So, the freshman were called first, one by one, each one's name announced aloud as they walked across the Ballroom floor with the spotlight on them, pausing briefly at a predesignated spot for the evening's photographer to quickly take a photo......Then each class year ,Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and seniors....the seniors of each academy being called last.
Since USAFA is the newest of the service academies, my boys stood in the front of the ranks of all the young men and women being honored.......Chris being a junior, stood in the very first row of the formation standing with the seniors, tall, strong and proud.
The Few. The Brave. One and All. United in Purpose. United in Love of Country.
My heart was bursting with pride......with joy......with admiration......with awe.....at such bravery, such dedication, such personal sacrifice.
and then....
Another awe- inspiring moment happened when a n elderly retired Naval Officer was called forward to be honored for the 5 plus years he spent at The Hanoi Hilton being tortured and starved after being captured and placed in the hands of the enemy. I cried as he was introduced and I wanted so badly to shake his hand and touch him...touch his arm, his hand, thoughts overwhelmed me as I began to contemplate the painful grimaces and tortured glances that most assuredly replaced the warm and welcoming smile he portrayed at this event.... I wanted go over to him and touch his arm and thank him for his service , his suffering, his sacrifices....and later in the evening, as I danced with my husband, he twirled his lovely wife around the dance floor and I noticed his smile...that same smile that had been erased for some 5 plus years. I silently thanked the Lord for sparing his life and restoring his smile. I did not touch him, as I had hoped to, pondering the thoughts of his tortured body, I could only stare and shed tears ...Begging God for the safety of all those who just moments before, stood before us , young, brave, and eager to fight for liberty and justice........in the same way this brave Naval Aviator had so many years ago.....
There was one more note-worthy subject of interest I wish to share with you dear readers..... and if you are still with me and have read this far, you are truly patient and kind.........please drop me a comment or 2 if you actually rad this rather lengthy post........
THE MISSING MAN TABLE...in the middle of the room, given a spot of honor, with a spotlight on it the entire evening.........was a table set with lovely china and crystal...Corrie pointed out that the table had even more lovely place settings than we shared as guests at the ball.
On each plate were 5 Dress "covers" or hats representing the 5 different services..
I listened carefully as a elected cadet shared the symbolism of the items on the table.
The Holy Bible, resting in the center of the table, represents the prayers and promises of The Word in the hopes for the safe return of all those lost and missing in action.
The Plate of Salt, represents all the tears shed on behalf of those killed and missing in action.
The Plate of Lemon Wedges, represents the bitterness we all feel at the loss of ones so dear to us.
The Single Red Rose, represents the love in our hearts for all those lost and missing and that they will never be forgotten.
The Water Glass Turned Upside Down, represents that those we loved and lost, will never again have fellowship with us in this life.
I passed by the Missing Man Table frequently that night, and everyone who did throughout the night, paused and was silently contemplating he meaning of the items placed on the table. It was beautiful. It was bittersweet.
We, then had dinner which was truly delightful. Even The Breadbaskets were lovely Chris must have charmed the waitress unknowingly. because she brought him a second plate of dinner....:) which he eagerly ate in full....:)
Maria's Program had the one American Flag sticker on the back cover, thus, she won the beautiful mirrored centerpiece.
We danced until close to midnight and then they brought out the cake with the seals of the 5 academies...simply beautiful. Our party favors are elegant crystal goblets etched with the date, The Broadmoor and the 5 mottos of each academy. Treasures of which I have 6 now.....and sweet Carrie has one.
The menu was truly an epicurean delight:
Mesclun Mixed Greens
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Grapes, Pear Julienne, Sundried Cranberries Broadmoor; and Raspberry Vinaigrette
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Petite Filet of Beef and Filet of Salmon
Sauce Remoulade
Parsley Potatoes
Seasonal Vegetable Medley
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English Trifle
Strawberry Coulis
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Coffee, Assorted Teas, Iced Tea
After the ball, we took the shuttle and then set about the grounds enjoying a midnight stroll through a Christmas wonderland....
The evening was truly a fairytale come true...
To God Be The Glory For Providing This Glorious Family Christmas Memory.....
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| Our family celebrated a birthday yesterday, the 14th of December. ..and it was a delightful time of rejoicing.
I will spare you all, my loyal readers, the details of Danny's birth 21 years ago, because, as I recall, I gave some pretty graphic details last year at this time. I just wanted to take a moment to 'record" yesterday's events as yet another "letter of love" to my children.
As many of you already know, we are a "kitchen table "family of sorts. We gather round not just to eat, but to talk and play and work on laptops, etc. Well, the family started gathering at about 11:15pm on the 13th of December. I decided it would be a good idea to pour the bubbly and make ready to ring in Daniel's 21st, as it appeared that EVERYONE was going to stay up to wish him a Happy Birthday. :) Three cheers for family unity!
Quite unexpectedly, it turned into a family party, as those of us that had champagne in front of us, needed to wait to tipple...:)...However, those of us who had the sparkling grape juice had to wait as well.
I poured some M&M's into a candy dish and as the clock ticked we talked of family matters..school schedules and potential vacation plans...on or about 11:35 we thought it would be fun to start counting down 21 minutes before midnight. That was a first for us, and so fitting for such a milestone as a 21st birthday. At midnight, we toasted and sang and gave Danny the option of opening his presents. Of course, he wanted to.
I am delighted to tell you that we turned the celebration into a joint birthday of sorts, because last June, when Chris turned 19, he was on an airplane heading back home from Missouri to begin another of his military summer rotations and we were on an airplane heading to Missouri for a dear friend's wedding. So, Chris never really had a birthday celebration, on his actual day. So, he and Dan both got birthday presents. Much needed clothes and a gift card to the mall, so they can pick out exactly what they want . Maria took pictures and I , as tradition called for, put on my brightest lipstick and gave Danny 21 kisses. What a good sport he was to put up with me.....:)
Oh, how I love this young man !
Twenty-One years living, and nary a moment's worry has he given to his parents...
I Praise The Lord for the day he was born. One of the greatest gifts from God to us, in marriage.
Sunday, the 14th, was a lazy Sunday, AWANA was called off for the blizzard and ice and cold....So, we watched movies and then headed out for dinner. We went to Olive Garden and had a wonderful family dinner. Afterwards the staff sang their special song as Daniel stood , to receive his cupcake, at their request.
It was fun. There was laughter and joy, on the part of our family and the staff. They were teasing him about actually being able to stand, during a 21st birthday celebration ! hahahhahaha
The boys needed to head up to the hill shortly after our dinner as finals begin again today.
A terrific birthday for our firstborn son, our Daniel ! He was together with his comrade and best buddy, Chris, and so there was great joy in all of our hearts. Together again, "Brothers and Best Friends Forever".
Daniel, Chris, and Ben headed out the door of the restaurant , one behind the other, tallest, taller, tall......to their car. :)
Our sons. Our wonderful sons, three.
AND as for Our Precious Maria, well, she remained behind with daddy and I...:) As the plan was for her to get some practice driving in the snow and ice. She was and always is, eager to get behind the wheel.
Back at home, Danny hugged us in gratitude for a wonderful birthday and off they went, happy and together, back up to their home on the hill. .... The place where they live, eat, sleep{well, sometimes}; breathe , sweat and toil; where they are learning to defend this nation and the principles upon which it was founded :...........
The United States Air Force Academy.
D : determined ; daring ; dedicated ; distinguished
A: affectionate ; accountable ; able ; admirable
N : nice ; noble ; nostalgic ; noticeable
I : intelligent ; impassioned ; influential ; ingenious
E : earnest ; eager ; effective ; endeavoring
L : loving ; loyal ; learned ; liberty
H. honorable ; handsome ; honest ; helpful
My Darling Daniel,
As you celebrate your 21st birthday .....AND every birthday here after;
Always remember that the day you were born was one of the most joyful days of my life!
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| Yes, it is true ! After immersion in a 16 week intensive, comprehensive, Refresher Course for RN's , the 12 of us, having survived, received our certificates on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008., from Bethel School of Nursing at The University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.
My husband came with, and brought his trusty video camera to document the occasion, and as such, all the ladies got to meet the man I have cried over and laughed over, for all those many weeks together.
The week we studied heart failure was a particularly difficult one for me and these women, these amazing and caring nurses, and new, precious friends, got me through it.
The morning was unlike the other Tuesdays, as we had the Dean of Nursing join us for some feedback and needless to say we sang Linda's praises. {our instructor}
Daniel sat in the kitchen area with his laptop until it was time for "the ceremony" While he did his thing, the plan was to go over our semester exams and that is exactly what we did. Then, the certificates were handed out. It was a touching moment for all the women in the room, who, just a short time before, had little hope of "making it through' the class after so long an interruption in each of our Nursing Careers.
We made plans to go to lunch afterwards and we went to the same restaurant that the last 3 refresher classes had gone to: The Caspian Cafe...."Bringing wonderful dishes from the Mediterranean."
It was a wonderful new experience for me and the food was delicious. While at lunch we finished out our. semester's agenda by discussing resumes and interviews. It was a delightful afternoon, from start to finish.
I don't think I have ever been kissed before when entering a restaurant, but this day I received a warm hug and kisses on both cheeks. When I arrived and when I left.
There were bittersweet tears shed all the day and plans were made to come to my home for a Graduation/ Christmas party the very next week, so none needed to say goodbye.
As many of you already know, our family seizes any opportunity to have a party.
Grannies, some~~~Good-natured, lots~~~~Gregarious, most~~~~~GRADUATES : ALL
To God Be The Glory For The Things He Has Done!!!!
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| Christopher came home all excited yesterday about his participation in a wonderful event which took place at the academy this past week.
Evidentally, the "Make a Wish Foundation" contacted USAFA, as they have done several times in the past....As there was a 7 year old terminally ill little boy, whose dying wish was to be a cadet for a day, at the United States Air Force Academy.
Chris said the little man was so thrilled to be there. He was given opportunity to be immersed in cadet life to the point of being in the "Command Tower" and seating the entire wing of cadets.
Although there was a blizzard on the hill that day and the noon meal formation was cancelled; many of the cadets opted to perform the formation anyway, to allow the little boy to participate.
It truly touched the heart of my son, that of all the things this child could wish for that would have been granted him; a day at the academy was his ultimate dream come true.
He was taken up in a Cessena in the afternoon, after the skies had cleared and completely enjoyed his airplane ride.Afterwards Chris's squadron brought the little boy and his family to Chuckee Cheese's where he enjoyed unlimited gaming with the cadets.
Chris expressed his great disappointment and extreme anger at the cadets that were less than overjoyed at participating. His roommate refused to give him the name of one of the cadets who was overheard saying that he would prefer to go and get tickets for the new "Bond Movie" than meet the needs of this tiny terminally ill child.
For a few moments , as Chris was speaking and as I heard the joy in his voice, I was once again reminded of his compassionate and tender heart. OH, how I love this boy o' mine ! What an incredible man he is !
Below is an email I sent out to a few friends and family about some exciting news we just received regarding Chris: :
Dear Friends and Family,
I have some exciting news to share.
The United States Air Force Academy is sending our Christopher, along with 3 other cadets from his class, the class of 2010, to Israel and Egypt . It will be about a 3 week trip. I know that he is just a little nervous about missing school.....but is so very excited about this opportunity.
The young officer candidates will be accompanied by an officer in the Air Force, who is also an instructor at the academy.
Perhaps our boy will get sunburned standing on the Mount of Olives and take a thought provoking stroll down the Via Dolorosa..I am praying he can visit the Garden of Gethsemene and The Kidron Valley.
Among others, I pray that he can spend time at the Garden Tomb; The Valley of Armeggedon; and The Wailing Wall. I am inspired to pray these things, as I recently became privileged to learn that these exact things , {as shared to me by her wonderful mother}, a young friend of ours experienced while visiting Israel recently.
She was there to dance for just over 700 Holocaust Survivors with her dance company from Ballet Magnificat.We are so very proud of her and we are so deeply and profoundly proud of our sons' selfless service at The United States Air Force Academy.
For the things He has done and continues to do,
To God Be The Glory !
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