O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree...

The fourth time was the charm.
We went to four places to finally get that most important symbol of Christmas,
the Christmas Tree. Actually it was three places, and one place we went twice.
Lowes sold out of all their trees last week. Walmarts' trees looked pathetic.
And the little lot that we went last year, the one with the North Carolina trees
was closed the night we went. I guess because it had started to sprinkle. We
hardly noticed it, so it didn't occur to us that they wouldn't be open.
Ben and I went the next day after school and picked one out.
Then we spent the rest of the evening trying to get it to stand up straight in
the stand. It took an engineer(David) to get it up right. And by then we were
all so frustrated that we didn't decorate it until the next night.
Why do we always have to be like the Grizzwald's for Christmas?

Jewelry & Gift Party-1

Today I had my first Jewelry & Gift Party.

It was from 10 a.m. to noon.

I had 10 friends show up and they bought a bunch of stuff.

It was fun and I feel encouraged that people like the kind of stuff I create.

A few asked if this was going to be an annual thing from now on.

I'll have to think about that.

The next one will be on Saturday night- Dec. 5th

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone for another year...

We had quite a group up at the Godfrey's.

The company was great! And so was the food!

My favorite though, is still the coke salad.

This year Mrs. Nancy joined us. She got to meet

the rest of the family, and blended right in.

Another new commer was Stephanie, Ross's

new girl. The family just keeps growing.

Glory Halleluia! Carpet!

Today is the big day. The day that I've been waiting for, for at least a year and a half.

The carpet guys are here putting in the carpet in the sun room.

I think I'll spend the rest of the day in there...stretched out on the floor...

okay, maybe not.

But I am really excited!

Fallen Leaves

It's fall again, and the leaves are leaving the trees. The air is crisp... okay, the air is damp

because of all the rain. It's going to rain again tomorrow. But no matter. Like I said,

the leaves are leaving the trees, the air is crisp, the pumpkins are out and Bob, the Skeleton

is out on the swing in the front yard. All is ready for Halloween.

Except I need to get candy. And I need a real pumpkin for Ben to carve. And I didn't get

any fake spider webs this year. And ...

Oh well. It's fall again...

Ross A.I.T. Graduation

This weekend was Ross's graduation from Advanced Individual Training.

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson, Chris and Bill, David, Matthew, Ben and I

all showed up to see and yell for Ross at his graduation.

I can hardly relate how we all felt at this important event in his life.

And to share it with so many dear loved ones was something I'll never

forget.

Ross told me the thing he most remembers is walking across that stage

and hearing us yell out his name.

I believe he will never forget that moment.

I think I can say that we were all filled with pride and love for him and for this

great Nation. God bless America.

One Week Left!

Well, Ross has one more week to go in his AIT program.

This last week he spent in the field, and this week will be spent

cleaning weapons and equipment and getting ready for graduation.

Graduation Day is October 5 @ 9:00a.m. in the Baker Theater.

We received a message in the mail yesterday giving a synopsis of the

graduation events:

Friday, Oct. 2 @ 11:00 a.m. the Commander is having a family brief.

The brief is basically an orientation to the events surrounding graduation.

That evening, the Soldiers will be released to spend time with their families.

David, Ben and I are planning on arriving around dinner-time on Saturday, Oct. 3.

We will keep those of you attending posted on any other info.

As an extra side note--

Matthew has, as of today, signed up for the army. He takes his ASFAB Test on

Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. The test results will determine what opportunities

will be open to him in the future. And he will go through the physical testing.

I am asking everyone who feels that they can, to pray for him to be successful and

that his studying will be of benefit. We are extremely proud of Matthew and his decision

to join our Armed Forces.

Fly Away Little Birdie

This week was the end of an era for our family.
Molly has flown the coop, as it were.
I arrived home on Tuesday night after dropping her off at BYU-Idaho.
We took three days to drive the 30 hr. trip.
When we got there, we had some memorable times.
We went to the most crowded Walmart I've ever been to in my entire life.
Walked around the Rexburg Temple, which is just across the street from Molly's Apt.
Got a guided tour of the BYU-Idaho Campus one evening.
And went to a local pizza place, where I'd swear all the people from the Walmart went
for dinner.
We also had some memories at the car wash!

So now she's all set. She has been to a few classes. Has gone to her new ward.
Has gone to the State Fair. Petted a cow. Gone to an overnight Lodge/retreat.
And had the adventure of buying all her books and suppies.
It's gonna be a great semester.

I only feel sad when I pass by her room and see it empty of all her stuff
(which happens multiple times every day).
The cats have taken over her bedroom and often spend the day sleeping on
her bed or next to the big window (I think they know she's not coming back
any time soon).

Ross Update

We just got off the phone with Ross for this week.
He's been doing HAZMAT training lately.
This last week he found himself decontaminating personnel
and equipment. He also finished his training on driving
a HUMVEE. He now is the proud owner of a HUMVEE drivers license.
So things are moving along.
Matthew is making some headway on his goal to sign-up.
Molly and I head out Friday morning for Idaho.
Ben is starting his 3rd week of school.
And David is hanging in there at work. He has a trip to
Canada coming up in a couple of weeks.

B.C.T. Graduation

It's been quite a weekend for the Godfrey Family.

We just got back from Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Ross had his graduation ceremony on

Thursday, July 23rd. David, myself, Ben and Matthew drove the nine hour trip. Melissa

arrived the night before us.

It was so cool to see Ross in his uniform and witness the culmination of his achievements.

Each of us that know him so well could see and feel the dramatic changes that have taken

place in him. His countenance has definetly changed for the better. He is happy and confident, structured and disiplined. The effect has been so wonderful that he is now

influencing Matthew in a possitive way.

Our prayers are even now being answered concerning both Ross and Matthew.

And we are extremely grateful.

It has been one of the highlights of my adult life to see this day come.

Truly nothing can bring more joy to a parent than seeing a precious child become a successful,

happy adult. Words alone cannot express the depth of feeling of pride, love, and hope that

we have for Ross. Our love and hope for him has always been there, the pride part is a new

thing.

After the graduation ceremony we got to spend the rest of the day and on into the evening

with Ross. We went out for a nice dinner and just enjoyed visiting the rest of the time.

And we made sure to take a lot of pictures.

We got to talk with him tonight. He's moved into another barracks for his A.I.T. He's in a

room with two other guys. It's more relaxed and he has a little more freedom. Monday he

starts his classes in Bio-Chemical, Radioactive, Nuclear, Biological stuff... It sounds like he's

ready and rare'n to go. One other thing he did mention during our visit... he wants to go to

airborne school and jump out of airplanes...

Date with Chipper

Hello:

I had a date night with Chipper, The Happy Punching Bag.

I'm getting better at this... no, really.

You just can't tell it from this picture.

Another note about Ross:

Ross passed his PT test with flying colors.

He was very excited about that.

We were worried because of his sprained ankle.

But it is healing nicely. And graduation is

definitely as scheduled.

He'll be 4 days in the field doing urban warfare exercises.

He's been made a team leader.

Ross Again

We got to talk to Ross again today.
He's been "dog-sick" this past week. He thinks he caught something
from his "battle buddies". But he's still hanging in there and though
hoarse, sounded great. He's still on track for graduation with his group
in the end of July.
They have been doing a lot of ordinance exercises. This week will be
with live grenades. He says his all-time favorite weapon is the Automatic
Grenade Launcher. I imagine they call them AGL's. He loves the automatic
stuff...
We are continuing to pray for his safety and health especially.
Thanks for all your prayers in his behalf. He says that he can tell it helps.

Ross Up-date

We got a call from Ross this afternoon for Father's Day.
He sounded really up-beat. Things have been pretty hot
there at Ft. Leonard Wood. He's getting fitted for his dress
uniform this next week.
Last week he sprained his ankle, so he's been on crutches and
has a brace on the foot. But he managed to still get through his
training and not have to start Basic all over again.
When we talked to him, he'd been put in charge of another recruit.
He said it's been frustrating trying to keep this other guy out of trouble.
He said it's like being a parent to someone. David and I both had
a little chuckle...

Chipper...

I have a new friend at the house.

His name is Chipper.

Actually it's Chipper the Happy Speed-Bag.

I go to Chipper whenever I feel like I want to beat the crap out of something.

And he's happy to accommodate me.

Really I just wanted something to help me get some exercise and work on my

coordination. I wanted something I could do at home.

I'm starting to get the hang of it. There's a rhythm to it.

And it's actually fun to hit something.

Ben drew the face on the bag (can you tell?)

Ross Up-Date #3

We finally got to talk to Ross last night. And it was so great just to hear his voice.
Even though it was croakie sounding from the gas chamber exercise, he still sounded
very up beat. He said that the gas chamber thing was the worst thing he's ever experience
in his whole life. So I would think it had to have been pretty bad.
He's been doing the shooting classes and likes those a lot. He was one point away from being classified a sharpshooter when his gun jammed. [They randomly put rocks in the barrels of the soldiers' guns to simulate weapon failure.]
He's started getting our letters. So I was very happy to hear that. Not much free time
for him yet. So he hasn't written any letters yet. But as long as he's getting our letters,
I'm happy.
He said that this week they are almost up to full-gear and they are going out on a road
march. So I guess that means he'll take his full pack on the hike.
We couldn't talk for but a few minutes, but it was so wonderful to hear him so positive.
He said to tell everyone hello and sends his love to you all.

Ross Update...

I got an up-date from Melissa on Ross, so I thought I'd share it with

everyone. She heard from him last Sunday.

He said on Saturday they went into the gas chamber, which was

pretty rough. This week he's been doing a road march and starting

rifle and bayonet classes.

He's only seen a few of the letters that she and I have sent. So I don't

know what's up with that. But I plan on keeping it up. I think he'll

get them eventually.

She said he sounds real good. I missed his call today.

So I've been very disappointed about not being able to talk to him

personally since the first two calls. I miss him very much.

If everyone could please continue to pray for him, for his safety and

success, and continue to write to him- I'd be extremely grateful.

Thanks!

Ross Up-date

I also wanted to up date everyone on Ross.
We got a phone call from him on Sunday.
He sounded really good.
The hardest part for him has been losers
in the outfit mouthing off and getting everybody
in trouble.
This week they will be shooting their weapons and
giving each other I.V's.
I have his address if anyone wants to send him a letter.
Just don't send any food and he has all the items he needs,
except maybe stamps.

FRONT:

PVT Godfrey, Ross
D 3-10 INF BN 1st Plt.
495 Iowa Ave.
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473

BACK:

Place the Platoon number (1) on the back and
middle of the envelope with a circle around it.
Write "Rough Riders" on the top fold.

The company web address is:
http://www.wood.army.mil/3-10IN/d310.htm

Sun Room Update

I talked to Chris on the phone on Memorial Day, and she was anxious

to see how far we'd gotten on the sun room. So here are some photos

of the room. I guess the last ones I took of the room were back in Dec.

We've added molding around the windows and doorways since then.

And we got the two thresholds stained, painted and installed.

We've finally all but finished the drainage work out back between the

retaining wall and the sun room. And we have picked out two choices

of carpeting. So all that's left is putting in the carpet and purchasing

three ceiling fans and installing them. And we have to finish the mirror inset with glass shelves in the wall in between the two doorways.

The only other thing is furnishing the room- couches, big screen t.v. and pool table...

2009 Grad

Well, Last night was the big night.
We went to the Vaun Braun Center for Huntsville Highs' Graduation Ceremony.
Eric brought the ever-appropriate air horn and I brought the camera.
And the senior class brought all kinds of blow-up balls and assorted
inflatable animals.
The program was nice, except for one speaker we could have done without-
his name was Topper(go figure).
So now it's official. Molly is a Graduate.
I'd like to thank everybody who sent cards and money and who have been a
part of Molly's life.

That Crazy Cat

The other day I noticed that Rootbeer has been getting all the attention.
We have two other cats at our house. Carmel is an afraid[ie] cat, and Joie-
who happens to be neurotic.
So I thought that I'd show y'all some lame cat photos of Joie.
Some of these are poised and some are not.
Can you guess which ones?