6 days and counting...

Until this young man above leaves for Parris Island, SC.. home of the USMC Recruit Training Depot. It hit me today. As I was sitting at my desk working on a big accounting mess, my mind wondered to Kevin. He leaves in 6 days. For 13 weeks, he'll train, sweat, run, drill, and go through many emotional situations to become a United States Marine.

I thought about how much I have grown to love him. Not just as my daughters boyfriend, but as a second son. I've seen him almost every day for the past two years. He's spent holidays with our family, joined us for our family beach vacation each year and attended church with us almost every Sunday. Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better guy for my daughter to date. There's nothing I don't like about him. He's a hard worker, respectful, funny, has a wonderful personality and gets along with everyone.

Yes, I worry about Kristina and how she'll handle him being gone. It's not like he's going away to college, where she can talk to him on the phone every night. She won't hear his voice or see his face for 13 weeks. Only letters will get her through this.

I'm so sad that he's leaving, but I'm so proud of the road he's chosen to take. As a mother, no-one wants their son or daughter to enter the military in this day and age. There's no telling what is in store for Kevin after boot camp. He may go overseas to fight for our country. He may not. But wherever his path takes him, he'll give his all, and he do well at whatever he does. I have faith in him.

I'll pray for his safety and health everyday. I'll pray for God to keep him safe. I'll pray for Kristina to stay strong and help him get through this. I'll pray for Debbie and Bob and his family to have peace. This is going to be a new phase of life we'll all be going through when he leaves.

I always remember.. God never gives us more than we can handle.

Kevin if you read this... I love you and I am proud of you. You will always be my favorite Marine! We'll be there on December 1st to watch you march across the parade deck on Graduation Day.

Do you ever have one of those days..weeks, months.. years??

Life has been a rollercoaster lately. Well for the past 3 months at the least. Summer is finally over here.. that doesn't mean weather wise, it means the kids are back in school! Whew.. this is the last year for Eric. He's a senior and Kristina is a junior. If I can survive to get Eric on to graduation.. I'll know that God does answer prayers! He's been a struggle. So far so good, but this is only the 2nd week of school coming up.

I found out on Monday that I'm losing my job. My job is being moved up to the home office in Ohio, and since I'm not willing to relocate, (which honestly wasn't even offered, but the boss knew I wouldn't pack up and move) I have to find another method of income. I'll have 3 more weeks of working, then a severance package which was atleast nice.

After alot of thinking, praying and soul searching, I've decided I'm going to start my own photography business doing portraiture. Children, Family and Senior (high school) portraits.
I've got my business name picked out.. " Creative Images by Monica" and went to the CPA last week for a consult on what I need to do to get this business off the ground. I'm really excited and nervous and the same time. I've created a blog for the business until I get my website up and running. You can check out my photos and specials I'm running by visiting:
http://creativeimagesbymonica.blogspot.com/

I have my first photo session tomorrow evening with complete strangers! I'll be taking family portraits for a family of 3.. from Riverview... and am looking forward to it.

Just wanted to pop in and let you know what I've been up to. Haven't had a minute to scrapbook lately. I need to get some pages done!

Till next time... Have a great weekend!