Dear Mr. President

For as long as I can remember- inaugurating a new president was a BIG DEAL.
I mean, think about it- a man whom the majority has elected will run our country. One man... it seems kinda weird to think about it that simply. One man.... For me, making a decision about what to cook for dinner or what movie to rent at Blockbuster can be a decision in itself at times... what pressure a man must go through to be the president of OUR United States of America.

I listen to talk radio and consider myself quite a fan.
I listen to the conservatives (and they call themselves that) talk about how this is wrong and how that should be done.... in the end we all belong to the same country right?!
I will not argue about religion or politics. I think a person has their own right to what they believe in and why. I will say that I believe that a country must unite at some point if they want to succeed. Even if that means agreeing to disagree.

So when tomorrow rolls around and President elect Obama takes the oath of office I will be there to not only support him as MY president- I will look back with respect at our country- we have come SO very far in not looking at the COLOR of a persons skin.... but what is INSIDE that skin they wear..... that is what matters.....

We face some rocky roads ahead... but together we can move forward .. we owe it to our children don't you think?

BRRRR..... IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

I grew up in the north. Well I guess it's really called the "Mid-West" but being from Illinois, I was used to the cold temperatures that came with winter time.

I am from a small town with a population of 1,000 people. We lived in town but many lived in the "country". When the snow storms came schools did not close by county, they closed by each school individually. I mean seriously, why should one school close just because a school 25 miles away has to be closed?

I do remember at times the snow would blow and the decision was made that schools would be open to whomever could "make it in". Being a town kid I always made it in (bummer huh?)but the country kids had to rely on neighbors with snow mobiles or their daddys big trucks to get them out of their long and winding driveways just to get to school.

Getting out of school in Illinois meant you had some serious weather going on... One time my brother got out of his car and walked to close to a ditch without knowing where it was and BOOM he fell up to his chest in a snow drift. I still laugh about that!

The boys were out of school on Friday due to "extreme temperatures". I'm all for a snow day but wow, it's just amazing how things change ya know?

I'm ready for just "One Big Snow" this year....

after all, down here it'll be gone within the next day.....

Where were YOU 13 years ago?


I remember like it was yesterday........ I can't believe that it's been 13 years since I looked at my sweet precious Bobby Perry for the very first time.
I can still recall Bubba and I being so excited and relieved that it was finally over and there we were in the hospital room and Bubba was telling me how well I had done throughout the whole ordeal when my good pal Dr. Murphy interrupted and said " Don't you want to know if it's a boy or girl?" I still laugh about that to this very day.
So, here I am about to become a mother of a "teenager".... yikes! The very thought of that really makes feel odd. It's not that I feel old, it's the simple thought that I could actually have a child that will officially be a TEENAGER-
I have seen many "firsts" in Bobby's life so far like- glasses, braces and of course becoming a "soccer mom" ( I NEVER would have seen THAT coming) and I expect to experience many more.
Today, we received his official packet for his acceptance into "The People to People World Leadership Forum" in Washington, D.C.. He was nominated by his teacher at school and got picked to attend. There are 259 kids in the program and they are from all over the world.
He will be gone for a whole week in April.
I am so very proud that Bobby was chosen to be a part of this once in a lifetime event. I know he will represent our family and his state very well.
The very thought of him boarding a plane all by himself and flying across the country is more than words could ever say....
What a great and exciting opportunity this is for him.
I can only imagine what GOD has in store for Bobby and what he will choose to do with his life.
I only know that what ever it is I will always be there standing on the sidelines... ready to cheer him on...

Happy Birthday Bobby Perry.......

Love,
Mom

Going to the Opryland Hotel has become somewhat of a tradition at the Perry House.

It is probably my favorite place to visit during the holidays. We usually spend 3-4 hours looking at all of the lights and decorations throughout the hotel.

This place has a special place in my heart because Bubba and I were married 17 years ago in the conservatory. It still makes me giggle to this day when I remember walking down the aisle and seeing people peering at us through all of the plants and trees. It kinda reminded me of "Wizard Of Oz" where all of the munchkins lived... hee hee

The holidays are pretty much over and today we finished getting everything packed up and stored for next year. The house just seems kinda "naked" without all the lights,trees and decorations everywhere. Cody and I agree that we should move to "Christmas Town" and that way it could be Christmas all year long! Now, THAT's a thought huh?!

Tomorrow I return to work and I think it'll kick in that it's the start of a new year. The boys return to school on Tuesday and we will start to get back into the rock-n-roll routine that The Perry's have come to know and love.....

Bobby is playing in a Futsal league and that will end about the time that spring soccer will start.

Cody has his guitar lessons each week and his acting group is having a winter session that he will probably take part in so that will keep us busy for 12 weeks, and we also have cubscouts going on with a big campout the end of January in Gatlinburg. The boys get to "Sleep with the Sharks" at the Aquarium... I'll for sure post pics of that!

I guess with a new year comes the eagerness to pursue something new and adventurous. I figured that this would be a way I could post pictures and news of all of the things that happen to us as we follow GOD's journey and what HE has planned for us as we live "Life As A Perry".

As with any family, we have our good days and bad and even some stressful times as well. Life can be hectic at times as we juggle work, school, homework (yuk) and all those extra activities we encourage our kids to participate in... Sometimes I wonder how we ever get it all done in a 24 hour period.

Having said that, I have always been an optimist and can honestly say I always can find a positive in pretty much any situation I've been in...

I am going to make every effort to update on a consistent basis and post alot of pics as well. I have the "World's Greatest Camera" and use it quite alot.

In fact, my Kodak file informed me last night I had taken over 5900 pics in 2008........... wow!

I have a feeling I'll be typing quite alot these next few months.............