Midnight Shopping and Chick-fil-A

I am always amazed with what can be found during Black Friday.

 

And I love a little Chick-fil-A with my Burdine family in NC!

 

Thanksgiving Greetings

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Again, I am not a huge fan of NASCAR but am now fascinated by its history. I had no idea it was our Moonshiners that were the true origins of the sport. Now I understand the amount of alcohol that NASCAR events can consume. My Uncle John and Aunt Tammi took me to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and I walked around in awe of the history before my eyes. There were some absolutely beautiful recreations of some of the original famous cars within the sport.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

My cousin Alex works at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and gave me a behind the scenes tour of his "office". I am not a huge NASCAR fan, but I have to admit that this was pretty cool!

I am still in awe of the fact that my baby cousins are growing up and have real jobs.

Letters from Kristi's Class

During my Iraq deployment, Kristi had the students in her first grade class write me letters for Veteran's Day. And I will admit that these are some of the cutest things I get to read. I truly look forward to reading what the kids wrote.

And as a bonus, when I get to visit SoCal I always try to go and see her students. It is so much fun to see their adorable faces with their gigantic smiles.

Here is a glimpse of some of the letters I received this year.

Kristi's Birthday Surprise

After a month of speaking in hushed tones amongst friends, it all worked out beautifully tonight as we were able to surprise Kristi for her birthday dinner. She knew of 4 people that would be at her dinner yet the table was set for five...

Kristi had no idea I would be in town for her birthday weekend. It was an awesome surprise!

A night early as she and the rest of the gang have to work on Friday (the actual day) but a wonderful evening of friends, homemade food (thanks Amy), and good conversation.

"Fishing" at the Farm

No luck today, but I will be trying again.

My Brother's Wedding

Chilling with my cousin Alyson after

my cousin Brittany styled our hair.

Maintaining a level of seriousness prior to the event.

The send-off kiss from the sisters. 

My sister Jennifer, Erik the Groom,

Megan the Bride/my new sister, and me

With my rockstar neighbor Ann

 A glimpse of our redecorating of Megan and Erik's home.

Pre-Wedding Family Shenanigans

Me and my sibs the day before Erik and Megan's big day.

My cousin Makenzie representing with the 'stache.  

Cousin Alyson rocking the 'stache

The must-have Bohnanza



Family rockin' out with the Phase 10

Cousins Alyson, Makayla, and Brittany playing Cups.

I love Makayla's smile and how her parents 

(upper left) both lovingly watch her 

US Army Captain and Nurse Jennifer M. Moreno Memorial

 

¹ Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
    who trains my hands for war,
    my fingers for battle.
² He is my loving God and my fortress,
    my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
    who subdues peoples under me.

Psalm 144:1-2

Captain Jennifer M. Moreno was deployed with the Cultural Support Team assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, supporting a Joint Special Operations Task Force. She was described by Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Ellis, Commander of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, as "a talented member of our team who lost her life while serving her country in one of the most dangerous environments in the world. Her bravery and self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the 75th Ranger Regiment. She was making a difference in Afghanistan and that legacy will live on."

CPT Moreno was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain and awarded the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the NATO medal.

When not deployed, CPT Moreno was assigned as a Staff Nurse to 7North (Surgical Ward), Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, Washington.

CPT Moreno is survived by her mother, Maria Cordova, her sisters Jearaldy Moreno and Yaritza Moreno of San Diego, California, and her brother US Army Sergeant Ivan Moreno with his wife Vanessa and son Ivan.