Yesterday, two former co-workers of mine with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office were killed in the line of duty. Both were attempting to arrest a suspect who was involved in a domestic disturbance earlier in the day. The suspect shot Deputies Lopez (top photo) and York (middle photo), fled the scene and was shot and killed by Walton County Sheriff's Office after shooting at them in a pursuit. Both of these deputies served their community as well as their country in the USAF.
Within a year, 3 deputies with the OCSO have been killed. Please keep these deputies and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Deputy Forgione was killed in July, 2008 (bottom photo)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
In Loving Memory
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Jenna's First Easter
HAPPY EASTER to our FAMILY & FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We love you,
Ken, Cathy & Jenna
Friday, April 10, 2009
CV-22's From Hurlburt Transport Humanitarian Aide in Honduras
Hello All-
On Wednesday,8 April, members of the 8th SOS from Hurlburt Field flew CV-22's to Honduras in support of humanitarian assistance for Puerto Limpera, which is the northeastern state of Gracias A Dios. The CV-22's carried hospital beds, non-perishable food and school supplies. The effort was coordinated between Ken's office and Hurlburt's deployed SOS. Members of the Honduran Air Force assisted in loading the items. The beds were donated by a private company in the US and the non-perishable food was bought by the Italian Government.
The photo of Ken also includes Lt. Col Darryl Sheets / 8th SOS, Bill Brands / USAID Directot and Simon Henshaw / Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy
Also, in the montage you will see a building with the USMILGP logo on it which happened to be Col Oliver North's diggs when he was here during Iran Contra......pretty cool, huh?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Laughing with Daddy
I was in the office and heard Jenna and Ken laughing. Needless to say, I had to get video of these two. Ken is a wonderful dad to Jenna and a lot of fun too!
Back in Honduras
After a successful flight with Jenna, we were back in Ken's arms last Monday. Last week was somewhat difficult to get Jenna back in a routine, but we are making much progress this week. We had a blast being in Florida and we were thrilled to see so many members of our family and friends. Ken's parents came in the week before we left, so Jenna got to meet both sets of grandparents. Thank you to everyone for spending time with us!
Jenna saw her pediatrician and she weighs almost 14 lbs and is over 25 inches in length. For height, she is in the 75 percentile and 50 percentile in weight. She received her 4 month shots today and is doing very well. Just a little sleepy.
Everyone here is truly amazed as to how much she has grown since we left 18 Feb. During our trip, Ken and I saw so many changes in her. Now, she is grabbing her feet and toes and is becoming much more vocal.
She attended her first Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday. When I get the photos from a friend of mine, I will post them. I am sure they are adorbale. And, on Sunday we drove to the Ambassador's Residence to go swimming. This was Jenna's second time to be in a pool and she loves the water. No doubt she will be a future scuba diver.
We hope everyone is well and look forward to being back in Florida in June!!!!!!
Hugs and Kisses to Everyone!!!!!!!!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
We miss you Daddy!!!!!!
Hey Babe,
Jenna and I miss you very much and can't wait to see you in a few weeks!!!!!!!!
All our love,
Catherine & Jenna
xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxox
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Our Trip to Florida
I know it has been a few weeks since my last post, but it has been high speed since Ken, Jenna and I stepped off the plane in Fort Walton Beach. We had a great welcome from my parents, my brother-in-law, Jimmy and niece and nephew.
The last two weeks have been filled everyday and we have enjoyed every minute. Most importantly, it has been wonderful spending time with family and friends. Besides Jenna's Baptism, we attended my brother-in-law's Change of Command at Hurlburt Field, Ken was able to jump twice and hang out with his former warriors and we celebrated our wedding anniversary on 24 February.
Ken's other brother, David, flew in from Washington State so it was great bonding time among the 3 brothers. They even got a dive in. Needles to say the water was very COLD!!!
A lot of my family came into town which meant the world to Ken and I. I am so glad everyone got to meet Jenna. Jenna has reached a lot of milestones since we have arrived. First of all, she started sleeping through the night the first night we were here. How awesome, right????? She has also started babbling and has learned to suck her right thumb, which Ken and I are unsure if we should be excited about that. :) She is so inquisitive and very, very alert. Everyday has been so exciting for us as parents.
Sadly, Ken left today to go back to Honduras and we will miss him very much!!!!! Although the reunion will be great in a few weeks. I am looking forward to hanging out with my parents and seeing my friends and former co-workers at the Sheriff's Office. Ken's parents plan to visit soon so that will be great for Jenna to meet her other grandparents.
Thank you Aunt Sharon and Uncle Grady for letting us stay at the condo. It is amazing!!!
Here are photos with family and friends...............
Jennas Baptism Photos
February 22 was a very important day for us, especially for Jenna. We had her baptism at St. Peter Catholic Church where Ken and I were married. Father Paul officiated so it was very special. Many friends and family attended and we feel truly blessed to have so many people who wanted to be a part of Jenna's day. Thank you to all who attended. After, we went to Jimmy and Debbie's (Jenna's Godparents) for a cookout. It was great catching up with everyone. Nicole, thank you so much for taking the photos and Lauren for the use of your camera!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
WELCOME HOME JIMMY!
After three months serving in Iraq, our brother Jimmy arrived home on Wednesday. Great photo of Jimmy and our niece Rachel and nephew Joey. We can't wait to be home to get those hugs too!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Two Month Check-Up
Jenna saw the Embassy doc on Monday and received her two month shots. They did not get the HIB vaccine in from the states so I hope it comes in before we leave. If not, then we plan to get it when we are home. She did real well after receiving the shots and did not have a reaction. She also saw the pediatrician, Dr. Berlioz, who administered the first of three oral doses
of Merck Rotateq, immunization for Rotavirus. We were told by the Embassy Health Unit that the vaccination given in Honduras for the Rotavirus was taken off the market in the US. Obviously this was a concern for Jenna to receive it locally but Dr. Berlioz assured us what she was given is administered in the states. When I contacted the health unit about Rotateq, they were ecstatic that he had the FDA approved vaccination and found a supplier so now they can provide it at the Embassy. So no worries after all!!!!!!!
Jenna is 11 lbs 3 ozs and is 23 1/4 inches long She is changing so much lately. She has the biggest blue eyes and very long eye lashes...........which she gets from her Daddy. She is able to grab some objects and hold on to them. Also, her neck muscles are getting real strong and she can hold her head up pretty good. She loves her cradle swing and looking up at the animals. I read to her every day and she seems to focus in on the pictures.
I was playing peek a boo with her this morning and initially she was looking at me like I was nuts and then started to smile so I think she gets it.........just have to work on it some more.
Ken will arrive home tonight after traveling with the Ambassador. Last night was our first night alone but a friend of mine came over to spend the night so I guess you could say we had a slumber party. Virginia's husband was also traveling with Ken and the Ambassador. He works in the Regional Security Office and is also a Marine.
Ken and I are hosting the attache from Taiwan and his wife for dinner tomorrow evening. They are very sweet people and we look forward to getting to know them better.
Less then two weeks and we will be home!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Jenna 2 Months
Aaaaahhhhh! Sleep is a wonderful thing. Jenna gave us a wonderful gift last night and slept 7 hours straight.....that probably won't happen again until she is a teenager and then we will have to drag her out of bed.
Yesterday was pretty rough. Constant crying thoughout the afternoon but when daddy came home she was all smiles :) Today has been great. Lot's of smiles and she is currently sleeping which gives me time to do this and catch up on my sleep.
Last Friday, Jenna developed a blocked tear duct in her left eye and we applied ointment 3 hours a day for 4 days. Although it was hard to get it in her eye, it sure beat the alternative which was eye drops every 3 hours with a tendancy to sting. I think we made the right choice and her eye looks normal.
Jenna sure is learning a lot about herself. She has found her fingers!!!! We see them in her mouth a ton lately. She is also kicking quite a bit and when we hold her, she is pushing off with her feet.
On occasion she will have her crying fits and is real fussy. Based on what I have read I do think she has colic, but what confuses me is she goes through this at different times of the day. Whatever it is, hopefully this is just a stage that will end soon :)
On Monday we head to the embassy for her two month check-up and shots. More info to come.............
Ken is staying very busy. Today, the admiral from SouthCom flew in and Ken's office has been slammed the last four weeks in preperation for his arrival. Next week Ken will travel with the Ambassador. Despite his very busy schedule and long hours at the office, Ken has been a great support system for me and a loving and doting father to Jenna. In fact, I had 10 ladies over for wine and desert last night and Ken took care of Jenna. I felt bad since he had an early morning. It is just one example of many where Ken gives me time to myself and the opportunity to hang out with the girls.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
* Jenna for President *
In honor of Inauguration Day, I thought it would be appropriate to put Jenna in this outfit. My best friend, Lauren, saw it and sent it to us. We had a conversation at her house about my pregnancy and giving birth to Jenna in Honduras and joked if she could run for President. So when Lauren saw the outfit she had to buy it.
Ken and I pray for the new administration and we hope President Obama leads this country in the right direction. Today is a historic moment and Ken and I will look forward to telling Jenna all about it. Most importantly we will enjoy educating Jenna about our government and instilling values in her to always have an appreciation of our great country and especially our military.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!
Friday, January 16, 2009
My Birthday!!!!!!!
Yesterday was my birthday and Ken and Jenna made it very special!!!!!!! It actually started Wednesday evening. Ken cooked dinner and was on feeding and diaper duty all night so I could sleep. What a wonderful husband I have :)
When I woke up I got some one on one time with Jenna and then breakfast in bed. I attended an Embassy spouses coffee where they surprised me with a birthday cake and sung "Happy Birthday." Oh, on Wednesday I had a surprise party at Ken's office too :)
When I came home, Ken, Jenna and I went for a walk at this place called Villa Olympica. I usually take Jenna during the week to walk because it is the only place that is safe to go where there is some security. Then it was off to Quizno's for lunch and we came home and took a nap............I guess I am still catching up on my sleep.
Ken and Jenna took me to my favorite restaurant here in Tegus. We brought my mom and brother there for my brother's birthday. The food is fantastic and the prices are pretty good. Ken and I each had two glasses of champagne and boy was it good!!!!!!!!!! We left in time for Jenna's meltdown in the car. She did real well all day but lately when she gets over stimulated she get's a little cranky at night :)
When we got home I got to open my birthday presents. I have the most thoughtful husband in the whole world and one that listens too!!!!!!!!! Sometime ago I had mentioned I wanted a back-up hard drive for my MAC. Guess what I got???????? I have so many photos and info on my computer that I would be extremely upset if I lost it all so it is definitely worth having. I also got a turquoise leather hand bag and Lenca pottery that I wanted from Valle de Angeles, which is this great little town right outside the city. I am not sure how Ken bought them both without me noticing...........it must be all that stealthy military experience.
It was a wonderful birthday and I am glad Jenna is here so I could share it with her. Thank you Ken for being such a wonderful and caring husband!!!!!!!!!!!
As you can all see in the photos, Jenna is growing everyday. She is such a good baby and I thank God everyday for blessing us with such a healthy child. She is definitely 10 lbs now and is wearing 3 month clothes. Still a little big but she will fill them out in no time. She eats pretty good (almost 4 ozs) and sleeps 3.5 to 4 hours between feedings. For about a week and a half we thought she had infant colic. From 9 pm to 12 midnight there was absolutely nothing Ken and I could do to console her. The last week and a half has been much better. We started her on a routine. Around 7:30 pm she gets her bath and by 8 we are feeding her and then off to bed. We think it is helping a lot. As I said earlier, if she has too much stimulation during the day then around 5 or 6 pm she cries a lot.
Lately we see more smiles:) and she has pretty good eye contact. Also expressions of "I think you are goofy" when Ken and I make funny faces. She is so alert and loves looking around. She also enjoys us reading to her which is one of Ken's favorite things to do with Jenna. We try to read once or twice a day to her. Everyday we are learning something new about "parenthood" and we love every minute.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Jenna Just Over A Month
Jenna saw the pediatrician yesterday and we were blown away that she weighed 9 lbs and 9 ozs. She gained two pounds since the pediatrician last saw her. I guess we should not be to surprised based on her eating habits as of late. She is currently eating 3 ozs but sometimes wakes up within an 1 1/2 and is hungry. I am tempted to start feeding her 3.5 ozs. Her length is 21 1/4 inches and head circumference is 35 cm.
Last night she did real well sleeping. I gave her Mylicon around 7 p.m. and I think it helped a lot. We will see what happens tonight :) Ken, Jenna and I are enjoying our time with my mom. She leaves on Tuesday and we hate to see her go. She has been an absolute blessing in helping us out and a wonderful "grandma" to Jenna. Not sure who is going to go through withdraws more - Jenna or Mom.
Ken and I have decided to return home on 18 February. Our decision is based on a few things.......our priest, Father Paul, would like to perform the baptism before Lent begins so the date of the baptism is 22 Feb and will take place at the same church where we were married. Ken's brother, Jimmy, his change of command is tentative for 20 Feb and our anniversary is 24 February. Ken is planning on staying for a few weeks and I plan to stay for about a month and then go back to Honduras. We are super excited to come home and see our family and friends. More info will be forthcoming as time gets close.
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