Wordless Wednesday

I took these photos just around 30 minutes ago. This is literally from the back window in my living room. As you can see, no back yard, just brush and it goes straight up into the mountain. We've seen this critter several times this week. She must be hungry.

Our labrador, Max, would LOVE to get a piece of that pig

He HATES that there is a piece of glass between him and the pork.

Another Proud Mom Moment

It looks like I have a theme these last few days. "Proud Mom"

Last night, we attended a dinner for scholarship recipients sponsored by the Army spouse's club. My 19 year old was going to receive a scholarship.
This kid has overcome a lot. I divorced her father when she was barely in kindergarten. I was a single mom for 8 years when I met my hero. I married the Soldier and less than a year later he deployed to Iraq. The kid and I were home alone and for the first time, she was an only child. When she had just finished her freshman year of high school, we moved her to Hawaii. She had a rough transition. This kid had lived in the same small town in Texas since she was a year old. The move wasn't easy but I've watched her blossom under the care of two loving parents who were able to give her 100% of the love and attention she needed.
She graduated high school last year and started taking classes at the local community college. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA all year at this small school. She won a $2000.00 scholarship last year that covered her classes and so far this year has been awarded $250.00 plus whatever grants she will get from dad being deployed for a year. (Uncle Sam DOES help out once in a while)
Here are some photos from last night's dinner. I couldn't be more proud.

One with proud momma.

And another photo with the proud dad.

I'm going to be a mother (in-law!)

It's funny that I just wrote about my oldest child graduating college a few days ago. Last night he called to me he had finally asked his girlfriend to marry him. He's had a ring for her for several months now and finally thought the time was right.
I must admit that he has dated girls that I thought were sweet girls, but not who I would choose for him to marry. However, when I met this young woman last summer I loved her. I could not have hand picked a better girl to be my son's wife. As a matter of fact, I told him she may be too good for him! She's a true sweetheart, has great personality, is lots of fun, and is just beautiful inside and out. I'm so excited for both of them.
I will say that it's been a little difficult to realize that I'm not the most important woman in his life anymore. That didn't just happen last night when he proposed, it's been slowly happening the last few years.
I hope I can be a wonderful mother-in-law. I really think I can do this without interfering and being in their business.
When my kids were in high school, they called me "snoop dog" because I was always snooping and prying into their lives. I figured it was my right and my responsibility to know what was going on. I would not be one of those mothers whose child came to them pregnant or addicted to drugs and be blindsided by it.
My lovely son told me last night that I would probably still be snoop dog and I assured him I have no reason to now.
My husband tells everyone that I will be Marie Barrone from "Everybody Loves Raymond"   God help me, I hope I'm a little better than that!
Here are a few photos of the cute couple take last summer when they were visiting me in Hawaii and then one with me.