One of the best "military" stories that I have ever heard came from one of my dear friends Patti Clement.  Her daughter Katie was dating a soldier several years ago who was coming home from Iraq and stopping here in Knoxville, TN to see her first.  They went to the airport to pick him up and as they were riding the elevator to the parking garage they were greeted by an elderly couple.  The man immediately saluted Katie's boyfriend who was in his army dress.  He shook his hand and told  him that he was a veteran and would've loved to have been over there with him. 

Freedom does not come free...And I am proud of my grandfather: Clifford Arnold Monk, Chad's dad: Robert Earl Cox, Chad's cousin: Todd Cox and our dear friends Ryan McGlothlin and Joe Davis (who is still serving), and countless and nameless others who have fought and are fighting everyday for my freedom and for the free lives of my children.  The words Thank You are never enough but please know we Thank You today and are blessed because of the path's that you have chosen to take....

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
 
A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.' 
 

My good friend and neighbor Tracy Kegley just posted this recipe on Facebook and I wanted to share with my xanga friends too!  Hope you enjoy!

Today is my Molly's 4th birthday and we cannot believe it!  She has truly blessed us everyday of her four years and we are so thankful to God for allowing us to take care of her and raise her to be a sweet young woman of Christ.  Before she was born this was and still is our prayer over her:

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, sent down from the Father of heavenly lights."

Happy 4th Birthday Sweet Molly!!

The Cox Clan have all now officially started back to school and I wanted to share the kids 1st Day of School Pictures for 2009:

We are slowly getting back into the swing of things - packing lunches and backpacks, getting up early, TRYING to go to bed early (the twins don't think that's necessary) and missing Daddy while he is gone all day to work and then to football!  Mommy is exhausted with lesson plans, projects at home to be prepared at school, sewing, hairbowing and showing!!  We will get it all figured out soon though and hopefully be back to some sort of schedule before Christmas break rolls around!  I hope everyone has fallen back into step with their Back to School schedules!!