All American Week

This past week we were very busy experiencing our first All American Week. Mike unit is part of the 82nd Airborne Division. The 82nd Airborne Division was created in 1917 and since it's members came from all 48 states it earned the nickname "All American". During our time at Ft. Bragg we've learned that people take being in the 82nd Airborne Division very seriously. All American Week was basically a week of activities designed to promote esprit de corps---picnics, soccer games, tug-of-war, volleyball games, baseball games, basketball games, wrestling, combatives, shooting demonstrations, paracuting demonstrations, etc. The week began with a division run that included over 20,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division. It was a 4 mile run and they ran at a pretty quick pace but there were so many soldiers participating that some of them haden't even started running by the time that the guys in the front finished.



Here's Mike leading his battery in the division run.



Our Battery FRG (Family Readiness Group) sold hotdogs during some of the intermural games. Peter was quite content to "supervise" and eat his way through bags full of potato chips.



The Division Review was quite impressive.









"The 82nd Airborne Division strategically deploys, conducts forcible entry parachute assault to secure key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. National Interests."
(Mission of the 82nd Airborne Division)

2011 Rainbow of Heroes Recap

The 2011 Rainbow of Heroes Walk was a huge success! We have to begin with a huge THANK YOU to those of you who were able to donate to the Duke Family Support Program on behalf of Operation Olivia. Unfortunately my trip to New Orleans coincided with the Walk of Heroes so I wasn't able to go. When I discovered the double scheduling I came very close to canceling my trip but Mike insisted that I needed a break. He assured me that he could handle it and he took both kids up to Duke for the event. This was Mike's first time going out anywhere by himself with both kids. I am so impressed! He even took the camera and was able to get some great photos of some of our Duke Family!

Olivia and Ms. Marion (our Social Worker)


Someone had a bit of a meltdown.


Someone else is laid back and ready to go with the flow!


Jayne and Olivia have always had a special relationship.


Dr. Paul and the kids. I think that it's obvious that Olivia knows that the day is pretty much about her and Peter is tired of not being the center of attention.

Dr. Paul will be moving to Pittsburgh this summer as the newly appointed Chief of the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Division at Children's Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.



Balloon Release at the end, Peter didn't want to release.


Thank you to all of our friends and family for their support and a HUGE KUDOS to Mike for taking on the Rainbow of Heroes walk solo.

Mini-Update

I know I've been a little MIA lately. My trip to New Orleans was followed up with a visit from my Mom and a quick weekend trip for Mike and I as we headed to Dallas for a friend's wedding. Mike has also been very busy at work and I've been very busy with some other volunteer obligations. In the mean time I'm so excited to be able to share a sneak peak of some photos from our family photo shoot with MckMama (remember this post: http://mikelaurieandolivialeiva.blogspot.com/2011/03/click.html I can't wait to share more but piles and piles of laundry await.

Momma Needs a Vacation/NOLA Escape/Jazzfest/Reunion

Last week I was in the grocery store. I looked down at my list and noticed this...............



Obviously I was interrupted while writing the word 'crackers'. But while I was in the grocery store all I could think was hmmmm, I don't think they sell that at this grocery store.

Fortunately respite was in sight. I left Mike and the kids and flew to New Orleans for a long weekend. The trip took quite a bit of coordination--but with the help of one of our regular respite care providers Mike and the kids managed to do just fine. I had typed up pages and pages of instructions, I took pictures of Olivia's school and the carpool lane to give to the sitter who would be picking her up. I prepped activities for the kids and meals for Mike to cook. I went a little overboard on the prep.

I was very stressed about leaving the kids but then I discovered an express spa during my layover. I thoroughly enjoyed an overpriced pedicure while waiting for my flight and started to relax.



I arrived in New Orleans in time to meet my brand new niece and Goddaughter, Miss Sophie Jaye Leiva. She's precious!





It was the perfect way to start the weekend!

I haven't seen most of my sorority sisters in years. Some of us talk fairly often via facebook but for the most part we're all busy with our own lives. One of the negative aspects about moving often and living in so many places is that I don't get a chance to develop close friendships with people. I didn't realize how much I missed that! This weekend I remembered that these girls know me, they know the intricacies of my character, they were there as I was growing up. I remember graduating from college and feeling so completely alone. I had roommates for 4 years, I loved living with a group of girls! This past weekend we slipped right into old routines and I loved it!

One of our very regular routines was stopping by the Daiquiri shop.



The daiquiri's were purely medicinal, I had to nurse my injured hand. I burnt my hand badly on the lawnmower before I left to go out of town.



We experienced fantastic food--Crawfish Monica, Stuffed Mushrooms, Trout, Shrimp Flautas, Crawfish Bread, Empanadas and equally fantastic music--Bonerama, Better than Ezra, Kermit Ruffins, Willie Nelson, Arcade Fire, Marcia Ball, Allen Toussaint, The Strokes, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band.

The weather was gorgeous but it was hot. For some reason I decided that I had to have a fedora and I sported it all weekend!









We headed out to some of our favorite old college bars and we found a few new places.



I did miss Mike and the kids very much but the sitter and Mike were great about sending me text message and photo updates. How could I worry when I know these sweet sleeping faces are so content!



On Mother's Day we headed to brunch at Court of Two Sisters.



We took our time shopping and walking our way through the French Quarter. It was such a treat to be able to take our time and really enjoy each others company.

We ate lunch at Commander's Palace, a New Orleans institution with fantastic food and even better service.



It was a wonderful weekend, one of the best weekends I've had in years!