Monday, November 5, 2007

Matthew's first car





Matt has been saving his money waiting for that perfect car and his patience has paid off in a big way! This is a long story but one that must be told! Matt has been driving Brad's truck and it was eating him up in gas, even though his work is not very far it still set him back a lot in gas. So, we figured out he had about $950 to spend. Well, we looked around and really couldn't find anything that looked reliable for that price. He had wanted a Jeep and used Jeeps are just too expensive. When Ryan got his Samurai, Matt loved it and started talking about getting one. One of Ryan's friends had one that he would sell for $1500, so we thought that we would loan him the money he didn't have. Well, a couple of weeks ago, this fella comes into Ryan's Texaco and asks whose Samurai is in the parking lot. One of the techs tells him that it is Ryan's. Well, this guy has been coming to the Texaco for quite a while and knew Ryan. So, he told him that he has one the same year as Ryan's and he bought it new and that he has decided to sell it but not to just anyone and did Ryan know of someone who might want it that he knew would take good care of it. Ryan told him that his brother is looking for one. So, Michael (the guy selling the car) tells Ryan that the blue book is $1400 but he would sell it to the right person for $950. WOW! Okay, so we set up a time to go look at the car. The first two times we set up he couldn't make it so Brad had to go out to sea so it was up to the boys and me to make this decision. Matt had class the night we went to look at it so Josh went with us. Josh also owns a Samurai. We get there and this little truck is in immaculate condition. The top needs to be replaced but there is no rust on the body and the tires only have about 5000 miles on them. It is a true gem. So, as we talk to him it is obvious he is a Christian man and he tells us that he talked to his dad and brother and a friend and they all told him he was crazy for selling it at that price - I have to admit at this point I thought he was going to say he had decided to raise the price - but no, he says to us "but the Lord laid on my heart to sell it for $950 and that is how much I am selling it for". I about cried, can you believe that? I told Matt this car was a gift from God before we even looked at it, and he agreed and then after we brought it home I told him the story and I think he was quite amazed. We all were! So, that is the story of Matt's first car - it is a testament to the fact that God cares about even the small things in our lives. Although Matt's car is not a small thing in his life, it seems that with all the other needs in the world it would seem to be a small thing to God, but it shows that if it is big to us, it is big to God! WOW!!

Monday, October 22, 2007

Onboard the GW








Brad had to go in yesterday and get some helicopters on board for their deployment and asked Savanna and me if we wanted to go and watch. (the boys were both working) OF COURSE we did!! Savanna had never been on a carrier before so she really loved it. It was nice to see where Brad works and where he lives when he is onboard. We saw his stateroom, which is quite small, but he has his own bathroom (rank does have its privileges!), we then went to the tower and watched him work a bit and then when it was time for the helicopters to come aboard Savanna and I went out to the "vulture's row" to watch. It was awesome! Afterwards, Brad showed Savanna the "bridge" and the galley. And then we went out to the flight deck and the helicopter crews let Savanna sit in the helicopter. She had a very good day!

New vehicle and homecoming



Wow! I can't believe I haven't updated in so long! There hasn't been a whole lot going on. I'll catch up a little bit. Ryan sold his 1995 Eclipse about a month ago and bought a 1988 Suzuki Samurai (I really don't know how that is spelled!) It is a lot different vehicle than what he was driving but he is having a great time mudding with Josh and Heather and is looking forward to doing some beach riding as well. This picture was AFTER he washed it!

Savanna went to homecoming last weekend (at Norfolk Christian Academy) with a group of friends. Unfortunately I was shooting a wedding and Brad was out to sea for the day so neither of us were able to see her all dressed up. But she took pictures and I am posting one here. She looked beautiful! From left to right is Morgan (who was her "date", he asked her to be his guest since he is a student there), Savanna, David, Natalie, and Diana. David, Natalie, Diana, and Savanna are the youth group seniors this year.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Trey's Promotion






Brad had the privilege of swearing in Trey Hayden for his Commander promotion. Trey and his family are very special to us. We met them when Brad checked in as XO at VRC 40 and we became fast friends. They have been in Fredricksburg, Virginia for the last couple of years and have just moved back to Chesapeake. Trey is the PXO (prospective XO - he joins the squadron in December or January) of VRC 40. Trey and Brandie asked Brad if he would swear him in and since they were coming over for dinner so we decided to have the ceremony that evening. Their kids, Chad and Brittany are really great, the dogs really loved having them here - lots of belly rubs and playing!

Monday, September 10, 2007

Josh and Heather tie the knot






Our family had the privilege of attending Josh and Heather McAfee's wedding this weekend. It was a beautiful wedding with a Japanese theme. There were a lot of fun elements to the wedding and we all had a great time. Ryan was a groomsman and looked quite handsome in his tuxedo.

Monday, August 27, 2007

There she goes!

There's Brad!!


He's looking for me on shore and I was taking a picture of the ship. I had to blow up the picture in order to see him.