"When a Kiss Isn't Just a Kiss"

The intense passion of this picture has forever been burned in mind from the first time I laid eyes on it.

History of V-J Day in Times Square photograph by Alfred Eisenteadt taken from wikipedia.org.

V–J day in Times Square is a famous photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt that portrays an American sailor kissing a young woman in a white dress on V-J Day in Times Square on August 14, 1945. The photograph was originally published a week later in Life magazine among many photographs of celebrations around the country that were presented in a twelve-page section called Victory. A two-page spread faces three other kissing poses among celebrators in Washington, D.C., Kansas City, and Miami, Florida opposite Eisenstaedt's, which is given a full page display. Kissing was a favorite pose encouraged by media photographers of service personnel during the war, but Eisenstaedt was photographing a spontaneous event that occurred in Times Square as the announcement of the end of the war on Japan was made by President Truman at seven o'clock. Similar jubilation spread quickly—with the news.

From Eisenstaedt on Eisenstaedt:^[2]

In Times Square on V.J. Day I saw a sailor running along the street grabbing any and every girl in sight. Whether she was a grandmother, stout, thin, old, didn't make a difference. I was running ahead of him with my Leica looking back over my shoulder but none of the pictures that were possible pleased me. Then suddenly, in a flash, I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse. If she had been dressed in a dark dress I would never have taken the picture. If the sailor had worn a white uniform, the same. I took exactly four pictures. It was done within a few seconds.

Only one is right, on account of the balance. In the others the emphasis is wrong — the sailor on the left side is either too small or too tall. People tell me that when I am in heaven they will remember this picture.

Our rendition of the famous photo, taken by my mom on Saint George Street, Saint Augustine, FL.

My Birthday

I am excited to be my age, 33! I love experiencing life, maturing and learning new life lessons. I have always been fascinated by history, not wars, dates and events, but personal stories. When I see an elder walk by I long to know about the events they have experienced and what they felt in life. So as I grow older I love looking back on my own history. The wonderful, exciting adventures and people that God has given me and especially sharing it with the love of my life! My birthday this year was filled catching up with the current history of friends and family.

In the morning I was treated to breakfast by Sandi, a great friend who taught me spanish and piano when I was a child. She has continued to be an inspiration in my life! (Sorry no picture at this time)

For lunch we headed to Jerry's Drive In to share time with Charlie's side of the family. Charlie's cousin owns the local diner. Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Cousins and 2nd cousins all gathered around the table talking about hunting, fishing and life. We had a wonderful time! After we were finished eating they came out singing Happy Birthday with a delicious piece of cake.

Hope and Papa

For Dinner we had Italian with our long time friends of the family! The adults caught up on life, college and discussed Christianity, while Hope and Mitch chatted constantly about technology. Thanks for the balloon and chocolate!

I am a choco-holic! There is actually a chocoholics anonymous group! (Click here for link)

What an amazing day! One the way home I told Charlie I would like to relax with the movie, Bounty Hunter and enjoy my all time favorite Publix brand frozen yogurt. You have to know that there has never been a Publix near us our whole military experience. So when we visit my mom I love to get my fav, Chocolate Mint Cookie! I have it so seldom that I can't remember the name, but it is something that has to do with chocolate, mint and balls of cookie dough! When we walk up to the store we are greeted with this sign!

I am disappointed! Hope is so sweet comforting me that we can go to the local ice cream shop and I was touched. But before we leave, Charlie and mom walk in Publix to see if we could at least rent a movie from the Blockbuster Box. Soon after Charlie comes out and rushes me into the store, where Tony the Manager is waiting. He leads us through the commotion and obstacles to the ice cream coolers, helps me move items to find what I was craving and then gives it to me free of charge! I couldn't believe it! Thanks Charlie, Tony and Publix for giving me a memorable ending to an amazing day in my history!

Family, Friends, Cake, Ice cream and balloons=an awesome 33rd birthday

Thank you to all who had a hand in that day and also thank you to all my facebook friends for the birthday wishes!

Birthday Celebration

The next day in Florida was Charlie's birthday, July 18th! We started the day off with a birthday tradition, chocolate chip pancakes! Then we headed to his family's house for our youngest nephew's birthday party. We were thrilled to be there for Christian's party for the second year in a row. It is not often that we get a chance to celebrate with family.

3D Star Wars! So cool! I think even all the adults checked out the decorations.

Happy Birthday Christian!

Blessing in on all the fun!

Susan always gives great parties!

Making a wish! I always wonder what is going through the children's mind the moment before they blow out the candles

Wet and Wild!

The best days in the Florida heat have to have water involved!

Cheese! John, our oldest nephew, is such a ham, but somehow this is the only picture I have of him! (John we are so proud of the young man you have become with a heart for the Lord.)

Brian, a miniature Charlie!

Hope, Kat (our niece) and Kayla

Minute to Win it

We love that show and have been playing the games all summer. We decided to play some with our nephews and niece. What a blast! You can find some games using house hold items here.

Defying Gravity

Can-tagious

Back Flip (By the way: Charlie caught all 16!)

Thank you Susan, Cliff and Mom for a wonderful time!

Sunshine State at last

We made it to Florida in time to spend one day with my sisters! To enjoy the day we headed out to the intercostal waterways for some sun, sand and kayaking.

This was Christa's, my youngest sister, first time kayaking in her life. She is sharing the kayak with Robert her fiancée. Yea!!! Now I have one sister married and two engaged!

How many people can fit on a single kayak?

I guess we should stick with one!

Goofing off!

While we were playing volleyball, Robert spots some dolphins. Charlie, Hope and Christa jumped in the kayak and made it out to follow a mom and baby up the current. What an awesome experience!

More goofing off!

Blessing cooling off in the shade. We were surprised that she didn't actually like the water.

Charlie and I getting in one last cruise.

Group shot!

The best part of the day was answered prayers. It was the week of Jessica's anniversary and her husband Peter lost his wedding ring in the water. We all searched desperately for it, Jessica for over 2 hours. As we were finished packing up, the tide was low and as we took our final steps to leave, we heard "I found it!". Mom did a great job telling the story here.

Second Stop

Rachel and Ethan's Place in North Carolina

We went on walks in the neighborhood everyday, enjoying the beautiful flowers and watching local little league games.

I made sure that the girls didn't pee in this yard!

One day we went to play disc golf. A great time, but Charlie and I lost to Hope, Rachel and Ethan! :-) Rachel and Ethan play quite often and were really talented!

At half time we enjoyed the cool river and skipping rocks.

One of the great shots during the game.

After the last basket we picked wild blackberries (One of my favorite fruits!)

Hope already had a plan for dessert forming in her head.

Ethan picked a bouquet of wild flowers for Hope. She loved that he tied them together with grass.

The Hillbilly BP has the cleanest bathrooms around! Always a good thing to know when you are out and need a pit stop.

Hope's masterpiece, Lady Blackberry Fingers

Our amazing pets! Storm and Blessing in the middle, Rachel and Ethan's Deuce and Hunter on the ends. It was hard to get them all to sit up at the same time! Especially sweet Blessing who just wants to come get some attention!

Game night! Again Charlie and I lost! :-( LOL We still had a blast and started getting better when we moved away from traditional pictionary and started using the man to give clues.

Hope was amazing during the game, even getting them to guess Cleopatra!

Thank you Rachel and Ethan for a wonderful stop in our vacation!

PS. We also went white water rafting! I have pictures on my water camera, but I forgot to bring the cord to download them to my computer! I will add them later.

Born Yesterday!

We have decided to add another 4 legged member of the family. We are really excited about venturing into the dog show world with an amazing breed, the Vizsla. They are beautiful animals breed, bred for stamina and endurance to hunt. They are loving, loyal and affectionate giving them their nicknamed velcro dog, because they love to be where ever their owners are. We are looking forward to our new adventure of raising the little bundle of joy, showing her in confirmation and agility shows as she grows. Looking around the country we have picked an amazing breeder Sienna Pointe Vizslas owned by Cathy and Larry Gallagher. Cathy has recently bred Brick and Kalei and their litter was born yesterday July 18th, Charlie's birthday! Happy Birthday Babe, your new running partner!

One of these cuties will soon be playing with Blessing and Storm.

Hope likes the one with the orange color, but we won't know till later on which one we will get to take home. It all depends on personalities and confirmation. Cathy is an expert and we are looking forward to her help. Morning Glory is the name we have picked out with "Glory" as her nick name, but it could change when we meet her.

Their loving, attentive mom Kalei

Brick, handsome and strong daddy