Small Town USA

Living in such a small community has been quite the adjustment for me the past three years. Every one always talks about the "charm" that the small town and community brings, I on the other hand have had a hard time appreciating said charm due the fact that if i forget something at the grocery store it is a 20 minute trip to the local stop and shop. In fact it is 20-30 minutes to get to anything around here! Local cuisine often proves to be a challenge as well. You can't just pick up the phone and call for pizza or Chinese food to be delivered on the spot. And if you do decided to go out for dinner you are limited to 2 choices (both of which are Italian) unless you want to drive a half hour. Why am I telling you all of this .....well today I had a slight change of heart. While the things I have shared bug me to death at times, today I was able to experience the "charm" of the small town that I live in. Today is Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have served our country and served in the military. This day is a day that our tiny little town makes sure to celebrate with style and in doing so changed how I feel about living in such a small place.

The day started off with the local town of East Haddam parade. Basically, you either marched in the parade or watched it, but either way everyone in the town was there! Anyone who has any affiliation to anything marches and if you have uniform of some sort you are a main feature! Everyone marched, girl scouts, boy scouts, firemen, high school band, middle school band, anyone in Little League, Lions Club and the American Legion (which is where we ended the parade). These are just a few of the groups that marched in the parade today. Joe also marched in the parade as a member of the East Haddam Republican Town Committee. It was really fun to watch him walk and represent the community.

As, I sat on the hill and watched all the families with their kids line up to watch everyone roll by on the parade route I couldn't help but get a little emotional. How wonderful it was to see all of these families spending time together and teaching there children about why we remember those who have served our country. Just to see the community in action was so special. It felt almost like I had been transported back in time to the way things used to be many years ago. I found myself thinking these are the experiences I want my kid to have one day. Don't get me wrong, I have no intentions of living in CT for the rest of my life, however when we do move south I think that I want to find somewhere that isn't so big. Maybe a little town (not to far removed with more than 3 restaurants) that has that community feel that we have here. It was such a nice day. They American legion even fed everyone a hot dog lunch after all of the festivities, complete with ice cream and beer! Only in a small community can you do that! It was such a treat!

After the parade we watched a special ceremony with the raising of the flag, vets who shared their stories, lowering of the flag, taps and a 21 gun salute. It was very special to see everyone gathered to remember those we have lost fighting for our freedom. That is what today is all about remembing those we have lost and who gave there lives for ours so that we might enjoy this wonderful country. I am so grateful for those men and women and for those who are currently serving. Thank you to all those who serve this amazing country, The United States of America.

Only in this country can you find the community and patriotism that I saw today. So here's to small town American living and the special and wonderful people who live there. Thank you for letting me see what you are all about and letting me be apart of your community. And thank you again to all those who served and who have given your life so that myself and others may enjoy to benefits of living in such a special place.

Local fife and drum! They have been around since 1860 and they are pretty good!

Joe walking in the parade! See him waving!!

I married a SMART Man!

I have been thinking and thinking how to possibly put into words how proud I am of my husband, and even as I sit at the computer and type I am without words. Nothing I can say can do justice to the pride and joy I feel inside my heart for my Joseph. While I am very proud of Joe for the many things that he does for myself and for others daily, last week he accomplished something amazing! On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, several years of hard work resulted in such a sweet accomplishment for Joe because he became a college graduate! (The first on the Corbett's side of the family!) How Cool!!!??!!!

Joe has been working on earning his bachelor's degree since the very beginning of our relationship. It has been a long road for him, one that has been both challenging and rewarding. Joe has been a full time working adult the entire time that he has been in school. Not only was he working full time, but he also found time to get married to yours truly and trust me I'm a handful! Joe has been a wonderful husband to me, a great son and grandson to his family, representative of his community and a great friend to so many others all while working and going to school.

Now, here is the best part Joe didn't just graduate college..... he did it with honors. I knew that Joe had a good GPA, but I had no idea just how good! He received almost all A's and only 2 B's the entire time he was in college. (One of which a professor gave him because he missed a week of class when we got married. The professor dropped the grade just because of absence not lack of work- what a punk!) When they called Joe's name as he was walking they also said that he was Magna Cum Laude which means he had a 3.85 GPA! He has also been invited to join the national honors fraternity which is such a big deal! When I heard the news I was elated inside and out. I just want to stand on the roof and tell everyone that my husband is sooooo SMART!!!

Sorry if all of this bragging is too much but, I am just so thrilled for Joe. He has worked so hard and sacrificed so much for this. God has been faithful to both Joe and I to bring us through this season of life and we are so glad that it has come to an end. It has been a weight lifted for both of us as he has finished school. For the first time in our entire relationship we get to have dinner together on a somewhat regular basis, and the stress that often comes with projects and papers and group meetings has been lifted. I am so thrilled to see what is next for Joe. (I'm just hoping it isn't a master's anytime soon- wink wink) With his hard work, determination and big brain I know that there is no limit to what he can achieve.

What a magnificent accomplishment Joe! I am inspired by you and all that you do. I am so blessed to be able to stand next to you for the rest of my life and witness all of the wonderful things that I know you will accomplish! I love you! Congratulations!

Joe with his mom!

Joe with Skip and Louann!

Joe with Ian, Barbara and Paul!

This is the video of Joe walking and getting his degree! Enjoy!

My Baby Brother is a Graduate!

When I was a little girl I remember praying and praying that my mom would give my sister and I a baby brother. We literally said it every night as part of our bed time prayers! I remember being so thrilled when mom and dad told us that mom was going to have a baby and my dad even made a deal with me that if it was a boy I could get my ears pierced. Well on October 24, 1988 I got my ears pierced on the way to the hospital to meet my baby brother William Christopher Hawks ....who goes by Billy. It was such an amazing day not just because I got my ears pierced but because God had answered my prayers and given me a baby brother who I love more than anything!

This past weekend Joe and I traveled to Wilmington, NC to celebrate something amazing...my baby brother/grown man graduating college! It was so wonderful to see lots of family and enjoy to beautiful beach, but the highlight of the weekend was watching Bill walk across the stage at 2:00 on Friday afternoon. Not only did he graduate in three years but did it with a great GPA and also earned a distinguished service award that only a handful of students received from UNCW. My brother has grown so much over the past three years. He often worked 2,3 and even 4 jobs in addition to an internship, and full time school. He has done so much work for UNCW as an orientation leader that they placed him charge of the entire thing. He is well respected by his peers as well as the academic professors and school leaders. He has become very involved with his local church in Wilmington and is growing leaps and bounds in his walk with the Lord.

I am so proud of my little brother. He has become such a good friend to me over the years and I am so thankful that the Lord answered my prayers 22 years ago. I am so thrilled to see what the Lord has in store for this next part of his life. Congratulations Bill, I love you so much and I am so thankful to have you in my life......you are the best little brother that a girl could have ever asked for....and trust me I asked for you.....a lot!! Job well done!

Bill with Mom after ceremony!

Meredith, Joe and I with the New Grad!

This is bill walking across and getting his diploma! Hard to hear since we are all screaming! He has on the teal shirt as he walks down the isle! Sorry I took the video sideways! oops!

Happy Mothers Day!

Just wanted to take advantage of Mothers Day to say thanks to our moms whom we are so blessed to have. Joe and I are both privleged to have mothers who love us very much! We are so thankful for both Peggy and Judy who have loved and nurtured us since the day we were born. Thank you for all you do for us and for your constant support in our lives. We would be lost without you!
We would also like to wish my sister Ashley a Happy 1st Mothers Day since she became a mother in December to our first nephew Fletcher. There are many other women in our lives who care for us and we love each and everyone of you! (Grandma Joy, Aunt Robyn, Aunt Sue, Aunt Sharon, Kathy and LouAnn) Happy Mothers Day to each of you and all the other moms out there! PS- We do plan on taking more picuturs soon! I know the wedding ones are getting old, we need to get busy with the camera! HAHA! Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my dad's birthday! He is such a wonderful man and I love him so much! I am so grateful for a father who loves me so well and has helped me to become the woman I am today. I am so blessed to have a father who loves the Lord, works hard and knows how to enjoy life. He is always an encouragement to me and I cherish any and every time that I am near him! Happy birthday dad, I can't wait to give you a big hug and kiss and spend some quality time with you! You are so special to me and I hope your day is wonderful!

Road Trip......

Since moving to CT 3 years ago, I have had the pleasure of truly learning and perfecting the art of the Road Trip. Living 14 hours away from family is kind of a pain when you really want to see them so... sometimes you just have to hop in the car and drive! Trust me I prefer to fly, but Joe hates, hates, hates it and to be honest its just so expensive for both of us to fly back whenever we want. So we have had the joy of mastering the adventure of the road trip! Why share this with you? Well Joe and I are heading out on another road trip soon we are heading to NC! I am packing my bags, which always includes the bag of fun to keep Joe and I entertained for 14 hours on the road! We love to play the licence plate game (one I often played as a child with my family), rock out to some Hootie and the Blowfish (yes we love us some Hootie- don't knock it!) we love to talk and laugh, listen to books on tape and of course we pack lots of yummy snacks to get us down the road! Life has been kind of crazy for Joe and I the past few months, so we are grateful to the Lord for to some quality time together as we hit the road! We always cherish our time together in the car, at least for 13 and 1/2 of the 14 hours. That last 1/2 hour we are always ready to get out of the car and be there! We love that we have the opportunity for some terrific time to re-connect. I look forward to posting lots of pics from our trip so stay tuned for the adventures of Joe and Ave on the road!