As some of you recall, I posted on FB a little while back about Stephanie's friends, Lacey, and her fiance Brett, who were featured in People magazine about Brett's upcoming 3rd tour in Afganistan. There was a great article and a full page picture of them saying goodbye. Brett is a very proud Marine.

About a month ago, Brett took a pretty serious hit while there. I will spare you the details. He was transported to Germany, then on to Bethesda in Maryland. I am happy to report that Brett is home now, here in Ohio, for the next 30 days before he returns to Camp Lejuene (sp?) for light duty.

Not sure what the future holds for this wonderful couple, but I wanted to say that I love them both like my own kids, heck they've been running around my house since middle school! Riley's babysitter, Linda, is Lacey's mom. So she's been having a hard time lately dealing with all that is going on with Lacey. She does so with grace like I've never seen.

So for all of you who are interested, know that good things are happening everywhere, and people are thankful just to be breathing and spending just one more day with the ones they love.

Hope you all have a great day. In spite of the rain, wind, sun, etc. Life is for the living ! Live it, baby !!

I hope this picture loads correctly; it's from People magazine when they were saying goodbye. Very tearful but a lovely photo of a very happy couple.

and a better picture of the happy couple!

Kelly please please send our love and gratitude to their family.
If there is anything that we can do to help them --- please don't hesitate to post it.

Can I send a card to them c/o you?

xo

Positive vibes, well wishes and prayers up! Wishing them both a happy future

Tara, absolutely send a card to me. I keep missing them every day at Linda's when I pick up Riley, she says, well they just left... lol. I cannot WAIT to get my mommy hands on Brett ! Need to give that soldier a giant, HARD MOMMY HUG !! Lacey, too, but I do see her more often.. lol... I told Linda to prepare him because I WILL cry so he needs to get used to it. That's what mom's do, we CRY.

After this article in People, Lacey was interviewed for ONN (Ohio News Network) and we thought maybe a little blurb, but it was a full scale interview with her in her sorority house in Athens. Very cool. Talk 'bout some cryin!

Thank you Brett for your service to our country

If you are ever find yourself Rochester I'd be proud to have you both over our house for dinner.

I didn't find the People magazine article, but I did find this. Kinda cool.

Thanks for all your well wishes ! I will send this to Lacey.

http://newworldodor.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/bert-ships-out-again/

Thanks for posting this Kelly. heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time! Give them a "mommy hug" from me too!

Just saw this, and I don't have to tell you how I feel about my Marines. Kel, please keep us updated on his medical progress. And when you see this young hard charger, give him a stupendous Semper Fidelis from his older brother Jim in Philadelphia. I am also going to PM you about this. Please stand by.

I know Jim, I actually thought of you when I posted this, brother !

Thank you for posting - thank-you.

Yes! Big thank you for sharing this.

Kelly, thanks for sharing....all the best to Brett and Lacey....

I have to say, has me a little choked up knowing that one of our own's son will be shipped out to AF in a few weeks...choke...tears...

Yes, Cynde, me, too. We ALL love Jim like a brother and I think I speak for us all when I say I wish I could be there to send him off. We will be there in spirit, Jim !

My 1st son Christopher who will be 21 years young in July has just joined the Marines - He finishes up at Florida Gulf Coast University in a semester and a half and goes in as an officer candidate. He has wanted to become a jet pilot since he was around six years old. I am very proud of him but in these times this is very scary for me.

Kelly, so sorry to hear that Brett was hurt, but thankful that he is okay now. Our men and women of the armed forces are phenomenal people and deserve every ounce of respect we can give them. Their families are worthy of that respect too as they have to give up their loved one to the service of our great country.

Please pass our love onto Lacey and Linda. They will both get through this! Brett is lucky to have Lacey "by his side"

Kelly,
What a beautiful couple. PLEASE share our thanks with him!!

Timmmy, good thoughts and prayers going up for Christopher's safety!! Thanks go out to him!!!

Timmy, I will continue to think lots of positive things for Christopher and his safety. Tell him that your BT friends say for him to kick ass, but to be careful in doing so.

Kobi - Kelly ... thank you very much <3