Cades Cove Wildlife

This is the first time we have seen any wildlife while visiting the Cove. A couple other reasons this trip was so wonderful!

Lovin The Views!

The newly constructed RV park.

The view of the mountains from Hidden Mountain. Loved waking up to this view every morning.

My Hero

That's my dad! A Korean War Veteran!

The Korean War (1950–53) was a military conflict between the Republic of Korea, supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and People's Republic of China (PRC), with air support from the Soviet Union. The war began on June 25, 1950 and an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.

That was 57 years ago today.

The war was a result of the political division of Korea by agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War. The Korean peninsula
had been ruled by Japan from 1910 until the end of that war. In 1945, following the surrender of Japan, American administrators divided the peninsula along the 38th parallel, with United States troops occupying the southern part and Soviet troops occupying the northern part.

The United Nations, particularly the United States, came to the aid of the South Koreans repelling the invasion. In the United States, the war was officially described as a police action owing to the lack of a declaration of war by the US Congress.

Many have referred the Korean War in the United States as The Forgotten War and The Unknown War. The war ended in stalemate, but the issues concerned were much less clear than in previous and subsequent conflicts, such as the Second World War. I've always heard the Korean War was over-shadowed by the Vietnam War.

The most important thing is the Korean Veterans haven’t forgotten,
nor will they.

Dad was a Airman 1st Class and had many responsibilities for several different things such as refuling the aircrafts, maintenance, etc. Dad enlisted in the Air Force in June 1952 at the age of 20. He was honorably discharged in June 1956. After the war ended, Dad was stationed at the Saminara Air Force base in Tennessee.

After he completed his Air Force duty, he went into workforce and retired in 1990 after 34 years of service at Cummins Engine Company. He is a life member of the local VFW Post #1083 and serves alongside other Veterans on the funeral detail. Several Veterans do not get the honor they deserve, sad, but true.

I'm very proud of my Dad, a Veteran and my Hero!

The Cabin

Our home away from home for 7 days and 6 nights, ahhhh!

Our cabin was called 'Grow Old With Me'
Ric says we are already old, but I certainly do not feel old...not today anyway!



Throughout the cabin there were decorations with cute little sayings on them.



Looking into the kitchen from the living room.



The bathroom had mirrors on three of the walls. It looked like there were 25 people taking a shower at one time!





The master bedroom was very relaxing!



More words to live by.



We had a great time while vacationing in Tennessee and made more family memories to share with loved ones.









I think growing old together is going to be a fun adventure...the best is yet to be!

Happy birthday Patrick!!

16 Years Ago, July 26, 1994

Sixteen years ago I went to Doctor Daniel Walters for my weekly pregnancy appointment. I had two choices:

1. Go home and report back at the hospital the following morning.
2. Go directly to the hospital after Dr. Dan had done my examination.

I chose the second option and arrived at the hospital around 6PM. I had already done my pre-registration, so I went directly to the 4th floor. All the birthing rooms were occupied, so I had to settle for a regular room.

I remember getting hooked up to all the monitors, IVs, cords and tubes running everywhere. I was examined by a nurse, giving a shot and was told my labor would start shortly. I waited, and waited, and waited. Nothing felt different, so around 10PM, I thought I'd roll over in the hospital bed and get some rest, anticipating the new arrival.

Almost immediately my water broke, so I forgot about the resting part. I can still remember having the nurses situate the osculating fan to blow directly on me since I was sweaty and hot. Whenever a nurse would come to check my progress, they would wrap themselves in room dividing curtain to stay warm.

Shortly before 7AM the delivery room bed was brought into my room. I was transferred to the bed and wheeled into the the delivery room. At 7:09AM, Patrick Dwight Barton Sweazy was welcomed into the world by Dr. Dan, Daddy Ric and Mommy!

Patrick weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 20 3/4'' long with curly black hair.



Happy 16th birthday Patrick! I love you as much today as I did the moment I met you!

Cades Cove

Every time we go to Tennessee, we go through Cades Cove. Only difference this time than last is we went all the way through the 11 mile loop. It was beautiful, as always.



This is a popular trip when you visit the Great Smokies. Settlers came in 1819 and by the 1850's the population was 685 in 137 homes. Many of the homes remain today and can be seen as you drive through the trail or you can get out of your vehicle and tour the barns, mill, churches and several other trails.



The view at every turn is spectacular!

Time Out

Spent the week at Hidden Mountain Resorts in Sevierville, Tennessee. At left is a picture of our cabin for the week.

Just got home, got a bite to eat, still not unpacked yet, and still not sure I'm happy to be back home. It is unbelievable how relaxing it is just five hours from here!

Check back soon for more updates! For now I need to finish unpacking since I can't convince anyone to go back to Tennessee!

Until We Meet Again...

On Thursday, July 15, 2010, I called my good friend Kendra, who was suppose to be enjoying her vacation with her husband, son, mom and aunt in Orlando, Florida. I was the one who got the surprise when Spencer answered her phone and begin to tell me of the problems she was having. Within minutes a good friend called and we were talking about what had happened and what was going on so far away in Orlando. As we talked, Michelle got the update that Kendra had passed away. Immediately, my cell phone begin to ring, the second line at work was ringing, and it was total ciaos. Each phone call was a friend telling me what happened to one of my best friends. Then and now I can not believe what has happened. I realize if I can’t believe it, I can’t imagine what Lanny, Spencer, Norma and Betty were going through.

Since Thursday I have thought of Kendra almost constantly. I have cried, laughed, smiled and simply remembered all the things we did in her few short years. It seemed every time we were together we would always remember something we had done years earlier and talk about how crazy we were and thank God we weren’t arrested for some of our ‘stunts’.

The first Phi Beta Psi convention I attended was with Kendra. We had a great time because we were together, but the convention sucked! The food, gifts, and entertainment was the worst ever. We always shared laughs about that convention because we made it fun for each other.

Kendra and Lanny often had celebrations for holidays and always invited their friends and family. It was no surprise to go to one of these parties and find 30, 40, or 50 friends sharing stories and laughter with them. Kendra loved her family and friends and it showed. Our last party together was the Fourth of July. They had recently vacationed in Tennessee and had purchased a cooler full of fireworks. She had sent me a text message earlier in the week and wanted us to attend to celebrate. Of course we did. Like Kendra, her parties were simply the best.

Lanny was at the grill, Norma and Kendra had made scrumptious sides and desserts to go along with the meat Lanny was grilling. I remember Kendra telling me I just had to try some of her spinach dip. She wasn’t wrong; it was the best I’ve ever tasted! Like always, we had enough food to feed an army, but that’s the way she liked it. Later in the evening, when it got dark enough, we enjoyed the fireworks all around us. It was another memorable time with Kendra and Lanny. When we left, I hugged Kendra and told her I missed her and loved her, and appreciated the invite to her home to celebrate the 4th, little did I realize it would be the last time I’d see her.

We could go days or weeks in between times we talked, but whenever I needed something, Kendra would be there for me or I would be there for her if she needed me. Today is the celebration of Kendra’s life. A life and friendship that was taken too soon, but God has a plan for each of us. I don’t understand why He needed to take Kendra at this time, but, just like always, we will meet again and pick right back up in conservation and good times like we always did.

Until we meet again, Luv u!!!!!

Where's the Time Gone?

It's the first week of July already!?! How did that happen?? Just 31 days from today school will be open again. Wow! Time seems to go so fast anymore! We have accomplished several firsts under our belt these past few months. Patrick completed his first year of high school, competed in his first golf conference and sectional. Played his first high school baseball sectional game, and received his first award for attending everyday of school without missing or being tardy for 180 days. I think that is pretty awesome and I'm very proud of his accomplishments!

He is still playing baseball and golf throughout the summer, which means I'm still traveling to watch him. Just a week left of baseball and I think he'll play golf till the snow falls. If he could get the workers at the clubhouse to clear off the green and fairway, I think he'd play the entire year.

I am still learning, along with everyone else, but it is fun to watch Patrick develop his skills.

Vacation is right around the corner for us and I'm getting excited. I will have to do better on my blogging after I'm rested from my time off. Seems like it's been year-end work and reporting all over again with everything I am having to do.

To my faithful followers, I hear you! I promise to post some more interesting pictures in the near future. Please bear with me and my full schedule for a few more days :-D

Updates are coming...soon!