~loss of a soldier~

Kile was one of the bravest people that I ever had the opportunity to share time with! We met back when I went to Stephen F. Austin State University during my freshman and sophomore year. He was part of the Delta Chi Fraternity, and my roommate at the time were part of their 'little sisters.' We always seemed to have fun no matter what we were doing. We dated for a couple months, until I moved to Tennessee, where my family was. I knew that he was graduating and wanted to go fight in Iraq... so I knew I wasn't going to see him for a while. So fast-forward to 2 years after I left SFA... Kile was over in Iraq.. I had spoken to him before he left and he was sooooo excited! If you knew anything about Kile, you knew that he was seriously gung-ho about this dang war! He loved his country and was honored to go over there and fight the bad guys( is what he used to say) ! It is what he looked forward to every day that he was in college.. Everyone, seriously, never heard the end of it.... Anyway..... he called in April, while he was over in Iraq... and boy did it NOT sound like the same Kile that I knew.. He said that he had seen so many bad things and was ready to come home for a break.. he sounded pretty depressed.. We ended up talking for about an hour and we had planned to meet when he came back home which was June 15... and one of the last things I said to him ( of course trying to make light of the situation) was that he better take care of himself and come home in one piece... Little did I know that 4 weeks later, on Memorial Day, only 2 weeks before getting to come home on leave, Kile was killed. He had just been promoted to 1st Lieutenant that morning. A helicopter had gotten gunned down and so troops were sent to help.. The hum-v that Kile was in got struck by a road-side bomb.. Of course, no one knows all the details, but I did know that he volunteered to go... Yep.. volunteered! But that is just like Kile to volunteer... Here are some pics of him.. 

When my old roommate called me and told me about his passing.. I pretty much lost it... it's weird how something like this happens and you begin to remember all of your conversations and time you spent together just like it was yesterday...  I think that God does that so you can remember all of the good times, and not dwell on the obvious. It is just so crazy to think how precious life really is. But I know that Kile died fighting for what he believed in! And part of me thinks that this is how he wanted to go... by fighting for his country...It has been 2 years, and I know that everyone who got the chance to know Kile, loved him dearly and still misses him. My purpose in writing this is to not make people sad... but for people to cherish every moment that they have with their loved ones! I only knew Kile for a couple of years, but I am so glad and lucky that I got the chance to know him. I know that he is hanging out in heaven, and watching down at all of the people that loved him. Although, people may not agree on the war and our guys fighting, we should still thank all that are still over there, alive and fighting for our freedom... and remember those brave ones who we have lost..... and to never forget them! Our lives are always in God's hands. Rest in peace Kile... Happy Memorial Day.....

*-One Month-*

WE'RE GETTING MARRIED IN 1 MONTH!!!!!! 

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!!

~*~ Ashtyn Faith ~*~

And she's here!!! Little Ashtyn Faith Neufeld was born May 7th... 8lbs 9 ounces and 21 inches!!! This is Courtney and Billy's third kid.. yes... #3... and so now they have three kids all 3 years old!!!! seriously crazy!!!! Court definitely has her hands full!!! But isn't she just precious!!

do I see a Texas Tech's Guns Up?!? 

I think she's practicing!!

Aunt K got a lil smile!

Poor 'lil Addi doesn't know what's goin on 

with this new edition!

Top 10 Reasons I Love My Mom!!

10- She is very hardworking and doesn't mind getting her hands dirty once in a while. 

9- She always used to dress me in the coolest outfits in town.. i.e. my pink Kristin shirt that had my name ironed on... it rocked!

8- She always worked hard when Josh and I were little so we could have the most awesome toys!

7- Even to this day... we can stay up for hours laughing ( and end up laughing so hard we cry)  at practically nothing... 

6- kind of random... but for not teaching me how to do my make-up! I still don't understand putting all that stuff on my face... we did have a little episode a couple weeks ago.... let's just say it ended up with hysterically laughing and crying about how I had no idea how to put on make-up... but it's kinda nice... because mom said I didn't need all of that anyway!

5- She cooks some mad dinners... oh the joys of living at home... boy do I miss those!

4- She gave me some fabulous Italian heritage that helps me just magically become tan! I LOVE  not having to really work for it! Now if only I was as tan as her!!

3- She has been working her little tail off on helping me plan this wedding! It really has been such a blessing and I couldn't have done it without her!

2- She loves the Lord with all her heart, soul and mind!! She is so involved in church and enjoys putting others before herself!

1- She is my best friend and is always there for me when I need her. I am so blessed that I have her as a mom!!! MOM YOU ROCK!!!!! HAPPY MUM'S DAY AND I LOVE YOU!!