A Special Tribute to My Family on Valentine's Day

It's Sweetheart Month at The Titanic Museum Attraction, in honor of Valentine's Day and the twelve honeymoon couples that traveled on the Titanic in 1912.  During this special romantic month and as Valentine's Day approaches every year, I go over in my mind the many things that I love about each of the people in my life and I think of ways to show them how much I truly cherish and love them.

I would like to start with my wonderful husband Will. He is my best friend, my faith buddy, and the father to my children. We met in college at Southwest Texas State University in 1994, a college I chose at the last minute because my parents decided that they didn't want to spring for out-of-state tuition. I had originally planned to go to Missouri State University in Columbia, Mo. Ironically, he was dating my freshman roommate in the dorms. I didn't think much of him at the time. Little did I know, that I would end up marrying him! God knew, he just had to get me there.

After being acquaintances for 3 years, Will and I finally started a friendship that began at a party. Before we knew it, we were dating and wanted to spend every spare moment together. On our first official date, he took me to San Antonio's River Walk. It stared raining while we were walking down the canal, so we took shelter under a bridge and enjoyed our First Kiss which was incredibly romantic. I enjoyed his outgoing, yet kind nature. He was so thoughtful in the "courtship days" as we call them. He would sneak my car keys while I was in class and detail my car. On one date, we went canoeing down the Guatalupe River. I sat in the front of the canoe and relaxed while he did all of the work.

After dating for a year or so, I graduated with a degree in Business Marketing and decided to move back to my home town, Dallas. Will was still finishing up college and had another summer and fall semester to go in school. I hoped that by telling him I was moving to Dallas, he would finish school and follow me. He did. After he graduated, he moved to Dallas and we got married August 14, 1999. Our wedding reception was amazing. We had all of our college friends back together again for one last hurrah.

We both got excellent jobs in Dallas. He was a sales manager at a label manufacturing company and I worked for IBM and then was the State Administrator for Aflac.  We were settling in to a healthy married life and the next obvious step for me was .....a baby. I remember it so well. I conned my husband into it. We agreed by written document that he would get a motorcycle if I got a baby. We signed a contract. He still has the contract, but has not received the motorcycle. LOL!

Our first born was our precious angel Garrett. I remember the tone in my husband's voice when I called him to tell him I was pregnant. He was at work and I just couldn't wait for him to get home. He was awkwardly quite and seemed totally freaked out. I also remember being pregnant with Garrett during 9-11 and wondering what kind of world he would be born into. When Garrett was born, the entire world stopped around us. We had a family and our lives revolved around our son.

When Garrett was 2 years old, we made a very huge decision to move to Missouri. My parents had found land in Ava, Missouri and had moved away. We wanted Garrett to know his grandparents and we enjoyed the Ozarks because of all of the outdoor activities available to us. Garrett, who is growing up in Missouri, continues to be an amazing blessing in our lives. God has used him many times to teach us and strengthen our faith. We almost lost Garrett when he was 4 due to a head injury that he incurred at a day care. Words cannot express how much my faith in God and my love for my husband strengthened through this trial. Garrett is 9 years old now and is an all star in every sport (except Baseball. he says he hates wearing hot pants in the summer.:)) and makes straight "A's". He is responsible, kind, considerate, and loving and very popular with his peers. I am so honored that God gave him to us.

My younger son Hunter is my baby. He is almost 6 now and has been a complete JOY ever since he was born. I remember when he was 2 and Garrett was going off to Kindergarten. I thought to myself that it would be a good time to start THINKING about potty training. Hunter never wanted to be a baby. He has always loved his brother and looked up to him. Literally, the day that Garrett left for Kindergarten, Hunter took off his diaper and would not put one on again. He had a determination like nothing I have ever seen. It was like, "Mommy, let's do this potty training thing right now!" Not only is Hunter determined, but he is strong, smart, handsome, and loving. He is tender hearted and his faith his a true testament to all around him.

Valentines Day, February 14 is our 1/2 anniversary each year. I am not the kind of girl who wants the heart shaped box of chocolates. I am the kind of girl who wants to spend the day with my family doing something together, making memories. I am the kind of girl who would cherish a vow renewal on the Grand Staircase on any year of our marriage and my reason would not be for a "new beginning." My reason for a vow renewal would be to repeat to him again before God, the precious wedding vows that express to him how much I love and cherish him and how thankful I am to God for bringing us together. And being on the Grand Staircase would make me feel like "Rose" who's love for "Jack" would never perish. I love you honey.

Titanic's 5th Annual Professional Ice Carving Event in the State of Branson?

It is official. We had an ICE DAY at the Titanic today! Titanic does everything big and this was no exception. If you didn't make it to their 5th Annual Professional Ice Carving Event, you REALLY MISSED the Boat! Their events keep getting bigger and better with each year and so does the inside of their museum.

When we arrived this morning to the ship of dreams on Branson's Hwy 76, the parking lot was packed with ice carving enthusiasts and the ship's horn was sounding as we parked, to mark the start of this fierce competition between National Ice Carving Association's Top Professional Ice carvers from ALL over the United States. We were amazed at the tools of this art form including chain saws, torches, wood carving tools, and other devices that we couldn't name. This is a big deal. The Ice Carvers had plans and drawings of what they were going to create and how. These Carvers had 4 hours to create their ice sculpture and at the end of the 4 hours, a judgment would be made for the winners.

While the boys watched these professional men and women go to work, Will and I enjoyed listening to the rock station that was set up on stage in the parking lot. The DJ's of 95.5 were on site to announce the proceedings and feed us with many facts about ice carving and the Titanic. As always, we were privileged to see Jaynee, dressed in her gorgeous long black winter coat and adorned mink hat. She always remembers my boys and makes them feel special. How does she remember so many families? It is that personal touch that makes her so magnanimous.

The event continued to be action packed throughout the day. The Track Family Fun Center had a booth set up where kids could get their pictures taken in 2 of their go-karts and the kids could also play their trivia game to win prizes. I got a kick out of the trivia questions. Our questions were, "what year did the Titanic sink?" and "was there a heated swimming pool on board?" I am, of coarse, a Titaniac, so those questions were a no brainer for me and helping my kids win prizes made me feel like their hero!

On top of us enjoying the Track go-karts, we also got to experience a 15 minute dual between to sculptors on the main stage. They had 15 minutes to make a sculpture and the best one won. My kids enjoyed this fast pace challenge and loved participating in the vote for the winner - who carved an eagle in flight! He was cracking us up to because he kept referring to Branson as a state. Yes, we are proud of our great city, but we aren't yet a state. LOL

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about the inside of the museum. At the beginning of January, the ship closed for four days so that they could do a deep cleaning, apply fresh paint, and add make renovations. I can't tell you what they added to the exhibit because you need to experience it for yourself. So far, every single person that I have recommended go through the museum has NOT been disappointed and if it has been awhile since you toured, you have to check out the new exhibits!

Back to the competition....we had our favorite which on the Professional side was the sting rays and on the amateur side was the cat grabbing the bird. We were actually amazed by the amateurs. In our opinion, the amateurs were just as skilled as the professionals and we all agreed that everyone did an amazing job, especially considering the extra challenge of warmer than usual winter weather (50 degrees-yikes)! Congratulations to them all. But, as in any competition there has to be a winner and the winner was..... boy were we right on......Professional Division 1st Place winner at $2,000 was Michael Stoddart with his Flight Under the Sea (our favorite sting rays) and 1st Place in the Amateur division went to Nan Li with his Art of Flight. I have to mention that there were prize monies given out to most of the competitors for a total of $7,250 in cash prizes!

Rudolph and Vixen

The theme this weekend was Christmas. I spent Saturday morning in the kitchen making some of our favorite traditional fare including sausage balls, peanut butter blossoms, and snickerdoodles. I got a good start on it, but still have peanut butter cups, spinach balls, and hello dollies left to make! Next on my list was wrapping presents. I spent several hours wrapping presents. That is when I realized how blessed our family is and how exciting it will be to bless others this Christmas.

Saturday afternoon, we decided to surprise the children and take them to meet Rudolph and Vixen at the Titanic Museum Attraction. Much to my surprise, the reindeer were "on break" when we got there. There had been so many girls and boys to visit the Reindeer and pet them, that they were exhausted.  However, they perked up when we got there. The boys enjoyed petting them and they wanted to know why Rudolph didn't have a red nose. Rudolph's owner replied that Rudolph's nose will only glow red on Christmas Eve.The Reindeer were like dogs or any other domestic pet. They listened to their owner and did exactly what they were asked to do.

While we were visiting, we decided to take advantage of all of the Christmas decorations by taking pictures of the boys. The museum is decorated to the nines with Edwardian style Christmas decor. It is very beautiful. We got some good shots of the little ones, even though it was painful for them to sit still and smile. Why do they think it is pure torture for us to photograph them? I am convinced that they will appreciate the pictures when they are adults!

I hope that the Titanic Museum Attraction includes the Reindeer event every year as part of their Christmas celebration, as it has become part of our family's Christmas Tradition! For more information on this event and others, go to http://www.titanicbranson.com .

Molly and Carter were spoiled on their 2nd Birthday!

I know two adorable King Charles Spaniels that were fit to be Queens this past Thanksgiving weekend as everyone in Branson, Mo. joined together to wish them a very Happy 2nd Birthday. As usual, at the stroke of noon, they made their way down the promenade with one of their dog handlers, Kelly Riley, and Jaynee, the First Class Maid. They were wheeled down in a baby carriage to their station in front of a gathering crowd. Only this time, they adorned custom made birthday hats.

Not only did Molly and Carter enjoy a birthday cake made with peanut butter, cream cheese, other dog friendly ingredients, but they also received gifts, balloons, and many birthday wishes. Of coarse, my family was on board during their celebration. I even invited my Mom and Dad who sang Happy Birthday and said that Molly and Carter were the cutest dogs they had ever seen and were "so well behaved"!

The dogs are part of the Titanic Museum Attraction's tribute to the ten known dogs that were onboard the Titanic. As part of this tribute, the museum has started a program called Save Our Strays, or S.O.S. which raises money for the local humane society. I believe they have raised over $75,000 so far. What a blessing this is to our community!

If you go on Molly and Carter's web page you can sign up for the dogs to send you a electronic Christmas card. I know my boys are looking forward to receiving it!

Mom Bloggers enjoy Titanic's Christmas Kickoff!

Last Friday night, the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. hosted a special MOM BLOGGER event to help the museum kickoff the Christmas in a Winter Wonderland Celebration. Mom Bloggers from Knox News, Knox Moms, and other local Tennessee Moms with noteworthy Blogs attended this private event with their families. The Titanic Museum Attraction's owners John Joslyn and Mary Kellogg-Joslyn wanted to recognize these special women for their continued support of the new museum and wanted the moms and their families to experience this Grand Christmas celebration.

This event proved to be a huge success! I enjoyed meeting all of these amazing women and their families and was privileged to welcome each aboard our ship! All of the Mom bloggers enjoyed a private self-guided tour of the museum to see the ship adorned in Christmas decorations from the Edwardian period. Although the Titanic went down in April 1912, she had many Decembers planned and the museum decorates as a tribute to Her.

At 7:00pm, after each family enjoyed their private tour, we all met in the parking lot for the BIG event. We were joined by Rick Laney of Ackermann PR and many others from local news stations, newspapers, and magazines!  The Christmas Tree, set up in front of the fountains was magnificent. There were gifts stacked up under the bow of the tree which made for a perfect photo opportunity. The affair began with a Christmas ensemble choir, maids handing out candy, the lighting of the tree, and camels with wisemen of coarse! Then, music began to play and we all waited in anticipation for SNOW. Without delay, REAL snow began to fall from the bow of the ship produced from the same machinery that Disney World uses! Children and adults alike loved it. They danced to the music and tried to catch snow flakes on their tongues. Jaynee, our First Class Maid, waved from the BOW of the ship with a beautiful young "maid in training" Madisson and "Polar" the Titanic Bear.

As the snow began to build up on the museum's sidewalk, a fireworks display commenced, filling the sky with radiant colors. This event was done in Grand Scale just like the museum itself. I heard several guests proclaim that the fireworks display was better than anything they had seen during the 4th of July! Our Mom Bloggers and their families loved the experience. Some of their children were interviewed by the media which I believe they viewed as a huge honor.

I would like to personally thank Ali James of Knoxnews.com and Knoxmoms.com. She assisted me in reaching these wonderful moms who represent the families of Eastern Tennessee! Our ship and crew love being nestled in our new home in the Great Smoky Mountains and I would like to encourage all Moms reading my blog to visit the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. this holiday season. It is truly a Family Interactive Experience that you won't want to miss. Although you will not be able to see fireworks, it will snow each and every Friday and Saturday night at 7:00pm from now until January 1, 2011! Traffic is crazy on the Parkway so leave early and I strongly recommend that you pre-purchase your tickets on our website as the museum sells out very quickly each day!


Three Cheers and 1,000 Thank You's to Tennessee's very special MOM Bloggers and their familes!

Happy Birthday Molly and Carter! Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration!

     Molly and Carter are turning 2! The Titanic Museum Attraction is kicking off three days of family festivities in celebration of the ship’s celebrity mascots’ 2^nd birthday, on Thursday, November 25 through Saturday, November 27. We plan to go after our early morning shopping on Friday morning. By noontime, when the dogs make their entrance down past the waterfall in front of the museum and eat doggy birthday cake, we will be waiting, camera in hand. 

    In honor of Molly and Carter's second birthday celebration...you can go to their web page at http://titanicbranson.com/titanic-dogs-photo-contest.php  and register to win a FAMILY PASS to the museum in Branson, Mo., a personalized Molly and Carter gift basket including Molly and Carter exclusive doggie accessories and gifts from their gift shop, and you will get your pet photo published in TAME magazine. They will pick a winner on November 15, 2010!

    I also heard that Jaynee, Titanic's 1st Class Maid personality, was at Tri-Lakes Humane Society in Reeds Spring, Missouri this week delivering pet food! Apparently, the S.O.S. program (Save Our Strays) at the Titanic Museum Attraction has raised $50,000.00. They purchased over 600 pounds of dog and cat food for the humane society and delivered it to the stray dogs and cats that have been rescued and are waiting for adoption. 

Fall Parties in the Ozarks

Do you celebrate Halloween? Or is it a Fall Party that you enjoy? I am conflicted. I attend church regularly and do not agree that we are to celebrate ghosts and goblins. However,  I dressed up every single year of my childhood and my parents decorated the house in spider webs. They played scary music and tried to scare the kids of our neighborhood. Halloween was fun and I never felt ashamed to embrace it, nor do I have any negative memories of the "holiday".

That being said, I am a mother now with two precious boys that go to church. We had a really difficult time picking out costumes this year. See, my 8 year old wanted to be a "Scream" ghost and I wouldn't let him do it. I thought it was too scary and actually came to the realization that Halloween is really strange. What is the point of dressing up scary? Is it a devilish activity? Anyway, he ended up choosing to be a basketball player and my 2 year old chose to be a police officer. Those seem to be good choices of people to celebrate, right? Now we have to decide what activities the boys will participate in.....

On Saturday, we decided to drive up to Springfield to attend the TAME Pets and Pumpkins celebration. They put on this Fall Party to raise awareness and money for the local animal shelter. It was totally geared towards kids and pets. As Chief Purser of the Titanic Museum Attraction, I enjoy these types of fundraisers because at the museum we support the local animal shelters too. In fact, our Titanic mascots, Molly and Carter, the two loveable King Charles Spaniels that parade around the Branson, Mo. museum each day from 9am-5pm have a similar mission. They not only pay tribute to the dogs that were onboard the Titanic, but they also raise money for the humane society and they teach children and adults how to properly care for a pet.

 Old downtown Commercial Street in Springfield was filled with people and pets. We saw dogs, cats, and even a goat!!! all dressed up in costumes. (Notice the boys' costumes. Once the 8 year old got dressed in a basketball outfit, the 2 year old had to follow suit!) There was a giant bouncy slide that the kids enjoyed over and over again. Krispy Kreme had a booth where you could take a plain doughnut, dunk it in chocolate, and then cover it in sprinkles. YUMMY! We even got to roast marshmallows on a fire pit. The event offered many interactive booths for kids to enjoy.

But, the best part of our experience was when we saw Jaynee, our first class Titanic maid at this TAME event! It is always a pleasure to run into her and you will never believe what she was doing when we walked up. She was meeting a dog attendee at the event that was dressed just like her! Jaynee, you know you are a star when even local pets dress as you do. What a compliment! And, it is such a pleasure to realize that there are other Titanic Fans out there that want to help us remember and celebrate the lives of the passengers of the R.M.S. Titanic. 

Jaynee, the biggest animal lover that I know of, was there to help educate pet lovers on proper care for pets and to encourage our Springfield neighbors to come down to Branson, Mo. and meet Molly and Carter. Guests enjoyed meeting her and showing off their pets, who all wanted to "bond" with Jaynee.

We had a great time! This event's turnout was huge. TAME must have done some great marketing to receive such a big crowd of pet lovers. We will definitely plan to attend next years' Pets and Pumpkins event. Maybe the Titanic Museum gift shop will start carrying Jaynee costumes for dogs? They have a great dog section offering Titanic dog merchandise, compliments of Molly and Carter. Pet lovers always enjoy shopping the Titanic gift shop for Titanic doggy merchandise. If you haven't visited the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo., you should plan to come before Christmas. You will find some really great Christmas ideas and I heard that Santa and His Reindeer will be coming back this year. Check it out...http://www.titanicbranson.com