End of the Year Sunrise

Ava Grace

Linda, Courtney and I got to go with Little Momma
Brook and Charlie to Babies in 3D and see the baby
in 3D!!! AMAZING! Little Ava Grace was very active
during the 30 minute session and all this new
technology is just too much! She is expected on
April 18, 2008!!!

Christmas Fun!

Merry Christmas from Pete

My buddy, Pete the Pelican wants to wish everyone
a very Merry Chistmas and Happy New Year!

2007 – What a year!!!!!

2007 – What a year!!!!!

Here I sit again – reviewing the year and I am humbled to be the recipient of the phenomenal blessings of another VERY special year….

January started in sheer terror as we had to put Charlie on a plane headed off to war once again – there is nothing that removes him from my mind when he is over there – every waking moment is spent hoping and praying for the call to say he was on the way home safely…. He DID come home safely and as the weeks spun by he met and fell in love with a wonderful girl! They were engaged in April and married at the most spectacular wedding ever on August 24th!!! There was more love and joy in that room that night – I’ll never forget it! I often relive it through a slideshow and can still feel the warmth from all the beautiful people that came together to make this wedding one for the ages! Our family grew as we merged with Brook’s family – the Cliftons – truly WONDERFUL people! Charlie and Brook will become 3 in April 08 with the arrival of Ava Grace – our 1st grandchild!!!! To say we are excited about our new bundle of joy is a MAJOR understatement!!!! Charlie has continued the tough regiment of his Special Forces training and they will move to Ft. Campbell upon completion.

Courtney continued to grow into a beautiful woman this year! She became a “fitness nut” in May and has never looked back – she looks SPECTACULAR! She is as loving and caring as she has always been! She really looked after me after my hip replacement in June – she would bring me lunch everyday from downtown, she would take me to my doctor’s appointments and wherever else I needed to go – thank you Court, Court – I love you more than I can put into words! We shared a special trip to the promised land, aka Gainesville, as we went to watch the Gators slaughter the Seminoles at the Swamp in November – another very special page in my memory book. Stella, her little English Bulldog has totally captured her heart and they are a happy little family! My heart soars when I think of Courtney realizing just what a special person she is! She has a new fella that makes her smile and we are happy for her – Doug will help make this Christmas even more special for my darling girl!

Linda continued her 30+ year career in property management and shared in all the joy of the engagement, wedding and now the anticipation of HER little “Gracie” – yup, she has already picked out a pet name for her 1st grand baby! Her feet have not touched ground since we found out! We both held tight to each other while Charlie was in Iraq and shared our JOY upon his return – she stays on the verge of tears just thinking about what our brave son does for a living….. She worked as hard as she always has this year and looks more beautiful than she should! She also took care of me after the hip surgery and what an INCREDIBLE care-giver she is! She fed me, cleaned me and cheered me on – scrubbed my feet – one more time, I don’t have the words to express my profound gratitude and love….. I am truly embarrassed as I write this because she will have surgery in the coming weeks and I KNOW I can’t begin to help her as she helped me….hurry over Courtney!!!!!! 2008 is shining through already as bright one for my lovely bride – she got a call yesterday confirming a new job after her surgery – a SUPER early Christmas present! Each day brings us closer to the excitement of the birth of Ava Grace and that keeps a constant smile on Linda’s face! She still holds her Arkansas family very close in heart and longs to visit there again…We shared another magnificent trip to the mountains in May and we want to live near there in the next 2-3 years…I pray that 2008 will be the best year ever in Linda’s life – she deserves the BEST!!!

Ole Jerry – well, I’m amazed and astonished! I have always been overwhelmed and humbled by the blessings in my life – 2007 was another year that I lack the words to express! I’ll just list a few people, places and things I am thankful for;

January, as I mentioned before started rough with Charlie being called to Iraq – through the fear I became thankful that I had someone that I cared that much about…..

February – thankful that Iraq was a short trip…..very thankful for a safe return!

March – we met Brook!!!! Thank you Brook! You brought a new smile and profound love to Charlie’s life! You are a VERY special person that has – somehow, in this crazy world – found another VERY special person and I pray that your life together is just as exceptional as the 2 of you are! Hold tight to this gift you share!

The May Mountain trip – WOW!!!! I have written before just how special this place is to me – and my love affair grows with each visit. Every trip is just like a soul cleansing session as I bathe in the beauty of the area – I can’t get enough! Linda and I are both totally relaxed and we often lose hours napping or just staring at the gorgeous sites off the back deck of the cabin! And then there is the Dragon!!!!!!!!!!!! Every single pass on the Harley through this 318 curve marvel sends my spirit soaring – every time! It is like nothing else I have ever experienced… The sense of contentment and accomplishment is like a peaceful blanket that greets me at the end of each pass – I lean back in my seat and take a deep breath of mountain air and for that moment – all is perfect…..This year was another spectacular adventure! Steve and Adrienne came for the 1st 3 days and we stayed an extra 5 – it was a BALL!!!

The hip surgery was a blessing! Ending several years of pain!!!! Thanks to Dr. Gutske and staff, the SUPER nurses at TGH, Renee Love and all that helped!

THE WEDDING!!! Way too much for words!!! OVER THE TOP! SPECTACULAR!!!!

William Felix Moores – my father – thanks for showing by example what a father, husband, grandfather, son and friend SHOULD be! You were the ultimate – the standard – You gave me all…..

Mom – the epitome of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE! You gave me life…

Linda - OMG! I love you – my friend, my wife, my lover – I look forward to may more smiles and miles!

Courtney – little lady, you are my heart – I apologize because I will never have the proper words to tell you how much you mean to me…. Be happy darling!

Charlie – son, we have a very unique and special bond and I thank God for that every day! After pushing you for years, you now inspire me…I’m with you every where you go…

Steve Moores – you have become more like a brother – a friend and confidant… Get that knee fixed in 2008!

Tom & Joan – the giving examples for everyone to model! I LOVE YOU GUYS! Ride safely!

Brother Bill – I pray your new year is without pain! I pray you know you are loved!

Fishin Steve – my buddy! Thanks for all your help and your friendship! A great example for me to follow as a GrandPa!!!

Charley Roberts – you are a GOOD man! See you in the mountains!

Nick Matassini – it’s awesome to have a regular connection to my past – Thanks for coming and sharing in our special day at the wedding – you and Norma are the best! We will be sharing grandchild pictures and stories next year!

My Phoenix Metals team mates – OUTSTANDING! Each and everyone I work with does an incredible job! I admire and respect each of you! With very little appreciation or encouragement you people have battled day after day and continued to grow our business! You are a GREAT team of people and I do appreciate your considerable efforts!

Laurie Jackson – we have never met in person and yet I feel I have encountered a person with a special spirit – she is an incredible photographer – and has become a supportive and encouraging friend! She has a son, Rob, that serves in Iraq and I have been able to encourage her when he has been gone - while she has been a constant encourager for my photography, as well as being an inspiration! Laurie – have a wonderful 2008! May you and your family continue to be blessed!

Rob La Follette, Bryan Peterson, Kathleen Connally, Jessica Claire, Paulo Jorge Oliver, Steve Paxton, Jerry McGaghey, Laurie Jackson - and the countless other talented photographers - that continue to inspire me!

Tim Tebow – thanks for an exciting year!

Mike Cline – thanks for giving us all hope by beating your cancer! May 2008 be your best ever!!!!

Spike and Randy – we are going on 20 years now – it’s been a fun ride and looks like the New Year will bring us all new ADVENTURES! Thanks for being a constant! We will all be riding in the mountains next year – visiting with the fat man!!!

My pups – Harley and Lilly – WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fur and love!

My hope is that everyone learns to look for and appreciate the special moments in your life – Live and love it – find the good and embrace it!

Jerry Dec 22 2007

The Secret

Whoever you are.......Where ever you are....
My hope is that you realize just how special
you are!

St Petersburg Yacht Club

An early morning view of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club

Little Momma

Here is Little Momma Brook! This was early Friday
morning before we took her to the airport to fly
up and suprise Charlie! She looks AWESOME! She and
the baby are doing wonderfully! Charlie just finished
one of the hardest Special Forces training as he
completed S.E.R.E school - where he actually became
a POW. Brook really made the day by being there as
he completed this phase. They will be looking for
a house this week and Brook will get moved up there
by the end of January!

More Beach Buddies

Saturday was windy and cloudy with a cold
front coming through the Tampa Bay area AND
there was no college football - so Linda
and I went riding and I headed for the
beaches to see if I could find some of my
favorite birds....

Happy Gators everywhere!

Last night Tim Tebow became the 1st sophmore to
ever win the Heisman Trophy! A finer young man
and competitor can not be found anywhere. The
Gator Nation is a very happy group today!

Good Morning!

St Petersburg Pier

Beach Buddies!

I've always held a fascination for the big
birds at the beaches - dating back to childhood
hanging out on the docks at old Johns Pass...
Pelicans and Egrets are 2 of my favorites!
These were all captured this week along the
beaches near St. Petersburg!

GATORS ROMP the Seminoles!

Courtney and I traveled to Gainesville on Saturday
to see the annual "hate-fest" between our Florida
Gators and the dreaded Florida State Seminoles!
Courtney was pumped!!! The boys from Tallahassee
never knew what hit them as Tim Tebow and speedy
Percy Harvin led the Gators to an old fashioned
butt-whipping 45 - 12!!!
I always have a flood of long ago memories when
I go back to Gainesville and this trip was no
exception... The stadium has changed dramatically
and there are a LOT more people - but it is
still there - right there where it was when I
was a young guy.... It's bigger and brighter
and our time flew...AWESOME!!!
Courtney continues her love affair with Mr Tebow!!
We had a BALL!!! Special memories with the best
daughter in the world at the SWAMP!

I'm most Thankful!!!

Thanksgiving - I am always humbled by this day every
year because I have so very much to be thankful for! I
have been blessed beyond my dreams!
We grew to 5 this year with Brook becoming a beautiful
addition to the family! Charlie and Brook came in on
Monday so we will all be together! Courtney will bring
a new friend to Thanksgiving dinner! I really think we
should be in a "Thanksgiving mood" every day and be
aware of all we have to be thankful for!
We will converge on Steve and Adrienne's house for
the big feast this afternoon and watch football - what
else could you want???
Our 2 Labradors have grown in to such beautiful
parts of our life and keep us busy everyday - big
bundles of love!
Then - on Saturday.... Courtney and I will travel to
Gainesville to watch our Gators deal with those ugly
ole Seminoles!!! GO GATORS!!!!!


Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home,
a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.


Melody Beattie