Tuesday, July 22, 2008

USA-NKF National Tournament 2008 Houston


We just got back from Houston for Jake's karate tournament and he brought home two gold medals! YEH! He worked so hard for this and got the gold medal in his open division and his team won gold as well. Next on his list will be the national tournament next year and maybe the World Shotokan Championships in Mexico next year as well! We are so proud of him! Go Jake!

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy Summer

The Cartmell's are having a busy summer! Jake is training for a karate tournament in July about 5-6 days a week and Luke is having fun with friends, playing football and some basketball! Todd is busy as usual and I just got back from an incredible trip to Haiti. Pics soon to follow!
Happy July 4th! I never realized how fortunate we are to live here until I went to Haiti for a week! God Bless America!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I cried yesterday and today 5 times!

I know this is a Cartmell blog, but since I'm the mom and I'm the only one who posts anything...I thought I'd share this little tid bit!
I came home from a very trying day in ICU with my nursing school clinicals....a patient who is my age and kids and husband and job and life and parents AND she's not doing well at all! (my first cry!) I went to the mailbox and leafed through the mail....only to find our very first letters from colleges addressed to our 15 year old son! I'm sure my face made some sort of twitch and I actually had to sit down and see if this was really true! I talked to these letters and told them to leave him alone! He's only 15 and only a sophmore and my baby! (Second cry!) Went to check emails and the high school guidance counselor emailed to tell Todd and I that we had such a great son and she usually only contacts parents because their kids are problems and she felt like letting us know what a great kid we have! (Major 3rd cry!...was a happy cry) Today I cried again with the family of my patient in ICU as they discussed end of life issues together! (How can you NOT cry! #4) Then today I sent this same child on a fancy charter bus with 180 other high schoolers to Disney World! A hotel with his 3 best friends, Disney, his friend (not the hotel room), a 3 pound box of Cheez-its and all the Sweedish Fish you can eat! (In the car, crying alone, that he's going to have so much fun and I get to study for the weekend! #5)

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Jake and Marly


This is Jake and his new girl friend Marly before a progressive dinner. January 2008
She's a sweetie!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Florida Christmas

Look how these pale skinned Chicago guys match the sand!! HEE!


We spent Christmas in Florida visiting Todd's family. Sunny and beautiful! This is a picture of all the Cartmell men. (L to R) Don, Rodney, Jake, Luke and Todd. What a group!