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In November 2007 we began the project to finish the basement. We hired the best contractor on the East Coast, Doug Moore, and prepared to empty the savings account. The basement had several studded walls holding up the floor above and I came up with a floor-plan that included a large bedroom, full bathroom, sitting room, kitchenette, and large game-room. We added french doors and new windows for more natural light. The finished basement adds over 1200 sq. foot to the size of the house and is a great addition for the kids and guests.

Studs, electrical, plumbing, HVAC

In November 2007 the Waxhaw Wolverines, Sarah's U14 Soccer Team, played in the State Youth Soccer Tournament in Burlington North Carolina. We left Friday night and stayed through Sunday. The girls won their first game Saturday, lost their second and qualified for the final on Sunday. After an exciting game against a very aggressive team the girls were defeated 1-0 but had a very enjoyable weekend.

This was Paul's first season playing football. There are no try-outs for Parkwood Middle School football, meaning everyone who showed up for the first practice got to play. He was given the role of starting kick return. The boys, all aged 12-13, practiced hard but did not have a winning season. They were beaten in the play-offs by Holy Trinity. Better luck next year!

Monday July 9th was a special day in our home. Kelly's 16th Birthday! Around 5:00PM a stretch limo pulled up in front the house to take Kelly and her friends out on a special night on the town. They left Waxhaw behind for a glamorous night of touring the Queen City. After a 3-hour tour, the night ended with ice-cream at a local parlor and then back to the house for cake and party games. We love you Kelly.

We woke up in the early morning of February 1st 2007 to find thick flakes of snow falling all around Charlotte. It stopped snowing around 9:00AM by which time we had about 4 inches on the ground. With all the area schools closed for the day it was not long before for all the neighborhood kids hit the street and snowmen started popping up in almost every yard. But snow soon turned to rain and most of the snow was melted by Saturday. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

In July we lost one of our closest family friends, R.J Chapa. I first met RJ in a small church in Goose Creek, SC in January 2001. I did not know Jesus Christ at the time but after attending a Christmas Eve service I was invited to a men's bible study that RJ was teaching. He made an immediate impression on me. Over the next 5 years we grow very close as he becomes my spiritual teacher and journey's with me as I begin to discover the mysteries and truths of the bible. I know he is in a better place but he will be sorely missed here.

Subject to a meticulous 4-year rotisserie restoration, which was completed in 2000, the car was delivered to us on March 24th, 2005. The strip down revealed an undamaged body, except for minor door dings, and absolutely no rust. The body was gently bead-blasted and phosphate plated for corrosion resistance prior to painting.The car was originally from Oregon and had a factory gold exterior and black interior. It was repainted white, with top of the line Glassurit brand polyurethane paint from BASF, and fitted with a new red interior. The new convertible top is white, as is the tonneau cover. The engine, gearbox and clutch were completely rebuilt as were the brakes and steering system. Virtually all electrical components that could be replaced were replaced with new. The wiring harness was removed, un-taped, checked, cleaned and re-taped. The exhaust is a lifetime warranty stainless steel system. The suspension was completely rebuilt including Spax gas adjustable shocks on all four wheels and the rear end was rebuilt with new seals. The car is still in excellent condition more than 20 years later.

We continue the Christmas tradition of hanging stockings and shouting our wishes up the chimney to Santa

I love Christmas. Most of Christmas Eve was spent lazing around watching TV and wrapping last minute gifts. We left for church early for carol singing before each service. On Christmas morning we woke early to find Santa had filled our stockings to overflowing and left several gifts under the tree. After everything was unwrapped and played with it was nearly time for dinner. Julie again served up Turkey with all the trimmings.

In November 2006 the family gathered, from all corners of the world, to celebrate Celia's 70th Birthday. We rented two cottages at Hopton Hall in Derbyshire and spent a wonderful weekend eating, drinking, walking, and playing charades. Members of the Short's, Swift's, Druitt's, Whitfeld's, and Hughes D'Aeth's, some whose paths hadn't crossed in over thirty years, came together to honor Celia and a great time was had by all. We toasted all those family members who were absent, especially Dad, well into the night. We must do it again real soon.

On a beautiful Sunday evening in late October, Paul and I went to watch the Carolina Panthers take on the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America stadium. This was Paul's first professional football game and he was treated to front row seats and field passes prior to the game. He was on crutches due to breaking his foot during a football game at school recess. The game started off well with the Panthers taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter but things went south in the fourth with the Cowboys being the eventual winners by over 20 points.