News

We Have Been Gone Too Long!!

I have neglected the website for far too long but I can’t think of a better way to kick off our return then to announce it is time for...

Scholarship Time!!

It is that time of year again!  Seniors are going to prom, making senior portraits, ordering invitations and attending Senior parties.  It is a busy and exciting time for...

Scholarship Time!!

I realized today that I posted information about the scholarship on several different social media platforms but forgot to post it in the most important place which is Magnolia...

Let’s DO MORE in 2020!!

2020 was an eventful year for Magnolia Son and for Christian.  We gained so many friends and supporters of Magnolia Son and we were able to continue to GIVE...

Congratulations Gracie Newell!!

I am late in announcing the recipient of the scholarship this year because honestly we just couldn’t decide. In an effort to make the decision less painless, I enlarged...

I Gotcha ….

I have people ask me sometimes why we give shoes away instead of doing some other type of outreach.  I tell them that shoes for kids are not only...

A Day When Something Began

Webster dictionary defines “birthday” as the day that something began.  Twenty six years ago Christian “began”…. He began as this ball of energy, always smiling, mischievious boy and turned...

Time Well Spent

A few weeks ago I took a group of kids to the movie. As we were walking in one of the kids (who was 14 y/o) asked “What do...

Writing the Next Chapter

This year we had a very difficult time deciding an essay winner. There were so many well written papers that captured the spirit of Magnolia Son’s motto of Live...

Scholarship Time!!!

Another year has rolled by and it is that time again!! Time to put your thinking hats on and show us what you have learned over the past 12...

2018 ….. Another Chance to Get It Right

2017 gave us some good days as well as some bad but the constant “bright spot” throughout the year was Magnolia Son.  Whether it was the School Kick  Off...

I Wish You More….

I posted the old Irish tale of “Wishing you Enough” in an earlier post. At the end of the day that marks Christian’s 25th birthday I think it would...

A Christian Moment

Congratulations Kinley Elderidge!!!

Let’s Honor His Life…

Over the past three years I have intentionally kept the circumstances surrounding Christian’s death away from Magnolia Son. Magnolia Son has been the positive to come out of a...

It’s Not Too Late….

It is not too late to apply for the Christian Shane Andreacchio Memorial Scholarship but the deadline is fast approaching!! Before April 10th sit down and write a 2-3...

The Christian Shane Andreacchio Memorial Scholarship

We are very excited to announce we will be awarding a $5,000 college scholarship to a Lauderdale County high school graduate soon!!! Our website has been updated to include...

When Your Reach Exceeds Your Grasp

Someone many years ago started the tradition of “Year in Review” which now puts pressure on all of us to write a philosophical accounting of the past year….. unfortunately...

Memory Maker

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect night last night for what we refer to as Christian’s wishing night.  There was laughter.  There was tears.  There were family...

If Christian was here…….

Everyday in our home you will hear the words “If Christian was here……” at least once.  “If Christian was here the boat would be fixed” …. “If Christian was...

A Full Heart & A Wanting Mind…

I received a card last week from Will and Bailey Dungan.  It was with full eyes and and a full heart that I placed it on the table in...

I Wish You Enough

Tuesday night we were able to give 63 pairs of shoes to local students to help make their first days of school a little better.  My brother asked the...

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Will Dungan!!

The day stands out clearly in my mind. Christian coming in from the store and telling me he had run into Bailey and Mrs. Marilynn at Randy’s. He was...

Romeo, Romeo Wherefore Art Thou Romeo….

It was a 9th or 10th grade English class. Mrs. Clark was the teacher and Christian was the thorn in her side. Walking into class with no pencil, no...

Spectators for Life…

I recently had a discussion with a friend about being “a tourist in life”; not participating in life but coasting along with work and family. I thought about that...

A BIG Thanks!!

I wanted to express my gratitude to everyone who helped with the fundraiser today and those of you who came out and supported Magnolia Son. Many of you faithfully...

Proof of Life

Two years without Christian’s smile, goofy faces, raised eyebrow or sarcastic comments has been two years too long. We came to his favorite place in the world…. the beach....

A Perfect Effort

We hear so much about the larger than life college football coaches that win year after year.  Or younger upstarts that create winning teams from programs that have always...

If…..

Growing up there was one Sunday a year that my mother would let me miss church…. Wimbledon Finals.  There were a lot of good memories packed into the two...

A Life Lived Well

My grandmother passed away this week.  A person who had been so instrumental in not only my life, but my entire family’s life.  Christian loved her dearly.  Reading through...

Guardian Angel

I received a few pictures from the Boys & Girls Club today.  The smiles were priceless….. so much like Christian.     “Never travel faster than your guardian angel...

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends….

Be a Viking

A few weeks ago I was watching a show based on Notre Dame’s football team and their commitment to winning a national championship.  In one episode Joe Plumeri spoke...

Great Love

I am late posting pictures of our celebration of Christian’s birthday.  It was a great way to spend the evening with people who knew him, laughed with him, made...

This Guy….

There is not too much I can say about this guy that hasn’t already been said.  This kid somewhere along the way became this guy… this man who somewhere...

The Sign

As a small child, probably seven or eight years old, I remember writing a prayer that I would say every night. Over the years it became rote recital of...

Is the Cost of Life = To the Cost of a Sandwich??

I heard an interesting story today of two men.  One young and following a path of  hard work and promise, the other older and choosing a troubled path of...

Thanks For All The Support!!

It may have been a chilly misty morning but people came out anyway and made our “garage sale” a success!  We would like to thank all the people who...

Let the Haters Hate

A few days ago the true intent of Magnolia Son was called into question.  There was a statement made that Magnolia Son was formed to overcompensate for my role...

I Am Who I Say I Am…

One of the first concerts Christian and I attended was Eminem with Pitbull opening.  That was before anyone knew who Pitbull was.  🙂  I told Christian not to tell...

My Superhero

When your children are born you as a parent are the center of their world.  Their existence centers around learning to call you, toddle to you and to show...

School Day, School Days….

Christian never loved school but he LOVED entertaining at school and then coming home and telling me about how he made this teacher laugh, or played a joke on...

What Will Your Footprint Be?

Magnolia Son may not be a large organization but what we lack in size we make up for in heart.  I would like to thank all the people who...

Where Words Fail – Music Speaks

R.I.P.

It has been a little while since my last post.  I think everyone goes through periods of time that words do not present themselves.  Times when there are no...

Lost Causes & Second Chances

Today seemed like a good day for second chances, lost causes and hoping for the best.  So why not get out in the sprinkling rain and pick up a...

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!!

I am excited to announce we will be hosting a charity softball event August 22, 2015!  This will be the first Magnolia Son sporting event we have organized so...

Dr. Suess…. Who Knew?

A cat in a hat, a fish in a dish, Thing 1 and Thing 2…. WHO KNEW,  Dr. Suess was so smart about people and places and Life’s little...

The Small Things

I realized tonight that I had not posted pictures from our latest shopping trip.  Looking at the pictures of these teen age boys who were so happy to just...

Do Something

It has been several weeks since I have made a shopping trip with the kids.  I kept saying “Well tomorrow I will take them” and tomorrow would become the next day...

Girls Just Want to Have…… Small Feet???

It seems I am always taking boys shopping and the girls get left out so today I made a conscious effort to take two girls shopping and left the...

Staying in the Game

I received an email from my sister last week with the simple message “I think you will like this.  It’s a message by Hugh Freeze.”  I really wasn’t in...

Meet You In My Dreams…..

The past 12 months have been a roller coaster of a year.  Looking back 12 months to February 26, 2014 I was probably walking out of the hospital about...

You’ve Got a Friend…

I have always loved reading and have been envious of writers and speakers who put together words that make such an impact on so many people to the point...

Let’s Make A Deal…..

This week I have taken four of the kids shopping and I will have to say….. I got taken. 🙂  This little fast talking cute as a button 12...

Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, breathe the wild air…

I was looking through pictures tonight and found so many pictures of Christian at the beach or pool with Victoria and a very young Parker.  None of them having...

Psalm 34:18…

Today we received a donation in memory of Justin “JB” Blanks from Robin Long Harshbarger.  It saddened me that another young life had been taken.  The past 12 months...

To Those Not Forgotten

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own “mission” that we forget we are only one in a group of many that have lost a child.  We forget...

“I Feel Like A Princess”

A truly enjoyable day shopping with the girls.  They were so sweet and truly appreciative.  A good ending to the 2014 year of shopping!!

Carpe Diem

There were many things Christian talked about having tattoed on his body just to give his mother some grey hair and something to fuss about, but one thing he...

Paying it Forward

Due to the generosity of so many people we were able to take several more kids shopping for shoes.  It was their early Christmas presents.  One of the boys...

Christmas Shopping Early!!

Another successful day of shopping.  These two guys were pretty low maintenance.  It is not always about the price tag!!

A Lesson in Object Relations

Yesterday I took two young men shopping for their properly fitting pair of shoes. 🙂  In some ways no different than the other trips I have made but in...

Thankfully Grateful

I was not planning to write a post today but as friends and co-workers sent me texts and well wishes starting at 7 AM this morning and continuing throughout...

Another Shopping Day in the Books

The two guys today were very picky about their shoes.  It took three stores but we finally found the right pair of shoes for both of them.  And they...

Messages for Christian

I have been slow to post video and pictures that were taken the night of Christian’s birthday.  It was a special night with a lot of laughter, good music...

Thank You for Today

Yesterday was a difficult day for me and my family.  It was Christian’s 22nd birthday.  The first of many birthdays we will celebrate without him.  I really did not...

Happy Birthday to the Original Magnolia Son

Twenty two years ago I was given a second chance at parenting.  Josh had survived the first go around and now it was Christian’s turn to give me a...

Thank You Harry Mayer!

Many of you have sent me messages or called asking when we would have the Magnolia Son t-shirts available. Well, finally I can tell you they are available at...

Happy Birthday MaMa Louise!!!

Magnolia Son would like to wish MaMa Louise a wonderful day for her 102nd birthday!! She has touched so many lives with her generosity, wisdom, strength and support that...

Thank you…

    Last week one of the kids gave an employee at The Crossings a Thank You note to give to me. I thought other people might want to...

Papa JoJo and Mrs. Vicki

 Papa JoJo Christian was only three weeks old when Mrs. Imogene Boswell started keeping him while Todd and I worked.  Mrs. Imogene only kept teacher’s kids but she made...

Christian’s Corner

Last night I was thinking about all the people who have supported me and my family over the past seven months and who have”been in Christian’s corner” throughout this...

“I always wanted some Jordans”

Today I took one of our younger residents shopping. He was quiet as we drove to the mall but when I asked him what were his favorite brand of...

Thank You to the “Firsts”

I wanted to take the time to say a special Thank You to all the people who were the “Firsts” for Magnolia Son – the first to buy a...

Confirming The Mission Of Magnolia Son

Well, the first trip with the kids shopping for shoes was a great success but also very humbling. I definitely know this was the right “mission” to have in...