NAR President Gary Thomas, broker-owner of Evergreen Realty in Villa Park, Calif., said homes are selling much faster. “The typical home sold in March was on the market for one month less than it took to sell a year ago,” he said. “Multiple bidding is becoming more common, and more homes are selling above the asking price, so buyers need to move quickly and follow their Realtor®’s advice for contingencies when making contract offers.”

  I can attest to that with our own experience over the past two months.  One of my buyers made an offer on a townhouse in Arlington that included an escalation addendum going $40,000 over list price.  We lost out on the contract.  Apparently someone else came in at a similar number but without an appraisal contingency.  I can’t fathom contracting to purchase a home for $40,000 over without an appraisal.  Five or ten thousand is OK, but not $40k.

  I then submitted a contract for condo in Old Town.  This too went for over list price by $5,000.  We had submitted our offer with an escalation addendum.  The next highest offer was for $3,000 over list.

  Last weekend two different clients submitted offers and lose out to others who came in higher.  One for a home in Great Falls and the other for a home in Herndon.  The home in Great Falls went for over list at $2.0 million and was an all cash deal with no finance/appraisal contingencies.  Not quite sure what the one in Herndon went for, but we had an escalation addendum going to more than $20,000 over list.  Both sets of clients submitted offers on other properties yesterday.  Hopefully these will be more successful.

 

Welcome to 700 Parrish Farm Lane

Click on the photo for a virtual tour of this wonderful home.

Beautifully sited on a 3 acre professionally landscaped corner lot, this stately stucco and stone home couldn’t be more inviting.  So close in to Dulles, Reston, Tyson’s Corner and Washington, D.C., yet you’ll feel like you are miles from civilization.  The circular drive offers easy access to the front of the home, and the side driveway brings you to the spacious 3-car garage.

Enter this 5 bedroom, 4-bath home into the light filled 2 story foyer, and right away you’ll be impressed.  The sweeping curved staircase, hardwood floors, custom crown mouldings and chair rails speak to the quality of this home.  Transom and arched windows bring light streaming into this inviting home.

The formal living room with built in bookcases, display shelves and custom  mouldings can be found just off the foyer.  A spacious dining room with a beautiful crystal chandelier is ready for dinner parties or family gatherings.

The oversized family room includes a gas fueled stone fireplace wall and an abundance of space for seating and more.  Just steps away you’ll find the gorgeous custom kitchen with an expansive array of cherry cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless high end refrigerator, oven and gas cooktop.  Abundant counter space, glass-doored buffet area, and walk in pantry offer everything a family could need. Two separate eating areas provide flexibility – a bay windowed breakfast area along with a separate family dining space complete this expansive kitchen.  A laundry room is also conveniently right off the kitchen.  Views of the private wooded backyard and two level deck can be seen from the entire back of the house.

But you’re not done with the main level of this home. A large main level bedroom and full bath could be used as an additional master, or an au pair/in-law/guest suite. An office/den/library with glass French doors to a covered patio can also be found on the main level.

Climb the curved hardwood staircase to the second level of this home and you’ll find yourself on a large balcony area overlooking the foyer and family room.

3 spacious bedrooms plus a sumptuous master suite can be found on this level. A full bath with natural stone tiles, tub, shower and granite-topped vanity add to the custom touches in this home.  The oversized master suite includes a lighted, vaulted, and beamed ceiling, gas fireplace, and plenty of room for relaxing.  Glass French doors to his and her closets provide a luxurious touch.

You’ll also find an expansive master bath with 24” natural stone floor tiles, double vanity with granite top, frameless glass tiled shower and oval soaking tub.

But don’t forget about the finished lower level of this lovely home.  A wide staircase from the family room lined with a stone wall lease to a spacious area for entertaining. A wood burning stove insert in the fireplace and stone accents throughout add to the warmth and hominess of this space. A bay window draws in even more light in addition to the glass doors to the backyard.

You’ll find plenty of room for a pool table or home theater in addition to lots of seating on the lower level.  A granite-topped bar with microwave and refrigerator will make entertaining a breeze.  A full bath with Jacuzzi tub are close by.

The lovely pastoral setting of this private home is truly unique.  Let your cares slip away as you leave the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia and come home to this gem of a home.

Military Appreciation Mondays

Supports CIA Officers Memorial Foundation

This month’s Military Appreciation Monday event on January 14th will be in support of the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation.  As most of you know, this one is personal for me and I hope you will make an extra effort to come out and show your appreciation for what these brave men and women do for us on a daily basis.  Be sure to make your reservations for either the 5:30 or 7:30 seating at the Old Brogue by calling (703) 759-3309.. Visit CIA Officers Memorial Foundation to learn more about this fabulous organization and the help it provides to Agency families.

For those unfamiliar with the MAM events, you simply come enjoy a great dinner at the Old Brogue in Great Falls, Va.  The Brogue, myself and our co-sponsors will each make a contribution to the foundation based on 10 percent of whatever you spend.  We typically have about a 200 percent match of your dinner tab and the average donation is about $200.  Door prize entries are also sold as a means of raising additional funds.  The dinners provide a perfect, low cost venue to show your appreciation to those who protect our country.  For directions to the restaurant, simply click on the link:  Old Brogue.

Our Military Kids

2012 Christmas Gift Wish List

Thank you to all who participated in this year’s wounded warrior Christmas Gift Wish List project.  Between the families provided by Our Military Kids, Ruth Hoffman at Walter Reed and recommendations from others in the program, we purchased over $20,000 worth of gifts for 140 kids.  This is an increase of more than 40 percent from last year’s list.  Please check below for the names of adopted families and those who provided support.  I know a number of folks not only purchased gifts, but also helped out with Christmas dinners, decorations, etc.   I hope you all had a great experience and will maintain an ongoing relationship with your families.  If you have them, please forward copies of photos and any comments you may have received from your respective families to Santa@bobnelsonteam.com; gmschaefer@ourmilitarykids.com; ruth.d.hoffman.civ@health.mil.  Both Gloria Schaefer and Ruth Hoffman provide support to our service member families year round and definitely deserve our thanks.  Also see comments from both the families and some of the sponsors.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

Cash donations:

Rex Latham – $100

Pat Martin – $300

Jane Muehr – $150

Kim Degnan – $150

Tom Steffens – $150

Tarry Farries – $1,000

Doug and Jane Hanscom – $100

Suzanne and Cofer Black – $500

The Grande Dams Book Club – $425

A.  Rio Family – Adopted by Roellig Family

B.  Welton Family – Adopted by Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

C.  Alexander Family - Adopted by Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

D.  McMains Family – Adopted by the Heymann Family

E.  Maynor Family – Adopted by Tom Francis and Family

F.  Nemwan Family – Adopted by Mary Lou Christy and Family

G.  Rivera Family – Adopted through cash donations

H.  Harrison Family – Adopted by Louis and Alice Andors

I.  Jones Family – Adopted by Blackbird Technologies

J.  Bentley Family – Adopted by Blackbird Technolgies

K.  Czech Family – Adopted through cash donations

L.  Green Family – Adopted through cash donations.

M.  Sproul Family – Adopted by the Sales Associates at Tory Burch

N.  Family – Adopted by Diane Glerum and Josee Cox

O.  Family – Adopted by Diane Glerum and Josee Cox

P.  Banks Family – Adopted by Gloria Schaeffer with Our Military Kids.

Q.  Jauregui Family – Adopted by Santa

R.  Lopez Family – Adopted by Susan Kristol

S.  Burkett Family – Adopted by Julianna Chapman

T.  Shanrahan Family – Adopted by Julianna Chapman

U.  Burkett Family – Adopted by Josee Cox and Diane Morales-Glerum

V.  Ohmer Family – Adopted by Josee Cox and Diane Morales-Glerum

W.  Oppelt Family – Adopted by Christine Henck

X.  Hunter Family – Adopted by Jeff and Mia Barb

Y.  Green Family – Adopted by Santa

Z.  Banks Family – Adopted by Gloria Schaeffer

Original List of 40 families

1.  Keen Family – Adopted by the McGillis Family

2.  Jackson Family – Adopted by the Landy Family

3.  Hess Family - Have had a good turn of events and withdrawn their names from the list.  This is the best type of gift one can receive!

4.   Adams Family – Adopted by Ambre and Dave McLaughlin

5.   SSG Cortinas Family – Adopted by Otto and Nita Hoernig

6.  Moran Family – Adopted by the Digges family.

7.  Anderson Family – Adopted by Laura Rhodes and Rick Whaley

8.  Ahlin Family  - Adopted by the Augustine Family

9.  Shive Family – Adopted through cash donations

10.   SSG Moore Family – Adopted by Laura and Gene Smith

11.  Harper Family -Adopted by Mary and Steve Cassady

12.  Spoerle Family – Adopted by Laura Rhodes and Rick Whaley

14.  Holmes Family – Adopted by Norma and Brent Bozell

15.  Diaz Family (Family name is Delgado) – Adopted by Hartley Family

16.  Scott Family – Adopted by Tim Heil and family.

17.  King (Patterson) Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

18.  Marr Family

Girl, 7 – Adopted by Andy Stern and Vernon Wyly (Andy Stern Furniture)

Boy, 3 – Adopted by Bill and Linda Flickinger

19.  Davis Family – Adopted by the Leach Family

20. Bob Pierce – Adopted by the Wise Family

21.   Childs Family – Adopted by Double Eagle Title

22.  Fitzner Family – Adopted by the Chmura Family

23.  Lewis Family – Adopted by Claire Abbott

24.  SGT Fitzpatrick Family – Adopted by the employees at Trace Systems Inc.

25. SGT Karpf Family – Adopted by Gina and Doug Jones

26.  Santos Family – Adopted by the employees at SKC LLC.

27. SSG Keaton Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

28.  SFC Platt Family – Adopted by Dave and Lyn LaMorte

29.  Lopez Family – Adopted by Chris and John Yaremchuk

30.  Mund Family – Adopted by Larry Sabin and family

31.  Staton Family – Adopted by Andrea Kamman and family

32.  Dawsey Family – Adopted by Paula Quiroz

33. Timothy Ashworth – Adopted by the Peters Family

34.   MacDonald Family – Adopted by Adeler Jewelers

35. Greg and Betty Easley – Adopted by the Fitzgerald Family

36.  McLean Family – Adopted by the Kuzmick family

37.  Coleman Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

38.  Tejada Family - Adopted by the employees at Trace Systems Inc.

39.  Bedore Family – Adopted by the Eric Brugel Family

40.  Ruiz Family – Adopted by Sam Ghanem, AFT International

Comments from some of the families:

Bob,

Thank you so much for calling on Friday. It means so much to hear of your support for our family. It has been a rough year with my husband being admitted inpatient twice for PTSD/TBI issues to hospitals in New York and D.C.  I have had to be a dual parent most of this last year and try to carry forward as best as I can. We appreciate and are so thankful for what you do in order to get our family adopted this year.

I wish a Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!!

Sorry this took so long to get to you, but I really appreciate your patience and generosity!  This has been a rough year for our family.  I’m not sure how much background you were given on us, but my husband was injured in June in Afghanistan when his compound was attacked by insurgents.  He took a grenade to the left side of his face, where shrapnel entered his brain through his left eye.  Among a few other minor injuries, he has a traumatic brain injury as well as a lost left eye.  All in all, he is doing remarkably well, but as you can imagine things have not been easy, especially for the kids.  My husband, however, is on the mend and back home with us receiving care here in Michigan, so we are very fortunate to be able to spend the holidays with him.

We would be interested in the program this year, as we are unable to provide much for our children this year due to money issues. We have 5 children- ages: 14, girl; 12,boy; 5,girl; 2,girl; and 7 months, boy. Our older children understand that we will need to wait until after the new year (tax season) to provide Christmas gifts, but the younger ones are still expecting Santa to visit.  (Please note:  We have the family adopted and the “older” kids will definitely be taken care of.)

Yes, We did receive your box! I was out of town visiting my mother in San Diego who is sick and did not return until today. But, my neighbor saw the box and kept it for me until today. He said it came on Friday (Nov30). I did not open the box because the girls were right there with me! THANK YOU so much for your kindness and your generosity! I know the girls will absolutely love the dolls that you so thoughtfully picked out for them! My husband and I are very grateful to you and your beautiful daughter Isabel. You embody the true spirit of Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you and your family, may God giving you many more blessings for your act of kindness towards my girls. We truly wish upon you and yours the best in life….

Email from Samantha to Eric:

I just read your e-mail, and started crying! My husband thinks I can be a big baby, but I have I am just so grateful. My family and I were not going to do much this year because we don’t have that much money and our girls were not expecting a lot for Christmas. Since you have adopted our family, I thought you would like to know a little bit about ourselves.My husband has served ten years in the army and has done 5 tours to Iraq. He was severely injured on our oldest daughters first birthday when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. He battles many challenges but the most challenging one is his memory. He currently doesn’t recollect a lot of our oldest child growing up and also forgets things throughout the day, we take brain training classes near our home at the VA and it seems to have helped a little and are currently still in therapy. He has as well had multiple surgeries and more recently our Orthopedics Dr. has asked us to consider a prosthetic leg for my husband because of the lack of mobility and pain he is in, its just a really hard decision to make.

I currently am going to school full time and hope to become a physical therapist in the future ( I am going on my second year, still have a long road ahead). I hope to help people who have have been injured just like my husband serving in the military on tour. After my husband was injured, he lost hope not knowing what to do. I have thankfully motivated him to go to school and I am his note taker in his classes and proud to say he is passing. He gets discouraged when he says he cannot recollect things I have spent lots of time working on him with but he doesn’t stop, and if he won’t give up, I sure won’t. I hope you don’t mind me telling you so much, I just thought you would like to know a little bit about us and who we are.

Thank you again for adopting our family,we are very grateful. My husband and I will look on Amazon as soon as we get home!!

Comments from some of the supporters:

Bob:  We thank you for the opportunity to help two families. We had a wonderful day.

Diane Glerum

 

Hi Bob,

I wanted to let you know my family has order the gifts for the Weinrick Family.

 Thanks for letting me part take in this….

 Thanks

 Michael

I called our family last night.

It was such a great conversation..one of admiration and appreciation on my end and one of gratefulness on his end.

During our telephone conversation Tara was moved to tears that someone who didn’t even know her was willing to help her family.   They are struggling financially and had already prepared their 7 year old daughter to expect a lean Christmas this year.

From Eric Brugel:

  FYI, I have had a touching exchange with Samantha and Jason Bedore regarding the gifts.  It heightens my appreciation for their contribution to the country.  Thanks for making the effort to pull this all together.  I gave them a budget of $250 per child, which was above your suggestion, and I am glad I did given what they are going through.  BTW,  I googled his name and it turns out he did 5 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and received the Purple Heart.  She has also served and is in the reserves now.  She never made any mention of this to me.  It is really moving.

This one is mine to Pam Czech:

    It was a real pleasure speaking with you today and I am looking forward to helping make this Christmas a little bit brighter.  Please go ahead and send me some ideas of what your son would like to have under the tree on Christmas day.  I feel privileged to help out after all you have given to this great country.  As we discussed, please try to limit the list of items to $150.  As a grandfather of three wonderful little ones, I have to make an exception to my own guidelines, but you are the first grandma I’ve had on the list.  Please send me a few items that you would like to give the grandkids and I will make sure to get them out to you.  I only ask that you limit the amount for these gifts to $50 per child.  (Changed my mind after thinking further and we went ahead and ordered $150 per grandchild as well.)
Go ahead and send the wish lists to Santa@bobnelsonteam.com.  I would like to ask that you send me a few photos of the kids opening their gifts so that I can post these on my website.  I invite you to visit my website:  www.bobnelsonteam.com to see the entire list of kids and some of the comments I have received.  Good luck getting back on that Harley!

Hi Bob!

I hope you’re prepped for the Holidays! They closing in on us fast.  I just wanted to reach out and thank you for putting me in touch with Angie and Wes.  I met with her today to do Christmas shopping with our donations and had such an incredible time.  We also threw in a $50 gift certificate to a local pizza parlor to help provide a yummy dinner for them as well.

It was truly a unique and humbling experience. I hope to keep in touch with them in the future.  As far as working together in the future, would it be possible for you to put together a little, very informal, proposal of what you’d like us to do and we can see how we can assist you? I would even be interested in participating outside of ToryBurch, as well.  No need for any of this until after the New Year, I’m sure you’re busy.

Again, thank you very much for assisting us on making this a reality and I look forward to speaking to you soon!

Warmest Regards,

Carley McClintock   Sales Associate

 

 Miltiary Appreciation Monday 

Supports The Navy SEAL Foundation

 

Next Monday, December 10th, our monthly Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be in support of The Navy SEAL Foundation. I hope you can join us and show your support for the brave men and women who have given so much for our country. Be sure to make your reservation for either the 5:30 or 7:30 seating at the Old Brogue by calling (703) 759-3309.  Visit http://www.navysealfoundation.org. to learn more about this fabulous organization and the help it provides to our service members and their families.

We typically have three to five combat veterans (and often their families) attend. Please call or send me an email if you would like to buy dinner for one of these attendees.

For those of you not familiar with the MAM events, you simply come enjoy a great dinner at the Old Brogue in Great Falls. Our cosponsors, the Brogue and myself each make a ten percent donation based on how much you spend on dinner. So, come with a hearty appetite!

The Navy SEAL Foundation stands behind all U.S. Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen, Naval Special Warfare support personnel, and their spouses and children. The Foundation coordinates closely with NSW commands to support critical needs of active-duty operators while also providing resources for NSW veterans. Our work is focused on three key areas: family services and command support, educational programs, and legacy activities.

The Foundation was formed in 2000 and underwent a name change in January 2011 when the SEAL-Naval Special Warfare Foundation and the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund combined their organizations. The merger makes it easier for families to receive assistance and support from one organization, while enabling the Foundation to respond rapidly to their needs.

Feel free to forward this message and/or the attached flyer to all you know.

I would like to say a special thanks to all those who have been MAM co-sponsors in the past. Feel free to contact me if you would like to information on any of our cosponsors or door prize donors. I am always open to additional individuals who would like to serve as cosponsors. This typically runs between $150 – $200 each month. Last month we raised approximately $5,000 for the Operation Second Chance.

Upcoming Dinners will support:

CIA Officers Memorial Foundation – January 14th

Stop Soldier Suicide – February 11th

Yellow Ribbon Fund – March 11th

Previous Cosponsors:

Karl Pierson               Nelson Family             Grossman Family

Black Family               David Moxley               Sylvestre Family

Kaihara Family           Heil Family                  Randy Phillips

Bob George                  Forster Family             Doug Stevens

Redmann Family        Mary Ann Martel         Scott and Dave LaMorte

Dawson Richardson   Dave and Amber Mclaughlin     Thorpe Family

Bozell Family               Morales/Glerum Family

 

 Previous Business Sponsors:

The Old Brogue

Double Eagle Title

Home Equity Builders

Blackbird Technologies

Al’s Towing and Storage

Taylor Allgyer – First Savings Mortgage

G Stephen Delaney – State Farm Insurance

James Gaudiosi – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Katie and Lindsay Simmons – Mclean Mortgage

 

Raffle Prize Donors:

Adeler Jewelers

Lodgecliff on the Choptank B&B

P.F. Chang’s Restaurant

Great Falls Design Build

State Farm Insurance

Great Falls Exxon

Dominion Title

Old Brogue

Neighbors Network

XAct Photo

Deli Italiano

Joan Falls

Great Dogs

Our Military Kids

2012 Christmas Gift Wish List

New families will be posted immediately below as they come in from Our Military Kids.  The plan is to add tranches of five families  Once they have been “adopted” we will add another five.  As with the original list, the family info will be in green while still available.  Please continue to follow this as we add and adopt new families.  Send me an email if you or a friend/family member would like to adopt one of the families.

 

 

Comments from some of the families:

Bob,

Thank you so much for calling on Friday. It means so much to hear of your support for our family. It has been a rough year with my husband being admitted inpatient twice for PTSD/TBI issues to hospitals in New York and D.C.  I have had to be a dual parent most of this last year and try to carry forward as best as I can. We appreciate and are so thankful for what you do in order to get our family adopted this year.

I wish a Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!!

 

Sorry this took so long to get to you, but I really appreciate your patience and generosity!  This has been a rough year for our family.  I’m not sure how much background you were given on us, but my husband was injured in June in Afghanistan when his compound was attacked by insurgents.  He took a grenade to the left side of his face, where shrapnel entered his brain through his left eye.  Among a few other minor injuries, he has a traumatic brain injury as well as a lost left eye.  All in all, he is doing remarkably well, but as you can imagine things have not been easy, especially for the kids.  My husband, however, is on the mend and back home with us receiving care here in Michigan, so we are very fortunate to be able to spend the holidays with him.

 

We would be interested in the program this year, as we are unable to provide much for our children this year due to money issues. We have 5 children- ages: 14, girl; 12,boy; 5,girl; 2,girl; and 7 months, boy. Our older children understand that we will need to wait until after the new year (tax season) to provide Christmas gifts, but the younger ones are still expecting Santa to visit.  (Please note:  We have the family adopted and the “older” kids will definitely be taken care of.)

Yes, We did receive your box! I was out of town visiting my mother in San Diego who is sick and did not return until today. But, my neighbor saw the box and kept it for me until today. He said it came on Friday (Nov30). I did not open the box because the girls were right there with me! THANK YOU so much for your kindness and your generosity! I know the girls will absolutely love the dolls that you so thoughtfully picked out for them! My husband and I are very grateful to you and your beautiful daughter Isabel. You embody the true spirit of Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you and your family, may God giving you many more blessings for your act of kindness towards my girls. We truly wish upon you and yours the best in life….

Email from Samantha to Eric:

I just read your e-mail, and started crying! My husband thinks I can be a big baby, but I have I am just so grateful. My family and I were not going to do much this year because we don’t have that much money and our girls were not expecting a lot for Christmas. Since you have adopted our family, I thought you would like to know a little bit about ourselves.My husband has served ten years in the army and has done 5 tours to Iraq. He was severely injured on our oldest daughters first birthday when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. He battles many challenges but the most challenging one is his memory. He currently doesn’t recollect a lot of our oldest child growing up and also forgets things throughout the day, we take brain training classes near our home at the VA and it seems to have helped a little and are currently still in therapy. He has as well had multiple surgeries and more recently our Orthopedics Dr. has asked us to consider a prosthetic leg for my husband because of the lack of mobility and pain he is in, its just a really hard decision to make.

I currently am going to school full time and hope to become a physical therapist in the future ( I am going on my second year, still have a long road ahead). I hope to help people who have have been injured just like my husband serving in the military on tour. After my husband was injured, he lost hope not knowing what to do. I have thankfully motivated him to go to school and I am his note taker in his classes and proud to say he is passing. He gets discouraged when he says he cannot recollect things I have spent lots of time working on him with but he doesn’t stop, and if he won’t give up, I sure won’t. I hope you don’t mind me telling you so much, I just thought you would like to know a little bit about us and who we are.

Thank you again for adopting our family,we are very grateful. My husband and I will look on Amazon as soon as we get home!!

 

Comments from some of the supporters:

Hi Bob,

I wanted to let you know my family has order the gifts for the Weinrick Family.

 Thanks for letting me part take in this….

 Thanks

 Michael

 

I called our family last night.

It was such a great conversation..one of admiration and appreciation on my end and one of gratefulness on his end.

 

During our telephone conversation Tara was moved to tears that someone who didn’t even know her was willing to help her family.   They are struggling financially and had already prepared their 7 year old daughter to expect a lean Christmas this year.

From Eric Brugel:

  FYI, I have had a touching exchange with Samantha and Jason Bedore regarding the gifts.  It heightens my appreciation for their contribution to the country.  Thanks for making the effort to pull this all together.  I gave them a budget of $250 per child, which was above your suggestion, and I am glad I did given what they are going through.  BTW,  I googled his name and it turns out he did 5 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and received the Purple Heart.  She has also served and is in the reserves now.  She never made any mention of this to me.  It is really moving.

This one is mine to Pam Czech:

    It was a real pleasure speaking with you today and I am looking forward to helping make this Christmas a little bit brighter.  Please go ahead and send me some ideas of what your son would like to have under the tree on Christmas day.  I feel privileged to help out after all you have given to this great country.  As we discussed, please try to limit the list of items to $150.  As a grandfather of three wonderful little ones, I have to make an exception to my own guidelines, but you are the first grandma I’ve had on the list.  Please send me a few items that you would like to give the grandkids and I will make sure to get them out to you.  I only ask that you limit the amount for these gifts to $50 per child.
Go ahead and send the wish lists to Santa@bobnelsonteam.com.  I would like to ask that you send me a few photos of the kids opening their gifts so that I can post these on my website.  I invite you to visit my website:  www.bobnelsonteam.com to see the entire list of kids and some of the comments I have received.  Good luck getting back on that Harley!

Cash donations:

Rex Latham – $100

Tarry Farries – $1,000

Suzanne and Cofer Black – $500

The Grande Dams Book Club – $425

I just added four more families to the list of those in need of help with this year’s Christmas.  I will have all of these taken care of within the next couple of days, but just wanted everyone to know how things have been moving forward.  Please follow the list below as new families are added.

We did it!! Everyone has been adopted.  Thank you to all of you who stepped up to help out.  I am currently in contact with Our Military Kids to come up with additional families who need help this Christmas.  For those of you who didn’t get back to me in time, you should still have an opportunity to “adopt” a family or a child.

Santa and I are once again teaming up with Our Military Kids in an attempt to bring some extra holiday cheer to the children of our injured and fallen service members and their families.  Our Military Kids has compiled a list of 40 families and a total of 100 Superheroes.  I’m hoping everyone will check out this list and consider serving as Santa for an individual child or an entire family. The latter is a great option for a company or office to consider.  We ask that you budget $150 per child.

I would like to offer up a big thank you to all who helped out last year.  We ended up providing Christmas gifts to over 40 families for a total of 96 kids.  I do hope you enjoyed being Santa and will consider helping out again this year.  We once again have 40 families (100 kids) currently on the list.

Below is something received by Our Military Kids last year which helps demonstrate just how important what we are trying to do is to our military families.

Hello, as I sit here crying and wondering how I’m gonna Pay my bills, I got your email concerning the Christmas Gift Wish List.  All I can say is Thank you!!!!!!

The  list below will be posted until Christmas and will be updated over the next few weeks.  Please follow our progress at my Website: www.bobnelsonteam.com, give me a call or drop an e-mail to: Santa@bobnelsonteam.com to let Santa know which child/family’s your would like to adopt this Christmas.  Once you have done so, we will give you the info for the family to contact them and then send your gift(s) directly to the family.  I would also encourage you to visit www.Our Military Kids.org to learn more about this wonderful grassroots organization that does so much all year long for the kids.

Last year’s overwhelming response helped not only bring gifts to nearly 100 kids, but several of you stepped up and bought Christmas dinners for some of the families.  Hopefully we can complete the following list quickly and add additional families

2012 CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

40 WOUNDED

WARRIOR FAMILIES

Family names will be in green until such time as each child has been accounted for.  Those names in red have all been adopted.

A.      Rio Family – Adopted by Roellig Family

          Children: Carleigh (6)

           Trenton Rios (4)

          Chesapeake, VA 23322

B.        Welton Family – Adopted by Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

            Hannah (9)

            Alyssa (12)      

            Pflugerville, TX 78660

C.         Alexander Family - Adopted by Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

             Olivia Alexander (4)

             Gainesville, Florida

D.         McMains Family – Adopted by the Heymann Family

              Evansville, Washington

                 Trinity  (11) Girl
                 Shayelin (9)  Girl
                 Aneleh  (7)  Girl
                 Kailynn (6)  Girl
                 Aarin M (6) Girl

E.            Maynor Family – Adopted by Tom Francis and Family

                Karlie Maynor age 10 girl
                Clayton Maynor age 11 boy

 

F.            Nemwan Family – Adopted by Mary Lou Christy and Family

                Rodney age 4 boy

G.           Rivera Family – Adopted through cash donations

                Hubert, N.C.  28539

                Christian, age 12

 

H.         Harrison Family – Adopted by Louis and Alice Andors

              Emilie Girl age 9
              Gracie Russell, Girl age 6

 

I.          Jones Family – Adopted by Blackbird Technologies

             Shepherdsville, KY  40165

             Cheyenne, girl, 14
             Destiny, girl, 10

 

J.          Bentley Family – Adopted by Blackbird Technolgies

              Steven and Jennifer

              14, girl;

              12,boy;

              5,girl;

              2,girl;

              7 months, boy.

 

K.         Czech Family – Adopted through cash donations

              Matthew,  13

1.  Keen Family – Adopted by the McGillis Family

Hamburg, NY 14075

Boy, 4

Girl, 6

 

2.  Jackson Family – Adopted by the Landy Family

Jacksonville, NC 

Boy, 13

Boy, 7

Girl, 6

 

3.  Hess Family – Have had a good turn of events and withdrawn their names from the list.  This is the best type of gift one can receive!

Aledo, IL 

Boy, 12

Girl, 12

Girl, 5

 

4.   Adams Family – Adopted by Ambre and Dave McLaughlin

Ramona, CA 

Boy, 15

Girl, 4

 

5.   SSG Cortinas Family – Adopted by Otto and Nita Hoernig

Brownsville, TX 

Girl, 11

Girl, 7

 

6.  Moran Family – Adopted by the Digges family.  

Escondido, CA 

Ian, boy, 12
Arelis, girl, 10

I called our family last night.

It was such a great conversation..one of admiration and appreciation on my end and one of gratefulness on his end.

 

7.  Anderson Family – Adopted by Laura Rhodes and Rick Whaley

Porter, TX 

Girl, 12

Girl, 11

Boy, 9

Boy, 6

 

8.  Ahlin Family  - Adopted by the Augustine Family

Dana Point, CA 

Alexis, girl, 16
Elizabeth, girl, 14
Leyah, girl, 5

 

9.  Shive Family – Adopted by Michale Vandergrift, Washington First Bank

Faith, 7

Samuel, 15

Tamara, 13

 

10.   SSG Moore Family – Adopted by Laura and Gene Smith

Douglasville, GA 

Boy, 9

 

11.  Harper Family -Adopted by Mary and Steve Cassady

Summerville, SC 

Boy, 17

Boy, 16

Girl, 11

 

12.  Spoerle Family – Adopted by Laura Rhodes and Rick Whaley

Houston, Texas

3 children: 9, 7 and 3

Gender not determined by names: Bailee, Kodie, Corgen

 

14.  Holmes Family – Adopted by Norma and Brent Bozell

South Oceanside, CA 

Girl, 10

Boy, 7

Boy, 2

 

15.  Diaz Family (Family name is Delgado) – Adopted by Hartley Family

Chiara, girl, 13
Gustavo, boy, 11

 

16.  Scott Family – Adopted by Tim Heil and family.

Calhan, CO 

Juston, boy, 16
Noah, boy, 15

 

17.  King (Patterson) Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

Virginia Beach

Girl, 13

Girl, 10

 

18.  Marr Family

Akron, OH 

Girl, 7 – Adopted by Andy Stern and Vernon Wyly (Andy Stern Furniture)

Boy, 3 – Adopted by Bill and Linda Flickinger

Vernon sent me the following:  During our telephone conversation Tara was moved to tears that someone who didn’t even know her was willing to help her family.   They are struggling financially and had already prepared their 7 year old daughter to expect a lean Christmas this year.

 

19.  Davis Family – Adopted by the Leach Family 

Boy, 10

Girl, 7

Boy, 5

Girl, 3

 

20. Bob Pierce – Adopted by the Wise Family

St. Peters, MO 

Boy, 17

Boy, 13

 

21.   Childs Family – Adopted by Double Eagle Title

Sebastian, FL 

Girl, 5

Girl, 3

 

22.  Fitzner Family – Adopted by the Chmura Family

Holland, MI 

Boy, 10

Girl, 7

 

23.  Lewis Family – Adopted by Claire Abbott

Birmingham, AL 

Boy, 14

 

24.  SGT Fitzpatrick Family – Adopted by the employees at Trace Systems Inc.

Mountlake Terrace, WA 

Girl, 17

Boy, 16

Girl 4 ½

Girl, 1 month

 

25. SGT Karpf Family – Adopted by Gina and Doug Jones

Jacksonville, FL 

Girl, 7

Boy, 5

 

26.  Santos Family – Adopted by the employees at SKC LLC.

4150 Arbor Heights

San Antonio, TX 

Juan, 11

Alex, 9

 

27. SSG Keaton Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

Silver Spring, MD 

Boy, 13

Girl, 11

Girl, 10

 

28.  SFC Platt Family – Adopted by Dave and Lyn LaMorte

Henderson, MI 

Elissa, 9

Julian, 7

Lorelei, 5

 

29.  Lopez Family – Adopted by Chris and John Yaremchuk 

Miami, FL 

Girl, 8

Girl, 2

 

30.  Mund Family – Adopted by Larry Sabin and family

Temecula, CA 

Boy, 14

Boy, 9

 

31.  Staton Family – Adopted by Andrea Kamman and family

Fredericksburg, VA 

Girl, 7

 

32.  Dawsey Family – Adopted by Paula Quiroz

Paso Robles, CA 

Girl, 5

Girl, 4

Hi Ms. Quiroz,

 

Yes, We did receive your box! I was out of town visiting my mother in San Diego who is sick and did not return until today. But, my neighbor saw the box and kept it for me until today. He said it came on Friday (Nov30). I did not open the box because the girls were right there with me! THANK YOU so much for your kindness and your generosity! I know the girls will absolutely love the dolls that you so thoughtfully picked out for them! My husband and I are very grateful to you and your beautiful daughter Isabel. You embody the true spirit of Christmas. 

Merry Christmas to you and your family, may God giving you many more blessings for your act of kindness towards my girls. We truly wish upon you and yours the best in life….

 

Gratefully,

 

Robert and Monik Dawsey

 

33. Timothy Ashworth – Adopted by the Peters Family

Panora, IA 

Girl, 6

Boy, 4

 

34.   MacDonald Family – Adopted by Adeler Jewelers

Greenwood, MI 

Riley, 13

Julia, 7

 

35. Greg and Betty Easley – Adopted by the Fitzgerald Family

San Antonio, TX 

Boy, 15

Girl, 13

Boy, 13

Boy, 10

Boy, 10

 

36.  McLean Family – Adopted by the Kuzmick family

Stockton, CA 

Kay, 18

Donovan, 18

Ricardo, boy, 14
Jatianna, girl, 12

 

37.  Coleman Family – Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding

Ft. Eustis, VA 

Boy, 9

Girl, 8

Boy, 3

 

38.  Tejada Family - Adopted by the employees at Trace Systems Inc.

Barnegat, NJ 

Boy, 8

Boy, 3

 

39.  Bedore Family – Adopted by the Eric Brugel Family

Goodyear, AZ 

Girl, 6

Girl, 1

From Eric Brugel:

  FYI, I have had a touching exchange with Samantha and Jason Bedore regarding the gifts.  It heightens my appreciation for their contribution to the country.  Thanks for making the effort to pull this all together.  I gave them a budget of $250 per child, which was above your suggestion, and I am glad I did given what they are going through.  BTW,  I googled his name and it turns out he did 5 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and received the Purple Heart.  She has also served and is in the reserves now.  She never made any mention of this to me.  It is really moving. 

Email from Samantha to Eric:  

  I just read your e-mail, and started crying! My husband thinks I can be a big baby, but I have I am just so grateful. My family and I were not going to do much this year because we don’t have that much money and our girls were not expecting a lot for Christmas. Since you have adopted our family, I thought you would like to know a little bit about ourselves.My husband has served ten years in the army and has done 5 tours to Iraq. He was severely injured on our oldest daughters first birthday when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. He battles many challenges but the most challenging one is his memory. He currently doesn’t recollect a lot of our oldest child growing up and also forgets things throughout the day, we take brain training classes near our home at the VA and it seems to have helped a little and are currently still in therapy. He has as well had multiple surgeries and more recently our Orthopedics Dr. has asked us to consider a prosthetic leg for my husband because of the lack of mobility and pain he is in, its just a really hard decision to make.

I currently am going to school full time and hope to become a physical therapist in the future ( I am going on my second year, still have a long road ahead). I hope to help people who have have been injured just like my husband serving in the military on tour. After my husband was injured, he lost hope not knowing what to do. I have thankfully motivated him to go to school and I am his note taker in his classes and proud to say he is passing. He gets discouraged when he says he cannot recollect things I have spent lots of time working on him with but he doesn’t stop, and if he won’t give up, I sure won’t. I hope you don’t mind me telling you so much, I just thought you would like to know a little bit about us and who we are.

Thank you again for adopting our family,we are very grateful. My husband and I will look on Amazon as soon as we get home!!

Samantha L. Bedore

 

40.  Ruiz Family – Adopted by Sam Ghanem, AFT International

Gisselle, girl, 14
Nathaniel, boy, 11

MILITARY APPRECIATION MONDAY

I would like to say a special thanks to all those who have volunteered to be cosponsors in the past.  Feel free to contact me if you would like to help out with this months dinner.  Last time we did the Semper Fi Fund, we had a 200 percent match of the night’s dinner tab.

Previous Cosponsors:

Support for Our Military Kids a Big Success

Last Monday’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner in support of Our Military Kids was a big success.  Although the Brogue had received reservations for only 15 people by 10:00 AM on Monday, we ended up with more than 85 folks actually coming out.  I must admit it took about 20 phone calls on my part, but you all showed just how much we still care.  The highlight of the evening for me was seeing Travis and Julie Green with four of their five kids.  Travis is a U.S. Marine who served gallantly in Afghanistan.  A big thank you to the Williams family for buying dinner for this family of heroes!

Hope to see you on October 9th for the next MAM event which will be in support of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

 

Military Appreciation Monday

Supports

Neighbors Foundation

- Come join us at The Old Brogue in Great Falls on February 27^th for this month’s MAM event in support of the Neighbors Foundation.  All you have to do is show up and eat a great meal.  Myself and my co-sponsors will each donate a 10 percent match of whatever you spend on dinner.  In November, 220% of the receipts were donated to the  group Stop Soldier Suicide.

Sold

11769 Hollyview Dr.

Great Falls, Va.  22066

Sold at $860,000

Spacious main level living combined with fully finished basement, huge two level glass enclosed Florida Room and multitiered decks make this a great home for entertaining.   Requiring a limited amount of TLC, this home is one of the best Great Falls opportunities in the under $1.0 million market.