I GRADUATED WITH MY MASTERS IN COUNSELING!

The ceremony for this year's Webster University graduation was help at the auditorium of Keiser College in Sarasota, Fl. I was fortunate enough to have a large crowd of family and friends supporting me during this important day. Thanks to the love of my life Martha Cruz and our sons! A big shout of thanks to my Godfather/Uncle Ivan and Aunt Maria, my lovely mother, my best friend Rhonda Smith and her husband Ballard, the Tullers, and Rich Lane...my smallest guest my niece Sypria Cruz. The after party was great as well thanks to my brother in law Roger, Sister in law Cheryl, niece Brit, Other Brother in law Jeff and family. My brother Ray and

Leslie, Robin, Christina and whomever else I forgot...LOL

Tyler Joseph Butrum Is Here

TYLER JOSEPH BUTRUM

Born: July 18, 2006 at 10:52p.m.
Weight: 6lbs 13oz
Length: 19.5 inches

Born to my dear friend Jill Hyatt and Joseph Butrum! An interesting star fact is that Tyler and Vin Diesel share the same birthday. We enjoyed seeing him when he was less than a day old and he is so alert, beautiful, and healthy. We love you Tyler...take good care of Mommy and Daddy!

A Shout Out To My Brother and Family

Sunday we spent the day at my big brother Ray's and his wife Leslie's place in St. Pete. My niece Sypria is getting so big and we had a very nice time! Family is important and I hope to keep in touch more often. My brother Ray has turned into Mr. Tooltime as he built a play house for Sypria and is working on an outdoor deck area as well. Keep up the good work you two!

Boating Fun!

Something that we truly enjoy together is our boat! Favorite activities are fishing, tubing, cruising, and more are to come. We hope you enjoy the pics. Many people say that boats are a blackhole and you never get the money you pay for them...they are wrong. The moments we share together on the Palm Beach 185 (soon to be named Rogue's Ride) are priceless!

Busy Summer! Anthony 15 and Derek 13

First I must apologize for not posting anything since the concert. A lot has happened we moved into a rental unit and love it. Martha and I took some vacation time to do fun things with the kids and those pictures will be posted within the next week. The walls on the house are up...yahooooooo. I am getting the internet (same email address) at 4524 20th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207 (our address for the next year). Hmmmm what else...this week is my last week at Volunteers of America of Florida and next week I start my new master's level position. I am excited and on the 29th I graduate with my Masters in Counseling with a barbecue at my house to follow. Just think of all the pics you have to look forward to and new news. To hold you off for a bit here are 2 pics of the boys we had professionally taken. Soon to come some boating pics and who knows? So Stay tuned or should I say blogged..ha ha

Our July 1st Vacation Begins With The Addicted Tour

Last night we went to see Kelly Clarkson at the Ford Ampitheatre (State Fairgrounds) in Tampa Florida it was the second night of her tour. These pics were taken at the Addicted Tour Concert by me (Lori A. Cruz)



A little about Kelly:
At age 13 Kelly Clarkson was singing in the halls of her middle school when the choir teacher heard her and asked her to audition for the choir. She was successful as a singer in school and moved to Los Angeles after high school graduation to pursue a career in music. Kelly Clarkson appeared as an extra on Sabrina, Teenage Witch but her career went no further.

American Idol 1 Winner:
After her apartment was destroyed in a fire, Kelly Clarkson returned to Burleson, Texas. After urging by one of her closest friends, she decided to enter the first American Idol talent search with 10,000 other hopefuls. Her strong, confident voice and friendly, disarming personality helped propel Clarkson to victory and a $1,000,000 recording contract with RCA Records.

Kelly Clarkson - Star:
With the enormous publicity from her American Idol victory at her back, Kelly Clarkson's first single "A Moment Like This" reached the top of the pop chart in its first week of release. Remaining true to her "girl next door" personality, she chose to remain living in Texas instead of moving to either coast. In the spring of 2003, Kelly Clarkson followed up on her hit single by releasing Thankful, a full-length album. The album was an impressively varied pop collection that endeared the star to a young audience. "Miss Independent," the first single from the album, was another top 10 hit.

Kelly Clarkson released her second album Breakaway in November of 2004. This album fully established her as an artist separate from the American Idol experience. The hits "Since U Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" have an appealing rock edge. In support of the album Kelly Clarkson set out on a summer 2005 North American concert tour.