Yard Renovations

Sorry for the repeat Facebook friends - but wanted to post this one for friends and family who don't have Facebook accounts.

We've been working hard at home getting ready for the big GRAD PARTY June 11.  My MIL and FIL have come down a couple of times and we've all been working our behinds off to get the house ready.  This weekend we got a lot done and these pics will reflect some of it.  Enjoy!!

New Fire Pit

I forget the name of this plant.  Mandevilla??  Hoping it will grow and vine up the gutter.  Love the color!!

Hanging plants and hummingbird feeder.  So far, one little ruby throated hummingbird comes a few times a day.  Love them!  I'd like to attract more, but I'm not sure how.

Side view.  One of my favorite flowers are the Gerber Daisies - which are in this hanging plant.  I move it into the sun every day.  However, we've had A LOT of rain and it isn't holding up well.

New fence, new tree ring pathway, new flowers thanks to my friend Judy.  I wish I would have taken some before pics - because you would NOT believe the difference.  It's so beautiful now :)

Another view of the tree ring pathway.

My new hammock.  So comfy and relaxing!!  Notice how much double stuff is enjoying the shade as well :)

New perennial garden.  Thanks Judy :)

Another view.  Love that fence!!!

One more view of the tree ring pathway.  That's the tree that dumped a major section on our house this past winter.  Seems we have some damage after all :(  Some pretty big leaking issues inside.

 New garbage area.  This used to be enclosed by an old rotting unpainted 6 foot fence. U-G-L-Y!!  Much MUCH nicer now!  Check us out - can for scrap metal, can for aluminum (special metals), can for glass.  Garbage is in the compost pile and paper burned - although Elyse has asked if we would consider recycling the paper.  Why not??  We are green baby :)

Side view of the front.  Beeaauuutttiiiffuulll!!

New gravel path to the back.  Marty sure worked hard on this and it looks great!  Not expensive either!  We had the edging, the pea gravel that fills the path cost 37.00 and the weed blocker underneath the gravel we found in the shed when we cleaned it out.  Not a bad project for 37.00 and a whole lotta sweat!

Are you getting tired of the pics yet?  Sorry, wanted to get it from every angle!

 Another view of the front.

Almost finished.  Love my tree there - Japanese Maple I believe.  It was here when we moved in. 

One little project left and you can see it here - plant some flowers in the little planters.  See that little thing in the front with the small purple flowers?  That's an Aster.  Long story but I saw a friend post some pictures of one of these and I thought "I would LOVE one of those" - and then another friend said she had some perennials/hostas I could have if I would like.  I got there - and look what she had??  It's gonna be so pretty :)

The "Big" Announcement

So I know all of you have been eagerly anticipating this big announcement - lol.  I hope it doesn't disappoint you!  It's a family decision and probably not a big deal to anyone but us!!  However, we are excited.  So excited :)

I have debated on how to approach this post for a while - since we started tossing this around.  What I would like to say, in the flesh, wouldn't benefit anyone except give me a chance to vent.  However, I have long since decided that this blog, for the most part, is not a venting place except for things like injustice or whatever.  Anyway - lets just get on with it and see where we end up!

The big announcement is this.  As of this past Thursday - Jon is officially enrolled at Pioneer High School for high school.  As of today, Marty has stepped down from his coaching position.  As of June 5, Elyse will be graduating - and we will be free of Bedford Public Schools and all that is related to it.  Stick with me people, stick with me.

We moved to this community 12 years ago.  There has been much good.  Our church family is awesome.  We have met some terrific people along the way through my early coaching years here.  We have grown spiritually tremendously since that move 12 years ago.  If not for our church, if not for our turn around in all things related to our walk with God, our marriage would never be what it is today.  For that, we, and our kids, are forever grateful.  Our kids have made some wonderful friendships.  There has been much good.

On the flip side - there has been much bad. As a family we have faced racism, we've been lied about, stabbed in the back, attacked physically and emotionally.  Our kids have taken much of the same nonsense as we have.  An unfortunate thing this has all taught me is that you can trust no one.  It has taught me people can not think straight when it comes to their kids.  It has taught me to watch my back and my husbands back.  It has taught me to never let my guard down, to keep the walls up and be ready for an attack at any moment.  It has taught me that friendships are fickle and sometimes those you think are friends - are anything but.  It has been hard and many tears have been shed.  I have held my tongue for 2 years and I am proud of myself for that.

All of that, I happily, gladly leave behind.  I have no trouble walking away from this.  I am sure more rumors will fly, more lies will be told.  I am sure people will say Marty has been fired.  He has not.  He has stepped down because he would never - ever - miss his sons soccer games.  He has chosen family - and we always choose family first.  He took the coaching position originally because little man was coming up through the ranks and we wanted to be secure in the fact that he would have a good, moral coach for his high school years.  Now we are making the choice to move forward, moving Jon to a school system that will work with his learning disabilities instead of one that works against us.

Anyway.  I look forward to the future.  I look forward to sitting in the stands with my good looking husband in a community that does not see his skin color as some sort of threat.  I look forward to watching Jon's games as Mom and Dad - not as coach and coaches wife.  I look forward to knowing that friendships I form are for real and not based on what someone is trying to gain through me.  I look forward to just being part of the crowd, not being responsible for anything.  I look forward to no phone calls telling me what's happening now or who's running to the AD this week to tattle on something my husband did they didn't like.  I look very forward to not living under a microscope anymore.  I'm tired of the microscope.

Anyway - I'm getting off base.  The point is - the future is bright.  There are no guarentees - but I think this is what is best for my son and for our family.  We are not moving just yet.  We'll see what the future brings and then we can make a decision on that.  We love our home, we love our church and our church family and Jon is secure in youth group here.  It's a decision that may change in the future - but right now, we'll still live here.  Maybe, for once, I can learn to appreciate the community for the good instead of always being the target of the bad.  I'm so ready to move on.

Thank you to all of you who have supported us and prayed for us as we have struggled through everything.  We could not have survived without all of you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  I ask you continue to pray for us as little man moves along to one of the biggest high schools in the state of Michigan.  Pray for a smooth transition, good friendships.  Pray he makes friends easily and quickly and that this change will be a good one acadmically.  Pray he does well trying out for a soccer team way bigger than the one he is coming from - he will be devastated if he doesn't make it - but there is a big difference trying out for Pioneer soccer than Bedford soccer.  He will be blessed to make the team.  Pray he is able to be confident in himself and do the best he can with the talents God has given him.  Pray he is able to be a shining light of Jesus in his new school.  Pray he is able to do well, to succeed in the classroom and to really love his high school years at Pioneer.  Personally I think he is very brave.  I'm not sure I would have had the guts to make the change he is about to make.  I am proud of him for making this choice.  He wants a fresh start and this is his chance to get one.

That's our big announcement.  Thanks again to all of you who have stood with us through the difficult times.  For the rest of you - I have nothing to say.  Well, actually, I do - but adios is about all your going to get.  I'm happy to be moving on.

Good luck to my little man :)  You have made the right choice.  It won't be easy - but it was a very wise decison for someone your age.  You have guts I didn't have.  I think your going to love your new school.  The world is full of opportunitites and I'm excited for you as you move forward to something great.  Purple pride baby, purple pride!

First & Last

 

Today is a bittersweet day.  It is Elyse's last day of high school.  My how the time has flown.   I said I wouldn't cry - but I lied.

Here is what I wrote in her scrapbook the very first day of school 13 years ago:

Your first day of school.....what can I say?  You began a 12 year adventure that I pray brings you happiness and not tears.  I wish I could be there to hold your hand all day long - but I can't.  I can only hold your heart in my prayers and be there for you every step of the way.  This day brought a strong sense of pride and happiness - but also a few tears.  You loved it as we figured!  You embraced it whole heartedly.  Mrs. Kearney was your teacher and she was awesome. 

And now - her last day of high school:

Your last day in school....what can I say?  You began that 12 year adventure and it brought you both happiness and tears.  I still wish I could hold your hand every day - but we've moved past that now.  I am thankful God allowed me to be with you every step of the way as was my prayer 13 years ago.  The years have brought so much happiness and so much joy.  They have brought hard times as well - but nothing that together - as a family with God as the center - we could not overcome.  I love our family bond more than anything.  We love each other, we fight for each other, we stand with each other.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  This day, your last day of school, also brings a strong sense of pride and a bittersweet happiness.  It also bringing tears, which have taken me by surprise.  You are ready for the next step in your journey.  You are leaving high school an amazing young woman of God - and of that - we are so very proud.  You are beautiful, you are strong, you are courageous, brave, independent, unique.  You are still, above all, my baby girl.  I love you so very much.  More than you will ever know or understand until you have your own child one day.  I can't wait to see what God does in and through you in the future.  I know He has great and awesome plans for you - because He is a great and awesome God.  I love you baby girl.  You are so special to me.  Congrats.  You have worked oh so hard for this moment.

 First Day of School - I would like to point out your wearing pink.... :)  Look at how stinking cute you are!

 Getting off the bus at TRE!

 Last day of school :)  No longer so excited about going!  You are also super sick and should probably NOT be going to school today!

 Texting before school - of course :)

 Senior Relays shirt!  Burrito - your nickname Jessica gave you.

 Dropping you off on your last day!

Really done with me taking pictures:)  This is it baby girl - enjoy your last day.  I love you.

A good word on leadership

Sometimes it's better to just send people over to another blog when you find a good post!!  So - today - I'd like you to hop on over to deannashrodes.com and check out her post on leadership.  Actually, while your at it, check out more posts than that.  This lady, although not someone I know in anything other than blog land, is a Pastors wife and talks straight.  I like that about her and it's the reason I read her blog.  I like people who can talk straight and not pussy foot around or mince words or be jerks either :)  She's straight forward but in a God-loving kind of way.  ANYWHO - check out her blog.  You'll be glad you did :)

More thoughts on Judgement Day

Last night, or was that today?  Anywho - Jon and I were watching the news. They had a report on the whole Judgement Day thing. They were following some guy around, I think it was New York City - someone who was a follower of this whole May 21st rapture thing. He was an elderly man and as the clock ticked down to 6:00, he was eagerly watching his watch in anticipation of the moment he would be swept up into heaven.


Of course, the clock turned to 6:00, then 6:01, then 6:30, and so on - and no rapture.  This man's face was distraught. He was stunned, disappointed and of course, very sad. The crowd heckled him. They made fun of him, they got in his face. I felt so sorry for him. It was extremely sad. The reporters came back on and mocked him and the whole rapture thing for a few minutes - everyone having a good laugh.


At this point, I realized just how sad the whole situation is - and it gave me a few more thoughts.


The rapture - is coming. Maybe not May 21, or any other date this guy predicted - but the rapture is coming my friends. The scriptures are clear. One day, Jesus is returning for His church. I believe the time is near. We are to be watching, we are to be waiting, we are to be ready. No, we do not know the day or the hour - but He is coming back. The world thinks it's a big joke - as evidenced by the reactions of so many at this elderly man's fallen face - but he's not wrong. Jesus is coming back. We just don't know when.


 Yes, Harold Compton messed up the date. Yes, he spent money - and a lot of it - on advertisements - money that would have been better spent feeding the hungry and the orphaned and the poor. Yes, he twisted scripture.


But - he was not wrong in that Jesus will come back. Listen to the word from Matthew 24 (the Message):


^30-31"Then, the Arrival of the Son of Man! It will fill the skies—no one will miss it. Unready people all over the world, outsiders to the splendor and power, will raise a huge lament as they watch the Son of Man blazing out of heaven. At that same moment, he'll dispatch his angels with a trumpet-blast summons, pulling in God's chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.

 ^32-35"Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner. So it is with you: When you see all these things, you'll know he's at the door. Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for all of you. This age continues until all these things take place. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.

 ³⁶"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.

 ^37-39"The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah's. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.

 ^39-44"The Son of Man's Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.

The time is coming. Jesus is returning. Maybe instead of spending all of our time mocking those who thought they had the date right - we should spend more time telling people about Jesus. He is coming back - and we will all be held accountable.

You're still the one

Today Marty and I are celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary :)  God is so good.  I think we'll sum it all up with a song.  I think I married the most incredible man on the planet.  Today - I am happy, content, satisfied.  Marty - you're still the one - and you always will be.

Why?

Today, the day before I celebrate my 19th wedding anniversary to the best man in the ENTIRE planet (sorry ladies, he's all mine!) - we'll cover a tough subject.  Tomorrow will be for celebration - today - we'll hit a hard one.

Last night, I was struggling with a memory.  It's "funny" how things can pop up out of no where, even after years and years of dealing with it.  I'm blessed in that the memories don't bother me the way they do others who have survived a similar past to mine.  God has given me strength, courage and boldness to face all that head on.  I can honestly say months and months go by and I don't think about my past all that much.  But, sometimes, there are nights like last night that things must be faced.

I don't know what it was.  The sound of the fan, the hot night.  I have a reoccurring memory.  I don't know all of it, I just know I feel a terrible, overwhelming fear.  I've never been able to put a finger on this memory.  It's dark, I'm in a room at my Grandmother's house in New York.  There is a fan running, I think in the window.  The room is small and I'm laying on a single bed with navy blue sheets.  I am afraid and alone.  The dark seems overwhelming - which is unusual since she lived on a busy street in the middle of the city.  There is a squishy, white plastic Pillsbury dough boy doll like thing sitting on the dresser directly across from the bed. I know it squeaks.   I'm pretty focused on that, which tells me something else was probably going on.  I have no idea how old I am.  Like I said, I'm terrified.

Anyway - sometimes on hot nights when I hear the sound of a fan, this memory haunts me.  For some reason, it bothers me more than most - even though considering memories in my life - this one doesn't have any particular thing happening at least that I can recall.  The fear though - that I remember.  It sticks to me like the hot night, clinging to my pores, soaking me, drenching me in terror.  Some nights, like last night, I can still feel the fear.

Nights like last night, I have to pray.  I used to pray that I would remember whatever it was about it that haunted me so.  Now, I just pray for peace and if God thinks I need to remember all of it, He'll let me know.  I know now that I am safe, laying next to my husband and nothing is going to hurt me - but the little girl still feels the fear.

Sometimes it's hard not to ask God why.  Why me?  Why anyone?  Why does God allow terrible things to happen to little girls?  Why does He not step in?  Why does He not rescue?  Where is He?

Are these questions I ask?  Yes.  They are questions I will ask when I get to heaven.  I don't know why.  I don't have an answer.  I wish I did.  Oh, I have the pat answer - the one that says that sin happened, and my fathers sin wrapped it's arms around me.  Like a ripple effect when you throw a stone in a pond.  That's true - but still - God could have stopped it.

Maybe the question is wrong.  Maybe I should ask not why, but why not?  Jesus suffered.  No, not in this way - but He suffered greatly.  He was abused and did nothing wrong.  He was beaten and did nothing to deserve it.  The word says we will take part in His sufferings.  My past - is sometimes my cross to bear. 

I know this.  Despite everything that happened to me - I sure do love my Savior.  He stepped in and He rescued in His time.  He gave me strength to endure things that most people would have snapped under.  He saved my life - over, and over, and over again.  He has a greater purpose for me than my past.  Of that, I am convinced.

I don't know why.  I don't know why this particular memory comes back to haunt me at times.  I don't know what's behind it - but I don't need to know.  I know I now rest in my Savior's arms and don't fear the night any longer. 

Psalm 91: 5-10:  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge-- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

You go girl!!

Found this article on yahoo.  Just wanted to say - You Go Girls!!  I shall keep my American opinions to myself - but I wanted to say to this woman (as if she'll ever read my blog) that this woman supports her and will be praying for her.  Fight the good fight and hold your head high.  You are a precious child of God.  Keep fighting for your freedom and know that someone in America believes in you.

Flowers for Algernon

Today Little Man asked if he could read us a story he's been reading in his English class.  It's called Flowers for Algernon.  He has never asked to read us a story, so we knew this one touched his heart in some way.

We haven't read the entire story yet, but what he shared so far was this.  Flowers for Algernon is about a 37 year old man who struggles - maybe down syndrome or something like that (I think Jon picked the story up in the middle).  He doesn't feel he is smart and he is trying to get smarter.  He has a low IQ.  He has some sort of surgery that is supposed to make him smarter.  That's as far as we got.

Listening to my son read the story, in combination with something else I will share in a bit, brought tears streaming down my face.  When Jon was 6, he was diagnosed with dyslexia.  Later he was diagnosed with dyscalculia and general learning disabilities.  School is a major chore.  He hates it.  It's very difficult for him. Being in the classroom as a substitute has gained me a much greater appreciation for how school works and for how kids like Jon, often get left out or seen as a behavior problem instead of a child with learning disabilities.  In fact, the first day I had a student like Jon, my heart broke and I couldn't get out of the building fast enough.  I was incredibly sad and shocked by what the school experience must have been for my son over the years.

The story of Algernon has greatly touched my son.  I think the reasoning is two-fold.  First - Jon has a compassionate heart.  My kids are incredibly soft-hearted.  They hate to see people hurting.  They are compassionate, loving, gentle, kind.  If they see a child with down syndrome, or in a wheelchair - they both instantly burst into tears.  Not everyone sees this in Jon as he is boisterous, loud, mouthy at times, hyper and never sits still.  Not everyone sees the incredibly compassionate heart God has gifted him with.  Secondly - Jon and the man portrayed in the story - are alike.  I wondered while he struggled to read me the story if Jon identified greatly with it.  I wondered if he ever wished he could be smart.  I sat in the front seat of the car and silent tears made their way down my cheeks.

Being in the classroom, on the playground, in the teachers lounges, has made me realize school was not designed for kids like Jon.  I listen to staff in all buildings talk about the kids they can't stand - and those kids - sound a lot like my son.  I watch kids like Jon get in trouble for having trouble sitting still, punished for not paying attention when in reality, they were paying attention - they are just lost.  I see little understanding for children who do not learn by sitting, taking notes and spitting back information.

Please don't get me wrong.  My husband is a teacher, and a very good one.  There are many, many teachers who work hard, get paid little, and get even less appreciation for it.  In fact - that's the flip side - being in the classroom has also given me a greater appreciation for how difficult it is for teachers to pay special attention to kids like Jon who really need that one on one time.  There are so many demands in the classroom - so many kids who need your attention.  It is truly impossible to be everything to everyone all the time.  You do the best you can - but kids like Jon - are often left in the dust.  It's not necessarily anyones fault.

My heart has broken in a new way as I see my "little" guy as things must have been in his elementary years.  I see how hard it must have been - must be - to not get it - when everyone else does.  I see how ignorant he must feel, how out of place, how different - how insignificant. As I watch my son through the eyes of other children, I gain a greater understanding, a greater compassion, of his daily life.

I enjoy being in the classroom.  I think because of my own son, it's easy for me to pick out those kids who have emotional issues, who are struggling, who feel dumb.  I try to give those children a little extra special attention.  Recently I was asked if "so and so" was giving me a hard time - and I said - no - they've been as good as gold.  "I'm surprised" was the response.  This same child didn't have a parent or VIP come in for VIP day.  I watched as he sat watching other parents, families, siblings enjoy their time together - while he sat - alone, ignored, with no one to make him feel special.  He was hurting and the pain was clear on his face.  It was shared with me later that this child come from a tough home life.  It's no wonder this child gives people a hard time - maybe sometimes that's the only attention he gets. 

I am looking forward to reading the remainder of Flowers for Algernon.  I think, actually, that I'm going to save it and have little man continue to read it to me in our spare time.  Maybe it will be a way for him to express things I don't know that sometimes he even realizes he feels.  I also think I might make a copy of it and should I ever get the opportunity, read it to a class I'm subbing for.  Maybe then I can share the story of my little man and maybe some child out there will realize he's not alone.

Judgement Day?

Tomorrow is May 21st.  If you've seen the billboards, you'll know some are claiming that today, is judgement day.  I came home from subbing this week to find a very complicated trifold brochure, in tiny print, telling me that May 21st is "The end of the line."  Honestly it made me mad.  I also thought about the fact that I didn't think taping a brochure to a mailbox was even legal.

On the other hand, it makes me sad.  If you read beneath the hype, I think you will see someone who earnestly believes the Lord is returning on May 21st.  I think he hopes to tell as many people as he can about the Lord - but he is going about it in all the wrong way.

I find a few errors in the brochure.  The funny thing is - he uses the same scriptures to validate his point as I would use to argue against it.  The brochure is in King James, which is my first issue with it.  No, I don't have an issue with King James.  I have an issue with the thought that King James is the only "authentic" translation - because - just like NLT or ESV or whatever - it's a translation.  Unless you can read the original Greek and Hebrew, it's all translation.  Second, if your heart, your desire, is to truly tell people about our Savior - then taping complicated brochures in King James, which is hard to understand, to mailboxes and walking away without ever talking to people in person - well - come on.

He never shares HOW he came up with the date of May 21st.  He starts the brochure with the verse Ecclesiastes 9:12 which states (in king james):  "For man also knoweth not his time:  as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men spared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.".  Tami translation?  NO MAN KNOWS the time in which Jesus is coming back.

He then goes on to quote Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32, and 1 Corinthians 2:10 -16.  Basically he says these 3 verses are the only time the phrase "knoweth no man" is used in the KJV.  I don't know if that's accurate.  He then says the I Corinthians verse says that it's NOT that NO man knows - it's that the unsaved don't know - but - we - the saved WILL know the hour in which Jesus returns.

Wrong.

Here is my biggest issue with that.  If that were true - then why has God not revealed the date to me?  Or to you?  Or to anyone else who knows and loves the Lord? 

There are some things in the brochure I DO agree with.  Only God can save you.  That's about the end of my agreement.

Another thing I find interesting about the brochure.  There is no contact information.  There are some websites you can go to for more information - but nothing on the brochure identifies who these people are.  Probably a good thing for them because I would have called to talk to them yesterday :)  The fact that there is no contact info. really makes me question the intent of the heart.    If you were soooo concerned that people were going to miss out - then why? WHY would you not give them information to talk to a PERSON???

Brochures, tracks - there are nothing wrong with these things.  But I would highly encourage you to SPEAK to people.  People need to hear your heart.  People need to hear your testimony.  People need to hear what Jesus has done for YOU.  They need to experience the amazing power of Jesus Christ through the word of your testimony!!  Don't just leave a track and walk away.  Share your heart.  Share Jesus' heart.

Is May 21st Judgement Day?  Maybe. But - I believe what the word says.  No man knows.  Not me, not you, not this mystery man who leaves brochures on mailboxes and signs on billboards.  Who is he anyway??

Celebration!

2011 is a year of milestones - a year of celebration.  It is a year that makes me realize life passes so quickly and we should cherish the moments.  It is a year I am thankful to God for how He brings us through the best - and the worst - of times.  It is a year to celebrate family and friends - and life.

Here are some of the big events coming up in our lives this year.

May 23 - Marty and I will celebrate 19 years of marriage.  AWESOME!  How blessed we are!
May 27 - Elyse will finish her last day of high school!
June 5 - We will celebrate the graduation of our first born child.  I can't even type this without crying.  What a beautiful young lady God has blessed us with.
June 11 - Elyse's graduation party.  Y'all are invited of course!  12-5 - at our place.
June 15 - "Little" Man will turn 15.  How is it possible???  Let's hope the poor kid grows some before the fall & the start of high school :)
June 17 - To be announced - and no - I ain't pregnant :)
June 22 - Marty will celebrate his 40th birthday!!  Keep June 21st open - we may have a party to celebrate :)
June 28 - I will celebrate 5 years cancer free - which means - God has fully healed me!  God is so good.
August 26 - Elyse turns 18.  WOW. 
August 27 - We drop our "baby girl" off at college.  Again, crying.  It doesn't seem possible.
Day after labor day - Our little man starts high school.  It just blows my mind.

Elyse - the child the Dr.'s told us would be brain damaged due to her seizures.  She will graduate with a 3.6, received a 28 on her ACT and attend bible college in the fall.  God is faithful.

Jon - the child with learning disabilities - will finish 8th grade and enter high school with a fresh start in the fall.  I suspect he will do great and we will be just as amazed at all God has done in his life in 4 years as we are now for Elyse.  God is faithful.

Our marriage - look at all God has done.  We're still kicking and more in love than we were the day we got married.  God is faithful.

My health - 5 years - cancer free - cured.  God is faithful.

2011 - A year of celebrations!  We hope you will join us for Elyse's open house & a possible party on the 21st of June to celebrate Marty's 40th birthday and my cancer free journey.  We'd love to see you there.  After all - what's a celebration without people to share it with??

Senior Prom

For those of you who I am not friends with on facebook, thought I'd share some pictures of my beautiful girl all dressed up for her senior prom.  She's so adorable :)

Beautiful in Blue!

Still Beautiful in Blue!

View from the side

When she was a freshman I believe it was, she told me she would wear shoes like this to her senior prom.  She did - and I love it!  Always an individual - that's for sure

Close up of the amazing blue vans!

Love it!

Hair and makeup done by Mom :)

Side view of the hair.

Other side (with stubborn bangs there that did NOT want to stay put!)

Backside

Elyse, Halle & Morgan.  Church friends :)  Congrats Halle on becoming Prom queen!

Friends!  This is part of the group of kids she went with.  I believe that young man is Constantine and I think he is a foreign exchange student from Germany. 

Maddi, I don't know, Emily, Halle, Morgan & Elyse

At Constantine's "house" (aka - lodge) - that place was HUGE.  I felt slightly - okay -  MORE than slightly - out of place.  However - it was very nice of them to open their home for the pictures as it was pouring rain outside!

Lol.  I'm sure Constantine will be sure to tell all of his friends back in Germany how he went to prom with 12 beautiful and classy ladies :)

Don't ask, I don't know - as is the case with all the black/white's :)  I haven't asked her about them yet - just being goofy I think!!  They are cool pics though, aren't they??