Mimi Shower

This week, Edgerton hosted a wonderful Mimi Shower for me (and Olivia).  I was showered with lots and lots of wonderful gifts.  Their generousity and giving hearts have blessed me!  Olivia now has a pack and play to sleep in, blankets to wrap up with, dishes, sippy cups, spoons, several darling outfits, bath towels, lotions and soaps, dolls, toys, photo albums, books, and many, many more amazing gifts.  Once again, I'm blessed beyond words by their generosity and gifts of friendship. Many thanks to our terrific staff!!!

Delish and adorable cake, made my Megan.  Love it!! 

Lots and LOTs of wonderful and much-needed gifts!  Many thanks!  :)

yesterday...

Yesterday was a frustrating, discouraging, and depressing day.  How can my sweet, little, nine year old student lose her mom to cancer?  What will she do?  She needs her mommy and always will.  How will she grow up and what will she become?  And, my darling student who is in intensive care struggling with newly discovered juvenile diabetes...wavering and fighting a coma? Will she learn what to eat to keep her 'level'?   Will she learn to give herself insulin shots?  Poor baby.   Or how do you live through the news that my friend/colleague received yesterday afternoon about her adult daughter?? - - and today she's sadly preparing for her funeral.  And...I had parent-teacher conferences! 

Now today, after a night's rest, I'm standing tall, trying to shake off yesterday's dilemnas, and I'm ready to hit the road.  My students will be sad, my colleagues will be hurting, and ...again...we get to have parent teacher conferences this afternoon and evening! 

As I always say (and try to convince myself)...LIFE IS GOOD...NO WORRIES!  ...argh...

Mean people

Have you ever wonder why people are mean?  Not everyone...just certain people.  

Recently I've encountered mean people, and I've had to remind myself that the concept of authorship is key to surviving these experiences.

Why are people mean? Here's the short answer: They're hurt. Here's the long answer: They're really hurt.   At some point, somebody—their parents, their friends, their employers, their spouse...someone—did them dirty. Maybe they were crushed. Maybe they're still afraid the pain will never stop, or that it will happen again.  Maybe that's why they hurt others.  I wonder why mean people don't censor themselves.  Why don't they process the hurtful things they say and do?

The fact is that we've all been hurt, and we're all wounded, but not all of us are mean. Why not? Because some people exude kindness, care, compassion, and forgiveness.   I hope (and pray) my life exemplifies one that is not 'mean',one that offers love and compassion.  What ever happened to "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all", or 'Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you."?  

May my life shine on others. May I be an encourager and an uplifter.  May I show love, not hurt.

Adam's Graduation

 
This afternoon, we witnessed Adam's graduation from Michigan State College of Law.  It was a beautiful ceremony - very small and personal.  The professors were so proud of these students' hard work and dedication.  We were especially proud of Adam, as he was the student speaker at the graduation.  He presented a wonderful speech to the graduates and families and friends.  

Now...he gets to study and concentrate for three months to prepare for the Bar Exam in February.  Yipee! 

After the graduation, we celebrated with dinner at PF Chang's and then gathered at Julia and Adam's beautiful house for a time of festivities and desserts.  So proud...

December Dance Club

Last evening, we went to Dance Club.  It was a wonderful evening shared with good friends.  The  meal was amazing, the band was outstanding, and everyone looked beautiful...all sparkly and bright!

Kathy and Gena

Mark and Gena

Steve and Rosie

...tis the season

The house is decorated, the gifts are under the tree, the stocking are hung, and the ground is covered with snow.  Christmas is just around the corner...

As I patiently wait for the 'big' to arrive, my heart grows tender with childhood memories...  ...memories that taught me the true gifts of Christmas were Peace, Joy, and Love  
...memories of specially chosen presents stuffed under our Christmas tree 
...memories of homemade Christmas cookies, frosted perfectly
...memories of Christmas carols shared around our upright piano

It's my prayer that my children gather memories and traditions as we celebrate together this year.   It is pure joy to me to have Jonathan and Sarah, and Julia and Adam gather in our home this Christmas season. What could be better?   

I'm wishing you a joy-filled Christmas, and a holiday filled with love.  Celebrate the Reason for the Season ~ JESUS. 

Good news...yipee

It seems like there's been a lot of sad and depressing news ...cancer, infection, death, divorce, loneliness, etc.  BUT, last week, we received wonderful news!!  Jonathan and Sarah called to let us know they were EXPECTING!!  Their wonderful and exciting news warmed my heart and restored my joy!!  I can't even believe Craig and I will have a GRANDBABY!!  I'm going to be a MIMI!!  OMG!!   I've already started a countdown till June 9th, 2011.  Can't wait!    

 

What a BEAUTIFUL baby!!