Prayers Please

As many people know already, I have a former student who is battling cancer. She just graduated from junior high last year. At this time last year, she was a happy-go-lucky 8th grader enjoying school and playing basketball. I can still remember talking with her and joking around every day at lunch. ( I have lunch duty with the 8th grade class each day.)

But then, in late November, she became ill. They soon discovered that her illness was much worse than they ever imagined. Right after Thanksgiving last year, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

This young lady, Melissa, is an amazing girl! She is so intelligent, hard-working, kind, and caring. She is probably the most respectful junior high student I have ever taught. Plus, her faith and love for the lord is truly awesome.

Melissa and her family have been through a lot these last 10 months. The treatments, the traveling to receive treatment, and the weight of the illness itself are unbelievable. I am not completely sure of the current status of her illness, but I believe that she is experiencing a very tough time.

She has been on my mind a lot lately. I really have trouble understanding things like this. I just thought that a few extra prayers might help. So, please pray for this young girl.

The Cubs Clinch the Division

YES! The Cubbies did it! Our family is very excited. We are big Cub fans.

Way to go, Cubbies!

Allison Sings "Keep on the Sunny Side"

Here is the video. (I will apologize in advance for the video quality - Mom's shaky hands!)

You might want to scroll down to the bottom of this page and stop the music player before you start the video.

Allison sings again

Allison sang the special at church again this morning. She sang "Keep on the Sunny Side of Life." We are so proud of her; she did a great job. We really appreciate all the kind comments and words of encouragement from everyone at church.

I am in the process of trying to upload the video to Godtube - very slow process.

I will post the video here too when I finally get it uploaded.

"Cooking" with Allison

We were fixing a quick lunch on Saturday, so Allison picked out what she calls "A Kids Meal." These are the frozen tv dinners called Kid Cuisine. My kids really like them. Allison thinks she is "The Cook" and wants to push the microwave buttons.

On Saturday, she actually questioned my cooking skills and wanted to read the box herself! My response = "I know how to cook - I can read the instuctions on the box!!!"

Perhaps I am not doing my full motherly duties if she thinks cooking is reading the box instructions. But then again, maybe I am just giving her life lessons in reality. Sometimes that is all we can do!

Whatever the case, it was still a pretty cute mother/daughter moment.

Football, Soccer, Cubs, and a Wedding

That sounds like a great movie title!!!!! But actually it was just a quick roundup of our weekend!

Friday night was of course the football game. Brad worked at the game, Dale took Collin and sat in our reserved seats that Brad won in the raffle, and Allison and I heard the game while we had a mommy/daughter special evening at home.

Then, bright and early on Saturday morning started this year's soccer games. Collin played at 8:00 and Allison at 11:00. I will have to remember to take my camera next week so I can try to post some pictures.

Then, the family went two different directions for the rest of the weekend. Brad and Collin headed to Cincinatti to watch the Chicago Cubs play on Sunday. Collin was not very pleased that they blew it in the ninth inning.

Allison and I headed to my parents' house and then on to a wedding with them. My cousin got married. We then spent the day with them on Sunday.

All in all, it was a good weekend. They always seem so short, and I never feel like I get everything accomplished that I should. I did enjoy spending quality time with Allison and with my parents.

Plus, I was happy to see some of my aunts and uncles that I don't get to see too much any more. My aunt, the mother of the bride, brought me something special from my childhood. An old friend of hers had seen a book at a yard sale recently and saw my name in it. So, she got it and gave it to my aunt and she gave it to me this weekend. How cool is that? It was my book when I was a little girl, and it still had my bookmark in it. Allison really like that!

Daily Irritation

Life can be irritating DAILY! I get so mad about little things some times! (such as Collin going to the orthodontist TWICE in about an eighteen hour period = incompetence) I can get myself all stressed out over things that really don't matter. Does anyone else do that?????? Or am I the only looney one around here? I know I am doing it, but I just can't stop myself in the midst of my own tiny little crisis!

But then later when I take a breath and put things in perspective, I begin to realize that I should appreciate the blessings in my life and not focus on all the struggles and stress. There are so many that have much tougher struggles than me - Just this week a little girl at my school lost her daddy. I am lucky I still have my parents as a very important part of my life. And I am so lucky my children are healthy instead of battling cancer like another child at my school.

Sorry for rambling on.....I guess this is my therapy for tonight since it was raining and I couldn't go for a walk/talk with my pals!

I must remind myself that life is short - Cherish every moment - and of course, eat dessert first!

Allison Sings about the "Good Ol' Days"

Allison sang "Grandpa, Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ol' Days" by the Judds. Her grandpa played the guitar as she sang the special at the Sunday morning service in early May. This is a very precious memory for me, so I decided to share the video here. (I apologize for the quality of the video - I am not good at it and I believe I was crying most of the way through the song!)

She practiced all week long and memorized all the words. We were so proud of her. She loves to sing and loves music and dancing.

She will be singing the special at church again in a few weeks. Grandpa will also play the guitar along with her. (I think he gets more nervous than she does.)

Happy Birthday, Friend!

I just wanted to send happy birthday wishes to my good friend (bestest friend), Jessica! We won't mention her age! (hehe)

Brad and I just returned home today from a small trip to Champaign with Bill and Jessica. We had a terrific time! Thanks for the invite, Bill. And yes, Jessica, I truly believe all of the surprises (or "lies" as you call them) are now officially over.

We hope you had a great birthday and a great weekend.

We were so happy to be a part of this very special birthday!