Kerry’s Birthday!

DSCF1901My family, I thank you for a very special and memorable birthday. I thank you Kory for the sincere card with heartfelt words, for the “Beautiful” perfume, for the cake with the number “24”, for dinner at 5&Diner, but mostly for loving me unconditionally, for continually going out of your way to show me your love through your words and actions, for your patience, and for the gift of my family. Katie and Lauren, I thank you for the love you showed me today and for serving me with a humble heart. Katie, you touched me with your kindness throughout the day in so many little ways. You sang to me, made me a card with a pretty pink ribbon tied on it, and you created for me that showed truly how you care about me.

Katie, the way you opened your heart to me today reminded me of actress Sally Field when she won best actress many years ago. As she held up her Oscar, she cried out “you love me, you really love me”. Katie, I felt like joyfully shouting that today because you showed me over and over that you love me, you really love me. This display of your love was an answer to many prayers. Lauren, in your card to me you wrote “I really truly love you, I want you to know that”. Oh, sweet precious Lauren, those words melted my heart. I truly love you too. God chose me to be a wife and another mom to this family and I am honored to fulfill this calling. Thank you all for an outstanding birthday!

2010 Mustangs

DSC03565This evening brought to a close another great softball season with Katie’s team finishing 10 and 2 in the regular season.

I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate coach Tom and his dedication to these girls. I have seen so much improvement in Katie’s abilities this year and she also managed to have quite a bit of fun as well.

Thanks to all of the coaches for helping Katie throughout the season. Thanks to all you girls for the signed softball, I will treasure it.

Katie’s 6th Grade Strings Concert

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_KRN2045Tonight was a big night for Katie as she performed in her sixth grade strings concert for Mountainside Middle School. She played her viola beautifully and hopefully felt accomplished after five months of diligent practicing. This evening we heard renditions of Bucaneer Country, Star Wars, and Finale.

The sixth graders also played a final song called The Torch Burns Bright with the seventh and eighth graders. Not only was Katie’s talent audible but her grace and charm was visible tonight as well.

The concert ended with a cookie reception in the lobby and we had a chance to congratulate Caroline and Ruby as well.

Hats off to Marisa Edwards, the strings teacher, for training these kids so well. We’re so glad she’ll be there again next year to help our children accelerate even more.

During the school year, Katie invited us to many practice performances in her room, in the living room, at the dinner table, and even in the backyard. Our neighbor Bob is also glad to provide coaching from time to time.

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Katie has improved so much since she started strings this year and she shined tonight. We’re calling her our “star performer” for good reason, for her talent, her poise, and the A+ she received in strings class this year. Congratulations Katie! We are proud of you.

Mother’s Day

My prayer today is that all women are blessed with a man as great as my husband. God has surely found favor with me. Kory is the most giving and heartfelt man I’ve ever met. There is no doubt in my mind that he loves me beyond measure. What’s even greater is that he loves the Lord with all that he is. It is the day before Mother’s day and the last few days I’ve experienced fleeting moments of sadness because the reality hits hard that, although I love Katie and Lauren as if they were my very own, I will never be their mom. In my heart and mind I consider them my own children even though I didn’t give birth to them. So, this Mother’s Day weekend finds me with a bit sorrowful because I care so much for my “daughters” and yet I know that they will always reserve this holiday for honoring their mother, and they absolutely should. I will never take the place of their mother, nor do I ever intend or expect to take her place, but my heart still will love them as my own.
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Our Young Author

My Young AuthorOn April 24th, Lauren won the first grade Young Author’s award and will have her story “A Lesson to Learn” published in this year’s Young Author’s book. We are so proud of her!  Her story is about a young girl named Julia who was being bullied.  She stood up for herself in front of all the bullies as told them she would not let them bother her.  This girl had been a bully earlier in her life, so she got a taste of her own medicine.  She forgave the bullies and learned a lesson on how harmful bullying is to kids.

Lauren also lost a tooth that day after biting into an apple. This is the seventh tooth she has lost so far.  We celebrated Lauren’s big day with a night of games and pizza at Peter Piper Pizza. She beat us at air hockey and took home candy for her prizes.

Today was the Young Author’s award presentation in the school library.  Lauren was so surprised when she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see me.  She gave me a big hug and I told her how proud of her I was.  She was presented with a blue “1st Place” ribbon that was affixed to her shirt. She got to stand up in front of everyone as her award and the title of her story was announced. She was also featured on a slide presentation and singled out as the first grade fiction  award winner.  Afterwards, I helped Lauren and two other kids write a poem.  Lauren did hers on Guinea Pigs.  I hope she felt special and honored today and I pray she feels this way every day.