Spoiled...

As an auntie, I do my best to fulfill my auntie duties. Generally, this means spoiling my nephews and nieces and behaving in all manners of craziness when they're around...much to the chagrin of my siblings. Clearly, that is part of what makes it so fun :)

Found it!

Who's enjoying the prizes more...Emma or her mother?

Counting all the itty-bitty treasures...

Love these girls :)

Easter Hope

"For many people, there's a widespread, low-grade despair at the heart of everything. If we can tilt things a few clicks in the hope direction, that would be beautiful. There's nothing to fear...at the core of the Christian experience, there's resurrection. The story ends better than anything you can make up yourself." ~Rob Bell, GR Press Article, Sunday, March 23, 2008

Hope has been a re-occurring theme in my life as of late. In my work at the city identifying strategies targeted at troubled youth and homeowners in crisis, in the fractured international and domestic political climate, in the current economic downturn, in the lives of my friends serving and working overseas, in the stories of cancer and illness that plague family and acquaintances...the common denominator that exists among all of these situations is the need for hope. It is the critical first step in finding a solution, a salve, a method of healing. So long as there is hope, there is possibility and potential for more. For a future. For a better day.

This hope movement...I think it's catching on, and it makes me excited. I see it in the distribution of endowment funds at some our most prestigious universities. I see it in our media, on Sunday nights especially, as I sit here and watch shows like "Extreme Home Makeover" and "Oprah's Big Give." I see it in the generous giving of friends and donors at a fundraiser for an international charitable organization that my friend runs. I hear it in the testimony of the woman at church today whose life was literally transformed by the intervention of virtual strangers. People are getting the big picture. They're realizing that it's not just tuition, but the opportunity of a career that provides more than minimum wage. It's not just a home or a car, but the security of knowing one's family will be safe and protected. It's not just a check, but the opportunity for a woman to be vaccinated against an entirely preventable disease. At their very basis, all of these things are providing people with the hope that the next day might be better than the last.

As I come to recognize the importance of hope in restoring a broken world, it is here that I am also coming to recognize the true essence of my faith. For me, religion is not about rules and regulations, about creeds and doctrines and details that cause your head to spin. Religion is not about me being right, you being wrong, and proving my point in theological debate. Of course, there are things that I believe to be fundamental and essential, and to these I will always adhere. However, the good news of the Gospel is not that Jesus came to save only those who dot their i's and cross their t's in a certain way, those who look or smell or sound a certain way. Jesus came, and even more amazingly, died, for the whole of the entire world. Whether you do or do not observe Easter or believe in the power of the cross, it doesn't matter. Jesus still came for you. And the fact that He came, that He died, and that He rose again means we can have hope. The tomb is empty, and as Rob says, the story ends so much better than we could ever imagine.

For me, living a life of faith and attempting to share it with others is not about "converting" people. It's not a numbers game. Rather, it's a quality of life thing, and sharing with others about the reality of what life can be. It's about living with the knowledge that we can believe for the impossible, that we can strive for incredible dreams, that we can hope for an amazing, and dare I say, FABULOUS tomorrow. Because our God is big, and He has gifted us with salvation through the work of His Son on the cross, we can believe for and live lives of wonder and amazement. We have the privilege to be optimistic, to be "half-full" kinds of people, to trust and hope for a new day.

On this Resurrection Sunday, may we be reminded of the hope that we possess and the opportunity we have to share it. It seems that it is exactly what the world needs more than anything, and exactly the thing that you and I need many days as well...

Happiness Is...

Happiness is a journey, not a destination...

for a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. but there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. at last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. this perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. happiness is the way. so treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one.

~Souza

MY Soldier...

So I have this friend. We'll call him J. J and I met when I worked at the Padnos International Center at GVSU. He was an intern in the office after graduating with degrees in Political Science, Middle Eastern studies, Arabic and Farsi. Yeah, he's pretty intelligent. It's true.

J was with us for a couple months until he interviewed and accepted a new job. With the U.S. military. After taking the position, J was off to Virginia for some training and then it was on to Iraq where he would be a translator.

That's where J is now. In Iraq. Over there.

Though the label on his fatigues says contractor instead of soldier, I still consider him MY soldier. I try to send packages when I can, email, instant message...whatever I can do to stay in contact and offer some encouragement. Perhaps it seems like a translating job wouldn't be such a big deal, but his translating has quickly progressed from documents and desk work to actual missions in the field. Just today he told me I shouldn't expect to hear from him for the next three weeks or so. There's no telling where he might end up, what he might do, who might drop bombs or shoot bullets at him, or when it will all be over.

And I hate that.

J and I weren't even that close before he left, but through this experience I've come to worry about him as I suppose a mother would. I fear for his safety. I wonder if he's being taken care of. And now, for the first time in my life, I'm beginning to understand what war does to people and to their families. I've always been grateful for our soldiers and the manner in which they protect us, but I've never had it touch me as close as J's experience.

With the election season upon us, much is being debated about the war in Iraq, our troops, time lines, deadlines, and the like. Where in the past it may have just been a policy issue to me, the paradigm has shifted this year as I contemplate J being in the midst of it all. It's scary. It's troubling. But it helps me to realize the value, significance, and cost of war.

Whatever you believe about the war, whatever your political or ideological stance may be, right now I simply ask you to lay it aside and say a prayer for J. For I don't know where he is. I don't know what he's doing. I don't know when this assignment will all be over.

All I know is that our prayers will help him through, and knowing that you're praying as well may help me through...

*I know that many of you have your own stories and soldiers overseas as well. Please feel free to post their names and locations so we can pray for them all.

The Traditional Three-Ring Circus

Yesterday was family Christmas. And, as one can only imagine in a family as large as mine, it was a bit like a three-ring circus. It always is. But I must admit. I LOVE IT.

Per usual, we ate too much, shared some good-natured teasing, held our breaths while hearing crashes from the basement, oooohed and ahhhhed over the newest batch of Christmas pajamas that grandma had sewn, engaged in wrapping paper-ball wars, and attempted to corral the children to facilitate dozens of photo ops.

It was a great evening, and a good time was enjoyed by all. I love that despite the busyness of our lives, almost all twenty-four of us are able to come together for one day each year.

And at the close of the evening, I especially love watching the crazy little cyclones (that I call nieces and nephews) climb into their parent's cars and back out of the driveway, while I retire to the coziness of my calm, quiet, home :)

They appear to be little angels, don't they?

Unwrapping some new pj's...

The little models...

Our little princess...

And her growling sister...


Baby Quinn, who had the good fortune of being
too young to get attacked by the older boys...

My fabulous nieces who are getting too cute for their own good :)

And uncle Todd, who was happy to be the instigator of
much of the evening's mischief...

Joy has left the building...

Today Rob spoke about Joy. About the angels who came and announced the birth of baby Jesus; the angels who instructed to fear not, because they brought great tidings of joy. He talked about the relationship between joy and fear -- that if joy came to a party, fear would leave. And vice versa. Because the two cannot exist in the same room.

So I drove home. Contemplating joy, and this Advent season during which we wait expectantly for the coming of our King and the joyous celebration that this involves.

And then I reached home, and read this on nytimes.com. And joy left the room quite quickly.

I was with YWAM for a couple years. It was a wonderful experience, and it allowed me to see and do things that I would have never thought possible. I know the hearts of the people who work, volunteer, and study with the organization. And I know they are passionate, committed, Christ-followers who desire nothing more than for the world to know that there is a God who loves them. They seek to share joy -- often with those who have never known it in their lives.

It is difficult to digest a situation like this, knowing the things I have shared with you about the mission of the organization and its people. As with the shooting in Omaha, and so many others like it, it doesn't seem fair, right, or logical.

So to the families and friends of the victims, to all those associated with YWAM and the greater missions' community, to those whose lives have been tainted by fear and tragedy, we pray for joy...rich, deep, glorious joy...that would spring from the very depths of your beings and shine a light amidst this present darkness. Peace be with you...

Announcing the arrival of Quinn Elliott

Drumroll please...


As promised in yesterday's post, here's a pic of baby Quinn, the newest addition to our family. I was happy to spoil him, as only aunties do, by holding him all afternoon at the hospital. And I do believe I gave him the cutest outfit ever (thank-you babyGap).

This is nephew number 6 for me, bringing my grand total of nieces and nephews up to 11. No lie. My siblings tell me that I need to catch up, but I'm just not so sure... I'd much rather spoil them rotten and send them home at the end of the day :)

These Boys...

These boys...



...have a new baby brother.

As if they weren't cute enough, they now have a third culprit to add to their cuteness. Looking forward to meeting Quinn Elliott tomorrow. I'll be sure to snap a photo for you all to see. I hear he looks a lot like his Aunt Megan... Just kidding, I'm sure he'll be a towhead just like these guys :)

The Dutch Korean

I'm sure most of you have heard my self-proclaimed ethnic moniker from time to time. I'm Dutch-Korean, and more Dutch than Korean most days :)

The story and experience of each Korean adoptee is different, and in this article, Katy Robinson tells of her story.

Give it a read, and check out the ensuing discussion via postings. I'm especially intrigued with the concept of imperialism that comments #10 & 40 allude to. Do you think there's any truth to them? As international adoption grows throughout Hollywood and the rest of our nation, do you think Americans ought to give pause to the reality that we're taking children out of their native lands? Clearly, I am an advocate of international adoption, but it does make for an interesting conversation...

M.I.A.

Hmmmm...August. Last posting. Again, I must admit that I'm a very bad blogger. Bad bad bad. My sincerest apologies, though I know the apologies are starting to get old...

So what has been happening? A whole lot of everything! School, leadership academy, lots of busyness at work, salmon fishing, bachelorette parties, weddings, the Chicago marathon (only observing, not running), a beautiful Michigan autumn, and now...indoor soccer??? I would divulge every last detail in this posting, but we all know you'd be reading for hours if I were to do that. Instead, perhaps a photo explanation will suffice.

Thanks for your patience with my delinquency. I appreciate your dedication :)

My nieces and I, downtown GR. They look thrilled to see me, eh?

Salmon fishing on Lake MI near Ludington.
City girl knows how to enjoy the great outdoors. Shocking, but true :)

The bridesmaids with Andrea at her bachelorette party.
Yep, you counted right. There were eight of us!

The roommate/bridesmaids.

Great times in Chicago during marathon weekend.

Jonathan at mile 21...still going strong :)

Me and the most beautiful bride, Andrea Joy!

Some of the groomsmen and I on the party bus.

The bride and bridesmaids on the party bus.

The fabulous bride and groom, Andrea and Tim.
We miss Andrea at the farmhouse, but we love that she's married!

PURPOSE...

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand." ~ Woodrow Wilson

Home Sweet Home

The last few days were spent in glorious bliss in my true hometown, Traverse City, MI. Despite living there for just a few years, I have grown a love for this place that is so unlike every other. My best high school friends are all from this lovely little city, and I was fortunate to spend a mini vacation of sorts with them...even some out-of-towners from Florida and Los Angeles.

We planned on boating, floating, and sunning all weekend long, but autumn-like temperatures prevented us from doing so. However, we donned some sweaters (my poor packing skills sometimes do come in handy) and made the most of things, catching up with old friends and playing with lots of new babies. I think you'll be able to see that we managed to have a fabulous time...

Jess & Christina with baby Madelyn

Jeff & Grant playing Cornhole...who knew a game with that name could be so entertaining?

The Colling's Lakehouse, my home away from home.

Captain Jeff leading the turtle hunt with the little girls.

Landon...shortly before he plummeted from the swing :(

Kjersten & I

The Wicksall Cabin...if these walls could talk, we'd all be in A LOT of trouble...

Jess, Peter & I

Jess, Lacey & I...best friends, no matter how far apart.

I'm It...

I've recently been tagged by my lovely friend Melissa, who was tagged by the fabulous Kjersten, so here are 8 random facts and habits about me that you may, or may not, care to know.

#1. FACT: I am the world's worst blogger, as evidenced by the fact that the month of July was devoid of any postings.

#2. FACT: The Korean name given to me at birth was Lee Joo Mee.

#3. HABIT: I am notorious for picking at my split ends when I'm bored.

#4. HABIT: I attend the 9:00 a.m. service at Mars Hill Bible Church, after which, I like to sit on my porch and drink nearly a whole pot of coffee while reading the Sunday Press or a book.

#5. FACT: I love action movies with fast cars, motorcycles, and crazy stunts...despite the usual bad acting that accompanies them. I wanted to be Jason Bourne after watching The Bourne Ultimatum last night...

#6. FACT: The longest relationship I have ever had with a boy was for 4 1/2 months in the sixth grade. He and I used to sit next to each other in the reading corner, and I eventually broke up with him because: "I didn't want a boyfriend over the summer." Puh-leeeeeeez...I was 11 years old. Who did I think I was?

#7. HABIT: The only yogurt I buy is Yoplait light, the ones with the blue lids.

#8. HABIT: For three of the last six years (every other), I have elected to not eat chocolate in an attempt to exercise some sort of self-discipline. People think I'm crazy when I tell them about this little charade. I willingly admit that I am :)

Another serving...

I'm off to Chicago for the weekend, so in the meantime, here's some food for thought (taken from the NY Times):

Don’t Mourn Brown v. Board of Education

By JUAN WILLIAMS

Washington

LET us now praise the Brown decision. Let us now bury the Brown decision.

With yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling ending the use of voluntary schemes to create racial balance among students, it is time to acknowledge that Brown’s time has passed. It is worthy of a send-off with fanfare for setting off the civil rights movement and inspiring social progress for women, gays and the poor. But the decision in Brown v. Board of Education that focused on outlawing segregated schools as unconstitutional is now out of step with American political and social realities.

Desegregation does not speak to dropout rates that hover near 50 percent for black and Hispanic high school students. It does not equip society to address the so-called achievement gap between black and white students that mocks Brown’s promise of equal educational opportunity.

And the fact is, during the last 20 years, with Brown in full force, America’s public schools have been growing more segregated — even as the nation has become more racially diverse. In 2001, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that the average white student attends a school that is 80 percent white, while 70 percent of black students attend schools where nearly two-thirds of students are black and Hispanic.

By the early ’90s, support in the federal courts for the central work of Brown — racial integration of public schools — began to rapidly expire. In a series of cases in Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Kansas City, Mo., frustrated parents, black and white, appealed to federal judges to stop shifting children from school to school like pieces on a game board. The parents wanted better neighborhood schools and a better education for their children, no matter the racial make-up of the school. In their rulings ending court mandates for school integration, the judges, too, spoke of the futility of using schoolchildren to address social ills caused by adults holding fast to patterns of residential segregation by both class and race.

The focus of efforts to improve elementary and secondary schools shifted to magnet schools, to allowing parents the choice to move their children out of failing schools and, most recently, to vouchers and charter schools. The federal No Child Left Behind plan has many critics, but there’s no denying that it is an effective tool for forcing teachers’ unions and school administrators to take responsibility for educating poor and minority students.

It was an idealistic Supreme Court that in 1954 approved of Brown as a race-conscious policy needed to repair the damage of school segregation and protect every child’s 14th-Amendment right to equal treatment under law. In 1971, Chief Justice Warren Burger, writing for a unanimous court still embracing Brown, said local school officials could make racial integration a priority even if it did not improve educational outcomes because it helped “to prepare students to live in a pluralistic society.”

But today a high court with a conservative majority concludes that any policy based on race — no matter how well intentioned — is a violation of every child’s 14th-Amendment right to be treated as an individual without regard to race. We’ve come full circle.

In 1990, after months of interviews with Justice Thurgood Marshall, who had been the lead lawyer for the N.A.A.C.P. Legal Defense Fund on the Brown case, I sat in his Supreme Court chambers with a final question. Almost 40 years later, was he satisfied with the outcome of the decision? Outside the courthouse, the failing Washington school system was hypersegregated, with more than 90 percent of its students black and Latino. Schools in the surrounding suburbs, meanwhile, were mostly white and producing some of the top students in the nation.

Had Mr. Marshall, the lawyer, made a mistake by insisting on racial integration instead of improvement in the quality of schools for black children?

His response was that seating black children next to white children in school had never been the point. It had been necessary only because all-white school boards were generously financing schools for white children while leaving black students in overcrowded, decrepit buildings with hand-me-down books and underpaid teachers. He had wanted black children to have the right to attend white schools as a point of leverage over the biased spending patterns of the segregationists who ran schools — both in the 17 states where racially separate schools were required by law and in other states where they were a matter of culture.

If black children had the right to be in schools with white children, Justice Marshall reasoned, then school board officials would have no choice but to equalize spending to protect the interests of their white children.

Racial malice is no longer the primary motive in shaping inferior schools for minority children. Many failing big city schools today are operated by black superintendents and mostly black school boards.

And today the argument that school reform should provide equal opportunity for children, or prepare them to live in a pluralistic society, is spent. The winning argument is that better schools are needed for all children — black, white, brown and every other hue — in order to foster a competitive workforce in a global economy.

Dealing with racism and the bitter fruit of slavery and “separate but equal” legal segregation was at the heart of the court’s brave decision 53 years ago. With Brown officially relegated to the past, the challenge for brave leaders now is to deliver on the promise of a good education for every child.

Juan Williams, a senior correspondent for NPR and a political analyst for Fox News Channel, is the author of “Enough: The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America.

World's Worst Blogger

Clearly, I am the world's worst blogger...and for this I apologize. Again.

As usual, I have been buzzing around like a bee while neglecting this poor site. What have I been up to? So much, and not so much, all at the same time.

The last week in May I enjoyed a bit of vacation time. One weekend in Minneapolis with a dear dear friend and her family, and a full week in Florida with some friends from high school. It was great to reminisce, relax, and leave the office behind for a bit. Here are a few pictures of my vacation fun...

My Minneapolis kids...

Marci and I at dinner...

Jess, Me, Tyson, and Karyn in Orlando...

Clearwater Beach

Post-vacation I've been diving further into my job, playing some tennis, soaking up some quality rays in the sun, frolicking on Lake Michigan, and planning some mini-vacations for the summer. Next weekend should find me in Chicago, and the weekend after in Traverse City. The start of summer has been hot and glorious. And I love it. These gorgeous days are the reasons why we suffer through such awful winters here in Michigan.

“Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world.” ~ Ada Louise Huxtable

The Reality of Television

From time to time you may hear we whine about the ridiculousness that is reality television. Clearly, there is nothing realistic about racing around the world, mothering children of a different family for two weeks, or eating a windshield full of bugs.

But I must admit...I've been sucked in. I watch them too. Everything in moderation, of course, but they do grace the screen of our television...perhaps, on a daily basis.

Just last night I watched a very large round-cut diamond being slipped onto the finger of a very ecstatic Tessa in the season finale of The Bachelor. Presently, I'm waiting with baited breath to know if Joey Fatone or Apollo Anton Ono will be this season's Dancing With the Stars' Champion.

Tomorrow, the office pool will be buzzing about the impending American Idol Final Results Show, and I'm sure there are many more to come. The advertisements for this summers' awful line-up of second-rate reality have been rolling out (i.e. America's Got Talent...not sure how this season will go for David Hasselhoff, and The Ex-Wives Club...are you kidding me?), and I cannot even imagine what other ridiculous creations will surface in the coming months.

So what's the big deal? What is so appealing about reality television, and when will it ever end? Come on now...it's time to fess up. What reality shows are you hiding in your closet???

P.S. On a quasi-related note, let's talk about advertising for a moment. I just love BP's new ad campaign in which they attempt to portray oil as bright, cheery, and oh so whimsical. Clever clever clever...

Running Like Phoebe...

Yesterday we had a family picnic/reunion/gathering of sorts. Having done away with the annual Christmas party after my grandfather passed away last year, this was the new and improved alternative that was intended to alleviate some of the stress and strain from additional holiday parties. The event was held at Hagar Park, which happens to have a fabulous wooden playground called the Age of Discovery. The kiddos had a great time climbing, swinging, and hanging, and even I enjoyed a couple trips down the twisty slide.

"It's easier when you put your arms out like this..." ~ Olivia

The little monkey...

*Contrary to how the picture appears, she actually does have two legs!

Running around on the playground reminded me of one of my favorite Friends episodes. (Go ahead, roll your eyes, but all of life is a Friends moment and you know its true). I love "The One Where Phoebe Runs," during which Rachel is embarrassed by the way Phoebe flails her arms and legs as they jog through Central Park. After becoming increasingly bothered by the unorthodox style (Rachel: "You guys, I'm telling you, when she runs, she looks like a cross between Kermit the Frog and the Six Million Dollar Man."), Rachel finally asks Phoebe why she runs like she does. Phoebe replies by asking Rachel to remember when she was little, when you ran as hard and as fast, and as crazily as you could to get to the swings before the other kids stole them all...when you were little, and you didn't care how you looked, so long as you were having a good time. Phoebe says that she doesn't want to run unless it's fun (which in her case, includes the thrashing about of extremities)--a statement which Rachel accepts and later puts into practice as she joyfully flails her way down the trail.

I'm not really one for flailing these days. Sometimes I wish I was.

In all honesty, I think it's the diplomat in me, or maybe the Asian...I'm not exactly sure yet. But at any rate, there are times when I wish that my brain knew no concept of political correctness, appropriateness, status quo, or any other form of decorum. For I fear, that these things, these social constructs, forces, and influences, these self-accepted and self-imposed rules, may prevent me, and all of us for that matter, from truly experiencing some of the joy that may be found in everyday occurrences.

"But what will the neighbors think?"

"What will my friends think?"

"What will the other pre-school moms think?"

"What will my co-workers think?"

"What will my family think?"

Ever thought one of those things before? Ever uttered those words when considering a choice, a decision, or a course of action? Ever wished you didn't care what the answer was?

Yup, me too.

I don't know why or how we've somehow made our lives subject to the scrutiny and opinion of the world, but we have...at least I have. And perhaps you're much better at combating it than I, but still it exists. And quite frankly, I find it to be annoying. And bothersome. And constricting. And controlling. I live for the day when the actions of my life will be motivated purely by love, integrity, joy, and faith...when the only perspective that I consider is God's...when I engage in an activity, simply for the pure joy of it...when I speak my mind when and wherever because it springs out of the convictions of my heart...when I no longer arrive late to work because I've spent a full 7 minutes picking out the right pair of shoes to wear...

Friends, I wish I could run like Phoebe. All the time. Everyday. That may mean different things, in different places, at different times...but the freedom that exists, that empowers, that is ours for the taking...it cannot and should not be held captive by the perceptions of the world. For then it will be wasted. On lives that had the potential for so much more. On lives that were meant to be truly LIVED.

Here's to living our lives with wild abandon...arms and legs flailing the entire time :)

A "No" Thank-You Moment

A couple years ago I experienced one of my best summers ever. It was my first summer home after returning from Greece, and I spent it in Traverse City living with my fabulous friend Jessica. She and I had a summer to remember. The weather was particularly spectacular that year, and when we weren't at the beckon call of hungry guests in a certain establishment, we could be found baking in the sun, on a boat, riding bikes, walking the bay, carousing downtown, and grilling-out with friends.

It was out of this summer that the term "Thank-You Moment" was born between she and I. So many times throughout that summer we felt overwhelmed by the goodness of God...as seen in the lake, the sun, the sand, our friends, our health, and overall...in the massive amounts of blessings we have experienced in our lives.

We LIVED off those Thank-You Moments, and we continue to even now. Jessica recently moved to Florida, and when we chat on the phone we always share about the TYM's that may have taken place since we last conversed. Though we have both seen our share of trials and struggles, God's grace has abounded and the TYM's have been numerous.

Today, after learning about this news, I experienced something contrary to the welcomed Thank-You Moment. Rather, it was more of a NO Thank-You Moment. And I'm pretty upset about it.

My dear dear friend Simplicity, who I have lauded as my hero in some circles, is facing a battle that I wish I could politely, yet firmly, decline on her behalf. A simple "No Thank-You" to this situation would do the trick, and all would still seem right with the world.

You see, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the goodness of One, I am wrought with grief and sadness about this sudden development. I do not know why tragedy of this sort is allotted to some, and not to others. Why some may never have to associate this word with members of their immediate family. Why others have uttered it more times than they would have desired. Why the ones who seem to have done everything right are forced to carry the burdens that might seem more fitting for those who never cared, never nurtured, never loved...

I don't understand this life, the things that go on, the events that transpire in the lives of those that we love most dearly.

I don't understand why some days are so awe-inspiring that I struggle to pass two common syllables across my lips, and why other days it's all I can do to keep myself from turning and cursing at the sky.

Like today...

which has become a really angry, confused, frustrating "No Thank-You Moment"...

Three Cheers for Mothers

I am so thankful for the myriad of mothers in my life. Of course, there is my own, and many more sprinkled throughout my collection of family, friends, and co-workers. They are a blessing to myself and all those that they interact with, and I am happy to celebrate their lives on this special day.

Apart from the mothers themselves, I am so grateful for the reasons that make them mothers...their children! My nieces and nephews, in particular, are some of my favorites. Here are a couple clips from our evening celebration...

To close, here's what one very wise individual has to say about mothers:

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

~ Proverbs 31: 25-29

Moving On...

So good news everyone. I'm a real, live, college graduate. Amazing, I know. And to think that when I left North Park in 2002 to pursue other things, there were many naysayers who thought I would never arrive at this point.

But, much to my delight, I have proved the critics wrong and attained my B.A. in International Relations from Grand Valley State University. And this fall, I'll start my Masters. More school...who knew?

In an effort to join the "real world," I have accepted a grown-up job working in the City Manager's office at the City of Wyoming, MI, where I currently reside. I love my bosses, and I'm confident I'll learn much from them over the next few years while I earn my next degree. I realize that this current plan seems to have deviated greatly from the aspirations I have always touted, but there is time, and I'm sure that these experiences will serve to spur me onward and upward. If nothing else, three more years in West Michigan will probably have me dying to get outta here by the time I finish :)

For now, I plan on traveling as much as possible. The end of this month will find me in Minneapolis to visit and certain someone, and in Florida following that. A US Open trip is being slated for the close of August, and Thanksgiving in L.A. might be on the docket as well. If any of you have any more suggestions, I'd certainly be open to hearing them. Just let me know...

Thanks to all of you who have supported me in my various endeavors up to this point. I am so grateful for each and everyone of you, and I look forward to all of the good times that are to come :)