Birthday Wishes

This is a tad belated, but over the weekend, my SIL April celebrated her 29+1 birthday. We celebrated last Sunday with her and the rest of the Bisonets. I am blessed to have 2 wonderful sister-in-laws (or is it sisters-in-law? I'm not sure.) April quickly became a friend, b/c she gets me and my OCD ways. For example, last week, I told her I had finished addressing almost all of my Christmas cards. Yes folks, you read right, I said Christmas cards! She told me I was even more OCD than she was and I took it as a compliment. Haha! I have found that we are a lot alike . . . and that is probably why I get along with her so well. I miss my Concord sisters terribly and am grateful that I have her nearby. I know that if I ever need anything, she is just a phone call or e-mail away. So, here's to you April - I hope this next year of your life is filled with many, many blessings!

Some Gave All

I'm remembering my cousin today who was killed in action in Tikrit, Iraq 6 years ago today. DJ was a year younger than me and grew up just 5 miles from us. Our families did a lot together and he was my brother's best friend - they got into all sorts of trouble together! :) He had an infectious smile and made everyone laugh. If he was your friend, you always knew he had your back. He signed up for the Army and joined the 4th Infantry Division(the same Infantry that our Grandpa was in in WWII and the same Infantry that would later catch Sadam Hussein) after the attacks on 9/11 to "fight the evil in our world." In Iraq, they called him "Sunshine" b/c of that smile of his. The stories his fellow soldiers tell of him are amazing - he made such a difference in their lives.

October 13, 2003 . . . It's odd how 6 years still seems like yesterday . . . I was living with the Sisters and had just finished night prayer when I got the call from my mom. The days that followed were filled with questions of exactly what happened and lots of tears and time with family. Some of my most vivid memories are walking into the Wheeler house the day after finding out and they were playing Mercy Me's song "I Can Only Imagine" and I thought 'What faith they have!' My aunt was a pillar. There is no other way to describe her. The faith that woman has is amazing . . . I remember going to Detroit Metro airport (at night) to pick up his body, with about 50 other family members. We formed 2 lines, facing each other on both sides of the door, held hands and recited the Lord's Prayer as the door was opened and there was his flag-draped casket. We all drove back to the funeral home and said a Rosary together. It is times like those that we need our faith more than ever . . . I remember the drive from the funeral at Queens to the cemetery in Concord and all the people with flags standing along M-60 and the Concord band playing, just outside the cemetery. It meant so much . . . I remember hearing the national anthem for the first time after his death . . . it was at my sister's basketball game in the CHS gym. Tears flowed down my face, as that anthem now took on a new meaning. I finally understood the words to that song.

Thank-you, DJ. You are missed greatly and will never be forgotten.

Homecoming, a Weekend Visitor & 30th Anniversary!

Last weekend was full of fun and family. Even though it was cold and rainy, we didn't let that hold us back! Friday we went down to Concord, b/c Hannah was on Homecoming court. I can't believe my baby sister is going to graduate next year. Sigh. Veronica and I took Hannah to get her hair done and then did her make-up for her. As this was going on, my mom's college roommate arrived from San Diego with her husband (whom we hadn't seen in 10 years!) What a nice treat to be able to see them! We all went to the parade and then to the football game. I can't say that I frequent HS football games too much anymore, but I had a lot of fun watching my alma mater play (and win!)

Patiently waiting for the parade!

My favorite little guy

Brrr

And the winner is . . . Hannah didn't get the crown, but she said it was one of the most fun nights of her life!

After the halftime festivities, we left to go home and Maria came with us. Ever since she had come up during the summer, she had said that she wanted to come back "by herself." LOL. She is a character and did so well even though she was away from mommy and daddy for 2 nights. I had promised her a trip to the apple orchard, which has pony rides, a petting farm, wagon ride . . . the whole shabang. Unfortunately, it was pretty rainy on Saturday, so we went to Chuckie Cheese instead. Brook opted to stay home to watch the MSU / Mich game, which had a very sad ending for him.

Luckily, the rain let up on Sunday and we were able to stop at the orchard after church. Maria got her pony ride and I got my homemade cinnamon-sugar donut!

The long anticipated pony ride! Thank goodness it stopped raining!

After the orchard, we met the rest of my family at Clara's in Lansing to celebrate my parents' 30th wedding anniversary. 30 years. I cannot imagine that. After being married only 5 months, I can't imagine all that a couple will face in 30 years . . . births, deaths, raising kids, etc and etc . . . My parents (and Brook's parents, too) have been a wonderful example to us of committed love. 30 years, 4 kids, 4 grandchildren and lots of love . . . we are blessed!

The house that love built . . .

Wedding at Sutton's Bay

Last weekend, we attended John and Amber's wedding at Sutton's Bay. As previously mentioned, John is one of Brook's partners and his parents own a cherry orchard, which overlooks the bay. As you can imagine, the scenery was breath-taking and the weather was perfect! 70 degrees, light breeze and low humidity - just as they had predicted on their wedding website. (John's mom had the entire town praying for good weather! LOL) The reception was held at Field of Flowers Farm. Amber did such an amazing job planning . . . even made cherry jam that was used as table assignments and favors. Such a neat idea! They left last week for a 10-day honeymoon in Greece. Can't wait 'til they get back to hear all about their adventures! (Hope they didn't have to spend the night at the airport like another set of honeymooners!!)

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Guinan!

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.”

Sr. Katie was a radiant bride! She has staked her life on Someone she has never seen and her life is a witness to the world. It is quite extraordinary! I spoke with her before the ceremony and she was composed and able to laugh and joke, as I was tearing up. That’s my Katie! Paraphrasing the words of Bishop Boyea, “Joy, my sister, will fill your life.” I wish you nothing but joy, my friend!

Getting ready to walk down the aisle . . . look at that smile!

Professing her vows before the Bishop, Sr. Dorcee (the Superior) and Jesus, of course :)

Congratulations!

Watching Katie make her vows, reminded me of God’s faithfulness . . . to me! I needed that reminder right now. I have been worrying about the future and how to handle a couple different issues that have been weighing heavily on me lately and I needed to be reminded that God has a plan and that all my worrying will not help. It is easier said than done, though!

We also celebrated Carey’s birthday over the weekend. He and Brook lived together before we got married, which gave me a chance to get to know him well. He is a great guy, who really has become like a brother to me.

His new fishing waders

Of course, I have to mention football season! Brook said to me last week, “I heard the reason God put football season in the Fall is so we wouldn’t feel so bad about Summer coming to an end.” LOL. I don’t know if God really cares when football season is, but I would tend to agree that football season makes the end of summer much more tolerable! I tell ya what, though, it is hard to be married to a die-hard Michigan fan, when you are a die-hard Notre Dame fan, especially after last weekend! Brook was pretty gracious about the Michigan win and not too obnoxious (like I would’ve been, if ND had won) . . . until Sunday morning. We were “discussing” who got the bigger bagel from Panera (mature, I know, haha) and all of a sudden, he starts singing “Hail to the Victors.” Sigh. I’ve been humbled, what can I say? It is good for me.

This weekend we are headed to Traverse City for the wedding of one of Brook’s partners at the firm. It should be beautiful, b/c they are getting married on the cherry farm the groom’s family owns, which overlooks the Grand Traverse Bay. I just hope Brady survives the weekend! I think the toughest thing about living in GH is that I really don’t have anyone to watch him when we go out of town. One of my co-workers generously agreed to let him stay at her house and suggested that Brady come over to “meet” her dog, which is a chocolate lab. Welllllll, Dudley and Brady met last night . . . let’s just say Brady didn’t take too well to Dudley, who is extremely friendly and playful, but doesn’t know her own strength. Dudley just wanted to play, but was getting in Brady’s face. He didn’t like this much and kept trying to BITE her! Yes, bite her! (He never does that and I was so embarrassed.) When I say, “I hope he survives,” I mean literally survives, b/c the more Brady tried to bite, the rougher Dudley got . . she thought he was playing with her. Sigh. Some people are nervous about leaving their kids, I am nervous about leaving my dog!

Final Vows

This weekend, my friend Sr. Katie is making her Final Vows to be a Catholic Sister. When I was discerning Religious Life, Katie and I lived with the Servants of God’s Love at the same time. We actually moved in the same week and became fast friends. We are complete opposites and I think that’s what made us click so quickly. She was my closest confidant while I was there and we shared many late night talks about our worries, God’s plan and life in general. When I moved out in 2004, I was sad that we wouldn’t be together and that God didn’t have us on the same path anymore. Katie said something that I have never forgotten – she said, “We are on the same path, b/c we are still doing God’s will, just in different ways.”

So, fast-forward to April 2008 . . . Brook had just proposed and we set a 2009 wedding date. As I was driving home from GR one Sunday evening, I realized that Katie would be making her vows in 2009. We were both getting married in the same year! (I started bawling, which makes for safe driving!) For those 4 years, He did have us on the same path, just in different ways. It is funny how everything comes full circle, isn’t it? She was there at my wedding in April and now I am excited to be there at her “wedding,” as she makes her vows. I am so proud of her and happy for her, as I know this is the deepest desire of her heart! Pictures to come next week . . .

Sr. Katie and I at Sr. Christina's vows last year

Also, Brook and I have volunteered to teach religious ed at our new church. I am teaching 6th grade girls and Brook is team-teaching a class of middle school boys (not sure what grade yet) with someone else in the parish. This church has a great set-up by having all-girl classes and all-boy classes for middle schoolers. It really helps the kids to be themselves when they don’t feel like they have to impress the other sex. I am ready to get back to teaching – I took a year off last year due to the wedding and not knowing when I would be moving. And this is Brook’s first year, I know he will be great! It is ironic how much the kids actually teach you, even though you are supposed to be the teacher. The thought-provoking questions they ask push your faith to new levels and it is so rewarding to see how far they come by the end of the year. Our first meeting is next Monday with all the leaders.

I had to laugh, b/c I got this e-mail from the Director of Religious Ed Wednesday: “I am currently working on trying to get leaders for our Confirmation classes for the year! I was talking to some people and you both came recommended to me as being two people who would be excellent and helping with Confirmation.” I laughed b/c how do people know us to recommend us??? We have agreed to help! Luckily, we are on a team with 6 other adults. And we thought things would settle down, now that the summer is over! ;)

Last Weekend of Summer . . .

It has been somewhat of a lazy week at our house . . . after the weekend festivities, we needed some down time. We had a wonderful weekend with friends and family and couldn't have asked for a better end to summer. Wes and Jaime and the kids came up Friday and we went to the beach. Connor enjoyed throwing sand and digging, while Maria somehow enjoyed the 50 degree water. Brr! After Brook got home from work, we ordered pizza and then went down to the beach so Wes and Jaime could take some family pictures. Oh Connor! That boy loves the sand! LOL. I do hope at least a few of the shots turned out. After the pictures, we put the kids to bed and played "Partini." It's pretty much like Cranium, only with more activities. Pretty fun, if I do say so myself! :)



Wes got Notre Dame season tickets this year and asked Brook to go to the game with him on Saturday. They were gone for most of the day; so, Jaime and I took the kids to the beach again before the rest of my family arrived. That afternoon, Mom, Dad and Hannah rolled up in the RV, loaded with tables, chairs and a tent for the party. Now, there is a story behind the RV . . . my parents were going to park it in front of our house all weekend. (AKA cousin Eddie and Clark Griswold) But let's face it, that's probably not the best way to make friends with your neighbors! Haha! They were probably not going to be thrilled to stare at a 40-foot motorhome all weekend. Luckily, there is a church across the street from us that was kind enough to let them stay in their parking lot. In the end, it worked out great! They were super-close and it was nice to have everyone "right there."



Later that night Veronica and family arrived. We waited for guys to get home from the game and then beat them in another game of Partini. Actually, I was so tired, I can't remember who won. So, I'll just pretend we did! ;)

Sunday was the big event . . . we had a housewarming / birthday BBQ (for Brook). Many of our friends and family made the drive over and it meant everything to us! I know it's not exactly a short drive to Grand Haven and I really cannot express my gratitude to those who made the trip. It was such a hectic day and with so much going on, I felt like I didn't get much time to chat with very many people. I feel bad about that, but hope everyone understands. I tried to bribe Hannah with sushi to be in charge of the kiddie games, but she didn't take the bait. (Wow, that is a bad pun!) So, I was busy making sure the kids were staying entertained. This is something I seriously stressed about before the party . . . I mean, we don't have kids (obviously), so what are all these kids going to do at our house??? In comes the bounce house, pinata, duck pond and so on. After many, many trips to Party City, I think I was prepared! I am sure parents were thanking me later that night for sending their kids home with gobbs of candy.

Here are some shots from the party . . . thank-you Veronica for taking pictures!

Happy Birthday to you . . .

The bouncer was a good investment!

I can't believe how well it held up with the abuse it took!

Pinata Time!

Some of Brook's aunts and uncles

Time for the egg race . . . look at those serious faces!

My dad and his sister

After all the planning, we couldn't have asked for more. The weather was perfect, the company was even better. :) Thank-you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and volunteered to make food. We couldn't have done it without you!

Monday was Brook's actual birthday and we had a fairly low-key day. All of my family left in the morning and we did a whole lot of nothing before going to dinner at Snug Harbor and then shopping for a bit. Birthdays are such a great time to reflect on the gift of a person's life. Brook is an amazing man, I really believe I got the better end of the deal in this marriage. He is kind, smart, witty, fun, compassionate and easy-going. He would never intentionally hurt someone and when people are unkind to him, he doesn't hold a grudge. He always tries to be the bigger person and reminds me to be, as well. He gets me and is my everything. I am blessed beyond measure be married to Brook and thank God for letting him be the person I journey through this life with.