Graduation Day!

Today was the day that seemed so far away 18 years ago. It was a beautiful day for a graduation. I had the pleasure of participating in the ceremony as a staff member of the school as I have for the past 12 years since my second grade students started graduating. It sure is different when you're wearing a "Mommy" hat with the staff hat. Many wondered if I would just melt into a puddle of tears and hang from his ankles screaming "No...no...." as he walked down the aisle to the pomp and circumstance song. I have to admit I thought about it. I think I was so busy organizing and doing things today that it didn't really hit me until just now. Now I'm in a puddle of tears. Aaron is gone, however, to the Senior Overnighter trip so I'm sure he appreciates that I saved these tears for home. Far less embarrassing for him. (I'll save the real tantrum for when he goes to college;)

He received word yesterday that the NCCS in Fremont has hired him for the summer as an intern working with the Boys and Girls Club youth program. We are thrilled. The internship program is designed to match Newaygo county high school kids with organizations that have elements that they are pursuing for a future career. Aaron enjoys working with children and is thinking about entering the social work program in college.

Okay, enough bragging....I guess we're proud of him. Remember, Open House is June 27th from 2-6 p.m at the Grant Wesleyan Church Youth Center. We hope to see you there!

Honors Night

Tonight was honors night for the Grant High School graduating class of 2009. Aaron has received the Michigan Promise Scholarship for his test scores and he also received a scholarship from Spring Arbor University. Graduation is this Sunday. It's so hard to believe that day has already arrived. We are so proud of him.

Aaron's open house is Saturday, June 27, from 2-6p.m. at the Grant Wesleyan Church Youth center. Come ready to play basketball and volleyball or just hang out and talk. See you there!

Happy 12th Birthday, Alyssa!

It's been a week of festivities. Saturday a group of friends and I ran in the River Bank Run in Grand Rapids. That was a blast (now that it's done;) Then Sunday was Mother's Day and Aaron's birthday and today is Alyssa's. I think we've all eaten way too much sugar.

Sweet, sweet Alyssa was 6 months old when Grandma Stahlbaum and I went to Korea to bring her home. She weighed a whopping #12. At a year old she was up to #18 and only weighed #22 at two years old. This year she sprouted long, skinny legs and is almost as tall as I am.

If you know her, you know she has a kind, gentle spirit and a talent for writing. We are so blessed to have her in our lives. Happy birthday, Alyssa. We are so proud of you and love you so much!

Aaron turns 18!

Eighteen years ago today, on the Friday before Mother's day in 1991, Aaron was born at Butterworth Hospital. I was 32 weeks pregnant and he wasn't expected until July 3rd. Unfortunately the pediatrician took one look at this huge preemie of 5# and assessed as being only four week preemie. They put him under the "hood" for oxygen thinking it was enough. I was released on Mother's day to go home. We left around 7p.m. from the NICU leaving Aaron behind. By 10:30 p.m. we got a call from the hospital asking us to come back ASAP. Aaron wasn't doing well. By the time we got down there they had him on a respirator! We almost lost him that night. That was our Mother's day in 1991 and now 18 years later it's his birthday on Mother's day!!! It was six weeks in NICU and 3 more months on the heart monitor and oxygen. But look at him now!
How blessed we are. Thank you, God. Look at this young man. You are awesome!