Wordless Wednesday: Smart

My beautiful niece/goddaughter, who just got her report card & made straight As, again!

Excellent work, Haleigh!

Happy Birthday to Haleigh!

Beautiful goddaughter, growing into such an equally beautiful person.

Already so nurturing, caring, thoughtful

Happy Birthday, Haleigh! We love you and wish you the best day.

It's Nivek's Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to Nivek,

otherwise known as Kevin!!

Kevin is my 2nd oldest brother, now 45 years old, I think. He's currently living in California and we don't see him nearly enough.

Kevin is unique. He is unbelievably smart, resourceful, and his survival skills enable him to outdo the common person, in my opinion.
He is a protective brother and fun uncle. I miss him and wish my kids knew him better.

Kevin is also schizophrenic.
To a lot of people this means they won't get to know him better. To many, it means they can't see past that word....that label. "Schizophrenic". Yes, he is mentally ill. But he is also one of the most normal people I know, in different ways.

He is honest to a fault, his memory is impeccable, and his heart is golden.
It's unfortunate that he struggles with this illness, as it does prevent him from living what most of us would consider a "normal" life.

However, Kevin is such a gift. He has taught us so much.

Kevin was diagnosed right around the time I was born. He was 17. Since I was a newborn, I have known him no differently. I don't have the memories of him growing up, or of his childhood like some of my siblings do. My older siblings may remember him before he started to "change".

What's amazing, though, is that Kevin has taught me that you love someone know matter what. Regardless of illness or disability, you love them. Especially if you are from the same family.
Kevin, through his life, has taught me that the generosity of others can truly save a life.
The generosity of others, as in complete strangers, providing him with food/shelter, has saved him time & again.

I know God makes no mistake, and Kevin was put on this earth for a reason.
He is my brother and I love him.
Happy Birthday, Kevin! I hope you have a great day!

Christmas Post #1: The Polar Express

It's not the first thing we did on our Christmas trip to South Carolina, but it's the first thing I'm posting about & sharing pictures. :)

It was a good 2+ hour drive from my parents' house to The Polar Express. It was a gorgeous drive through the mountains, despite ear-pressure changes. The weather was fitting, feeling about as cold as it was in Ohio.

The staff truly did a great job. We boarded and shortly after received hot chocolate and a chocolate-marshmallow Santa. The soundtrack from the movie was playing.
After some time Santa himself got on the train and visited! He kindly gave mini bells to each child, followed by the staff handing out song sheets with Christmas Carols.
We sang, they dimmed the lights, we railed past some nicely decorated homes, and then headed back to the station.

The kids seemed to enjoy themselves and it really was fun.
That being said, I don't think it was the worth the price they charged. My opinion is that it was overcharged by as much as $30.

Seeing as Aidan got sick the next day, I am glad we went. At least he has that fun memory from our trip!

Here are some other pics I like from that day:

Happy Birthday to Haleigh!

In honor of your 10th Birthday, here is our top 10 reasons we love you:

1. Haleigh is nice (Aidan's contribution)
2. Haleigh is fun to play with (Aidan's contribution)
3. Haleigh is very pretty
4. Haleigh introduced me to The Suite Life!
5. Haleigh introduced us to High School Musical!
6. Haleigh is smart. Very smart.
7. Haleigh has a sense & maturity about her that is so impressive.
8. Haleigh has a great laugh. She truly does.
9. Haleigh goes with the flow well.
10. She has a heart of gold. She is sweet, patient, and a true joy to know. We love you, Haleigh!

Happy double-digits, Haleigh. I am so excited for you and your future. We are blessed to have you a part of our lives. Have the most wonderful birthday!!

See you next month!

For Haleigh & Sue

Another school year has ended, and another award has been given.

Oops...did I say award?
I meant awards. (as in 5)

That's right.
My niece/goddaughter Haleigh has completed the 3rd grade, going out with a bang. You can read all about it at Sue's blog-as Haleigh's mom, she did a great job describing the awards Haleigh received and what each one means. Oh, and let me add here that Haleigh earned five awards. This girl is so rockin' awesome, that if she was close to 16, I'd want to buy her a car!

Because I have the digital camera and help on hand to scan the pictures, (thanks to my hubby), I thought I'd share some of those special pictures of Haleigh. She has grown so much - not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, as well.



To know Haleigh is to gain a blessing. How on earth God chose to bless our families with Haleigh, I will never know. I am just grateful that He did. This is for you, Haleigh & Sue. You two have worked so hard together to achieve so much. You should be proud of yourselves.
Congratulations, Haleigh!

Pictoral Review: Our Trip Down South

Now that all of my photos are uploaded to the computer, I'm finally doing my holiday post, sharing some of my favorite pictures. I hope you had a Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

(above: Aidan with his Lightning McQueen umbrella from Santa)(above: Aidan, Haleigh & Jack in Gatlinburg)

(above: Haleigh, Grandma, & Brennan)

(above: Our Family of 4 at The Apple Barn in Tennessee)(above: Landon & Aidan opening presents)(above: us on Christmas Eve, after Mass)(above: cousins on Christmas Eve)(Haleigh & I)(Aidan on Christmas morning; Santa brought him a Lightning McQueen Hat set)(above: Brennan enjoying some chicken [play] at Aunt Sue's, Christmas Day)(above: Aidan riding the train at Aunt Sue's)(above: Pop-Pop playing his accordion for us!)(above: that man was flirting with us)(above: downtown Greenville)(Jack & Aidan give Grandma a new hairdo)(Above: Sebastian, P, Brennan & Aidan)(Above: Daddy & his boys at our TN stop, driving home)(above: Aidan and I @ the TN Welcome Center)

Happy Birthday, Haleigh!!

Haleigh-Bailey. Elsie. Lucy. Bug. Buggy. Nine year old.Happy Birthday to you.It goes without saying that I love you like my own. You are such a blessing to everyone in your life. It's such an honor to be your godmother, and on top of it, you're a wonderful niece and cousin. And I know you make a great big sister, too!

It's hard to believe you're already nine. I remember like it was yesterday-
I was home Halloween weekend, my first year of college. Your mom was fully pregnant, expecting your arrival at any time. I had such high hopes of you being born while I was there. I just couldn't wait to meet you!

You came in your own time, of course. ;) I missed the call because I was in class. I believe it was a Tuesday. I walked back to my dorm, got out of the elevator, and as I approached my room door, there was a BIG sign reading "It's a Girl! Haleigh Elizabeth, 6 pounds...(something ounces, lol)! Congrats, Aunt Sharon!" I was thrilled.

I first met you that Thanksgiving. You were so little and beautiful. Some things never change, huh? :)(Kindergarten-you brought Aidan in for your show & tell!)

I've truly enjoyed watching you grow up. Baptism, Birthday parties, Halloween (one of my favorite memories-when you were Snow White!), Holidays, you as flower-girl in my wedding, coming to visit us in Michigan....so many good times with you, Haleigh.I hope you know-though there are many miles between us physically, you are always close to our hearts. I am so proud of you. You're becoming such an incredible young lady. You are truly a blessing. I love you so very much.We all miss you & just can't wait to see you next month! Happy Ninth Birthday, Miss Bug!