Sista-hood

Earlier this week was National Sibling Day. I'm not sure if this has been around for a while and I'm just out of it or someone out there just kicked out another holiday. Whatever it is, I think it's a great idea. Any hour, day or week we set aside to count our blessings and reflect is a good thing. Family is one of the most important things in life and how often we take those we share so much in common with for granted. 

I am thankful for my sisters. As today marks the fourteenth year since I last saw my sister I am so very thankful to have had her in mine and Jessie's life for seventeen years. I have to say I miss her more than words. As I write this my heart aches and tears flow. It's still pains me to think about. 

This year I decided to step away from the Precious Gems Run as well as the talk I give each year at Seneca. It felt like it was time to let go a little bit and my heart needed a bit of a breather. It wasn't easy, but it seemed like it was time to step away. 

I come to find out that a local college approached our organization with the intent of redoing the Precious Gems video to distribute to high schools throughout Jersey and Pennsylvania. Just when I thought the chapter was closing it seems to be, yet again, extended. 

I try to consider all of the good that has and continues to come out of the loss of the girls. I realize that my name, along with the other four families, is forever synonymous with the events of April 6th, 1999. There is a sense of comfort in the fact that good has come from hurt, but the reality is that every once in a while I find myself thinking about what Shana would be doing, what she would look like and where all of us would be if the crash never occurred. It's a million what ifs that can drive you crazy. 

So even though my heart still pains I will remember and I will cherish the time that we were given. I am thankful for all the pictures, the memories and the goodness Jess, Shana and I had for so long. Each memory is tucked away in my heart and will stay with me as long as I walk this earth. I am thankful and look forward to one day having the three of us united smiling, hugging and picking up where we left off. A three-fold cord is not quickly broken....

Floridian venture

Spring Break could not have arrived at a better time. Winter feels like it has been filled with chill, gray skies and non-flip flop approved temps. Hopping a plane to Florida was definitely the perfect remedy for funky winter blues.



The four of us, Taylor's friend, my parents & Tristan made our way to the sunshine state. It was nice to have a little bit of time with my parents and Tristan. It's still a challenge for me not seeing them as much as I would like. But it was great seeing them get to chill a bit and get a few days away from the farm.


The weather was pretty good, the sun was out and it was nice to be out of Jersey for a few days. After a bit of Disney and a few hours of surf it definitely left me very ready for summer. 

Women-ly Goodness : )

Last week I had approximately 24 hours of super goodness along with feeling tremendously humbled by through the words and encouragements of my family, friends & colleagues. A bit ago I was informed that I was one of five other women of the year for Burlington County. It wasn't until the day of the event that it all sort of clicked in.
The day began with my colleagues throwing me a Pancake Palooza. I was overwhelmed with the hugs, words of encouragement and love bestowed upon me by so many. It is a blessing to work with so many awesome people that challenge me to be a better person and finding ways to better our staff and our kids.


Later in the evening Keith and Taylor accompanied me to the banquet that was being held for the six of us being honored. It takes a bit to jar my emotions, but being in the midst of the honorees and my PGM moms added fuel to my spirit. How encouraging it is to hear how our words and determination can and is making an impact. Not only is it an honor to hear what is being accomplished, but it further reinforces how very important it is to align the words we say with our actions. It's so easy to just play the role on the clock, but it's a whole different ball game allowing the message and the values spread on the clock into the remaining 24 hours of the day. Our words matter. Our passion matters. I believe that the fight is worth fighting even on the most intense of days.
Sitting in a room filled with pretty amazing people just reinforced that this life isn't about materials. It isn't about serving ourselves because that's fleeting. My heart's desire is to make an impact, to love other's as Christ loves us and to be an example of what the love of God is. Because without God, without the example of true love I'm pretty done over. Love is good. God is love. Bam! 

Grandma and I taking in some sun

Sp-a-ring

To blog or not to blog...that is the question. For the past few months it seems time and writing has gotten the best of me. So with spring at our doorstep and winter's presence loosening its grip I've begun to get a bit restless.
I do love the spring. What better way to welcome spring then family, friends & a splash of sun? We ditched the jackets and braved the temps snapping some great pictures with Tay before she headed off to the Junior prom. It's hard to believe that in less than a month she will have her driver's license. I have to admit that I'm going to miss the long car rides and good chats. But with change brings about new beginnings and experiences. 

I believe in the importance of family and the history of the one's we love. A few weeks ago Jes and I hopped on a boat with Grandma Gert and our Aunt Esther. It was a girl's weekend allowing for some much needed sister time along with sharing stories and history with my grandma and aunt. When I was young it felt like there were so many family members on my mom and dads side. I'm not sure if it's time or life that has left very few relatives on either side. Even though floating a board a Carnival ship was a bit anxiety provoking, it was nice being with people who I hold so very dear to my heart. 

So with lots of old and new in the mix I look forward to what lie ahead. I am grateful for past and present. I look forward to each step along the way, but am doing my best to not let any of it slip through my fingertips.

Southern Turkey

Holidays seem to come in all ways, shapes and forms. As this was Jordan's first time home since leaving for school it was important for her to be home with Pat, Ana and the family. So Keith, Jordan and Taylor spent the day at Ana's to break bird. As Jordan trekked to Jersey I trekked to Virginia for a solid weekend of turkey trotting, sunrises and milking cows while chasing the little dudes. 

It's not so easy being six hours away from the parents, Jess and the little dudes. I think the holiday juggle is much more difficult than I thought it would be. I guess, with time, the juggle will be less of an art and I'll get the hang of it. But it was nice noshing on farm fresh turkey, yams, stuffing and lots of yummy pies. Yay for holidays being deemed calorically negative. I embrace these 24 hours of holiday goodness: )

Thanks for the Giving

I have to confess my favorite part of the holiday season is all of our crazy train projects at school. There's such a sense of fulfillment doing good stuff. Monday night a handful of peeps helped me prep and stuff all the bags going out the following day for Project Seneca Turkey. We organized a total of thirty bags and even though we only had 25 signed up I've been doing this long enough that those extra five bags will inevitably by used.
Sitting on the loading dock placing bags of goods that would be lining the tables of many families in our community on Thanksgiving Day was nothing short of awesome. I'm proud of all the students and my colleagues who gathered the thirty turkeys, countless items of stuffing and cranberry sauce to heaps of baked cookies and breads. Love it!


As if Tuesday wasn't hectic enough the day was kicked off with our first official Pancake Palooza serving a full fledge pancake breakfast to over 90 students and faculty who signed up to donate their hair later in the day towards the Pantene Beautiful Lengths Project. All of the hair donated is going to be used for constructing wigs for individuals battling cancer. My thought is providing some solid carbs before such a selfless act was the least we could do. Peace, Love and Pancakes...the world is just a little bit lighter with pancakes and tie dye shirts. 

The assembly held later in the day (yes this is all still in the same day) left me speechless. Ninety students and faculty gathered before the student body to rock out some locks of goodness. What a way to start the break! Happy Thanksgiving : )