Family Member Does Well at Olympics ~ Natalie Coughlin

Yes, she is family (on Marks side - by marriage), but never the less, she is FAMILY!!



(she's second one from the right)

She has one gold, two silver and three bronze - making her the most decorated female swimmer of Beijing 2008. Her six medals here, along with five from Athens in 2004, give Coughlin 11 for her Olympic career, one short of the record for an American woman.

Good Job Natalie!!!!

Goodnight Sweetheart, well it's time to go...do, do, do, do, do...

Almost makes you want to get a puppy huh?

Hope this gives you that warm and "puppy" feeling! Enjoy! XO Cin

Never Forget the "Kid" in You!

Well, leave it to KL to plan the BEST entertainment for Cory's graduation party at the end of May this year. When they told us that there would be SUMO Wrestling at the party I could hardly wait.... not that I would do any wrestling (it probably would have killed me), but would totally enjoy watching everyone have a GREAT time letting the "Kid" within take over and just have FUN. And I wasn't disappointed..... the pictures speak volumes.... ENJOY!

The MAN of the HOUR ~ Cory with "Cardboard [photo op] Cory"

The players, Corysan...

Sweet and demure Kerilynnsan...(yea right)

SUMO "LOVE" before I kick your SUMO BUTT!!!!

1, 2, 3 SUUUMMMMOOO

KL didn't have a chance .... she couldn't stop laughing ... her focus was distracted and Cory went in for the Kill.....

My Wish For Cory

As of May 2008, my son Cory is now a College Graduate....graduating with Honors and I couldn't be more proud! [It's been a while since I've posted here, better late than never]

Cory,
You are on your way now ... remember to aim high and ALWAYS do what makes YOU happy. Here is my wish for you. I Love You. Mom

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Work hard at what you like to do and try to overcome all obstacles,

Laugh at your mistakes and praise yourself for learning from them,

Appreciate the beauty of nature,

Say hello to strangers and enjoy the people you know,

Don't be afraid to show your emotions, laughing and crying makes you stronger,

Love your family and friends with your entire being, they are the most important part of your life,

Feel the calmness on a quiet sunny day,

Find a rainbow and live your world of DREAMS,

Always remember to follow your heart, it knows the path of your life!

If you are in my life… here’s what you need to know about me

I'm positive ~~~ I'm optimistic ~~~ I believe that what you give out is what you get back 10 fold. ~~~ I do not play games, I don't have that kind of time. ~~~ I'm cautious, loyal, sensitive, sentimental, and sometimes stubborn but always fair. ~~~ I believe in angels. ~~~ I'm honest with loving diplomacy. ~~~ If you’ve crossed my line, I will let you know and I would expect the same from you. ~~~ My life’s path has taught me patience, sacrifice, sorrow and unconditional love. ~~~ The responses, "I can't" and "It's not my job" will trigger a side of me you do not want to see. ~~~ I sing and dance when the moment strikes for no particular reason. ~~~ When I say "I Love You" I mean it. ~~~ My pets are considered "family". ~~~ The child within me is very much alive! ~~~ I've been told I'm a "good hugger". ~~~ I have been known to trip on cat hair and find my car keys in the fridge.
You don’t need to actually meet people face to face to experience a true connection….it would be my preference, but it’s not a necessity. I’m so grateful to have you as a friend. If you were standing before me, you would hear those words followed by a hug and a kiss!

Always remember this about me…..If you are in my life, I will support you, challenge you, laugh & cry with you, LOVE YOU and I will be your biggest cheerleader!

It’s as simple as that!

XO Cin

A Year in Review

I’ve learned…that even though we perhaps have never met face to face, through your kindness you have touched my heart. You are my friend and I care about you, unconditionally.

I’ve learned…by stepping outside your comfort zone and face your fears you open yourself to a whole new world. You find you can keep going long after you think you can't and the experience wasn’t as bad as you anticipated if you just BELIEVE.

I’ve learned…that this simple phrase, “I Love You More” is the sweetest response to “I Love You” I have ever heard.

I’ve learned….that you should never judge people by their appearance or profession. They are all an important part of life’s puzzle.

I’ve learned…when you speak to someone face to face, always look them in the eye and if you are so inclined to give them a hug, make it count!

I've learned…you should always leave loved ones with a HUG, a KISS & LOVING WORDS. It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned… either you control your attitude or it controls you. You have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give you the right to be cruel ~ you can do or say something in an instant that will give you heartache for a lifetime. We are responsible and will be held accountable for our actions and behavior, no matter how we feel.

I've learned…money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I've learned… my family, friends and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned…it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others, sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned…two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned…it’s OK NOT to have everything I desire. If I did, what would there be to look forward to?

I’ve learned…it’s OK to not know something, it gives me the opportunity to learn.

I’ve learned…by accepting the difficult times I grow.

I’ve learned…we interact with angel’s everyday.

I’ve learned…to recognize my limitations, because they give me opportunities for improvement.

I’ve learned…by admitting my mistakes I’ve been taught many valuable lessons.

I’ve learned…that when I’m tired and weary, it means I’ve done something to make a difference.

I’ve learned that…when life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.

The "W" in Christmas - Author Unknown

I just love this story…..Merry Christmas Everyone!

The "W" in Christmas
- Author Unknown

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations --extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.

As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had stopped referring to the holiday as Christmas, I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row-center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C.

Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -- totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W."

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W."

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"