Marks Testing

Coras Tesing

Baby Shower

Saturday was a very busy day here! After the TKD testing (see post below), it was off to a Baby Shower! Friends of mine were kind enough to pull off a wonderful, relaxing, and fun shower. It is very rare we get together just to talk. So, this was quite a treat! Something I told all of them, was that it was just two years ago, I was on my knees praying that could God give me just one good friend. All I needed was one. And now, I find that He has surrounded me with many unique and special friends. Each one of them inspires me to be a better wife, mother, educator, and to live my faith as I should. I am very blessed and this baby is loved abundantly by all of them. It was a great time and I have to admit, the cake was the hit. If you haven't had Gelato Italian Ice Cream, you MUST try it! A friend owns the coffee place we had the shower at, and she made a chocolate cake layered with gelato ice cream. It was wayyyy yummy! So, now we have everything set up and ready for the baby to come. It can be any day now! (:

Deputy Black Belt

On Saturday morning, Mark and Cora tested for their deputy black belts and earned them! It has been a very long road with a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Well, not really blood, but sweat and tears, for sure! The test was very long and challenging. They had to perform each previous belts form, then within 2 minutes all the ho sin sols (defense moves against an attacker). Then for the first time, Mark had to break a brick with his hand, then using four different types of kicks, break boards that were held up around him in a circle. Cora had to break two thick boards and do the same kicks as Mark. It ended with sparring a black belt. It was quite a sight! Mark and I are especially happy for Cora. She wanted this so bad, but at times we wondered if it was just too much. I know I couldn't have done all this at age 8 and seriously not now either! But, she has a great memory, loves the physical aspect and the fact that she does this with her dad, kept her going. She was on fire out there! Mark overcame a lot of physical challenges and has been put back on a healthy track. He also, loves that he has been able to dedicate consistent time with Cora. They needed it! So, the belt ceremony will be Monday night. There they will have to read in front of the entire Do Jang and visitors from some essays they completed. They will then be officially a part of the Black Belt Club!

Cora's party and friends

Cora had her party last Saturday with the neighbor kids. All went well. The picture is of the pinata pile-up. They had a good time.

Today, I took Cora and her close friend, Julianna out for bagles then off to the bead store. Julianna joined Cora's last year of Little Flowers this year and they quickly became friends. She also homeschools and comes from a sweet family. They really enjoyed themselves today and made necklaces that matched, just different colors. When her mother came to pick her up, they didn't want to part. So, Cora will be at their home until her dad picks her up for TKD tonight. Cora's growing up!!!

Cora is 8!

Our girl turned 8 and had a great day! It started off with her running out to the van, pulling out her booster seat, getting the dustbuster and vacuming the seat clean. Yes!!! No more booster! Then we went to Mass where the priest gave her a big hug and some of her friends were there to play with afterwards. Then we came home and did schoolwork....we made it a short day! (: Then a neighbor came by and dropped off a present. It was a crafty present where she and I worked on making a headband during Colette's nap. She wore it all day. Then she picked out a movie to watch. When dad came home we had our family party where she had asked for chicken parmesean with pasta topped off with a lemon cake with lemon iceing and pinapple. I wasn't sure about the pinapple, but it was actually very good. She had a wonderful time opening presents from everyone! It feels like your all here when she opens them. When dinner was done it was off to the street with her new bike and scooter. She was smiling from ear to ear. Thank you for all the phone calls. She enjoyed talking with all of you. Lastly, we played a game of SORRY! It was a riot! She won fare and square, but Colette, not kidding, Colette was a tight second place. We didn't pull out the bell (idea from the Carol Burnette Show) and ring it in the face while screaming, SORRY! But, the kids definatly put some simpathy into saying it.....NOT! We had a lot of fun!

We were supposed to have a small neighborhood party last Saturday, but since we were on the hold for possible chicken pox, we cancelled it. Well, Cora cancelled it. She overheard Mark and I talking about what we should do and she came in and said we should cancel it and that she would be alright. We were so proud of her! When we called all the parents they all said that she was an amazing girl and very thoughful. So, with all of that and the clear okay on the no chicken pox, we're going to have it this Saturday. Pizza, cupcakes, pinata then out into the cul-de-sac! Should be a good time. Then on Monday, she's going to go to a bead store with her close friend, Julianna to make jewlery. I'm going to bring them back to the house so they can cook something together. She's looking forward to that!

Cora is doing great. She's growing up and really trying to change some things that she is realizing makes her unhappy. She's also starting to deal with making friendships and the challenges that can come with that. It's a lot, but she's really shining! Keep her in your prayers as she prays for all of you!