First Communion

As usual, I am behind on my blog posts, busy spending time with family, rather than on the computer, but I prefer it that way.  A lot has gone one since the last post.  School has ended :), open houses attended, parties held and attended, but more importantly, Olivia had her first communion.  May 31st was the big day after taking classes all school year long.  She was prepped and we hoped, ready for the big event.  Not being Catholic myself, I had no idea what to expect.  I think I was more nervous that I would have failed prepping her since I felt like a novice.  Of course, everything went wonderfully well.

Olivia heading in wearing her new dress courtesy of Nana and Papa.

Callahan Lamb (our good friend's son) coming in.

Presenting flowers with the gifts.

Getting ready for her first sip of the Blood of Christ.

Callahan and his mother Kelli after communion.

The kids were cracking us up during the service.  Most of the time they were stoic and serious, but we knew secretly they were so excited to drink wine for the first time.  Their reactions were priceless.  Olivia went before a few of her friends and was warning them all that it tasted awful.  They agreed.

Cal's reaction to the wine.

We are proud that our daughter can now not just partake, but understand a little better the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us.

We celebrated this joyous occasion with a delicious cake made by Kees Vanzelst after at our home.

Olivia sporting her new shoes Nana bought her.  No, she did not wear these shoes for her First Communion ceremony.

A close up of her Converse All Stars.  Some styles never go out of fashion.

Successful Soccer Season

It's hard to believe that both of our girls have competed in the Sturgis Youth Soccer program spring session for two years now.  I again co-coached Mia's team, and sadly all of Olivia's games were at the same time.  I usually could make it to Olivia's game sometime in the 3rd quarter since Mia's age group run shorter games.  They both had great seasons and enjoyed the friendly competition.  Mia scored her first goal ever at the first game this year.  We were so excited for her.  Olivia had a goal last year, but added two more to her recorded this year.  I only got my camera out for the last game of the season and of course, Olivia's game ended by the time I got over there, so I have few pictures of her in action, but I'm still proud of her.  She would come home pleased after each game whether they won, lost, or tied.  Her age group only had two teams, so they played the same team each game.  The improvement in her and her team was evident as the short season progressed.

Olivia on the far right

Olivia running on the left

Mia before the start of the big game.

All going for it at one time.

Watch her kick it!

Coach Sarah standing with Mia throwing the ball in to play.  We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Sarah and her daughter Kinder Smith this season.

Run, run, run girls!

Some of Mia's cheering fans watching from the sidelines.  Alice and Mrs. Starkey came to a few games to cheer on our meatball.  It was so nice to always have so much family and friends turn up to support our girls.  Jackie would come, Nana and Papa didn't miss a game, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Jen and Robert, Elizabeth and the crew, even Great Grandma, Aunt Ruth, and Aunt Doris all made it to a game!

Lining it up to kick her 2nd goal of the season....will she make it?

Goal for Mia...again!  What a way to end the season.  

Kicking again

Olivia, Katelyn, Kinder, Mia, Naomi, and Edelyn

We had an amazing team who showed up for every game.  They made me proud to coach them.

Olivia's large neon green team after their last game for a group shot.  Thanks to Matt Sutter and Ramon Lugo for coaching the girls this season.

Dirty Doyle

Saturday, May 10th was a busy day for our household.  Not only did the girls each have a morning soccer game, needed to dress in their superhero attire for a wedding, and clean house for company coming, but Olivia competed in the first every Dirty Doyle.  Now, any family on my mom's side, I am not insulting the Doyles calling them dirty.  It was a muddy race full of obstacles.  I opted to sit this one out and just let Olivia do the kids 1 mile race.  She did awesome.  We literally were running up to the starting line after leaving soccer when the race began.

Before photo

Sprinklers courtesy of our fire department

The first of two walls to conquer.  She made it look so easy.  Meanwhile, teenage boys were struggling with all their might to reach the top.

On her way over

The next one was just as easy, yet taller.

Now she just had to get through these roughians to reach the finish line.

Almost there!

And she made it.

After photo

We are so proud of the athlete Olivia has become.  We couldn't be more proud.  And a big thanks to the Doyle Community Center for putting on such a fun event!

A Wedding Fit For Super Heroes!

We had a blast last weekend at a Superhero themed wedding.  Marc Terrell married his fiance Cassidy, and in true Marc style, superheros were a big part of the celebration.  Guests were invited to dress accordingly to join in the fun.

Mermaid Man and Barnacle drove the invisible boatmobile to Marc and Cassidy's wedding.

Andy (a.k.a. The Flash) walking with Marc's sister, Melissa.  Andy thought since he was the flash he didn't have to wear anything except a trench coat.

Almost husband and wife.

The wedding party (minus Andy and Melissa...I just realized they were cut off in this picture.) Marc was Green Lantern, Bill was Captain America, Mike, Spiderman, and Stevie was Superman.

Little Richie dressed as Batman.  He was adorable.

The kids all having fun together.

The best part of the wedding was that it brought so many of our friends together.  Marc is cousins with my good friend Megan, so she was there with her family, followed by all of Andy's good friends from near and far.  I'm so glad we got to see everyone even if for a short time, especially for a great occasion.  

Mia, Everleigh, Melaina, and Olivia before the Morrissons left our house to head back to Illinois.

Heather, Alaynah, and Stevie.  I thought this was a great picture of them.  Heather was dressed as Lois Lane.  It was a cute idea.  

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Terrell, and thank you for letting be part of your special day!

Honoring Dad

May 1st of this year, not only was May Day, it was also Andy's and my 10 year anniversary.  As with many couples with children, it was just another day.  May 1st is also known as Law Day, and the St. Joseph County Bar Association honors one individual each year with the Liberty Bell Award.  This year's recipient just so happened to be my father.  I took half a personal day so I could head over to the county courthouse to be present for his award ceremony.  At the bottom, I've inlcluded the Sturgis Journal's write up about the day.

Dad receiving the award.  He looks so stoic because he's trying not to cry.

Director of Public Safety, Geoff Smith, speaking about how influential my dad was into his going into law enforcement and his years working with my dad.

Here he is smiling!

Mia giving grandpa a congratulatory hug.  Olivia was bummed I wouldn't let her skip school to come for the morning, but she had a big test that morning.

Elizabeth and Jane were some of dad's many fans in attendance.  That was the nicest tribute, was seeing all the people that came to see dad honored.  Not just Patty and family, but friends from church, colleagues from Glen Oaks, police officers from various agencies, former and current students of his.  They even had students of dad's stand up in the courtroom.  It was neat to see current police officers, the court magistrate, and young current college students stand to honor his work.

former Chief Alli telling tales from their days in the department together.

Mia and Jane enjoying time together.

Congratulations dad!  I couldn't be more proud!  So, this might not be the typical way most couples celebrate their anniversary, but my dad made me the woman, mother, and wife I am today, so it was only fitting that I be there for him.

James McNeil receives 30th annual Liberty Bell Award

The 30th annual St. Joseph County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award was presented to James McNeil on Thursday at the St. Joseph County courthouse.

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Justin Wright/JournalBar Association President Deborah Davis and District Judge Jeff Middleton present retired law instructor and Sturgis police officer James McNeil with the 30th annual Liberty Bell Award.

By Justin Wright
Twitter: @jwrightSJ 
Posted May. 1, 2014 @ 9:00 pm 

Centreville

The 30th annual St. Joseph County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award was presented to James McNeil on Thursday at the St. Joseph County courthouse.

Bar association president  Deborah Davis and district judge Jeffrey Middleton  presented the award to McNeil.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” McNeil said. “Looking at previous winners, I’m in good company.”

McNeil has been a law enforcement instructor at Glen Oaks Community College for the past 36 years and has decided to retire from teaching this month.

He began teaching as an adjunct faculty member at Glen Oaks in September 1978 and has taught hundreds of students through his introduction to law enforcement class. Some students went on to law-related jobs within the county.

Geoff Smith, Sturgis director of public safety, was a student of McNeil’s. Smith was at the presentation to congratulate McNeil on the award, as were several of McNeil’s friends, family and previous co-workers.

McNeil also taught criminal justice, criminal investigation, police administration and criminology during his tenure as a professor at Glen Oaks. He participated in the Glen Oaks summer youth college program and created a program called “Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” for students to experience a criminal investigation.

From 1976 to May 2002, McNeil served with the Sturgis Police Department, holding titles of patrol officer, sergeant and detective sergeant. He investigated thousands of cases, including involvement in many major cases in the county.

Also noted was McNeil’s involvement within the Sturgis community, including his role as a business partner at Sturgis High School for more than 20 years, helping to create the St. Joseph County Crime Stoppers chapter and being involved in the Masons.

The Liberty Bell Award is awarded annually on May 1 in celebration of “Law Day.” It is given to a non-lawyer, individual or organization within St. Joseph County who has made an outstanding contribution in several law-related areas.

Those areas include promoting a better understanding of the Constitution and Bill of Rights; encouraging a greater respect for the law and courts;  stimulating a deeper sense of individual responsibility so residents recognize their duties as well as their rights; contributing to the effective functioning of  private and governmental institutions; and fostering a better understanding and appreciation for law.

Davis said McNeil’s background, which includes his dedication to law enforcement and the education of young people, makes him a great fit to receive the Liberty Bell Award.

Read more: http://www.sturgisjournal.com/article/20140501/News/140509864#ixzz31QHERwd5

He Is Risen

Yes, the Easter Bunny made his annual appearance at our house and the girls were up early eager to find their basket of goodies.  Thankfully, the Easter Bunny doesn't over do it too badly in our house.  He must realize the girls have enough family members that get them additional Easter baskets that he doesn't need to.

The girls searching for their baskets hidden by the Easter Bunny

Olivia found her basket!

Mia did too!

After looking through their baskets and finding a Scentsy Buddy for each of them, a couple pieces of candy, and maybe one other small item, the girls got dressed for church.  After all, that is what this day is truly about.  A day to celebrate the sacrifice that was made so we all who believe can have eternal life.  I found this year's Easter service to be quite relaxing and brought peace to me.  Sadly, church isn't always that way for me.  Often it's trying to referee between the girls, losing my patience, or unfortunately, my mind thinking of one of the fifty things I  need to do.  With continued prayer and time, it's been getting better, and thankfully the girls have been getting better at church too.  After church there was a bit of fellowship during the coffee and doughnut hour before heading to Nana and Papa's for the girls to see their baskets there too.  Once we saw all the newly acquired goodies there, we decided to head home.  Esther had another service to play at church and we were just going to go home and enjoy the beautiful day that was given to us.  The girls and I biked over to my sister's house who was hosting Easter for my dad and Patty.  The girls were thrilled to play with their cousins for awhile and see Grandma and Grandpa.  They had already gotten baskets from them when they colored Easter eggs with them on Good Friday.  We eventually biked home to get ready for dinner at Nana and Papa's with Aunt Jen and Robert.  The food was delicious as always, especially the dessert.  Again, more Easter baskets were opened from Aunt Jen and an Easter egg hunt was completed out in the backyard.  This Easter was truly a day to celebrate with family that He is Risen!