Congratulations Kelli

You will probably have to click on the picture to get all of the details. Update: Kelli just posted ultrasound pictures of my cyber nephew here. And just in case my family is reading this and you need a little explanation then read this, this, this and this? And for those of you who don't know her story you can read about it here. I promise you it will change your mindset.

Happy New Year

I can't believe my last post was on December 26th! Well actually yes I can. Life has been mad crazy for so long that I am having a hard time keeping up with the days. Still trying to except that we are in the year 2008. New Years Day we spent celebrating with our family ( a tradition started by my grandmother years ago, that now my cousins and I try to keep going ( its actually three of us who host each year....me along with my mom's brother's youngest daughters...hope that made some sense). This year we also celebrated Quisha's graduation. All in all it was a good way to start the New Year.

I don't usually create goals for the new year, and I still don't have anything set in stone but I am hoping to spend more time with my family, spend more time with God, and spend more time scrapping. I don't plan to put any pressure on myself so I won't be submitting just to get recognition or trying out for any DT unless I really feel a connection to the group. I do want to begin teaching this year so hopefully that is one dream that will come true.

I plan to just take a day at a time and see where the road leads me, that way everything else will be a surprise or just icing on the cake.

Marc has a few more weeks of recuperation and hopefully after he gets back to work I can get back to a set schedule. Especially with my scrapbooks. I have a ton of projects that I need to get started on but right now my job is to just be his helpmate.

Merry Christmas To Me

So the kids caught me on the camera as I opened up my surprise gift. I am the proud new owner of a ipod nano courtesy of my son TJ.

Christmas Morning

Drama Ministry

So it seems I can't get away from working with youth, or the drama ministry. Who would have thought years ago when I was in high school that years of being part of the drama and music dept. would pay off (lol). Of course Nicki has had the bug for a long time. But this year was the first time that I can recall that she was not a part of the program ( college tends to have that affect). The spotlight fell on Quisha as she danced a solo part along with the praise and worship dancers at our church for the Christmas Program. Next year I will be the Drama Ministry Director! I am sure that my mentor Pat will get a kick out of that one. For years she tried to steer me in that direction, but I preferred being behind the scenes and just learning under her tutelage. Now I am thanking God that I learned so much. Prayerfully I will be able to bring something to the table that inspires others to glorify God with their talent.

Thank You

Thank you seems like such a small sentiment, in the wake of all that you all have done for us. Words cannot begin to express how overwhelmed we have been by the love and kindness expressed to us during Marc’s illness. Thank you so much for the cards, the support, the visits, the calls, the meals.....but most importantly for the love you showed our family over the last few weeks. Special thanks goes out to our Greater Mount Zion family for the way they showed up and showed out. To the Associate Ministers who came to pray over my bed the morning of my surgery....thank you. This has been a time of learning for our entire family....we have had to let go and let God have His way. Something that has not always been easy for any of us. Including our children, who have seen for themselves God’s love in others manifested upon them. Thank you Aunt Maryland and Uncle John...whenever we need you, you have been there. Diane and Rob thank you for the ride to the hospital the morning of the surgery and for staying to hold my hand when I felt like falling apart. To Cyndi’s mom and to Marc's Aunt....thank you for being the “moms” in our life. To the MIT ( Men In Touch ) men, seeing your faces made all the difference when Marc needed it the most. To my Dress Sale Buddies and Hubbies, thank you for taking care of us in such a special way. Teresa, thank you for being our medical van transport. There are so many people that we would like to thank....including the members of Messiah Presbyterian and the Mount Bethel Baptist Church ( thank you for not forgetting us ) and to all of the other family and friends who may not be listed....Please know that we love you all and will never forget your many acts of kindness.

God’s Blessings.......................Marc, Cyndi, TJ, Quisha and Nicki

Additional Photos from Graduation

Marc/Quisha's Graduation

Quisha getting ready.


Heading out the door ( Yah!!!)

Sorry its so blurry, This was taken just as she was about to go up to receive her degree.

The Graduate ( we had dinner at Bravo's after the graduation ).

Quisha with Mimi.

Quisha with her Aunt Otelia

Daddy's Girl

My baby is a Graduate!

Always there......C-Unit

Doctor's gave Marc the ok to attend the ceremony and lunch afterwards ( as long as he kept his foot elevated).

Nicki Performed

Nicki was asked to sing during a changing of name ceremony for the Sociology Dept. at her College.

In this picture she was very nervous as she waited to perform.

Part of the reason for her nervousness was the fact that she was singing in front of the Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, the Honorable Leroy Roundtree Hassel, Jr. who was the speaker for the evening.

Nicki sang the National Anthem along with the Negro National Anthem. In this picture she was smiling because she was so glad that the audience sang along.

Guess my child didn't do to bad because the crowd seemed pleased.

The Sociology Dept. honoring the late William Edward Burghardt Du Bois.

Nicki with her friend Nate who arranged for Nicki to perform.

Nicki with Senator Louise Lucas ( she took a picture with the Chief Justice, it just didn't come out to well).

I was very proud of Nicki ( I am proud of all of my children). Next month will mark another momentous occasion in my family's life. Quisha will graduate with a degree in Psychology on December 8th ( save the date family and friends). I can't wait to take pictures....of course I will probably be crying my eyes out.

Mighty Men of Valor

My goodness it may actually snow this year! Marc left for a 3 day conference with our friend Kyle to Pennsylvania. They will be attending the Men of Valor Conference. Anyone who knows Marc knows that he is not a big "male bonding" kind of guy. He has some great friendships with some really great guys, but for the most part he is a loner. And is perfectly content spending his free time at home or out shopping at his favorite stores. I believe this weekend will be great for him though, because he has been going through some things and this may just be a gift from God. As a matter of fact I know it is because he only agreed to go a few days ago and thanks to our friend Kyle he was blessed to be able to attend. Kyle and his wife Sheila have been great friends for a number of years. As a matter of fact Sheila is one of my "Dress Sale Buddies" and from this friendship Kyle and Marc connected and have become close buds. I even told Kyle before he left that I that I felt like they were going off on a dress sale buddy trip (lol). Before the men took off Kyle presented Marc with a MVM cap. And of course he loves caps (notice the one in his hand.....he owns about 40!). Although I will miss him and I am use to being the one that goes off on a great adventure I know this is something that was greatly needed in the life of my family. Cause when Dad's not happy.............. nobody is.

Have Cake

Sorry, I had to post the pics of Nicki eating her Birthday Cake. The girl is crazy ( and I blame it all on her dad )!

Big Brother Harry

Nicki reminded me that I have to acknowledge Big Brother Harry who took time out of his busy schedule to come into the city to see the girls. Harry was one of the bestmen in Shondra and Elden's wedding and just like the rest of the group took the girls in and treated them like special little sister's. Thanks Harry.