I am baaaaackkkk!!!

Well, I think I officially qualify as the world's worst blogger! It has been since 2010 since I last posted anything! I guess the good part is I have lots of things to talk about since my last entry! Since my last post, so many things have happened!! Some good, some bad, some very sad. Let's see...where to begin. How about this... In May of 2010, Chelsie graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. She secured a position with the Department of Education. She has since changed positions and now works for the Indiana After School Network as the Director of Public Policy. On July 28, 2012 she married a wonderful young man and she is now Mrs. Tim Sharp. Hard to believe my baby girl is a Mrs.!! Their wedding was an amazing day! Amazing family. Amazing friends. Amazing weather. Amazing food. Amazing dancing. Did I mention it was A M A Z I N G? I was one happy momma, that's for sure! She and Tim live just west of Indianapolis. In May of 2012, Cole graduated from good ole Plymouth High School. I was so proud of him! (again) Earlier in the year, he had been contacted by Trine University in Angola, IN (formerly Tri-State) about coming there to play football for them after graduation. After numerous visits, he decided this was the place he wanted to be for the next 4 years. The decision to go there turned out to be the easy part. The hard part was the "getting in". Cole will tell you that he didn't work to his potential his freshmen and sophomore years so his GPA wasn't exactly where he needed it to be for admission at Trine. So he had to diligently work his senior year to get things straightened out. He stepped up to the challenge, did what he needed to do (including taking the SAT 3 times and the ACT 2 times) and got that wonderful acceptance letter. He moved into Trine on August 8th and just started classes yesterday. The first 10 days were rough but he has really started enjoying college life. I have no doubt he will be successful. December 24, 2011 was one of the happiest days of my life. The man that I love, asked me to marry him and presented me with the most spectacular engagement ring! I guess the old saying "Good things come to those who wait" is true! Because I am certainly a very lucky girl! And I am very glad I waited! Everyone asks when "the big day" is and we don't have an answer for the question. No need to rush...we know we love each other, the rest is just a formality. It will happen...someday. I have saved the saddest part of the last year for last. In September 2011, my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV lung and liver cancer. The cancer had started in her lungs, THANK YOU 50 YEARS OF SMOKING, and spread to her liver. Looking back at the 4 months that followed, it seems like it was an eternity because of all the things we experienced. But it also seems like a nano-second because she was gone so quickly. On January 24, 2012 her suffering stopped. That day still seems so surreal. My only comfort comes from knowing she is free from the pain and limitations that had come from the cancer. She is hanging out in Heaven with all of her family and friends that had gone before her AND she is keeping close tabs on all of us down here! I thought she knew everything I did before, geeshhh, now she has a front row seat! She makes her presence known to all of us by random butterfly sitings at important events and at random times. I know you are watching, Mom. I love and miss you very much. I am going to see if I can figure out how to put a couple of photos up here. Gotta keep learning. Oh...that reminds me...in my earlier posts I talked about going back to college. Well, I did. I am 1 semester away from completing my Associates degree in Behavioral Science at Ancilla. Yeah, Me! Oh...and the real reason I resurrected this blog...On September 4th I am starting a Wellness Journey with a friend of mine. I will be taking "Boot Camp" classes, eating "clean" and trying to learn a new lifestyle. I am going to use this blog to document this journey. I will be looking for motivation from all of you that read this blog, please!