Happy Birthday Emily!

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An Extraordinary Housewife

I just wanted to let everyone know that one of our friends did an extraordinary thing yesterday! LANA did an amazing thing for her neighbor, and this blog is about us being extraordinary, and I thought I would share (her proud husband let me in on it). Lana's poor neighbor who is about 78 years old went outside to dump some garbage, the lid flew up in the wind and hit her in the face knocking her to the ground. Lana's son went to tell her that the neighbor was on the ground probably picking up some garbage and wondered if he should go help her. Lana went ouside and realized she was not on the ground picking up garbage, but had indeed fallen. Our little 50 pound Lana picked this lady up and carried her into the house and laid her down, then called her husband, and they drove her to the hospital together. Lana sat at the E.R. with her ALL day long until she had to leave to her baseball game (which she coaches). The neighbor is gonna be alright, she had surgery last night on her broken hip, and I am sure Lana will be there to help with the recovery. Way to go Lana!! Truly an Extraordinary Housewife:)

We have "TA"

What the heck is TA??? It is Travel Approval from China! It's the golden ticket saying "come get your child." So, we will hopefully be heading out first week in July. If we get the Consulate date we requested we will leave in like 3 weeks!!! Go check out my Jonah blog for more info! Jonah, Momma's coming hunny !!!! :) Yes, I have been skipping around all day!

Hey - It's Emily's B-Day Saturday. I feel a girls night coming on!!! What do you think??

Mare

PS- this is a picture of Me and the babies celebrating the day on Jonah's bed....... soon he will be kicking them out of it! Hee Hee!!! It was so funny because Mia was so happy she broke out into song........ she sang Jonah " Tingle Bells." (she belts out Christmas songs when she's really pumped about something) Silly, silly girl!

Everhett Scot Stokes

OOoooohh isn't he soo adorable! I am so excited I finally got to go see Rhett. Lisa is doing fantastic and can't wait to come home, she may come home today or tommorow, depending on how much weight he gains in one night, he passed his car seat test, so all thats left is the weight gain!!:)

Success Story

This is one of my students from TRiO, Syerra. When I met her this last fall, she was pretty sure she wasn't going to be able to graduate. She made it and is going to CSI this Fall to continue studying to be an EMT! I'm so proud of her! I had two other students in this same boat and they both made it as well! This was a day that I loved my job!

The Blessed Event Has Arrived

It is once again garage sale weekend at the Gibbons household. And I say once again, because this is a yearly event. You may not believe that one person could manage to throw together a garage sale of such gargantuan (no clue how to spell!) proportion, but then you don't know Lana!

But even those of us who know her would have to say.....We stand all amazed!

This is a shot of the garage, but keep in mind, the family room looks about the same! You are amazing Lana! We love you!

P.S. Stay tuned for pics of the aftermath. Prepare to be amazed!


(Yes, this item still has its price tag on it!)

Congratulations Lisa!!

Here are some pictures of Lisa and darling little Rhett. It's hard to tell in these pictures, but he is so tiny. His little head is about the size of an orange. He is doing so great, though. He has gained 3 oz., so he is now 2 lbs. 11 oz. (as of Friday). He is breathing on his own, and they took the IV out a few days ago. He just has a little tube going down his throat which is how they feed him Lisa's milk. In order for him to be able to come home, he has to learn how to nurse and be able to retain his own body heat. And of course, grow a bit!

Lisa is also doing great. She is feeling better and gets to spend hours and hours holding Rhett. What a blessing that he is doing so well! We love you Lisa!

Happy Mother's Day

JUST A MOM?



A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,
'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.
'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,

'housewife' covers it,' Said the recorder emphatically.


I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,
'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
'I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,
'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
'I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'


Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Congratulations Graduate

It's OFFICIAL

OK ladies get ready to PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!! I am officially graduating from ISU on Saturday May 10th at 10 am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I am 36.9 years old ,yes, it took me 18.5 years to get a 4 year degree... but even more reason to party right??? Hey, I have had 4 kids (almost 5) breast cancer, a mastectomy, two deaf kids, lost my Mom, hit menopause and gained 18 pounds doing it!!!!!!! So I think I actually should get an honorary doctorate?? Just kidding - no seriously, thank you my friends for putting up with my whining and bitching and for NOT telling me to my face how tired I have looked these last couple years!!LOL And Adria for encouraging me to "chip away at it and someday it will be done" five or six years ago when I almost gave up! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mare-