Stellan...

One very sick little boy, is breaking my heart...
mycharmingkids.net

Not Me monday.... STELLAN STYLE

Not Me Monday is usually hosted by MckMama however with baby Stellan still in SVT at Children's Hospital the Cline Family have taken over posting the Mr. Linky.


I did not sleep with my cell phone and turn off my block on nighttime updates so that I could be up to speed on Stellan from MckMama's tweets all week.

I did not make a fool of myself asking the Dean of the Chapel to pose with Stellan's name, so he could go to college.

I did not spend hours reading other's tweets about Stellan, praying over MckMama's blog after reading it, nor was I late to class one day because I had to read the updates!

I do not have people on campus asking me how Stellan is doing

I do not mention to everyone when they ask "how are you" that "I am ok, but my friend's baby is really sick..."

I do not whisper Stellan's name in a quite quick prayer all day long

I am not going to be late to class, because I had to finish this post!

Baby Picture Sunday

This week's theme is: SPRING
too bad it is snowing outside :(

Daycare kids looking for bugs!

Jane Elliott

I was blessed to be in the presence of a powerful woman. Jane Elliott The 3rd grade teacher who created the Blue eye/brown eye experiment the day after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. She told her students with blue eyes that they were stupid, lazy and incapable of success. Her brown-eyed students were brilliant. She said that she saw in 15 min. a child with Dyslexia learn to read on grade level, and a bright child who read at a 6th grade level stutter while reading aloud. As a blue-eyed person herself, she realized how angry it made her that for the first time people had to obey her, but not respect her.

She discussed, ranted, yelled, growled and teared up discussing violence against women, rape, homophobia, racism, ageism, and ethnocentrism. She declared herself a B*%@# and was proud of it. She told the men that just because they had the ability to harm a woman that didn't make it right to "take a cold shower, take lots of cold showers, jump in a lake, drown yourself, but keep it in your pants"

She brought up a white man and a black woman, she asked them about power, the man said his height gave him power and his sex gave him power, the woman has no power. She brought up that the end of "America the Beautiful" says, Land of the free (pointing to the man) and the home of the brave (pointing to the woman) The woman admitted to sending out her children each day knowing what kinds of intolerance and just pure hatred that they would experience each day because sof the color of their skin.

She gave a lot to think about, she is against abortion for herself and homosexuality for herself, but she says we should leave other people's bodies alone.

Mrs. Elliott used feminine pronouns for God, which was really interesting to see since I am in a theology class about Christian feminism. (To clarify my views on this is that pronouns help with the relationship aspect of God, bringing him closer, but also take away from the magnitude of the mystery of God, think how the Jews did not call God by a name. God is not boxed by strictly male or female qualities. God-language to me can be either, both or none (he/she/or just God)

She talked in statistics, commanded attention from the community members and college students, with her 4ft10in frame towering above us. she was rough, and real and angry. I loved her! I love how Hope College a conservative liberal arts college in the middle of Reformed church land is integrating more liberal aspects, allowing the community to be exposed to different ideas and form our own opinions, because many of the students grew up in this land of Western Michigan and many more in communities like this and have no exposure to different opinions.

Please continue to pray for Stellan, Richard, end of the year final stuff, summer situations, and for me to figure out how to get back to the Phils soon!

Salamat po! (Thank-you in Tagalog)

What's in a name?

As you all know, Stellan is quite sick he is displaying some of the symptoms he had before he was born when the Drs. tried to convince his mama to terminate her pregnancy. He is a fighter and an answered prayer...

anyways...

MckMama wanted Stellan to be known, so she began a name gallery (click on the words to see the old pics) where people all over the world spread the name of Stellan in crafty ways... and now Knowing Norrah is bringing Stellan's Name Gallery 2 to support the new prayer movement. Go to her blog (click on her blog name) to add your own and keep praying for Stellan!

Stellan @ Hope College
S and N are student IDs
T is Hope Orange and Blue colored pencils
E is rulers and Hope pens and "Green Army Guys" from one of Lemonjellos a local coffee shop's specialty drinks
L1 is a Hope vs Calvin game towel
L2 is a Hope water bottle and a ducky from Nykerk
A is my roomie's crocs in Hope colors and a Holland style little wooden shoe!

Not Now Monday...

In lieu of no Not Me Monday due to sweet Stellan's medical emergency. I bring you Not Now Monday.

Uncle Dick is in the hospital, Not now!



Aunt Pat has high BP, Not now!

People are hurting and confused, Not Now!

A friend from K-12's mom is really sick and in the hospital,renal failure and blood clots. Not now!

Babies with cancer, Not Now!



Stellan is in the hospital with SVT (Supra Ventricular Tachycardia=very high heart rate)like he had in-utero, Not now!

Richard (whom I lived with up north while attending NMU) is in the hospital on life-support, has pneumonia, blood clots. NOT now!

Please Lord, not now...

I trust You...

but please...

please...

not now...

Disney World...

My little @ Donald's Boat Spray Area, of course in her Hope College gear!

Savannah and Randee, cute cousins ages 11( and 11 months 3 weeks) and 10 years

My trip to Fla was pretty good. I really enjoyed seeing my family that I have not seen in 8 years! I thought that Savannah would be shy since i had not seen her since she was 4, but we all picked up where we left off. It was great seeing my Grandma, soaking up the sun and spending time with Aunt Jodee whom I adore!

Tuesday:
Classes
Travel back home

Wednesday:
Meeting at the Elementary school
Visit to the daycare

Thursday:
Travel, met Uncle Terry at the airport in Detroit (he lives in Fla in the winter but was up in MI for business)

Friday:
Disney 8-9:30 ALL DAY!

Saturday:
Shopping! Old Navy friends and family weekend!
Strawberry festival
Swimming

Sunday:
Visit to Aunt Jodee's house (Cake for Me and Savannah's Birthday! Baby chickens!)
Swimming
Shuttle Launch

Monday:
Shopping
Haircuts for Mom and Jodee
Putt-putt with Savannah, Randee, Jodee and Aunt Coleen

Tuesday:
Laundry
Packing
Ride to Airport with Uncle Todd blasting Nickelback
Flight home
Visit to the Eagles with Dad for a birthday drink

Wednesday:
Travel to Holland, MI
Cold!!!! Brrrr!!!
Interview for babysitting job

Thursday:
Homework
Hanging with Becca

Friday:
Work at Toddlerville

Saturday:
Check emails
Blog
Homework
Wait for roomies to return from Mexico, Cali and Midland, MI

Sunday:
Taj India?
research at the library/LJ's?

Monday:
Back to normal=babysitting classes and work!

Beauty...

I heard this song on the radio this morning and was deeply moved. There are so many special teens in my life. little ones whom I have cared for, taught Sunday school and loved on, who are growing up. They are going through so much and have survived so much (my adopted sister's sisters) My middle school and high school girls are beautiful and the words of this song are for you... I love you!

The second verse reminds me of my older girls... of friends and family that I have watched struggle with so many things some of whom are still struggling and others who are on the other side of the struggle, but are haunted by the past.

Sometimes we all need to be reminded...

More Beautiful You

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn’t straight her body isn’t fake
And she’s always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you’ve already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you’ve got a man but he’s got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there’s a man whose love is true
And he’ll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you’re not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It’s not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who’s strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you’ll see through the eyes of a little gir

Betcha didn't know!

Blog contest @ a new friend's blog to win a Twilight package!

all you have to do is write a post that tells the world... or your followers something they don't know about you.

1. I spent hours at a time as a kid in the bathtub playing orphan (I was the orphan, the bath was my tiny room)

2. I HATE HATE HATE ranch dressing.. the smell makes me want to puke!

3. I have Endometriosis

Not ME Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not spend the weekend in Florida soaking up endless sunshine, not me!

I did not spend my 21st birthday at Disney World, not me!

I did not risk getting sunburned by not putting on sunscreen to get a tiny bit of color that will fade in 2 days, not me!

Same Kind Of Different As Me...

I have always wanted to read this book and now you or I could win it! Head on over to Who Says 8 is Enough to enter the read it and pass it on contest!

March Madness...

It is March, in like a lion out like a lamb they say

So far the weather has been pretty tame as lions go, but the work load and busyness has been ROARing and I ain't LION ;)

researchpapersmessyhouseshorttempersmidtermscollegepaymentspackingplanningMotherTeresapaper workingvolunteeringVirgilcoffee(well ok Chai tea)concerts

But ahhhh Thursday, Sun, Fun, Love, Family, Birthdays and Mickey Mouse

Spring Break: A college student's best friend!

Baby Picture Sunday

This Week's Theme: At the Park

Makeshift Waterpark at the daycare center

Baby Ethan sitting in the water table

Typical Drew form

I love how hard she is trying to get a drink without getting her face wet

Splash Pond

Friends at the water table (baby jail in the background)

Hi/Lo Thursday

This post is part of "Hi/Lo Thursday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to read everyone else's "Hi/Lo" posts and get your link on their site.


Highs: Walking Frally for 2 hours! Sleeping really, really well last night. lovely housemates, good music, love, Rachel washing my pants, warmth, 5 days until Spring Break, extra days to do research paper

Lows: research paper, cloudy sky... not too many lows this week :)

Puppy Therapy

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich...

Lord, please remind me that even though You are creator of the universe, You can make a peanut butter and Jelly sandwich.

Mosaic...

I found this on Polka Dots and Pansies blog

Here's how it works....

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick an image.

c. Select the size of boxes as 3 by 4. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

Use these questions in each URL box!!!

1. What is your first name? Courtney
2. What is your favorite food? Pizza
3. What high school did you go to? Holly High
4. What is your favorite color? Green
5. Who is your celebrity crush? don't really have one
6. Favorite drink? Water
7. Dream vacation? Serving in African orphanages
8. Favorite dessert? Popcicles
9. What you want to be when you grow up? a mommy
10. What do you love most in life? babies
11. One Word to describe you. pondering
12. Where do you live? Holland

Misc.

I have been thinking for a while on how exactly to blog this, The past few weeks have been good, but trying. I am drained, yet have kept up my spirits. I have been doing brave things, not everyday, like I am supposed to but I am getting better. During this time of *minor* stress there have been a couple of things that have really helped.

Walking Frally: Frally is my former RD's (Resident Director) dog. She is spunky and full of energy, she is still a puppy so is naughty, but doesn't care. She makes me smile and getting out in the cold, and sunshine helps me to think and unwind. I can walk off-campus and not be a college student for a little while. I can think about decicians I need to make outside, where I can't get emotional about them. I get to see JKK, who is such an inspiration to me.

LJ Sundays with J: Studying at Lemonjellos (LJs), a fair-trade local coffee shop, is good. Sipping a Chai Tea and listening to music, surrounded by people studying and conversing is good. It is almost holy, in a sense, it is community, which is what we are supposed to be as humankind. And J pretty much rocks, she is so strong and yet allows herself to be open, she listens well, and i have learned a lot from her.

Refocusing: Refocusing my attention on the task at hand has become easier. I am not dwelling on my thoughts and letting them overtake my mind. I am able remind myself when I get stuck in the "worst case senario" frame of mind, that the "what-ifs" are only ok , if a soultion is found quickly. I don't let the wheels keep turning for no reason as much anymore. And I am begining to trust more in myself that if the "worst case senario" happens, I am perfectly capable of figuring out the soultion when and if it happens.

Dancing: We dance in my cottage. It is good. If you drive/walk by at night you might see us. Please don't make fun of us if you do.

"Dancing is the perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire." ~Author Unknown
"Stifling an urge to dance is bad for your health - it rusts your spirit and your hips." ~Adabella Radici


Overall I have been more adventurous, trying new Chai Tea drinks, going to the SAC movies, listening, paying attention to the little things, connecting, pondering on a new level. I am realizing what it means to be a child of Hope and what "Growing World Christians in the Soil of Hope" means. I am getting old. Please pray for me.