Just for Kicks and Giggles

Summer has always been a fun time and as I got older summer became more and more fun. Two summers, my summer before Senior year and my summer before College I spent all mornings at work. Opening up the place, doing laundry and preparing for the camps ahead. The 1st summer, we traveled the USA and made all kinds of recipes from the states.

My students had so much fun, and at 9am they got me awake and ready for the day. Our favorite thing to do during that 1st summer was to crack eggs and separate the yolks and whites. WHO would have thought? Its a messy job--or the way we taught was messy but the kids LOVED it! Tonight when I was separating eggs for a recipe I did it exactly how my students loved do to it. The slimy egg in between my hands with the whites falling through my fingers.

 Looking at these pictures brought back a lot of memories of my summers at work. The kids have gotten so big! Ashley in the green shirt above, is now in 8th grade! And Alexis above is going to 6th grade. They've gotten so big and I miss so much seeing them everyday.

Along with cracking eggs during classes, we had a lot of funny moments and Anthony and Angelina were always ready to keep us smiling.

What goofs! Anthony is now going into 6th grade and Angie will be in 3rd!

I loved clocking out and hanging out with these four while their mom finished calls. By that time these 4 needed to get home and get some energy out...can you tell?

 This has to be one of my favorite pictures from that summer, sitting up front all hot and sweaty with them running all around.

 Who wouldn't laugh at this face? Angie was only 4 in that picture, now she's 7 going on 8!

I always hope that these 4 and their parents will always be in my life. They mean a lot to me, like I have said in other posts.

Life has been speedy by and I miss them very much, last time I saw them the twins had just turned 11, and Easter was just a few days away. They have probably grow a lot since then and I hope to get to see them this summer.

Til later KAH

Where's Kelly?

 Took the WRT 305 test with Michelle (which we both passed btw!)

Then we hit the John Ball Park Zoo before we all headed back home.

Sunday 5/16 I headed to Comerica Park with Dad to see the Tigers with some of the Pepsi people.

Tuesday I headed out to Farmington to celebrate Rachel's birthday once again.

Then it was off to South Carolina bright and early 5/19. After a layover in ATL where I watched the planes take off and land,

I the landed in Charlotte where Mary and Aunt Sharon were picking me up.

After lunch and some pictures with Aunt Sharon we were off to Greenville.

We ate at Mutt's BBQ the first night in Greenville and called it an early night after my long day traveling.

Thursday we played with the boys all day and had some pizza for dinner.

Throughout the week we had some free Italian Ice and meet a new little friend on the road, yes its a snapping turtle!

We headed downtown and ate at Sticky Fingers.

 Then headed to the Falls, but actually ran out of time before we had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa O'Grady's with Molly and watched shows.

 Saturday before we left for Charleston the whole family had dinner at Grandma and Grandpas again.

We headed downtown and checked out the falls and the Liberty Bridge late one night instead of packing. And got some awesome pictures!

 Mary bought a camera and we went back again the next night to take some more pictures.

Sunday we decided to stay and go swimming after mass and hang out. We made dinner and did a lot of packing!

Monday we made our way to Charleston! 

1st Thing we did when we got to Charleston was to take a carriage tour. Which was so much fun!

 I ate at Chick-fil-a for the first time.

 Then we were off to Folley Beach to swim and see a lighthouse.

 After we swam we took the 1/4mile walk to Morris Island which was so pretty!

 On our last day we went to the Plantation

 and then to Angel Oak to see the largest Oak tree ever.

 Before we knew it we were on our way home.

It was Memorial Weekend when I made it back to Michigan. And right away I was off to the campground to see the gang. And watch the moon rise on the beach.....

We headed to Father's memorial service and before I knew it it was June.

June 3rd, I got my job in Admissions. Went to the dentist, washed grandma's windows, put together a bookshelf and weeded the garden.

We had Rae's Honor Night.

 Then Prom.

 I finally had some time to hang out with Cindy.

 And hit the Detroit Zoo with Jillian, Amy and Michelle.

There was Graduation at the Palace.

 And the night before Rae's Party I headed the the ball park again with Rachel, Michelle and John. And ran into Mrs. Grace just a few rows behind us.

Then it was Grad Party day. After a night of huge storms we had a beautiful day but tiring at the same time.

Before I knew it I was back in Allendale---bored.
I've started my job today, survived a huge storm last night and am looking forward to my cousins wedding this weekend.

Til Later--Kelly

Thinking

Its been nearly 3 weeks and I've had a lot of time to think about what has happened around me.

I was still traveling with Mary when I heard that Father Jerry has passed away. I was shocked yet aware that it was coming soon. Everyone around me was afraid that I would find out first and I did. Many people probably don't understand my grief over Father who didn't even know my name but he meant a lot to my family in so many ways. We gave Father back to Jesus and will continue our journey as a family to realize what Father did for our church and for all of us. Many things have happened in the 3 short weeks he has been gone. Our personalized gazebo pavers which have been on sale for over 2 years have begun to sell again, in Honor of Father. Our church hall which use to be the 2nd phase of our church worship space has been named after Father. And there is so much more to come. I sat in church the 1st Saturday he was gone and was taken back at how many people were surrounding me in tears, along with myself. Father built our church, he put even minute of his life into it. Being the only Father I have ever known until 2004, he was the it man. Asked by the diocese to take on this church in 1980 he jumped into ever aspect of it. Though we didn't start attending til 1996 after Poppa died we will always have great memories of Father.

In the weeks that will lead us into Summer. We look for support and strength to carry on one of Father's favorite projects. Hosting MCREST. You could always find him each night in the kitchen making dinner or visiting with the people. He loved every minute that our church was together for this event. Even during the different group meetings prior to our week he made himself present to make sure we all knew what was going to be happening. His legacy will continue through our work with MCREST and all the other events our church helps out with.

This summer is going to be a hard one for our church. Not only do we have MCREST prep weeks away, but by July 1st we will have a new Father. No one. I say NO ONE! Will ever take Father Jerry's place at St. Johns and our healing process is just beginning but as we look around to everyone we can continue to be that family that Father has created at our church. (We also hope that Fr. Doc is here to stay for awhile to be that familiar face we so desperatley need.) The future at St. John Vianney's is unknown at this point, but one thing is for sure we have each other and the memories that Father Jerry left us.

Just as I begin to deal with the healing process of losing Father Jerry, my life gets turned upside down again with my St. Luke Father in Allendale. Just by following the bullentins each week since I've been home, I've read that Father Brad is having a tumor removed this week. What else could happen to the figures in my Catholic Life? Prayers for Father Brad's recovery is all that can be done at this point. As I make my way back to Allendale this next weekend I will hear more about this weird similarity between two of the Fathers that have made an impact in my life.

As I continue to think, I am also very much looking forward to Rae's Grad party Saturday and starting my job in Admissions on Monday. I'll keep everyone posted on all the things happening in Macomb and Allendale, probably once I get back to Allendale.

Til Then!
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.