AMAZING Grace

So, I'm WAY behind on my blogging and have REALLY been trying to motivate myself to get caught up. Of course, when I realized that I hadn't posted ANYTHING about my sweet niece being born, it wasn't hard for me to get on the ball!

Grace Day Ryan was born on February 20, 2010 and weighed 8 1/2 pounds. It was a LOOOONG wait for her to get here, but as we all knew, she was WORTH it!

My mom was there for her arrival (she was actually there 10 days BEFORE her arrival) and was able to hold her and spend a few days with her before coming back home to Dallas. Since then, we have been watching Grace grow via pictures/texts/webcam.
For our wedding anniversary, Jay surprised me with a trip to visit sweet Grace in North Carolina. He made arrangements for my parents and his parents to watch our kids while we were gone. Needless to say, Grace was SUPER pumped to see her Mimi and Uncle Jay!

And of course, all Jay and I wanted to do was hold her and snuggle with her!

It was so great to be able to enjoy some one on one time with her. She is so beautiful and such a snuggle bug, too!

Uncle Jay was bound and determined to teach her how to hold her own bottle. Jay is in this picture, although you may not be able to see him, since he's wearing camoflauge. :)Bath time with Elmo!

I couldn't help but take a pic of this cute little corn nibblet toes!Since I am Grace's Godmother (as is my sister, Sarah), we decided to go the weekend of Grace's Baptism. Welcome to the World, sweet Grace! We are so thrilled that you are now a part of our family and can't wait to watch you grow. Your truly are AMAZING and we love you so much!

Pomp and Semper Altius!

My sister, Sarah, graduated this weekend so there was a lot of celebrating going on!

Sarah and her friends lining up, waiting for Graduation to start

Sarah & Pear

Sarah & Priscilla

Ana & Julia

Jackie & Ana

Sarah & Pear walking in the Graduation Procession

Sarah's school is divided between boys and girls, so awards and Validictorian speeches were done for the boys' side and then the girls'. There were several awards given to recognize the top students from each side with the highest GPA in Math, Science, etc.... There were also a couple of special awards that acknowledged the 'best all around' students. There were times when we all kind of teared up just in seeing how proud the parents were to see their children accepting their awards up there, being acknowledged by his/her teachers and classmates.

Next, it was time to give the "Semper Altius" award, which is Latin for "Always Higher". This is the motto on the school crest and something the school really emphasizes....always aiming higher, always improving, never giving up. They announced the recipient....SARAH GOULAS!!!!

We all looked at each other like, "Did they just say Sarah's name????" Then immediately jumped up, clapping, cheering, hugging each other! I can only imagine how proud my parents were because Sarah is not even my own child and I was BEAMING with pride! Of all the awards to get, to me this was top notch! To be recognized as someone who is always aiming higher and someone who never gives up?? AMAZING!

Of course, this is the bonk photo I got of her receiving her award. But, in all of the excitement, I almost forgot to get a picture at all! :)

Sarah (after the ceremony) posing with the school crest....SEMPER ALTIUS!

Graduation Procession....

Priscilla

JuliaAna

Jackie

Father AlfonseThe Graduates

The Proud ParentsSarah & I
Jay and his "baby girl"....all grown up! :)

Awww...Sarah and John smile for the camera

Behind the scenes....hahahah!

Sarah and her Besties

Mom and HER Besties :)

Aunt Donna & Nanna Moon (two of my aunts) flew in and surprised Sarah for Graduation

Sarah - We are so proud of you and the amazing young woman you are! We have seen you go through the good, the bad and the ugly and are, not suprised, but in awe of your transformation. I cannot begin to tell you how much I admire you and look up to you. Semper Altius is a perfect description of you and your attitude and accomplishments. It makes my heart smile to look at you and know that you now see yourself as the beautiful, smart, caring, sweet, funny, self-less and amazing person that we have always known you were. Congratulations, Sarah! We are so PROUD of you and love you VERY much!

Taylor's Gift

Taylor Storch was a classmate of my brother, John, and she passed away after a skiing accident while on a vacation with her family during Spring Break this year.

Last year, Taylor and John's class had designed a garden outside at the school, so it was decided that a tree would be planted there in Taylor's memory. Taylor's parents, who were customers of Jay, contacted him about planting the tree and possibly doing a mini 'face lift' to the garden. What started out as a simple tree planting evolved into the most amazing, peaceful and beautiful garden.

Taylor's tree


There was a plaque placed on a stone wall in the garden in memory of Taylor
When Taylor passed away, her parents made the decision to donate her organs, which in turn, ended up saving 7 lives, including a 1-year-old who received her heart. Since then, Taylor's parents have started a non-profit organization to promote organ donation.

On April 19th, Taylor's birthday, there was a dedication held at the school. It was so wonderful. Everyone showed up wearing purple and blue (Taylor's favorite colors).

The street was lined with purple and blue heart balloons

The entire 8th grade class, faculty, staff, family and friends, all wore these shirts in Taylor's honor. Truett and Emma had dentist appointments that morning, and when we walked into the office, the entire staff also had the shirts on.

It was so amazing to be able to be a part (even a small part) of something so beautiful. Jay and I wear our blue 'Taylor's Gift' bracelets and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about her and her family.

To find out more about Taylor's Gift and organ donation, or to become an organ donor, please visit www.taylorsgift.org