The Year Was 2016

Another year has come and gone and once again Bailey and I have been blessed in 2016.  One of the best blessings was moving to a duplex in Cedar Falls in July.  I now enjoy a 5 minute commute to UNI and Bailey has adjusted well to her new school, Peet Junior High.  I'm in my 4th year as an Academic Advisor at UNI and Bailey is a freshman in high school. 

Just a couple other memories from 2016 are:

We walked in our 11th March for Babies fundraiser, raising money and awareness for premature babies.  Hope and Graham walked halfway with us.

Bailey and I had fun cheering on the Panthers this year.  Tailgating with family for the UNI/Iowa State football game in Ames was a great time.  A Panther win capped off a fun day together.

One of the highlights for 2016 was Bailey's Confirmation.  A blog on this special day can be found here.

We look forward to more blessings in 2017.

Bailey's Confirmation

Sunday, May 15th we celebrated Bailey's confirmation. What a blessed day in our lives.

 As a young girl, Bailey began her Christian instruction at 3 years old when she attended Vacation Bible School.  When we moved to Mount Pleasant, she attended Sunday School and Wednesday night classes called ARK.  She began "official" confirmation instruction in 5th grade and that continued through 8th grade.  The culmination of this education was made public at a church service on May 8th where she proclaimed her Christian faith as it is taught through Lutheran instruction.  Her poise and confidence when answering questions from the pastor was so wonderful to watch.  The response to her final question 'Why do you love Jesus' was one of the proudest moments of my life.

When our pastor sent me Bailey's confirmation verse (above), I knew the Holy Spirit was working through him.  The past 3 years have been some of the hardest for Bailey, personally.  As a mother, they've challenged me as well.  However the silver lining through all the heartache is that Bailey has been drawn closer to the Lord when times get hard.  She knows she can always call on the Lord in prayer and he will answer.  She knows she can go to her Bible for comfort and the words will ease her hurting heart.  Our human nature is to try to fix a problem or "wish" the problem away.  As a mother, I too want to take this hurt away because seeing your child hurt is almost worse than any pain I have to endure.  But when we "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.  He will never let the righeous be shaken'.

The Lord has blessed Bailey's and my life and he did it once again on May 15th.  We were surrounded by family and friends who witnessed Bailey's confirmation and joined us in celebrating afterwards.  My heart was bursting with love and pride.  It is a day I will remember forever.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Walking With Purpose

2016 marked the 10th year Team Bailey walked in March for Babies.  15 years ago there was no way I would have believed that Bailey would be as tall as me someday, entering the world a little longer than a ruler (14" long). This years picture shows that her height has caught up to me, and I'm okay with that. 

March of Dimes, along with the amazing medical staff in NICU's across the country, make it possible for most preemies to overcome their early health obstacles and eventually go home to their loving families.  For this reason, we walk, but also for those angel babies whose bodies were not strong enough.  I pray that the Lord may look over all families affected by prematurity.

At our first walk in 2006, Bailey was 5 and walked about 1 block.  Each year after that, she walked a little further.  A couple years ago she walked the entire distance with me, which is something I had envisioned happening one day. This year the weather cooperated and we enjoyed the entire 4 mile walk together.  My sister Hope and nephew Graham also walked halfway with us.

15 years ago I had no awareness of prematurity and how it completely changes your life.  20 years ago I had no awareness of depression and anxiety and how these mental illnesses completely change your life.  Just as I have become an advocate for prematurity over these past 10 years, Bailey and I have begun to advocate for mental illness recently.  The University of Northern Iowa organized an Out of the Darkness Walk in April, bringing awareness to mental illness and suicide prevention.  I recently participated in a 6-week NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) Basics Class to educate myself on mental illness and how to support my loved ones, as well as the students I work with at UNI.  Neither prematurity nor mental illness is anyones fault.  But through both experiences we need support, understanding and compassion.

Bailey, Hope and Graham before the walk

Enjoying time together and getting caffeinated at Cup of Joes before March for Babies

Mother Daughter Selfie before the walk

Team Bailey 2016

Out of the Darkness Walk 2016

Armbands and tattoos showing support for mental illness and suicide prevention

The Year Was 2015

As 2015 begins to wind down, I once again reflect on how blessed I am. Bails and I had many memorable moments in 2015.  Some of them were captured back in a blog post on June 4th which you can read here. This blog highlights the milestones and times spent in 2015 with family and friends.

We kicked off the year with our 4th annual trip to Mall of America.  This time together is spent shopping, eating at a variety of restaurants, checking out our favorite stores and watching the ball drop for the New Year.  This tradition has become one we both look forward to every year.

A milestone anniversary was celebrated this year.  Dad and Mom celebrated 40 years of marriage.  We kept the celebration simple with just our immediate family.  I'm so blessed to have 2 parents who have shown what marriage is all about: hard work, dedication and love.

Bailey turned 14 this year.  Her talent for art continues to grow and get better all the time.  She's also getting better behind the wheel since she got her learners permit (and Mom is getting a little more comfortable in the passenger seat).

Bailey, Hope and I walked in March for Babies in Cedar Falls in April.  It's such an overwhelming feeling to be surrounded by so many people who have been touched by a premature birth.  I'm honored to walk for this wonderful cause every year.  With Bailey walking by my side, I count my blessings once again.

In May my dear friend Gina Cyza lost her battle with pancreatic cancer.  Her fighting spirit never lost hope so those of us left here on earth to honor her memory will not lose hope either.  We will raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and be #ginastrong forever.  Gina sends gentle reminders to her friends whenever we hear a phat beat or see a sunbeam come through the clouds.  

I celebrated the big 4-0 this year.  I spent my birthday weekend riding roller coasters and water slides with Hope at Adventureland, having some drinks with friends (including fellow birthday twin Breck Danner) and enjoying a birthday lunch with Dad, Mom and Bailey.  It was a great way to celebrate this milestone birthday.

The other milestone birthday was Dad's 6-0.  

In September Bailey and I ventured down to Mount Pleasant for the Old Threshers Reunion.  We had a blast catching up with friends.  Highlights included a caricature portrait and Saturday evenings concert, Parmalee.  

Bailey gets up close with band members of Parmalee.

One of the best things I do for myself during the year is take a weekend away for a scrapbook retreat.  This year I was able to get to a couple different retreats.  It's a great time of self-reflection, as well as the opportunity to unwind, relax and of course scrapbook.  

Bailey and I always enjoy going places together.  One amazing show we saw was Theatre UNI's production of Rent.  Working at UNI has it's perks and one was discounted tickets in the 4th row of the theatre.  It was an amazing show and we can't wait to see more live theatre in the future.

One of our final highlights of the year was the Disney on Ice production, Dare to Dream.  These shows never disappoint and we are looking forward to the next show that comes to the area.  After all you're never too old for Disney.

Well that's our 2015.  We always enjoy hearing from family and friends through Christmas letters, cards and photos.  Thank you for taking time to share your lives with us.  We hope you have enjoyed hearing about ours.

Merry Christmas!
  

That's What Friends Are For

This summer I've been meeting with students during freshmen orientation to assist them with their schedules for the fall semester.  Since many freshmen live in the residence halls their first year, a common question I ask is where are they living on campus.  I love sharing my brief story about how my lifelong friendships at college began in Noehren Hall and this circle of friends grew until graduation.  

 

2 weeks ago my college girlfriends and I got together for Panther Reunion.  After graduating from UNI, we often got together for wedding showers, weddings and baby showers.  Wanting to continue getting together for years to come, we started Panther Reunions.  The inaugural year was 2006.  Since then, we have planned an annual reunion with a summer weekend of fun, food and a few beverages.  This year we rocked pink tee shirts and koozies with #Ginastrong on the sleeve in memory of our dear friend Gina.  Panther Reunion is always a good time and a great reminder to take a break from our busy lives and enjoy the company of friends.  Cheers to my Panther Sisters and many more Panther Reunions in the coming years.  

Bails 'n Me Are Back

Ready for Mall of America, June 2014

After a one year hiatus, I'm back to get my blogging juices flowing.  There have been different times when I've thought about shutting this blog down because I just haven't felt like writing a post.  It takes time.  It takes a creative, literary flow of thoughts.  Or so I tell myself.  Then I pulled one of my Blog Books off the shelf recently and saw all the memories captured over the past 6 years when I first started Bails 'n Me in May 2009.  This was just the reminder I needed to get back to journaling the adventures of Bails 'n Me.  Here's what we've been up to over the past 12 months...

Aunt Holly and Cousin Amber with her husband Jim visited Iowa in June.  Although the miles may separate us, it's like no time has passed when we get together.

Bailey participated in the Bremer County Fair in July 2014.  She showed these 3 art pieces, as well as her dog Homer in the Pet Show.  In short, it was a learning experience and I was so proud of her poise and presentation skills when talking to the judges.  

 

First Day of 7th Grade

My cousin Lucas Matthias married Courtney Buzynski on September 13th.  It was a beautiful day followed by an evening of dancing and celebration.

5th Annual Fall Harvest at the Seegers Farm

On October 6th I received the heartwrenching news that a dear friend from college, Gina Cyza (Opsahl), was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  My sisterhood of Panther friends rallied around Gina in the months to follow.  An amazing benefit was held in December and all the Panther sisters were able to attend and show our support for Gina and her family.

Christmas 2014

Bailey went out for basketball this year.  She learned about the dedication and hard work it takes to participate in sports. 

Bailey also participated in the school musical, Aida.  It was an amazing performance!

On March 28th Bailey turned 14.  Turning another year older also meant another milestone, getting her Learner's Permit.  

Following 7 months of fighting cancer, our dear friend Gina passed away on May 22nd.  We said our earthly good-byes 4 days later, but will always carry Gina's love for dancing and her caring spirit in our hearts. 

Last Day of 7th Grade...Beginning of Summer 2015

It's been a year of joy and sorrow, celebrations and challenges.  Through it all, one Bible passage that resonated with me a couple years ago gives me hope.  'For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'.  Jeremiah 29:11 

 

My Daughter: The Artist

Descriptive Artwork Of Me:
School Art Project

I've been meaning to blog for some time now, but just couldn't think of something "blog-worthy" to write about.  Don't get me wrong, I've been plenty busy in the 5 months since my last post.  In seeing Bailey's latest drawing she sketched out last night laying on the kitchen table and looking at her artwork at school on Artsonia, I couldn't help but share what a talent she has and how therapeutic art has been for her.  This is definitely a blog-worthy post.

Today marks one year since we packed up and moved from Mount Pleasant.  It was definitely a bittersweet time and has been a bit of a challenge over the past year.  But one of the bright lights I've seen Bailey get excited about is drawing and her artwork.  After buying a drawing pad and some sketching and colored pencils at Hobby Lobby, she's has filled at least 3 drawing pads with her creativity.  The house that we live in also allows her to have her own personal space, or "Bailey Cave" where she sits downstairs for hours and draws.  I encouraged her to take her drawings in to the school to show her art teacher who asked her if she would be interested in drawing for the yearbook next year.  This girl definitely has a talent and I'm grateful that her art teacher has recognized it and will give Bailey this opportunity in 7th grade.

Bailey would say that because I'm her mother, I have to say I like all her artwork, but I really do.  However if I had to choose some of my favorites, here is what they would be:

Tribal Image: School Art Project

Eagle: Oil Pastel School Art Project

Monster High Andy Warhol School Art Project

Flower from Bambi

7 Dwarves from Snow White

Like any artist, Bailey is now challenging herself to a new kind of art called Anime Art.  She titled this one '6th Grade'.

With less than 2 months before the Bremer County Fair, I have a feeling there will be more art projects to share in the future.