Love this Psalm

I lift up my eyes to the hills- Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you- The LORD is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm- He will watch over your life;
The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Celebrating Holland- I'm Home Now

Celebrating Holland- I'm Home
By Cathy Anthony
(my follow-up to the original \Welcome to Holland\ by Emily Perl Kingsley)
I have been in Holland for over a decade now. It has become home. I have had time to catch my breath, to settle and adjust, to accept something different than I'd planned. I reflect back on those years of past when I had first landed in Holland. I remember clearly my shock, my fear, my anger, the pain and uncertainty. In those first few years, I tried to get back to Italy as planned, but Holland was where I was to stay. Today, I can say how far I have come on this unexpected journey. I have learned so much more. But, this too has been a journey of time.
I worked hard. I bought new guidebooks. I learned a new language and I slowly found my way around this new land. I have met others whose plans had changed like mine, and who could share my experience. We supported one another and some have become very special friends.
Some of these fellow travelers had been in Holland longer than I and were seasoned guides, assisting me along the way. Many have encouraged me. Many have taught me to open my eyes to the wonder and gifts to behold in this new land. I have discovered a community of caring. Holland wasn't so bad.
I think that Holland is used to wayward travelers like me and grew to become a land of hospitality, reaching out to welcome, to assist and to support newcomers like me in this new land. Over the years, I've wondered what life would have been like if I'd landed in Italy as planned. Would life have been easier? Would it have been as rewarding? Would I have learned some of the important lessons I hold today?

Sure, this journey has been more challenging and at times I would (and still do) stomp my feet and cry out in frustration and protest. And, yes, Holland is slower paced than Italy and less flashy than Italy, but this too has been an unexpected gift. I have learned to slow down in ways too and look closer at things, with a new appreciation for the remarkable beauty of Holland with its tulips, windmills and Rembrandts.

I have come to love Holland and call it Home.

I have become a world traveler and discovered that it doesn't matter where you land. What's more important is what you make of your journey and how you see and enjoy the very special, the very lovely, things that Holland, or any land, has to offer.

Yes, over a decade ago I landed in a place I hadn't planned. Yet I am thankful, for this destination has been richer than I could have imagined!

Shhh,,,, I just can't keep a secret

I didn't really tell anyone, only my class and my teacher! I am so excited!




I am going to be a BIG SISTER!

Keep your eyes peeled

News will be coming. School is has been so much fun. Ms Derstine is awesome. She figured out yesterday something was wrong and by darn, last night Mommy did some trouble shooting on my implant and the processor is bad. I didn't hear what Ms Derstine said to draw and she thought that was really strange. I even cried and said I missed Mommy but she just had a gut feeling that wasn't the case. Yeah for Ms. Derstine, the teacher that is just learning about a deaf child did something phenomenal!

Disney 2010

We had an awesome trip to Disney. Disney Guest Relations made Morgan's trip so special. We stayed at Port Orleans, Riverside. Disney arranged to have the room decorated before our arrival. It was complete with embroidered Minnie Mouse ears, Autograph book and pen and a beautiful frame with a signed picture of Mickey inside it.
Morgan did Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo on Sunday and then dinner in the castle afterwards.
On Monday morning Morgan was greeted before the park offically open by none other than, Mickey Mouse. Disney had another set of embroidered ears complete with princess crown and veil. It was the most precious picture, Mickey coming out of his house and Morgan running towards him! After Mickey took her around his house and Minnie's house they had another surprised planned. Morgan spent about 20 minutes with Mickey. Mickey then handed Morgan back over to the Disney people and they walked her down this long hall. At the end of the hall was Belle, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. The look on Morgan's face was priceless! She spent 1/2 hour with the princesses. They told stories and danced and just had a fun time playing. We had dinner Monday at Park Fare with the mean step sisters. After dinner we headed over to the Magic Kingdom for VIP seating Disney arranged for the Electric Light Parade. What a show! Even the floats bowed to Princess Morgan. We ended Monday evening with the Wishes Fireworks! This day was a dream come true for Morgan, THANK YOU MR. DISNEY WORLD!
Everyday when we returned to our room the cleaning woman made sure she had a different animal made with our towels. Morgan's American Girl doll always was seated doing something different. We had more towel animals than on a cruise.
Morgan's favorite ride was Kali River Rapids and right behind this ride was the Barnstormer in Toontown. Morgan was a complete angel the entire trip. We spent time swimming everyday to take a break from all the excitement. We all enjoyed this down time.
Friday Disney arranged for Morgan to have special seating for Beauty and the Beast show along with the Beast giving Morgan the Red Rose.