Last year....

2007 started ordinarily enough, the usual recovery from the holidays and planning New Years resolutions…little did we know what we were in store for. February brought the realization that the Danville Little League softball fields, where our daughters were looking forward to playing, were going to need a lot of work to recover from the late 2006 flood that wrecked havoc on the fields. Nick heard the baseball calling "Fix it, they will come", and so with most of his best friends; they decided to fix the fields in time for opening day on April 1^st. Of course you are talking about a small town and with that comes small town politics, and the fight to gather enough people, time and money to do the work. Needless to say it ended up with just a handful of Nick and his friends sweeping in with only moments to spare, with an effort of almost heroic proportion to get the fields ready for opening day.

Danville Softball has been growing each year, and Nick and I are amazed at the positive message it sends to all the girls involved. It is amazing to see how the single thread of softball can create a true sense of camaraderie, self respect, strong values and citizenship. Nick and the guys will tell you, seeing the complete joy on all the girls faces, whether they are winning or not, makes all the difference. Nick and his best friend, Jay Drumheller, are coaching their daughter's Emily and Abby on the Leighow's Subway (LS) softball team with 13 girls ages 9-12. Ironically, Nick and Jay met when Jay's oldest daughter, Marlee was chosen to play for LS. Although, we had seen the Drumhellers around town, softball brought us together. Now the Drumhellers; Becky (mom), "Papa Jay", Marlee (14) and Abby (10) and the Motterns; Nick and Kourtney (15) and Emily (10) and me, spend nearly half the year together. They are considered one of our greatest blessings in life.

Usually there is not much to tell you about Nick, however, this past year has provided him a moment in the spotlight. He is still working at Bloomsburg Carpet Industries, as a welder, fixing carpet looms, some of which are over 100 years old. These carpet looms weave intricate designs and the carpet can be seen in casinos, airports, hotels and even the White House. He is the only welder for the company, assisting in the machine shop and special projects crew in assembling new looms and fixing old looms. The company has experienced considerable growth so things are constantly changing and evolving to increase productivity. That t is his job….now, at home…..in mid-April Nick's mom became very sick, and while trying to work full time, coach softball, participate in softball meetings, and take care of the girls after school, he also was making trips to the hospital regularly trying to monitor the progress of his mother and her care. It was a long road for Nick's mother, after nearly passing away and facing the threat of dialysis, she pulled through. She spent 3 months in the hospital and another 3 months in a rehabilitation nursing home, returning home in October. Unfortunately, the relationship between his parents has become increasingly strained due to a difference in opinion about Dolly's care and her future.

Throughout the summer, Nick also became involved in another softball organization, called Amateur Softball Association (ASA). Emily had been asked to play on a local ASA team. This is quite a big deal, considering only those girls with talent are asked to play. Emily learned well all these years practicing with Kourtney's team, and her abilities are regularly recognized. Kourtney was also asked to play ASA ball for Danville's team the Lace Bandits. This was twice as exciting since Marlee Drumheller was also playing for the Lace Bandits. It was only a matter of months before Nick was approached to start a younger Lace Bandits team. And now Nick faces 2008 as the coach of Leighow's Subway (Age9-12, Danville Little League) and coach of the Lace Bandits (Age 12 and under, ASA). What this means is, Nick will be coaching DLLS through the week and attending ASA tournaments on the weekends starting in May and lasting through September. He won't mind it too much though, since he has made some of the best friends he has had since high school. Likewise, I am enjoying the sense of community that Nick and I feel, since we have known most ALL of the parents and girls on these teams for as long as we can remember, but never had the chance to get to know them as friends…once again that thread of softball ties it all together.

Now, about our precious girls….

Kourtney, now 15 years old, has become a beautiful young lady with an aura about her that shines for all to see. She has a magnetic way about her, where people are just drawn to her, wanting to get to know her and be like her. She has so many good friends that carried her into High School without an ounce of nervousness. She is confident and happy about who she is. Refuses to have a boyfriend, since she recognized early how complicated it makes things. She says "What is the point in having one boyfriend, and risk losing all my friends and doubt myself, when I can have many friends, some of who are boys that make me feel good about who I am." She is the voice of reason to all her friends, who look to her as an example of how to be happy with who you are and not define yourself based on a boy's opinion.

She loves her friends, and they love her. Again, that sense of community, having lived in the same town your whole life, has really kept her grounded and genuine. Kourtney started 9^th grade this year and now-a-days the schools are pushing the kids to figure out what they want to do once they finish high school. This helps them take additional classes in high school that will prepare them for their career path in college. Unfortunately, Kourtney is very undecided. She keeps leaning toward something medical, or medically minded, such as a Pathologist or a Child Life Specialist (this is someone who specializes in helping extremely sick children handle their experience in the hospital, and a specialty that is becoming more and more necessary). Either way, we are sure Kourtney will make us proud. She is also involved in Key Club, (Kiwanis influenced club centered around community service/volunteering) and Forensics (Speech/Debate Club), and recently joined the high school bowling team. In January, she will start practicing for High school softball, while continuing to play ASA ball through to the fall. Summer '08 will be her second year for volunteering at Geisinger Medical Center as a candy striper. In her spare time, she is also learning to play the Electric Guitar and currently is practicing singing and playing the song "After Midnight" by Patsy Cline. The more exciting part will be when Marlee backs her up with the drums. (Marlee is a proficient drummer). Kourtney is also looking forward to having her first real paying job this summer, and of course, is looking forward to Dec '08 when she will turn 16 and get her driving permit/license. Let' s just say, I try not to think about that too much…where has all the time gone.

Now…Emily, age 10 1/2. Emily is our unique child, unlike most. She is a mystery unfolding slowly. She is a quiet little peanut, just barely 80 lbs and the smallest in her 5^th grade class. "Mom, there are kindergarteners bigger than me" she says. I am pretty sure Emily started the latest fashion trend, because since kindergarten, all the girls have increased their wearing of camouflage. I don't mean trendy fashionable camouflage either, I mean boys hunting style camouflage. I explained to Emily that eventually she should consider feminizing her wardrobe a little bit, so she will fit in with the other girls, only to realize that all her friends are wearing the same things. This could be chalked up to my lack of knowledge of current fashion trends, but when I have mother's regularly stopping me saying "Are you Emily's mom? I have to tell you my daughter only wants to wear what Emily wears." It kind of makes you wonder if Emily doesn't have the same aura that Kourtney has, but in a much quieter way. Needless to say, the camouflage stays, but Emily did understand that "girl-ing" up her look, might be fun, and occasionally surprises us with wearing jewelry, perfume and occasionally pink. Emily enjoyed her first season of hunting this year, as part of Pennsylvania's Junior Hunter program. She was allowed to go out with her dad and shoot a deer, unfortunately, the weather was much too rainy and cold and she lasted about an hour. She is looking forward to Spring Gobbler season in May 2008 to shoot a turkey, and hopefully in much milder weather. Yes, she is an outdoors sportsman (sports-women). She loves target shooting, and competes regularly with Daddy on the shooting range Nick made on our property. She is also a rather experienced butcher (yes, butcher) and has mastered the art of skinning out and gutting her dad's and his friends deer. She spends any time she can with the guys in the backyard butcher shop helping make deer bologna and jerky, and then in February enjoys helping to butcher her Pappy's home raised pigs. I continue to pray that this knowledge serves a purpose someday and that perhaps she stays with her interest in culinary arts, as she states often she wants to be a chef someday. (This is an example of the mysteriousness of this child.)

She also recently decided to join Band at school and consistently practices her drum and bells lessons, preparing for her future on the High Schools Marching Band. Danville prides itself on its 140 member marching band, one of the biggest in Northeastern PA. Emily looks forward to marching in the band with all her friends, including Abby Drumheller. Emily also recently joined the local youth bowling league and regularly revels in beating her sister's average. (Please imagine Emily's devious little smile. J) Emily also will be furthering her talent as a softball pitcher for Leighow's Subway, and of course Dad is anxious to be the coach of the "star" pitcher.

As for me, I am still working at Geisinger Medical Center, in the Ears, Nose and Throat department, otherwise known as Otolaryngology (Oto-lar-in-gol-ogy). I provide the secretarial support to two Facial Plastic Surgeons in the department and one Otologist (ear doctor). My goal is to advance my career within Geisinger's Cosmetic Program and eventual Cosmetic center. This is Geisinger's newest endeavor to reach out to the increasing market of plastic/cosmetic surgery. This will probably take some time, and hopefully this time next year, I will be able to tell you more. For now, I enjoy supporting my doctors in the clinic. I work with a great group of people who are encouraging and fun to be around. This is a good thing since I cannot afford to bring work home with me (mentally that is). When I get home at night, I must devote that time to the two college classes I am taking. I recently finished the fall semester, two classes taken through Penn State World Campus Online Classroom and begin 2008 with two more classes.

It is pretty challenging to find time to participate in these classes, work full time, and manage the house. My hope is to complete my Associates in Business Administration in Dec 2008, and then transfer my credits back to Bloomsburg University where I will continue to work on my bachelors of business.

Is it any wonder why I tell my kids adamantly that they must complete a minimum of 6 years of secondary education after high school, NO MATTER WHAT? My biggest regret is not having done this sooner. None the less, I keep moving forward, seeing the ultimate goal of utilizing my brain for something other than catering to eccentric doctors. Truly the top priority in furthering my career is to allow enough expendable income to make another trip to Walt Disney World. My mom, Becky, treated us in 2006 to a week in WDW, and it created a long list of memorable moments that keep us starry eyed and ready to go back. Call me a sucker, but it truly is the "Most Magical Place on Earth", made only better by sharing with the whole family; Mom, Dad, Dawn, Dave, my girls, Nick and I. The only way it could have been better would have been to have my Grandma and Grandpa there with us, although we swear they were with us in spirit since we experienced many things reflective of them. Needless to say when someone asks me "Gwen, you've just spend 8 years tirelessly pursuing your bachelor's degree, what will you do now?"…you know the answer!!

Along with working full time, and taking classes, I also am looking forward to the upcoming softball season where I will be responsible for managing the Little League Softball concession stand. Organizing, ordering and staffing the stand to raise money for the girl's uniforms, and field maintenance. Luckily, Becky Drumheller is my right hand woman with this, and I could not handle it without her. Likewise, I rely a lot on Nick and the girls to help out. Since Nick is home from work by 3.30pm, he takes the responsibility to cook dinner and help the girls stay on task for chores and homework. I get home at 5.30pm, eat dinner and start school work, while Nick runs the girls to their various activities. In late spring and through out summer, dinner usually consists of concession stand pizza, luckily it comes cheap.

As you may have noticed, it is a world wind of activity here, factoring in the time to spend with my family, Mom, Dad, Dawn and Dave, whose importance in all of our lives is beyond value. We are managing to keep our heads above it all and have fun in the process. I keep trying to imagine what life is going to be like when Kourtney leaves for college in 3 ½ years and Emily is independent and active in high school, not to mention, what will our lives be when the girls leave the nest? Hopefully, God will bless us with impeccable timing and I will be invovled in an exciting career and Nick will be in school pursuing his education for an eventual change in career. In the infamous words of Walt Disney himself, "Keep moving forward", and we continue to do so.