Red Belt

Joseph has been going to Tae Kwon Do for 16 months now - we are so please with the Dojang he goes to - it is full of loving and caring Master's and Instructor's. Wednesday night was Testing (AKA Graduation) we got to testing early so we could get a good seat (front row) and Joseph could stretch and warm-up. This was also the first time he would have to break a board in order to move up to the next belt level, even he was nervous about having to break the board. The way they lined everyone up and grouped them it looked like he would be testing with one red belt and 4 black belts.

When they called him for testing they called him with the purple belts who are one rank below him. They did all their kicks, poomsaes, chagi so and hansoo- Joseph had an extra poomsae that he had to do by himself in front of the crowd but I knew he would be fine with that.

Then they took out one board for him, typically the group of students being tested all break/try to break at the same time - ok so here is where panic set in for me!!! Master Evins said Ok Joseph break the board with a hammer fist whenever you are ready. He got in his stance and in one strike broke the board!!! I did shout a big "yeah" and the whole place was cheering and clapping loudly for him - the best part was the look on his face which was "Wow I just broke the board" Joe and I laughed because he looked like he was in shock. For the rest of the testing he held those boards and smiled. It was a great night.

The best part was when an older student (now in 4th grade) who was Joseph's reading buddy when he was in kindergarten came over to congratulate him - it meant a lot to Joseph.

The pictures are him with his first broken board and his new Red Belt.....

Making a Difference???

I am sure I have mentioned more than once that I teach Religion at St. Mark's with my sister-in-law Regina on Monday nights. We are teaching 3rd graders. So far the year has been challenging and there are times that we both are unsure if we are getting through to the kids, if they are getting anything out of what we bring to the table each week or if they are there because they "have" to be. Either way we continue to teach, pray we are getting through to some if not all of them and that they leave in May with something from this.

Tonight's lesson is on miracles. The guide has us telling the story of Jesus, Mary and the disciples at a wedding in Cana (based on John 2:3-11) and then it tells us to pick some stories of miracles in the Bible that we want to share.

Immediately I thought of a sermon I heard Pastor Steven (Elevation Church) preach and how much I loved the story. So my selection will be 2 Kings 4:1-7, Elisha helps a poor widow..... I think/hope it will teach them not only that miracles happen, but that sometimes the simplest things are what make us rich if we follow God.

Say a prayer for Regina and I that we are making a difference with these young people. Next time I may try teenagers.......

Wedding Planning

You all know it is my sisters goal to not give to many glimpses into her wedding - but I want you to know I/we are having a blast helping with planning and just hearing about everything. We are so excited that we gave them their wedding gift last night because we couldn't wait!!! We had such a great time last night talking and picking menus and laughing about the "generational gap" (Robert's choice of words that I am not pleased with) when it comes to wedding songs. The 3 other couples that were at my house have been married for 15, 15 and 20 years!!! PS he spread his arms wide to when he said the word GAP.

At this point in all of our lives (me, Regina and Joh) it is so cool to look at all that has changed since we all got married and it is just so much fun to sit on the outside and look in on Colleen!!! She has shocked us with some of her "traditionalisms" because if you know her, she is really not all that traditional and she has just been radiating happiness and joy since the planning began.

I hope the next 3 months (yes 3 months from today is the big day) are as happy as this past one has been. And that April 25, 2009 is the most magical day they both have ever had.

Real Quick

Hey everyone - I did not forget about my blog. The letters about our dad are being written by everyone as I type. I have my list of what I would like for my 40's and a few other things I want to write about.

I have been so busy and I don't like to rush when I post. But I will make time for all of it before the end of the weekend.

She is marrying our father....

Most of you know that Colleen is engaged to be married on April 25th.

Some of you will know from knowing or hearing about our father that he picked up off the side of the road dogs, turtles and any other animal in need.

This morning Robert knocked on Colleen's door with A DOG that he found - "It is so cold you have to let him stay....." (It is a very small black pomeranian) She immediately called me and said "I am marrying my father"

Those are big shoes to fill Robert - but I hope you are successful.

January 13, 1968

That is the day my parents were married. Roseann Louise Casertano married her prince, Daniel Edward Corbett......

From that union 4 children were born - Marie, Daniel Jr., Patricia and Colleen. There are now 9 Grandchildren as well.

My Dad went Home on April 8, 1992 - a very dark day for all of us. Yet his life is still celebrated by all of us. People here in Charlotte who never had the pleasure of meeting my dad "know" him because of all they have heard about him from all of us. My friend Tina uses many of my dad's expressions!!! And I love it.....

Many of the people closest to us "grew up" with my dad around and they still (almost 17 years later) talk about him and how much fun they had with him and how much they miss him.

My parents worked together in their own business - not many people can do that and remain happy. In the eulogy I wrote for my father's funeral I said to my mother "You were his right arm, his Rosie...." and that is exactly how it was. "Their song" was I Got You Babe (Sony & Cher) it was a reflection of them - they didn't always have a lot, but they had each other - and that was all they needed.

My mom has not been on one date since he passed. We have encouraged her at times to go out, do something for yourself instead of your kids and grandkids all the time. Her response:

"Once you have had caviar, you don't want just any fish....."

And so it goes - she had the love of her life and she is content to just continue to spoil the rest of us.

I hope all who read this have or find this kind of love in their lifetime.

A Son's Love

As I was reading Holly's Blog the other day
I was reminded about the love a son has for his mother.

My son Joseph is no exception, as a matter of fact lots of my friends tell me already that he will be quite the smooth ladies man when he grows up. He is mannerful, kind, considerate and frankly he is smooth. He gives out hugs and kisses constantly and without being asked. He is truly a ray of sunshine.

Last night was no exception. We were sitting at the dinner table and talking about a few events we have coming up - one of them being mother/son day with his elementary school. Well mother/son day is Sunday, January 18th from 3:30 - 7:00 for a meet and greet and a Charlotte Checkers Hockey Game. As we are sitting there I am teasing him (he is 6) and saying oh boy Joe mommy must really love you - do you know the sacrifice I am making to go to the mother/son event??? Do you Joe??? That is the Conference Finals of Football, Joe - the winner is going to the Superbowl Joe. And so on... His response, - "But mom this is a mother/son day you know that is so important......" With a big smile on his face and his blue eyes sparkling the whole time - so of course I said - "You are right Joe - there is nothing I would rather be doing than spending mother/son time with you."

The night progresses and I am upstairs on the elyptical machine - I have one of Big Joe's shirts on, sweats that I wore after pregnancy and my hair in a pony tail. Little Joe comes into say something to me and mid-stream he stops and says "Nice earrings mom!!!" and full of enthusiasm - so I say well thank you Joseph and he turns to walk out, but stops and says "Mom are they new???" Do you see what I mean about him giving the ladies attention!!!

So again I say - there is nothing in this world like the love a son has for his mother. And I also want to add that a dear friend of mine told me that years ago when she had a son and before I had children - she was so right.