End of an Era

I recently heard that the youth group at my home parish, St. John Neumann, has been ended. To imagine my church without the youth group would be to in vision my life taking a completely different path. The group formed and lead me to be the person I am today.

When I first decided to step out from the shadows and join the youth group my older sister was so active in, I met the person who would be my closest friend all throughout high school and college. Initially it was our matching humor that brought Kevin Martinez and I together, but after that it was love of singing and our faith that cemented our friendship. With Kevin, came the best 'surrogate' sister a girl could ask for, his older sister Crystal. She is as much a part of our family as anyone could be and will always have a place to stay at our house.

I joined the youth group my 9th grade year and kept going till I graduated from high school. After that, it was only natural that I join the core team of leadership. There was even a brief couple of months when I took over as youth group leader. After that college ministry was calling me to move on, but I always left part of my heart with SJN.

In my mind, I can always pull up a highlight reel of the best times. Decorating all night for the Valentine's dinner, singing for the youth mass, trudging around my neighborhood huddling for warmth while we sing Christmas carols, sharing our conversions of heart at Stuebenville retreats, sleep deprived lock-ins, and friendships that will last a lifetime. With all the joy and happiness of those memories, there is still one memory that burns my heart with regret and sorrow. But even that painful memory is a life changing time in my life that has forever marked me and made me who I am today.

Now that it seems to be all over, I feel thanks are in order:

Liz- Thanks for getting involved in the youth group, and letting your little sister tag along with you all those years.

Kevin- Thanks for hours a laughter and joy.

Crystal - Thanks for always showing me love and support.

Analisa - Thanks for showing that even though someone might be quite doesn't mean they don't have faith that can shake the mountains.

Jason- Thanks for always pushing me to be a better core member and keeping me under your wing.

Nicolette - Thanks for letting me into your life. I don't know where you are anymore, but I will always be your sponsor and love you.

Jacob, Brenda, Lisa, Stephen, Mikey, Mike, Julius, Joe, Alexi, Danielle, Jonathan, Bobby, Carlos, Paul, Lindy, Jenny, Javier, Nina, Phillip, Tara, Tasha, Jerome, Vanessa - Thank you for your friendship and your faith. I will cherish all our memories.

Good-bye Saint John Neumann Youth!

Going back a Year

11 months old

11 months old

10 months old

8 months old

7 months old

5 months old

4 months old

3 months old

2 months old

1 month old

1 month old

a few weeks old

a week old

a few days old

a few hours old

Happy Birthday Clare

Happy Birthday, Clare Noelle Morris!

Dear Clare,

Happy Birthday sweetheart! This is your first birthday, besides the day you were actually birthed. I can't believe how far you've come in just a year. I look back at pictures from a year ago, and can barely recognize you as the little dark haired newborn I cradled in one arm. Congrats on a wonderful first year of life.

I know it started out a little rough for both of us. Luckily my memory had blurred over most of the rocky times, but I know it wasn't very easy in the beginning. At least we shared those times together. I got my first I.V. at the age of 25 right before giving birth to you, and you got yours just 8 weeks later as a precautionary measure. But those weeks flew by, and our lives got better and better in each passing week.

I will never forget the first time you smiled at me or rolled over for the first time. You surprise me every week with the new things you learn. After months of playing with the ring stack toy by just ripping off the rings, you threw me for a loop a week ago when you actually put them back on. I beamed with pride like you just won the Nobel peace prize. I am your biggest cheerleader and hope to always be there to support you in all the other great things you will do. Each day, your personality shows more and more. So many people have told me that they've never seen such an expressive baby. It all started with the surprise face, then turned into the questioning stink eye, and now is the fake courtesy laugh. Your emotions can turn on a dime, and I swear we have even seen you laugh while you cry. You are so shy and reserved to people you don't know, but to see you squealing and laughing at home makes it all okay.

I have always told people that you are attached to my hip, but I'm afraid it is a two way street now. We spend almost every one of your waking moments together, from early morning feedings, to afternoon shopping trips, to nighttime baths. You are my constant companion. I can't even remember the days when I used to have privacy in the restroom.

Happy Birthday, my little ClareBear. Your Dad and I couldn't be more happy to have you in our lives, and we love you more than you'll ever know. I'll end this post with the song we customized for you. (sung to the hymn of the Micky Mouse Club Theme Song)

C - L - A

A, cause your adorable!

R - E - N

and pretty nice too!

O - E - L - L -E....

Clare Noelle - Clare Noelle

Clare Noelle - Clare Noelle

You never ever met a girl so swell - oh so swell

Clare Noelle - Clare Noelle

Clare Noelle - Clare Noelle

Of only good things does she smell - oh so sweet