Sunday, June 17, 2012

the NATHANs in my life

In the last 29 years or so, I have been lucky to have known some amazing people...a handful of these people gentlemen, and among these gentlemen NATHANS! Let me introduce you to each of them...
...in no particular order...


I would like you to meet Nathan...
 How would you feel if you if you had a baby named after you? Such an honor? Such a responsibility? Such a burden? I can't imagine what Nathan felt when he was told that my youngest brother was going to be named after him, but I have never seen anything to be disappointed about. I don't have many memories of the two boys together while Nathan was young, but the one thing I remember was the kindness in his eyes. Funny, though the years have passed, that one trait can be still be said of Nathan. When he looks at you you see kindness and honor. Oh that my eyes could be filled with the same kindness.



I have the pleasure of introducing you to Nathan...
This particular Nathan was/is the name sake for my oldest child, he is also my youngest brother. Though he wasn't alive when my baby was born I truly believe he was nearby. He was invested in this small child and had been for quite some time. Even though this particular Nathan didn't live to adulthood I saw many things that left me in awe...due to the condition of Nathan's heart he spent a quite a lot of time in the hospital. One particular stay I was blessed to be a witness to this specific event...Nathan and I had spent the afternoon together and had gone back to his room to rest or watch a movie. We weren't in his room for very long when he picked up his toy dinosaur and walked out. He walked it down the hall a door or two and entered another little boy's room. Nathan walked over to the bed of this little boy and placed the small toy into his hand. This other little boy couldn't respond verbally but his hand closed around the dinosaur as Nathan explained that the toy was for him to keep. Oh that I may be looking for others to help even while in the midst of my own trials.

May I introduce you to Nathan...
Nathan was introduced to me by my husband...he is my husband's best friend actually. We have given this particular Nathan the honorary title of "Uncle". Never have I met a young man that was more of gentleman than Nathan. He is quiet and he is kind. When I think of the reasons the name Nathan was included in the naming of my son, this is the other reason. I couldn't love a kid more for being my hubby's best friend, for being there for him all of these years. For adopting me as a friend when my husband and I were married. For being the best man at our wedding, for being around to support both of us when our children were born and blessed. If we did god-parents this Nathan would definitely be given the job. For eating all of the candy in the candy jar before I could. :) May I always be a good friend.


 Introducing Nathan...well Nathaniel
This young man has a zeal and zest for life that is contagious. This is the child that at age two could use the word contrail correctly in a sentence. (For those of you who aren't sure...the contrail is the cloudy trail a jet leaves behind in the sky.) He could explain why a windmill has a light on top and how a steam engine works way before he could tell you his colors. The other day wasn't any different. "Would you like to see something?" He proceeded to completely fill up a pitcher of water and then stuck his hand into it sending water spilling down the sides..."Did you see that? That is water displacement." I mean really! May I always have his zeal for learning.

and last but not least...Nathan.
(I will include a picture later if and when his sweet mom gives permission...just know this kid is darling!)

I was blessed to have just received a card and a very generous gift from this young man. No, those tokens of kindness is not what got him on my Nathan list. His kind deed actually took place many years ago. I was luck enough to be his first grade teacher. I was having a particularly rough teaching day...during the last few minutes of class I had a parent come in and firmly exclaim how unhappy she was with some decisions I had made. I was shocked and hurt but the first concern was the safety of all the first graders still present in my room. I was trying to guide my students out of my classroom when Nathan came up to me and quietly took my hand. He was hurt that I had been treated that way and concerned for me. He didn't want to leave me alone, in case this parent decided to return. It took a bit of convincing but my little knight-in-shining-armor finally agreed to leave my side and head into the other classroom. I was touched by this young boys simple love and concern. May I always have love for other people, and show my love for them through words and deeds.

So to the Nathans in my life I thank you.


*Note: If you know a Nathan that does not live up to his name, please don't tell me, I would like the name to continue to bring a smile to my lips.

Akron's Got Talent

Though the line is in fact borrowed from a popular tv show the title of this particular blog is something I believe...AKRON'S GOT TALENT!
I was blessed to be able to act as the MC for a local talent show featuring children ages 3-11. I was amazed and inspired by their talents and their courage to share their talents with their peers.

Time Out for Women

Oh how I LOVE this weekend! I look forward to it...well I can't say year since the last time I went was six months ago and some people don't get the the chance to go for years in between...

Well either way this is a weekend that no woman should miss. It doesn't matter if you are old or young, married or single, have kids or not...you will be uplifted and inspired.You will definitely laugh and probably cry a little, but either way I always leave feeling extremely glad I am a woman...and most importantly glad to be ME!

While I was there I say a group of fantastic women all came wearing crowns. I told them if they brought their crowns tomorrow I would bring mine...what they didn't know is that mine was real! That sounds like I am making a big deal of myself and that isn't what I am trying to say...I guess that mine was given with a title...I don't know. Please forgive me for my blundering.

Though these crowns may not have come with official titles each of them deserved a title and moments of recognition.
Outstanding Mom
Outstanding Wife
Outstanding Friend
Outstanding Sister
Outstanding Daughter
...the list could go on and on...

Thank you for sharing the stage with me. I felt truly blessed.

One of my personal highlights was meeting the extremely talented group Mercy River. I tried to upload our super fuzzy picture but my computer isn't liking it much so instead just click above to see how amazing these three women and mothers really are!

For more information on Time Out for Woman click HERE

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

HCHY Chili Cook-Off

This year the HCHY committee helped sponsor the annual Lauren Braman Chili Cook-Off! It was an evening filled with tasty chilies, delicious deserts, and fantastic raffle prizes. All the proceeds from this nights events go to support one of the things Lauren loved best...MUSIC! Two scholarships will be granted to students in the Copley High School music program. Other funds raised will support the Oncology unit at the Akron Children's Hospital.

My personal favorite part of the evening was watching my son run to the podium to accept the raffle prize he won. Nothing beats the joys of a child.

Thank you to all who make chili and desserts and to the numerous volunteers.

Click HERE to learn more about Lauren and the good this fundraiser accomplishes
To learn more about the Healthy Communities Healthy Youth organization click HERE

Woodland Preschool Carnival


I was thrilled to help out at the Woodland Preschool Spring Carnival. I greeted guests as they arrived, handed out goodies and even manned a few stations. I loved watching the excitement on all of the little faces when they succeeded in a game or were able to pick out yet another prize.All of the money raised directly helps the preschool for the upcoming school year.
I found it amusing just how many people wanted to know if my crown and title were "real" or simply a costume I bought. Don't worry I let them know it was for real.

Green Eggs and Ham

"I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam-I-Am!"
I spent the morning celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday by reading to each class at Woodland Preschool. Then watching their faces as they tasted their own green scrambled eggs and ham.