Oct. 14, 2009 - The Turkey Rap
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Oct. 12, 2009 - Amazing Grace
Click Here Turn your speakers up and prepare to be inspired!
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Sep. 6, 2009 - Where Did Summer Go ??????
Wow, I can not believe that Fall is almost here. Actually, as I sit on the deck at my sister n laws, it feels like Fall.
We have been so busy with life this Summer that I have not blogged in ages. To all my blogging homeschool buddies, "I apologize". I have so missed checking in on everyone. I am always so inspired by everyones blogs.
Instead of boring you with a lengthy entry of our summer, I thought I would show you some pics. Most of the pictures are ones our 12 year old shutter bug snapped. I love seeing what image in nature has caught her attention. I am always in awe.
Rock Quarry in Glade Valley, NC
Our 11 year old among his papa's prized "maters"
Fence building 101
More pics to come...to be continued.
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Apr. 28, 2009 - Downs Syndrome and Breast Cancer
Mother's Wish Comes True
By APRIL WRIGHT
All 18-year-old Emily Ogle can think about is making her princess fairy tale
come true for her and mom Debbie Ogle, who is battling Stage 4 breast cancer.
Emily has it all planned out, as she fantasizes about dressing up in an ball
gown and riding with her date through town in a horse-drawn carriage on the way
to prom on Saturday.
“I wanted to be like Cinderella,” said Emily, a junior at Galax High School.
“It's just a wonderful time of life.”
And Twin County United Way, along with community donors, has coordinated that
special evening just for Emily.
Debbie is ecstatic about seeing her daughter's dream come true. “I just want her
to be as happy as she can,” Debbie said of Emily, who has Down Syndrome. “She
loves socializing and being happy, and I want that for her.”
Debbie's relative, who works at Bogeys Restaurant in Galax, knew of their wish
and passed it on to Celeste Amburn, director of Twin County United Way. Although
TCUW is known for funding agencies in the community, Amburn said she was so
touched by this story that she wanted to become the fairy godmother to grant
their wish. “We saw that it was a need,” said Amburn. “And it was just something
we wanted to make come true.”
Though Debbie's illness made her unable to go shopping with Emily for the prom
dress, they found the perfect one online: a spaghetti strap, long black gown
that gathers at the waist with a flowing pleated skirt. Emily's sister took her
shoe shopping.
On the Special Olympics basketball team in Carroll County, Emily has asked
teammate, Jordan Stevens, a 10th grader at Carroll County High School, to be her
date. Debbie said Emily is just a little shy about talking to him now, but is
looking forward to slow dancing with him, she said with a big smile. “Jordan's
handsome, with pretty hair and teeth,” Emily said, with a laugh.
After a dinner, provided by Bogeys in Galax, the horse-drawn carriage will meet
Emily and her date on Main Street and ride right up to the door of GHS.
The horse-drawn carriage, which can sometimes cost as much as $1,000 per ride,
is being donated by Marlon Staples. Galax Florist has provided the boutonniere
for the carriage driver and the bows for the carriage. Even the Galax Police
Department has contributed a police escort during the ride up to the high
school, and Debbie will be riding close by. “I'm just so excited and thankful
for their contributions,” said Debbie. “We're fortunate to live in a community
where people can help each other."
“I just want her to grow up and be happy, and be a person who contributes to
society.”
When Debbie, a 1976 GHS graduate and former bank teller at BB&T, was diagnosed
with breast cancer in 1999, she was worried about how independent Emily would
be. But then, Emily was only 9 years old. Over the past decade, Debbie has
learned to relax. “Emily has come a long way since then and helps take care of
me sometimes and keeps her room tidy,” she said. Emily has even become an
exceptional cook, making homemade burgers, breadsticks and apple dumplings.
Family friend, Lorraine Cox, said Emily is so outgoing and has never met an
enemy. In fact, Emily describes herself as “fabulous.” Emily often cranks up the
music in her room and listens to Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana, enjoys
keyboarding class, water aerobics, horseback riding and basketball. A huge fan
of Dr. Suess books and “Harry Potter,” Emily dreams of becoming a librarian
after she graduates from high school.
Debbie said the cancer is now in her liver, but she is trying a new type of
chemotherapy to get rid of the tumors. “I just want to live as long as possible
and enjoy ourselves,” said Debbie, who describes her relationship with Emily as
“very close.” When Debbie is feeling up to it, she and Emily dine out on the
weekends, go shopping and to the movies and attend church at Blue Ridge
Fellowship.
“I feel like I wouldn't be here now, if it wasn't for the Lord,” Debbie said.
“It's been almost 10 years for me and some others haven't been that fortunate.”
So Agape and I joined a large crowd of friends and well-wishers to see Emily off
in the carriage last Saturday night. It truly was a night of magic and dreams.
Emily was absolutely radiant. Jordan was as handsome as ever with his "pretty
hair and teeth," and remarkably well-composed for being the unwitting center of
attention. The love, joy, and tenderness sparkling in her mother's eyes thrilled
our hearts.
My personal thanks goes out to April Wright of the Gazette for her
compassionate, sensitive reporting (She also wrote the wonderful story about my
JoyBell Ringers last summer that is now lost and gone forever from cyberspace
(rats!)) and to the business people in our fair city who stepped forward to make
Debbie's dream for her daughter come true.
Pictures are from
http://cmcphersonphotography.blogspot.com/index.html
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Apr. 17, 2009 - Don't Stop Dreaming
Ever had that one dream that just nags away at your heart ? You know the dream you let go because of getting married , having kids or the career that is going no where. All those things took priority of the long ago dream.
Well right here is proof to never give up on that dream. Many of you may have already seen this but just in case you missed it Susan Boyle . This lady is so talented.
This one is sure to make you dig out that long ago dream and give it a try.
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