Men's Nationals 2012.... Good Luck SON!!

The Afternoon Session of Men's Nationals starts today and at 1:00pm I'm going to watch my son, Michael Hafenbrack II lift LIVE at http://lnkd.in/8WEMVw  

I'm praying in the front row (of my computer) much like when he and his brothers were back in High School & College. ;-) Good Luck, Son!! 
UPDATE:  Michael had 2 personal best totals in the Squat and the Deadlift.  He came in 2nd and Received a Silver Medal... so happy for him and proud of all 3 of my amazing boys!! :-)

Heartbroken Mother who confronted heartless judge.- Her interview on CNN

Mother who confronted Ciavarella after verdict on CNN The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre & Scranton PA

How heartbreaking!! There doesn't seem to be any justice in that judge walking out of court like he did and that smirk on his face made me sick. Please pray for the youth effected by this judge's greed... and especially for this mother who lost her only child and like she said 'her life'. So sad!!


UPDATE:
Mother in 'kids for cash' scandal says she got justice.  Judge gets 28 years http://t.co/pmTsTzW

Happy Birthday Jesus

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Hello Everyone!  I hope you ALL are having a Wonderful Christmas and Special weekend!

I'm throughly enjoying mine & hope all of you are feeling lots of Christmas Love!

Blessings & Hugs,

Coreen

  

Half Full Friday & Aloha Friday weekly question

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"Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different." ~Katherine Mansfield

Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eye Girl originally started in June 2009.  Now the it is hosted by Sprinkles at Wyldechylde.  We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, we are deciding to see the glass as half full, instead of half empty. We are choosing to concentrate on the positives, instead of dwelling on the negatives. Our Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They are a list of the things in our life that have brought us happiness over the past week. We are determined to find the something good in every day. Are you?

"Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, "This is the real me," and when you have found that attitude, follow it." ~ William James

For the next week, we challenge you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day.

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." ~William James

This is what I'm Happy for this week:

• I'm happy my oldest Son's next clinical rotation is in Iowa!  We miss him terribly and get him for 3 months! 

• I'm happy that same son got a job in Houston after graduation & that he will have some family close by!

• I'm happy my middle son had a nice birthday in Chicago & loved his gift!

• I'm happy & lucky my youngest son is so helpful & can fix things around the house!  He is so smart and has lots of common sense! 

• I'm happy for a great review at work!  My first and only one in 4 years.  I have 5 bosses and HR didn't seem to know 'who' I worked for.  At least they paid me!!

"     If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one." ~Cavett Robert

It's also "ALOHA FRIDAY" Everyone!!  If you want to join in the fun? Post your own question on your blog and leave your link at the Aloha Friday post at An Island Life. Then you can visit the other participants if you wish...It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends or see what people are thinking about this week and join in a conversation or two if you like.

“You must love yourself before you love another. By accepting yourself and fully being what you are, your simple presence can make others happy.” ~ thinkexist.com

My question:  What do you Love about yourself?

My answer:   I love that I'm talkative, happy most of the time, passionate about subjects I believe in and life in general.  I love my inner strength and compassionate towards others. 

So what do You LOVE about Yourself?

"If you must love your neighbor as yourself, it is at least as fair to love yourself as your neighbor." ~Nicholas de Chamfort

Blessings, Love & Many Hugs!

~ Coreen

Half Full Friday! June 11th, 2010

Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eye Girl originally started in June 2009.

We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, we are deciding to see the glass as half full, instead of half empty. We are choosing to concentrate on the positives, instead of dwelling on the negatives. Our Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They are a list of the things in our life that have brought us happiness over the past week.

"Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day." ~ Author Unknown

We are determined to find the something good in every day.  Are you?

For the next week, we challenge you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day. On Friday, write your own Half Full Friday post and return to Life As Eye See It to link your post and to see what other bloggers found happiness in during the past week.

Don't forget to grab a Half Full Friday Banner or Button for your blog post if you are going to join in:

This is my second time joining Half Full Friday and here is what I'm Happy for this week:

• I am happy that I got to see all 3 of my sons last week!
• I am happy that I got to visit my middle son in Chicago last weekend! 
• I am happy that my oldest son took care of everything for me at home (2 dogs, a cat and a house showing) so that I could go!
• I am happy that I got to spend the weekend with one of my favorite friends! 
• I am happy that I got everyone to and from Chicago safely last weekend!
• I am happy that the lock-smith was able to get me a new key for my car. :-P
• I am happy that my youngest son went with us and had a Great time in Chicago! 
• I am happy that my sons are so patient, kind and understand me so well. :-)

Have a Great weekend, Everyone!
Love & Hugs Always my Friends,
Coreen
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Life Lessons and Blessings

This past week has been full of both Life Lessons and a Lot of Blessings!

My oldest son had finals and starts a new clinical tomorrow. He's going to be a physical therapist with lots more clinical assignments during the next year. I’m so excited for him!

My middle son who is a Freelance Graphic Designer got a new job in a large Chicago company's Graphic Design department. He starts tomorrow. I’m so happy for him!

My youngest son who is in culinary school, is going to be cooking for a children's home tomorrow afternoon for lab hours. He's going to do such a good job. So proud of all three of my sons!

On Friday, my middle son came from Chicago for the weekend. We all went out to dinner and hung out. We had a great time! Since the boys have gotten older it isn't as often that we can all get together. So this was a Hugh Blessing to me as well as the Blessings in each of their lives right now and the weeks ahead. We are all feeling very blessed, proud and happy for them!

Until Friday evening, when I was with all my boys, I had a trying week full of life lessons. I learned that you can't change anyone but yourself. I learned that I still need to stand up for myself more. Or at least speak my mind, ask questions and protect myself more. I learned that I am still naive and too trusting. I learned that I shouldn't tell some people absolutely anything, because it will get twisted and turned around. Basically I learned to not trust, at least not for a while.

I felt like once again gossip and selfish people have affected my life. And once again I've learned to keep to myself, for my own sake. I don't know if it's this area, this state or what it is exactly. Regardless of the reason, it's very stressful and causes a lot of pain to the people it effects. I have thought long and hard to figure out what I need to do to protect myself and know when and whom to trust.  I've decided to make some big changes in my life as to the people I want to surround myself with and those I do not want to be around anymore.

After hearing my sons talk about all the things they have going on in their lives and how happy they are right now; I decided that I have to make the changes in my own life, so I am as happy and fulfilled as my sons are. That was a goal as a parent for my boys their whole lives. Now I think it's my turn.

So all of my old friends and new blogging friends, please help me keep my goals and help push me forward whenever I start to stumble. PLEASE! I need true friends who I can trust and lean on. I promise to return the favor whenever any of you need Me! Promise!

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So Proud of You, Son!

Now you all probably know by now, that I have 3 awesome grown sons.  They are kind, respectful, hardworking, amazingly talented and very good to me!  Above all else...they have great character! 

Last night was my youngest son's time to shine.  He is in Culinary school and yesterday he was the Host of their Spring event.  He looked so handsome all dressed up and took his job for the evening very seriously.

The 'Cajun' Culinary dinner consisted of Hors d'oeuvres, followed by a 7 course meal.  Appetizers of Alligator and Andouille Sausage over Red Beans and Rice.  Crawfish Bisque soup.  Grilled Fruit Salad.  Pecan-Encrusted Catfish with Remoulade Sauce.  Apricot Mimosa Sorbet.  Entree of Stuffed Chicken Breast and Sweet Potato Creme Brulee for dessert.  Yummmm, it was all so good!

This is a picture of the main course, Stuffed Chicken Breast.  I should have taken pictures of each course.  I will remember that next time.  I was 'visiting' and watching my son 'direct traffic' as he put it, with the servers.

The culinary students spent months getting ready for this event.  They all did an excellent job!  The evening and meal was wonderful!  Everyone, including the students. had a Great time!

My son has come so far and done so well!  I could not be prouder of him!  But even more than that, it was great to see him so proud of himself, to see him smiling and having a good time with his culinary classmates!

Thank you for a great evening and meal, son!  I love you! ~ Mom

Preconceived Notions

"'When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.' - Wayne Dyer"

The dictionary defines a ‘Preconceived notion’ as - an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence. That description is extremely accurate in the case of my son who has Asperger Syndrome. He has been misunderstood and misjudged most of his life.

He even knows now that both doctors and teachers in his past have had preconceived notions about his ability to learn achieve and even what he cares or doesn’t care about. Just from looking at him or from listening to what another teachers or doctors had told them.

My son is very smart and caring. He just doesn’t have a lot of outward enthusiasm or a great deal of facial expression. That’s just Brandon! But unfortunately many people have made some pretty harsh ‘preconceived notions’ about my son just from his outward appearance or demeanor.

I feel that I am constantly trying to get past that barrier to get people to give my son a chance, in both social and work situations. It used to be in school or education situations too, but that has gotten better.

Other people’s preconceived notions have also caused my son great pain over the years. When he has tried to make friends to when he has looked for summer jobs. Kids can be cruel, but adults who should know better, can be even crueler. If people just take the time to get you know him, they see how smart, caring and funny he is and then they start to understand him. I love it when that happens!

My son has been through a lot and misunderstood often; but all those experiences have made him an even more Awesome young man. He sees past other people’s difficulties or outward appearance and has great empathy and understanding. He has no preconceived notions! He gives everyone a chance!

He is my inspiration and I am so proud of him! Love you Brandon!!
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