To get the perfect family photo, there will be out takes!

First, a special thanks goes out to my good friend with mad photography skills, Angela Lenssen. Yes, the same one that is in my blog roll on the right. Head over to her blog to see more of her great work!

Second, anyone who thinks it is difficult to get little kids to cooperate during photo shoots, please take special note who is the goofiest Cory family member in these photos! Oh brother!

Third, there are great spots for photos all over the place. Just keep your eyes open.

Finally, this was fun! We should do it again next year!
Enjoy!

A

In no particular order, but including the "out takes":

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She was a good sister wife.

Our sweet Ellie dog is gone.

She was 11 1/2 and suffered a stroke on Black Friday. She was touch and go for several days after that, but made a really impressive recovery, until about a week ago, and then she went back down that hill. She was suffering so we had to offer a last mercy to our dear old girl. We all stayed with her until her very last breath. Oh we'll miss her.

But, like human memorial services, we often need to reflect on the life lived as a way of grieving. So, I offer her a few simple ways in which Ellie was like my sister wife, filling some gaps that I probably never could.

Ellie was:
--very loyal to John, and the kids after that.
--a good running buddy (she and I certainly part ways here) and ran miles and miles with John for more than 9 years of her life (often with strollers as well).
--a playful wrastler.
--a wonderful snuggler, in fact, she may have spooned with John more than I (get) to. Hmm. I need to discuss that with him.
--quiet and reserved. Always a nice girl (especially around other dogs).
smart and willing to learn more.

What a blessing Ellie was to our family. We found her at a shelter when she was about 8 weeks old. An adorable black fluff ball. Right, everything is cute when it is little. She wasn't a "cute" dog, she was a good, loving, sweet, loyal, playful, energetic, and silly dog.

She really was Man's Best Friend. One man in particular.

 

Missing Mom.

Today is one of those days.

No matter how old I am, there are some days more than others, that I really miss my Mom. Today was one such day. I miss her for the little things, a quick call to say hi, help with a recipe, and comparing notes about holiday plans.

I miss her for the big things. Laughing with her. I miss providing her with updates about the kids…she loved them so much. I miss asking for her advice and having an honest conversation about just about anything. I miss the harmony she brought to my extended family. I miss that she would ask how I am …really and know when I’m not 100%.

I could keep going, but you get the idea. It’s December. Her birthday month. Christmas. And she’s not here.

Sure, I'll see her again. Perhaps she is watching over us. But it isn't the same as here. And that's why I miss her.

A

Christmas Past, Present and Future...you be the judge.

This picture is confusing, right?

For my blog followers that have known me the longest, there is nothing confusing about this photo. Except that sofa. What was that about? Some bad decisions were made.

If you know me now, mother of one handsome 6’1” green eyed brunette, you might be very confused. Look again. Spencer did not get a perm in his hair, nor is he likely to be holding any small baby any time soon (age 3 and up are his forte). And given that his body temperature runs as hot as a werewolf with great abs, he would never wear footie pajamas!

Ha! I do have a kid that looks just like me. I’ve thought it all along, but this photo is hard evidence.

And such a fond memory. When I look at this photo, I see a Mom who lovingly and painstakingly made every birthday, Christmas and Easter a very special day in our lives. Handmade gifts, store bought gifts, candy, etc. She loved loving us.

This year, I have time to think, breathe, be still, and reflect. I’m so grateful for the loving family I was born into, and the great opportunity and blessing to be loving the one I’m raising now. I hope my kids will see me in their photo someday.

Enjoy.

It all starts there and ends up here.

Do you ever look back at your life and note similarity between your journey and the storyline of If You Give a Moose a Muffin? I do.

Here goes:

If you grow up in a rural area and find yourself needing a college education but no money to fund it, you go to community college. There, you do crazy things like cheerleading and pageants. Oh, and take a couple of classes.

When you transfer to the “big college” in the “big city”, you live in the dorm to meet people. And you do. You take a couple of classes. What girly, girly, sorority girls you will meet.

Later, you realize those girly girly girls, really have something you would like to have, lasting friendships. You realize they’re not all snobby McSnobbertons, nor are they Richie Rich’s little sister. Perhaps you could be one of them.

And you join. Chi Omega. And you make friends, and have fun. Oh, and take a couple of classes. Then, you Flourish more than you ever thought possible. Later, you realize that instead of counseling college students away from their figurative (and sometimes literal) ledge, you could invest and engage in the lives of college students that are members of fraternities and sororities.

And you do.

Thank you to my sister (Paige) for inviting me to dinner and rekindling this lifelong relationship of sisterhood.

A

This is going to hurt, and leave a mark. In two days.

Yeah. Here is a little nugget of truth I'm slowly learning. If you get sucked into your email, TV, Facebook, and blogs, late on Sunday night you are doomed to a day of dog-tiredness on Tuesday.

Right. Here I am. Reacquainting myself with Heather's blog . Her sense of humor reminded me of how much I like this blog . Then I remembered that my friend Shelle was a guest blogger on SCL, so I had to go looking for that post. Then, I remembered the lovely and friendly ladies Angela and I met at the Adorn It booth at CKC in Bellevue this weekend, and that they have a blog(s) . Then I remembered other "famous" Utah women, and had to check in on this inspiring woman .

Wow. I just had a flashback to roughly one year ago, when I was equally distracted by email, TV, Facebook, and blogs, late on a Sunday night when I should have been reading the latest dribble on leadership, fraternity stuff and sorority junk, then quoting it in my proposal (and later my dissertation).

So, I've come full circle. This time... the only consequence is how much I will really need a nap on Tuesday right about when I am supposed to be an engaging and dynamic professor for a leadership class for Greeks.

Life is so good on this side!

Enjoy!
A

To Blog, or not to Blog. That is the question.

Now that I have more time to read and follow blogs, I have noticed a sad trend of my friends blogging less. Truthfully, I have been blogging less too. What is up with all this? I miss reading their blogs and hearing interesting tidbits from their lives. I miss documenting my own life in this way as well.

So, my 26 followers, I'll get back on this old horse soon. I am pondering, scheming, and cleaning up the saddle.

See you here...soon!
Anita

The end of summer...or is it?

Even though the weather has been warmer the last 2 weeks than it was most of the summer in Pullman, I submit the following evidence that summer is indeed over, or rather, evidence of things we did this summer!
Long road trip to Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa!

Cam played goalie in the Palouse Cup Soccer Tournament.

Vacation Bible School - Harrison attended and Camryn helped with the crafts.

Last day of school shenanigans in June.

The end of summer...or is it (part 2)?

And even more summer "evidence"...
Spencer learned to row.

Harrison played baseball...again.

Harrison finished his first year in Cub Scouts.


I (with help) created large raised flower beds in the backyard.

Oops...I almost forgot I have a blog.

So where was I?

Oh right...catching things up. You know what is funny? My 3.4 blog followers know I love to scrapbook. They also know I don't commit photos to paper in chronological order...I create as I feel led, and then place them in order in albums later.

So why can't I seem to do that here...on this blog?

That is a bigger question for another day. So, continuing in the "I only blog in chronological order" practice, please, for now, think of this as mid-May. That way this post would be "right on time".

Ta - Da! I finished! I wrote 250 pages of absolutely riveting and fascinating research about the leadership identity development of fraternity and sorority students. And the powers that be (i.e. my committee) accepted the "dribble" and allowing me to graduate in May. There are pictures to prove it, and a very surprising, surprise party to top it off! Surrounded by friends and some family, we celebrated! Yahoo! But...like all doctoral graduates, my diploma folder had a nice letter in is saying "congratulations...your official diploma will be sent later". I couldn't help but think, "what if they made a mistake, or I forgot to turn in a form and I didn't really get this degree?"







OK, pretend it is July again. The official diploma came in the mail. I guess it really is official.

You can still call me Anita, but my business cards now say, Anita J. Cory, PhD.

Sweet.

A

Shout to the Lord....

What a lovely and blessed weekend I just had. Crafting with friends, good talks with the kids, time at the river with friends, and the best of all...this morning's worship at church.

Yes, this is a departure from my usual more superficial prattling about my kids, spouse, life, etc.

The message I heard today was loud and clear. I am made to worship. You are made to worship. God loves us and loves our voices lifted up to Him. I was so convicted today by the pastor's message. If we are more concerned with what others think of us than what God thinks of us, we are missing the mark. God spoke right through him into my heart. I felt God's presence like I never have before while the faithful lifted their voices to Him and I wept with joy for the love and sacrifice Christ made for me.

Why am I posting this? Psalm 100 speaks to me today live never before; "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness: come before Him with joyful songs. ...enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise: give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

THANK YOU GOD!

Pre-Doc Overview - Long Overdue

Whew! Most of the last six months are a blur, populated only by a few important events and dissertation writing. Sure, the kids had the usual sports, music, and school activities, most of which yours truly attended in a fog of distraction and disengagement. Writing my dissertation was like birthing a baby…it was exhausting, but oh so very worth it. I offer you a glimpse into the brief “pauses” of regular life and experiences outside of writing that “little” paper during this last spring.

Enjoy!

A

Pre-Doc Overview - Awards, Honors, & Other Stuff

It's hard not to be proud of my kids. Camryn was the April student of the month for the Kiwanis Club of Pullman. She was nominated by her classmates as a kind, helpful, loyal, and cheerful friend. Smile. Oh, yeah. She also got braces. Harrison finished his third book in AWANA and got another Sparky Award this year. Spencer wore my Save the Hooters (breast cancer awareness) shirt for "Wear Pink" day as school and wasn't even a smidge embarrassed about it. I'm so lucky to have good kids!

Pre-Doc Overview - Make a Joyful Noise

Camryn's first year in band went well...she enjoyed playing sax, but wasn't to keen about getting up early twice a week for jazz band. Spencer continued playing his sax in jazz band this year, but learned to play the trombone for the concert band. Sadly, he won't be continuing in band next year...too many electives to take to prep for college and not enough hours in the day. Harrison had his opportunity to sing his little heart out during our church's kid's musical, Life School Musical. They really worked hard and in the end shared the gospel with everyone that attended.

Pre-Doc Overview - Easter

After conducting a lovely graveside memorial for Nate, our pet squirrel of 5 days, we came home and dyed Easter eggs. Nate's story will have to be told another day...consider this a teaser.

On another note, what on earth do colored eggs have to do with the Messiah? People (us included) are weird.



Not only are colored, hard-boiled eggs "weird", but so is the idea of filling plastic eggs with candy, hiding them, and turning dozens of frenzied kids into a grassy space to pummel one another with colorful baskets. In our egg hunt tradition, kids also learn about the real reason for easter, celebrating Christ's resurrection and our opportunity for salvation through Him. Thank goodness for Christ, and kids' opportunity to hear about Him.


Although the kids love finding the goodies left for them by the EB in their baskets, thankfully they know and appreciate the real reason for this day. Thank you Jesus!

Pre-Doc Overview - Winter/Spring Sports

All three kids play (and love) soccer. Camryn plays goalie quite a bit, Harrison plays whatever position is moving the ball (Ha!), and Spencer would play defender IF he could not hurt his back and actually be able to play. He has been fighting a chronic back injury since last fall and only suited up for a handful of games all year. Bummer for him.

Harrison also played basketball (first time ever...and loved it!) The key to Harrison liking a sport is how much running and constant motion the game involves. The more the better!

Pre-Doc Overview - The Little Boy's Birthday

My little guy thinks it is great to be eight! He salivated over a Pizza Pipeline Colossus pepperoni extravaganza, and invited friends to Zeppoz for bowling, cake, and ice cream! Good times were had by all...including me, who "took a break" from dissertation writing for this little shin-dig!

How in the heck has time gone this fast?!

Pre-Doc Overview - The Big Boy's Birthday

We almost always celebrate our kids' birthdays on their actual birthday at home with a "Birthday Breakfast" which usually consists of the a VERY large, and very unhealthy pancake (made by John) including birthday candles and singing. We had to hurry through this tradition with Spencer (he had a zero period class (7:15 am), so I quickly grabbed a Lightening McQueen candle. Ha!


Jacqueline came over to decorate Spencer's room with a clever poster, streamers and balloons! He was so surprised...and she is so sweet!


Alas, I missed the actual "birthday party" for Spencer. He and his buddy Jamie share a birthday and this year each brought friends and their Dads out for a rousing paint ball war. This is the only photographic evidence I have of what the boys did to celebrate. Sigh. He's growing up...

Where to start?

I'm done PhD-ing, so you would think this blog would be blowing up, right?

No really.

Mid-life, regular, some boring, some interesting stuff has been happening. Come back soon. I'm working up a pithy, clever, and hopefully entertaining update.
A

The REAL light at the end of the tunnel...

Most of my days since the last post were spent working on my diss (yes, the four-letter word for dissertation). Most of the days since the last post, I was 99% sure the light at the end of the tunnel was indeed a huge train that was going to just run me over.

After very stressful revisions and rewrites going back and forth between my chair and I and at literally the last possible minutes of the last possible day to file forms that would allow me to defend my diss and graduate in May, it all came together. I will defend on April 25th and unless something goes horribly wrong, I will be Dr. Cory and walk through commencement ceremonies on May 7th! Yahoo!

I guess, the light wasn't a train after all.

A

The light at the end of the tunnel...

I have written and submitted 180+ pages of fascinating dribble to my chair. She has marked it up and provided good, but challenging feedback. I have re-written 30% of the paper in the last 8 days and will turn it in for another round of review tomorrow. Then wait.

Yes, there is a light at the end of my dissertation tunnel...I just hope it isn't a train.

If the next round of feedback sounds anything like, "you're getting close, but you need to re-write ___________", then yeah, the light is on the front of a huge train carrying the "you probably won't graduate in May" message.

Ugh.

A

A simple call.

If you follow this blog, you know that I feel blessed in many areas of my life. I usually blog about family and friends, but today, I must share how blessed I am by the WSU fraternity and sorority students with whom I share my life every day.

This just happened.

Phone rings. Sigh...I'm not getting as much writing done today as I had hoped I would. The IFC President is on the other end of the phone...I hope nothing is wrong in St. Louis where he and several other students are for a conference.

I answered and found out everything is a-ok. He was just calling to thank me.

"What?" I said.

In a nutshell, he said,

"Thank you for all you do for us. I have learned so much at this conference and realize that we are so lucky to have you at WSU and we are so much further ahead in making our Greek Community great because of you and how you've been with us through so much and never given up".

I thanked him...and asked if that is why he was calling.

"yes...that is about it. See you Monday!" he said.

Seriously. How lucky and blessed am I? I get to work with college students and make an impact in their lives...there isn't much else worth doing.

A

videos...milestones and markers....

Scroll down and read the next post first. Then, if the photos don't give it away...this will.

Enjoy!
A

Milestones and markers...

There is a little bit of my kid's birthdays that is actually torture to me. With each passing birthday of theirs (and mine) I become more and more aware of my own mortality, and my precious limited days with them in my home and me in their life on a daily basis. Gloomy, yes.

Nonetheless, this melancholy realization does spur me on in unusual ways. Feeling that "I'm missing it" is a huge motivator for me to finish writing my dissertation. I would really like to return to my "regularly scheduled programming" of doting on my kids, loving on my husband, and making this house a home.

We recently had a birthday in our house. I "took off" about half a day to participate and then had to spend twelve hours the next day catching up! Sigh.

Yes, my baby girl has had another milestone. Not only is she 12, which really seems much older than 11, we had a very "girly" party and we relented and she received the birthday gift of her dreams!





Enjoy!
A

Why there aren't many photos of Anita & John...

Options:
1) We are rarely in the same place for longer than 10 seconds. No.
2) We believe being photographed will take part of our soul. No.
3) One of us is usually taking the photos of everyone else having a good time. Yes.
4) Our camera does not have a remote. Yes.
5) We are difficult subjects to photograph. Yes...see for yourself.


OK, it doesn't help that we had 3 helpers making fun of us, taunting, and in the case of the photographer (Spencer), cracking inside jokes with one of us (John).

But, all this is for you, dear blog follower (and Christmas photocard receiver). Otherwise you would have only been able to enjoy the delightful faces of my favorite subjects in the beautiful leaves.

Enjoy!
A

Life moves fast. Cory year in review.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look once in awhile, you could miss it. --Ferris Bueller


Well, I have finally arrived. You know, at that place in the space time continuum when you realize you actually do not have enough time to do what you want or need to do? Remember the good ‘ol days when the Cory Christmas card (all 100+ of them) was hand-crafted, contained a lengthy annual update with thematic material and photos, and may have induced laughing and crying in the same letter?

Well, that isn’t this year.

As the organizer, scheduler, writer, gift-purchaser, card-creating, do-it-yourselfer that I am, I have concluded that this year takes the cake for busy. Thus, much less pizzazz on the old blog here. Sorry friends, family and even foe. Keep following us. I have big plans beginning next summer!

Here’s the skinny:

It seemed life was moving slowly, until all of the sudden it is moving way too fast. Two years ago I lamented in the annual update that taking 2 classes each semester was making the PhD coursework take “forever”. Well, I am done with coursework, have passed my prelims, defended my proposal, conducted 20 interviews and am currently chin deep in transcribing interviews and writing my dissertation. I am studying how fraternity/sorority membership influences leadership identity development and am also planning to graduate in May. Aha! Do you now see how and why I will have more time to devote to the Cory Connection next summer? My job is still great; working with college students is so rewarding! I was honored to be recognized as the Fraternity/Sorority Life Professional of the 2010 for the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values in April.

John still works at the CUB (student union) as the Associate Director. There have been several staffing changes in his immediate circle over the last year, but overall, things are going pretty well. John also tackled a huge project in our backyard this summer that kept him very busy. He removed about 12 tons (not kidding) of brick and mortar by taking down our huge chimney (it had to be done…ugh).

John has also grown more interested in training for sprint triathlons and once again won his age group and place in the top ten overall in a competition this fall. Two weeks later, he ran his first half marathon and took up serious running with a couple other guys he met at these competitions. Sadly, John’s Dad, Don Cory (age 73) suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in October and John spent a week in Iowa with family. We have now each lost a parent…a club in which no one wants to be a member. This is a sad place to be.

Spencer (15) has transitioned from middle school to high school relatively smoothly. Yikes. Yes, I said HS. He is a great student, plays saxophone AND trombone in the band, and hopes to play soccer for the HS team in the spring. Early this fall, he injured his back and has really struggled to get and stay healed. It’s a long story, but we are optimistic that with serious focus and PT, in the coming months, he will regain his strength, flexibility, and ability to play soccer. He has grown so much and is now 6’ tall!

Camryn (12) has also transitioned this year, from elementary school to middle school. It is going pretty well for her too. She is learning to play saxophone and already plays piano and loves it, so perhaps music is her “thing”?! She played soccer this year and made many new friends over the summer and fall. Haircuts, ear-piercing, and a new-found passion for clothing have defined Camryn’s changes from ‘little’ girl to ‘big’ girl this year!

Harrison’s big transition this year is not having a big brother or sister to walk to school with him. Right, we have a kid in each school this year…it’s a little hectic. Anyway, Harrison has risen to the challenge and does indeed walk a relatively straight line to school each morning and picks up his buddy Daniel along the route. Harrison started playing soccer this year, which is a great sport for him, because one is constantly moving in this game, and that is right up H’s alley. He continues to be a ham and keeps us laughing all the time. Harrison joined the CUB Scouts this year and LOVES it! It has been fun for both he and John to get involved in something like this together!

We are blessed with good beasts: Ellie (dog) and Simon & Chloe (cats). All of them love John to pieces, and we kid him that he is a “animal-whisperer”.

We had visitors this summer: John’s Mom, Chris came for a week back in late May, and my Dad (John) and sister (Gena) came for a visit in mid-July. We really loved having family come visit us and just “hang”. Whenever we travel to the Midwest, our schedule is packed with people to see, places to go, and things to do. If/when, you come visit us; we’ll hang out, play cards, eat good food, and get lots of R & R. The door is always open and the lights are on for YOU!

So, this is the update. Photo collages below illustrate the annual happenings, and if you have even more time, go back through the blog. It will be a little glimpse into our everyday life. It is the Cory Connection.

Merry Christmas!
A
First half of 2010 in photos...


Second half of 2010 in photos...


Our friends...our family out here!