Fond Farewells and New Beginnings

Justin, Sara and Addie headed for the Phillipines and Rachel and Trey introduced Riley Jane to the family. We had a wonderful family gathering to send Justin, Sara and Addie with warm wishes for a wonderful experience. We will miss them terribly, but at the same time, we are envious of the adventures ahead of them.


Riley Jane entered our family on April 22, 2008. She weighed 8lbs. 13 oz. and was 20" long! She's a beautiful baby as you can see! Rachel, Trey and Riley are headed to Hawaii in June and we will miss them, too. We are so lucky to have such exotic places to visit!

Patrick and Addie

Riley Jane Prewitt

Confirmation

In April, Patrick was confirmed at Our Lady of the Fields in Millersville. It was a wonderful celebration marking this milestone in Patrick's life. Brian and I were thrilled when Patrick decided to ask Justin to be his Confirmation Sponsor. In our minds, he was the perfect choice.

Justin is Patrick's godfather and has been an integral part of his life. Justin took care of the basics - making sure Patrick knew everything about about Star Wars and that babies are "chick magnets!" But, more importantly, Justin taught Patrick about life. By his example, Justin has shown all of our children that living by your convictions using your moral compass allows you to live your life with a sense of freedom. It gives you the courage to test your own boundaries because you are aware of their limits.

Thanks, Justin, for being a wonderful godfather, nephew, cousin, and sponsor. It has been an honor to watch you grow into an amazing man. We can only hope that Patrick follows in your footsteps.

Spring is Here!

The air is crisp and the sun is warmer. The trees are budding. The grass is green and growing. Every day I see more signs of spring. Spring for the Gunning's means school musicals, band trips and concerts, AP exams, final semester projects and research papers, and Meghan coming home.

At the end of March, Ryan and Patrick participated in the Pit Orchestra for Pirates of Penzannce. It was a great experience. Patrick spent the first weekend of April playing in the Pit for his former middle school's production of Wizard of Oz.

At the end of April, Ryan and Patrick participated in their school's band trip to Virginia Beach. 250 students and 35 chaperones spent three days competing in instrumental and vocal competitions with high schools from across the country. There were schools from Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Connecticut, Ohio, and Wyoming! The trip was a lot of fun, the groups performed well and were rewarded for their hard work with trophies and awards. Best of all, the festival director complimented our band director on her well-behaved and well-mannered Archbishop Spalding High School students!

I've been going on band trips since Meghan was in 6th grade. This year marks my 8th trip. These trips often involve long bus rides, long days at performance sites and long days at amusement parks or other venues. For many - kids and adults - long days can end in crankiness and irritability. But, each year, these kids amaze me. Not their talents for they are all gifted. Maybe these kids are unique, and maybe they're not! But what I see in these teenagers every year is all that is good in teenagers - they are kind, compassionate, well-mannered, respectful and supportive.

May will begin with Spring Concerts and Meghan's trip home after her first year in Miami. We are all excited for Meghan to be home for the summer.

Our roller coaster ride as parents of a college student!

Just as we learned how to deal with life in our house without Meghan, she was home for Christmas. Then, just as quickly, back to Miami in January. Now, in about 24 hours, she'll be home again!

Having our oldest child leave for college was a huge adjustment for our family - our whole dynamic changed. I remember feeling so empty - a feeling confirmed one morning when I glanced down the hallway and saw no light in her bedroom.

Poor Brian - he was happy for Meghan, but missed his little girl. And, he had no idea how to deal with me! In his infinite male way - he wanted to fix it! I had to tell him, "I am just sad. I won't stay this way forever, but for right now, it's okay for me to be sad." Bless his heart!

We have come along way in our new life as the parents of a college student. We have survived the first goodbyes, the first hysterical phone call, the first college paper, etc. And, we survived the first trip home! Yes, in our house, the rules still apply!

And, now, the roller coaster continues. Meghan is so excited for spring break and home cooked meals, a bigger bed, someone else to do laundry, her own room, and time to do nothing. Brian and I are smarter parents and know now that she will spend more time catching up with friends than with us!

When she leaves again, I will be sad and so will Brian - but for now, we will cherish the time we have with her for we know it won't last forever.