Congratulations to the Awesome Threesome!

Congratulations to our dearest daughter Danielle on her graduation from middle school! The event was marked with bittersweet emotion that swelled and quelled with the tune of Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, more commonly known as the Graduation March. Its orchestral notes tugged at our emotions causing them to rise and fall with each phrase. Tears of joy welled up in my eyes while cheers of joy came forth when Danielle was awarded a special medal for earning a 4.0 GPA all six semesters of middle school. Wasn't it only yesterday that I agonized over Danielle's first day of kindergarten? Eight years later and there we were, standing ever-so-proudly as our daughter made her way across the stage on the last day of middle school.

Danielle's cousin, Joshua, also graduated from middle school-- with honors! More impressive is the fact that Joshua, whose native language is english, did so in a spanish-immersion program. Today, Josh is completely fluent in spanish -- a skill that will surely prove advantageous in the future. His list of accomplishments includes three U.S. National titles in karate, and a burgeoning talent in photography and design. We are equally as proud of Joshua and feel extremely confident that even greater things are in store.

Last, but every bit as noteworthy, our dearest Joseph was given the "Friendliest Student" award during the third grade promotion ceremony. Imagine our joy upon learning that Joseph was presented this award. He may be small in stature, but his heart is grand. He's nine years old, but he is mature beyond his years.

Danielle was right to name him Joseph -- "after St. Joseph!"

As one chapter comes to a close, another begins filled with hope and promise. Inevitably, they will encounter numerous difficulties and challenges as they forge ahead into the future. They will be faced with situations that require certain sacrifice. Through it all, I hope and pray that they will remain steadfast in faith and their beliefs, never compromising their values, and always following their moral compass.

Lastly, I wish to share with them a definition of success that Oprah bequeathed to the graduating class of 2009 at Duke University:

"One of the best ways to enhance your own life is to enhance somebody else's and to stand proudly in your own shoes while you help others stand in theirs. How can I help somebody else move to higher ground? That is success."

Welcome ZWH!

May 25 started out like any other. We woke up, showered, dressed, and went about our day, completely unaware that my youngest sister, Grace, went into labor at 1:00 a.m. that morning. Then we got "The Call" announcing that Grace had just delivered her firstborn!

Zachary Warner Huber came into the world on 5/25/09 at 7:00 a.m., a 6 lb 7 oz Masterpiece. Baby Zachary, in the eyes of this aunt, is no less than perfect. A sweet child sent from above. With an angelic face and a full head of hair, he is sure to melt your heart. He is the 11th grandchild in the family, making my parents 11 times as proud.

Upon hearing the good news, Danielle exclaimed, "Oh my God!" as her eyes grew wide. You could almost see her skin crawl with excitement. Joseph, who is typically reserved, let out a jubilant scream. "Y-E-A-H!" he yelled while pumping his fist in the air. "ALRIGHT! IT'S A MIRACLE!" he added with equal vivacity. He had been hoping for another boy cousin. Mary, on the other hand, took a departure from her sunny disposition and sadly admitted, "I wanted it to be a girl." But it wasn't long before she, too, was caught up in the excitement.

My initial reaction was one of relief and praise to God. Relief that her labor lasted only 6 hours, 10 hours less than my labor 13 years ago. Relief that the painful ordeal has come to pass. Praise that she and the baby are safe and sound. Praise for the miracle of life! I felt motionless, incredulous that this day had finally come. Incredulous that my sister, the youngest of 7, the "baby" of the family, is now a mother. My mind flashed to a particular memory when Grace was just a little girl of 8. It was a lazy summer day and she asked if I would play Barbie dolls with her. At 13, I certainly felt "too old" to play with dolls; but I agreed, realizing that she was feeling bored and somewhat lonely at not having a playmate. Fast forward thirty years later and that same quiet, unassuming little girl has since grown up and blossomed into motherhood.

From the moment her baby is conceived, a woman begins the transformation into motherhood. She undergoes physiological, emotional, and (much to her husband's chagrin) hormonal, changes. Other lifestyle changes soon follow. Instead of a trendy tote bag, a cute diaper bag becomes her favorite accessory. And like American Express, she won't leave home without it. Whereas she once traveled to many lands in search of the perfect spot, her newest vacation destination will be Lala Land. Her worst enemy, sleep deprivation. In motherhood, the abstracts of life are redefined. Time is measured in increments of feeding time, nap time, bath time, and bed time. Success is determined by her ability to rise to the challenges of parenting. Faith, hope, and love, once intangibles, are now embodied in this tiny human being. Beauty is everything having to do with her baby. And joy is knowing that every fiber of her being is inextricably woven into this precious little bundle.

Welcome to The Club, Grace!

Welcome to The Family, ZWH!