Ryan Murphy Addresses glee's Future

Gleeks everywhere have been waiting with bated breath for Ryan Murphy to address the death of his star player, Cory Monteith. You can read the interviews here and here.

News broke yesterday that glee's production was moved to early August, thus bumping glee's season premiere one week, from September 19 to September 26. The news did not sit well with gleeks arguing that Cory deserved more than a couple weeks grieving time. Today Ryan Murphy explained the reasoning behind glee's decision, and that would be the lovely Lea Michele.

Ryan stated that Lea Michele is the one calling the shots right now, stepping into Finn's leadership of the glee family, and I couldn't be happier to hear that. The cast and crew want to be near each other, grieve together, in a safe place filled with beautiful memories of Cory. Ryan even went as far to say that the first couple of weeks there will be grief counselors available. KUDOS Mr. Murphy and FOX. 

I'll admit I've been worried about Lea this last week. I changed my phone wallpaper to this beautiful picture of her and Cory as a reminder to stop and pray. Although I have never had the privilege to meet her, I am all too familiar with the devastating, sudden loss of your friend, your life, your love, your Beloved. Ryan beamed about Lea's strength and I remember someone telling me just days after Mike's death that you don't realize how strong you are until being strong is the only option you have left. I have the utmost respect for Ms. Michele and will keep praying for her strength, her light, and her love to continue shining through her during this time.

The first two episodes of the season will be Beatles tribute episodes that glee has been working on for 4 years. The scripts were written in May. I agree with this decision wholeheartedly. The cast and crew will love on each other during this time rather than jumping straight into a memorial episode, allowing time for a proper memorial script to be written honoring Cory's treasured character, Finn Hudson. I have read blog after blog after blog begging Mr. Murphy to write Finn his happily ever after rather than killing him off. The truth of the matter is, Finn wouldn't have been happy without Rachel by his side. By writing Finn off the show like that it would do a huge disservice to not only Lea, but the Finchel fans as well.

As I wrote this post I was reminded of the episode Yes/No. Rachel sang Without You by David Guetta featuring Usher. After news of Cory's death that song became stuck in my head. In hindsight the irony of that episode is eerie. In some stupid, freaky coincidence, Finn's father died of a drug overdose in a hotel room out of town. Finn was worried about becoming like his dad. And after reading the above interviews about Lea and her love for Cory, the intervention, the love and support she showered on him, I am reminded of Finn's speech as he proposed to Rachel.

You’re like a beacon of light guiding me through the darkness. You’re like this big gold star, and for some bizarre reason, you chose to let me love you. And, I feel like if I can just convince you to let me keep doing that, I’m going to be okay. Everything’s going to be okay.  

In the last episode, All or Nothing, of Season 4, Cory Monteith's name is shown with a somber backdrop of Rachel (Lea). The symmetry is heartbreaking as that could quite possibly be the last time his name is credited. Finally, the New Directions performed Hall of Fame during Regionals at the end of the episode. When the song hit my iPhone a few days ago, the lyrics reminded me of Cory.

Standing in the hall of fame (yeah)

And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)

Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah)

And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame (yeah)

My Little Minions!

BEE-DO! BEE-DO! BEE-DO! My little minions...Mwahahaha!

Cameron Goes to Camp 2013

For the fifth year we have driven to Fontana and dropped Cameron off at the Camp's bus stop. For the fifth year we have been abundantly blessed to have fundraised the money we need to send Cameron to camp for 2 weeks. In my opinion the opportunity afforded to Cameron to attend diabetic camp is priceless. He is learning the skills he needs to keep himself alive. He's only got 5 years before he goes out into the world relying on himself. I won't always be there. (I admit it scares the hell out of me to think of him handling this wretched disease alone!) This year Cameron leaves the youth session behind and begins his time at teen camp with the older kids. See you in 2 weeks son!

As has become our ritual, we watch the buses leave and then the littles and I head to The Cheesecake Factory (Best. Guacamole. Ever.) to begin our vacation minus Cameron. I think they were stuffed and approved.

The Heart of New Directions

Where do I start? How do I begin? Do I just come out and say it? I can't even believe I'm going to type this. Cory Monteith, affectionately known to gleeks around the world as Finn Hudson, is dead. I won't presume to the have the answers. I don't care why he's gone. I just know that he is.

As I was winding down for the night, hitting up my Facebook, twitter and tumblr before bed, two things happened simultaneously. My twitter feed showed a single word post from Mark Salling, Puck, "no" and my favorite 2 tumblr's posted vague posts about Cory. I fired up my search and typed in Cory Monteith. I was unprepared as I clicked the link of the first story and proceeded to watch the police livestream reporting Cory's death. I sat in front of my laptop stunned. I had to watch it a second time because I was sure I heard it wrong. When the Chief said Cory's name again followed by the popular TV series glee I was full on bawling. I went back to Mark's twitter and his post had been taken down, but it left a lasting impression on my heart these last few hours. No. No Cory isn't dead. No Cory's family isn't reeling from the news of a son and a brother gone too soon. No the glee family isn't mourning the loss of their heart. No Lea's heart is not shattering right now.

My sincerest condolences to Cory's family. A bright light has been turned out tonight and please know that you are not mourning the loss of his light alone.

I see things very differently than most people. My heartache, my tears, the pit in my stomach is not just because of my love for all things glee. My already broken heart is splintering for a woman I've never met, but whose grief I know all too well. A woman is grieving the loss of her own Beloved and take it from me when I say, I'm all too familiar with the pain that beautiful girl is suffering at this moment. I have been praying, fervently, for Lea tonight. I've been asking God to surround her with love. I ask God to comfort her, but know that that prayer will not be answered tonight because she will not find comfort in knowing she will never kiss, never hug, never cuddle with her Beloved again.

The glee family has begun to tweet, and quite honestly I'm not prepared for Ryan Murphy, or Matthew Morrison, or Jane Lynch, or any of the Original New Directions (Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz or Kevin McHale) words just yet. Mark's said it all. I'll never be prepared for Lea's tweet, ever. Where does glee go from here? I do not envy Ryan Murphy. I suppose they could cancel glee, but I doubt Cory would want that. The gleeks are going to want closure too. The cast was scheduled to begin shooting next week, July 22nd, but that timeframe will have to be pushed back. This close knit family has to be allowed time to grieve. Obviously there will need to be rewrites. Do they kill Finn too, off screen? Yes, they should, but even as I write this, I can't imagine putting Lea, Chris, Mike O'Malley or Romy Rosemont through that, let alone the rest of the cast and crew. Perhaps a time jump is in order. I believe the healing will begin from moving forward.

We were given hope when Finn, the cool, hot quarterback, joined the New Directions, making us fall head over heels in love with this group of freaks. I fell in love all over again with Finn when he took over the glee club in Mr. Shue's absence this last season. He had blossomed from the naive boy to a man before our very eyes. Finn was a true leader, the glue that held the New Directions together. There is something poetic in that Cory's first and last glee numbers were Don't Stop Believing. Many lost an idol today, and I'm truly envious of those who are blissfully asleep, unaware that the glee world has been rocked to it's very core.

You are singing and drumming for Jesus now Cory. Our loss is definitely heaven's gain. You are no longer in pain and we will attempt to find comfort in that knowledge. Watch over your family, dear one, as well as your extended glee family. Send Lea all the love and support you can, knowing God weeps with her tonight as she mourns the loss of you, her Beloved. Fly with the angels Cory. Although you have left us too soon, you will never be forgotten.

I've said it before, tell the people around you that you love them, hug them, express your feelings, because you never know when it is going to be too late. God Bless.

Nerd Alert!

There is never a dull moment with this teenager! He did buy the Ponies shirt, but skipped out on the JB notebooks (thank God!). Even I'm jealous of the R2D2 lunchbox. Words can not describe how awesome this kid is. He is funny as hell, nerdy, cute and starting high school in a month. HIGH SCHOOL! How is this my life?!?!

Happy Independence Day

Monsters University

The littles are ready for MU! Come on Auntie Sara, get here soon. 

Family Command Center

I decided that this summer I would pick a few Pinterest ideas and run with them. My main objective was to have a Command Center up and running before school starts August 5th. Today it came to fruition.

The original idea came from A Bowl Full of Lemons. I had pinned it under Organizing and went on the hunt for thirty-one gifts. I was not prepared to pay the $$$ for the Hang-Up Home Organizer. Ever the ebay gal, I went on the search. I found a brand new, in much cuter design I might add, for $0.99 plus $9.99 shipping. DONE. Once in hand, I went to work.

Each family member is color coded and has a pocket for important papers. I chose the color orange, always thinking of my Beloved, for family functions. I located cute, functional and free, printable calendars at Pretty Unpretentious Blog. I decided to keep the calendar out of one of the 2 pockets for easier access to jot down any last minute appointments or changes. I used one of the pockets for the lunch menu, so the kiddos aren't asking me every morning what's for lunch. I decided to use the last pocket for something spiritual. Another search for printable scriptures and voila, I have about a dozen amazing scripture based pictures printed on card stock to switch out at will.

On a side note: I would really love to find someone to paint my hall tree, it definitely needs some TLC.