Second, Winning the GOLD medal in South Carolina. Well you can't get much better than that.
I remember sitting in the audience and saying to my friend Pam I think we won second place, my stomach
was turning as we waited for the results which seemed like forever to be announce after we heard the third place
announced I was convinced that we were second. Well, after they announced second place and it was not "Millennium Magic", I was like
in shock! We were all truly surprise!!! I think we were all on stage before they even said our name. Putting the Gold
medal around our necks is something we all will never forget. The best part of winning was after we all came back to our
rooms to change into comfy clothes we went out in the parking lot and one of our members had a CD in her car of WE ARE
THE CHAMPIONS!!!! We were all singing and swaying and having just the best time ever with each other! This is what it is
all about... to win something so special with your best friends that we had worked so hard to achieve! We even had a few cars
that stopped and sang with us. For me this is something I will cherish for a very long time and hold very dear to my heart.
Third, being there to help my sister deliver my niece on July 21st. Her name is Micayla Iana
she weights 6lbs 1oz, 19inches and has blue eyes. She is just so beautiful and I am so proud to be her
Auntie. Even after delivering my own children it is a special honor to be there to see my niece being born.
My nephew Nikalas (Micayla's big brother) is just so enthralled with his new sister. He loves her to pieces
loves to help mom in anyway he can with her. Nik will be starting soccer this fall and I can hardly wait to go watch him play.
It is so amazing to watch him with his new sister he just so cute.
My Daughter Nicole is in her third year at UCONN. She also has had a very busy summer. She went to the Dominican
Republic for two weeks with a Christian group at UCONN called "Inner Varsity". While she and her teammates were there
they helped with various tasks with the children who had learning disabilities, they set up dental sites and other numerous
Tasks. Nicole received many Blessing while she was there that she will never forget.
Then she came home and went on another trip for a month as a child care helper while staff from Inner
Varsity were on a tour of the Trails of Tears. She learned many things while she was there that they will
be learning this coming year and hope to brake down barriers for others.
Steve and I had the wonderful privilege to attend the Ct State Police 100th Anniversary Ball this past May.
Steve got to wear a tux and I wore a gown. It was like going to your prom all over again but only with your husband.
The weekend of events were so much fun. Steve is a member of the CT State Police Auxiliary where he volunteers his time to
help others when needed. Steve also enjoyed having his family all together this summer.
Steve has always been a great supporter of my "Hobby". When I called him from S.C. to tell him that we had won he was
so excited for us. He knew just how hard we had worked to do the best that we could. Steve is always there when I need
him, he is the Love of my Life and one of many things in my life that I cherish. I Love You!!! Pooh Bear!
Darlene Netkin
