Life is precious.

Today a friend of mine's father died. He has been very ill and they knew the end was getting near but they thought they had more time before saying goodbye. It really made me stop and look at my life and my relationships with my family and friends. Do I leave things unsaid? Do I do the little acts of service that I think about doing for people? Or, do I get too busy and forget. I hope my kids know how much I love them.

This sums up Zach's attitude these days...

Thanksgiving 2011

Wild Oak Ranch

This place is fantastic!! We even tried to stay an extra day. The weather has been perfect and we have even been swimming and floating down the lazy river.

Another Conversation

Situation: Mom and Shea eating medium spicy salsa. Mom also doing dishes, feeding Zachary and refereeing a light saber fight.

Shea: "Mom, is there easy?"

Mom: "Is it easy to make?"

Shea: "No, is there easy?"

Mom: "I don't know."

Shea: "Ughhhh"

Hours later. Light bulb moment for mom. Easy salsa...not medium salsa. MILD!!!

A conversation

Mom: "Zachary, what do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?"

Zachary: "Grandma."

I really hate to run...

This is my friend Julie. She is a real runner! She was there at the finish line to cheer me on. If it were not for her, I would not have any pictures.

In January we had the Activity Days girls write down their goals for the year. In a very weak moment I wrote down that I would like to complete a half marathon. I kind of forgot about it until around August when I found out about a marathon benefitting adoption. So, I had to do it. I started training. I am not a runner. I do not get that "runners high" that everyone talks about. I curse the entire run. But, Saturday when I crossed that finish line UNDER my goal time, it was an amazing feeling to hear my name announced over the loud speaker. Not only because I finished, but I actually accomplished a goal (maybe it it time to move on to cooking more) that I had made on a whim.

Adoption is very near to my heart and even though Shea and I sometimes just can not see eye to eye, I can not imagine my life without her as my daughter. I am so thankful for the sacrifices that had to be made by one person to make me a mom. I hope that by my running, someone else can get closer to what they want to be.

Cody's big day

Happy Birthday!!

With Cody around there is never a dull moment. The things that pop out of his mouth...and various other body parts, are sometimes inappropriate but are also impossible not to laugh at. He is an amazing brother to Zachary, who idolizes his big brother, and Cody puts up with the beatings from Alex with stride. For his birthday dinner this is what he wanted (without a hesitation):

hot dogs (moms kind)

cooked onions

marshmallows

cheetos

brownies in the shape of hearts and stars with frosting drizzled all over and sprinkles

Cody, we love you!

Happy 6th birthday!!