Where Have I Been?

   Well, maybe I shouldn't have asked God to bring on the challenges that help us grow, because He must have thought, "Okay, you asked for it....".  2011 has brought us some major glitches in how we thought our life was "supposed" to go. 
   The first one hit us right away, in January, when Shauna and Noah separated.  It is very hard to see your daughter heartbroken.  Perhaps God had prepared me for this so many years ago, because I knew very well the pain she was feeling.  That's the thing about going through tough times.  They give you compassion and insight into other's pain.  As we walked with Shauna through those first really difficult weeks, we said a lot of prayer. 
    So often, things have to get worse before they get better, and it seemed to just keep getting worse.  Divorce papers were filed, police were involved, restraining orders were obtained, court appearances made.  So much ugliness and stress and sadness and grief.  I may have shed nearly as many tears as Shauna did.  And I just wished I could make it different for the boys.  I grieved (and am still grieving) that they will not grow up in a household with both of their parents.  I grieved for their sadness, and the inability of their little brains to understand what was happening and why their world had been turned upside down. I prayed that all the adults in the boys' lives could just put the boys needs first and foremost.  If we could all just do that, I think they will be okay.
    They seem to be used to the arrangement now.  They know that Sundays and Mondays are "Daddy Days" and saying goodbye to Daddy isn't as hard as it was in the beginning, because they know they will see him again soon. Time is a great healer.
   We hope the divorce, the legal portion, will be over soon and everyone can move on to find happiness.  I don't have any experience with divorce (thank you Lord), but I am learning as we continue to walk alongside Shauna and the boys.  I continue to pray for God's guidance and wisdom for each step of the way.  And that hearts will be healed, and forgiveness and GRACE will prevail. 
   Grace was the word I chose for 2011.  The word that I wanted to guide my actions this year. The word I wanted God to teach me about.  I didn't do so well in the beginning, but I am starting to get it Lord.

Happy 2011!

   Wow that is the first time I have written 2011.  Seems like just yesterday we were getting used to 2000, and now it's another new decade!  This last year has just gone by so quickly.  They seem to go faster and faster the older we get! 

   2010 was the year of all the baby's Firsts.  All those first holidays, as well as first teeth, first steps, first words.  Wow, so much growth and development going on!  All four of the boys are so sweet and lovable and it is such a joy and a blessing to watch them grow.  When they are all here, it is noisy, chaotic, and wonderfully exhausting.  Here they all are on December 18th, when we had our "French Christmas."
    Trying to get them all in the same picture is difficult, but not impossible.  Getting them all looking the same direction involves several people behind the camera, all jumping around and yelling, which would be a funny picture in itself.  Getting them all looking the same direction, and smiling too, IS impossible.  We settle for all within the frame of the same picture. 
    The sequence of all the pictures is hysterical.  I have many series of shots that just crack me up.  Someday we should make a video of our photo shoots.  It would be great laughs down the road.
    So what will the New Year bring?  I am looking forward to sharing another year with the family I love.  Do I have any goals?  Why yes, I do. 
1.  Finally lose that 30 lbs I need to shed.
2.  Eat healthier (lots of fruits and veggies every day!)
3.  Get in the best shape of my life for my 55th birthday (exercise program!)
4.  Organize, declutter and simplify in all areas of my life
5.  Thank God every day for the blessings of my life
    These are mostly external goals, but I want to change on the inside too. I want God to continue to shape and mold me into the person He wants me to be. That is often painful, but I welcome it. 
  [ Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.    James 1:2]
   So come on 2011, I am ready for you!  The good stuff, the bad stuff, and everything in between. 
   [I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13]
   And don't let me forget that!

Breakfast with Santa, a Yearly Tradition

    December 11th was our yearly Breakfast with Santa, put on by the Auburn Parks and Rec Dept.  We have been going for years with the older kids, then took Jenna and Dustin for many years, and last year took our grandsons for the first time.  This year, my parents took us and three of the grandsons again, and Matt, Kelly and Shauna, too. 

    Keegan chowed down just about every bite of his adult-sized breakfast, but wasn't too thrilled to see Santa come around.  Cooper didn't eat much, but loved Santa and the squirrel mascot.

   Caleb was adorable and happy, and took it all in.

   After breakfast and the entertainment, we tried to get pictures on Santa's lap.  Cooper adored Santa, Caleb and Keegan, well, not so much...

I think this picture is just priceless!

   The boys were happier to pose with the Great-Grandparents than with Santa.

And Caleb always loves Gramma and Grandpa!

Caleb didn't mind the squirrel too much, as long as he was safe in Daddy's arms.  All in all, we had a fun time, and I'm sure we'll be back next year!

Thankful...

   Yes, I know Thanksgiving 2010 has passed, and that I'm six months (yikes!) behind on my blog, but I just have to thank God today.  When I started on my brain tumor journey, I promised Him that if I survived, I would give all the glory to Him, and I need to keep my promise.
   Yesterday was my two year check up at Swedish.  First I had an echocardiogram and saw Dr. Dewhurst.  What a kind man he is, and he had only good news for us.  My heart continues to function at low-normal, and I don't need another echo for two years.  I just need to go see him next year, which is a pleasure!
   Next was my MRI and visit with our angel, Dr. Sarah Jost.  Again, it was all good.  No sign of any regrowth of the tumor.  Have I mentioned we love Dr. Sarah?  She is the rare neurosurgeon who has both extreme surgical skill and genuine compassion and caring.  She loves to hear about our family, see pictures of the grandbabies, and she even brought up the crystal angel I gave her for her Christmas tree.  She said she still has the note I wrote her with the angel, and she can't wait to hang it on her tree.  She always gives me a hug when we leave.  I am so thankful God sent us to her!  She wasn't the surgeon we wanted, but God knew she was the one we needed, and as soon as we met her, we knew He was right.

The people I love most! August 2010

   So today I am thankful for my health and my life.  I can truly say that I LOVE my life.  I am so blessed to have a husband I love more with each passing year, children I love and am so proud of, and the cutest grandsons there could ever be.  I still have my parents to love and support me, as well as my Father in Heaven, who tenderly cares for my every need.  And I am SO thankful.....

June

   The big event in June was Jenna's graduation!  She got to walk with her class at the White River Amphitheater on June 8th, although she will go back for two more years to do the Transition Program.
We had a party for her on June 12th, and Megan came home with Casey.  We had a great BBQ and Open House!

On June 17th, we took the RV and headed to Lake Chelan, to join Kirk's mom and Julius, Kris and Donie, Kevin and Tonya and their friends for the weekend.  All our kids then joined us, with Matt and Megan and their families staying in a condo, and Shauna and her family in a tent on our site.  Our first camping trip with ALL the kids and grandkids!  And we got to celebrate our birthdays and Father's Day there.  Fun!

Keegan

Caleb and Keegan

Boy, did we have to bring a lot of baby equipment!  Highchairs, pack-n-plays, toys, baby food, you-name-it, we took it!  Our site looked like a daycare, lol. 

On Sunday, Father's Day, the girls cooked a wonderful breakfast at the condo for the fathers, with fresh fruit, French Toast and donuts, sausage and juice.  What a treat for Kirk to not be the cook! Then they all went swimming in the condo pool, except for Matt, who had a headache (maybe from the chaos?) and me, the photographer.

Casey had so much fun, that he fell asleep.

Keegan loved the water right away, and had a great time in his crabby float!

Cooper was not fond of the water at first, but once he got used to it, he was a wild child and had a ball!

Caleb was unsure at first, too, but then had a great time!

Our crazy clan on Father's Day! (minus Jenna and Dustin, who were in the hot tub by then!)

Where to Start? May

   So far behind again!  Dang, why do I do that?!  So I am gonna have to just hit the highlights of the last FOUR months.  Where does the time go?
   May 13 through 16th, Kirk and I got to go on the Sysco trip to Las Vegas, yay!  We love those fun Sysco trips, esecially since they are FREE!  We got to stay at the gorgeous Bellagio, and we thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine at the pool and seeing the sights, as well as the fun nights.

For Memorial Day weekend, we took our fifth wheel and headed to Tri-Cities to see Megan and Ryan's new house, and our darling grandson, of course!  We hiked Badger Mountain together, swam and just enjoyed spending some time together.  Dustin and I stayed at the house with Casey one night, so Megan and Ryan could go celebrate their second wedding anniversary.  Their house is wonderful and so is Casey!

Prom Night

   Jenna's Senior Prom was last Saturday night, April 24, 2010.  The boys went out of town fishing, so Jenna and I had a girls' day, starting with me giving her a pedicure (not an easy task when you're working with a moving target!).  At noon she had a hair appointment, then we rushed to a manicure appointment.  When we got home, Kelly came over with her bags of makeup and gave her a great makeover.  After dinner, we helped her into her dress and jewelry, and she looked beautiful!  I just got a new Canon Rebel XSi digital camera, so it was time for me to try it out! 

I was very pleased with how well the pictures turned out, and so was Jenna.  She liked them so much that she wants to pick one to send out with her graduation announcements, instead of the senior pictures she had taken last spring.  I think she felt like a princess!  She had a fun time at the prom, and will also be going to the Companionship Prom tomorrow night, but this time with a little less fanfare (no hair appt or professional manicure).