It's GREAT to be 8!

You are a true blessing in my life. There are no earthly words to describe the immense love I feel for you. You are my Angel Pie, the love of my life, a beauty to behold in spirit, heart, and mind. I am honored to be called your mother. I cherish the girl you are, and who you will yet become. I can't even begin to imagine the incredible talents that fill your body and soul, and the great lessons you are here to teach. I love the words to this song by Billy Joel, when I hear this song I immediately think of you: "She's got a way about her. And everywhere she goes, a million dreams of love surround her, everywhere." You are pure sunshine, share your love and light with the world. This planet is a better place because of you. I am forever grateful for you and the opportunity you gave me to experience being a mother. With endless love....Happy Birthday My Sweet Girl!

Hannah Montana Kareoke

Our house has been Karaoke Central ever since Brooklyn got the Hannah Montana CD from Auntie Kamber. SHE LOVES IT and CAN"T GET ENOUGH!!!

Rock Wall Experience

Bronson has been LONGING for the day when he could finally climb the rock wall at the gym. He has been waiting 2 YEARS! Since he was 3(you have to be 5)!! Well, today was the day...and boy it was an experience he will never forget! He climbed up half way and then came down, wanted to climb again,(step in new attendant). Goes up all the way to the top,SO PROUD, and cannot/will not come down. New attendant did not put on the safety rope to pull him down(light weights need to be pulled down, he makes the min weight by 2 lbs.) After about 10 mins trying to get him to push off the side we realize he is not heavy enough! SCARED TO DEATH WAY UP THERE (and I am not afraid of heights but up there it is REALLY HIGH!!) He is gripping the handles so tightly, can't sit down, thinking he is going to fall off and die, CRYING, saying I'm SCARED! SOOOOO SAD!!!! The manager would not let Billy climb up the next one over to get him, nor would she let the attendant go up the stairs inside to tie on the rope to pull him down! She said they would have to call the fire dept, Billy, and Grandpa Bill, who was also there said, "We are the fire dept." But because they "were not in UNIFORM" they could not do it!!! This woman was insane, meanwhile Bronson is still clutching to the side. Poor thing. So the fire dept gets there, manager can't find the key to open the little hidden door. Finally, after being up there for 30 MINUTES key is found, firefighter goes up, ties on rope, and they pull him down. Talk about a traumatic experience!!!! His little hands were red and sweaty from holding on so tight for so long. I FELT SOOO BAD FOR HIM! Unbelievably enough after explaining to him that the harness will hold him and let him down slowly, HE WANTS TO CLIMB IT AGAIN!! He did...like the "Brave Little Toaster" Billy said.

**These pictures do not give the height justice.**

Sept 16th....Baby Bear turns 5

You were just a baby, then I blinked, and now you are a 5 year old KID!! I want to constantly watch you and absorb every moment so I never forget. You are my love, my buddy, my sidekick. I am amazed, everyday, at the incredible knowledge that fills your brain, by the unconditional love for all living things that fills your heart, for the light and joy that is your soul. You are dramatic and emotional yet a steadfast rock. You know of the greatness that lies inside of you....you know where you came from and to where you want to return.....thank you for allowing me to be on this journey with you. I am honored. With endless gratitude, I love you eternally....Happy Birthday Baby Bear....

***Bronson chose to go to Someburros, "happiest place on earth", for dinner, then on a "date" to Fiddlesticks with mom and dad. He had a blast!! Played lots of arcade games, rode bumper boats, go carts, went on a few rides, ate ice cream. Perfect night of birthday fun!

Slide Rock

We took the kids to slide rock in Sedona this past weekend. The water was COLD but it was so fun! We drove up to the cabin, outside of Flag, from there. THAT DRIVE IS GORGEOUS!!! The next day we did a little exploring in Sedona and then in Jerome, an old mining town (Billy and I had never been there). Great weekend, cool to explore new places....

Old Age...

Brooklyn is constantly asking me "Was........ invented when you were little?" (Insert things such as the telephone, cars, hairspray, blow dryers, music, etc.) and "Were you alive in.........?" (insert off the wall years like 1700, 1915, 1833, etc.) and "Were the dinosaurs still alive when you were born?" She always wants to know what was NOT invented when I was little. She knows how old I am, yet she asks these questions! in fact, if someone asks me how old I am she will answer faster than I can. It is sooo hilarious that she thinks I am that ancient! Maybe, the lady at the make up counter was on to something when she asked if I wanted to try some anti-aging cream.....

Q & A with Kids....

Funny question from a Science Q & A Session with children...

Q: What does the word "benign" mean?

A: Benign is what you will be after you are eight.

You are a keeper....

I am passing this on to all the "keepers" in my life......

I grew up with practical parents who had been frightened by the Great Depression in the 1930's. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it, before it was fashionable, or politically correct....A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barley a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, dish towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things: a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven, a hem in a dress. Things we keep. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy! All that repairing & renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there would always be more. But then my father died, and on that cold fall night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't anymore. Sometimes what we care about gets all used up and goes away....never to return. So, while we have it it's best we love it...and care for it...and fix it when it's broken...and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage...and old cars...and old friends...and children with bad report cards...and lonely neighbors...and dogs and cats with bad hips...and aging parents & grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with...Like a beloved family member, no matter how close or far away. Those are the things that make life important...people we know who enrich and bless our lives, those who participate in making precious memories with us...ALL those we love.

I think of you in this way, you are my "keepers".

Good friends are like stars...You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.