The preformer...

I know that alot of the time, it seems like I am the piss'ed off, confused, step-mom who has her heart ripped out, thrown on the floor and stomped on time and time again... but each time I pick it back up, replace the smashed thing back in my chest, and go on with life... Until the next time...
But, don't let me sway you into thinking that my step-son is the only one that does this... Nooooo... his older brother, and my 2 biological children have participated in this a time or two..... And each time I pray... God, I can't wait till they have children of there own... that's 10x the child that they have been... I'm sure one day as a grandmaw.. I WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH......
But, with that said... I do have times like this past weekend, that I couldn't be prouder of C if he were my own child.... Yes, he did ignore us AGAIN... before, during, and after his performance... Of course he did..his Mom decided to make an appearance... Anyhoo... back to being proud... C and everyone on his dance team, have worked there butts off and it showed in this being there first time competing in a Show choir competition... They ROCKED......

High School Friends

Is it just me... or does it seem that the Best Friends that you will ever have in life, the most dependable friends, the ones that were always there when you needed them... Were the friends that you had way back when...
I have been lucky that I have kept in contact with most of my girlfriends from high school.. Even though I now live a 1000 miles away.. Thanks to the internet, text messaging we are able to keep up with each others lives. And thanks to Facebook.. lately I have caught up with alot of people that I went to school with...
It's fun seeing who they married, what there children look like, what careers they chose, what they look like now.
It just brings back so many memories of a life that was carefree.. no worries, well, except was I gonna have enough time to curl my hair up in the back today.. what jeans was i gonna wear... and who's house was I gonna stay at this weekend... Life was so simple then..

Stinky shoe's

A very dear friend of mine has been "chosen" to walk in my shoes... The very shoes that I would not want my worst enemy to step foot in.. Just as I had no choice to walk in the shoes before me... my friend had no choice weather to walk in mine... luckily, my shoes are well worn, and hopefully this will make her journey just a little bit easier.... for my shoes are full of wisdom, love and comfort... and all of these I offer to you my dear friend, as you begin your journey. A journey that many brave women before you and before me have taken... so the path might be a little worn.. but it is all to make your journey a little easier.
One day we will understand and know why Breast Cancer touches some and not others....
I love you and I still miss u.... I hope my shoes don't stink too bad... Please know that I am here for you...

Winter Wonderland

The snow is deeper than my Uggs
Bosco & Bella playing... Right before Bella made a run for it..
Something is wrong with the snow blower, so Travis had to shovel





Christian shoveling the back deck
The snow is about as deep as Bella is tall
Bosco dosen't think that he is gonna venture much farther..
Dan leaving for work..


So last nite at midnight, it had started to snow a real pretty fine snow... That with the street light hitting it... well it looked like diamonds sprinkled our yard... oooh so pretty.. as long as you don't have to go out in it... The kids loved it... NO SCHOOL... they won't be lovin it at the end of the school year, when there having to make that snow day up... But, they won't think about that till May.. But, I will be thinking about it.. Every time I'm at my wits end.. I'll be thinking "at least I get an extra day before summer break begins"..
Anyhoo... here are some pics of our Winter Wonderland...

Another year older

Right where you always wanted to be... on Moms lap
I think I was saying... No you are not gonna grow up...
Dan, me and Travis
Jen & Travis
Travis's 17th b-day cake...

It was bound to happen... Even though I have tried and tried and prayed and prayed that it wouldn't happen...
My baby boy is growing up....
It seems like it was only yesterday that I gave life to this little being.. but instead... he turned 17..
At one time his little foot could fit in the palm of my hand... now that little foot wears a size 11...
It seems like it was yesterday that I held a vigil by his crib in the PICU, while he was treated for RSV... Has it really been 12 years since I cradled him in the emergency room.. because he had an accident on his bike... or 10 years since we made a bet to see who's buzzed hair style would grow the fastest... and it's been 8 years since you made my heart swell with pride, because I was the one you were asking to see when you woke up from surgery..
Please be patient with me my baby boy.. when I seem to be having a hard time accepting that your growing into a man...
I love you Bud and I hope you had a great 17th birthday....

Happy New Year....

Travis and some of his friends playing ping pong in the garage

Cory and Susie

Finally about 4:30 they all gave out..

Zac

Brooke playing Tennis on the Wii

Brooke trying to take down the ceiling fan with the Wii

Miss Susie

Me & Jenn

Aunt Tracy, Travis, Jenn

Jenn aggravating Christian

Playing Music Scene It.. or something like that.. with Tracy, me, Dan, and Sandy

Cory was the controller..

We rang in 2009 with family & friends at our home.. A great time was had by all..And even a few drinks were drank..

2008 will always hold alot of memories.. Jenn said goodbye to her high school years and Hello... to college and the beginning of her adult life..

Christian greeted high school (can you believe it.. Dan's baby.. our youngest.. has started high school) with much apprehension.. But with alot of encouragement, he is now our social butterfly and is involved in everything.. from debate, speech, and a dancing group.. and of course he is still involved in youth group at church...

As for Travis... (my baby)... he turned 16 in 2008 and became a licensed driver... and bought his 1st car.. and had a great junior season in football..

And Dan had a great year in his chosen sports.. He got his first ever "hole in one" at the Amana golf course and won many great prizes, that we will be taking advantage of pretty soon.. And if that wasn't enough... Dan bowled his first ever 300 game this past summer... and that's about all he can handle in one year...

As for myself... I celebrated my 40th birthday.. and 2008 brought me another cancer free year... with that.. what more can I ask for...

2008 also saw Dan & I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary.. and I thank god that I am still with my "best friend"...

2008 also holds a few things that we would like to leave in 2008...

Jenn had her first car accident

Christian had his first heart break...

Travis experienced a losing football season..

Aaron is realizing that you can't go far without graduating high school ( life lessons are so hard to learn sometimes.. ) but he will succeed in 2009...

Dan's store has struggled in sales all year...

And I had 2 different surgeries this year... But thankfully I was able to have my Mom here both times..

We still experienced alot of finical difficulties in 2008.. my daycare is so unpredictable..

But good or bad... 2008 in now behind.. so I hope & pray that 2009 holds nothing but great things for our family and yours...