10 years!

So I've been trying to figure this out. Is life like a roller coaster? Not sure. I get the ups and downs and turns, but I just don't think it fits. A maze maybe? But that may say that you're constantly searching for the "right way" to go in order to find an escape.
I want to say that the past 10 years have been...crazy?...dizzying?...educational?...amazing? A hike! I guess it's a hike. A hike through mountains. Canyons. Across oceans. Noisy, stinky cities. There are many paths. Some paths go through mud. Some water, floating on a cushion. Some flip you upside-down, not sure how you'll ever recover. But you have to keep moving forward. Backwards is no good. You have to help each other. No matter the cost. One may be the better swimmer, one the stronger climber. You learn from each other. You learn to be patient. You give and you take. And you grow.
Then you have kids to take on this hike. And they take the adventure to a whole other level. They complain, they argue, they take more and more when you feel you have absolutely nothing left to give. Fortunately, they also bring joy and pride. They teach you. They make you a better person. One you never imagined you could be.
Isn't it great!

















I am so blessed to have you. Everyday I feel like I don't deserve you. I wonder why you chose me. Yes, I have self-esteem issues. You are my constant reminder that I am worthy and loved. Even when I think you over-do your affection or I feel awkward and undeserving, my heart smiles. It still skips a beat whenever I see you walk into a room.


















Thanks for being my rock. My sure place. My everything. My love.
Here's to the first 10 and a zillion more!
Imagine if I get a little better every year, how amazing I could be in that amount of time!

8...when did that happen?

It's another milestone. One that kind of snuck up on me. Not sure I'm ready to have an 8-year-old around here. It's like he's crossed over in upper-childhood. Cub Scouts. Baptism. It's a big deal for this kid!
Good thing he makes it look good!

Dillan has been crazy busy this spring playing baseball AND soccer. He's been going a thousand miles/hour, and trying to finish up 2nd grade. His soccer team finished with an 8-0 record and he made the All-Star team. He's definitely become quite the soccer player. I believe he has found his spark. I'm glad that he tried a lot of different sports, but it became obvious last fall that soccer was IT for him.

 This month is crazy busy with school projects, baseball playoffs, soccer finished up - now AllStars, cub scouts, preparing for baptism, a birthday party, and trying to fit in Disneyland before summer blackouts!

This year for his birthday, he didn't ask for any toys. He really just wanted a party. Chris came up with a great gift, though. A telescope. Genius! Dillan couldn't believe it. At the beginning of the school year, his school put on a star gazing night with a group from the local planetarium that brought in 10 huge telescopes to the blacktop. Dillan loved hearing about constellations, planets, and shooting stars. Once he saw the telescope, all he wants to do is go out and look at the sky. I also found a puzzle game for his DS and a little propeller car he has to build himself. Kind of a science/learning theme. Grandma and Papa gave him Super Smash Bros. for the Wii. He beat all of us easily.

On his birthday he got to attend his first cub meeting. It was at the park just down the street from our house! Before he left he asked, "Mom, so today at cub scouts, it's just practice right?" "And Cody's mom is our coach?" Not sure how to explain scouts to him, he expected it to be like a team. Once he got home, I asked him how it was. His response: AWESOME! He loved everything about it. They got to run around and do races, read from their book, and had a snack.

Dillan, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and the young man you have become. You are learning to make good choices and how to be a hard worker. We love watching you play soccer and hearing about all your successes at school. You have become a great writer and artist this year. You are also the greatest big brother to Leah and Drew and are a great example to them. We are so proud of your decision to be baptized and follow Jesus. We love you more than we can say!
Love,
Mom and Dad