Falling together.

 Since February, it seemed like we were grasping for anything that felt "normal". I would have killed (or severely injured) to see Mark watching TV, sitting back having a frosty Mt Dew or working in the garage. It's funny, before February, I would get frustrated that Mark was working in the garage late into the night after working a long day. How the tables had turned- I wanted nothing more than a greasy, gas smelling husband to make me feel like he was coming back.

Mark started talking about a track day- YES!  I saw him working in the garage and feeling confident as he took his bike apart and reassembled the pieces. It made me cry. It made me happy to see my husband doing something he loved.

He went and raced at the track. All through therapy, the track has been his happy place- not a sandy beach but wearing leather and a helmet, hugging the curves of race track on his bike. It made my heart sing. It also pulled me through a relapse of sorts- that ONE good day made me realize that Mark is still in there, fighting every day to get back to BETTER.

No mere mortal can resist

Thriller is something I am excited to see in October! I LOVE it! I was excited to take Mc this year. She wasn't so sure and was a little hesitant (cried HUGE tears right when the lights went out) but as the dancing began, she too was excited to be there. She was on the edge of her seat the entire time and hugged Fluffy (the birthday cat) the whole show. We had a blast! Love spending time with my Lady Posse. 

Mc and Maddie with the zombies

Dinner with the Lindquist Ladies.

7even

When you hold that teensie baby in your arms for the first time you can only imagine what a 7 year old will be like. Two years old seemed like an eternity away and 7, unfathomable. Seven just seemed so much bigger than six and to think, you are getting baptized next year! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MCKINLEY!

My darling 7 year old! You are everything I hoped you would be. Beautiful, kind, sensitive, friendly, skilled with drawing, making people feel welcome, giving hugs, excelling in reading and Math and you make the world a better place. Stats: 59 lbs (80%) and 48 inches (63%)

Your birthday (more like Birthmonth) was full of gifts and celebrating.  You woke up to an electric scooter that made the day! You were SO excited to ride it! Lucky you, your birthday will fall on UEA weekend- no school on your birthday this year! We went to Thanksgiving Point with friends (twice), Boondocks with Brynlee and Auntie Bree ( you got a free $20 pass- everything F R E E)- you rode solo in the go carts for the first time! Cat cake, cat shirt, cat Build a Bear (thanks, Thomases), cat wrapping, cats, cats, cats. We have been reading "Matilda" and you were excited to get more Roald Dahl books from Grandma Mary Ann. 

My big girl! We love you so much! You're special. You're you. So glad you are ours. 

My big First grader! 

Build a Bear- meet Fluffly our $50 stuffed cat. 

Darling and delicious Kitty Cat- my sweet friend Kelli made this for Mc. 

Williamson party! 

My 7 year old cheerleader!