The Big 7

I am amazed at how quickly the year passes. I shouldn't be, it happens all the time. But when I made the cake and put a 7 on it, I shook my head, once again, at the realization that he is 7.

He really wanted the real tractor, but that will have to be a birthday down the road.

He has already learned that getting this is a good thing!
Lexy knows the value of a gift card! After explaining the process to Dawson, he is excited to try it out.


He's a little leary of the smoke from the candles and setting off the smoke detector. Yikes, wait until you have 15 candles on the cake!

He has already checked the weather for next week, and if they are right, Dawson should be in our driveway on Wednesday, earning a few dollars and using his best present. Oh to be a 7 year old boy!
Happy Birthday, Dawson! I hope you always are as happy as you are today.

A New Year

As 2011 slips away, I look forward to 2012 with open eyes, and a thirst for some changes. Not all change is good, as I just returned from a funeral of a class mate. That is one change that I could have foregone, if she was healthy. Changes in my health would be a good change, assuming I am making the changes and not dealing with a change that I have no control over. Changes in my grandchildren would be a good change, as they grow, and learn more and more. I still am taken by surprise sometimes by how much I love them, unconditionally, and will- always. Changes in how I spend time with the love of my life, a bit more adventurous. We have so much to see and do, I just want to try and do all that I can. She was only 55, she won't see the changes in her children, or ever see her grandchildren, or how her classmates grow old gracefully. I feel like I have a chance, that she didn't have. A chance to make virtual check marks on my "list" and to make more memories every day. She was inspiring, dedicated, brave, courageous. I feel inspired.