She's ALIVE!!!!

Ok...... So, it's been awhile.....almost 2 years since I have posted.  SO, here is catch up blog!  Read closely, there is a test at the end. ;-)

We are all healthy, happy, and well, HOT!  Let me explain.

In January of 2011, Jeff got a job in ARIZONA as a flight instructor. We were really excited for him because this means that he will be building flight time quickly AND getting PAID for it!  You can imagine our  excitement since we have paid through the nose for his training.  SO, we packed up and shipped out to the Land of the Sun.

We live in a small town called Anthem.  We really like it here.  Although the Summer temperatures reach up near 110 degrees, we are still cooler than they are further south, so we don't mind.  Most of the time, it stays around 105.  I know that SOUNDS hot, but it really isn't too bad. (Says the girl sitting in the air conditioned house...) Anthem has a ton of little parks with splash pads and a HUGE community park that has a TRAIN! We also have a community center with a pool, water park, rock wall, gym and classes.  The community is really close and that makes it a great place to live.  Of course, it does have it's downside.  We have to deal with scorpions, roaches (huge ones,)  bunnies, coyote, lizards, javalina, bobcats, and snakes (although I haven't seen any snakes yet.....knock on wood.)  All in all, we don't have to deal with those things too often.

Jeff really likes his job, but he struggles a little with the decision to further his career.  He would eventually like to fly for a charter company or a corporation (he thinks.)  But HOW to get there is what he struggles with.  I will save you the details, but know that there are about a hundred different pathways to get him there, and they all suck in some way or another!  LOL!  But, the rest of us just sort of sit here and go along with the flow. He is also the 2nd counselor in the Young Men's Presidency and the Scout Master.  Although this requires a lot of organization (not his forte,)  he is enjoying it and has Scout Camp THIS WEEK!

I am teaching voice lessons and have filled my studio.  HOORAY!  I still enjoy it, and love seeing the change in my students.  I used to work online for a company called Butler Hill, but I decided that it was too much to do both that AND voice lessons, so I quit the online job.  This came at an opportune time since they were starting to let ADULT websites through in the judging. *slap the forehead!* I have also started selling a product called Protandim.  I sort of became a distributor on accident.  Long story short, I started taking it to see if it would give me more energy and perhaps help out my hormones, anxiety, and other areas of insecurity and strain that I have.  After a couple of months without an anxiety attack, I was telling EVERYONE about it!  Annoyingly so!  I decided to help out some friends and put in a big order that turned out to be enough to purchase the distributor starter package.  Bing, bang, boom, I was a distributor!  That has been awesome because, although I don't make a ton of money, I get e-mails or phone calls weekly with people telling me how much better their life is after taking this.  So, that makes it worth it for me.

I am the 1st counselor in the Relief Society Presidency.  It keeps me busy, and I am learning a lot about myself that I never knew.  (Funny how callings do that to us.)  I keep telling myself that it won't be as busy in a few weeks, but I'm not sure that is true.  Either way, I enjoy the ladies that I serve with and I really like getting to know everyone in the ward.

Ethan will be in the 2nd Grade this next year.  After having some issues with the public school here, we decided to try online school for him this next year.  It will take some extra effort from me to make sure that he is getting his work done and to make sure that he gets "play days" with friends, but hopefully, he won't be so bored at school.  This is different than home school as I don't have to teach him.  He still has a teacher and a class and such, but everything is done online through a webcam, email, and interactive games and lessons. It seems pretty cool, so I will update everyone on how that is going.

Ethan will also be turning 8 in a few months.  We are teaching him about what it means to be baptized so that he can make a decision based upon knowledge and responsibility.  We are not pressuring him into baptism, but more teaching him of the principle itself.  I want him to realize the responsibility that comes with it.  So far, he hasn't decided if he wants to be baptized yet, and that is ok.  Although, he IS pretty excited about getting a set of his own scriptures if he DOES get baptized.  Ha Ha! I am confident that he will choose to be baptized AND accept the responsibility that comes with becoming a member of the church.  (Which to an 8 year old, it means that you can't color during Sacrament Meeting, you have to help fold chairs after church, you have to help mom and dad with service projects that we have, you have to help clean the church when we sign up for it, and you have to be an example ALL THE TIME, and always CHOOSE THE RIGHT!)  To be honest, it's the coloring during Sacrament Meeting that he is having issues with.

Isaac is just as energetic as ever!  He will be 5 in September and acts like he is 10!  He is pretty sure that he is the toughest kid alive. Although he misses the Kindergarten deadline by two weeks, we will be doing pre-school with him while Ethan is doing his school in the morning.  He wants to be like Ethan SO BAD, so we try to take every chance that we get to let him feel like he is on "equal" ground.  He talks with a Brooklyn accent, but we aren't too worried about it yet.  We do try to practice his "R" sounds every so often though.  Isaac and Jasper (the dog) are best frienemies! Isaac LOVES animals and is always trying to MAKE them do the things that he wants them to do.  Jasper is no exception to the rule.  Although we use our best efforts to help him be gentle, Isaac sees that as a waste since he jumps into everything head first!

We really don't live exciting lives.  Not much to tell.  I'm still trying to figure out pictures on this thing.

Cindy

Christmas Miracles!!!

Jeff is in Arizona and we are ONCE AGAIN living apart from each other. But THIS TIME, he TOOK OUR CAR!!! I am stranded, except for the sympathy of my mother who comes to take me out to eat and grocery shopping.  I am having a harder time with it this time around.  Maybe it's the holidays.  On the other hand, he LOVES his new job.  Now, if he could just find a place for us to live.  I have been worrying myself sick about money.  How are we going to pay for the move?  How are we going to pay the bills ONCE we move?  I am losing most of my students, and it will take time to get more.  With Jeff's schedule being all over the place, it makes it hard to get a job for me!  How are we going to afford Christmas this year?

As I watch my friends and family prepare for their Christmases by putting up their trees, and preparing their Black Friday lists, and even making goodies, I look around my empty NON-DECORATED house, and my heart breaks for my boys that are DYING to put up Christmas.  I just can't get to the boxes with the decorations in them!  But at night, we cuddle together, and I read them various Christmas stories while we talk about the true meaning of Christmas, all the while I am hoping that they understand why they each only get 7 little gifts under the tree.

I was feeling very sorry for myself last night as I sat in my bed surrounded by bills and talking to my husband about how we "can't afford anything" when I read a blog from a friend of mine.  This Christmas, she will be spending it with her son at St.Jude's Hospital while he is treated for a tumor on his spine.  I noticed another friend that had just posted pictures on Facebook.  She had a big beautiful smile on her face while she hugged her little girl after her dance recital.  I remembered that she lost her beautiful baby only five months ago or so. Suddenly, my tears changed from sorrow to gratitude. In all my teaching and preaching to my boys about the true meaning of Christmas, I was the one that was missing the message.  I have a beautiful family, and we are all healthy and strong spiritually and physically.

I got out of bed and turned on the Christmas music from my childhood many years ago.  I listened to the crackling music play and yearned for simpler times.  I know it sounds crazy, but somehow, whether Jeff gets to come home this Christmas or not, or whether we find a way to purchase more toys for the boys, or whether we EVER get a tree up, I will not forget this Christmas season.  It will stand as a reminder for me while I am snuggled in bed with sugarplums dancing, wishing for my Christmas Miracles,  others are out there wishing for miracles of their own, and I will stand grateful that I don't have those miracles to wish for.

Merry Christmas to all of my WONDERFUL friends and family!  YOU are my MIRACLE!

Cindy

FOR THE LOVE!!!!!

Jeff has been gone for 2 weeks!  In that time, our car was broken into, my best friends mother passed away, and I have learned how to care for an acre of land with a garden, raspberries, blackberries, apple trees, a walnut tree, pear trees, peach trees, apricot trees, a cherry tree, many flower beds, PLUS a quirky sprinkling "system."
Well, I have TRIED to learn to do this on my own.  See, the problem is, other things keep getting in the way, like- teaching lessons, potty training a 2 year old that "wants" to do his business in the potty, but only about 30% of the time, and cleaning the house.

I have yet to say that I am in my own "routine," but I can feel it coming.  People tell me that once I get used to having Jeff gone, it will be so easy that having him around will be annoying and that he will just get in my way.  The problem is, I don't want to have Jeff "in my way."  I don't want him to be annoying.  I just want him here. I want him to be a part of this family.  I want him to celebrate Isaacs birthday with us- NOT two weeks later.

Other people also keep telling me to think about what military wives have to go through.  The problem with that is THEY SIGNED UP FOR THAT!!  Being apart this long was never in OUR family plan.  I know that there are situations where couples HAVE to separate for financial purposes.  And I know that with things like Skype, and telephones, I am very fortunate.  But still, here's the thing, you can't tell me that ANY of those people WANTED to be separated.  My mother has reminded me- time and time again- that my Omi and Opa did this for two years because they HAD to financially.  All they had for communication were letters.  I can appreciate that and I empathize that situation.  Those were times when things like that were expected.  And, I wonder, what their advice would be to me today in regards to my situation.  Nevertheless, I am sick and tired of people telling me to "buck up."  No matter the situation, I don't think that ANY couple finds it easy to deal with and so until you have to deal with it on your own for longer than a week, to you I say- SHUT UP, and talk to me when you are in this situation.  AND, if you think it is helping to say things like "Oh, you'll find your groove soon." or "Think of what the pioneers had to do when they went on missions,"  or " now you know what it is like to be a single mother," it isn't!!   So, to all those out there that have absolutely NO IDEA what it is like to be apart from your spouse for an extended period of time, quit acting like it's not a big deal, or that I shouldn't be missing him as much as I do- IT BUGS!!!  Instead, say something like "wow, that must be hard.  Let me know if you need anything."  or, "I know people that have had to do that too, and it was hard for them, but let me tell you what I think made it easier for them....."  instead of making me feel bad because "other" people do this for LONGER periods of time, so WHY am I whining!!!  Whether it is 2 months or 2 years, or becoming a permanent single parent, the feeling of loss and loneliness is the same, just for different amounts of time.  And to that I say, KUDOS to those that HAVE to do it longer than I have to, because I know it is hard!  It's hard to care for a house and yard that isn't yours.  It's hard to work and try to raise kids.  It's hard to cook, clean, drive, do church callings, water the yard, care for the yard, prepare kids for school, work to earn money, and find time to shower!!!  SO, hats off to you!  I am grateful that I don't have to do it longer, but that doesn't make it easier for the amount of time that I DO have to do it.


On a brighter note, Jeff is doing well.  He really likes teaching, and already has 4 or 5 students.  His boss is also passing some students over to him over the next couple of weeks so hopefully, by the end of the month, Jeff should have 10-12 students.  That should be good to help him make it through the winter months when business is slow.  I have purchased tickets to go out at the end of August so that we can check out some places to live, talk to people in the ward about schools and other stuff,  and all around just  see if we would like to live there.  I will only be there for 2 days, so they will be packed full, but hopefully, we will come out of it with a better idea of what our options are.  By then, we will know how much we can expect financially from Jeff, and we can send out flyers to start drumming up voice students for me.  My goal is to have 3 students BEFORE we move out there just ready to start right up.  Both Jeff and I feel good about the prospect of moving out there, we just feel that it is a timing thing.  Jeff says that they are working on a contract with a school that teaches aviation, and that would bring in a lot more students.  PLUS they are working to become a Part 141 flight school (which is just a little more recognized.)  If that is the case, Jeff would be hired on as an  Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, and would get a base pay salary PLUS an hourly wage for teaching time.  Things are looking great, and we hope that they progress fast so that we can once again bring our little family together.

WHAT a WEEK!!

We have had quite the past week!  On Monday, I was asked to sing the National Anthem for the Rita Moreno concert that was taking place on Saturday.  I accepted, and was pretty excited to meet her.  


On Wednesday, Jeff was offered a Flight Instructing job in Reading, Pennsylvania at New Horizons Aviation. After much deliberation, we decided to take the job.  The catch???  He had to be there on MONDAY!!!  WHOA!!!  So, we had less than a week to book a ticket, pack up his stuff, and get him on his way.  We decided to send him out there by himself to "test the waters" and see if this was a good enough job to support the family should we all decide to move out there.  2 1/2 months later, he would return and either 1) come to take us with him, 2) come home to stay because the job was terrible, or 3) come back and visit for a few days, and we would remain here until we felt that the time was right to move out there.


On Saturday, I sang the National Anthem.  I did a good job and feel that it was a good performance.  I received a lot of compliments from people in the audience.  It made me feel really good.  Rita Moreno gave me this advice before I went out to sing: "When you go out there, stand up tall, and don't do anything with your hands.  This song doesn't need it!"  After about 45 minutes of watching her and her band banter playfully, her manager try to feel important, and Ms. Moreno herself warm up vocally and do her make up (which included painting on a beauty mark,) I felt more than ready to go on stage.  I was graciously received and could only look at the flag! It was a fun moment in my life.


Sunday, we went to church where Jeff taught a lesson on having clean thoughts to the 12 year old boys, and I taught Relief Society.  After that, we were off to my sister Julie's house for a turkey dinner, and some good byes,  a stop in at Jeff's brother Jake's house, and then home to pack.  At 2:00 a.m, after family prayers, a blessing from Jeff for each member of our family, packing two suitcases, a flight bag, and a laptop bag, we were ready for bed.  I think it was at that time that it finally hit me that we were going to be apart for 2 months. We have been apart for days at a time, but never months.  On the BRIGHT side, we figure that if we can do this, we shouldn't have a problem being apart when he is an airline pilot or corporate pilot.  Nevertheless, we both silently cried ourselves to sleep hoping that the time would pass slowly.


4 1/2 hours later........BUZZ!!!!!!!  Time to get up!  We packed up the car with luggage and children and made our way to the airport.  The ride went by too fast.  There was NO TRAFFIC at all, and we breezed on in.  After some quick good bye's, the boys and I pulled away, leaving Jeff walking away from the curb.  I held back my tears long enough to get out of Jeff's sight and tried to hide them from my sweet boys to avoid a domino effect. I lost the upper hand when my 5 year old Ethan said while choking on his own tears "Mom, I don't think we can have ANY fun without daddy! I guess we will just have to save up all of our family dates until he gets home......but I just know that I am going TO MISS HIM SO MUCH!!!"  He burst into tears, I burst into tears, and Isaac sat in his car seat telling us both that it was going to be o.k, and to "look at the airplanes!" I knew I had to stop this, so I suggested to the boys that we "drown our sorrows" in some doughnuts from Tasty's....this promptly stopped all crying and we were drove the rest of the way home in silence, anxiously awaiting our "spoonful of sugar" that would heal our empty hearts.


In all of the madness that we have encountered this week, I have realized that the Lord does watch over us.  We have had MULTIPLE witnesses that this is the right choice for our family.  Everything from articles in the Ensign, to the topic of our lessons that we were to teach, to the unforgettable burning in our soul and peace in our hearts has added to our testimony that we have made the right choice. 


 I keep telling myself that other couples go through situations that are worse than ours.  They are separated by military service, or even employment that brings in much needed income.  But I can't help but think that THOSE couples aren't like US!  And although I am SURE beyond any doubt that Jeff and I could do this longer if needed, I am also SURE that we won't if we don't HAVE to.....WHO WOULD????  I know that we will do everything that we can to keep Jeff on a forward path in his career and get our family back together as soon as possible.  


Finally, the Lord has not stopped watching over me, and never will.  As I was "drowning my sorrows" in doughnuts, the phrase from an old church musical that I was once in popped into my head- "Keep your eye upon the doughnut, and NOT upon the hole!"  WELL SAID- and so I shall!

SpOrTs!!

I, Cindy, have NO CLUE how to play sports.  JEFF, got kicked off of the football team because he was a punk kid that talked back to the coach.  Combine the two of us together, and you get...... Ethan and Isaac.  Let me explain...

Ethan is VERY sensitive and analytical.  He thinks EVERYTHING through, and would MUCH rather build things with Legos and play with his trains than go outside and play ANYTHING.  Jeff and I decided that Ethan needed to learn to be a "team player."  He is so bossy and independent that we thought it would be good for him to play a TEAM sport.  Thus, accomplishing a few things 1) He learns to be a team player 2) He makes friends that are his own age 3) He "toughins" up a little.  So, yesterday, I spent some time explaining to Ethan that he was going to HAVE to play a sport.  I gave him the option of T-Ball or Soccer.  After watching a couple of youtube videos on both sports, Ethan decides that he will choose T-Ball.  WHY????  Well, in Soccer, YOU have to HIT the ball with your HEAD.  In T-Ball, you get to wear a helmet so that the BALL doesn't HIT you in the HEAD!!!  Well.....at least he thought it through.

On our way to register today, I kept asking Ethan if this was his "Final Answer."  After reassuring me that he was now excited for T-Ball, I accepted and walked into the registration office.  The nice lady at the desk asked Ethan which sport he wanted to do.  He promptly answered- T-Ball.  THEN Isaac piped in and announced that HE would be playing SOCCER!!  I explained to Isaac that he was to too little for soccer, but maybe next year.  He shouted "I! AM! NOT! TOO! LITTLE!!  WATCH!!"  Then he ran to the other end of the office, RAN really FAST (well as fast as his little legs would go) and KICKED an imaginary ball!  THEN, he did some sort of Karate moves and FELL flat on his BUM!!  Of course, he started crying, and came to mommy for comfort.  When I picked him up, he said to me.  "I am too little for soccer."  And that was that!

Now, I am off to Wal-Mart to find a glove, shoes, pants, and a T-Ball set to practice with!  Thus starts my journey as a mother of BOYS!!!

For Tiff!

I promised that I would post something today.

Here is my problem.  I have NOTHING to write about!  I could write all day on my other blog.  But I just feel like I would rather be spending the time with my kids than writing about them.  Keep in mind that I am saying this  as I look into the kitchen and see Isaac with his cereal bowl on his head screaming "ALL ABOARD!"

Here is the Irvine Family Update....

Jeff is STILL looking for a job as a Certified Flight Instructor.  His goal?  Gain more hours by teaching so that he doesn't have to PAY for them, get a BETTER job flying for a BIGGER airline, and work his way up the seniority ladder!  In the meantime, he does scenic tours around the Salt Lake Valley.

I just closed "The Wedding Singer" at Layton High where I was the Musical Director.  Over the past year, I have found a new passion for eating whole, healthy food, and jogging.  I am not very good at either one- YET, but I am getting better and learning SO MUCH!  For my birthday, Jeff got me an organic gardening book.  I can't get enough of it.  I am SO excited to plant our garden this year.  A lot of what it says we already do, but it gave us some great ideas!  You can read about my jogging adventures on my other blog.  www.marathoncindy.blogspot.com- or something like that.  In the meantime, I am also currently working on my Genie skills.  I am trying to get to the point where cross my arms, and blink my eyes and my house is clean.....hasn't happened yet.....YET!

Ethan is 5.  He is a bossy, but good older brother.  He protects Isaac, and helps him with EVERYTHING. Even if that includes helping him climb on top of the bunk bed so that he can jump off with is Batman mask and cape yelling "I can FLY!"  Ethan is VERY smart.  In fact, last night, he explained the water cycle to me.  He figured out all on his own that the water "steams" up into the sky, where the clouds hold it until they get full, then it rains or snows, and fills up our lakes and rivers, then, they take the water to the ocean- :-)  He says funny things like "Oh, I'm sorry I interrupted you mom, you were saying?"  and "As a matter of fact..."  He keeps us laughing and I can't wait to see what he tells us next!  Ethan LOVES Batman and trains.  He can tell you everything about both!

Isaac wants to be grown up SO BAD!  He thinks that he can do EVERYTHING that Ethan can do- and then some. He is constantly trying to show us how tough he is.  He loves batman and trains because his older brother does.  He jumps, runs, climbs, and throws!  He is also the one that tests the limits.  This morning, he pinched me.  I pinched him back and told him that I would do it harder if he kept trying to pinch me.  I also informed him that a "time out" would soon follow.  With no trace of tears, he looked me right in the eyes, and slowly brought out his thumb and forefinger to pinch again.  I said "no"....he backed off- a little.  Then started up again...I said "NO" .....he backed off again.  Finally, the third attempt.  I showed him MY thumb and forefinger and said " Go ahead- pinch me. See what happens."  He backed off and found a toy to play with.  EVERYDAY is a constant struggle of authority.  And, I am sorry to say, that there are days that he wins!

We are house-sitting for Jeff's parents while the serve there SECOND mission.  It really is a blessing to be here, but I must admit that I REALLY want my own home.  I think I want Jeff to get that job more than HE wants the job!

To Tiffany- I always keep my promises!  I will try to get better at this.  I just have to think of things to post!

Living my Life

My father is just how you imagine "fathers" to be. He takes care of his family, calls his kids every so often to check up on us, and still lectures us- even when we don't want to hear it. He is a father by every sense of the word. When we are together, he pulls the "dad" card. He hugs, laughs, teases, and LOVES us. He works hard, worries about the economy, and volunteers his time in the community. I would say that for the most part, he is very happy and complete.

But every year, for his birthday, he rents a Harley for the weekend and just drives. He loves it. I suppose some would call it "mid-life crisis" but as we celebrated another year with him, I realized that this is a chance for my dad to be "free." For one weekend, he calls the shots. He drives in the mountains, acts as old as his spirit feels, and breathes. There are no sales calls, no demands, NO KIDS, and no responsibilities. It's just him, his girl, and his bike! He is living life!!

As with everything in life, there are two parts to every story. The other part of this one, is my mother. My mom, works hard to earn the money that helps her and my dad maintain the lifestyle to which they have grown accustomed....or that is what I used to think. I have since come to realize, that my mom works so that she can play. Because of her, they will have extra money for retirement and possibly that "mission" that she wants to go on. They will have money for Disneyland and Disneyworld. They get to have fun. My mom- never worries about things that she has no control over. She worries about the things that are here right now. My moms day can completely change with a phone call from a child or friend. She is a caring mother and wife, and plays "therapist" very well. She is doting Omi and mother. And is loved by most everyone that meets her. She find solice in the ocean and rythem of the waves. Her life is full and complete. I still think she is the happiest when she is holding tight to my dads waist, riding that Harley. A perfect setting for her would be riding the Harley on the beach by the ocean- she would do it in a heartbeat. Why? Because at that moment, both her and my dad would be living life. Her man would be happy, she would be happy, the roar of the bike and the smell of the ocean would make life feel complete.

When you put my parents together, you get interesting results....lets call them Julie, Cindy, and Paul.

Julie- I have learned a lot by watching my sister. Julie takes chances like she has nothing to lose. She is sometimes doing so much of what she wants that I wonder if she is too busy. She ALWAYS has some sort of project going on. She takes all of her "wants" and turns them into "needs." And somehow, it always works out for her. Her life is a life made for sharing. And she does. Her home (and pool) is open to any person, child, or animal that needs it. She has 4 kids, 2 dogs, 1 bird, 1 bunny, 5 chicken eggs ready to hatch, a pool, a large home, a minivan, a truck, and a wonderful husband. Her life is full and complete and she shares every second of it. She is happy.

Paul is a good mix between my parents. His life is full of laughter and for the most part, he glides through it. There are the occasional stress out modes- usually when he has deemed something as REALLY IMPORTANT. He doesn't waste time worrying about things he can't do anything about, but will spend time worrying about what he is going to do with the things he CAN do something about. He is very focused on his life and the things that are a part of it- namely, God, wife, child, work, play (the latest electronic phenomenon) . His focus brings him success and I believe happiness. I tease him about being self- absorbed, but for the most part- he has his priorities right where they need to be. Paul, like Julie, will decide that he NEEDS something and will obsess over it until he has figured out a way to get it. He is like me, where he will carefully plan it out and make sure that the decision is safe to make. Like dad, he will analyze the decision from every angle. Finally, like mom, he takes the leap. Paul is happiest when order is in his life. Himself, and those most important to him are safe and secure in the gospel, in their relationships, and therefore, in their lives.

I am similar to my dad. I worry- A LOT. I am ultra conservative in financial decisions, and actually in most of my decisions. I work hard, trying to please everyone. I am mother, wife, musical director (for free) and voice teacher! Still, watching my dad last night, I saw more than I expected and some things struck me. Six months ago or so, my dad told Jeff and I that we needed to relax and take more chances. I think that I "loosened" up a bit after that. However, last night, I realized that he is right. Jeff and I talked last night about taking chances, and living life. We are now going to ride our Harley, swim in the ocean, share our life with those that want to be a part of it, and focus on what is important.

When I die, I want to be in Heaven. Well, heaven won't be heaven without my family. First off, Jeff and I have committed ourselves to continue to live the gospel to its fullest. Next, we are committed to each other. We believe that if our eyes are both single to Gods glory, we will both be headed in the same direction. We decided to KNOW our boys. To spend time with them, and make sure that they know that they are loved by us and their Heavenly Father. We will surround ourselves with as much family and friends as we can, and last but not least, we will TAKE CHANCES for the chance to obtain those things that we desire most- which is to be complete and fulfilled physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Some of our endeavors may fail....some of our endeavors have already failed, but we are still here. We are still walking, and now we are going to live. No worries. No stress. No limits. Just love, work, and fun.

A life lived in fear is a life half lived. We get one life on earth and I am going to live it! Thanks Dad, Mom, Julie, and Paul. I now know why I chose this amazing family.