A Son Is....

It's 4 am and I just finished baking a birthday cake. I love this quiet time to catch up, to reflect, to pray.

Tonight, I am catching up and preparing for my oldest son's birthday celebration. It will be a busy day of celebrating with our family...celebrate his life we will. I can remember his birth like it was yesterday. Sweet Michael, we love you and are so proud of you. Watching you grow, and moments spent with you are pure joy. I love watching you build legos, shoot hoops, draw a picture, play soccer, love your brothers and sister, read a book and explore the world around you. I appreciate and applaud your organization because you certainly didn't get that from me. My heart is filled to the top with love for you! For you I wish this...

A son is...
a baby who is wished wondrous love;
a child who is wished endless joy;
a boy who is wished understanding and ever-widening circles of knowledge and friendship.

a teenager who is wished strength in any surroundings, courage in every circumstance, and a recognition of the wonders that await his tomorrows.

and a man, with paths to walk, with bridges to cross, with mountains to climb.

A son is an amazing combination of all of these things, and he's quietly thanked everyday of his life, for the priceless joy he brings. - Douglas Pagels

We love you son! Happy 8th Birthday!!!!

Pictures are once again taken by wonderful Nellie...see www.nellie-photography.com

Lucky

Jason Mraz in the song "Lucky" says it best,

"I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend."

My husband and I celebrated our 12th anniversary yesterday.

I'M LUCKY!

A Whole Hand

Today, my precious curly headed, sweet heart turns 5...a whole hand!!!

He has the whole day planned starting at 6 a.m. with donuts, followed by opening presents immediately after.

For lunch, we will dine on Buffalo Wild Wings and celebrate his birth with Culver's ice cream cake and singing. We have to play a pokemon game and wack the ever anticipated pinata.

Following all of the excitement, our birthday boy then wants to go to the pool and enjoy pool time with our family.

When we get home he wants Daddy to cook yummy Barbeque ribs while he and his siblings take in all the new birthday "loot."

I celebrate my precious son, his tender heart, his all boy approach to life, his talents, his sweet curly hair, tender hugs, gruff voice, endearing giggle, and hugs that feel like he will never let go....

Let go, I never totally will, and have tried my best to take snapshots of these precious first five years. I pray for his life, for his future that he will live life to the fullest, be spared deep heart ache, and know true love and what it feels like to have a son as special as he is to our family. I pray that he will seek God for all things and fulfill his Destiny...We love you son!

The Race

Love being a part of such a cause!

Faith

Faith is making yesterday a stepping stone, today a new beginning, tomorrow a limitless possibility...

I am very thankful for and humbled by the people who have expressed their faith and support of Marigold!!!
It is exciting to watch the new beginnings and limitless possibilities unfold.

This week the Marigold story aired on our local news.. I was nervous and excited and humbled all at the same time. The story could not have been told without my two warrior girlfriends being present to help tell the story.

Thank you Gina and Pam and Jen and Lisa for your expressions of faith. Blessings to you ladies!

New photos...

Last week, I had such fun with Nellie -photographer extraordinaire- and lots of beautiful women of all ages! I appreciate all the work and effort by all to make this latest photo shoot so special. Stay tuned for great new photos to be featured on the website. Mini marigolds are also in bloom and will be available for the first time....little ladies no longer have to raid their mom's Marigold closet.

Stay tuned for more of Marigold!!!

Love this LIfe...

A friend sent me these inspiring words in the mail last week. I couldn't help sharing...

Love this Life...
is about celebrating the moment
and we're not guaranteed
or owed another day
and how cool it is that what we hide
can actually be the fuel towards our glory
and that it's not so bad being proven wrong

Love this Life...
is about welcoming the blind turn
and the possibility that
there's no such thing as coincidence
and that empathy is incredibly sexy
and that it's never too late
to pick up a guitar or paintbrush
or to make an amend or to make a new friend

Love this Life....
could be about rekindling a past flame or igniting a new one
or shape shifting the caress of a love long gone

Love this Life...
means whatever it is you want it to mean
because

Love this Life...
is a celebration of you and your path

Love this Life...
cuz it could go at any second

by David Culiner

Thanks for sharing Jen!!!