Fall in Montana

I love to visit Montana in the fall! Big Sky country really does have a lot to offer in terms of nature and peace. Besides, I get to visit my sister, brother in law, the kids and friends. This past weekend I spent in Billings and enjoyed shopping, eating out, devouring Caren's home-made food, cuddling with the kids and just being in one of my "happy places". 

As is annual tradition, I took on the assignment of getting "the perfect picture" for the McLane Family. Oddly enough, I think I managed to succeed! Here are some of the photos from our photo shoot. Am I a lucky aunt or what?!

Andrew - 16, Junior

Mitchell - 14, Freshman

Avery Cait - 11, Sixth Grade

Callum - 9, Third Grade

Bronwyn - 7, Second Grade

The McLane Family

That's me surrounded by five of my favorite kids in the world!

 

Phoenix Fun!

I was fortunate to be able to spend this past weekend in Phoenix with my sister (Cheryl) and her family (husband Kyle and boys Marshall, Carson and Charlie). Marshall recently turned eight years old and was going to be baptized. I am 5-5 thus far in attending niece/nephew baptisms... three more to go and I WILL make sure I'm in attendance for them all!

Hardest part about these visits is the goodbye, especially to Carson. At six years old, he is the most attached to me of any of the eight kids. He cries and cries when I leave and I fear this isn't going to be getting any easier as time goes on. In fact, it seems to be getting more difficult for him, and therefore, for me! I woke him at 4:45am to say goodbye (as I had promised to do). I gave him my special pink bracelet so he'd have me close. I thought he'd be okay, but come to find out from my sister a few hours later, Carson was sobbing at 5am saying how much he missed me. (Can you hear my heart shattering?)

I will see them all soon in San Diego for Thanksgiving and that excitement is getting me through the days. Looking forward to some hugs, pictures, beach and great memories!

Tried to get a decent photo of the boys and me ... hmmm.

Perhaps my favorite all time photo...how I adore that Carson!

Can't believe Marshall is old enough to do this! Such a stud at 8!

Sweet Charlie ... he insists the bike is "wed" (red) and not pink. (Truth: it's a pink hand me down bike. Sorry Charlie!)

Week of Good Times

Best part of the Expo in San Mateo - meeting & visiting with Deidre Hall!

Met Wynonna!

Tammie & I posed with new friend & warrior sister, Laura with Deidre Hall.

Getting prepared for Blues for Life - Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiser.

Modeling our turbans for another Albie Aware fundraiser (with Jill and Chloe Fox and Tammie Jones).

This past week has been incredibly busy. Thursday night I participated in a fashion show modeling turbans at an event to benefit Albie Aware. My good friends, Jill & Chloe Fox, and Tammie Jones were there with me and we met some incredible women and survivors.

Saturday, Tammie and I headed to San Mateo to attend the Women's Expo. My main reason for attending was in the hopes of meeting Wynonna Judd (keynote speaker). Wynonna is my favorite recording artist (tied with Mr. Jim Brickman, of course) and I've seen her perform in concert more than ten times. I admire a lot about Wynonna and truly just appreciate her musical talent and wit. As it turned out, I did get to meet Wynonna for all of ten seconds, time just enough for an autograph and photo. Not much interaction. 

Sometimes the greatest experiences of our lives are not the ones we plan. As Tammie and I walked into the Expo, the first booth we saw was that of Bowman Hall ... Deidre Hall! We had no idea she would be there on Saturday as she was the scheduled keynote speaker on Sunday's agenda. We were greeted by extremely kind women at the booth who told us Deidre and her best friend, Lynne, would be there very shortly. Turns out we were lucky enough to not only meet them and get autographs, but they actually talked with us and visited with us as if we'd been friends forever. These two ladies exuded class, confidence and charisma ... visiting with them was the highlight of my day and one of the greatest experiences of my life. I was reminded that "good" is everywhere ... in the friend who spends an entire day with you driving, shopping, and hoping to meet a famous hero (thanks Tammie) and also in the heart and soul of two strangers you just met but who have influenced your life for the better (Lynne, Deidre, that's you).

Today, my friend Tammie and I volunteered at the 6th Annual Blues for Life fundraiser for Albie Aware. It was just one small way we could give back after all the blessings we've received. Exhausting day, but incredibly rewarding to see so many friends, survivors and supporters of Albie Aware. I guess I'm just reminded of how incredibly fortunate and blessed I am.