If ever there were a real-life princess, her name would be Avery Cait. Not because of the kingdom of riches and worldly treasures a princess accumulates; no, a real princess is royal at heart. She loves unconditionally, speaks gently, serves others, strives to be the best she can be, shines her bright light of love on others and is always an example of true charity and love. And I, well, yes, I am blessed to be the aunt of such a royal beauty. Avery Cait, may you always, always, be true to yourself and know that you are truly a princess. I love and adore you so much more than you will ever know and it is my joy in life to be your aunt. Happy 10th Birthday! Love you to pieces!
I spent the Halloween weekend in Montana visiting my sister and the kids. We tried to get a decent photo of the five kids together, but as you can see from the photo, it's impossible to get five kids to all smile and look in the same direction at the same time. Oh well. One of my favorite things was capturing this moment with Avery and the pumpkin she had carved for me. I love her sweet expression here, not only on her face, but her expression of love for her aunt with the ribbon carved into the pumpkin.
I know life hands each of us challenges each day and sometimes it's easier to get absorbed in our own troubles and trials. But I have to wonder, no, I have to testify to you, that if we step outside our own trials even for just a moment, and focus our attention on showing love to someone else, we will be enormously blessed. Focus your heart on someone else...and watch how the love warms your heart.
Two months ago, my friend Ann-Christel and I finally found a weekend to put on the calendar as our Apple Hill weekend in Sacramento. She and the kids (Aubrey and Brayden) drove to Sac and we spent Friday afternoon at The Grace Foundation visiting the horses and animals. The kids had a great time! Went out to dinner, then baths and bedtime. First thing Brayden said in the morning was, "Where's Cheri?!"
Saturday morning we headed to Apple Hill and boy did we have fun. I loved seeing the expression on the kids' faces as they picked apples, checked out the pumpkins, rode the horse, tried to scare me in the hay maze, rolling down the grass hill, eating their candy apples, etc.
The time flew by much too quickly and my heart was a little sad as I said goodbye to my friends as they headed home. But as I look over the photos from our time together, I see that the kids were smiling and happy and having a terrific time. And while I may have failed in other areas of my life, I know this much. I've made a positive difference in the lives of some very special children and that is one of my happiest thoughts.
The last time I visited Portland, Oregon was in 1996 for my best friend's wedding. Well, it only took me 14 years, but I finally made it back to Portland for a visit.
Marnie and I met in 1994 while attending college in Utah. We became inseparable and did everything together for two years. I knew immediately I was blessed to have her in my life as she made me laugh and try new things (like an all day horse-back, cattle herding adventure in the middle of nowhere Idaho). See the picture of us above right taken in Fairview, Utah for just how young we looked! We spent a month together in San Diego before I got married and had a wonderful time. Marnie married Thane, a neighbor and friend from our college apartment complex and while I never thought anyone would be good enough for Marnie, Thane came pretty darn close. He and Marnie have a wonderful family of four young children, whom I already adore and claim as nieces and nephews.
So this weekend, on my first visit back to Portland since their wedding, I had an incredible time reconnecting with my friend. We watched movies, toured Portland, went for a trail hike, had pizza, watched football, visited with her horses, played with the kids, experienced VooDoo donuts (it's a Portland thing), made mint-chip ice cream (our fav). And while it had been 14 years since my last visit, being reconnected with my friend felt like not a minute had passed. Love you, Mo. (And Thane. And Ethan. And Emma. And Braxton. And Lydia. And Domino. And, well, maybe even the frog, too!)
Sweet Marshall Cyrus turns 6 years old today. Happy Birthday, buddy!
Marshall, I've watched you grow and learn and become such a sweet, strong and wonderful little boy. I love being your aunt and love spending time with you. You make me smile with your sense of humor and observations about the world (like the waps aka wasps). I know this past year I missed a lot of time with you, but it was only because I needed to get healthy enough so I could be with you for many years to come. I love you so much more than you will ever know and I can't wait to watch you grow into the amazing man I know you'll become! Happy Birthday!
I turned 36 years old this morning. And while I don't like the attention my birthday brings, this year, I am happy to celebrate. Happy to celebrate being alive and having beat cancer...being alive to see the loves of my life (my 8 nieces and nephews) grow each day...being with my friends and their kids who love me...being a part of the lives of my friends and knowing that I can make a difference in their lives...being able to enjoy the simple joys in life that so many of us often take for granted (food, shelter, warmth, security)...being able to feel the love of my sisters and my mom each day as I hear their voices on the phone...being able to walk in the survivor lap of the Relay for Life next to a great friend and co-survivor...being able to celebrate another birthday. Truly, so many reasons to celebrate. Every day is someone's birthday...celebrate 'em all!
