Looking Back....

As the year winds to a close the word "gratefulness" is coming to my mind a lot! I have to admit, the written journal only made it about the half of the year, but overall I think I would chalk up the year in the success column here. Part of the reason for that failure is my own slight case of OCD and my stubbornness which would NOT allow me to repeat an entry. On days it would become difficult, then I would fall behind and then the snowball effect took over:)

I see two key lessons that I feel I have learned about myself as I focused on this word throughout the year almost on a daily basis....

The first is that when situations arose that were not ideal I was much more inclined to lean toward the half full side. I found myself even trying to do this for other people as I heard about things arise in their lives too. I wanted to offer encouraging words to others and help them when I could to focus on the good things as I wanted to do that in my own life.

The second is to be more aware and thankful of the little every day things that I can so often take for granted as the day, the week, and the months move forward at such a fast pace. I want to cherish more the everyday obvious blessings that I am surrounded by.

I know that this experience will help me in the year 2010 as I focus on a new word that God has continuously laid on my heart......contentment. I look forward to all that I have to learn here and what God will show me on my new journey.

Gators and a Kroc

No, we don't have any new animals moving into Oregon that I know of....BUT we did have 3 very happy Doeren boys on Saturday when the Florida Gators got stomped by some elephants in red and white uniforms known as the Crimson Tide! I by default am an Alabama fan, I'm pretty sure if go back and listen it was in the wedding vows. I can go against Dallas and get away with it, but I don't mess with Bama! With dad home on Saturdays they have watched more college football than the NFL this year.

Now for the Kroc news...on Friday we went with Grandma Louise to the new Salem Kroc Community Center to take the boys swimming. It was her last day here after a great visit and more than anything the boys wanted to swim, so we headed out to check it out. It is a real beautiful place and after seeing the indoor water park complete with a slide, lazy river, hot tub, and swimming area; I went ahead and splurged on a punch card with 12 visits knowing the boys would want to go back!

After building up some confidence and getting to use Connor's mask, Brody started swimming for the first time! He was so sweet when he told me..."Mom, swimming is just wiggling through the water." That is exactly what he was doing and it was fantastic! Connor was SO proud telling me that the lessons he has been giving Brody in the jacuzzi tub have really paid off!

After 2 hours of swimming we got dressed and headed to the line for the rock wall! Connor and Brody had been hearing about this from some friends and I have to admit I was shocked that they both wanted to try it after seeing the size of it. Neither one of them are known to be big risk takers but they put the gear right on and got in line. As they moved forward I started to see Brody get nervous but Connor seemed excited and I was happy for him. When it was his turn, he walked right up to that wall, climbed over half way and then grabbed the rope and let the helper bring him down just like he watched the other kids do. He never wavered for a moment...he had a goal and he made it! I have to admit I was a little nervous seeing him up that high since I am slightly fearful of heights myself, but I was also proud to see him tackle something like this!

Brody went up some too and was definitely out of his comfort zone, but did great! It was a big day and a memorable one so, we decided a celebration was in order....Costco ice cream was what they asked for and a pizza which we took home!

Here are some more fun pictures. They aren't tall enough to go on the big slide....but one day I know they will! For now, they were happy here!

The lazy river was fun for both and Brody felt so independent! After a few times around with him, I let him go off on his own but kept a close eye. He wasn't going to let that inner tube get away from him!

The Number 8

This morning I was thinking a lot about the number 8. Sometimes it seems so small....

8 cents in your pocket can't buy you anything

8 dollars in your pocket can't buy you much

8 seconds goes by like the blink of an eye

8 minutes isn't much time at all

8 hours used to be a typical work day

However right now it seems so big realizing that I have been a mom for 8 years now! My baby, my first born is 8 and it is hard to beleive.

He seems to have matured overnight and 8 seems so much older than 7. I'm sure I will feel this way every year...each one seems sentimental.

We had some great birthday celebrations. This year his birthday fell the day after Thanksgiving but that is also the day that we were eating Thanksgiving dinner so we could enjoy it with Grandma Louise who is visiting from St. Louis. So, once again Connor was flexible and we had his pizza dinner wish along with a cake and ice cream celebration on Saturday. Daddy did the cake again and made Connor a football cake which he loved!

On his birthday morning I of course had to make him his favorite breakfast..."special" Bisquick pancakes and we let him open his presents. So, really he got to celebrate over a few days! Aunt Machelle went all out and created a zoo where the animals were each turned into wrapped presents and he had one to open each day for 8 days before his birthday! It was very creative and he had as much fun as Brody did with his!

He also got a Webkinz from his brother, a lot of books, a pillow pet and raked in the dough too!

It was a special time celebrating a special day for a special boy who is loved by so many!