BITTERSWEET

Wow! I'm really terrible at this blogging thing. I haven't posted for about 3 wks!! Crazy! That's how my life has been lately...CRAZY busy. Since I've been such the slacker I will update.

Yesterday was Duncan's last day of kindergarten. I am now the mother of a 1st grader!!! I think I shed more tears of pride yesterday than I did on that first day when I sent him off looking so little on that big bus. I was sad when I turned 30 this year, it got worse when Duncan turned 6, and then even worse when Danicka turned 1...AND NOW THIS!!! I can't believe how big my "little" man is getting. I can't believe how fast time has flown. The other night he sat on his bed and read an entire book to me w/out hardly any help. As he sat there sounding out words about Arthur and D.W. going to the dentist I watched his face and his concentration and you could see how proud he was of himself when he got the word right. I cried. I cried a little because I was sad he was growing up so fast but I cry mostly because I am SO ENTIRELY PROUD of my Duncan!!! Mama loves you son!!! Keep up all of the good work!!!

This past Saturday May 30th we had a benfit for my father-in-law who was diagnosed w/ esophageal cancer last November. It was a wonderful event to help raise money for all of the medical expenses but also an event to celebrate him, his fight, and his life. 490 people came through that place that day! 490 family and friends and friends of friends blessed us w/ their presence and their donations. You know, Marty was nervous the whole afternoon before we got there. Worried about how things would end up, who would show up, would people get too emotional. The unknown kind of scared him I think (although he would kill me for using that word in reference to him). He worried for nothing (well, except the emotional part...I did get emotional). When you see that many people come out in support it really opens your eyes and lifts your heart. It was amazing. I want to thank all of the people who put forth efforts to come out and help our family. EVERY single person who took the time to come out to the benefit, anyone who donated anything to the cause. All of the people who volunteered their time to prepare the evening and to make sure the evening ran smooth. Anyone who did anything. I...WE thank you all. This is one of the hardest situations and to see that so many people care enough to come out and support and TRY to make things better...there aren't words...

On about the same note, last week we (Marty, Duncan, and I) were all crammed in the bathroom trying to figure out how to fix the shower knob that Duncan "didn't" break. It was about 9:00 and I hear a knock at the door. Odd. Nobody knocks when they come to my house. I go to the door and it was my cousin. I was shocked, surprised, and then a little worried that someone (eh hem...shane) had gotten themselves in some sort of a "bind". Nothing of the sort. He was there to inform us that Marty's dads' name was turned in 13 times to be part of the anual golf tournement that my cousin puts on for people who are sick w/ cancer. He was there to ask us to get his dads permission and to accept the invitation. What a glorious compliment. Of course, the invitation was accepted and here in a couple of weeks we will have yet another reason to be so thankful.