Double Digits - Happy Birthday

It is hard to believe that our double trouble will hit double digits on Monday. The past 10 years have been filled with joy, happiness, tears, sadness, raw emotions... some of which I am not even sure we are aware we are having.

A few weeks ago, thanks to Casey Cares Foundation, we went to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus "The Dragons". The characteristics of the dragons are strength, courage, wisdom and heart. Sitting next Becca and watching Brian and Ian in the accessible seats in front of us, looking up at the signs with the words running across them....I thought...that is my family.

• Strength: the quality or state of being strong; a strong attribute or inherent asset.
• Courage: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
• Wisdom: knowledge, insight, judgment. generally accepted belief.
• Heart: personality, generous disposition; compassion, love affection, courage; one's innermost character, feelings, or inclinations.

We have all of those characteristics plus some....when you see us out, we usually have smiles on our faces and make things seem easy. Even in the house, most of the time, that is still the case...but we do have our times when the smiles are not on our faces and things are not easy. We may not always do things the way others would do them or handle them the best way....we yell at each other, get frustrated with each other and sometimes say things we later regret and don’t mean. We try to handle everything the best way we can...again not everyone is going to think the way we are handling things is right or the way they would do it...but it is our way.

April 22, 2003 at 12:29pm and 12:30pm, our lives were changed forever, we joined all the others in the world who are blessed to be called parents...mommy/daddy, mama/dada, mom/dad...does it matter what you are called.  On that day, our journey began. As with anything in life, Brian and I had no idea what our journey was going to become, not only to us but to many others. Both kids have endured many things most don't in their lives, as parents we want to protect our kids; only want them to experience the happy and good...but we all know that is not possible, part of life, growing and learning is to experience all things. We can't put them in a bubble so nothing happens to them, I am sure all of us would be doing that if we could. Knowing this, we have taken each day as it comes with each part of our journey as it comes....Becca and Ian have brought much joy to us, they shine in everything they do, they love each other more then they will admit (especially to their friends) and are each others best friends. We celebrate them today and every day...