26.2

My prayers are child-like at best(I'm not overly proud and normally only pray in front of Todd and the kiddos, this is not easy for me to share, be patient with me:)..."hey God, it's me again....oh wait, you probably already knew that...(giggle at myself),I often pray while I'm running, I sometimes get to go early in the morning, before the world is awake and it's quiet, which is rare in my life. It's the perfect time, and sometimes my only time to get in all that needs to be said to Him.

Many of my runs consisted of praying for a little girl named Caroline. I never met her, but she attended Aidan's school, when she was healthy enough to. She had stomach aches starting in 2007, when she was 7, Aidan's age. They found out she had a tumor that had wrapped itself around and in 5 of her organs. She was a very rare case.....She lost her fight this summer. She was a girl, a daughter, a sister, a classmate, an artist, an inspiration.

"God, I don't know why, I'm not going to pretend to understand, God, is it like you're a painter? Was she a brush stroke on your canvas? I can't make sense of what you're painting...but I have faith that it will be beautiful. Paint us as you would want us to be painted. God, thank you that I get to kiss my kids and Todd when I get home...I'm sorry that Caroline's family doesn't get to kiss her anymore. Send them little reminders of her daily....keep her fresh in their minds and in their hearts. I know I will get lazy and forget to pray for them...remind me to pray for them...they need you, I need you. I'm desperate for you (I start singing a song, very out of tune)....I don't always know what I'm supposed to pray, but show me...I'll pray it, protect my sweet family, thank you that you picked me to be their mom....(a bird lands on a branch and catches my attention) thanks for showing me that part of your picture, nature, it's amazing...how lucky am I to be here this morning, in this place, thank you for my legs to get me going in the morning...and my alarm clock,I can't believe I just thanked you for an alarm clock...(another giggle to myself)...okay, I'll catch you later...In your strong and unshakable name....Amen"

I am running the St. Jude Marathon on December 5, 2009. I am honored to be running it for Team Caroline. If you feel like you would like to donate please click HERE and thank you.

If you don't feel like you would like to donate, thank you for reading this and please pray for Caroline and her family.

With love,
tara

Kids Day Out

If you know Todd and I at all you know we work...a lot! Luckily we have never really had to put Canon and Quinn in daycare. Todd and I have worked opposite schedules to keep the kiddos home with us. Well for the past 3 years, Todd and I get to see each other for about 15 minutes in passing everyday...I come home from work, he goes, he gets home, I go, etc....We decided that it might be time for us to have a couple of hours a week together (other than at a wedding!) We found a great "Kids Day Out" and although I was nervous, Canon and Quinn had an amazing first day! Canon is a lion (insert him roaring right now, because everytime I say lion now, he roars!) and Quinn is a duck (her favorite!) Todd dropped them off and when I went to pick them up, their teachers said they wanted to keep them! I told them we were rather fond of them, but thanks for the offer. We are so excited for this program, Canon will be following a curriculum and they learn bible verses every week to go with their lessons and Quinn will go and PLAY! They will go 2 days a week, and Todd and I will get a couple of hours with each other! It's a win-win for everyone!

Get ready 2nd Grade...here comes Aidan

Aidan has almost finished his first week of second grade now.  It feels like just yesterday that I held him in my arms and he batted those big blue eyes at me.  He is SO sweet and loves school.  He was more than anxious to get started again.  We of course had to take his pictures in the cove before we left for his first day!

Quinn was not happy about Aidan leaving.....

Aidan and Malena....we are neighbors and friends and walk to school together every morning!

At his big 2nd grade desk for the first time...."mom could you stop taking pictures already?"

We know it's going to be a great year!

End of Summer

All things must come to an end.....so let's at least make it a fun ending! Aidan had 2 of his friends come over to swim the Sunday before school started. They were such boys...he is really growing up too quickly! They had a great time and Canon thinks he fits right in! Quinn was happy to sit on the sidelines blowing bubbles. We also walked up to the park and the school to find out who his teacher was, and although it was hot, it was fun to be out and playing one last time before school starts.

 

Just Because.....

Todd is often testing lighting or a new theory he has with the camera and often, we end up as subjects....I came across these and thought they were too cute to just sit on the computer!

The Bare Necessities

Meet Mowgli! Aidan just finished his last summer camp Friday. It was a theater camp and you guessed it, they performed The Jungle Book. He was originally cast as Kaa the Snake and then got bumped up to Mowgli, when the original Mowgli got strep throat! Watch out Hollywood, here comes Aidan! Malena, our neighbor and Aidan's great friend was also in it, they always have a great time together. Bravo, Aidan!