bravest. courageous. heroes i have veiwed a few episodes and specials that have been airing lately and have shed many many tears in doing so. i wonder to myself 'why am i doing this' and i answer it by saying 'i would want others to hear my story and cry with me.'

i feel a real surge of pain for all those families who have lost a loved one in this tragic event and am in complete awe of those brave men and women who charged TOWARD rather than away the catastophe and fires. who RAN up those flights of stairs rather than down. all in the name of sacrifice, bravery, compassion, duty, and real true heroism.

God Bless.

out with the old...light:

in with the new....light:

isnt it pretty:)

Big thanks to one of the nicest and most gorgeous families I know...

THE HANNEMANS!

Thank you so much. Im sure because we now have this beautiful light in our kitchen, we received over the weekend a...DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

A FULL.PRICE.OFFER ON OUR HOME!!!

(granted they are getting it at an unimaginable price...$62/sq.ft)

Its been accepted...now we'll just see if it really happens:)

Look what I pulled from my garden.

Thought it looked like an interesting weed....

FAR FROM!

Mmmmmmm.

WATCH OUT PRESCHOOL

HERE I COME!

What a big day for this little guy. He was so excited right up until I had to say good-bye...then he got a little nervous and clutched a little tighter to my hand.

I led him to the teacher, Miss Karen, who is so awesome, and told Evan she knows some secret toys he can play with.

He jumped from my arm to hers...and off they went.

What a joy.

It was hard for me to leave though. I stood outside the door just to wait and see if he would turn his head one last time looking for mommy. He did. So I waved. Then he waved with his brave but nervous grin. And THATS where I almost cracked...but I didn't. I walked back to the car hand in hand with my little Mayci. Met up with Becca. And enjoyed the most delicous MiMi's Cafe breakfast ever.

It was a grand day. And Evan cant stop asking when he gets to go to school again.

My sweet little Raegan is feeling the effects of her dad being gone so much. She cries at LEAST once a day for him. Wants him to come home. Wishes I were daddy. Wishes I was like daddy. And many more things she cries out when she is missing her dad. Two quotes from her during these moments of anguish turned my stomach and stung my eyes:

1.

"Mom, I wish I was in Kindergarten again and not First grade so I could be home with dad...cause then I could be home early to see him."

2.

"I wish we could have 2 daddy's. One that could go to work and the other one that could stay home"

To which I wanted to reply....'well, that DOES happen!" HA HA HA!

There has always been an undeniably special bond between Rae and her dad, and Ive always seen it. But now I am hearing of it straight from her precious little lips. Try as I might, I explain why dad HAS to work, and what would happen if he didn't. I have tried to warn her of his schedule right now and of his new job and its requirements, but she just wants her dad. Plain and simple.

Its bitter sweet.

Bitter...because she truly does long for him.

Sweet....because she truly does long for him.

To Rachy:

Garden Fresh Tomatoes.

Fresh Mozerella cheese (or a cheese stick:).

Balsamic Vinegar.

Try to eat some of this if your missing me:) It helped me while I was missing you.

I love you.

And miss you much lately...(gulp, blink).

With love,

Farrs

When the house is quiet, and your feeling a little lonely...what do you do???

Well, you grab your best bud first, because he's always there. You meander to your garden together and pick 30 tomatoes, 5 green bell peppers, a bunch of hot bell peppers, and a GI.NOR.MOUS zuchini from the garden. Lay it all out on the table and decide what to do with it all. Canning goes through your mind, but when you look over and remember your best bud is with you, you quickly opt out of canning, and make a delicous chocolatey chipy zuchini bread muffin mix:)

Best bud is a huge helper when it comes to cooking anything with sugar and chocolate...so...WHY NOT?!

Through the process, you forget about being lonely....because you remember that you are NEVER alone. You A.L.W.A.Y.S have your best bud around. And seriously, whats better than a best bud decked out in chocolate batter?! NOTHING! Thanks Evan, for being there for me while Mayci was sleeping, while Raegan was gone to school, and while dad was.... well.... working. Im so glad you were by my side. I love you. So much.

Oh my sweet sweet Mayci...where art thou?? Hast thou been swept away by the terrible twos??

No?

Oh good, then where art thou?....

You're still here with us huh. Just ran away for a bit to grab some spicy sauce to add to your sweetness....right?!

OK. Good. I was missing you:)