Steve Perry

I grew up listening to Journey. Their music and and lyrics carried me through so many different stages of my life. I still listen to my cd's. His voice is comforting and beautiful and mesmerizing. In my opinion he has the best male voice ever.  I love all of their music.... but this one song... ummm, I'm pretty addicted and captivated.

that voice... those lips...  Steve Perry.... be still my heart.

My second born son turned 15 on September 11

Joshua Michael~ My third blessing, celebrated his 15th birthday yesterday. Each day with him is a blessing and not a moment taken for granted. I have lost two children. Sometimes my head is invaded by a haunting thought. What if I had lost one of my living children that I know and love so deeply. What if Josh wasn't with me, or Drew or Brianna, or my baby girl Emma. I know my life would be so different without one of them. Each of their lives brings me so much joy, love, reasons I live, breath, stay home to care for them. All perfectly balancing my world, my family unit.

Today, we celebrated Joshua's life. I love this boy. Deeply. He has a spirit and force I have never met before. Strong willed, stubborn, witty, scary smart, photographic memory, hilarious and with a desire to become a surgeon. He is the life of the party, the person people gravitate to, and has never left a function, party or gathering without making a new friend. Happy Birthday son. I love you to the moon and back. I enjoy each and every priceless day with you.

Floating the Coeur d' Alene river

We took the kids floating down the CDA river.... It was so fun and peaceful. I haven't done that since I was a kid and enjoyed it so much.

Home!

My brother Len touched ground today in Maine. He is back in the USA after serving a year in Baghdad, Iraq. It was a long, stressful year filled with worry and stress.

Technology sure has changed the way family can stay in touch with their soldiers. Len is in the middle of a war in Baghdad but has the ability to log into Facebook and "status" a hello to us. He would Skype with his wife and kids nightly and had a cell phone to stay in touch.  What an extreme difference from the past... men, husbands and dads would go off to war and you wouldn't hear a thing from them until they showed up at home. Not being able to communicate with them for months on end. I can't imagine that.  We were so priviledged with the technology of today.  How incredible to receive instant digital photos of him. It was like receiving a hug and comforting to know he was ok. 

We are so proud of him.

Welcome home, Sergeant Leonard Newton. Although it will be a few weeks until your feet are back on your own driveway, we are so thankful you are back on American soil.