So much has happened...

So much has happened since last I blogged over a year ago. I wish I had the dedication it takes to blog on a more consistent basis but realistically it's not going to happen. For Today though I feel like doing it sooooo...here we go.
This past year has brought so many, many changes and challenges to my life. To my families lives. One of the biggest and most difficult was my Mother Carol being diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in November 2010. A very sad milestone was Jeremiah's grandfather, Grandpa Lamb passing away spring of 2011. He'd became unable to live alone in his family home and went to stay with his daughter Bonnie and Son in Law Jack but slowing deteriorated until finally being admitted to the Hospice House in Des Moines where he finally was able to join his loving wife Betty. I like to think of him that way. It makes the void he left in the family more bearable.

An unexpected and sudden event was my oldest son Shawn's relationship of the past few years ending and him moving from Oregon back to our hometown in July. He's for the time being living with my sister Lisa and began working at Subway part time. Long term goals are still being worked through with everyone taking things one day at a time. His brother, my youngest son Chase, enrolled in public school August 2011 after 7 years of private catholic school. At the same time he started wearing glasses, is growing his hair way too long and has an appointment with the orthodontist to figure out what we can do to help with his overbite that causes him much anguish from others teasing him relentlessly. He and his brother are attempting to begin getting to know each other better as siblings now that they're living much closer and both getting older. The significant difference in age doesn't help between a very strong willed older sibling and a younger boy trying to find his own identity. But we'll work it out and another example of just taking it one day at a time!

Jeremiah & I spent a week driving to Oregon and back over the summer to pick up Shawn and his two very large dogs. Neither of us had been to the west coast before and it was a lovely time with just the two of us on the way there taking in all the sites. Mountains, forests and the west coast are an awesome sight. It was a great time to be able to use my new camera that Mi bought me for my birthday in July. Which reminds me of another change! My other birthday present from the previous year. My little sheltie puppy named Samuel! He just turned 1 year old in April 2011 and we now finally feel like we've left puppyhood since Raven turned 2 that same month. It feels like they've always been a part of our family and non e of us would have it any other way now. While we were gone and in Wyoming there had been a strong storm in M'town and a very large limb broke off our tree and demolished our screened in porch. Needless to say when we returned it was a mass cleanup and we're still figuring out how to utilize the insurance money or whether we'll just apply it to our mortgage principal instead after making a few other repairs to our house gutters and roof. I think it's going to take some time before we make the final decision though as it's important to make the right choice for our future.

Speaking of the future. My Mother is in remission now after one hell of fight these last nine months. She recently had another CT scan and I'm hopeful the results will continue to be positive. Her hair is finally starting to grow again little by little after brain radiation but currently shingles are kicking her ass and she's in a lot of pain and discomfort. But she's a fighter still and her brand new puppy Molly she just got last week should be a wonderful motivation. Already my Dad Bill sees how inspired she is by having another canine companion. This thanksgiving is going to be a pinnacle one since last years was such an uncertain and devestating time not knowing what a year later would bring to our family. I am hoping we all come together this time and enjoy celebrating how thankful we are that we're all still together. Even if we're just a difficult lot that can be quite moody! We shall see. I'll keep a margarita close just in case though ;) Which reminds me. Mi's idea to make them ahead to store in glass mason jars in the freezer was nothing short of genius!