I Hope You Dance

I Hope You Dance

http://www.vxv.com/video/FKACvJXsYNxa/i-hope-you-dance-lyrics.html

I've always tried to teach my kids to dance in the rain. When they were young we actually danced in the rain and when they got older I hope I showed them by my words and actions how to make the best out every situation. Recently it's been hard. I've actually become lost for words when trying to give them advice.

Just a little update.

Shawn got a call from his new unit and they wanted him to report a month early, March 5th. He got it pushed until the day after Jack's birthday though. He'll be leaving the day after his son turns four. He'll spend a couple of months before and after his nine month deployment with his new unit. Keeping this young family apart for most of a full year. How do I tell Jennifer to dance in the rain when her husband as a Mental Health Specialist is in the front line of a battle zone trying to make sure those soldiers have someone to talk to?

Charlie has a chance to stay in the same job field and get a job that is just a job to support his young family or take this opportunity to go to school and learn to do something he'd enjoy. He has a job interview on Monday. Time will tell. As for Jennifer she tells the kids Daddy is going on an adventure and they get to live with Grams and Pops, what fun.

Thomas in the mean time has embraced his love for God and will be in Africa for the next week. http://thomas-dennison.blogspot.com/.

Come to think of it as I write this I realize my kids ARE dancing in the rain. I love you guys and am very proud of you.

When One Door Closes

When Charlie walked in our house in the middle of the day in the middle of the week I knew. Not the details but I knew my son was closing another door. His and Michele's plan to get a fresh start in Maryland after moving away for a couple of years wasn't going to go the way they had planned. At his 90 day review they told him he wasn't Volkswagen material and that he could go home early and not to come back. After working 60 hours a week as a Service Advisor he just didn't sell enough. Now our 31 year old son was unemployed with a wife & two children. Yes, this happens to good, hard working people.

My heart aches.When he got married and asked me what song I wanted for the Mother/Son dance I thought right away about Rascal Flatts' song 'My Wish'. He knew the song and loved it right away. I even had programs printed for the Rehersal Dinner with the lyrics. In part it says I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,And each road leads you where you want to go,And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.And if one door opens to another door closed,I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window. I was so proud when he took the bull by the horns and moved his little family away to try to make a better life for them. I was sad that it didn't work out the way he had planned but was happy to be living in the same state as them again. Now he searches for his next open window. He has a supportive wife who went right out and got a waitressing job and in laws that have opened up their home to them for as long as they need it. He's on unemployment and has registered for a year long program in Auto Mechanics with tuition assistance. I hope it leads him to where he wants to go.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

The Rest of the Story

TOGETHERNESSNo snow didn't stop anyone from having a good time.Wyatt bundled for the weather we thought we'd have.Great play area. Wyatt getting ready to skate and Mommy getting ready to shed that coat.Jack & Daddy. Shawn was a pro, I guess that's what comes from being raised in Chicago.Jack, this picture just makes me smile.Ella, our Sunshine. She snatched my mittens when her hands got cold.Wyatt had a great time.cousinsSami really trusted Uncle Shawn.Our boys, cousins nine months apart and getting closer every day.Wyatt and Mommy (minus one coat).With her Hypotonia muscle weakness Ella knows she has to work harder but she is always excited to try.

Jen with her two guys.Let the games begin.Jack loved Sami's Leapster,"I don't think that's a real word, let me look it up on my tablet."Uncle Tommy brought candy necklaces.WyattLilyElla & Jack relaxingand the game continuesPapa with Wyatt & PiperRelaxingGetting ready for New Year's EveWyatt loves all things Super HeroNatalie got all dolled up for New Year's Eve. Ella took this picture. She said her mom was beautiful and she is.more gamesand a bit of coloringThen we started celebrating the New Year. Ella stayed up the whole time.We hung outwatched a movieplayed some wiigot Jack up (they promised him) played some musicthen got Wyatt up (Charlie was missing him but Michele knew they'd have a hard time getting him back to sleep)Mother & daughter, so prettythen we watched the count downand toasted in the New YearThe kids loved their water from pretty glassesHappy Birthday Love! Tom turned 52 as January first dawned.CLINKCLINKThen we made a lot of noiseand dancedand celebrated 2012Morning brings another birthday party and our last full day together.

She is such a snuggler.Thomas prepared the steaks for our birthday dinner. Charlie was suppose to keep the kids occupied. They decided he needed to go to jail. They arressted him.He escaped and captured THEM. Fun and no toys needed.Our three redheadsTheses kids had so much fun together. I hope they always do.Then it was time for our big meal. Thomas and Natalie cooked and it was delicious.Sami kept reaching over to her sisters plate to take the eggs off her salad.Then it was cake time Piper even took out her binky to celebrate Papa's birthday.Lily loved the cake

presentsIt doesn't get any better than this!