you are my heart

To my precious son, Geoffrey...

Happy 11th Birthday! I am so proud of who you are and all that you stand for.

When you are older, possibly when you are all grown up with your own family, you may fully realize what it means for me to have you in my life. Because, all of my life, what I have always wanted was to be a mom. I know your dad & I have told you how much we struggled to have a baby and how long we waited to welcome you. Eleven years ago, when I finally held you in my arms, my heart was filled to overflowing. You are such a treasure, and life with you is always interesting!

I know that God has great plans for you. You are someone who has been gifted with the ability to literally change this world. I just can't wait to see all that you will do!

Thanks for being my son... I love you more than you will ever know!

Being a Tough Cookie

My husband emailed me this picture today. Everyone who knows us knows what a difficult time we've been going through. I wouldn't have thought it possible, but this week things got even more difficult.



Anyway, today I casually emailed Steve "I'm a tough cookie," and this is what he sent back. I love it!



I do consider myself a Tough Cookie, but not on my own. I have the support of so many special people in my life, and those people not only encourage me but will sit with me in my difficulty. (As I explained to one dear friend, they will sit in the crap with me, instead of trying to tell me that it isn't crappy. Eloquent? No... but it is true.)



Most importantly, the strength and grace that I have is not my own. Anything in me that makes me a Tough Cookie comes from God, and my faith in Him.



I don't know how, or when, or how long it will take... but this Tough Cookie will come through this time, and she will not be broken!