A few of the moments that defined 2008

~Clayton - in an attempt to describe his love for me - said... "Mom, I love you (then innocently added)... almost as much as Jimmy's Mustang..." I laughed until I cried. Only a "motorhead" would love a car more than mommy! LOL...

~Colton started doing the "naked dance" after every bath... John and I still laugh every time - like we've never seen it before... because it's just as hilarious as when he first "performed" it (I am going to spare you the picture on that one - LOL!).

~Cameron auditioned for the Birmingham Boy's Choir and I got to listen to him sing... I cried at the beauty of his voice and the confirmation of the unique gifts that make him truly special (Cameron poses for a picture before the BBC concert in December) ...

~After working a case, Clayton asked me why I was sad... and when I told him, he cried with me. I rejoiced in his compassion.

~I paid Caleb a suprise visit and joined him for lunch at school... he was excited that I came. He still kisses me goodnight every night, and goodbye every morning. I felt relieved that he's not embarassed by me.... yet.

~Caleb went to Washington D.C. with his class last spring. It was his first trip away from home without a parent... I cried as if he were leaving for college. It must have been a mother who coined the phrase, "time flies"(Caleb with his buddies in D.C. - second from the left)...

~John's dad died of a heart attack, his sister died a couple of months later... We learned to appreciate each day that we've been given with the people who matter the most, cherrish the memories in our lives, and love like each day may be our last. We were strengthened by adversity (John with his father at his H.S. graduation 1988) ...

~The house was struck by lightning, Caleb was knocked off his seat by the blast while playing X-BOX, and his primary concern was for the X-BOX. I was amused by the carefree concerns of childhood...

~Colton got his mouth washed out with soap for the first time... he kept spitting on the floor. He learned his lesson, and I learned mine (put him in the bathtub first)...

~Caleb threatened to beat-up the neighbor boy for picking on his brother... I rejoiced in the realization that they love each other! (I guess being a brother gives you exclusive battery rights).

~Thank God for the experiences that teach us, make us stronger, offer new insight, develop our relationships, and give us joy...