Boys birthday party!

Gage is 19!

How do I have a 19 year old? Doesn't seem possible. He says being an adult is hard. But he's doing ok. He's carrying a job and full time college student. He hasn't missed a day of either. Proud of him. Happy birthday Gage, we love you. #gagedawson

Ryker is 13!

We have three teenagers now. Ryker is the big 1-3 today!! Happy birthday to this super smart, deep thinking, often angsty, multi talented, middle kid of mine. We love you!!

Taking on a new role...

I have been relatively quiet about some health issues I have had this past year. There is a reason that I haven't had any running races to post about. This year I took time to focus on health and growth. With that came 2 surgeries, both of which weren't easy. One was in March, it was an endometrial ablation. Very painful first day. But it did the trick for what I needed it for. Recovery was pretty normal for that. In June I had a much larger and more in depth surgery to hopefully take care of some auto-immune issues I was having. That recovery was much harder and I had an infection develop several weeks even after I thought I was in the clear. It cleared quickly with the help of antibiotics. I have been back and forth from Tulsa and finally got the all clear this past week to return to regular stuff. Now I have been walking tons since 3 weeks after, but not being able to do much past that has been difficult. So I had to try and grow in other areas. I've done tons of reading, Bible and prayer journaling, stepping out to do more presenter roles, and I also stepped up in the Littles PTO this year and have taken on the role of President. Lord help me! It's not been too bad though. Just definitely tedious so far. I am sure things "might" die down some. We are in the middle of planning our Fall Carnival and I am becoming a more in depth logistics guru. I started running some this past week. I still have some residual swelling in certain places because of the surgery. But it will take some time to recover. I know this and I am having to learn patience. In the mean time I am loving reading up on Servant Leadership and Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen as well as other books I have picked up here and there. I am actually enjoying the new busy me. I have a nice peaceful contentment that I appreciate. It's nice to say the least. 

AIM Training

I presented a play based training to parents of those on the spectrum today. I am getting outside my comfort zone this year and trying to branch out with training's. This one was co-sponsored by a great local non-profit that works to help our families that have children on the spectrum. It wasn't a big turn out but I thought it went well. I have another training in 2 weeks for therapist's on working with individuals on the spectrum. If you can't tell, I really love working with this population. 

Boys early birthday present

Missing out on the Chevelle and Breaking Benjamin concert tonight so the boy could have a birthday gift. I've seen BB twice, so I'm good.