Madison was sick with a fever all weekend. Emerson was missing her sister so I got out the camera and we had some fun! The faces of Emerson...

Wow. Thank you for all your prayers. It means so much to me and I can tell you have been with me. I am so incredibly blessed.

This week has been so much better and not quite so overwhelming. I had this feeling of comfort come over me and like Karen said, God has me covered. Oh yes He does.

My dad is having surgery March 17 to remove the prostrate. He is not looking forward to it, to the recovery or even to the anxiety beforehand. He just wants it over and can't wait to get back on the golf course. I am so relieved that the cancer hasn't spread and he should be back to 100% in no time. Thank you God. In the meantime, I am going to help dad through this as much as possible. I'll even get his clubs shined up for him so he'll be ready to roll once those golf courses open up. I sure love my dad.

My dog bite is healing nicely. Needless to say, I am glad it's not shorts season...the healing process is not very pretty. Quite ugly actually. But before long, I'll be as good as new. Just a new awareness of strange dogs! Still friendly with the neighbors a.k.a. owners of the biting dog although a bit awkward. I'm sure time will heal that too.

Ahhh...now it's the weekend and ready for it. We were planning on going to SF tomorrow but alas, my oldest daughter has come down with a nasty fever. So we are going to stay warm and get her well. Never a dull moment!! Happy weekend and thanks again for the kind words, thoughts and prayers. You can't know how much it means to me...:)

Funny how things can change within a couple of hours. Today was that day. If you didn't know me, you probably would think I was making this up. I can assure you I'm not. And since it is 1 a.m. and I can't sleep, I am hoping "talking" to you will help bring comfort and sleep will prevail.

I have always wished we could live in a place where time would freeze. Only at times. Sometimes I am fearful of the future, of the unknown. Thankfully my faith is strong and I give everything to God. But there are moments where I wish I could just stay right where we are. No one has to get older and I always know the kids are safely tucked in their beds at night. But reality hits.

Today I found out my beloved dad, has prostate cancer. Not only is he my dad but he's one of my best friends. My heart sunk. I was hoping the tests would come back more positive. My dad being the person he is, sounded so calm on the phone. I, on the other hand, was not so calm. I am not ready for this and am still in a state of shock. Sometimes I put myself in a bubble, thinking and believing that nothing will ever happen to the people I love. I am sad and feel different and want to help in some way. All I can do is pray, pray, pray. I keep replaying the image in my mind of the man who came out of nowhere during mile 22 of the marathon...the man who bright yellow t-shirt read "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". I will never ever forget that man and this verse that got me thru to the end. I am convinced he was placed there by God. Just when you think you are alone, you are reminded that you aren't. So now I remember that tonight...that I am not alone. Prayer is the key to feeling peace and comfort.

Seth came home to me, listened, shared my tears and we geared up for a run with our dog. It was such a refreshing run, beautiful weather, beautiful geese flying in the sky...everything was feeling good until we got home. Our neighbor has a dog that gets out quite often and barks up a storm. She was out when we left, chased us for a while and went home. I was ahead of Seth when we came up our street, the dog ran out, came up behind my leg and bit me! I started crying all over again! I couldn't believe it. I've never been bit by a dog before in my life. It hurt. 2 puncture wounds. Ugh. Seth got out medicine, looked up what to do about dog bites and then had to do the task of calling the neighbor, whom we like a lot. Fortunately, he was very apologetic and is going to pay for the doctor bills. Yep, have to go in tomorrow to get a shot. What a day. The girls were crying, Brody thought I was going to get rabies...double ugh. So thankful for my family who took care of me tonight.

I am praying tonight. And truly giving everything up to the one who has control, who has the blueprint to all our lives. And I will be just fine. So will my dad. There is no bubble to keep us all in...there is no way to freeze time so we won't get older...there is no way to have trouble-free days all the time...there is only one thing for sure. Faith.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:3. Thank you to the "man" who reminded me of this verse at the most appropriate time in my life. Now it is time to sleep...thank you for listening to my day.

So...the archery shoot happened last weekend and I have to say, it was one of the most fun events I have ever done! Nerves were in full force though...from the "what to wear" nerves to the actual "acting like I know what I'm doing" nerves. With the help of my hubby, I opted to wear jeans, a camo girl hoodie and black boots. Once that was decided, it was a bit easier to move on!

We got to the archery center and I was immediately teamed up with the "black team". My team consisted of 3 celebrity archers, 3 celebrity hunters and one professional archer. Seth and I got my bow out to practice at the 10 yard targets. He adjusted my bow, I kept shooting thinking I was going to be shooting at these targets during the actual challenge. After a dozen arrows, we took a break and started eating from the venison feast table. It was amazing! The food was so good. Then about 10 minutes before the shoot started, I found out the archers shot at the 10 yd targets. The hunters were considered to have more experience so they shot at the 20 yarders. My stomach went to my stomach. I wasn't set up for 20 yards! So I threw on my release, grabbed my bow, dropped my pheasant skewer, grabbed my hubby and ran to the targets set up for hunters! I shot a few arrows, Seth adjusted and we hoped for the best.

There were lots of people watching...a couple hundred but luckily, all the hunters shot at the same time. Schew. They wouldn't notice the beads of sweat forming on my forehead. I shot the first round and got a 23 out of 25. not bad for an amatuer. Really, I didn't have any more experience than the 10 yard shooters...I am just lucky to have a really, really great teacher (who happens to be pretty good looking too). Anyway, second round came up and I was loose and the jitters were gone. I adjusted my sight and much to my surprise and excitement...5 arrows, 5 bullseyes. 25 out of 25. I think Seth was pretty proud.

Our team didn't win the whole event but I tell you what, it was such a fun night. And for such a great cause. Seth and I talked to professional archers, we ate some great food, we met some new friends, hung out with old ones and just had a awesome time. Who knew that shooting at some plain ol' targets could be so much fun?!

A few weeks ago, a lady from the united way here in town called me and asked if I wanted to be a part of their 2nd annual shoot from the heart event. They wanted hunters and celebrity archers to be a part of the fundraiser. I was honored to be asked! So I immediately said yes. A few days later I get the email with all the details...I am going to be paired up with a "celebrity" and professional archery people and people vote on their favorite teams. so I guess we just go and get to shoot at the indoor archery range (which is a fantastic place by the way) but I began to think, what did I get myself into??

The event is tomorrow night (Friday). I saw the list of of "celebrities" and the list of hunters. I am the only girl on the the list of hunters!! No wonder they were so excited to have me there! Now I am thinking again, what did I get myself into? Well, my husband being the great one that he is, has my bow all set up for me. He is coming with me for moral support and to feast on all the venison appetizers! I still don't know what exactly I got myself into but it's for a great cause and it will be a great night out. I just hope I don't make a fool of myself!! I want to make a decent showing for women with bows and arrows! And a decent showing for my hubby who just as nervous as I am. Afterall, he is the one who taught me everything I know. Pray that I seem to know what I'm doing and that I hit the target a few times. I am more nervous about this whole gig than I was the night before the marathon. I'll let you know how it all pans out.

Saturday morning is the Frostbite Four in Beresford, my first road race of the year in my new age bracket! The one positive of getting older! I have come in 2nd in this race for the last 3 years so I am bound and determined to come home with the trophy...I just hope I don't actually get frostbite. My mom is meeting me and the kids there so I get to see her too. What a great weekend in store.

Hope you all have a fantastic one!!