Here's another one for the kids and you!!
           If I had words...
                       to make a day for you....
                                                I would make a morning, golden and true.
           I would make this....
                        day last for all time....
                                                then give you a night filled with moonshine!

I love you!!

These Eyes

These eyes were introduced to your image before we ever met. In fact, I saw you first in a crowd at Sink to the Top camp adventure week picture book mark in March 2002. At that time you were just a face in a crowd of people I admired who were getting ready to embark on adventures around the globe and I dreamed of what my adventure would look like when I joined AIM that fall and would be selected to go, who knows where. I didn't actually meet you that week, which still surprises me since the first person I met was Brandon and he was your teammate. I mostly spent time with the Mexico team since I was sleeping in their apartment and I hung out with the New Zealand/Scotland team (aka Nate and Rachel) who was your best bud....but still we didn't meet. 

   But the next time these eyes began to notice your smile and pay attention to your striped shirts and black hair, was that fall as we stared at pictures hung telling us about the teams that were leading the way in other countries and who many of us would one day work side by side with. Honestly at that time, I really didn't want to end up in Ukraine, but I began to look up to Kris Smith and his advice and wisdom and he really liked your team. So, as I tried to like the other teams...and I certainly liked many of the other locations, I would find myself staring at your board. I knew I would like working with Brandon (or I thought I would since I talked to him at camp adventure) so Ukraine began to be on my mind. 

    But when I was chosen for Ukraine, I was pretty sad because of the team I was on. I felt like the scraps....like we were the..."don't know what to do with these guys" group. But I kept finding joy in knowing I was going to work with Kris' favorites. The day that sticks out as the day I will never forget though, was that moment. Tulsa, OK. AIMers gathered in a room to sing and hear a message. That's when these eyes knew....it was a moment I wasn't really expecting, but these eyes saw that smile in person and saw your eyes and the smile and warmth in your eyes....then these ears heard you lead us in worship...and these eyes saw how bold and charming and how everyone was drawn to you like I was. That was the day these eyes never forgot. Many things happened after that moment and I hold each moment...each image in my heart! These eyes have seen so much more over the years that I have been allowed to watch you grow. Watch you smile. Watch you cry. Watch you be silly and funny and smart and clever and onery and courageous and encouraging and adorable ....so many things these eyes have seen. I wish I could replay so many things these eyes have seen because every moment with you has been a treasure I wish I could hold. Instead I will keep my eyes open to the moments I still get to have with you. I will count my blessings each day I still have my sight so I can witness these treasures! My life is so wonderful and I love that these eyes get to see you times 4 in the children our love made! And their 8 eyes get to see the wonder that is you! They will never forget the moments they watch you. Just like me. You have captivated each of us and we long to have just one more moment to see you with these eyes! And never doubt that these eyes belong only to you my love...forever yours....from those early days on I have always hoped that I would catch your eye as well. I still cant believe it somedays....that you actually stopped and looked at me and wanted me like I wanted you. But I will forever cherish that moment in the snow when I saw something there that wasn't there before. And the moments in the van on the way to Donetsk with your cheesy hand holding through your coat....the look in your eyes said I don't want to leave YOU...I can't forget that. And today...I see that look so often and still feel so lucky that you still look at me like you choose me. Thank you for letting these eyes see that....and for all you are because these eyes can't get enough of you! I love you!!

Today I decided to try and record a couple of songs on video for the kids. I wanted to have it so that one day they will still be able to hear me sing to them even if I am gone. Yep, it's cheesy but you know I have always been this cheesy! LOL! Even though back in the day I just used cassette tapes to record messages for my kids, so at least this is an upgrade right?  Anyway, so...here is "Into the West" and if you are wondering...why did it just end...well, the computer battery died and I didn't want to do it again so I just went with it! :)
    Love you!