2008 The Year of Firsts

My first grandbaby



and her first fall on her beautiful
little face



First time watching a life-long committment to love happen.





First time to feel my heart explode while gazing
at my baby's baby




First Time moving parents in....first time for me, first time for them.



First time hospitalizing my mother....her first
time in a hospital. A New different kind of
first fear evolving from that fiasco.

First time to face cancer with a beloved girlfriend and her
beautiful, wanted, fought for child





First time to watch a different family journal as they lost their child to cancer.



and another





and yet another



First time to realize that not all children with Down Syndrome recover
from Cancer



First time I realized that each and every one of
us are key to beating this horrible disease that robs families of their children.

http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com


First formal swimming lessons:



First time to build a play center




First time we missed the Christmas
celebrations due to illness/hospitalization

First time no big kids home for Christmas Day

First time Molly mastered the scooter

First time to walk in and pick out a new car, and just drive it off the lot.

First time to own AND operate a Blackberry.

First time to have a major disagreement in my little, close family.....but not the first time I've prayed that we stay close.....regardless and forever




First real trip to Vegas! made so much better by doing it with GIRLFRIENDS!



First year we didn't tourney bass fish.

First year to come to terms with the possibility of Autism.

Not the first time of celebrating my anniversary, but i stay in first-time amazement that love like this exists and maintains.

2008 has been a fast passing, heartbreaking, joyful, rollercoaster year.. I've met so many new friends, seen new life born...but also experienced
devastating losses, and faced some of my worst fears. Life is dramatic and weird and always full of wonder:





Blessings to all my friends and family....and hopes for a 2009 that is full of joy and devoid of heartbreak. For the times it isn't....remember...no matter what...just get back up. It doesn't matter how you get there....keep plugging...fight to overcome the bad...and finish strong.

like Nick: