First Day of preschool

Cori's Birthday Party

Hey Cousin Zach!!!
Cori and Mommy
Bop, Cori, and Madison What is it Cori??
Yaya and Boo gave her a leotard.
Army Princess birthday cake!
Cori and Nana
Cori and Ellie
All the kids
Can we eat cake yet???

Dance!

Cori loves dance so much baby. She talks about it all the time. She says you gave her the best birthday present ever!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Cori!

This is Cori's first birthday cake at her "small party".
She dressed as a princess for the whole day-even at Kanpai!

Now I'm painting my ballerina at Flying Saucers.
Yummy! Yummy! in my Tummy!

Go Panthers!

Are you ready for some football?!?!?!?!
Mommy's shoulders got REALLY tired!!
The end of a long day!

Pushing My Boundaries to Make Me Whole

Wow. Where to start?

So much has happened since I last updated, seems like yesterday, seems like forever. I have been blessed with the opportunity to talk to you almost every day. It's been amazing. We've grown closer and even stronger than we were even a month and a half ago. I've told you this before....but the past seven months have been life changing for me. A huge part of who I am left when you left. I do not feel complete right now, but I do not feel broken anymore either. I have learned so much about myself and who I really want to be. Before you left, I was scared. I was terrified, not just of terrorists, but people in general. You know what I mean. I'm not gonna explain that anymore....but all that has changed. The other day me and you crossed a huge stepping stone. You pushed me to do something that I'd been terrified of for soooo long. Almost 24 years to be exact. I am sorry I didn't listen and blew you off the 500 other times you tried to show me, but I am thankful you were so persistant. You've always known how important that is....and I've come around to realize that. You are a WONDERFUL teacher, and I'm so lucky to have you in my life. You pushed my boundaries and helped me grow, and I can only hope I do that for you sometimes too. That's what strong marriages are all about babe. That's what we remember about Pa and Gaga, and about Rose and Earl. They pushed each other and made them become better people, and even stronger couples.
Tomorrow I start teaching my new class. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I know I will make mistakes and will have bad days. But you know what? Every time I hear one of them call me Mrs. Dees...I will be comforted and have a smile on my face. No matter what the drama with the teachers is or how bad the kids are acting up that day...no matter how upset I get....I will not be alone. I have you. My Best Friend. My Husband. My Everything.

Thank you for loving me so unconditionally and so completely.

I love you!
Mrs. Sarah Dees

:) I'll NEVER get bored saying that!! :)

My Life, My Soldier, My Best Friend....

Alone tonight I beg,
For the strength to make it through.
I'll admit I haven't prayed in years,
But what else can I do?
The order came just days ago,
It's come your time to leave.

Alone tonight it's killing me,
But this I cannot let you see.
I have until morning to find a way,
To smother all my tears.
I lost you once years ago,
Now it seems I am reliving all my fears.

I know tomorrow you'll stand tall,
Like you've been taught to do.
You'll hold your head up high and proud,
Like none of this bothers you.
Inside I know you're scared to death,
Of all the things to come.

But never will you question why,
For it's something that must be done.
So tomorrow when the time finally comes,
For us to say goodbye.

I'll stand just as proud as all the rest,
Not one tear will touch my eye.
Instead I'll kiss you one last time,
God knows when I'll get the chance again,
Until that time I'll be waiting for you patiently,
My Life, My Soldier, My Best Friend.

Love is....

Love is
being happy for the other person
when they are happy
being sad for the other person when they are sad
being together in good times
and being together in bad times
Love is the source of strength

Love is
being honest with yourself at all times
being honest with the other person at all times
telling, listening, respecting the truth
and never pretending
Love is the source of reality

Love is
an understanding that is so complete that
you feel as if you are a part of the other person
accepting the other person just the way they are
and not trying to change them to be something else
Love is the source of unity

Love is
the freedom to pursue your own desires
while sharing your experiences with the other person
the growth of one individual alongside of
and together with the growth of another individual
Love is the source of success

Love is
the excitement of planning things together
the excitement of doing things together
Love is the source of the future

Love is
the fury of the storm
the calm of the rainbow
Love is the source of passion

Love is
giving and taking in a daily situation
being patient with each other's needs and desires
Love is the source of sharing

Love is
knowing that the other person
will always be with you regardless of what happens
missing the other person when they are away
but remaining near in heart at all times
Love is the source of security

Love is the
source of life