Days with the Dorans

Zach is my social butterfly, shaking hands with everyone at church and going to anyone with an outstretched arm. Joe is cautiously friendly and Ali Jane... well- when she was younger we used to joke that she had a super-power that would make her invisible. The moment someone would look at her, she would drop her head, avoiding all eye-contact and suddenly no one would see her anymore. She would do this often, especiallly with men, ESPECIALLY with my friend, Jared. Jared works at Loon Lake with me and we became fast friends. I'm sad to say that he beat me in the 'Biggest Loser' competition by a pound. He promised me he'd buy me lunch since I gave him such a great competition, but that was last year and I'm still waiting... I think I could be waiting a while now... He's old and will probably forget he even told me he'd buy me lunch! Jared turned 30 today and (because I work with the most wonderful and fun people on the planet) we had a blast! The entire sta...

Last weekend, Jeff and I met up with some friends from our college days and the my brother, Dan, and his wife, Steph, watched the kids for us. The kids were excited to go on an adventure with Uncle Dan so I made sure to pack their gear. The only problem was when it was time to get ready to go on the adventure, I realized that I had forgotten Zachy's hat. I tried to distract him while the big kids left, but he wasn't having that... so we got him dressed so he could join the others. He borrowed Uncle Dan's hat which was a little big (o.k. it was a lot big...) but it worked. Once he finally got all his additional clothes on and he got outside he realized they were gone! We tried callling for them but it seemed they couldn't hear us! And then they came back and Zachy was so excited. They went and made snow angels, learned about deer and climbed, 'big huge mountains!' It was a good time and they certainly were worn out- when we picked them up after our dinner. (Th...

Zach was so excited when daddy got his job because it meant he got to go to school with the bigs. He does not like being left out of anything and it has been hard to keep him from things (like tv watching) that the big kids can do but we don't want him doing yet. I was wondering how that first day would go. (We've tried him in the church nursery and he screams-literally-the entire time.) HE WAS FABULOUS! I looked at his amazing teacher (Ronda) and shrugged my shoulders- I wondered if I should give him a kiss goodbye. (I didn't want him to cry.) But I couldn't imagine starting my day with out that last kiss. To my shock... HE WAS FINE! He kissed me and went on exploring the room and his new friends. He was truly amazing. I dropped off the big kids to their room and peeked in again and he was fine. It was a great day! I wish I could say drop offs were always that easy- but he's taken to crying when we leave... the good thing is I know he is in amazing hands...

The boys were playing trains and I wondered where the princess was. I heard the tinkling of music and eavesdropped on this quiet moment.

In my life, I had a choice- I could have hidden under my covers my tears hidden from the world- but you know me... It was hard at first to search for what could be 'good' about losing a son... but in losing Andrew, I gained some truly amazing friendships. The women in these photos (and others who weren't able to make it this particular night) all look different and yet we have something that unites us more than most friendships. We all have children in heaven. We started strangers but have shared tears, hugs, pain and now laughter. I can't imagine my life without these amazing women and when I think of the gifts that Andrew has sent me these last five years- the amazing friendships I've recieved from these women is untouchable! I love you girls! Thanks for always being there- for knowing- for accepting- and for sharing your angels with me! Hugs!