My Little Climber

My Noah is a climber. He climbs and climbs, and then he climbs some more. Over, under, around...he doesn't care! He purposely throws his toys into danger zones so that he'll have to find some crafty way of getting his toys out of the danger zone. It's a full-time job keeping him from killing himself right now! But I love my little climber!

A Great Picture

I took this picture today when my blue-eyed angel was crawling under and over everything he could find. The picture is so perfect. I thought it needed it's own post. Love you Noah!

Faulkner Park

I took Noah to Faulkner Park today in an effort to soak up this beautiful weather & give my son some running time outside. We were the only ones there & Noah had a great time scooping up the dirt & mulch & putting it in piles. Ahhhhh the


simple things in life!




P.S. Have I mentioned that I absolutely love my iphone? I was able to take all these pictures, post them, & write this message from my iphone before I even got home!
Brenda Joy McBride

Turn Tyler Pink

Today was Turn Tyler Pink. What an amazing day! The community came out wearing pink, supporting breast cancer survivors and remembering those that are no longer with us. A friend of mine, Wes Malcom, is a Tyler firefighter, and lost his wife to breast cancer this past June. His wife (Tonya) was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was pregnant with their daughter. Their daughter turned 4 this past August. The Tyler Firefighters developed a CARE team (Cancer Awareness & Relief Effort) as a result of the challenges that Wes endured throughout he & his wife's battle with Cancer. This team provides financial assisitance and emotional support as needed. I've been available as needed to help, & told them I'd be on board and be there any way I could. Wes & I still get together for lunch, and he is doing remarkably well. He has a passion for life that he once had not experienced...and a beautiful daughter. As if the pink firetruck coming to town wasn't enough, the Tyler Firefighters had another surprise in line---a new firetruck that was named Tonya. Wes was so surprised and obviously overcome with emotion. He signed the truck and was so humbled to have this response from the community. Before the event began today, Wes said to me, "I can't believe it's gotten this big. I just didn't want it to end when she died, and look at all this."
Indeed. I signed the pink fire truck & got a big hug from Dave Graybill, the firefighter that takes the bus on tour. What an amazing day! Mommy & Noah. We were passing out pink lollipops and he liked that! Dave Graybill, founder of The Pink Heals Tour

My message to Mom that I left on the pink firetruck.

Brenda & Wes

The Sigmon Family joined in the celebration

Daddy is going to be nominated for sainthood, as he took off work early to keep Noah so that I could help decorate & participate in the event.

October 14th

These are the lovely flowers that my thoughtful husband sent me today. Actually, he has sent me flowers on October 14th for the last 11 years, starting with the first anniversary of my mother's death. Today is 12 years that she has been gone...but not gone from my heart. I miss her dearly, but cancer can't take away our memories or the love. I believe that out of each crisis, there is also an opportunity...an opportunity to grow, to learn, to shift our often-rigid paradigms. I ask myself, "What is this here to teach me?" This loss has taught me to celebrate EACH day, live in the PRESENT, worry less about what others think & more about the RELATIONSHIPS that mean the most. It has taught me to dance, take risks, reach out, and SHOW, not just tell, others how much I love them.
LOVE IS A VERB! I spent 1/2 the day doing psychotherapy and the other 1/2 of the day with those in treatment, surviving cancer. I spoke to the firemen leading the Turn Tyler Pink event tomorrow...and I realize that if mom hadn't died of cancer, I wouldn't be a therapist. I wouldn't have counseled the Tyler fireman or united with them in a cause to raise funds and awareness that could save the lives of others. I wouldn't work with survivors. I wouldn't have played a big part in educating and helping ease the burdens of those enduring the battle with cancer. I would take more for granted. I'd worry more, appreciate less. SO, you see, cancer/loss/pain/difficulties CAN lead to good things. It just takes reframing the experience to be one that provides emotional energy and MEANING to the experience. "Fear Not! Only Believe!" is what Mom told us time & time again. In fact, it's written on her gravestone. On this October 14, 2009, I celebrate the LIFE that she LIVED...and realize that I honor her memory by the life I live. Key word...LIVE! My beautiful flowers that Michael sent

Noah was outside when I came home & his hair was so curly & frizzy because of the humidity. How can you not smile when you look at that hair?

Spending time with my boys after our family walk. I love the way Noah is looking at Michael.

Dancing it out, of course!

Daddy is home

Noah gives his new Bevo kisses

Daddy introduces Noah to Bevo

Noah looks at his new Texas footballs

Michael brought Noah a stuffed Bevo & 3 Longhorn footballs from his Austin trip. Noah loved his new prizes but loved having his Daddy home more. Me too.

Thank you

I put Noah in his chair this morning & gave him some Cheerios, which he calls "O's-Ez." With no prompting, he looked up at me and said, "took-uh," which is how he says thank you right now. It made my heart happy.




Brenda Joy McBride