The Breast Cancer 3-Day

0-60 in 3 days. 5.5 million dollars raised to find a cure for breast cancer! If you sponsored me or prayed for me you were part something INCREDIBLE! I met some wonderful people. The courage and hope that emanated was astounding, life changing. It was an incredible blessing to be part of this event. It was harder than I thought it would be. I decided running 13.1 is a whole lot easier than walking 20 miles a day. Who knew? I never would have guessed it. Many carried banners or pictures of their loved ones....and we all carry the burden. The hope, the goal,is for a world without breast cancer.

Thankful...

I am thankful. It would be a lengthy endeavor, one I am sure you would tire quickly of, if I were to compile a list of all that I am thankful for. And yet here I go...

Kyle, my amazing husband. He is a man who is strong and gentle. He is a leader in our home and outside of it. He is motivated and dedicated- he has dreams and goals and he works tirelessly toward them. He desires to serve others rather than to be served...he loves others well. He has hobbies and interests that bring him joy. He is an incredible Father. A beautiful blend of selflessness and anticipation for all that will be for Kylee and Jude. He is our provider. Spiritually, emotionally and physically he provides for all three of us. He gives us stability and incredible joy. He is my best friend.

Kylee, my precious first born, my daughter. She is a constant source of joy and awe. A glimpse of all of God's incredible goodness. She is kind and compassionate. She is a nurturer. She is smart and loves to learn. She is active. She is amazing. She is my daughter.

Jude, my beautiful second born, my son. He is adventerous. He is brave. He is bold. He is loud. He is my snuggler. He is gentle and loving. He is demnostrative and expressive. He is stubborn and opinionated. He will be a great leader. He is amazing. He is my son.

Family, to have the support and love of so many is an incredible blessing. My sister, she is my friend. She is beautiful and strong. I love her dearly. My big brother, always my protector. My little brother, the older one. He is a good running partner. He is 18. I am proud of him and I expect great things of him. My little brother, the tall one. His smile. It warms my heart. He is FFA and its awesome. I am proud of him as well.
My parents, kyle's parents, kyle's siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. I feel as though the list is never ending.

Lynne, a friend that has gifted me with her presence, wisdom and love continuously. She is wise, true and brave. She is a beautiful example of Christs love. She is honest and confident. She is a voice of reason. She is an amazing listener. She is always there. Her transparency has impacted me greately. She is a treasured and cherished friend.

Friends, again, to have the support and love of so many is an incredible blessing.
I am thanful for friends with whom I can be transparent. Friends who are also transparent. To go through this life pretending all is well, acting like I have it all together...well for one I would be no good at it. More importantly though to have friendships in which I don't have to be someone I am not is one of God's greatest gifts to me.

Praise God from whom all blessing flow

and Jesus. He loves me enough that he died for me. me. you. and everyone else. He doesn't make my life easier. Knowing Him, loving Him, doesn't mean everything goes right that I don't experience pain or heartache. He does stand by me through those times. He does give me peace, comfort and perspective. He is Jesus. He is everything.

Hawaii

Our vacation was AMAZING! It was hard to come home. The kids both wanted to stay at our "Hawaii house". I really can't blame them. We went for Sanchai & Natalie's wedding, which was beautiful! We spent the first week in a house in Kihei with Sanchai, Lance, Linda, Ryan, Nat and Sammy, Toby and Lydia. The second week we stayed at WorldMark, also in Kihei, thanks to my mom and Terry who generously offered their timeshare to us.
We spent the majority of our time either at the beach or at the pool. We went snorkeling at Molokini and enjoyed checking out all the fish as well as various other sea creatures. I nearly bumped into a turtle...so awesome! We saw some dolphins and a few other turtles! It was a great trip. We highly recommend the Pacific Whale Foundation for any of their trips. They were great!
We celebrated Father's day and Kylee's birthday while we were there. We also celebrated a change in Kyle's career. The first week in Hawaii we recieved a call that solidified Kyle's internship and his new role as Dean of Students starting in the fall! We are all really excited about this opportunity! ;)
Now we are back home and finally adjusting to the time zone!

Happy Birthday Kylee

It is hard to believe she is 4...but then I say that every year. She is an amazing little girl. She is strong and independent. She is joyful and brings much laughter to our lives. She is beautiful. She never ceases to amaze me with her understanding or her questions. She is learning to read and write. She loves books and dolls and playing with her friends. She likes riding her bike and swimming. She is a little ballerina who will also be playing soccer this year. She loves being a big sister and asks nearly every day that we put a baby in my belly. On her birthday she told me that she really wants to be 5. I would rather soak up the next 364 days with her as a four year old...if she only knew just how quickly these years are going! Happy, Happy Birthday my sweet girl! You are one of my greatest blessings.

Race Day!

I told Kyle is was kind of like our wedding day...months of planning then the day was here and gone before we knew it. We trained for months. Now race day has come and gone and it is kind of sad. Granted our wedding day held much more significance but race day held a pretty major kind of significance for me too. It was a goal. Something I never saw myself doing until one day in January when I said that I was going to. I am not a runner. I have never liked running. I wanted a goal that I could realize after x amount of time. The satisfaction of pushing myself to do something far outside of my comfort zone. Completing a task. It is amazing to be on this side of it...we did it. We did it in better time than I had hoped. We did it on a course that was nothing but hills (at least it seemed that way to me). Thank goodness for the downside of all those hills. Seriously though, they posted a sign that said, "Flat stretch starts here." Just after that sign was another that said, "Flat stretch ends here." Or at least that is what I think the second one must have said because the flat stretch certainly ended. They have a sense of humor those race directors. Kyle was the perfect running partner. I have a bit of a competitive edge and he was always searching for ways to encourage me or help me, no easy task I can assure you. I realized the other night why it was difficult for me to accept criticism from him though. I wanted so badly to impress him, to do something worthy of his admiration. I wanted him to be proud of me. When he would offer his advice I would feel as though I was letting him down. Crazy I know. The best part of this experience was training with him. Our Sunday morning runs became my favorite part of the week. We would get up early and I do mean EARLY and go for our long run. It was so beautiful and peaceful and it was just Kyle and I. (everyone else in the world was still sleeping! Even Nanny who would come over and sleep on our couch while the kids slept! Thanks Nanny! We love and appreciate you). So now the question is should we do another half or try for the whole? Round about mile 8 of our run we were talking about doing a full (it was downhill at that point). I looked up the training schedule. It would be intense. Something to pray about. One of the most amazing feelings was coming up that last hill, knowing Kylee and Jude were waiting just on the other side. Feeling like it was cruel to have such a hill at mile 13 and battling with myself as I made my way up the hill. Kyle along side of me saying, "you can do it babe. we are almost there. you can do it." Then we finally reached the top and we saw our cheering section...Mom, Dad, Kylee and Jude. That feeling. It was incredible. Time was never my focus. I figured we would finish around 2 hours and 30 minutes. I guess that was my goal. Then they said it, "Tara Fletcher of Centralia. 2:13:20" I was amazed. Kylee ran through the finish behind us...her face beaming. I scooped her up and she gave me a big hug and kiss. It was such an incredible feeling. They should have said Kyle's name next but they didn't. It turns out his ankle chip malfunctioned. He was there. Right behind me...pushing me through. I couldn't have done it without him and I wouldn't want to. He was the best part of this whole experience...just like every other part of my life.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17

African Footprint Ballet Recital

What an amazing day! A long, tiring, beautiful day. Kylee and the rest of the girls did a wonderful job! The show was awesome! Thank you teacher Barbara! Thank you Auntie Kate for helping with hair! Caitlyn, Maggie and Kylee looked beautiful and their mama's are all very happy that we had your help!

Mayfield with the Downies

Challenges

Send out emails and letters to raise money. Train. Walk 60 miles in 3 days.
Sometimes asking for money is hard to do. Training takes time. Rain or shine we will take on a 60 mile course. I have heard this advertisment about making a difference a lot lately and the statement is, "anything I could do would only be a drop in the bucket." While it is true that my part is only a small part, just a drop in the bucket, I truly believe that we can make a difference. My hope is for a cure. The $2,300 I hope to raise is certainly only a drop in the bucket but walking along side thousands of men and women...well that turns into a raging river. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated! If you would like to donate you can click the tab on my widget to the right. If you want to walk with me...let me know. I would love to take this journey with you.
Statistics show that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. I walk for some precious girls...in hope for a cure. Kylee, McKailey, Madison, Chloee, Clara, Lydia, Reyna, Alyx, Jaelyn, Rikelle, Lydee, Kennadee, Caitlyn, Sophia, Mia, Maggie, Lauren, Nyah, Courtney, Abigail, Ruth, Liza, Montana and Gracee.

Lazy Saturday

These two are great. I get such a kick out of their conversations. I thought you might like to laugh too so here is one of the many hilarious conversations I am privy to daily!
Kylee to Jude: You wanna go in Daddy's car but you're not. You're going in the regulee car. (regulee meaning regular which would be the Explorer rather than the Jetta. The Explorer is their usual mode of transportation thereby making a ride in the Jetta a special treat.)
Jude: Car. Yeah.
Kylee: You wanna be me but your not.
Jude: Bigger?
You see Kylee was getting ready to go on a date with Daddy and they were taking the Jetta. Jude and I were going to be taking the Explorer on our date. Apparently Kylee was getting the better end of the deal. ;) I love it!

Hope

Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

My aunt, who is only 49 has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in her lungs and her brain. A little girl, only 11, with an aggressive bone cancer, is fighting for her life. Friends and friends of friends have lost their sweet precious babies before they had a chance to watch them grow. My 90 year old grandpa passed away after a car accident. A grandma who was here one day and gone the next. A dear sweet woman I love suffered a stroke. A teen boy tried to take his own life. This is the last 6 and half months.

Life is full of heartache. Pain. Suffering. Loss. And for what? Why? I don't know the answer to that. Not really. I know that we live in a fallen world. I know one day we will be restored and whole. Psalm 23:3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. All that we do, all that we experience, can bring glory to God if we let it.

So we wait in hope for the Lord to see the beauty that comes out of it all.

Kylee noticed snow falling from the sky this morning. She said, "Mama, I think God likes to pour down sugar on us." Rather profound for a 3 year old...though she doesn't know yet the truth of that statement. God pours sweetness into our lives every day. His beauty surrounds us. If only we would recognize it.

Friends

Moments like these help me believe that all is right in the world...for a brief moment at least. I love that these two are friends. I love watching them express concern for one another. I love watching them play together...they actually have conversations now which is an endless source of surprise and laughter for their mama. My older brother and I...well there were many years where we didn't get along. It was extreme. Some siblings don't get along and then there was Scotty and I. Thankfully, we do now. I pray that Kylee & Jude will always be friends.

Daddy

Thank you Daddy for being the best! We love playing and snuggling with you! Love, Kylee & Jude

I couldn't tell you why exactly but for the last couple weeks I have been thinking about my Grandpa Hans. Missing him. Reliving the time he was in the hospital and then Liberty Country Place. His funeral and the beautiful time afterward with family on the Willipa. His house has a new roof now. It looks like a swiss flag. It is awesome. I wish he could have seen it.
The other day in the car Kylee asked me, "Mama, are we gonna die today?" I told her I didn't think so that I think God has a lot more things he wants us to do here. Someday, I said, when we have done all the things that God wants us to, we will go to heaven to be with Jesus. Kylee replied, "I don't want to die today. I want to see lots of things." I agreed that she has a lot of things to do and see. Then she asked me what Heaven looked like. I told her I didn't know but that I know it is perfect and beautiful.
Perfect and beautiful and I hope that when I get there I can give my Grandpa Hans a big hug and tell him how much I missed him.

Making a difference

I heard an awesome sermon this weekend. It was one of those times when you realize that God is trying to get your attention. Do you know what I am talking about? Several different ways through out the last couple of weeks I have been hearing a version of this particular message. How am I making a difference? I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, neighbor and there are a number of ways that I can love and serve those around me. God gives me opportunities each day...the questions is what do I do with them?
The following is from the Barna Group based on research regarding the young (18-29 yr old) unchristians perception of Evangelicals. The Common negative perceptions include that present-day Christianity is judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), old-fashioned (78%), and too involved in politics (75%) - representing large proportions of young outsiders who attach these negative labels to Christians.
Even among young Christians, many of the negative images generated significant traction. Half of young churchgoers said they perceive Christianity to be judgmental, hypocritical, and too political. One-third said it was old-fashioned and out of touch with reality.
What am I doing to perpetuate such perceptions? How can I help change them?
Well for me the answer starts here with these two precious little ones entrusted to my care. My goal is to teach them to live as Christ...Christ extendened grace and love. He wasn't hyprocritical...His actions were always consistent with the words that came out of His mouth. Politics...Christ was about loving people and restoring them to a right relationship with the Father. Old fashioned? Out of touch with reality? Loving people will never be old fashioned or out of touch with reality! My hope is that I can live in such a way that this is what my children come to understand it means to live as Christ. No small order. I am human. I have bad days. I am selfish and bound to let them down. But the word says:
Mark 12:28-31 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[f] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[g]There is no commandment greater than these."
I know this is truth and I know this is how I can make a difference. Now I need to pay attention, as stated by my good friend Diahan, and look for ways to love others as Christ loves. And this my friends is a good way to start changing the perception of Christians today.

Happy Birthday to You!

Always a source of wonder...

Last night before bed we decided to play a little game of hide n' seek. Kyle, Kylee & Jude did the counting while Mama found a place to hide. It was during this little game that Kyle discovered our sweet little boy can count to 10. We were amazed...and so excited that we then proceeded to try and capture it on video...532 takes later (slight exageration) we got it. Well worth showing off this little smarty pants!

Colossians 3:10

 
And the glory of the Lord shall be upon them...these precious ones of mine

Jude Robert Fletcher

My baby boy...turning two? This little guy has taught me so much. Sometimes I look into his eyes and catch a glimpse of myself and I imgaine what my mama thought as she looked into my eyes all those years ago. Did she feel the kind of joy that I feel when Jude wraps his little hand into my hair, lays his head on my shoulder and puts his thumb in his mouth? Did her heart swell with pride for me as mine does for Jude as he masters yet another skill? Did I baffle her with my stubborness...frustrate her with my strong will as Jude is doing to me now? Did her heart melt as mine does now as I gaze at this sweet little boy who has so completely captured my heart? Did she know that someday her little girl would have two little ones of her own to pass her legacy of love on to?

It is such a joy and an immeasurable blessing to be Jude's Mama.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy. I love you.

Mercy, Peace and Love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:2

Flood of 2009

These pictures were taken on Thursday morning before Harrison Avenue was closed. Praise God this flood wasn't as bad as they were predicting!

Flooding

Interstate 5 runs into the flooded Chehalis River at Centralia Tuesday. Drenching rain and howling winds that downed trees, cut electricity and caused widespread flooding and closed Interstate 5the main north-south highway in Western Washington.
(December 04, 2007)Associated Press

Washington National Guard truck waits to pick up people arriving by boat, left, in the floodwaters Tuesday in Centralia.(December 04, 2007)Associated Press


Can it be that we will yet again suffer loss and destruction as the waters rise? Our hearts ache for those who lost homes and belongings in last years flood...for those who are still not done repairing the damage from the last flood. We stand ready to help in anyway we can. We are praying and preparing for what is to come as the rivers rise.

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We had a wonderful white Christmas this year and we hope you did as well! Kylee and Jude were so much fun this year...the awe and wonder of the season through their precious little eyes was a gift I will treasure all year long. We enjoyed the break with daddy home (he even had a break from his Masters program! Whoo hoo!) and we're sad to have it end but here we are. So onward we forge awaiting what this new year has to offer! Peace to you!