Before Christmas can truly begin....

our boy & girl has to turn ten! It is hard to convey the emotions that these few days hold. If I had posted this before Tuesday I'm sure some of it would've held different emotions - maybe not. This week was not an easy one for us for multiple reasons. However, my love for these sweet children is still the same.

Our first celebration started Sunday night after church with Aunt Lisa & Uncle Roger. When the "birthday desert" came, the singing began. Aunt Lisa sang desperately out of tune on purpose and poor Abbi could barely contain herself - note the bright shade of red and plugged ears.


I don't know that I've ever seen her face this red (the blushing seems to be a new thing) but it was funny for us to watch.


"Old" friends surely make the best friends - I love you Lisa!

We celebrated the actual day with a dinner to Outback - they opened gifts, ate, and enjoyed more birthday dessert.

The poor girl had been salivating over black nikes ever since her Daddy and Brother got a pair - finally her new "kicks"

Of course, the video game makes this one all smiles.

I love this sweet boy but sometimes it's not easy. The next day was truly one of the worst days I've had parenting him. Who knows how one child can be so different from the others in the home. I am writing this more as a release for me than for your benefit (of course) I never want him to question how much I love him, I want to be able to show him that, help guide him in the right paths, use his gifts to the fullest of potential. I pray that we have both learned from this week. I know I've said this before but being a parent is beyond words the hardest job on earth! I will never understand it all I just pray the Lord helps me to be the best mother to him I can. Thank you to every person who has ever encouraged us, prayed for us, or just been our friend. Thank you so much!

May this next year hold great joy and peace for all of us as we struggle to please the Lord and walk in His perfect will!

Happy New Year!

Finally...

a crafty post! I haven't taken much time lately to do anything crafty but the closer Christmas gets there are a few cards necessary - so I get to make them and this one was inspired by a very simple card but I like the geometric nature of it none-the-less.

Two version:
This is just cardstock and jewels. Don't worry - these are the kind that come in a strip so I didn't sit and put each one on individually - HA!


Version 2:
I can't decide which I like best - this one is going to Braden's teacher who LOVES some bling - hope she likes it (of course she'll probably enjoy the handwritten note by him on the inside saying she is a cool teacher the most)


And to finish off this post - a rare shot with all 3 looking the same direction, at the same time, with a version of a smile - a true Christmas miracle!


If I don't get to blog again before then, MERRY CHRISTMAS and enjoy all your blessings - thre greatest being our Savior Jesus Christ!

"Thank You Daddy. . . .

for bringing us here!" were the sweet words spoken by Braden on the evening of our arrival to "The Happiest Place on Earth" They were overwhelmed with it all and I was so excited they were - didn't want them to be bored by it all - this world has a tendency to do that to us.

We had a long drive (longer than usual as we suppose that everyone who traveled North for Thanksgiving decided to travel back South the same day as us) Stand still traffic on I-75! Anyway, by the time we got there it was dark but just in time to watch the fireworks across the lake from the Castle.

I love these two boys explaining things to one another!


Here is that castle lit up for Christmas - GORGEOUS!!!


Day One - pre-trip photo - they were super excited!


There were times in this trip I wanted to pull my hair out and other times I just smiled at the sweet love - this one makes me MELT! Love the two heads together and the arms wrapped tight:)

Another spontaneous show of love to help the little guy along - at this stage these are rare but oh how sweet when they do it on their own!

Toy Story Interactive game - Daddy was serious!

Even brought out the tongue for concentration - so glad to have captured this even if it wasn't on purpose.

We met a few characters along the way - was surprised that the big kids were interested in autographs but also grateful when they weren't interested enough to wait in a few of the mile long lines - gotta have balance right?

Can't leave the magic kingdom without riding Dumbo!

Thank you again Daddy for this fun adventure - we really did share some fun times and we are so blessed to be able to do this type of stuff with our children.

Where Dreams Come True!