6 years Ago Tonight...

Us in Tuscon Arizona

San Diego, California

Disney Cruise!

One of the only pic. we have of when I was preg. with
Samuel. What a great husband who was with me every step
of the way!

.......Kev asked me to be his wife. At times it seems like only yesterday and then at times it seems like we've lived two lifetimes since then. Just for memory sake...I'll take you on a walk down memory lane. I was expecting the proposal any day. We had already put a down payment to build a house...I knew it was coming. In fact I asked my dad everyday if he had seen or spoken to Kevin that day. It was a Fri. night and we went out on a date..which back then we did pretty much every Fri. and Sat. night....my how things change! We went downtown to a great Italian restaurant....and I was anxious and excited...just ready for him to pop the question already! Well we ate...and no ring...instead of strolling the beautiful street of our hometown we headed to the truck. I wanted to suggest a stroll..thinking it would make a perfect scene...him on one knee...old homes in the background...Christmas lights twinkling below....but I refrained...hoping he had a plan. So in the truck we got and he proceeded to leave downtown...couldn't for the life of me figure out what the plan was...I mean this had to be the night. As we were almost leaving downtown he made a turn and headed toward a local gazebo. We got out and strolled a bit and sat on the steps of the gazebo...my heart was pounding ...I knew it was coming. He got down on one knee and said a bunch a sweet things..that I really can't remember but to the effect that he knew God wanted him to marry me and he placed the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen on my finger. One thing about Kev..if he is gonna buy something..say a tv, refrigerator, or ring...he's gonna research the thing to death and buy the best...and he sure did. I think he thought if he got me a great ring he'd never be required to buy jewelry again. Needless to say we were over the moon excited. We had a strange dating relationship....met on a blind date the previous Jan. dated until June...broke up (he needed to find his way..poor guy...but the best thing that ever happened to our rel.)...in Sept. we started hanging out only as friends...every night after work he'd come over to my parents. We kept it totally a friendship...even though I really liked him...and then in Nov. he told me he loved me! I think the next weekend we were house shopping and the next weekend we got engaged. Sometimes I'd think...this is so fast. Especially when compared to previous relationships we'd both been in...but one thing I can say is that the Lord always gave me complete peace about marrying Kev. I am so glad I did!

Win a Sling!

One thing that I never got when I had e was a sling! I had a front carrier that was...so difficult to wear. I used it a few times when trying to clean and she wanted to be held. Needless to say it was a waste. I check the 30 days sight often because she does a free give away every week. All you have to do is comment and you are entered. Check it out...you can click on the 30 days button on my sidebar. My favorite sling pattern is the chloe...hopefully it will come in handy one day in the future...and maybe I'll get lucky and win!

Christmas!

I love Christmas time...I always have. It is definitely the most wonderful time of the year in my opinion. I love the shopping, baking, decorating..dressing e in cute festive clothes, seeing the lights...and on and on! I think sometimes in my mind I want a Southern Living/Pottery Barn kind of Christmas...you know the scene where everyone is perfectly festive, the house is all a glow, the turkey is plump and on the table, and the snow is covering the ground. Everything in those pictures look so perfect...like the perfect holiday...just as it should be! I was amazed the other day that my 3 year old nephew was so enamored with my Christmas Village! He sat looking at each piece forever...wanting to see the people inside. Sometimes don't you just want to jump into those little villages and camp out! Maybe it's just me!

I came across this poem several months ago and saved it on my computer. I loved the message of it and hopefully it will help me to remember to focus on the true meaning of Christmas!

CORINTHIANS 13 CHRISTMAS VERSION

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never fails.

Thanksgiving

I wanna play outside too!

The Grandkids...for now!

The girls minus Jess...:(

We've enjoyed a great Thanksgiving week and day. Kev keeps saying that he cannot believe that his vacation is almost over. We ate a Thanksgiving brunch with Kev's family at 10:00 on Thanksgiving morning and then an early dinner with my family around 2:30. It was a long and busy day..especially with a little one. She had her fair share of family, love and getting into mischief! Thanksgiving is def. busier with a little one...no more afternoon naps on Thanksgiving day. We got home and put e to be at 6:20. She was so tired from her non-napping day...and so was her mommy! I headed out at 5 am on Fri. to finish my Christmas Shopping. I had a list and got most of what I needed! You wouldn't know we are in a recession from the looks of our mall. I love the hustle bustle of holiday shopping. Only 26 more shopping days left! Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Day 6

In Ephesians Paul tells the believers to "give thanks always for all things.' Eph. 5:20

One man of God told of meditating on this verse while he was brushing his teeth one morning. He was challenged by the thought of thanking God for everything! He said. " I began thanking God for my toothbrush. Then I thanked Him for the toothpaste. Then I realized that I had never thanked God for my teeth!" Thehe went on to ask this probing question, "If tomorrow's supply depended on today's thanksgiving, how much would I have tomorrow?" Taken from www.reviveourhearts .com

As you go about your day, try thanking God for all things both big and small!

Small things I am grateful for:

my comfy bed, my warm house, shoes and clothes, having my Christmas decorations up, new shampoo and conditioner(sometimes just a switch really helps my hair) my flat iron that gets my curls out, my comfy socks I wear all day everyday, Chick-fli-A, that e can drink her milk all by herself now, my camera that is hot pink, my new shirt I got today, a day spent with Kev and e, that I have family close by, Christmas lights on homes, cold weather, oatmeal..esp. the cinnamon roll kind, and there are so many more!

happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day5

Today's assignment was to write a letter of gratitude to three of the people listed yesterday thanking them for the blessing they have been in your life. I guess I've got some writing to do.

We went to our Thanksgiving meal at church tonight. It is always on the Tues. before Thanksgiving and always how we begin our Thanksgiving Celebration. Lots of yummy food!

Thanksgiving Day 4

Today's assignment was to make a list of other individuals who have blessed or touched your life. These can include pastor's, teachers, friends, business associates, neighbors, or leaders of Christian ministry.

There are many people outside my family who are dear to me and who the Lord has used throughout my life in different ways.

1. Mr. Doug at Church...he is the kindest greeter you will ever meet. He always makes me feel loved and special.

2. Louise M....a special lady to me.

3. Kev's Aunt Pam..she is so loving and giving to me. She always finds sweet ways to bless our family.

4. Our Sunday School Class..friends who are always there when needed. They model Christ love through their actions...cooking meals, sending cards, praying when needed.

5. Tina G....she organized a prayer chain for me when I was pregnant with e and would randomly call women in our church directory each time I went in for an ultrasound. She has two small kids who keep her busy and this was so kind. I know the prayers helped!

6. My Church as a whole.

7.E's pediatrician Dr. Traynham. It is a blessing to have a Christian doctor who you trust when taking care of your sick child.

8. Our neighbors Pete and Whitney...such a blessing to have Christian neighbors who we trust and know are there if we need anything...like and egg or something:)

I know there are many many more people who have blessed my life. I am thankful for you all!