Goodbye 2013!!

I can't believe we are in the last few days of 2013.  It's flown by in the blink of the eye.

Overall we have been blessed this year.  We lost a few loved ones this year, the kids' babysitter and our dear friend, Belinda, and here recently a family that we know lost their 6 month old son.  I know these lovely people are up in Heaven, and it comforts me that someday we will see them.

We have had a blessed year...
    Miss Emma left Pre-K and joined us up at the "big school" as she called it, in Kindergarten.

    Damon's brother Bryan has come back to Hamilton, and has been good for the family.
 
    Landon has opened up and played in a community theater, and enjoys it. He also enjoys playing video games, basketball, and baseball.

   Damon and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. Wow!

   Friends have blessed us this year with laughs and memories.


I  have seen a few blogs over the years that say to pick a word for the coming year.  Last year my word was love and this year I want to change my word to "Savor."

  I want to savor the blessings this year...
 
 I want to savor the giggles of my kids watching a movie with popcorn and dim lights in our living room on blankets.

 I want to savor a wonderful meal with my family.

 I want to savor my kids' shining moments, either in a play, in practice, or wherever they may be.

 I want to savor a glass of wine, candlelight, and a hot bath.

 I want to savor date night with my husband.

 I want to savor moments with my son before he becomes too "big" to hug his mom.

 I want to savor little moments with my daughter before she thinks momma doesn't know "anything"

 I want to savor quiet time in the mornings with a cup of tea and the Lord almighty speaking to me.

 I want to savor each and every day, no matter if the day brings tears or laughter.

Christmas Wrap-up

It's been a busy week. A beautiful Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church, Christmas with our families, and now wrapping it up. 

The kids enjoyed their gifts and were blessed with gifts from us, grandmas, aunts & uncles. It was a wonderful time spent with family. I know I've changed because I was excited to get dishes, a cookbook, and casserole dish for Christmas. Far cry from wanting clothes, books, or jewelry. Although I did get a few of those too. 

My husband also made me a picture frame for a Marilyn Monroe print for my kitchen and a new cross for my wall.

It also warmed my heart to have Emma suggest on Christmas morning to sing happy birthday to baby Jesus. We of course did. :) 

Today I have picked up the house a bit, made breakfast burritos, and napped, worked on a computer for a lady here in town, and not done a whole lot more. I hope other moms out there have days like today. I have not got out of my pj's, and since the days halfway done, I don't see me getting dressed. 

I am looking forward to making 2014 a better year than 2013. This past year was blessed, but who wants to stay in the same place. I want to make it better each year, make each day better. 

All those that read this, please say a prayer for a family in our small town. They lost their 6 month old son on Monday. He was born with a heart defect, and this dear angel went to spend Christmas with our Heavenly Father. My heart hurts for this family, please say a prayer for them during this dark time. 

Sunday Day of Rest...

Any other momma's out there (or Daddy's for that matter) that feel guilty taking a day to do nothing??

This morning we went to church and then since then, I have done nada, zilch, nothing. I made sandwiches for lunch, then took a nap, finished a book, and watched a little football.

The kids played, built a kitty house out of boxes, and Damon and I had a full day of rest. I know it makes me better to rest so I don't get burned out, but I still feel a little guilty.  But I do my family no good if I'm tired and grouchy. I have to rest in order to be the best me I can be.

So don't be guilty if you rest today, it's Biblical.

Blessings this week!!!

Christmas Break is Here!!

Do you hear that sigh of relief? That is me SO happy that our two week break has finally arrived!!! Sleeping in, no schedules, and family time. Yeah!!

Here are some better pics of my kiddos at the Christmas play.

Then we had a blast at our community's Christmas festivities. We sang, made ornaments, went on a horse drawn carriage ride and watched fireworks. 

Emma had her class party earlier this week and got to see Santa.

Landon's class party was today. The kids had fun and we set up a photo booth for the kiddos. 

Such crazy boys! 

We all are in need of a much needed break! 

Blessings to you all!

Christmas in Full Swing!!

The Christmas season is in full swig which means holiday parties, shopping, class parties, and oh yeah..,the regular things on our schedule too!!  This is a snapshot of our week this week.

Last night the Cub Scout had their Christmas party and Chinese Christmas.

We had fun..but we know how to be goofy too..LOL

Emma had her Girl Scout party & caroling at the nursing homes last night as well.

Three and a half days and it's a two week  break! (HAPPY DANCE!) Last night when we made it home, I needed to get a few things done before going to bed, but decided to stay a few more minutes relaxing with this in my lap

Blessings to you & your family!

Ice Storm 2013

Well us Texans aren't used to ice & snow. Friday school was called off due to the roads. Saturday & Sunday we stayed inside. The kids went out and played in the ice but this momma stayed inside as much as possible. 

Sunday the sun decided to poke out and start thawing all the ice. I'm looking at the window watching it all melt away. 

10 Things About My Life

1.  I met Damon when I was 19. We've been through a lot, but I love him more today than the day we married.

2. My father taught me that ALL kinds of music can soothe your soul no matter WHAT is going on with your life.

3. My life is crazy busy with 2 kids and all their activities, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I remind myself daily that this season won't last forever and I will miss these days.

4. One of the best trips I remember was with Damon for my birthday. He surprised me with a trip on a motorcycle to Granbury. We went on the riverboat for dinner, and was so fun!

5. Fall leaves in gold, red, and orange make me absolutely joyful.

6. My husband is so creative. I have 32 crosses on my wall, and he's made me the majority of them. I have ones out of pipe, metal, wood, old barn wood, metal & wood. 

7. Emma Nicole is named after my dear friend who passed away in 2002, Tiffany Nicole. When I found out I was due at the end of December and would have to have a c-section, I asked the doctor to schedule her delivery on Tiffany's birthday, Dec 27.

8. I am a very experimental cook. I follow the recipe when baking, but anything else, random things get thrown in. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. 

9. Landon inherited my genes to be in front of people on stage. He is very good on stage. Emma is more like Damon, and is shy until she gets to know you.

10. I love my family fiercely, and am grateful for all the blessings in my life. 

Thanksgiving 2013

We had a great thanksgiving this year. We had thanksgiving with my family Wednesday and then Damon's family on Thursday. We had some relaxing and got Christmas decorations up, and things done around the house.

Sad to see our four day weekend come to an end. It's been a great time with family and friends. 

Week in Review

Monday was busy with Scouts and Girl Scouts. And we had to hang up Emma's latest art project.

Emma decided our fireplace needed some color.

Wednesday was Landon's Birthday. We had lunch together.

Thursday miss Emma had their Thanksgiving play.

 Friday we were busy cleaning and getting ready for the party today.  We had a zombie birthday party where the big "kids" pretended to be zombies and the kiddos shot them with nerf bullets.

Then we all came inside for cupcakes, snacks, and presents.

This momma is tired but happy. It has been a blessed week. I have so much to be thankful for. 

Where does the time go??

Yesterday my baby boy turned 9 years old!! Where did those last nine years go?

We started the day with some birthday  candles and donuts. And one present on his birthday.

Then I brought him some lunch and ate with him and his friends.

I can't believe it. He's growing up so fast. I wish I could slow down time and take it all in.  Happy birthday munchkin!!!

Weekly Wrap-up

It was a crazy busy week between soccer games, practice, and Halloween, and field trips. 

Monday- last soccer game for Landon 

Tuesday was our cub scouts meeting. We have taken over cub scouts and it's a learning curve. :) but it is so much fun working with the boys. 

Wednesday was frantic trying to get stuff together for Halloween.

Thursday was character dress up day at school. 

And let's not forget trick or treating....

Our soldier, gangsta, and princess goofing off after trick or treating..

Friday was Emma's school field trip to the zoo. It was so much fun!

Thankful November Day #1

Today is the first day of November which means the whole month of being thankful and grateful for our blessings. 

Today I am thankful for a husband who loves his kiddos and wants to be involved in things they do. Today was Emma's class field trip to a nearby Zoo. We had so much fun. The animals were all out and active, and it was sunny and perfect weather. 

I'm also thankful that tomorrow is the first Saturday in probably a MONTH that we have NOTHING planned. I get to sleep in, and rest. Awwwwww!

Wordless Wednesday

Fun fall times!!!

Quiet Times

I am one of those people, I can definitely tell when I have been neglecting my alone time. I have to spend some time just me and God or I get stressed out and snappish in a hurry. When this happens I try to recognize it and get back to the word of God. There is usually something that seems to be tailored to fit some situation in my life when I read my devotionals. (Even when you are trying to read and get alone with God with a playful kitten trying to tear down your curtains) 

No matter what the day brings, try to get alone with God, even if it's just a few minutes. Even Jesus took time during his ministry to go away to pray and rest and be alone with God. 

"Be careful, then how you live- not as unwise but wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."  Ephesians 5:15-17

Make it a great day!!

Harvest Festival

This weekend was our church's annual Harvest Festival. We had a petting zoo, bounce house, and coloring contest for the kids. We even had a bit of fall weather to go along with the festival.

Then Sunday was church, watching The Croods at home, football, and a nap. I was trying to get a few things done on my computer and had a helper.

HUMP DAY!!

It's Wednesday, so for our family that means a day off from the usual hustle of the week. We choose not to do a thing on Wednesdays. 

This weekend we went to celebrate our friends' baby turning one. Isn't she precious!!!

We received some welcome rains this weekend which cooled things off for a few hours. Oh how I'm wishing the fall weather would come around to stay!!

This weekend some of my friends got together to visit our dear friend Tiffany. Eleven years ago we lost her to luekeima. Some of us brought our kiddos so they were our photographer, and also photo bombed our picture!! LOL 

So ready for tomorrow!! I am going to darken my hair for fall and we have a soccer scrimmage & tumbling. I do love my crazy life!!!

Have a blessed week!!