Darilyn's Birthday!!

Happy birthday, Darilyn!! I didn't get to finish your slide show yet, since we had company and I got hurt, but I will get that up for you. I promise!!! I can't believe you are already 6 years old!! You were such a precious little bundle of joy and have been our little lady from the start, always sweet and tender and ready for a snuggle. From the time I held you in the hospital, I knew God had great plans for your life. I pray you keep your tender spirit and use it for God's glory. I love to watch you pray and worship, and praying with you as you seek the Holy Ghost is an honor I would never ever trade. Now you are in Kindergarten and doing so well. You received a justice and fairness award the other day and your teacher said you were the best kindergartner. I can't help but agree!! So, little lady, or ladybug as you re-nicknamed yourself, I want to say Happy Birthday and I love you. God truly blessed our family by giving us a wonderful daughter, Darilyn Jade.

I would also like to wish a Happy Birthday to my sister!! She shares a birthday with Darilyn, which Darilyn thinks is very special. Happy Birthday, Katrinia!!

Snow Trip

We took a trip to the snow on Thursday and had a great time. The kids loved it!! We only had one little mishap. Delaney was taking her first lap around the kiddie snowmobile track on a mini snowmobile. She got distracted by us on her last turn and crashed into the 'protective' fencing and us. Everyone got out of the way of the snowmobile, but I did get hit by one of the poles holding the fencing up. It cracked me right on the head. OWWW!! I did get a mild concussion, but we still enjoyed the rest of the day.

Christmas Day!

We had such a great Christmas this year! Kevin's Grandma and Uncle Norlan came to stay with us and we spent a lot of time with Kevin's mom and dad,and sister and family. Kevin and I and the kids opened up presents here at our house on Christmas morning and of course our houseguests joined us. His mom and dad came to watch the kids as well. Later we went to Kathy's house for Christmas dinner and more gift giving with the rest of the family. Everyone got such nice things, but we made sure the kids remembered that the reason we give gifts is to honor Jesus for giving us the greatest gift of all: himself. Since God showed His love for us by robing Himself in flesh and giving His own life and blood for our salvation, we show our love for each other by giving. Christmas is always so beautiful with the memories we make and the moments we share.

Christmas pictures of my TX family

I just wanted to share some Christmas pics of my family in TX. I did not get to be with them this year, so I really missed them all. The top pic is of Kennedy Grace and the one below that is of all my sister's kids, Haley and Kennedy, Mallory, and Presley. The next one is Logan and the bottom is Jaci, my brother's two kids. Jaci and Kennedy are the two new 'twin cousins', born 2 mos apart. Of course the original twin cousins were Delaney and Mallory, born 2o days apart. I sure do miss these kids. When we all get together next Thanksgiving (hopefully!!!) we will have a blast with girls ages (almost) 13, 8, 8, 7, and boys ages 5, 4, 3 and baby girls age 2, 1, 11 mos. Whew! What a houseful that will be!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Hope you all have a very merry Christmas with friends and family. Wishing you and yours a blessed day celebrating Christ's birth. May you make fond memories, enjoy good food, laugh a lot, and show your love for Christ today in everyway!!

Kennedy Grace

Congratulations to Katrinia and Paul. Number four arrived today at 5:16 pm. Kennedy Grace weighs 7 lbs 13 oz and is 19 1/2 inches long. She shares a birthday with big sister Mallory. We can't wait to see her and to hold her. We love you, Kennedy!

Happy Birthday, Mallory!

I want to wish a very special niece a very happy birthday. She is turning 7 today and growing up so quickly. Delaney and Mallory are "twin cousins" as we like to call them, born only a couple of weeks apart. It was always fun seeing them together when they were so little. Now, although we don't get to see her as often, my girls just love it when they get the chance to visit her. Delaney said its like having another sister almost the same age. We love you Mallory. You are a precious girl and you bring sunshine to our lives! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to a my Wonderful Granny

Today is my Granny's birthday. She was a wonderful grandmother. She passed away this past February and we miss her. We lived across the street from her when I was growing up, at least until I was 9 1/2. I can remember waiting at her house for the bus to school and going there after school was over. She always had snacks waiting for us. She had the best beaded necklaces that she would let us play with and a cabinet in her kitchen, under the microwave, filled with toys for the grandkids. Whenever I was in the bathroom too long, she would always come knocking to make sure I wasn't "meddlin'" in stuff. I am sure I usually was! I remember going to church with Granny and Papa sometimes and sitting in the red velevet theater-style seats. I was so fun to sit on top of the seat when it was folded up and then slide down with a plop as it folded down. Granny's purse always smelled of mints and she usually had certs or gum to give us. Of course, the gum wasn't for church! After I got a little older and moved to Texarkana, my favorite memory of her is how she would come out the door as soon as we drove up, ready to give out hugs and kisses and ooh and aahh over how we had grown. And the way Granny and Papa cried and prayed over us every time we were ready to get back on the road. She was a classy lady. I loved to see her all dressed up for church or to go out to eat. As I grew up even more, getting married, moving even further away, and having kids of my own, she would call to see how we were doing. I loved to hear her voice on the phone. And the times I was able to take my own children to see her were special and precious. I always knew she prayed for me and for my kids. She is part of my heritage and part of the legacy I am passing down to my own children: a Holy Ghost filled, Jesus name baptized, Christian lady that loved her family and put God and others first. I love you, Granny! Happy Birthday!

Pictures of the Girls at School and Other Things

I went to the girls' class today to take some pictures for scrapbooking. The girls love to scrapbook, so for Christmas we are making their teacher some scrapbook pages of the class. Of course, we will have to make double the pages so the girls can put them in their own scrapbooks. And for those wondering, yes, my kindergartner and first grader have the same teacher. She teaches a kindy-1st combo class. I took Darilyn's pic with the kindys and Delaney's with the 1st graders. The other teacher is an aide in the class for one of the boys. I thought I would share those with my blogging friends and family.


When I got home, I took some pictures of Dallas and Denae. I made Denae's bow this morning (Thanks for the ribbon, Mom!) and she wanted to show it off for Grandma. Then we had to have more pictures of Dallas, and Denae wanted in those too. My kids are not camera shy at all!

In the above picture Denae is saying and signing please. I told Dallas to say Candy for the picture, and Denae said, "Please." That is her way of saying yes she would like some.

The Christmas Spirit

Last night we enjoyed an evening that can only be found in the Christmas season. We first went Christmas shopping at Costco, which was suprisingly crowd free. It was great! Then, we went and picked up hot chocolates and drove to a neighborhood that every year does a remarkable job decorating for Christmas. It is a small street, but every house goes all out. A church down the street sets up a hot chocolate stand. Christmas music is played and people get out and walk the street. It was cold, but not too bad, just enough to feel like Christmas. The kids love it. I took lots of pictures to share with my friends. When we were walking back to the truck, the kids wanted to look at more lights, so we will have to go to some more neighborhoods during the season. Hope you are enjoying your Christmas season. Take time out to make memories and enjoy all the wonderful things about this season: friends, family, sharing, giving, joy, peace, love, lights, and hot chocolate (or spiced apple cider, yumm!)

Just Checking In

It has been almost a week since my last post, and I wanted to catch everyone up on our lives. We have been fighting colds the past week. So far the hardest one hit has been me, although I am feeling a bit better now. I have also been busy with some work I do from my home. The kids are doing fine. Delaney and Darilyn both got progress reports last week with great reviews. They also recently started to get an allowance and they are taking their jobs very seriously. They are such great helpers. Dallas is busy getting his dad to teach him Bible Quizzing verses. He is also trying to learn to climb trees. Uh oh! His last attempt gave him a pretty bad scrape on his back, but did not result in a Dr. visit, thank goodness. Denae is just as bright as ever, talking more, and, my personal favorite, putting toys and things back where they go. She also likes to try to copy the hand clap games the girls play. It is pretty funny. Kevin is busy with work which is going great. As usual, he has both his "regular" job with the flooring distributor as well as roofing sales. It keeps him pretty busy. I recently joined Signs of Praise, our church sign team. We are preparing for a Christmas service right now and I am enjoying learning the song. It is a lot of fun and the ladies involved are just awesome. I of course am also busy with christmas cards and christmas shopping. Oh, the season of great joy!! I really do love the Christmas season, all the lights and decorations, the music, the cold weather, and of course the giving of gifts. But lets not forget the real reason for all the celebration. Jesus gives us this love to share and the reason we can celebrate.

On a different note, I wanted to tell my mom congratulations on doing so well on her last final on medical terminology. Great job, Mom. You continue to amaze and inspire me.

Well, I am going to join my family now for some Bible Quizzing review and other fun things in front of the fire. Until next time, have a great holiday season.

Happy Birthday, Princess Delaney!

Seven years ago today I held my firstborn child for the first time. I looked into her sweet face and cuddled her close. I watched as her daddy snuggled her to him and called her princess. Since that moment I have never been the same.
Delaney, your are a blessing to us. Your sweetness, your desire to learn, your willingness to help, your sensitivity to the Lord. All of these things and so much more make up who you are. You try your best at everything you do and you succeed, whether it is learning to ride a bike, school work, or Bible Quizzing. I still remember telling you a Bible story when you were about 2 1/2 yrs old. Daddy usually told the bed time Bible stories, but he was out of town, so it was my turn. I tried to play down the firey furnance in the story of the 3 Hebrew children, but you stopped me. "NO, Mommy, not a hair on their head was burned and they didn't even smell like smoke. Only the ropes were burnt." Since then you have been wowing your teachers at both school and Sunday School with the knowledge you have at your age. And I can't forget to mention when, at 1 year old, Daddy offered to kiss your owie, but you proceeded to kiss it yourself. Little Miss Independent. But you still love to snuggle up in our laps and whisper that you love us. I guess next to holding you for the first time, seeing you receive the Holy Ghost at 5 years old and then get baptized a few months later have to be the most precious moments of my life as your mommy. I love you, Princess! You bring so much joy to our lives and we can't wait to see all the wonderful things God has in store for you.