Almost time to say Goodbye 2010

This year started out a little rough for me but it gradually got better and better. It's now all but over and I have been taking a few minutes here and there to reflect on the changes along with the constants that have made my year. Overall I had a pretty great year and I'm looking forward to an even better year in 2011. 

Looking back over the past year

You can sure see what's important in my life

FAMILY

MeRrY ChRiStMaS

What an absolutely beautiful magical day! Christmas is without a doubt my favorite day of the year! I was spoiled rotten this year. My sweet love gave me jammies for Christmas Eve, some new clothes, and a book from my favorite author Tami Hoag...I also got a few other gifts that touched my heart more than I could possibly tell you.

Aubrey and Nick made me this!

The picture really doesn't do it justice

SCREAM!!!

I LOVE IT!! 

My beautiful Sis sculpted this Santa. I Loved it from the moment she showed it to me and it hadn't even been painted yet. She sells her beautiful art online and I soooooooo wanted to buy this but it was Christmas time so I knew I couldn't. Imagine my surprise when she handed him to me this morning!! I must say it made me a little teary eyed at the time and I love it so much it will be displayed year round. I think it might just keep that magical spark of Christmas Spirit alive in me all year long. Thanks so much Diane, You have no idea how much this gift means to me! 

 Carson made me this! WOWZER!! I think she has found her crafty side!!

LOVE IT!!

I really had a magical day and hope everyone else did too!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

12 Days of Christmas

 I don't know if I would have ever thought about doing this had we not had someone do it to us when my girls were just little. I will never forget the excitement in their eyes as they sat on the floor next to the door hoping to catch whoever it was. It really stuck with us as the years passed and almost every year since we have done it for someone in need of some Christmas cheer. No matter what our financial situation was we tried to do something for someone out there feeling down during what should be the best time of the year.

My entire family has LOVED being involved in this and not only are we helping someone else, we are forging a stronger bond as a family.

The warm feeling inside that you get when you can anonymously do something for someone is the most incredible feeling EVER!! This year we had a hard time when we were deciding who needed this the most. I talked to one of my daughters and she had the perfect person. A young man that is all alone and struggling to go to school and take care of himself. I have never met this young man but hearing about his situation my heart filled with love for him.

Last night we wrapped a gift and wrote a little note informing him that he is loved and that he could expect a surprise each day until Christmas. I am sending him all the Love and Light I can possibly send with each gift and I'm hoping that if nothing else this will make him smile as much as it is making my family smile. I hope he gets a warm feeling deep in his heart and knows that he is not alone and that he is loved!!

If you have never done this, I would highly recommend trying it just once. There is no better way to get in the spirit of the holidays then giving to others.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TODAY IS?

HaPpY BiRtHdaY Kelly!!

23 years ago I received the best Christmas gift EVER!!

Seems like yesterday... then, I blinked and my sweet baby became a beautiful young woman.

I know we have not always seen eye to eye Kell but, I am so proud of the woman you are turning into. You're beautiful, talented and smart. I know this new adventure you are on is the right path for you. I think you have found your niche and will be in great demand once you finish school.

Have a beautiful day my sweet girl!! I love your guts!

My~My

Well, I had started a crafty blog months and months ago. I haven't posted anything on it for a very long time and last night I thought I would try to get back to it. I went on over to post some of the things I've been working on lately and wouldn't you know it.....I have forgotten the password...I tried and tried to remember it but had to finally give up the battle. No one ever said I was the sharpest tool in the shed......SHEESH!! I got so frustrated and decided I would just have to start another one.

This time I did it the smart way and connected it to this one so I can just flop back and forth using the SAME log in info....I think this will work much better...I hope you will pop in there and say hi!
http://lindascreativeniche.blogspot.com/

I Miss Him!!

I can't believe it has been 7 years since I told you goodbye. It seems as if it were yesterday. I remember you resting peacefully on that small bed, breathing easier than you had in years.

The Doctors and Nurses with hospice were so wonderful and talked to us about the dying process. In a strange way it helped more than I ever would have thought. They explained how each bodily function would shut down one by one and that hearing was one of the last things to go. They said it might help if we all took a moment to tell this great man goodbye and those loved ones that couldn't be there should be called and we were to hold the phone to dads ear so that everyone could have the opportunity to say goodbye and let him know it was ok for him to go.

When it was my turn I sat in the chair next to him holding his hand, I leaned down, kissed him on the cheek. I weeped as I told my hero one last time how much I loved him and how badly I would miss him. I assured him I would be alright. That my wonderful husband would be my rock and get me through the tough spots. I told him I would take care of my girls.  I knew it was time for him to join the love of his life. My mom was there, I felt her and knew she was waiting patiently for him and it was ok. With one last kiss I made my way out of the room. It was one of the hardest goodbyes I've ever gone through. I was trying so hard not to be selfish. He had suffered far to long. I knew all of that in my head but my heart ached for MORE TIME!!. It wasn't long before everyone that could get there had their turn to say goodbye and the phone calls had been made.

 Within minutes of the last goodbye my dad peacefully joined my mom and sister. 

As sad as it was, it was one of the most incredibly beautiful moments I have ever witnessed. He was totally surrounded with love as he slipped away.

I miss him so damn much and still cry sometimes but I do know that I will see him again one day. Until then I still feel him when I need him. He is forever in my heart!!

God Bless my daddy, take good care of him, my beautiful mom and sister.

Until we meet again Dad
May you rest in peace

Incredible!
Someone shared this link on facebook and it really touched my heart. I found myself in tears.

http://www.godvine.com/Flash-Mob-Surprises-Everyone-by-Singing-Hallelujah-in-the-Food-Court-90.html

What is your favorite Christmas decoration?

I love this time of year. It always seems so magical to me. Everywhere you go you see the beautiful lights and such a great variety of decorations.

LOVE IT!!

If I had to pick one decoration for my favorite, it would have to be the tree. I love to sit with a hot cup of coffee and just look at it. Not that I have the most beautiful tree ever but, I love it no matter what and I could sit and stare at my tree for hours.

My mind wanders to Christmas' past and the wonderful beautiful magical Christmas' when I was a little girl then on to when my girls were little and eventually I get to the current Christmas season. Sometimes the anticipation gets me so excited I just sit and smile ... My hubbs probably thinks I'm a bit odd but that's ok, he loves me anyway.

This is a tree from when a was just a little girl...remember the icicles? our tree was always covered in them!! I loved it!! Now...I'm not to big on the icicle look...LOL
My walk down memory lane when I looked at this picture took be back to the ritual of putting up the tree. My dad always did the lights and garland then....once that was finished my mom oversaw all of us as we carefully placed every beautifully colored ball in it's perfect place. when it was time for the icicles some of placed them one by one and made sure they hung just so...some wanted to just throw them and let them land....well...where ever..(I would get SOOO mad when they did that)
Oh my I miss my mom and dad so much. Decorating the tree is a time when I am always full of memories and feel especially close to them.

My daughter Aubrey loves to decorate for Christmas. Once she was old enough she insisted we put up the tree Thanksgiving night. She always pulled everything out and decorated our house beautifully. Now she does the same in her own home. I will share her pictures once she sends them to me...BEAUTIFUL about sums it up

I have always had a big and full tree but last year I had to go with a little one.

I still loved it but this year I made room for a bigger tree....I am SOOOOOOO glad I did! I made my own decorations and I think it's BEAUTIFUL! Kelly has never been into the decorating part of Christmas, she loves the decorations but wants someone else to put them up. This year I MADE her help me. I think she did a beautiful job!

I hope you will all share your favorite decoration with me.

Sending everyone Love and Light and wishing you the greatest Holiday season EVER!!!

Jace's Bowling Birthday!

What a fun party for sweet Jace. He loves bowling and it was sure fun watching all the kiddies having fun. Thanks to everyone that came and helped make Jace's Birthday so special for him!!

 WOW what a spread!! look at all those cup cakes!

Jace and mommy

         Sweet little Kasen

Cute Jasmine

     Kylie....what a smile...LOL

Marco's Aunt and her darling little boy Benecio

The cute little birthday boy Jace!!

Gramma Paula helping

Amanda ...she looks just totally thrilled to be there...LOL

Auntie Diane...always smiling

      Kelly and Carson..

Granny and Rylee

         PRESENT TIME!!!

Me and my sweet Carson...She's a great mommy, I'm so proud of her

  Jace and his PaPa....showing off one of his many presents

Gramma Paula and Marco's Aunt

                                                                                   more bowling

Granny is soooo freakin' fun....Jace LOVES his granny

TODAY IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Jace!!

I can hardly believe that it's been 3 years since I held my very first grandson in my arms. His mommy had some complications and he was forced to come into this world a bit early and was a pretty sick little guy. Born with pneumonia he had to spend 10 days in the hospital before he got to go home with his mommy and daddy. He weighed 7 lbs and was 3 weeks early...Oh my gosh he would have been a big boy had he gone full term!!

He has had Gramma wrapped around his finger from day one! I love him so very much, I don't know what I ever did before he was in my life.

Watching him grow has given me so much joy! I can't even begin to express the impact this little boy has made in my life. He is all boy, rough and tough no doubt about that but, he has one of the most sweet and tender hearts I have ever seen.

Her is a little peek of his first 3 years