Strength...
There is not much that impresses me more than my daughter's strength! Brianna has NEVER done anything half way and she is the polar opposite of mediocrity. She is sunshine when it's raining and she is strong when others would quit! She will tell you how she feels so that you will never have to wonder where you stand. She is kind and she is patient, but has a tremendous sense of right, wrong and justice! I never have to worry about what side she'll be on. She will love like there is no tomorrow, like she's never had a broken heart, but she always knows just when the ride is over. She will depart just as gracefully as she swept in and she never shows animosity toward others that have let her down, but rather just chalks them up to another life lesson. She is larger than life and incredibly mature, but she often sees the good in life as if she were looking through the eyes of a much younger child! She will be you staunchest supporter and then be proudly stubborn when she believes she is right! She is wild and sweet, she is strong and faithful, she is kind and sympathetic, and should you ever have the opportunity to know her as I do it will surely be a privelege and one you'll never forget! Brianna I will always love you and always be grateful that God has blessed me so incredibly in being your mother. Mothering you has made me a better person! I hope all your dreams will always come as true as you have made mine!!! Love You!!!
My monkeys are my own personal fairy tale in real life...
Ramblings, Sentiments, Rantings and Musings
- Dana
- I am a mother of 5 wonderful children and wife to one amazing Navy man. I am always changing things in my life, constantly learning something new and trying it out. I am a wannabe vegan, minimalist and currently living full time in an RV. Just for clarification, I say wannabe, because I know I am not perfect, but each day I strive to do the best I can. That's all I can expect from anyone no matter where they are in life. I learn something new everyday...mostly about myself and my little corner of reality. Life, to me, is loving, learning and making memories. These are better than all the tangible riches one can get their hands on! Besides, there will come a day when all I have left is my love and memories...so I'll stockpile as much of those as I can!
Don't have much time to write at this moment...I have to go fulfull my "drive kids all over town...and out of town" duties! I will try to get on here soon though and get some more photos. Everyone is growing and changing so fast...if I don't get to work they won't be reconizable anymore LOL! For now here are a few updated shots. Zach is 15 years old now and plays Varsity and JV football at a local highschool. He is #60. These first few pics are from one of his recent games. The top picture on the blog is newer as well and was taken about a month or so ago.
Braji and her best friend and my 5th daughter...Ali! I have adopted her...well I guess it would only be fair to say that we all have. We love you Ali!!!
Well this is it for now and as always, I hope life will accomodate writing again one day, but for this season it just doesn't fit in the list of priorities! Hope all is well with everyone and that everyone is well.
Braji and her best friend and my 5th daughter...Ali! I have adopted her...well I guess it would only be fair to say that we all have. We love you Ali!!!
Well this is it for now and as always, I hope life will accomodate writing again one day, but for this season it just doesn't fit in the list of priorities! Hope all is well with everyone and that everyone is well.
Take care...Dana
Hello again,
Sadly, many days have come and gone since I thought I would start to write again. A home remodeled, a camping trip, another trip cancelled by an automotive crisis, family and friends have paid their visits and though, I have so many things to tell you of, my life is so incredibly full that it seems I may never have the time.
Ya know, it honestly doesn't seem that I will be able to fit it in anywhere in the near future. Maybe I need to just commit to writing once or twice a week...once seems more reasonable. I really do enjoy writing however, I have said it before and I will say it again, the busyness of my life with my kiddos needs to come first.
I only have them here in this home with me for a season and then I will pine for the days that at present have me feeling frazzled. I will long for the days of carpools and sports, doctors and family trips. In those days that will be here way too soon, I will have time to write, to read, to knit, to spend time with my hubby alone. And in all those moments I will wonder why I ever looked ahead, why I ever felt the impatience of time. Because, with the exception of spending time with my hubby all the rest of the things are just that "things"!
Love your families...one day memories is all you'll have!!!
It has been a bit since I have been on my dear blog, but life in my home has been a bit wild lately. We are also back to sharing on computer. I am hoping to get back to blogging as soon as possible, probably as soon as this remodeling project is finished. We are painting the living room, dining room and kitchen and we have laid wood floors down. All we have left is baseboards and some last minute details and touch ups. So shouldn't be too long. We are also planning a trip to Kentucky to see the grandparents towards the latter half of this month. All that said though, hopefully I will be back soon with new pics to post!!! Until then, I'll be thinking of the clicking of the keyboard...see you soon;-)
Life as it is:::
1. I have 5 amazing children, 1 handsome boy and 4 beautiful girls2. I have an amazing husband who is also a fine Naval Officer
3. I have a very nice, home about 3000 sq. ft. on 3 acres in the country
4. I have horses, dogs, cats, and chickens
5. I have loads of fine jewelry and too many shoes
6. I homeschool my children so I get to spend every day with them
7. I have a lifestyle that affords many extras that we didn't have before
8. I have a husband who is faithful and loves spending time with me
9. I have a family that is healthy, self assured, and very confident
10. I have a life that is so much more than I could have ever hoped for
My life is incredible! I have a life that most would love to have. I have an amazing family that I love with all my heart. I sacrificed a career in order to be home with my kids every day, and I have no regrets. I have a husband who makes the sacrifices he makes every day so that I can stay home with those wonderful kids. I have a fantastic life and I will never have enough words to express how grateful I am to God that He saw fit to bless my life so abundantly, to my husband who gives so freely of himself, and unconditional love from my children, when I have done nothing remotely close to deserving it!
Amazing people they've become...
When my babes were little tiny things, I had to do so much
They couldn't dress themselves, brush their hair or wipe their bums.
So many days I spent exhausted thinking "You'll never make it through,
because there's one, two, three, four, five of them and only one of you!"
Each day they all grew a little older,
Time flew by before I knew.
And gone were the days of diaper bags,
No more strollers or baby food.
As the years went racing by in a whirlwind it sure seemed,
Memories of these baby days became more and more like a dream.
I remember kissing baby toes and nursing each one tenderly,
Oh the sweet days that now exist only in my memory.
I realize I can't turn back time and live it all again,
So in my heart I'll tuck those days away and always remember when,
My days were filled with belly laughs and silly toothless grins,
Story books and dress up clothes and bikes with training wheels.
One by one the days will come and I will share with them,
The fairytale that's been my life since the time my babes were young.
I'll open up my heart to them each and every one,
And proudly share my precious memories with the
Amazing people they've become.
To my children, who from the moment they were born, have been the center of my world!
Love, Mama
When my babes were little tiny things, I had to do so much
They couldn't dress themselves, brush their hair or wipe their bums.
So many days I spent exhausted thinking "You'll never make it through,
because there's one, two, three, four, five of them and only one of you!"
Each day they all grew a little older,
Time flew by before I knew.
And gone were the days of diaper bags,
No more strollers or baby food.
As the years went racing by in a whirlwind it sure seemed,
Memories of these baby days became more and more like a dream.
I remember kissing baby toes and nursing each one tenderly,
Oh the sweet days that now exist only in my memory.
I realize I can't turn back time and live it all again,
So in my heart I'll tuck those days away and always remember when,
My days were filled with belly laughs and silly toothless grins,
Story books and dress up clothes and bikes with training wheels.
One by one the days will come and I will share with them,
The fairytale that's been my life since the time my babes were young.
I'll open up my heart to them each and every one,
And proudly share my precious memories with the
Amazing people they've become.
To my children, who from the moment they were born, have been the center of my world!
Love, Mama
Some of my all time favorites and my "for now" favorites...
Salty popcorn...air popped, not the microwaved kind.
Hugs and kisses from the man I love.
Almost any hot tea that I can put cream and sugar in.
DVR and the pause button on my remote.
Horses frolicking at sunrise manes and tails flowing.
Playing games of any kind with my kiddos.
The puffy faces of my children when they first wake up in the morning.
Sitting by the fire and roasting marshmallows with my family.
Listening to my children read to me.
Finding friends via the internet, whom I thought were lost for ever.
Fresh eggs every day from chickens at my home.
My life, which takes me by surprise almost daily, at how wonderful and amazing it is that it is mine~~~~~
Making this list is such a great way for me to now and take inventory of myself. Plus, it gives me one more chance to stop and be thankful for some pretty cool things in my life. If you made a list what would it say?
Salty popcorn...air popped, not the microwaved kind.
Hugs and kisses from the man I love.
Almost any hot tea that I can put cream and sugar in.
DVR and the pause button on my remote.
Horses frolicking at sunrise manes and tails flowing.
Playing games of any kind with my kiddos.
The puffy faces of my children when they first wake up in the morning.
Sitting by the fire and roasting marshmallows with my family.
Listening to my children read to me.
Finding friends via the internet, whom I thought were lost for ever.
Fresh eggs every day from chickens at my home.
My life, which takes me by surprise almost daily, at how wonderful and amazing it is that it is mine~~~~~
Making this list is such a great way for me to now and take inventory of myself. Plus, it gives me one more chance to stop and be thankful for some pretty cool things in my life. If you made a list what would it say?
Oh my poor blog!
Well I have once again begun to neglect my blog. I have been so busy playing with the kiddos and reconnecting with friends on another on another website. I am so excited to be catching up with friends from school. Most are married with children now. It is funny to me to see their photos with their families. I keeping seeing them walking around with their books at school.
We are all grown up now. I wonder how many of us are doing what we thought we would be doing when we grew up? I know that I didn't invision having 5 children that I homeschool, and I didn't have a clue I would be married to a Naval Officer.
I didn't go back to school after I got my associates degree. I only followed my career path for less than a year before I made the decision to stay home with the kiddos never to return to work. Wow now that I think about it I have haven't had a job since 1998. It is funny how my life turned out better than I could have hoped for, seeing as I didn't hope or dream for any of the current things in my life. Just goes to show that the Good Lord knows better than me ;-)
I never have never for one second regretted the decision I made to stay home with my kids. I love them because I am their mama and I like them because they are genuinely nice people. And as for my husband, well what can I say he is amazing. He has worked very hard and made many sacrifices, especially deployments overseas in order to give me and my children the chance to have an incredible life! I will never be able to put my gratitude for him into words. He is the bomb!
Anyway, I just wanted to update the blog to let others know why I haven't posted in the last few days. For now I am going to putz around on the computer and watch t.v. Hope everyone is having a fabulous night!
Well I have once again begun to neglect my blog. I have been so busy playing with the kiddos and reconnecting with friends on another on another website. I am so excited to be catching up with friends from school. Most are married with children now. It is funny to me to see their photos with their families. I keeping seeing them walking around with their books at school.
We are all grown up now. I wonder how many of us are doing what we thought we would be doing when we grew up? I know that I didn't invision having 5 children that I homeschool, and I didn't have a clue I would be married to a Naval Officer.
I didn't go back to school after I got my associates degree. I only followed my career path for less than a year before I made the decision to stay home with the kiddos never to return to work. Wow now that I think about it I have haven't had a job since 1998. It is funny how my life turned out better than I could have hoped for, seeing as I didn't hope or dream for any of the current things in my life. Just goes to show that the Good Lord knows better than me ;-)
I never have never for one second regretted the decision I made to stay home with my kids. I love them because I am their mama and I like them because they are genuinely nice people. And as for my husband, well what can I say he is amazing. He has worked very hard and made many sacrifices, especially deployments overseas in order to give me and my children the chance to have an incredible life! I will never be able to put my gratitude for him into words. He is the bomb!
Anyway, I just wanted to update the blog to let others know why I haven't posted in the last few days. For now I am going to putz around on the computer and watch t.v. Hope everyone is having a fabulous night!
Brrr...it's freezing!
Okay seriously, doesn't mother nature know that we lived in Florida waaayyy too long to cope with this kind of cold??? It was 7 degrees this morning when I took Braji to work...7 degrees!!! What is that all about? It took about 15 minutes to scrape all the ice off the windshield so that I could see without being blinded by the glare of the sun, and then a few more minutes to scrape even more so that I could just see safely enough to drive. Not to mention that I had to wiggle my toes constantly and wrap my jacket around my hands as to not aquire frostbite which is just plain unacceptable. By the way, I did have gloves but thought that I wouldn't be able to safely drive with them on so of course the jacket sleeves wrapped around my hands just made way more sense. Do you see how mind numbing this temperature is? Even people as intelligent and logical as myself can't think strait!
I am not adapting well! Can you tell? On days like today when you stand with the sun beaming all warm and cozy on you through the window, then when you open the door it should feel the same! Right??? Not happening, here today when you open the door you immediately close it again faster than you opened it for sure, and run for a blanket. Oh not to mention the barrage of voices coming from the others that inhabit this dwelling with me shouting..."Shut the door!", and not very nicely I might add! I am pretty sure the undertone I am hearing is "you idiot" or something along those lines! If it weren't so darned frigid, I would open and close it repeatedly simply to entertain my inner-child!
What happened to days gone by? Okay, so it was just a few days ago, but it was in the fifties!!! The fifties I tell you and it was lovely to say the least. Sweater weather at most. Certainly not "bundled up like snowmen" weather!
I think it just might be time to seriously rethink that whole retiring in Maine idea! I'm beginning to lean a little further south now. Like the Caribbean! That is definitely more like it. So when I open the door the only chill I feel is the air conditioning being sucked outside and the white I see will be the sandy beaches stretched out before me! Yeah, I know I am dreaming, but what else does one do in the early morning before the kids wake up hollering "Mama, are you making breakfast yet???"
Have a terrific day!
Okay seriously, doesn't mother nature know that we lived in Florida waaayyy too long to cope with this kind of cold??? It was 7 degrees this morning when I took Braji to work...7 degrees!!! What is that all about? It took about 15 minutes to scrape all the ice off the windshield so that I could see without being blinded by the glare of the sun, and then a few more minutes to scrape even more so that I could just see safely enough to drive. Not to mention that I had to wiggle my toes constantly and wrap my jacket around my hands as to not aquire frostbite which is just plain unacceptable. By the way, I did have gloves but thought that I wouldn't be able to safely drive with them on so of course the jacket sleeves wrapped around my hands just made way more sense. Do you see how mind numbing this temperature is? Even people as intelligent and logical as myself can't think strait!
I am not adapting well! Can you tell? On days like today when you stand with the sun beaming all warm and cozy on you through the window, then when you open the door it should feel the same! Right??? Not happening, here today when you open the door you immediately close it again faster than you opened it for sure, and run for a blanket. Oh not to mention the barrage of voices coming from the others that inhabit this dwelling with me shouting..."Shut the door!", and not very nicely I might add! I am pretty sure the undertone I am hearing is "you idiot" or something along those lines! If it weren't so darned frigid, I would open and close it repeatedly simply to entertain my inner-child!
What happened to days gone by? Okay, so it was just a few days ago, but it was in the fifties!!! The fifties I tell you and it was lovely to say the least. Sweater weather at most. Certainly not "bundled up like snowmen" weather!
I think it just might be time to seriously rethink that whole retiring in Maine idea! I'm beginning to lean a little further south now. Like the Caribbean! That is definitely more like it. So when I open the door the only chill I feel is the air conditioning being sucked outside and the white I see will be the sandy beaches stretched out before me! Yeah, I know I am dreaming, but what else does one do in the early morning before the kids wake up hollering "Mama, are you making breakfast yet???"
Have a terrific day!
2009??? Can this really be? Another whole year has passed, and a little too quickly for my comfort, if I might add!
I thought that I would acknowledge some highlights from 2008 (so I don't forget them)!
::We moved from Florida to Colorado and we lived in our camper for what began to seem like an eternity though it was only a little over a month!
::We bought a beautiful 5 bedroom home on 3 acres...that is still so cool to me (that this is where we live) and I still love, love, love our mountain views.
::We bought 3 horses, Jack, Colby and Mojo. Mojo is MY horse and I am thrilled because like most little girls, I always wanted one.
::We bought our chickens and now we get 6 fresh eggs everyday. So nice to know where your food comes from.
::Jud is working at very important and highly confidential job so I can't tell you what he does any more because even I don't get to know, bummer!
:: We are treasuring our shore duty and spending as much time together as we can possible manage and loving it.
::We officially became parents of not just one but two teenage children. And the greatest thing about them is that we really like them. They are pretty cool people to be around!
::My best friend Heather came to see me from out of state. She brought her two boys and we had a grand time when she wasn't feeling sick. We need to do that again really soon!
::My Daddy and his wife came out to see us and to help us finish our basement. We had such a great time with them and the kids got to really be around them for more than a few hours this time, because they were here for 19 days. The kids even got my step mom to jump on the trampoline with them. What a sight, what fun!
::We met a family from gymnastics who we love to pieces. As a matter of fact the lady's daughter is downstairs sleeping. This is only her 2nd or 3rd sleepover with anyone, but I think she is doing fine.
:: Zachary played football this year and did exceptionally well. I think he just likes to take his aggression out on that field. He is all testosterone these days. He is going through some changes and yet has still been so helpful and loving to me. I am cherishing these moments because most days I feel like he already has one foot out the door.
::Braji is turning into such an amazingly beautiful young lady. She is pretty interesting too. She likes rock n roll, she loves her job working with special needs children, but in her heart she is just a cowgirl. She has a special gift for working with animals and it is fun to watch her with her horses. She even works Mojo for me and though he is still really green, she has done wonders with him.
::Paxie is just beautiful. She is a very passionate person which is wonderful, but now and then well...never mind. We'll just say we have our moments of conflict. She really has become an amazing gymnast. She went to State Finals and placed 13th out of the hundreds that competed against her. She scored in the 9's in each event except floor, but still managed to pull out almost 37 in the all around. We are so proud of her.
:: Franki, oh, Franki...Have I ever told you how cool it is to have a Franki? I really think that everyone should have one. I think I will write another post to tell you about her cool ness. She is still doing gymnastics too and is doing quite well. She has far exceeded my expectations of how long she would last at this sport, but she loves it dearly.
::Paigy had a fantastic year as well. Her gymnastic is going great and she is beginning to phsyically mature in size not just mentally. (Secretly, I have been so happy that she stayed so little for so long!)This season coming up Paigy and Paxton will be on different levels and it will be the first time since day one that she and Paxie will not compete together. I am sure that it is difficult on their hearts but it will all work out for the best for each of them.
::We had some friends of mine come for a little visit. It was really great to see them. We got to do a lot of catching up for sure. Our kids got to know each other and to ride the horses and four wheelers together. Her oldest is 15 now, and my heart goes out to her because the days of childhood are fleeting.
::Ya know it never fails, I get on the computer late at night so as to not take away from my kids but then I end up falling asleep trying to write. Well maybe I will update this particular entry here soon. Well it is good-night for now. I have fallen asleep like six times just sitting here. Maybe before another year passes I will get back to this post.
:We, here hope that you are having a wonderful Holiday Season. Please keep checking back as I never quite know how and when I will get back on . Here's wishing somehow we could figure out some way to visit with all of you we love and miss!!!
::Have a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year!
Love all the Crew
I thought that I would acknowledge some highlights from 2008 (so I don't forget them)!
::We moved from Florida to Colorado and we lived in our camper for what began to seem like an eternity though it was only a little over a month!
::We bought a beautiful 5 bedroom home on 3 acres...that is still so cool to me (that this is where we live) and I still love, love, love our mountain views.
::We bought 3 horses, Jack, Colby and Mojo. Mojo is MY horse and I am thrilled because like most little girls, I always wanted one.
::We bought our chickens and now we get 6 fresh eggs everyday. So nice to know where your food comes from.
::Jud is working at very important and highly confidential job so I can't tell you what he does any more because even I don't get to know, bummer!
:: We are treasuring our shore duty and spending as much time together as we can possible manage and loving it.
::We officially became parents of not just one but two teenage children. And the greatest thing about them is that we really like them. They are pretty cool people to be around!
::My best friend Heather came to see me from out of state. She brought her two boys and we had a grand time when she wasn't feeling sick. We need to do that again really soon!
::My Daddy and his wife came out to see us and to help us finish our basement. We had such a great time with them and the kids got to really be around them for more than a few hours this time, because they were here for 19 days. The kids even got my step mom to jump on the trampoline with them. What a sight, what fun!
::We met a family from gymnastics who we love to pieces. As a matter of fact the lady's daughter is downstairs sleeping. This is only her 2nd or 3rd sleepover with anyone, but I think she is doing fine.
:: Zachary played football this year and did exceptionally well. I think he just likes to take his aggression out on that field. He is all testosterone these days. He is going through some changes and yet has still been so helpful and loving to me. I am cherishing these moments because most days I feel like he already has one foot out the door.
::Braji is turning into such an amazingly beautiful young lady. She is pretty interesting too. She likes rock n roll, she loves her job working with special needs children, but in her heart she is just a cowgirl. She has a special gift for working with animals and it is fun to watch her with her horses. She even works Mojo for me and though he is still really green, she has done wonders with him.
::Paxie is just beautiful. She is a very passionate person which is wonderful, but now and then well...never mind. We'll just say we have our moments of conflict. She really has become an amazing gymnast. She went to State Finals and placed 13th out of the hundreds that competed against her. She scored in the 9's in each event except floor, but still managed to pull out almost 37 in the all around. We are so proud of her.
:: Franki, oh, Franki...Have I ever told you how cool it is to have a Franki? I really think that everyone should have one. I think I will write another post to tell you about her cool ness. She is still doing gymnastics too and is doing quite well. She has far exceeded my expectations of how long she would last at this sport, but she loves it dearly.
::Paigy had a fantastic year as well. Her gymnastic is going great and she is beginning to phsyically mature in size not just mentally. (Secretly, I have been so happy that she stayed so little for so long!)This season coming up Paigy and Paxton will be on different levels and it will be the first time since day one that she and Paxie will not compete together. I am sure that it is difficult on their hearts but it will all work out for the best for each of them.
::We had some friends of mine come for a little visit. It was really great to see them. We got to do a lot of catching up for sure. Our kids got to know each other and to ride the horses and four wheelers together. Her oldest is 15 now, and my heart goes out to her because the days of childhood are fleeting.
::Ya know it never fails, I get on the computer late at night so as to not take away from my kids but then I end up falling asleep trying to write. Well maybe I will update this particular entry here soon. Well it is good-night for now. I have fallen asleep like six times just sitting here. Maybe before another year passes I will get back to this post.
:We, here hope that you are having a wonderful Holiday Season. Please keep checking back as I never quite know how and when I will get back on . Here's wishing somehow we could figure out some way to visit with all of you we love and miss!!!
::Have a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year!
Love all the Crew
Enjoying the moments::
1. Snow that gently settled on the snow still on the ground today. I sooo love to watch the snow fall, especially when it sticks to the needles of the evergreen trees. Very tranquil.
2. Important memories being made with the most precious people I know. There is much fun to be had and lovely conversations that come from stringing popcorn with the ones you love. Not to mention that it looks pretty good on the tree too! It always gives it an "old fashioned" kind of feel. If you have never done it you should try it. Even the younger kids can participate. Great fun! Caution::: if you have a dog, cat, small child etc., that likes popcorn...well let's just say you should move it up on the tree a wee bit! Trust me on this one ;-)
3. Sighing a deep breath of relief that now the shopping and wrapping is pretty much over and I can get on with the really important stuff...you know... the relaxing, playing with the kiddies, and simply "resting" from all the hustle and bustle of bringing the tangible parts of the Christmas celebration together. Whew, I am sure glad that part is over.
4. Happy that we were able to get the items we wanted and grateful that aquiring these gifts was relatively stress free.
5. It is 1:30 in the morning and I am loving the quiet and being able to write this post. Still wishing that my posting wasn't so sporadic, but accepting that it just is what it is. I have more important responsibilities in my life to attend to...like my husband, children, and my home.
6. I am REALLY enjoying the edible gifts that have be recieved from family and friends...yummy stuff, no doubt will contribute to the ever expanding waistline that I simply can not believe is mine. (And since I can't believe it, I will simply live very happily and contentedly in denial, whilst I continue to partake of that which is surely going to force me to move out another notch on my belt...sigh,yet smiling dreamily as I do.) How is it possible to forget how good candy apples can be and that warm pound cake is the best breakfast treat there is??? It must be the grown up in me trying to supress my inner child and it must be stopped. (By the way, Flo, you make the best pound cake I have ever eaten...ever!)
7. I am actually pretty content amongst the Christmas clutter in my house right now, especially because it excites Franki so much to see it all scattered about. There could never be enough decorative items for her...seriously!
8. I love the anxious feeling in my soul for the 25th to get here so I can see the joy on my childrens' faces as they open their gifts. I love how their excitement is so contagious. Oh, I do hope that they like every thing and that we did get some of what they wanted. Between the five of them they only asked for maybe 5 items. This left me with lots of guess work.
9. I am so glad that I had a few hours of alone time with Jud, even though we were shopping the entire time. The important part is that we were alone and it was sweet! I really try to soak up the time I have alone with him because it doesn't happen as often as I would like. And, I am so incredibly grateful that he is home this year for the holidays instead of off on a ship somewhere in the Persian Gulf.
10. Hoping that each and every one of you have an incredibly joyous holiday season. I hope that America will take time to remember what the holiday is all about, and pass on to their children that it is about the birth of a King that died to save their souls. I hope that they are grateful and take time to let Him know.
Happy Holidays to you all!!!
1. Snow that gently settled on the snow still on the ground today. I sooo love to watch the snow fall, especially when it sticks to the needles of the evergreen trees. Very tranquil.
2. Important memories being made with the most precious people I know. There is much fun to be had and lovely conversations that come from stringing popcorn with the ones you love. Not to mention that it looks pretty good on the tree too! It always gives it an "old fashioned" kind of feel. If you have never done it you should try it. Even the younger kids can participate. Great fun! Caution::: if you have a dog, cat, small child etc., that likes popcorn...well let's just say you should move it up on the tree a wee bit! Trust me on this one ;-)3. Sighing a deep breath of relief that now the shopping and wrapping is pretty much over and I can get on with the really important stuff...you know... the relaxing, playing with the kiddies, and simply "resting" from all the hustle and bustle of bringing the tangible parts of the Christmas celebration together. Whew, I am sure glad that part is over.4. Happy that we were able to get the items we wanted and grateful that aquiring these gifts was relatively stress free.
5. It is 1:30 in the morning and I am loving the quiet and being able to write this post. Still wishing that my posting wasn't so sporadic, but accepting that it just is what it is. I have more important responsibilities in my life to attend to...like my husband, children, and my home.
6. I am REALLY enjoying the edible gifts that have be recieved from family and friends...yummy stuff, no doubt will contribute to the ever expanding waistline that I simply can not believe is mine. (And since I can't believe it, I will simply live very happily and contentedly in denial, whilst I continue to partake of that which is surely going to force me to move out another notch on my belt...sigh,yet smiling dreamily as I do.) How is it possible to forget how good candy apples can be and that warm pound cake is the best breakfast treat there is??? It must be the grown up in me trying to supress my inner child and it must be stopped. (By the way, Flo, you make the best pound cake I have ever eaten...ever!)
7. I am actually pretty content amongst the Christmas clutter in my house right now, especially because it excites Franki so much to see it all scattered about. There could never be enough decorative items for her...seriously!
8. I love the anxious feeling in my soul for the 25th to get here so I can see the joy on my childrens' faces as they open their gifts. I love how their excitement is so contagious. Oh, I do hope that they like every thing and that we did get some of what they wanted. Between the five of them they only asked for maybe 5 items. This left me with lots of guess work.
9. I am so glad that I had a few hours of alone time with Jud, even though we were shopping the entire time. The important part is that we were alone and it was sweet! I really try to soak up the time I have alone with him because it doesn't happen as often as I would like. And, I am so incredibly grateful that he is home this year for the holidays instead of off on a ship somewhere in the Persian Gulf.
10. Hoping that each and every one of you have an incredibly joyous holiday season. I hope that America will take time to remember what the holiday is all about, and pass on to their children that it is about the birth of a King that died to save their souls. I hope that they are grateful and take time to let Him know.
Happy Holidays to you all!!!
And lo and behold, I have made it back. Back to my blog that is. I have so much to say and not nearly enough energy to say it all so I will give you the condensed version of the goings on with our family.
We have had 4 more birthdays since I wrote last. Jud turned 35, Braji turned 13, Paxie turned 11, and I turned 36...ouch, just saying that makes me want to reach for the Bengay. We had a lot of fun celebrating the days. I think that it is unbelieveable that I have not one but two teenage children. Did I just write that??? I should delete that line. It makes me so sappy to think about my babies growing up so fast. Only if they made shrink wrap for children! Hmmm...maybe I could get a patent on that!
We just returned home from a vacation in Wyoming yesterday. We had such an amazing trip. Although we weren't able to stay very long and had to leave even earlier due to an Arctic storm we did get to do some great activities. The weather was extremely cold, in the single digits a lot of the time so we found stuff to do indoors
We took the kids rock climbing and bouldering. They had so much fun, and I had a blast watching them. They climbed for about 4 hours and they were very happy to get in the hot tub that night. I think that the hot tub might have really helped them to feel better the next day.
We also took them to an indoor recreation center where they had a VERY warm pool. It seemed so funny to swim when you could see the snow outside. It was cool like that in the outside hot tub as well. They really enjoyed the pool because they really haven't been swimming but a couple times since leaving Florida.
Lastly, we took the kids on a sleigh ride on an elk preservation. That was sooo cool! We got to see lots and lots of bull elk. They were massive with incredibly enormous antlers. We learned a lot about them as well. It was a very fun trip aside from the very cold 7 degrees it was that morning during our sleigh ride.
We had a fabulous time. I will post pics (hopefully over the next few days) so you can see the Grand Tetons (too amazing for words) and elk for yourself.
I hope that this holiday season is as wonderful for you as it has been for us. For now I am off to attempt some sort of organization for the next few days so that I can make it through Christmas morning with my sanity still in tact...well sort of!
Happy Holidays!
She's eight!!!
Eight years of beautiful big brown eyes,
eight years of snuggles in Mama's bed,
eight years of pretty flowers she brings me,
eight years of "Mama, can I help you cook?",
eight years of holding hands,
eight years of butterfly kisses,
eight years of parental bliss,
eight of the best years of my life!
Mama loves you Paigie!!!
Is it possible that eight full years have passed since I looked down at that fuzzy little head and held those tiny little fingers??? It never ceases to catch me by surprise at how the time has passed. She is quite a little lady. She's spunky, funny and very sentimental. She loves to curl up in my lap and hold my hand and for these small gifts I will forever be grateful. And when she grins at me all toothless and sweet all my cares seem to disappear. Oh, how very much I love this little girl and how blessed I am to be her Mama! Happy Birthday my Love!!!
Eight years of beautiful big brown eyes,
eight years of snuggles in Mama's bed,
eight years of pretty flowers she brings me,
eight years of "Mama, can I help you cook?",
eight years of holding hands,
eight years of butterfly kisses,
eight years of parental bliss,
eight of the best years of my life!
Mama loves you Paigie!!!
Is it possible that eight full years have passed since I looked down at that fuzzy little head and held those tiny little fingers??? It never ceases to catch me by surprise at how the time has passed. She is quite a little lady. She's spunky, funny and very sentimental. She loves to curl up in my lap and hold my hand and for these small gifts I will forever be grateful. And when she grins at me all toothless and sweet all my cares seem to disappear. Oh, how very much I love this little girl and how blessed I am to be her Mama! Happy Birthday my Love!!!
An incredible day::
We spent the day today out at a nature park about 7 miles up the road. What an amazing life it has been for us that we have had the privelege to live in so many beautiful and unique places. Colorado is no different. There something new to see everywhere you look out here.
Today was a gorgeous day for being out. It was 20 degrees overnight, but in the high 50's today. Perfect weather for being out of doors, especially when you know that days as pretty as today are definitely not going to be around very long. Soon, I am sure, we will be experiencing cabin fever from being cooped up indoors all winter. Until then we will keep loving the wonderful fall days like today!
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