Christmas memories!

Christmas! We had such a nice Holiday this year! Both my Marines were able to come home on leave so we were all able to be together! The best gifts money can't buy!

One of my favorite parts was on Christmas Eve after the children had gone to bed, my husband and I stuffed all the stockings. Then I stuffed my love's and he stuffed mine!

The next morning we had each of the children get their stocking and then empty them one at a time. It was so much fun! My daughter G handed out her gifts, then my two oldest sons and then my husband and I gave all the children their gifts. It was such a sweet time of family and making memories to last a lifetime. I also remembered the one missing and stopped to say a prayer that she would feel His love and her day would be enjoyable and a blessing to her wherever she is.

We had our traditional day of junk food. Mini egg rolls, brownies, quesadilla's, and crackers and cheese. I made chocolate covered pretzels and we also had cocktail sausages.

We decided to watch Maze Runner Scorch Trials together.

It was nice just being together! A great day!! But truly the best gifts were my children. Having my boys home from Marine land was what made my holiday! I've missed them so very much! One of them although we skype, call and text I had not seen him face to face for 9 months. These two young men are my heart and having them here made me feel complete once again. Saying goodbye will be so hard. But we'll see them again...I'll cherish these memories and moments!

We've unfortunately had too much sickness hit our home this winter. Stomach bugs and colds, Yuck! But when my kiddos are sick we get in lots of cuddles.

I've been working this fall on getting in cuddle time with my children. Even my older ones who may squirm at their mama hugging them. I've learned children grow up so quickly and I work hard at making sure they know how much I love them every chance I get. I also love to cuddle and hug them for me! I need it too! The time goes by all too fast!

I have been doing a new type of prayer. I came across this book; Praying in Color and I love it. My time with Father is richer and I retain more easily my prayers throughout the day and week.

Just a few pictures to share of my babies;

My sweet A...

She is a joyful, sweet, funny, loving baby girl! 

This little man K, he comes and snuggles with me every morning and sticks his freezing feet on my legs. Brr!! Isn't he adorable?

 K & A..

My beautiful baby girl! I am thankful for her everyday!

Their favorite characters; Olaf and Elsa!

My mini men....

This handsome guy? My heart! Love him so! And so proud of him! He is doing so well and making a good life for himself! I couldn't wait until he came home for the holidays. I anxiously waited and watched for his plane to arrive. It was so wonderful seeing him walking towards us!

This handsome young man? He had been planning a surprise for me since October. We were Christmas shopping at target and I turned around and there he was! I had thought he wasn't coming home! It was the sweetest and most precious surprise I've had!!! My heart! I love him so!   

This girlie is my beauty; G. She is special and sweet! Funny and amazing! How quickly they grow up! Looking forward to seeing what God has for her in the years ahead!

Well, that's it! Memories recorded! I am blessed beyond measure!

Oh yes, I can't end without adding this man...

He is the best part of me and seeing him everyday makes my days better. He is with me through thick and thin and holds me up when I am falling. He never gives up on me and loves me regardless. And we make such beautiful babies together!

Now y'all go and make your own memories. !! Life is made up of hard times and some sad but so many moments of beautiful too! 

  

Happy Birthday to You!!!

Today my oldest daughter is 24. I really can't believe it! How has 24 yrs gone by so quickly?!

I don't know if she'll ever see this and that's ok. I have decided to come here every year on December 16 to wish her a Happy Birthday and to share my memories of her. And I have such wonderful memories!

One memory that is fresh on my mind is due to Facebook and the memory they reminded me of. It was the end of 2011 and she hijacked my fb account because I had left it open and said such sweet words.

I believe it was her 4th birthday. Her daddy and I threw her a birthday party and we spent hours working on her cake. We made it all from scratch and frosted it with pink frosting and decorated it all princess like and flowery. She loved it. We had so much fun! The best part was seeing her face light up when she saw her cake!

Another memory was at almost 5. We were in MT for my friend's college graduation. We had decided to head out to eat with my friend and her mom. While sitting in the booth next to M she stood up and it was then my friend's mom let me know she had no underwear on with her dress, which wasn't very long. LOL! M had decided that she wasn't going to wear any underwear! I was so embarrassed at the time but now I just laugh. She was such a fun little lady! She had her own mind from the very beginning!

When M was 6 she dropped her hot dog in the snow and mud outside. So to be able to eat it as instructed by her daddy she washed it off in the bathroom, bun and all! :)

As a little girl she couldn't get her coat on by herself so she figured out a way she could do it without any help. She would lay her coat out on the floor and then lay down on it putting her arms in and then standing up. All done!

M was such a good helper. She was always willing to lend me a hand with her siblings. One of her favorite things to do was cook. Her first meal was macaroni and cheese. She did great too!

As a young adult she was such an encourager. When I had been hurt or wounded she was the first to encourage me and give me a big hug! She would remind me how much she loved me and of who I really was.  I valued her so very much!

I remember also as she was a young woman here in our home I would just look at her often, without her knowing I was doing so and think to myself how blessed I was to have her as my daughter. I was always hoping that I could love Jesus as much as she did, to encourage like she did, to be like her in so many ways. She had a light that just shined so brightly!

I will cherish the last note she wrote to me the day before she left. It said how much she loved me and how I would always be her hero. What she doesn't know is that she was my Hero! She was my best friend, confidant and my daughter! She was a blessing and gift. She was gracious and beautiful! She was giving and kind. I admired her so much!

As a baby M was always so happy. Everyone would comment on her cheery personality! At night to get her to sleep I would lay her down in her crib and play music for her. She loved it and would fall asleep within minutes.

She went everywhere with me. I remember sitting at the mall with her. Giggling over her laughter and cooing. She was a joy!

Her Daddy and I enjoyed listening to her and reading her stories as a little girl. She had a great imagination. I still have her school work and poem and stories she wrote! We will cherish them always!

Daddy was so proud of her. He would tell me often how smart she was and how amazing she would be as a grown woman. He believed in her ability to be a famous author someday and still talks about it today. Maybe one day we will see her name on a book she has written!

So many beautiful memories! I could go on and on but I will write again of them next December 16th.
If you ever read this M, you are loved and valued. You are not forgotten. You are our daughter and nothing will ever change that. We are always praying for you and always leaving the light on for you. Here in our hearts and at home.
Love you M.

Happy Birthday!! May your new path be blessed and may you find love, peace and hope.