Christmas Morning

Well another Christmas morning has arrived filled with precious memories. I woke around 7:15 to the pitter patter of little house shoes coming down the stairs. I waited for a few minutes then I heard Harrison say "Oh my goodness! He came and left us presents" then Hagan followed with "Look Harrison at all the presents! I Love Christmas." Then they came tip-toeing into our room and whispered" Mommy Santa came". Brian asked the boys to go and wake Haven and Hunter up so we could open the presents. As we were lying there I heard Harrison tell Hagan that today was Jesus' birthday, and Hagan replied by saying "I know today is Jesus' birthday!" I am very proud that my children know that.

Cookies for Santa

The little ones leave Santa a midnight snack........

"A Christmas Tu-tu"

Haven's uncle Jason and aunt Emily made this Christmas tu-tu for Haven, and gave it to her on her birthday. I took these photos tonight while I was trying to occupy her while daddy was fixing supper. She was so tired, and was acting horrible. I can't wait til she falls asleep and we can have a little peace and quite. But isn't she lovely?

Hunter's 14th

It's hard to believe it but my Hunter baby is 14. Wow how the time has gone by !!!! I look at him now and I am so blessed to have such a sweet young man in my life and I am so proud of him. Hunter is a kind, gentle soul, and although he has shown his young teenage attitude a few times he is still sweet and a joy to be around. He has a sense of humor like me and I can't help but laugh at some of the things he comes up with. I hope he always keeps that part of him. There isn't a day that goes by I don't consider how truly blessed I am to call myself "Hunter's mom". I love you Hunter Dale.....

Decking the halls

This year I decided to put trees in all the kids rooms, making the total number of trees in our house 6. maybe next year I will put one in the scrapbook room, and the basement.

Haven's 3 !!!!!!!

Happy birthday to my sweet little princess. She started her birthday off with a big bang needless to say. Early this morning, 3:27 to be exact, Harrison woke me up and said " Mommy, Haven is up and out of her bed and she got into your make-up and put it all over my bed". "When?" I said, dazed and confused from being woke-up during my REM sleep. "She's up there right now" he replied. I sprang out of my warm bed, tried to get upstairs in the dark almost tripping and killing myself and when I got to their room I was shocked. All I could see was the bright red lipstick she had put all over Harrison's quilt, all over his bed, all over his pillow. I was so mad I didn't even see what she had done to herself. Haven's entire face was RED, not just her lips but her whole face, including her bangs, or what's left of them after the half mullet she has from cutting her hair back in October. I drug her little butt downstairs and upon entering our room shouted "Get the hell up! Your daughter has put red lipstick all over herself, Harrison's bed, and probably all over the rest of this house." My wonderful husband said " What?" I answered "Here let me show you" as I turned on the light switch. "Jesus Christ!" he commented. Then when we got her into the bathroom we noticed that it was all over both of her hands and both of her feet. We used 3 washcloths and half a bottle of dawn dish soap getting that crap off of her. After about 25 minutes, we laid her little butt in between us in hopes we would get some sleep. Now we never let the kids sleep with us, but in this situation we just wanted to sleep. Brian said he felt like he had been in a wrestling match the next morning. I don't know what we are going to do with that thing, I guess I am going to sew little bells on the feet of her PJ's so I can hear her when she's up, destroying the entire house. Now for what I was planning on saying in this post, Happy birthday sweet Haven!!!!!!

and by the way, I know what we said sounded like we are awful parents but we just replied in the heat of the moment. We normally try to keep the social filter on our mouths most of the time.

The busiest time of the year!!!

Christmas is just around the corner and I am again not ready. Every year I end up saying next year I will; be more organized, have my shopping done earlier, decorate the house better, enjoy the dinners we attend, and I make more expectations then the previous year. All of that and Christmas comes around and I am still not ready. Maybe I should be more organized, and I might even get my shopping done earlier, but I it's hard to be organized during the busiest time of the year when you're not organized the slowest time of the year. Shopping is hard to do when the money trees in the yard have no leaves on them. Not to mention that Haven, Hunter, Jordan, Granny, and Denny all have birthdays this month, and Hagan's birthday is 2 weeks after Christmas. So it's easier to say what I should do than it actually is to do..... This is the best and worst time of the year for me, I don't want to sound like a bah-humbug or anything, but that's just how I feel. We are so busy running around and getting everything done we miss Christmas. I just want to enjoy the celebration of our savior's birth, but instead I am too busy coming up with presents from Santa. Now I am not saying there is anything wrong with Santa, all of our children believe in Santa, except for Hunter of course he will be 14 in one week, but I think we still should make the true meaning of Christmas a priority. I just think that for me it's easy to lose sight of the priority during the craziness. So next year I will make the true meaning of Christmas my priority.

"Thankful"

I have so much to be thankful for!!! So many things I take for granted everyday, there is no way on Earth I could name them all. I am just THANKFULL!!!!

Mom and Dad's 35th

We celebrated mom and dad's 35th wedding anniverary this past weekend. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted something, it's been very busy around here. I loved their cake!! It almost looked like their wedding cake. I have been very blessed in my life by the love my parents have shared and I am so thankful for them both. Love you Mom and Dad!!!

Trick or Treat

Newest member of the family

I would like to introduce the newest member of our family.......Maggie Merrick

This won't be me!

Dear Orphan, I saw your photo today. You are so adorable! You're eyes are so deep and full of hope. I love your little smile, I know it must be hard some days to find the strength to smile. I have heard how little food you have, but you are still willing to share with your friends. What a sweet little person you are! But, I am writing this letter to tell you that I will not be able to help you. You see, my family is happy with the life we are living. I know that we could get bunk beds and you could share a room with one of our bio kids but really, that is no life for either of you. We have so much going on around here and life would be just too chaotic. Our neighbors just got a new TV and game system, we really think we need to have one too. I have a "ladies night out" next week and I have nothing to wear. I really need to purchase a new outfit. I guess I could sponsor you... but, it will have to wait til next month, I really need that new outfit and my kids are dying for fast food tonight. Good luck to you!

This will not be me....... Lord I pray you give me the wisdom to do what you would have me to do. I know you will not lead me down the wrong path, and that whatever I must do you will be with me all the way. I love you, and thank you for all you done in my life.

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours."-Mark11:22,24

Fall photo shoot

Here are just a few of the pics I took yesterday of my brother Greg and his wife Angelica who is like a sister to me. It helps your photos look even better when your subjects are gorgeous. I love taken fall pics the colors are so beautiful.