Happy Birthday Joshua!

Our oldest grandson!

Joshua turn 8 today!!!!!!!

Joshua is quiet, but very determined.

He has the BIGGEST smile that can melt your heart.

He is athletic, a great student, and loves numbers & legos.

 at his b'day party ~

with friends and family.

He has the BEST parents.

the oldest boy of 6 siblings

Papa and Grandma sure love him!

 

Young Joshua ~

I remember this day like it was yesterday.  :)

Joshua, we are SO proud of you ~

we love you so much!

Have a wonderfully, FUN birthday!!!!

Miscellaneous from the last few weeks

Sunset ~ ahhhhhhh, lovely

signs of Hannah around our house

Show and tell of her trip ~ oh how we love hearing and seeing the

amazing sights she saw.

Iguazu Falls

My birthday ~

:)

a beautiful "brief" snowfall

Oh yeah ~ some good football!!!!!!

Time with Courtney and Pat's kids ~

the guys!

the girls!



I got to take Rebekah to her swim practice ~

so fun to see her in action with her friends!



Bailey came with us ~

she and I played while Rebekah swam.

What an amazing place!!!!!!



 Dinner at McD ~ oh yeah!!!!

Happy campers.

Papa and Lincoln

Phill and Christy and kids came for a visit ~ :)

 Ayden's first experience with a "real" fireplace.

He and Andrea enjoying it. 

January 2012 ~

some great days!!!!!!



Wonderful ending to my birthday: SNOW!

So fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful day! 

Thankful.

Special Birthday Lunch (a little early)

with my amazing kids ~

Courtney, Phill, Steve and Hannah

We drove over ~ in style...



To Coastal Flats at Tyson's

I received this invitation in the mail a week or so ago.

It has stayed on my refrigerator and how I loved looking forward to this day.

We talked.

and laughed

and laughed some more

They gave me not only their time, but a sweet gift.

What else but a picture frame.....

that I will then in turn insert one of the pictures taken today...

yep, they know me well!

I am a blessed Mom ~ beyond measure.

What can I say, I simply love you guys with all my heart. 

Thank you for such an amazing time!

As I told them,

I always wanted to be a wife and mom,

I am fulfilled by being a wife and a mom,

and I am a blessed woman....

being their mom.

The greatest joy of my life ~ them! 

{I do not forget Christy and Pat ~ they are most definitely

my precious kids too.  They kindly allowed us 5 to have this time.}

Do be in prayer for Christy and her family.  Her step-dad's mom passed away last night.   

Thank you God for my family.  I can't keep this smile off my face.  :)

Surprise Visitor: SNOW!

What a treat ~ to see the snow begin to fall mid afternoon.

Of course, the kids at school were besides themselves...

and us that LOVE snow.



from our bedroom window

 Simply beautiful ~

calm and cozy

Thank you snow for your lovely visit.

Come again any day! 

I so enjoy you.  :)

God's wonderful creation ~ snow!



Spiced Tea

One of my favorites in the winter ~

A friend gave me the recipe early on in our marriage ~

I really enjoy it on COLD winter days. 

The last two days have barely made it to 30 degrees.

Perfect.  Yummy.  Cozy.

Alden enjoying his Christmas break too ~
he loves to read, but doesn't get much opportunity to do so. 

Sad.........

What?!!!!  It can't be........

We should be seeing snow on the ground......

NOT daffodils!!!!

We did have a few snow showers yesterday.  :) 

And....I am hearing we will have some tonight. 

Come on snow ~ just a little before SPRING comes!!!!

Happy New Year: Welcome 2012

Jesus ~

Your Name is a strong and mighty tower.

Your Name is a shelter like no other.

Your Name, let the nations sing it louder,

Cause nothing has the power to save...

 but YOUR NAME.

Jesus, in your name we pray.

Come fill our hearts today

and give us strength to live for you and

GLORIFY YOUR NAME.