Such A Merry Christmas!

Another Christmas has come and gone and I am reminded once again how blessed we are!  It was so fun having family here!  We ate so much food, laughed until we cried, talked about everything under the sun and just had an amazing time.  I have tons of pics to post eventually but tonight I just wanted to share these particular ones with you.

The very last gift Scott and I opened actually came as 12 individual gifts, all stacked up!  I had no idea what they could be. They were from Sabrina.  As we each started to unwrap them, one by one, my heart was full.  There were no words to describe how I felt as I realized the love, time and thought that went into this project.  She had created a priceless gift that I will treasure the rest of my life!

She tells me that she went to the "wood store" and told the guy she needed some wood "about this long". He cut it for her and home she went to sand and paint.  She went back a week later and asked him for another piece, which she took home to also sand and paint.

When she came home for Christmas break, she took each of her siblings out to her little guest house in the backyard and had each one of them put their hand print on their block of wood.  Amazingly, none of them spilled the beans about the project she was working on!

Anyway, back to Christmas morning.....after opening the other 10 packages of each child's hand print, she handed me the last package to open. As I opened it up, a sob caught in my throat.  She had framed my favorite picture of Zachary.  I stared into his beautiful eyes for a few minutes. When I looked up, I realized Sabrina had brought over the last part of the gift.  It was only then that I saw how it all went together. I broke down and just cried when I realized the extent of her gift.  One word:  Amazing.

Here are a couple of pics. The first will show you just how big it is and the next one will show how it looks hanging on the wall.

Of course you all know how much I love that song!  I also love how she incorporated a heart into each of their hand prints!!  She tells me this idea came to her through divine inspiration. It was healing for her as she worked on it.  Zachary continues to touch our lives each and every day, and on this Christmas when he was supposed to be laughing and giggling while he opened his first Christmas gifts, he wasn't here but his memory continues to live on in our hearts.  I know he celebrated with Him who sent His Son and I honestly couldn't ask for anything better than that for our sweet baby.

It's Almost Here!!!!

I don't know about you, but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas over here!!!  I can't even begin to tell you how excited we all are!!!  I love this time of year and the opportunity it gives us to spend so much time together as a family! 

This year was the first year.....(ever??) that I had no motivation to write up our annual Christmas letter and organize a family picture.  Between our family blog and FB, I feel like you are all up to date on our family happenings and to be honest, there are a few "highlights" from this past year that I really don't know if I have the courage to write about again.  I would like to have a family picture taken but I just couldn't muster the motivation to coordinate everyone's outfits and hair, not to mention the fact that I don't feel like a picture would be a complete family picture and that makes me sad.

Regardless of whether or not we send a picture and letter out this year, we want you all to know how thankful we are to have you in our lives! Being on the receiving end of so many prayers, kind words, love and support when our sweet Zachary passed away, reminded us of just how blessed we are to call you "friend".  Thank you.

We hope this Christmas you are blessed to be surrounded by those you love, remembering the Christ-child and all He did for each of us!  We love you and wish you the Merriest Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!!!

70 Years Young!!

This past week, we celebrated my dad's birthday!!!  Hard to believe he turned 70!  You would never know it by looking at him!  He works harder than anyone his age I know!!!  He can usually be found out in the pasture, fixing fences, shoveling poo, mowing the yard or helping with some project!  He recently helped Levi with his Eagle Scout project, which involved cutting, hauling, loading, chopping and stacking 8 cord of wood! He worked just as long and just as hard as the younger crowd!

Having my parents live with us is such a blessing in our lives!  They are such amazing people.  They teach our children, love our children and create memories with them that will last a lifetime!

My dad has the best sense of humor!  He is always cheerful with a smile on his face! He has a can-do attitude!  He is always so patient with his grandchildren.  We are blessed to call him Father/Papa!

We love you!!!

 

 

Christmas Girls!

Running out the door to church on Sunday, I just had to stop and take a picture of these two!  So adorable!  I love that Vanessa saw what dress Jasmine was wearing and wanted to wear hers so they could be matching!  So glad she hasn't grown out of that age yet!!!

Beautiful Poem!

I recieved this poem from a friend.  I love it so much!!  Thank you, April for sending it to me!

I am a child of God and He has called me home.
My earthly journey's through but still, I do not walk alone.
He leads me, guides me, walks beside me, helps me find the way.
He welcomed me with open arms, I live with Him today.

I am a child of God and I have gone ahead.
My earthly life was brief but oh, such peace and love you gave.
You loved me, held me, stood beside me and though I cannot stay.
You gave me so much to help me and I live with Him today.

I am a child of God and I will wait for you.
Celestial glory shall be ours, if you can but endure.
I'll lead you, guide you, walk beside you. Help you find the way.
I'll welcome you with open arms, one bright Celestial day."

--Donna Kulliard

The Things I Learn From My Children......

The other day Vanessa forgot to take her tennis shoes for P.E.  She called home and asked her dad if he could bring them to her.  He hopped in the car and took them over.  When he got there, her P.E. class had started, so he went in to the gym to find her.

As he walked in, Vanessa tells me that all her friends around her started whispering, "Vanessa, is that your dad?"  Now, I know why they would ask that....their skin colors don't exactly match and to many people that just doesn't make any sense but I wanted to see what Vanessa would say.  As she paused in her story, I asked, "Why would they ask if he was your dad??  Huh, I guess that's because he's so short!"  Laughing, she replies, "Mom, I'm pretty sure it's because he's so tall!!!"

I waited for it.  I was pretty sure she would say it but she never did.  I love that girl.  I think it's great that it's not the first thing that comes to mind when she thinks of her dad.  Yes, their skin colors don't match but that doesn't mean a thing in our family.  I like it that way.  I wish more people did as well.

Miracles Still Happen......

One of my favorite songs is by the group, Alabama. 

I was walking home from school on a cold winter day.


Took a shortcut through the woods, and I lost my way.

It was getting late, and I was scared and alone.

But then a kind old man took my hand and led me home.

Mama couldn't see him, but he was standing there.

And I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers.


Oh I believe there are angels among us.

Sent down to us from somewhere up above.

They come to you and me in our darkest hours.

To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.

To guide us with the light of love.


When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees.

There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me.

A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand.

A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand.


And ain't it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road.

Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope.


Oh I believe there are angels among us.

Sent down to us from somewhere up above.

They come to you and me in our darkest hours.

To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.

To guide us with the light of love.



They wear so many faces; show up in the strangest places.

To grace us with their mercy, in our time of need.


Oh I believe there are angels among us.

Sent down to us from somewhere up above.

They come to you and me in our darkest hours.

To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.

To guide us with the light of love.


To guide us with the light of love.


In the past week since my last post, my life has been filled with miracles.  Healing miracles, full of grace.  I know there is a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers our prayers, in His way, in His time.  I know I will see Zachary again.  I am so thankful for the Angels in my life.