Jeffrey's new puppy

Thank you Aunt Shelly..he loves it!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! We had a nice easy going day. Linda and Russ came over and we had a great time and dinner. Now it's time to rest!

I hope everyone had a great day and reflected on the wonderful gift the birth of our Lord and Savior was. It is through God's gift of his son that we each have the opportunity to have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. I am ever so thankful for that! God Bless.

New Baby

12/23/08

I have been just dying to post this blog! On Monday morning (12/15) Cassie called crying saying she was pregnant! Crying because they were not trying or planning this. I was Ecstatic as were the kids! Once I got the kids to school and Cassie calmed down we were chatting when RW called her from work. She was scared to tell him....becuase she was still in shock! His first response was, "AWESOME"!

So the planning started! Since RW will be deploying this summer Cassie will be coming home to have Baby Roley. I am sad that RW won't be able to be there for the delivery but such is Army life. A life we all know to well. I am thankful that Cassie will be here and we can look after her and the baby for RW until he returns home safely.

This post will be dated funny because I am not allowed to put it on the Internet until after Christmas as the kids are telling RW's family then! I am so excited about being a Grandma! I got to see the baby's first picture today. Looking forward to many more. Oh we have a due date of 8/19/09!

Time for bed~

Thought I would post these pictures really quick. No sugar plums dancing in Jeffrey's little head he is out! He got tired of waiting for me to finish rolling Grace's hair. Miss Grace however made sure she left some good treats for Santa...one being Shauna's so yummy peanut butter cups! Now off to bed.. the kids will be up before I know it!

Merry Christmas Eve

Well, we have had a fun and busy day today. I was able to complete my shopping and take some pictures of the kids before we headed to church for Christmas Eve services. I loved tonight! The service was wonderful and I just love seeing everyone! The kids that are home for break and those that come this way for the holiday's it was wonderful to see you all! Here is a picture of Grace and Jeffrey that I shot before church tonight. Merry Christmas!

Four Years

Four years ago today my best friend and husband went home to be with our Lord and Savior. Today as every year is bitter sweet. I didn't want Jeff to suffer anymore with the cancer and yet I wanted him here with me and the kids. There is something about getting passed this day though. I guess it is remembering the day we had to let go. I rejoice that Jeff knew the Lord, I am so thankful for that. I am just lonely for my best friend and sad that with each passing year Grace remembers less and Jeffrey..well, his only memories are the ones we tell him.

To Jeff..thank you for the memories, our three beautiful children and your unfailing love for us. I can't wait to see you again my love!

Blessings Abound!

Today as I was rushing to get out the door I received a phone call from Les Schwab Tires. The nice lady on the other end of the phone said that tires had been purchased for me and I needed to come down and have them put on my Expedition. Of course my response was.."What"? and "Who has done this"? She kindly told me that they did not want to be known. She then followed with quietly and very seriously asking me if I had a stalker? I told her if I did it was news to me! I then said to her,"Isn't God good"? She did not know how to respond to that. This was becoming not only a blessing for me, the persons that gave this wonderful gift but also to the fine folk's at Les Schwab! Many of us have often said that the Lord works in mysterious ways. I am ever thankful for that.

So to whom ever was so gracious to put new tires on my car. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! It was an incredible surprise and a great Christmas gift! May God richly bless you and yours!

Christmas Memories

Blessed

I have just put Grace and Jeffrey into bed. I am tired but feel so full of blessings right now. I just had to write about it! I was fortunate enough to have the Vaughan Four today. We had a very full and fun day. I never seem to have enough time with them for all I always plan to do.

We have been very blessed by our dear friends the Vaughan's. I still think the Lord sent them to our little area just for us. Many I know feel the same way. This family came into our lives on the first day of kindergarten and it wasn't long after that Grace and Ashton became best friends and Jeffrey and Dawson have been buddies since they were just babies.

They have seen us through the last months of Jeff's cancer. They were there to get Grace to and from Awana and school when I couldn't go anymore. Justin taking the time to come in and talk to Jeff when he wasn't right in his mind and the heart felt prayers he would say while praying with Jeff are special memories for me. Shauna's encouragement to me after Jeff's passing, The time that Shauna and Justin spent with Cassie, I could never thank them enough for. For being a second set of parents to my children, and Justin playing with the kids as he does his own.

I love this family so much. It's funny when I keep the kids they can't thank me enough and I can't thank them enough! I love each of them like my own. And, no matter how many you all are blessed with be they any color of the rainbow, I will love them too! Thank you Justin and Shauna for sharing your lives and love with us.

Girlfriends

A couple friends and I have started getting together for lunch dates. These two women have quickly become dear to me. We all attend church together and they are such wonderful christian women. I love how the Lord works..we are three women who have been drawn together. We each come from different backgrounds and yet have bonded by our faith in the Lord. Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy. I love you girls!

Christmas fun with Kristin!

My girlfriends daughter Kristin came over this evening. She likes to come and spend time with us which is great because we love her so much! For those of you who do not know..Karol..Kristin's Mom was a patient at the OB/GYN office where I worked in Sacramento. Such a small world! So needless to say Kristin being one of my babies holds a special spot in my heart. While she was here we pulled out the Gingerbread House and Christmas Tree to decorate. While messy it was lots of fun! The girls also took the opportunity to do a paraffin treatment on their hands.

Christmas Decor

I just love this time of the year. My Mom always made it so special all three of us kids grew to be just like Mom. Not having Jeff here we have to make do without lights on the house but we were able to decorate the front door and it turned out nice. Here are a few pictures of our decorations. I hope everyone is having as much with Christmas as we are. God Bless!

Sugar Cookies..YUM!

This afternoon as promised we baked sugar cookies. Here are some pictures of our fun! Merry Christmas!

23 Years

Today would have been mine and Jeff's 23rd Anniversary. I can't help but feel a bit melancholy today. I miss my husband...my best friend. I am so thankful for the nineteen years we did have together. The last four years have been a ride to say the least but, the Lord has been so good to me. I have wonderful family and friends and children that light up my days. Thank you Lord for the time I was able to have with Jeff, for your precious gift of salvation and with it I know I will once again be united with my love someday. The picture is of Jeff and I March 1985...we were just babies!

Spelling Bee

So today was the big spelling bee at school. Each classroom competed a couple weeks ago to see who would go onto today's big show. The girls competed in the group of 4th-6th graders and did great! Grace finished in 5th place out of 15 competitors. She then was routing for Ashton to win it all. Ashton finished in 3rd place! I can't tell you how proud I am of these girls and for that matter all the kids that were incredible today! Way to GO GES!! Here are a couple of pictures of the girls. Notice they were both in dresses today. This is probably the first time this year! They are such little tomboys..we are working on being ladies. Also note..the stains on their knees! Oh well they are still too cute for words!

Sick House

I always look forward to the Thanksgiving Break..this year however I spent the week sick! I have gone from the flu to a cold and just before bedtime last night Grace came down with the flu. So we are snuggled in trying to get well and praying that Jeffrey doesn't come down with the flu although I am not holding my breath. On the up side maybe we can get past all of this now and have a great Christmas Vacation! As for the rest of the week.........I will be disinfecting our house!