HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Couldn't resist adding this pic of Mel on New Year's, haha...miss this face!

Mel &  Mike

Their little family...so cute

Well, today is New Years Eve and I have given soo much thought and prayer to what I might write about on this particular post, that I'd love to say that I have settled into which direction I want to go with it, but I can't say that I have, totally anyway, haha. I have done my blog visiting this morning and read so many wonderful posts full of your thoughts and feelings and inspirations and hopes for this New Year that is upon us, that I have been truly blessed and inspired. Since today is Thankful Thursday and has become one of my most favorite events to participate in, I have decided to focus my heart on the many, many things that have so blessed me in 2009. To find other thankful hearts and posts click HERE.

This last year has been a very mixed year of feelings for me, and one where the Lord has taught me so much more about His abundant love and care for me, that I have been blessed beyond what I feel like I can adequately describe to you.

I became a mom at such a young age (a mere 18) that I never had much time to think about what else I might do with my life outside of that enormous job. I was never really even an adult WITHOUT having the responsibility of children. I tell you this so that you might understand why for me, suddenly finding myself with all of my children grown and gone this last year, has been such an overwhelming and sometimes downright bewildering experience. I just wasn't completely sure "WHAT" to do with myself. I am grateful that the Lord has opened a few doors for me and I have found my days fuller than I thought they might be. I have spent my time babysitting my darling little grandchildren, working in a classroom full of sweet faced little 5 year olds, and have even started a women's Bible study group in my home. I'm still looking for new ways I might better serve Him as well. Now of course my children have not been young and therefore dependent on me for quite a while now, but I still made myself "busy" with the many things that you can when they live in your house and are just "there". That last year Melody was home was spent immersed in the plans for her wedding, and the enjoyment that all brought. But this year in comparison was so quite. My house is occasionally full again when all of my kids gather with their spouses and their children, and I treasure those times now, and is certainly right at the top of my list of things I am grateful for this year. I am grateful I live so close to all of my grandchildren and am able to spend as much time as I do with all of these wonderful little people. I am grateful that Melody has been able to spend as much time as she has been able to visiting this last year. I am soo grateful for the birth of not one but TWO precious new grandbabies. Both Cody and Donatella are soo incredibly sweet and have added so much to our family with their presence in our lives. I am grateful for my husband’s new job and the benefits it has brought, but more importantly just for him and the love and friendship that has remained so strong and something I have been able to count on for almost 35 years now. I am grateful that the Lord has given me the strength to FINALLY address my weight and corresponding health issues with a diet that has not only allowed me lose 50 pounds so far, but is really very tasty as well. I'm grateful that my step dad has remained strong and healthy DESPITE a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer a year ago! I am grateful for the good health of everyone in my family and for God's protection as we have all gone about our daily lives. And I am soo grateful for all of you. As I have found myself not only in the midst of my first year as a "empty nester" but also somewhat forced to be much less active due to my arthritis, the blogging world has become a wonderful place for me to not only write out my thoughts and feelings (which was my original reason for taking it up) but has enabled me to meet so many wonderful new friends, and even some true "kindred spirits" as well. This was not something I even thought about as a possibility through this experience, but one I feel the Lord just knew I needed and blessed me with as a very wonderful unexpected benefit. I have learned so much from all of your insights into scripture and God's leading in your life, and have been inspired to grow so much closer to Him as a result. I have laughed and cried with you all, and have had both the privilege of praying for you and the have felt the comfort and strength that comes from being lifted in prayer by you all as well. As we all begin this New Year, and look ahead to all its possibilities and hopes, I know a few things I can count on. The Lord is ever faithful and His mercy and grace are always there for us to draw upon and have as very real presence in our lives. He loves us all with a love that can't even really be understood fully by us mere human beings. I am looking so forward to what He might do in our lives for 2010, and my desire is to grow closer and closer to Him and find new ways I might serve Him and share His love with others through this next year. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all, and may the Lord bless you and make His face to shine upon you now and always....Love, Debbie

A DAY WITH THE CLASS GRANDKIDS AND MORE CHRISTMAS PICS

Yesterday after church Jeff & I picked up little Jeffie and headed down to Temecula to meet Jimmy and Larissa and their kids for lunch and some fun time at a children's museum down there.  I just didn't feel like with all the sickness we had over Christmas that we got enough "fun" time in, haha, so this sounded like something we could do to enjoy.  The lunch was fantastic (Mexican food which I haven't had in months, though I MUST get back on my diet) and we all had a really good time at the museum. I LOVE a hands on kids museum where they all can handle and touch and have fun any way they can imagine.  The kids all enjoyed the little crawl space that connected two of the rooms, and the black light maze room as well.
 I am going to post  a few pics on the day.  And Mel I am posting a few of the Christmas pics I think you might like, or watch the video and I think the pics are numbered.  Tell me which ones you want and I will send them to you in an email or something (if I can figure it out) I am also posting a slide show of our Christmas which I hope you all enjoy.  It was a "different" Christmas for me, but we had a very blessed one nonetheless.  ENJOY

AT LUNCH

HOW ADORABLE IS SHE?

LOOK AT THOSE BLUE EYES

ENJOYING THE GIFT SHOP BEFORE WE WENT IN

THE MUSIC ROOM...THE BOYS WERE ON THE DRUMS

CAPRI BROADCASTING....COULDN'T GET THE RED OUT OF HER EYE'S..I AM STILL THINKING NEW CAMERA.  = )

THE BOYS IN THE KITCHEN...THERE WERE MAGNETS EVERYWHERE

FLYING THE HOT AIR BALLOON

HAHA

THE CRAWL WAY

HERE WE COME...

TELLA LOVED IT TOO!

COULDN'T RESIST

HERE I AM..

SHE LOVED THIS

GREAT DAY

Ok, here are a few Christmas pics Mel...

I KNEW YOU WOULD WANT ONE OF ME AND DAD ON CHRISTMAS DAY SINCE YOU DIDNT SEE OUR FACES, HAHA.  ACTUALLY I AM WEARING THE TOP YOU GOT ME THOUGH I HAD TO NIP IT DOWN SO YOU COULDN'T SEE MUCH OF MY BODY.  LOL

JOHN DIDN'T HAVE IT FOCUSED REAL WELL EITHER...

JIMMY'S KIDS ON CHRISTMAS EVE ALL DRESSED UP, THOUGH TELLA WAS NOT COOPERATING, HAHA

I LOVED THIS

AND THIS

YOUR CHARGER COOKIE

HAHA

POOR ELVIE

I BET THESE ARE COMING IN HANDY WITH ALL THE SNOW

HAHA   POOR CODY

YOU ARE ALL SOO SERIOUS  HAHA

OK, Mel...now watch the video and let me know...love you!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

SWEET SMELLING AROMA

Tomorrow is Spiritual Sunday, and like the rest of you I am sure, I have been very busy with family and celebrations this last week, and this is really the first chance I have had to go through my "library" of devotions I have written in the past to chose one for tomorrow. I found myself reading through so many possibilities, and yet finding a hard time settling in on one. Ephesians has always been one of my very favorite books of the Bible and I LOVE this verse. There is so much packed into this single verse and several different areas within it to focus in on and dwell on for our lives. Thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this event. To read the other bloggers who have praticipated, click HERE.


Esphesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma...

All through the scriptures, Jesus is our example of love, and is Who we are striving to be like in our Christian lives. He gave Himself to us as the "perfect" sacrifice to God, and He was the sweet smelling aroma. As we give ourselves in acts of love to others, we can be that sweet aroma to God. I was thinking about this and wondering to myself, what is this kind of love really, and more importantly, how do we demonstrate it? To be able to practice love, we need to know what it is biblically. Throughout Scripture, love is characterized as an action. First of all, love teaches the truth to others and ministers to their needs. It sets an example by serving others and stimulating them to grow. It covers other people's faults and forgives. Love also endures the problems and idiosyncrasies of others and sacrifices on their behalf. Self-sacrificial love gives spiritual truth, help, and concern to those in need...that's the heart of Christian living, and it's the magnet that can attract the world.

I was also thinking about that "sweet smelling aroma" that Jesus is...Anyone who truly knows me well knows of my love of a really nice fragrance or perfume. It is seldom that I venture into a department store without going to the counter where it is all displayed and sold and spraying samples onto the little cards to enjoy the many different varieties of smells. It attracts me and satisfies my senses HUGELY for some reason. So for me, I love to think that Jesus is that sweet smelling aroma for God, and that we too might be that "sweet smell" to Him with our lives and love for others.

Again, all of this is so much easier said than done. To love others in this way is what I of course strive to do, but often find myself falling so short. As we have been going through this Christmas season I have been reminded that one of the main things I love most about this time of year is the love that is in the air and the desire on the parts of many to demonstate that love to others. How wonderful would it be if we all really did all we could to put it all into practice all year long? And yet as Christians, that is exactly what we are suppose to do. I hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas Day and is enjoying this time spent with family and friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA AND LINDSEY

Today December 26, 2009 is both my little sister Donna's birthday AND my grand daughter Lindsey's as well.  I will start with my sister Donna.

When Donna joined our family as the SIXTH and FINAL child my mom and dad were to have, I was already 14 years old.  This meant of course that I was old enough to take a VERY active role in caring for her.  I can remember when my mom brought her home, my other sisters and I fighting over whose turn it was to hold her or give her next bottle etc.  How I enjoyed her!  I remember dressing her up and putting little bows in her hair.  I can honestly tell you that for many years I felt a lot more like a mother to her than a sister.  I remember her first day of KG well, and she was the little flower girl at our wedding.  Considering Donna was only 6 years old when I married, I was not around on a daily basis while she was growing up.  But I do remember her spending a great deal of time at our home, often joining us on our trips to Disneyland or the Zoo, and even on some of our family vacations. 

As Donna grew and became an adult our relationship changed somewhat and we now enjoy a friendship and "kindred spirit" relationship that I treasure.  She is a very generous person and her heart is loving and warm.  She is a good wife to Todd and a wonderful mother to both Katie and Blake.  Donna will ALWAYS hold a very special place in my heart, and I think maybe a part of me will always feel a little "motherly" towards her, haha...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA and may the Lord bless you and make His face to shine upon you now and always!!   Love you Spin....Twist.

And now for Lindsey. 

Lindsey is a VERY unique, VERY beautiful, VERY special little girl.  She is 9 years old today.  Lindsey came into our lives when my oldest son Joe married Leah.  She was not quite 2 years old and so course still just a baby in many ways.  I can't believe she is already 9 years old, and well on her way to growing up. 

Lindsey is your typical "girly" girl.  She loves clothes, nail polish and almost anything sparkly.  She loves music and I believe it is Taylor Swift who has captured her heart right now.  She also loves to draw and shows a REAL talent in this area already.  I think I could see a future in fashion creating for her.  Lindsey is a giving, loving little girl and is a REALLY BIG help to her mama and daddy with her little brothers.  She is also a BIG HELP to this grandma when she is babysitting.  Don't know sometimes what I would do without her.  Lindsey works hard at school and gets wonderful grades. 

My life became very blessed indeed when Lindsey joined our family, and I thank God every day for this precious little girl.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDSEY and may the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you now and always.  LOVE YOU!!  Grandma

Here are a few pictures of Lindsey.  I am sad to say I don't have any of Donna.  (that are on my computer anyway) ENJOY

WHAT A LITTLE DOLL

RAGGEDY ANNE

SHOPPING WITH GRANDMA

"POSING" IN THEIR JAMMIES

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Luk 2:10 - 14 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

I have heard it say that no single event has ever changed the course of human history quite like the birth of Jesus Christ.  He came to give us all not only eternal life, but to be our ever present source of comfort, love, and peace while we live our lives here on this earth.  There has never been a more perfect gift.  He came as a simple baby, born in a stable, without much materially to His name.  But His life here on this earth, and more importantly, His ultimate death on the cross, holds the power and miracle to change a human life forever.  I can never express enough my gratitude for this gift to all mankind. 

I just want to take this opportunity to wish everyone of my new friends a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of God's abundant love and blessings.  You have all added so much to my life this last year I don't think any of you could imagine.  It was a hard year for me as I adjusted to my daughter moving away and my "nest" finally be empty.  But God is faithful and good and He has filled my life with new opportunities and friendships.  I look forward to this new year and hope to get to know some of you even better, and maybe meet some of you face to face.  May you all enjoy your families and friends in these next few days and remember Him from Whom all these blessings flow.  Happy birthday Jesus!

CAN YOU ONLY IMAGINE THIS SIGHT!

Find other Thankful hearts here.

HE WILL DIRECT OUR PATHS

 Proverbs 3 5 - 6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And lean not on your own understanding..In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths....


Today is Spiritual Sunday and I had already decided not to participate this week as my usually quiet house is full of family, as we have gathered to celebrate Christmas.  Not much time to spend on the computer.  But as I was doing my devotional this morning, I came across this verse, and felt I just HAD to share what the Lord has shown me this morning.

 For those of you who follow my blog at all know, Melody arrived on Thursday night to spend this week-end with us, as she and her husband are unable to come for Christmas this year.  Her brothers decided that rather than celebrate without her we would just escalate things and celebrate on the 19th with our traditional Christmas Day dinner and gift exchange.  This created a problem or two with me at first, and yet it wasn't long and I was completely "on board" with this plan.  Melody and I had many things planned for Friday, to include that evening going to the Candlight Pavillion for our anual fun dinner and a Christmas play.  We have been doing this every year since she was 3 years old.  Again, if you follow my blog at all you know, I am BIG on tradition and SLOW to change.  For at least a couple of weeks now I have been looking forward to not only our gathering on Saturday with the whole family, but also to Friday and "my day" with Mel.  These kind of days have become rare now as she has moved away, and when she does visit she is torn in so many different directions trying to visit and spend time with other family members and friends, it is hard to get much alone time with her.  But this visit was to be different as she had set aside the WHOLE day to spend doing the things we love to do together.  Shopping, lunching out, some baking, and mainly of course hours of uninterrupted time in sweet conversation.  BUT!!  When I awoke at 2:00 am on Friday morning it was not in excited anticipation of my day as I had planned, but sicker than I can remember being in quite some time.  Yes, I had the stomach flu.  The one sickness I just can't seem to fake it and just "move along as best you can" as I have always told my kids.  I was barely able to make it from my bed to the bathroom ALL DAY LONG, let alone any thing else I had planned.  I couldn't believe it was happening was all I could think of when I managed to think of anything at all besides how sick I felt.  Melody was there to "play nurse" which was my first thing I managed to be thankful for, and to do all the necessary shopping I needed STILL to do, which included 2 presents that were still left to buy.  But as the day wore on and I only became sicker (if that was possible) I began to except that our anual Christmas play was not to happen as well.  The tickets are non-refundable, not that going another night was a possibility anyway.  So that night my husband and Mel headed off with my middle son who filled in my spot and I layed at home sipping water and watching the Preacher's wife.  Not exactly what I had planned.  I will be honest with you all and tell you I was not only HUGELY disappointed, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself, and wondering just what the Lord had in mind "allowing" me to get this sickness at this particular time.  Yesterday morning I woke feeling soo much better I decided I might actually be able to function through the busy day ahead.  It did turn out to be a wonderful day.  I will tell you it was mainly do the fact that I have been blessed with such a wonderful family.  My husband not only COMPLETELY did the whole dinner (with some help from Mel and my grandson JD haha) himself, and it was WONDERFUL, he also did all the little things he just knew I would want done as well.  Got all my beautiful Christmas dinner dishes out, and cleaned and spent pretty much the whole day running around taking care of the things I would have usually done.  The grand kids all were excited and we all enjoyed ourselves just being together.  Both of my daughter in laws jumped right in to help out cleaning up etc., and I just kind of sat around chatting and visiting with everyone.  Everything may not have been like I had planned out, in fact far from it, but it was wonderful just the same.  This morning I woke up early and I am feeling almost totally myself.  I began reading my Bible and praying about this day and this verse in Proverbs practically jumped off the page at me.  Trust in the Lord with all of your heart...(even when you just really don't understand) lean not on your own understanding (even when all you can say is WHY Lord) in ALL your ways acknowledge Him, and He WILL direct your paths.  I am still not totally sure why the Lord let this happen but one thing I am very sure of.  Nothing happens by chance.  Maybe it was just to show me that sometimes I can lean on the others in my family to get things done and do them well, or maybe it was just so I might see and appreciate how much I am loved and blessed.   But this truth became very clear again to me this morning.  He WILL direct my path.  The pages of my life are being written by Almighty God Himself, and I will put my trust in Him.  Today is our LARGE extended family gathering today at my sisters house.  I am looking forward to it.  I am grateful it is today and not yesterday as I don't know if I could have made the long drive yesterday.  I have NO IDEA what this day might hold.  But I have comnitted it all to Him and trust He will work out all the details.  He WILL direct my path.  Here are a few pictures of our day yesterday.  Yes, my husband and Mel took several pictures for me KNOWING I would want to share them with you.  ENJOY.... I will not get the chance to get around and visit the other blogs who participate in this as I can hear the beginnings of people stirring,  But I will be by in the next couple of days or so.  To enjoy this posts, you can click HERE.  I pray that you all have a blessed day, and that we all remember to acknowledge Him in all we do.

I did this soo fast there was no time to check for errors, haha, PLEASE excuse any if you find them..I had some pretty cute captions for the pics, but don't know "what happened" OH well, you get the idea.

REASONS TO BE THANKFUL...

Tomorrow is Thankful Thursday and I will have to admit, I had a tough day...But even as I found this day unfolding, I did manage to find several things to indeed be thankful for.  I have proven this fact to myself many times over the last several years of my life.  There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for, even if you REALLY have to dig sometimes, haha.  I will warn you in advance that this story is LONG and somewhat draining.  I considered nipping it down (as my sons would say) but I am writing this for myself as well so that I will have a record of this day to look back on.  Plus, I think sometimes for me it is just good to go back through hard days in my head, looking for where the Lord blessed me.  To find other grateful hearts, click HERE...

My day started out EARLY (5:30 a.m.) as I had many things I wanted to get done before my son dropped off my grandson Cody as 9:30.  As I quickly scurried about making our bed and picking things up (where does all the "mess" come from?) I prayed and tried to plan out my day.  I ate a hurried breakfast and straightened the kitchen, annoyed now with myself that I had decided to leave the dinner dishes from the night before, as I now had quite the little chore ahead of me.  I finally finished that up and started up my washing machine.  I showered and dressed and began the TOTALLY ANNOYING task of trying to track down a UPS order that SHOULD have arrived yesterday.  I PAID for it to arrive yesterday, but it had not come.  I did a lot of my shopping online this year do to my arthritis making it difficult to get around.  I have decided NOT to do that again.  Not only was it difficult to see what I was ordering, all the different packages arriving and trying to remember what I had done etc., was not something a somewhat disorganized gal like myself should be on.  Figuring out that it was to be delivered sometime today between the hours of 10 and 2 presented a dilemma to my day.  First of all I had to leave to pick up my grandson from KG at 11:30, and had a hair cut appointment for him at 1:30 and plans to have the kids pics taken after that.  I arranged for a my middle son John to be here today while I was gone so that someone would be here to sign for it which this particular shipment was requiring.  THANKFULLY it was the ONLY one that had required a signature, or online shopping would have REALLY been dumb.  Anyway, I was THANKFUL that he was able and willing to do this, HOWEVER, AGAIN, the package did not arrive.  This will mean a repeat of this problem tomorrow.  Now to top it off, this is not even things I need for our Sat. gift exchange/Christmas, it is presents for my husband's birthday which is tomorrow.  However, the fact that it is my wonderful husband's birthday tomorow is definitely another reason to be THANKFUL.   How I praise God for this man.  I can honestly say I am quite certain I don't deserve him, and am eternally grateful that he has put up with my high maintence ways for 35 years.  I love him beyond reason, and my life has been blessed abundantly because of him.  But, on with my day.  My oldest son calls me quite frantic with several problems that have cropped up unexpectantly for him and wants to bring the baby over early.  I tell him that is fine and am THANKFUL that I had gotten up early and got at least a few things off my "to do" list before the baby arrived.  However, my son brings the baby in his jammies, needing his breakfast, and already kind of tired and cranky.  I fed the baby, bathed and dressed him, and began trying to get him to take a nap before it is time to get his brother from school.  He just didn't cooperate.  He is cutting 4 teeth and was just out of sorts.   At this point I am re-considering rather or not I should even attempt to get Christmas pictures taken of the boys.  He naps about 15 minutes.  SIGH....Then it is time to go get Jeffie from school.  He was soo happy to see me.  Another reason to be THANKFUL...He was soo excited as he had been sent home with a gift for me from his teacher for helping out in his classroom on Thursday mornings.  It was an absolutely darling gingerbread man box for holding cookies or whatever.  Again, soo THANKFUL for her thoughtfulness.  I took the boys home and fed them their lunches.  Cody seemed to be in a much better mood, so I decided to head out on my planned day.  The hair cut went well.  Definitely THANKFUL....We headed over to Victoria Gardens which is a fairly new HUGE outdoor mall.  The whole thing is like a small town city.  It is decorated beautifully for Christmas and you can hear Christmas music playing wherever you are at.  Things are pricey here and I don't shop here often to be honest, but it is very pretty and I do love to at least stroll around and look at things.  As I pulled into a parking place I noticed that the baby had dozed off.  Not sure what to do as I knew he needed the sleep, I considered just driving on home.  But looking at little Jeffie's face and knowing his excitement I decided to try to slip the baby into his stroller and pray he kept sleeping....yeah right....he weighs 24 pounds and you don't "slip" him anywhere.  At least I don't.  He woke up, and just lets just say, he was a little grumpy.  SIGH....I get him into the stroller and go into a store where I was going to see about getting the boys matching shirts for their picture.  They had a video going that the boys were enjoying and 15 minutes later I had the cutest little shirts you have ever seen, and they were 30% off as well.  Again, quite THANKFUL for that.  I managed to get the boys into their shirts and even changed the baby's pants.  Then considering I still had some time before the picture appointment, I decided that the baby really needed some new shoes.  His were definitely too small and besides they didn't match their shirts very well.  I got him a nice, really cute pair and they were 1/2 off!  I was finally on a roll.  I headed back to the picture place deciding I would just wait out front of their shop which faces the big Christmas tree and Santa's house and lots of decorations for the boys to look at.   Little Jeff was as good as gold.  Cody?  He was done.  Nothing at all was satisfying him at this point, but the appointment was in 20 minutes, SURELY I could make it till then.  I finally decided to let him out of his stroller and let him maybe walk around for the next 15 minutes or so.  In many many ways, THANK GOD I did this, as when I lifted him out I quickly realized he had messed his pants getting IT all over practically everything.  His pants and new shirt were covered, it was in his stroller etc.  I was somewhat hysterical at this point.  My sisters had met me there (with their grandkids), and my sister Diane and I headed for women's bathroom there where we had to strip him and practically give him another bath.  Cody is a very strong baby, and very strong willed.  He was difficult is the only nice way to say he was making this little chore exhausting.  We finally got everything all cleaned up, diapered him, and as I was reaching for his diaper bag I remembered that I had not grabbed him a spare outfit for just such an event as this.  I am somewhat out of practice as you can tell.  Well, after washing out his clothes and putting them in a gallon baggie (how did I manage to remember that you might ask?  Well, I didn't...my sister had one in her grand daughters bag THANKFULLY is the answer to that) we headed outside again as I wondered what I should do.  Get in my car and drive home should have been my answer.  But for some reason at that point (I have been known to be stubborn too) I was NOT going to leave after all of that without my pictures.  So I went back into the store and bought him another really cute outfit to wear.  Now the fact that he is actually in desperate need of clothes (he is growing soo fast) helped take the sting out of that.  I hurried back (by now my knees are sooo done) and re-dressed the baby.  It is time FINALLY for my appointment and I headed into the store and began the "wait".....What in the world I could have ever been thinking?  OF COURSE you will wait, even with an appointment...it is Christmas time and they are sooo busy.  By this point Cody is simply totally wild.  I have given him everything I can toss him from my purse and each item is given 15 or 20 seconds of consideration by him and he tossed to the floor.  He cries.  I pace...and just as I have FINALLY decided, you know what, this just wasn't meant to be, they call our name.  I practically limp over thinking to myself Jeffie will have to do this by himself, Cody will NEVER cooperate.  Here is where I felt the Lord took mercy on me and decided to reward my diligence and desire to have a cute Christmas picture to add to my collection, as Cody suddenly morphed into a dream baby.  He smiled (THANKS to his cousin Jackie) and they actually got several REALLY cute pictures of the boys together.  I was VERY VERY THANKFUL for that.  I picked out a couple of pictures and was THANKFUL that I managed to stick to my goal of buying very few of the pictures and just got a couple of cute poses of the boys.  If I had a scanner (which I don't right now) I'd show you just how cute they were, making all the hassle worth it.  My daughter-in-law arrived shortly after we were done with the pictures.  We were planning on having dinner and then letting the kids play in  the "snow"  they manufacture every night.  I was sooo tired, and sooo done I was wondering if I would have the strength for this.  Little Jeff however was soo looking forward to this, and had been soo good all day that I couldn't bear to say I was leaving.  And after all, Leah was there now to "handle" the baby.  Well, within a few minutes we discovered that due to the economy they were NOT doing the snow this year.  Sooo, we let the kids play for a while and I did take a few pics of the kids by the gorgeous Christmas tree.  But this didn't really work out either as the lighting was bad and no matter what I did I couldn't get the red out of their eyes.  Soo, I only have one to show you but you will at least get the idea. 

I am sorry this was soo long, and soo draining, and for those of you who have stuck with me to the end of this I just want to say that overall I am GRATEFUL for this day.  I got my darling Christmas picture.  I had a few experiences that I know I will laugh about someday.  God is good and I am GRATEFUL that I am in the position I am to enjoy my grandkids.  Even when they are teething and fussy.  I am GRATEFUL for my wonderful husband and am excited to celebrate his birthday tomorrow rather his presents come or not.  And I am GIDDY as my Melly is coming tomorrow.  How I have needed her this week.  Not only on this wild day, but for 100 little reasons as well.  Yes, God is soo good to me, and I am as always soo GRATEFUL.   Just look at all the RED thankfuls and gratefuls in my day!

How darling is little Jeffie's shirt and smile?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAPRI ANGELINA CLASS

Today, Monday December 14, 2009, is my precious grand daughter Capri's fifth birthday.  She is my youngest son James's oldest daughter, and has brought sooo much joy and happiness into the hearts of her parents and her grandparents, it could never be measured. 

Capri is the big sister to both JD and Donatella and is such a big help to her mama.  She is bright and enjoys attending her Pre-K class 4 days a week.  She has been blessed with a wonderful imagination.  She can weave an elaborate game of make believe out of "whatever" she can find to play with.  She has only to close her eyes and she becomes whoever it is that has caught her fancy on any given day.  Recently, her love is for Fancy Nancy.  For those of you who are not familiar with this wonderful character, let me just say, she is glitsey and sparkly and fancy in all she wears, says and does.  Soo much fun for a "girly girl"  5 year old.  Her birthday party Saturday was done based on this theme, and everyone who attended had such a good time.  There were crowns for all the girls to wear, and face painting and games, a pinata full of candy, and many other goodies and sweets, and a cake that really was too pretty to cut, made by Kristi @ Yoursugarrush.  Larissa, Capri's mama, read all the kids some Fancy Nancy books while they munched on some popcorn.  Larissa, who had obviously read those books once or twice, haha, did a wonderful job keeping the attention of all the kids, along with most of the adults who were there.  It was a perfect way to celebrate the life of a sweet little girl who has captured the hearts of all who know her. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet Capri...Grandma loves you soo much!!  May the Lord bless you and keep and make His face to shine upon you now and forever more. 

Here are some more pictures of this little cutie, and a slide show I put together of her party.  ENJOY...

FANCY NANCY

A BUTTERFLY..LOOK AT THOSE BLUE EYES

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SNOW WHITE

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Make a Smilebox slideshow