Reflections

Today would have been my father-in-law's sixty-second birthday. Much has happened in the last 5 1/2 years since he went to heaven unexpectedly. I pause today as I think about all the people (grandparents and parents) we have lost in these years. And strangely enough my thoughts go to my husband and the godly man he is. He shoulders the responsibility of leading our home and family in good times and in bad. In times of blessing and in times of sadness. I know this is a difficult task, especially when you have lost your male role models at a young age. But I believe the only reason he has been able to carry us through these rough years has been his reliance on his Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for the blessing of a loving and leading Father and a loving and leading husband.

Washing Dishes

In our house, we have a rule. If you cook, you don't have to clean up. Since I usually cook, my husband takes on most of the cleaning duties. Today, he finally realized that we have two boys who are old enough to wash dishes. So while I am blogging, he is training them on the fine art of dishwashing!

Hee Hee Hee! Now he is telling stories about when we were first married and didn't have a dishwasher, so washing dishes was spending quality time together! I can just imagine the eyes rolling now! Raising kids is so fun!

Anyone have a good system for training the kids in doing chores? I'd love to hear them. My kids have too much free time this summer!

My Guys!

I had a great Mother's Day this year. I am so blessed to have two fabulous sons and a fantastic husband, too! This is also the only holiday where I get to be in all the pictures, and I always make the guys pose for a bunch! As you can see in the second picture, this is the year that my 13 year old, Brent, passed me up in height! We have had lots of height comparisons lately. J.P. never stops making me smile with his funny sayings and constant impersonations of his favorite shows and commercials! And of course, my sweet husband is the best! I love the way he loves me and our family and leads us in the way we should go! I am blessed!

13 Years Ago Today...

Just 13 short years ago today, we were welcoming our firstborn into this world! Today Brent has entered the official world of teenager-dom. He is very excited, and his mom isn't so sure! I think my trepedation comes mainly from all the stories from my mom about how my 13th year nearly killed her! Brent is really a great kid. We are so proud of him and all he is and all he does. What a blessing to have such a great son!

Sick Stinks!

Warning: This post may be taken as whining!

For the past three weeks someone in our house has been sick. The past week and a half has been me! And I am not a great sicky. I am blessed to have a very flexible schedule, so I have been able to rest when needed. I went to the doctor on day 3 when it looked like all was not going to be ok on its own. But now, on day NINE, I am still having to go to bed at 8 just because I can't keep going! Some days I have to take a nap just to be able to have enough energy to get some dinner on the table and make it to 8 or 9 for bedtime! OK, OK, enough whining! I know there are people out there in MUCH worse shape than me. I should count my blessings that things are not worse and that I have a husband and family that can take good care of themselves and of me! Thanks for letting me get that out of my system! I feel better now. Sort of.

Christmas 2007

Our gracious Father answered our prayers for peace and comfort during the holidays. We thank him for that and are so blessed to have made some wonderful memories this year.

This is the newest member of the family, our niece, Molly Elizabeth!

JP and cousin, Natalie

MarMar with JP and Brent

Grandmother and her six beautiful and handsome grandkids

The boys open some gifts at home

We had a yummy dinner on Christmas day

Logan and JP are great friends and cousins

The cousins had a ball at the Gaylord Texan

The Gaylord was a beautiful place to celebrate the holidays

J.P., Ken, Me, and Brent at Mom/Grandmother's house

More Gaylord photo ops

This was the view from our 8th floor window!

A Bittersweet Christmas

As our family celebrates Christmas this year, there will be no way around thinking about the chair that will be empty. I have thought a lot about my dad in the last few weeks. About how he enjoyed helping Mom shop for all the grandkids during December and finding the best bargains in every store. He was notorious for waiting until the very last possible minute to buy the gifts that were just from him. Sometimes that made for some interesting presents for Mom! :)

One of my favorite ongoing memories of Dad at Christmastime is his famous "SAVE THE BOWS" followed by laughs everywhere and his putting all the bows he could find on his bald head. Heaven forbid we throw away a bow! We could use them for next year's gifts! :)

This year we will be doing things a little different and a little the same. We are going to spend part of our time together at a fancy hotel and do some special things together. Then we will go back to Grandmother's for our traditional gift opening time. Although Christmas will never be the same for us, we are looking forward to some special memories in 2007.

The blessing of family should never be taken for granted. It is truly a gift.

Pictures from Christmas 2006

Grandaddy helps Megan with her yo-yo

Grandaddy and Halle tell Brent something

Grandaddy opens his presents