We're at the beach... Be back next year !

Joy.....

There is nothing like the sound of laughter filling your home on Christmas morning. Music to this Momma's ears. When you are waiting for your child to come home, it's hard not to keep thinking about "next Christmas" when she will be here with us. There was some of that today. And some of it was filled with the past. Thinking back to holidays when Rye and Jess were little. How sweet those times were. I miss them being little. But in between thinking about how awesome next Christmas will be with Marianna home and how special Christmas used to be when the big kids were young, I was so extremely blessed by the joy that is Izzy. She has such a way of grounding me in the reality of what is most important. She lets me know at all times that she loves me. She has a joy that comes straight from Jesus and she shares it with everyone that comes into her presence. Today I bathed in that joy. That sweet sound of laughter filled our home, lifted me up and carried me through the day. Thank You Jesus...... Thank You Izzy.

Make a Smilebox collage

Like Father, Like Daughter

I thought she was playing school. "No, Momma" she says. "I'm preaching. Shhhh! We are having church."

Jessi's Baby Shower

Random Holiday Sweetness

"Mommy, there is an elf in the bathroom !"

I guess I was the last person on earth to hear about The Elf on the Shelf. In one week three different people told me about it and were shocked that I hadn't bought it for Izzy. So, I had to get to the bottom of The Elf thing and Gran Mimi got right on it and so arrived The Elf on the Shelf. Well, I cannot tell you how much fun we've had with this elf. Izzy named him Elfie which is part of the tradition. You probably know this already :) Every morning Izzy bolts out of the bed and goes running through the house to find where Elfie has decided to perch for the day. It's truly the cutest thing. Elfie has shown up in some bizarre places (my husband is too creative for his own good ) This morning he ended up in the bathroom so as Izzy said " he can make sure we are all good while we potty ". Below are a few places that we found Elfie this Christmas season.

My Princess

The things we do to make our kids laugh !!!

Click below:


Elf Yourself : )

Happy Birthday Marianna

Can't wait till next year to share this day with you.

Happy Birthday......

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday Honey : )

Gunny 5/5/96-12/12/09

We miss you stinky Gunny ......

Cooking with Izzy.....

So thankful.......

Harvest Party at Daddy's Work

Sweetest thing...... Bella was a witch. Again. She can't remember being a witch last year and therefore doesn't think she was one : ) She told everyone we ran into today that she was a "Good Witch" and then would tell them "Don't worry, I'm not a naughty witch. I don't do spells, just blessings" Sweetest thing