Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I am such a lucky girl! I have an awesome Valentine. Tonight, we went to dinner with some great friends, then dancing and ice cream after. It was so nice to just be together. I love my hub - I would marry him all over again and again and again. I am so thankful to have such an amazing husband who treats me like a queen and LOVES me - no matter what I do. I love that he knows I would rather have a symphony bar (or ten) than a box of mall chocolate, he knows I would rather have flowers for my yard than from a someflower shop, I love that he knows me so well. Happy Valentine's Day Gaylen - I love you so much.

HaPpY bIrThDaY WyAtT!!!

Wy at his first b-ball game

Wy & Lucky

Wy & Gaylen (kinda) Dad had to sneak right in there!

Wy & my Mom

I can't believe Wyatt is turning TEN today!! Time sure flies!! Some of my favorite things about Wyatt are....

* He is ALWAYS willing to help out!

* He is such a hard worker!!

* He LOVE people! When we first moved to our current home - people we didn't even know would walk by and say "Hello" to Wy! Ok, that still happens but we do know some of them!

* He loves his brothers and sisters!

* He gets excited about so many things!

* He is SO much like his Dad!

* He gives his all!

* He loves his grandparents so much!

* He worries about people. :)

* He has a great grin!!

There are so many things I love about Wyatt - he really is a joy to have in our home. He is a mover & a shaker - he keeps us hopping! Happy Birthday Wyatt!! I love you so much!! I hope you have a fantastic birthday!

Just a few of my favorites....

I remember when I was a kid - my Mom made this face in so many pics. I am happy to have it with Brenna! Sorry Mom! :)

Wy & my Mama

Gaylen & Wyatt

Brenna & Patrick

Wy's first B-ball game

I am so blessed - I know it. I have three amazing kids - Gaylen's six awesome kids and their families - a wonderful husband - incredible parents and parents-in-law. I am one lucky (blessed) girl. I am so grateful for my family - they keep me grounded, centered. I hope all of them know just how much each & everyone of them really mean to me. These pictures just make me smile... so I wanted to share them today. I am gonna "Make it a great day."

“Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.”

My Oma

My Oma is 97 years old. She is an AMAZING woman - I am so proud to be her grand-daughter. Recently, she fell and isn't doing so well. I am so torn - I don't want Oma to suffer but boy, I am not ready to say good-bye to this amazing woman either. Oma has always been such a great example to me. She is an incredibly brave woman - she came to America from Germany with four children, a new husband, not knowing many people or the language. But she did it - she did it because she believed in America. She has such a quiet strength in her. I don't think I have always realized just how strong or brave she really is... I think becoming a Mother has helped me realize her many sacrifices. I have so many fantastic memories of this great woman - I hope I can hold on to them always. I want my children to know about her faith, her strength, her bravery. I am just so sad. I really didn't think I would feel this way - I know she is 97. I know she has had a fantastic life. I know that she is missing many people who have gone before. But somehow - it doesn't make the thought of good-bye any easier.

I am so grateful for my faith - I am so grateful for the hope it lends. If I thought this was truly good-bye not "until we meet again" - I don't know how I would stand it. My knowledge of my loving Heavenly Father comforts me - brings me such peace. I am so grateful for it.

I am so grateful for my Oma - the countless things she has taught me.

Grampa Gaylen, Logan & Cole

lovely Erin & her Daddy

Gaylen's daughter Erin and her sweet family have been visiting from Virginia - it has been so nice to see Erin, Jason, Logan & Cole! I am always sad to see the end of their visits! I keep hoping they will move back west sometime soon. We love you Erin (and family)! We miss y'all already!!

Happy Christmas!!!

Brenna & Kathy

baby Daxton

Gaylen's folks & our little family

Christmas Eve

Patrick's favorite

happy Brenna

even Lucky was happy...

Wy & his video camera!

I can't believe Christmas has been & gone already. It was another great year. We spent all of Christmas day at HOME - it was LOVELY!! We were able to play games and watch movies and enjoy some quiet family time. All of Gaylen's older kids came for dinner on Christmas night - we had a great time. It is always fun to get together! I always find myself enjoying the time rather than taking pictures so... I don't have many to share! It was a great day though. I love the spirit that surrounds Christmas - I love that people are a little nicer, a little kinder.

I find myself thinking more & more about Mary - I think being a Mom has changed my focus some... ok, a lot. I think about the miracle of bring a baby into the world - the joys that come with that tiny miracle. I marvel at Mary bringing Jesus into this world - knowing his future. I am so grateful for her sacrifice. I hope I can keep the Spirit of Christmas with me for the coming year.

"God bless us, everyone."